A WORKSHOP on fire preparedness and biodiversity has provided a rare opportunity for residents from Cooma and surrounding areas to learn about how to protect human life and property from bushfire without undue negative effects on biodiversity.

The workshop was initiated and driven by Friends of North Ridge Reserve and hosted by the Nature Conservation Council of NSW (NCC) Bushfire Program with support through a grant from the Snowy Monaro Regional Council.

Spokesperson for Friends of North Ridge Reserve, Graeme Little, said the event was a ‘resounding success' because of the opportunity local residents had to connect with the people responsible for bushfire preparedness and response in the region.

Participants were provided with high quality information from a range of speakers representing five agencies.

Bushfire response arrangements were clarified by Fire and Rescue NSW Cooma captain Jimmy Nichols, while Local Land Service’s Jane Tracy highlighted the special fire risks posed in our district by African Lovegrass.

Information on the region’s bushfire risk management plan and Rural Fire Services' program of fuel reduction in North Ridge Reserve were provided by NSW Rural Fire Service Snowy Monaro District: Manager Jim Darrant and RFS regional Hotspots officer Inspector Phil Paterson.

“Fire management is the responsibility of the entire community and not an individual agency. Many players but one team was on display on the day - including the community members who participated. I believe there was a realisation that each individual needs to do their bit if fire management is to be successful," Mr Darrant said.

Lucy Tremain, NCC's Healthy Ecosystem Program Officer, outlined NCC’s role in the Snowy Monaro and in other Bush Fire Management Committees across the state. NCC’s ecologist Neale Watson provided information on the role of fire in our local ecosystems and how solutions for hazard reduction and biodiversity conservation can be synergistic rather than necessarily in conflict.

Nature Conservation Council's Bushfire Program Coordinator Dr Evelyn Chia, facilitated discussion throughout the workshop. This allowed local residents to have their questions answered on topics including joint responsibility for hazard reduction, ideal management of asset protection zones and how to protect habitat trees from loss during fires. Lucy Tremain supported throughout the workshop and described the broader work of the NCC Bushfire Program, including their biennial bushfire conference and a range of useful resources.

Feedback from participants showed the event was highly informative and allowed residents to make new connections with each other and with local land managers.