Resource information
Change in the extent and quality of native vegetation in rural landscapes in Victoria has not occurred evenly, or predictably, across the state over the past 50 years. There is variation in the presence of remnant native vegetation across land tenure, agronomic potential and from site-specific historical events. Even when there is an increase in native vegetation on farmland, it is uncertain how different landholders perceive this change and the extent to which environmental programs influence their management. This research explores the scale on which different landholders were increasing native vegetation on their properties; and the influence of environmental programs on landholders’ efforts to increase native vegetation. Combined qualitative and quantitative data reveal that a wide range of landholders is making considerable effort to increase the scale of native vegetation on their properties; however an increase in the extent of native vegetation in the wider district, particularly by natural regeneration, is not always viewed favourably by some landholders; and environmental programs remain an important catalyst across a spectrum of landholders for the management of native vegetation. The findings and the implications for natural resource management in the Australian context are discussed, particularly in relation to improving understanding of how to engage landholders to restore native vegetation on farmland.
