The Sloane family, Alexander, Ann, Helen and David.
In the heart of the Southern Riverina, golden canola paddocks stretch alongside dense woodlands, a striking reminder that productive farming and thriving nature don’t have to be at odds.
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Here lies Savernake Station, heritage-listed since 2013, a property the Sloane family has nurtured since 1862.
Today, the station is home to Ann and Alexander Sloane, who manage 2,020 hectares with a careful balance of Merino sheep grazing and conservation work.
Their siblings, David Sloane, living in Corowa, and Helen Huggins (née Sloane) in Jerilderie, remain closely involved, all united in preserving the family’s land and legacy.
“I always come back to Savernake; this is my home,” Helen says, her connection to the land clear in every word.
Now Helen has taken a significant step to protect the property’s endangered ecological communities, entering into an in-perpetuity agreement with the New South Wales Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT).
Over decades, she has restored native vegetation, controlled weeds, and managed feral animals, ensuring these precious habitats survive for generations to come.
Ann Sloane looks over the property.
Alexander and Ann have 400 hectares under BCT protection, while David is also involved, managing his own land, including 50 hectares of carbon planting to create safe havens for wildlife such as brolgas.
The BCT works to support landholders to conserve biodiversity and to promoting public understanding and appreciation of the value of this work.
And there are practical benefits too.
Landholders receive an average of $217 per hectare annually, with opportunities for carbon credits.
“It’s guaranteed each year, and even in droughts we still get paid,” Alexander said.
For the Sloanes, BCT agreements are more than a financial incentive; they’re a way to safeguard the land, improve soil health, and leave a lasting environmental legacy.
Helen has maintained pristine areas, untouched by grazing for more than 40 years.
Alexander and Ann plant native shrubs and trees, manage feral animals, and maintain biodiversity corridors.
Their dedication keeps the land productive, resilient, and environmentally rich, reflecting a family that genuinely cares for the environment.
Savernake’s flora and fauna are remarkable with towering Grey Box, Yellow Box, Murray Pine, and She Oaks sheltering native lilies, lomandra, coral lichen, and grasses.
Eastern grey kangaroos and swamp wallabies to rare reptiles and frogs thrive.
Ann Sloane tracks 132 species of birds on Savernake Station.
Ann Sloane tracks 132 bird species alone.
“Iconic threatened species motivate us,” she said.
“If you destroy their habitat, another species becomes extinct.
“This is a legacy for the future.”
The Sloanes’ conservation ethos is deeply rooted. Settled by Alexander Sloane in 1862, the property has stayed in family hands.
Their grandfather, William, preserved forests while complying with land regulations, and their father, Ian, a natural historian, earned the Bicentennial National Tree Farmer Award in 1988.
Savernake Station shows that stewardship pays.
With the BCT, farmers can secure reliable income, protect biodiversity, and leave a lasting legacy.
For those wanting to farm responsibly, make a difference, and keep the land productive for generations, the Sloanes’ story is an inspiring example of how farming and conservation work hand in hand.
