Yass Valley landholders are invited to submit expressions of interest to Yass Landcare Group for subsidised single paddock tree seedlings and reinforced steel mesh tree guards.
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Between one to 24 paddock trees and extra strong guards are available to each property in the region.
Many paddock trees in Yass Valley have been lost and the survivors are very old. There are also insufficient young trees growing in their place, project leader Jeremy Wilson said.
Paddock trees have benefits for the landscape, biodiversity and livestock, Mr Wilson said.
"Paddock trees attract possums, birds, microbats, reptiles and insects and provide shelter in open grassland and essential shade for resting, grazing animals during the heat of summer," Mr Wilson said.
"They provide stepping stones for animals and insects between patches of vegetation so they don't have to venture too far out into the open to reach their food and other clumps of vegetation."
Paddock trees can also reduce water logging and dry land salinity problems, as well as improve soil fertility as leaf litter and animal droppings fall onto the ground and breakdown, Mr Wilson said.
The deadline for expressions of interest is November 30.
Once expressions of interest have been received and processed, applicants will be contacted to provide further information about the planting site(s).
Successful applicants will then be asked to attend Yass Community Nursery in autumn 2020 to pick up their plants and guards, watch a demonstration and pay the fee of $15/$20 per tree and guard. Water mats and weed guards will also be supplied.
There will be a sausage sizzle, opportunity to straighten bent steel posts and a chance to meet others involved in the project at the event.
- To apply or for more information, visit yan.org.au/projects
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