LANDCARE IN FOCUS
MAY 2025
Cover Story: Planting 1,500 Trees on Phillip Island
Sustainable Ag Win for Farming Family
Healing the Land with Community Farm Dams for Wildlife in Upper Goulburn
Table of Contents
Landcare Australia is proud to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which we live and work. We value and respect their deep and continued spiritual and cultural connections to the land, waters and seas, and pay our respects to their Ancestors, and Elders past, present and future.
Message from the CEO of Landcare Australia
Landcarer platform
Growing together, for today and the next generation
Sustainable Ag win for farming family
Boosting biodiversity across 900 hectares
Grassland Earless Dragons are great ecosystem indicators
Watch out the OGRES have taken over!
Meet the 2025 National Landcare Award Finalists
Alandi’s top tips for writing a winning grant application
Let’s hear about your connection with nature!
Nature’s a big part of life at Mary’s Mount Primary School
Watershed Landcare combine art and environmental work
Rehabilitating Roe 8: Healing the land with community
2025 National Landcare Awards and Conference
Come and try
Connection by fire
The school’s annual tree planting day reaches its 30th year
Empowering the next generation: Capricorn Conservation Council and Cap Coast Eco Warriors
Landcare Australia and Manheim Cox Automotive Rooftop gardens: Our mini Food ‘n’ oxygen factories
Tiny forests take root across NSW
A woody biomass innovation
Revegetation benefits bandicoots, birds and people
March forward: For ALL women and girls
Growing connections to culture and community
Environmental detectives – a project worth investigating!
Glenwood aiming for a new horizon in environmental
New fishways have opened over 100km of waterways
Farm dams for wildlife in Upper Goulburn
Uncovering an invertebrate haven
Strathallan Rochester Landcare celebrates 15th anniversary
‘Buzzing Bee Hotel’ workshop
Junior Landcare book corner
Guarding the grasslands
Bacchus Marsh Grammar’s Staughton Vale Campus: A hub for student-led revegetation efforts
Wendouree Primary School’s biodiversity journey transforms
Protecting threatened species and agriculture in Shoalhaven, NSW
Victorian communities get together to restore natural landscapes
New website celebrates Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands
Bunyas to border climate corridor
Landcare Australia book corner
World Soil Day Competition: Soil Health Insights from the SQNNSW Innovation Hub
Wetland Warriors strike their biggest blow to weedy wasteland
Can iNaturalist help Landcarers detect invasive species?
Know what you are working with before you start planting!
Mallee Landcare – changing of the guard
Landcare Week 2025
Murray-Riverina landholders combine coversation with carbon credits
Landcare is not just about trees!
Landcare Australia notice board
Landcare Australia events calendar
Editorial Team:
Millie Webber, Eleanor Slade, Melissa Higgins
– Landcare Australia
Designer: James Intal – Landcare Australia
Digital Production:
Ayla Perna, Maryam Mahini
– Landcare Australia
Cover Photo
Phillip Island Landcare volunteers.
Above Photo: Mornington Peninsula Intrepid Landcare volunteers. Photo by Annette Ruzicka.
Contact Us:
We welcome content submission to Landcare in Focus! The next edition is November 2025 and the content deadline is September 1, 2025. You can contact the editorial team via email at enquiries@landcareaustralia.com.au
Message from Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish
Dear Landcarers, Welcome to the May 2025 edition of Landcare in Focus magazine. It is with great pleasure that we are bringing you a magazine by landcarers, for landcarers. Our editorial team at Landcare Australia is fortunate to receive such high-quality content from across the landcare community, and together we have created a vibrant and interesting edition for all to enjoy.
For anyone who may be new to landcare, the magazine highlights how local landcare communities work together to support each other and restore, improve, and protect the natural environment. Its wonderful to see how landcare communities create positive change and strengthen resilience against the challenges of a changing climate. The diverse
stories in this edition clearly show the outstanding achievements of landcarers, generating benefits for all who value our natural assets.
This edition contains over 100 pages showcasing Australia’s inspiring landcare stories such as ‘Growing together for today and the next generation’, a wonderful insight into farming families caring for the land. I’m particularly pleased to see so much passion for Junior Landcare and NextGen Landcare activities coming through with successful collaborations between educators and landcare groupswhether it’s a group’s innovation in using Grassland Earless Dragons to capture the kids’ attention or Watershed Landcare combining art and environmental work to help city kids restore landscapes and connect with nature.
