Contractors from local weed control business, Hopnali, treated blackberry and serrated tussock in areas on the forest boundary previously identified and mapped by Neville Landcare.

As Lisa Paton, Chair of Neville and Region Landcare Inc. explains, the forest is relatively undisturbed compared to the highly modified surrounding landscape. "Neville State Forest is a unique patch of remnant native vegetation in the region amongst the majority pine plantation state forests, and has been reported to be in excellent health," Ms Paton said.

The forest also harbours some rare Central Tablelands landforms. Dr Andrew Rawson from Charles Sturt University supervised a research project in the forest.

"I think Neville State Forest is a special place because its history has allowed the small swampy meadows to be largely preserved," Dr Rawson said.

"They are a small reminder of what was probably widespread across the first and second order streams in the Central Tablelands prior to Europeans, and is a clue to an earlier environment that many people perhaps don't recognise as having existed."

Forestry Corporation's Bathurst-based Martin Kong, has been actively involved with the Neville and Region Landcare group over the past months, attending meetings and walking Neville State Forest with locals to discuss potential actions for managing the main threats.

The partnership aims to also better connect and manage the forest in conjunction with the values and concerns of adjacent private landholders and the broader Neville regional community.

Joanne Lenehan, Central Tablelands LLS, said this successful partnership will lead to broader positive societal and ecological outcomes for both the Neville community and environment.

"It is a great example of how a well-organised, strategic and cohesive community with a long term vision can get things done," she said.

"The aim is to now build on, and expand this partnership. Central Tablelands LLS, Neville and Region Landcare Inc., and Forestry Corporation of NSW held a public meeting on January 23 to look at a number of options to manage invasive weeds and pest animals on other key parcels of public land, such as travelling stock routes, in and around Neville.

"Plantings and regeneration of native habitat for both threatened species, and as a possible buffer to further weed invasion was also on the agenda.

"The next round of the Great Eastern Ranges (Kanangra-Boyd to Wyangala Link) Grants Program, which offers grants of up $5,000 to $30,000 to individual landholders and community groups in identified priority areas, provides further potential to link efforts on public to neighbouring private land."

For more information on Kanangra-Boyd to Wyangala (K2W) Grant Program or for services provided by Central Tablelands LLS, contact Shaley Allen, Central Tablelands LLS on Shaley.Allen@lls.nsw.gov.au or 6341 9301.