Farm wetland comes alive

Formally owned by Lauren’s parents, the 33ha farm now joins the property Lauren owns next door, and has a 6ha wetland fed off the main channel of Boords Creek.

Boords Creek is an ancient ephemeral waterway flowing north-west from the Murray River at Little Forest. It is part of the broader Koondrook-Perricoota Forest and flows through private property before eventually rejoining the forest system.

Lauren said the creek was a major connector during big floods which collected and stored water in deep ponded areas.

“The wetland was fed by a nice slow flow which delivered water into a series of ponds that come alive with lilies, birds, wildlife, insects and frogs when water is added.

“It is also an Aboriginal heritage hotspot with many middens and significant sites, it’s all there,” Lauren said.

The wetland receives an environmental water allocation delivered by the Murray Darling Working Wetland Group (MDWWG), and last year Lauren decided to fence off the wetland and start the proper process of rehabilitation.

“Most of the wetlands in Australia are found on private farms and as landholders we have a responsibility to protect and enhance them for future generations.

“Farmers should be engaging with MDWWG and taking advantage of this opportunity to protect environmental assets across the Riverina,” Lauren said.

She said wetlands acted like giant carbon sinks and to be able to use environmental water on farming land would have a huge impact on biodiversity and the overall farm health.

Lauren currently raises 80 sows and practices regenerative agriculture with free-range heritage Berkshire pigs, heritage Sommerlad chickens, layer chickens and retired dairy cattle.

“Our commitment to slow farming enriches our soil, supports biodiversity and produces delicious, high-quality food.”

She has plans down the track to make the wetland a special place for education and ecologist visits.

“I have spoken to a couple of local Aboriginal fellas and they are very interested in the wetland as well, it’s just so rich in history and heritage.”

The MDWWG said due to significant land use changes since European settlement, the creek had become disconnected and no longer flowed naturally.

Over the past two years, they have had the privilege of collaborating with multiple landholders to deliver Environmental Water Trust allocations to various sections of the creek bed.

The Boords Creek project is particularly unique, as it brings together several landholders along a fragmented waterway, who are all united in their passion for environmental water delivery.

In the 2024-25 water year the MDWWG worked with four individual landholders to deliver environmental water to separate sections of the creek, resulting in the inundation of approximately 35ha.

They have also initiated discussions with three additional landholders about the potential for future water deliveries on their properties.

“This landscape-scale approach presents an incredible opportunity to rejuvenate remnant vegetation and establish vital habitat refuge for wildlife — especially critical during periods of water scarcity.

“Notably, a threatened species — the Southern Bell Frog — was detected at one of the sites this year, offering a promising sign of the ecological potential these efforts hold for the future,” a MDWWG spokesperson said.

“It is really good to see the collaboration from landowners to protect such a unique site. When Mum and Dad bought this property seven years ago, we could all see how special and unique it was and it is up to us to make it even better for generations to come,” Lauren said.

Lauren’s wetland is part of a five-week working wetland series to appear in the Country News over the following weeks.