With the 2025 National Landcare Conference and National Landcare Gala Awards just around the corner, I want to congratulate all the finalists. Representing their State or Territory, each Landcare Award finalist is a source of inspiration. The round up feature on the National Landcare Awards is a great opportunity to discover who is representing your region.
A heartfelt thank you to the volunteers and community groups who contributed articles—your efforts are truly appreciated. I warmly encourage you to continue sharing your inspiring Landcare stories for our upcoming November edition!
I hope to see many of you in September at the 2025 National Landcare Conference.
Dr Shane Norrish
Growing together, for today and the next generation
Two farming families from different regions in Australia reflect on their landcare journeys. Words and interview courtesy of ACM Agri.
Sustainable Ag win for farming family
hen Cee and Bill Blackwell took over the running of their generations-old family property, Corea, near Dunkeld, Victoria, in 1975, they knew their number one duty was to care for the land. Always avid gardeners, the couple set about regenerating the property that was still affected by the aftermath of the 1940 and 1944 fires and more recent storms.
The couple and their neighbours formed their local Landcare Group “Nevertire”, planting trees and shelterbelts. While that group has disbanded, the Blackwells have planted more than 300,000 trees and shrubs across 150 hectares, with strong support from their community, over the past 49 years.
“We don’t count our trees because of direct seeding and the way of the winds,” Cee Blackwell said.
“We’ve planted a lot in good faith and over the years, absolutely treasure the value of what they give us and the land.”
The Blackwells are now a part of the Panyyabyr Landcare Group. They farm with their sons Edward (Woody) and Charles, who returned to Corea in the early 2000s and became partners.
The third, fourth, and fifth generations of the family now live and work on the property, and run self-replacing, non-mulesed flocks of Merino sheep and Angus cattle.
Implementing rotational grazing of deep-rooted perennial pastures and following regenerative agriculture principles has allowed them to boost farm productivity and stocking rates to support the three families.
In the past 20 years stocking rates have increased to carry 35,000 dry sheep equivalents.
This grazing management approach promotes long-term pasture survival, reducing the need for chemical weed and pest control, and improving soil health. Native vegetation provides valuable shade and shelter for livestock, reduces temperature extremes, slows wind speeds, and supports efficient feed usage, leading to 15 per cent higher survival rates for lambs.
Diverse tree plantings also enhance insect, bird, and mammal populations, which offer natural pest control and pollination services, complementing the integrated pest management program that minimises insecticide use.
“Everything we’ve done has been from the heart. We’ve tried to make the landscape a better place than we found it for the livestock, the birds, and the humans,” Mrs Blackwell said.
Accolades earned
These practices have earned recognition and access to markets that reward sustainable land management, such as the integrity mark ZQRX for their wool clip.
They are also dipping their toes into carbon farming, having recently completed an initial carbon starter report, a precursor to registering a carbon project.
“We’re doing what we enjoy doing,” Bill Blackwell said.
The Blackwell family won the Australian Government Sustainable Agriculture Landcare Award at the 2024 Victorian Landcare Awards.
Mrs Blackwell said the award was a real boost for the family.
“There’s a lot of scope for groups and the community to enter if they can meet all the criteria of the group’s goals,” Mrs Blackwell said.
“A lot of people are doing a lot of good out there and there are a lot of unsung heroes and quiet achievers.”
Whole-farm planning
Mrs Blackwell said the family had done “whole-farm planning”.
“It realigns your thinking of having square paddocks, so you follow water lines, creek lines, and swamps,” she said.
“It directs you to look after the land in a much gentler, kinder way and gives you scope for adding shelterbelts and protecting the water courses, which are all the fragile parts of our land.”
Corea sits on volcanic plains, with its productive grasslands, wetlands, creeks, and ancient red gum trees.
“The land is vitally important to us,” Mrs Blackwell said.
“You’ve got to look after and protect it for the future, otherwise it’s gone.
“We’ve always gardened, loved propagating, and have got vegie gardens in all directions.
“We prefer to preserve and nourish the land.
“Landcare really opened the eyes of a lot of people. When money became available people thought about doing stuff down steep hills and started dealing with erosion.
“Bob Hawke must have been a vision in his own right. He opened up people’s eyes.”
Legacy continues
The next generation of Blackwells are carrying on the legacy.
“The boys are very passionate about continuing on in the same frame of mind,” Mrs Blackwell said.
“There’s not a lot of planting to do but there is maintenance. It’s pasture improvement and sustainability in the farming world.
“Bill and I have done the initial part, the next generation are improving the production line and the pastures. We’ve given them the base - there’s shelter there so that’s one box ticked.
