Managing native vegetation and improving river catchment health will be made easier for land holders, land managers, Landcare groups, government staff and the general community with the release of the Native Vegetation Management Guide for the Riverina, compiled by Charles Sturt University staff and private consultant Rick Webster.

The guide was launched last Thursday 21 November at Deniliquin in southern NSW by the Federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage, The Hon. David Kemp.

According to guide co-editor Kylie Kent, the guide provides practical information on managing, restoring and establishing native vegetation in the western Riverina region. 

Simplified diagrams of the landscape showing vegetation types are provided for all land systems in the region, plus illustrated descriptions of over 300 species of trees, shrubs and ground covers. The Guide covers native vegetation found in the 8 million-hectare region.

The Guide was produced for the Native Dog Working Group and Berrigan Shire through the Bushcare Program, part of the Natural Heritage Trust. 

The Guide has been compiled and edited by staff from Charles Sturt University and consultant Rick Webster. 

According to the Riverina Bushcare manager with Greening Australia, Martin Driver, the Native Vegetation Management Guide for the Riverina represents an important aid for achieving effective land management.
“More guides of this type are needed to effectively manage native vegetation across various landscapes found across NSW,” Mr Driver said.

An interactive website based on the Native Vegetation Management Guide for the Riverina will be launched by the CSU Herbarium in 2003.

Orders for the book can be made through the Native Dog Landcare Group, PO Box 208, Barooga NSW 3644, on telephone (03) 5876 2236, or email gmartin@cnl.com.au.