It was established in November 1981 to support private landholders and managers who voluntarily provide and enhance habitat for native wildlife on their properties within the state.
The scheme was largely instigated by Ellen McCulloch and Reg Johnson,[1] two prominent members of the community group Bird Observation & Conservation Australia (then the Bird Observers Club – now merged with BirdLife Australia), with which it continues to have a cooperative relationship.
[2] Benefits of full registration of a property in the scheme include on-site visits to provide advice and answer questions about how to manage the land to contribute to biodiversity conservation, participation in field and neighbourhood days, open-properties and information sessions, a regular newsletter, specialist information and a Land for Wildlife sign.
The area of wildlife habitat being managed on the properties totals more than 560,000 hectares (4% of private land in Victoria), and includes grasslands, heaths, woodlands, forests and freshwater wetlands.
[2] The Victorian Land For Wildlife program allows interstate agencies (government and non-government) to deliver the scheme under an agreement in which the original aims and objectives are maintained.