Farm Dams
Farm dams have enormous potential to support more biodiversity, helping to make agriculture ecologically sustainable. Simple changes can make a huge difference. Increasing the area of shallow water and waterplants is usually the best thing to do, and can even attract threatened species like the Australian Painted Snipe (Rostratula australis) and Southern Bell Frog (Litoria raniformis). The typically barren farm dam can be transformed into an oasis where one can marvel at the wonders of nature.
The Wah Wah Water for Wildlife project page contains much information about farm dams and wildlife.
Click on the links below for booklets produced for the Irrigation Futures Cooperative Research Centre.
Improving Biodiversity of Farm Dams PRINCIPLES
Improving Biodiversity of Farm Dams CASE STUDIES
Farm Dam Blitz is a short film for landholders interested in enhancing wildlife habitat in their farm dams. Farmers from New South Wales and Victoria talk about what they’ve done to make wildlife more welcome on their properties. Follow presenter and wildlife ecologist Matt Herring as he himself transforms alongside the farm dams. The film highlights the enormous potential of the hundreds of thousands of farm dams across Australia to support more wildlife. It shows how simple changes can make a big difference and that it’s easy to have multi-functional farm dams. The typically barren farm dam can be transformed into an oasis for wildlife where one can marvel at the wonders of nature. Farm Dam Blitz is brought to you by Murrumbidgee Landcare through funding from the Australian Government’s Caring For Our Country program.