Landholders are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the next round of the program.

Round 7 EOIs close: 17 April 2026

Eligibility

To participate, applicants must:

- Be a financial member of a Yass Area Network of Landcare Group

- Ensure the project site is within the Yass Valley Local Government Area

- Commit to 100% tree survival for 10 years, including replacing any trees that die

- Plant trees at least 30 metres apart and at a safe distance from houses and powerlines

- Agree to photo monitoring and survival reporting for three years.

- Pay the co-investment contribution and supply required materials

Participants contribute towards the cost of the guards:

- $25 per sheep-proof guard

- $30 per cattle/horse-proof guard

Participants will also need to supply three steel posts per guard.

These guards are robust and designed to withstand stock and wildlife. With proper care, they can be reused four to five times, making them a valuable long-term investment.

Participants are also asked to join the Tree Guard Team Up — a community working bee where volunteers come together to assemble and distribute the tree guards.

This hands-on day is a great opportunity to meet other local landholders, share knowledge and contribute to restoring the landscape together.

Since 2019, Yass Landcare Group has offered subsidised paddock trees and stock-proof guards to landholders across the Yass Valley Local Government Area. The project is delivered on behalf of the Yass Area Network of Landcare Groups (YAN) and is open to members of any YAN Landcare group.

Each year, the project results in around 400 new paddock trees planted and safely protected across the Yass Valley.

Scattered paddock trees play a critical role in supporting wildlife across our agricultural landscapes. They provide:

- Habitat hollows for birds, mammals such as microbats, reptiles, frogs, insects and spiders

- Stepping stones between patches of native vegetation, allowing animals to move safely across the landscape

- Food sources including nectar, foliage and insects

- Greater resilience for wildlife in a changing climate

Around one third of agricultural land in the Australian temperate zone contains scattered paddock trees, yet many of these trees are now very old. In many areas there are too few young trees growing to replace them, meaning these vital habitat trees could disappear over the coming decades without active replanting.

Even dead or unhealthy paddock trees are important for wildlife, providing shelter and nesting spaces.

Locally, species such as the Superb Parrot rely on scattered paddock trees for nesting and feeding, highlighting the importance of maintaining and restoring these landscape features.

Healthy, connected landscapes support productive and resilient farms. Establishing paddock trees and protecting natural vegetation can provide a range of practical on-farm benefits.

Scattered paddock trees can help:

- Reduce insect pests – birds and bats that roost in trees feed on insects that can damage crops and pastures

- Improve livestock welfare – trees provide shade and protection from wind, heat and cold

- Reduce salinity and waterlogging by helping regulate water movement through the soil

- Improve soil structure by reducing wind and water erosion

- Increase soil fertility as leaf litter and animal droppings return nutrients to the soil

- Encourage natural regeneration of native grasses, shrubs and future trees

- Support pollinators and beneficial insects that help maintain healthy ecosystems

Together, these benefits contribute to more sustainable and productive farming systems.