It’s been a labour of love that’s seen the native flora and fauna slowly rebuild and thrive as the family worked hard to improve the farmland.

Now, after 20 years of fencing waterways, removing weeds and planting hundreds of native plants, the Lemke family has made the decision to permanently protect 80 per cent of their land by signing a NSW Government conservation agreement.

A conservation agreement is a voluntary joint agreement between landholders and the Minister for the Environment to conserve unique lands and properties with cultural heritage.

The agreement is registered on the title of the land, ensuring that, if the land is sold, the agreement and management requirements remain in place.

Leif said the family’s decision to relinquish the land to conservation was not made lightly but was the right path to take to ensure a good environmental outcome.

“After a lengthy family debate it was decided that the best way to preserve this unique environment of the farm in perpetuity would be a legal binding conservation agreement with the NSW Government,” Leif said.

“The family understood that more work is to be done to reverse many years of neglect and turn this area into a truly natural part of the Bellinger Valley - so by signing the agreement a first major step has been undertaken.”

The property has two kilometres of river frontage and borders the World Heritage listed Bellinger River NSW National Park rainforest.

“The conservation area contains lowland rainforest and an ecological community that includes two species listed as endangered and 22 species listed as vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation Act,” Leif said.

“Part of the area borders the Bellinger River linking the escarpment forest with the riparian area along the river. This means protection for the nesting sites of platypus and two species of rare turtles.”

Leif’s said his journey to the Bellingen Valley and life within the shire had been dominated by his love and commitment for the natural environment.

“I arrived from Denmark in 1965 and fell in love with the natural environment of Australia, so different to the back streets of Copenhagen where I grew up,” he said. 

“I’ve been honoured for my long standing service to the conservation movement by the Nature Conservation Council of NSW and I’m a senior member of the Bellingen Environment Centre.”

Importantly for Leif, his passion for the land has been passed on to his three sons and five grandchildren who are all interested in the conservation of the natural Australia.

“Perhaps other property owners in the shire have land they prefer to be left alone for conservation,” Leif said.

“The Lemke family would encourage such owners to enter into a conservation agreement to protect the natural heritage of Australia.”

* For further information visit: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/cpp/ConservationAgreements.htm