BFA on international year of biodiversity

The Biological Farmers of Australia applaud the United Nations’ proclamation of 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. A statement from the UN points out that over the past half-century, human activities have caused an unprecedented decline in biological diversity, with species becoming extinct a thousand times faster than the natural rate.

Rob Bauer (picture), a fourth - generation farmer on his Queensland property in the Lockyer Valley, inherited land that the original European settlers had been obliged to clear – and keep clear of regrowth – by government dictates. Rob converted the property to organic farm land thirty years ago and since then he has seen a marked change in the diversity and populations of native animals and vegetation on his land. Repair of much of the existing environmental damage was assisted by an ongoing co-operative venture between Rob and Landcare which began in 1985. On a demonstration block in a previously degraded area endangered native trees were planted. Rob carried the concept through the whole farm, which now has, interspersed with the cultivated fields, flourishing native bushland which is home to innumerable native animals, birds and insects, as well as providing shade, shelter and fodder for farmed animals.
 

Rob says that in spite of the drought he has seen increasing populations of many birds, such as topknot pigeons , peewees and grey-crowned babblers, whose numbers had been radically reduced by past use of agricultural poisons such as parathion, which is still available in Australia. Reptile numbers are also steadily on the increase. There are outstanding natural features on Rob’s farm that may not have survived under conventional farming practices, especially the wide-spread practice of burning; a centenarian tree covered with what is probably the oldest and biggest blood vine in this part of the world and a bottle tree, a living drought reserve boasting a 10 metre girth. Rob conducts tours of his property; eager to demonstrate how much can be achieved by adopting sustainable husbandry of the land.  

BFA