Habitat Revival Inc
A Framework for ecological restoration
Project Details
Key Metrics for effective restoration
- Reviving 40+ private properties
- Restoring 1,000+ hectares of native habitat
Establishing 100,000+ native trees - 5+ threatened ecological communities restored
Providing habitat for 20+ threatened fauna species - Recovery actions for 10+ threatened plant species
- Restoration of ecosystems capable of supporting 400+ native plant species
- Support through funding, volunteers and corporate sponsorship
- Commence 2026 with four landholders and scale into the future
Current members and plans
Revive habitat
Rebuild biodiversity
Restore the future
Narlu – Brett and Lisa
Orara Valley
Rochelle and Graham
Dairyville
Eleven Eleven – Andy and Nette
Brierfield
Lothlorien – Elise and Ivan
Karangi
Vision
Goals for Habitat Restoration Initiatives
Beginning with four participating properties in 2026, Habitat Revival will progressively expand across the Coffs Region as grant funding and partnerships grow, building a collaborative network of private landholders restoring degraded landscapes, riparian corridors and rainforest habitat.
Environmental Issues
Habitat destruction through the clearing and fragmentation of natural landscapes is the largest driver of biodiversity loss across Australia. Native forests, riparian corridors and complex ecosystems have been replaced with simplified landscapes that provide little habitat for wildlife.
When native vegetation is removed, the food, shelter and breeding environments that sustain species disappear. Restoring habitat is therefore one of the most powerful actions we can take to recover biodiversity, ensure clean water and rebuild healthy ecosystems.
Targeted Landscape
Habitat Revival works with motivated private landholders across the Coffs Harbour region to restore degraded rural landscapes.
Focus on underproductive or degraded areas of rural land
Eroded waterways and drainage gullies
Weed-infested areas and degraded riparian corridors
Marginal pasture with low ecological value
Much of the region was historically cleared for agriculture, replacing lowland rainforest, eucalypt forest and riparian vegetation with pasture dominated by introduced grasses and invasive weeds. We are restoring:
Fragmented habitat and addressing rapidly declining biodiversity
Eroding creek lines and degraded waterways
Connectivity across the landscape
Through collaboration across private properties, Habitat Revival helps rebuild native vegetation, reconnect habitat corridors and support the return of wildlife.
Restoration Methods Overview
Habitat Revival seeks to reconstruct lowland rainforest, littoral rainforest and eucalypt forest on private land by restoring the plant communities that originally formed the ecological foundation of the landscape.
Landholders will determine the extent of restoration, with some properties being entirely restored, and other landholders combining grazing and agriculture with restoration works.
Overall, the properties participating in Habitat Revival will deliver meaningful environmental outcomes by restoring native vegetation and rebuilding biodiversity across the landscape.
Seed Propagation
- Habitat Revival supports landholders with knowledge, materials and guidance to grow plants from seed on their own properties.
- Habitat Revival also sources plants through local nurseries
- Landholders are encouraged to identify and collect seed from remnant native plants on private properties.
- This approach builds a locally adapted seed supply and long-term seedbank for restoration
Habitat Enhancement
Nest Boxes
Habitat Revival installs nest boxes to provide immediate shelter for hollow-dependent wildlife.
Artificial burrows
Artificial hollows and burrows can be created in suitable trees to help replace natural habitat lost through historic clearing.
Feed species
Habitat Revival encourages planting of native species that produce nectar, seeds and seasonal fruit to support local wildlife.
Shelter and nesting
Strategic planting and habitat structures help provide shelter, nesting opportunities and food sources for returning fauna.
Weed Management
- Targeted weed removal to prepare restoration sites before planting.
- Eliminates competition so native species can establish and grow strongly.
- Ongoing control of invasive weeds such as privet, camphor laurel and lantana.
- Monitoring and follow-up treatment to protect young plantings.
- Management continues for several years until native vegetation is established and naturally suppresses weeds
Pest Management
- Targeted control of pest animals including deer, foxes and wild dogs.
- Protects young native plantings from browsing and damage.
- Reduces predation pressure on returning wildlife such as frogs, small mammals and ground-dwelling birds.
- Coordinated management with participating landholders across neighbouring properties.
- Creates safer conditions for habitat recovery and the return of native wildlife.
Community Integration
Landholders taking action
Habitat Revival Inc. was established as a community-led incorporated association by local landholders committed to restoring the ecological health of their properties. The initiative grew from conversations among landholders who recognised both the environmental challenges across the landscape and the opportunity to work together to restore native habitat.
Early inspiration came from the work of the local Landcare Group and the restoration efforts of Lisa and Brett Vercoe at Narlu, which demonstrate the ecological outcomes that can be achieved through sustained regeneration and stewardship.
A Collaborative Model
A small group of landholders formed Habitat Revival to coordinate restoration across multiple properties. The organisation enables landholders to share knowledge, collaborate on projects and access environmental funding that is often difficult for individual properties to secure
Growing Momentum
Habitat Revival is in its early stages, but interest is growing quickly. More landholders and subject matter experts are joining the initiative, recognising that meaningful ecological recovery requires collaboration and coordinated restoration across private land.
Growing Restoration Through Community Support
Habitat Revival is committed to sharing knowledge, practical experience and restoration outcomes with the wider community. By documenting and showcasing the progress made across participating properties, we aim to demonstrate that meaningful environmental recovery is achievable when landholders work together with the right technical guidance and support. Through open knowledge sharing, field days and education, Habitat Revival hopes to inspire other landholders and community groups to undertake restoration on their own properties and contribute to rebuilding the ecological health of the Orara Valley.
However, restoring landscapes at scale requires sustained investment. Many landholders are motivated to rehabilitate degraded creeks, gullies and remnant rainforest areas but lack the financial resources to undertake the significant work required. Grant funding, sponsorship and community support will enable Habitat Revival to expand restoration activities, provide planting materials and technical guidance, and grow the program from an initial group of properties to a broader landscape initiative delivering lasting environmental outcomes across the region.
Our area
We are regenerating properties based in the Orara Valley and the Coffs region more broadly.
Brierfield, Dairyville, Karangi, Upper Orara
Recent Posts
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Goals for Habitat Restoration Initiatives
