{{Short description|Method of conservation}} {{Use Australian English|date=September 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}} thumb|right|Roadside conservation area, near Croxton Kerrial and Denton [[File:Roadside Verge.jpg|thumb|right|A sign on a road verge in Northumberland, England, indicating that the verge is being managed by the local council to maintain populations of wild plants]]

'''Roadside conservation''' is a conservation strategy in Australia and other countries where road verge flora and habitats are protected or improved. The general aim is to conserve or increase the amount of native flora species; especially where that work will lead to higher conservation value, for example providing food or habitat for rare or endangered native fauna.

==Issues== Potential benefits of roadside conservation strategies can include: * Maintenance of the biodiversity of the roadsides<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mansfield.vic.gov.au/councilservices/environmentandwastemanagement/environment/roadsideconservation.aspx|title = Environment and Sustainability &#124; Mansfield Shire Council}}</ref> * Sustaining available corridors for fauna movement and habitat<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moyne.vic.gov.au/page/page.asp?Page_Id=194&h=0 |title=Moyne Shire Council – Roadside Vegetation Management |website=moyne.vic.gov.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040122144536/http://www.moyne.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=194&h=0 |archive-date=2004-01-22}}</ref> * Preserving remnants of native vegetation adjoining man-made environments<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nccma.vic.gov.au/What_We_Do/Landscapes/Biodiversity/Roadside_Conservation/index.aspx |title=NCCMA Internet – Roadside Conservation |website=nccma.vic.gov.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010073736/http://www.nccma.vic.gov.au/What_We_Do/Landscapes/Biodiversity/Roadside_Conservation/index.aspx |archive-date=2009-10-10}}</ref>

Problems with the maintaining of roadsides include: * Removal, cutting of native vegetation<ref>{{cite web |url=http://australianbushlife.com.au/roadside-conservation-signs-stop-mowing-indigenous-plants/ |title=Roadside Conservation sign stop mowing indigenous vegetation {{!}} Australian Bush Life |website=australianbushlife.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405122805/http://www.australianbushlife.com.au/roadside-conservation-signs-stop-mowing-indigenous-plants/ |archive-date=2011-04-05}}</ref> * Conflicts with road safety, such as foliage growth which restricts visibility for road users * Work-load due to the extent of roadsides (i.e. the great length)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/level3.asp?referrer=111985&pageID=111989&menuID=19 |title=Shire of Campaspe – Roadside Conservation Strategy |website=campaspe.vic.gov.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915095603/http://www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/level3.asp?referrer=111985&pageID=111989&menuID=19 |archive-date=2009-09-15}}</ref>

==Western Australia== Formal recognition of the importance of roadside reserves occurred in the 1960s when then-Premier of Western Australia, the Hon. David Brand, ensured all new roads in Western Australia would have road reserves at least 40 metres wider than that needed for transport purposes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/5275/2199/ |title=Department of Environment and Conservation – Roadside Conservation |website=dec.wa.gov.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401183828/http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/5275/2199/ |archive-date=2010-04-01}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | author1=Western Australia. Roadside Conservation Committee | title=Roadsides -- the vital link : a decade of roadside conservation in Western Australia (1985–1995) | date=1995 | publisher=Roadside Conservation Committee | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/23235561 | access-date=14 April 2012 }}</ref>

==Notes== {{Reflist}}

{{conservation of species}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roadside conservation}} Category:Urban studies and planning terminology Category:Hydrology and urban planning Category:Environmental design Category:Nature conservation in Australia Category:Transport and the environment