From wine to wildlife: Couple swaps vines for bush, sparking parrot comeback

Tony and Cherie Townsend have turned their <b>40‑acre</b> vineyard in the <b>Murraylands</b> into a native‑bush sanctuary, aiming to bring back the endangered <b>regent parrot</b>. After leaving the wine business, the couple, together with four generations of family volunteers, planted over 3,000 native seedlings with support from the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board. The project replaces vines with indigenous flora, creating food and shelter for the birds and other wildlife, and showcases how private land can boost biodiversity. The restored habitat has already attracted regent parrots, signalling a positive shift for regional ecology. The initiative encourages other landowners to consider similar conversions, offering a model for community‑driven conservation across Australia and inspire future generations.