The Cream of the Crop Competition invites students in NSW secondary and tertiary education institutions to create a PowerPoint or a video which can be published on the web and win $500. The competition invites NSW secondary and tertiary students to promote the importance of agriculture to their peers, to encourage a better understanding of agriculture as well as promote agricultural careers and rural life.

1. REVEGETATION:

2. WHAT IS REVEGETATION AND
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
• Revegetation is the planting of trees and shrubs
to increase the ecology of an area.
• There are many different species of native plants
that can be planted depending on the area to be
revegetated.
• Deep rooted plants hold the soil together and
lower the water tables.
• By planting banks and rows of hardy native trees
and shrubs, stock and native wildlife can benefit
greatly.

3. BENEFITS OF
REVEGETATION

4. NATURE CONSERVATION AND
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
• Nature conservation benefits include habitat
for native wildlife, a diversity of native plants,
wildlife corridors, conservation of endangered
wildlife and stability for natural ecosystems.
• Growing plants absorb carbon dioxide and
give out oxygen.
• Grass grows better in shaded areas as there is
better ecology in the soil.

5. ECONOMIC BENEFITS
• Economical benefits include: shelter for stock
and crops, honey, timber, fence posts, cut
flowers, fodder, habitat for pest controlling
wildlife and erosion and salinity control.
• Some trees may be used as extra feed in a
drought.
• Other benefits include aesthetics and
preservation of the uniqueness of rural areas.

6. BENEFITS FOR STOCK

7. SHADE AND SHELTER
• Shade reduces dehydration and deaths from
stress after shearing and transporting or
mustering on a hot day.
• Trees and shrubby bushes provide a rain and
windbreak to protect stock during storms.
• Shelter can provide protection from
hypothermia after shearing

8. BENEFITS FOR EROSION

9. HOLDS SOIL TOGETHER
• Roots and humus provide a network to hold
soil together. They also provide small channels
for water to soak into the soil.
• Dead leaves, flowers and bark decompose to
form humus.
• Humus is taken into the soil by worms and is
natures’ water crystals, helping to increase
water retention in the soil.

10. SALINITY

11. INCREASES SOIL PROFILE
• Planting deep rooted trees will reduce salinity
by increasing soil levels with roots and humus.
• Decomposing plant matter helps water
retention and topsoil profile.
• By increasing soil levels you will lower water
table levels, eliminating the evaporation of
ground water therefore reducing salt left in
the soil.

12. BENEFITS FOR
CROPS

13. NATURAL PEST CONTROL
• Some revegetative plants attract beneficial
insects and native animals that control pest
species on crops.
• By increasing native animals and insects that
eat pests, pesticide use can be cut down
considerably.
• By doing this, you will also save money on
chemicals and labour.

14. BENEFITS FOR NATIVE
WILDLIFE

15. PROVIDES HABITATS
• Many beneficial native wildlife species are
becoming endangered due to habitat loss
• Revegetation provides habitats for many
different native wildlife species.
• It also provides safe corridors for the
movement of wildlife around the farm and
between national parks, keeping it off roads.

16. TYPES OF VEGETATIVE
PLANTS

17. TYPES OF PLANTS TO PLANT
• Plant hardy native species that don’t need
much water or any maintenance.
• Indigenous species that are naturally occurring
in your specified area are best as they are
well adapted to local soils and climatic
conditions.
• Strategically place banks and corridors for
shade and shelter of stock and crops

18. HOW CAN YOU
REVEGETATE?

19. GRANTS AND WHERE TO BUY
PLANTS
• Many plant nurseries grow plants for
revegetation.
• The Catchment Management Authority (CMA)
and Landcare offers grants for the
revegetation of some farmland.
• Many local councils provide grants for
revegetation.

20. IT’S NEVER TOO LATE
TO REVEGETATE!

21. WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSORS OF THE
2011 CREAM OF THE CROP COMPETITION
PLATINUM GOLD SILVER
BRONZE