“They are focused on a high production livestock system that supports their families while keeping the environment in mind.”
Bottom left 2003 v present day
Top left 1989 v present day
Above 1996 v present day
Words and interview courtesy of ACM Agri
Boosting biodiversity across 900 hectares
assionate landcare advocates Marcus and Louise Richardson actively seek ways to increase biodiversity and sustainability on their 900-hectare property at Table Top in southern NSW.
As board chairman of Holbrook Landcare Network (HLN), Marcus has studied agricultural economics and ag science but it’s his work on his farm, Larakoona, that has opened his eyes to new practices, thanks to a handful of expert consultants.
He and his father worked on the farm before he took over the management of the business about 15 years ago. Mr Richardson and his wife Louise, and their children Skye, 21, and Billy, 19, produce Angus breeders and turn off feeder steers, PTIC young females and cull cows.
Caring for the land
Since taking over he has developed a keen interest in landcare and birdwatching.
He said HLN had a joint focus - to improve Natural Resource Management (NRM) and farming systems, while acknowledging farmers need to be able to make a profit to invest in natural resource protection or enhancement.
“We have a responsibility to care for the land we’re on, enhancing biodiversity across the property and we can find mutual benefits for biodiversity as well as livestock,” he said.
They are focusing on three main projects: shelter belts, protection of threatened bird species, and improved dam water quality.
“Using shelter belts, we can reduce evaporation through decreasing wind speeds and provide shade for the livestock,” he said. “At the same time, we can increase biodiversity, provide habitat and link up existing parcels of native vegetation.”
“We are planting Sweet bursaria, among other natives, which hosts wasps that provide mutual benefit for nature and production. We know these parasitic wasps on the plant control red-legged earth mite.”
Above Marcus Richardson
Attracting birds Water experiments
Marcus said a volunteer birdwatcher, John Shepard, visited the property quarterly to survey four sites across the farm.
The volunteer submits data to Bird Life Australia and is part of a local program called Birds on Farms.
“Louise and I learnt more about birds and gained a better understanding from John, his enthusiasm is infectious,” he said.
“We now know we have 89 species visit us, and 17 are on the Conservation Action Plan (CAP) list. These are less common and threatened species, and 17 CAP species is quite high for a farm. Commonly there are seven or eight.
“We back onto Table Top Mountain, which is a native bush area, and have birds come out of that in a close proximity to our property. We have a 22ha fenced block that includes shrubs, which encourages the little birds that need protection from bigger birds. Walking through this with John while he is conducted his survey really highlighted the importance of shrubs to me for the smaller birds”.
“A lot of the planting in the past was just trees, which preference the bigger birds such as kookaburras, magpies and cockatoos, rather than the wrens and the thornbills.
“What we are doing right now with the help of a Gallagher Landcare Fencing grant and Birds on Farms, is to build new shelter belts, which are 70 per cent shrubs and 30pc trees.
“About 1350 plants will go in the ground next winter after some frosts, which is the best time of year to plant them here for the best chance of survival. At the moment we are building 3km of fencing.
“We’ve seen that we can do better with shrubs across our property, to improve the general biodiversity, small birds and bugs and parasitic wasps that help control red-legged earth mite.”
For the water project, in the past three years they have fenced off six of the 35 dams to try and create biodiversity hotspots.
“We’ve tried to provide a water source for bugs and birds and dragonflies,” Mr Richardson said. “We’ve put snags into the dam to try and encourage the insects and birds as well as turtles, yabbies and frogs.
“We had a PhD student do a trial on the difference between the frogs having cover versus not having cover, and we’ve found shelter does help.
“We’ve also had Sustainable Farms do some water quality comparison testing as part of a larger trial, comparing an unfenced dam to a fenced dam.
“When fenced, water quality improves by filtering water through the grassy verges, and keeping cattle out, which results in less dung and urine and less turbidity in the water. The couch grass coming down to the waterline encourages dragonflies.”
Sustainable Farms monitored the water quality as well as flora and fauna around the dams.
Of the fenced-off six dams, two used reticulated water to troughs, and a hardened access was created for one that was fenced off leaving a laneway with geo-fabric and covered to give a hardened access to reduce bank turbidity and loitering of cattle.
“Sustainable Farms found water quality went up. Water in a dam can be an emitter of methane, but these dams can be a carbon sink not an emitter.
It’s all pretty cool. Deakin University’s Blue Carbon Lab conducted the emissions testing on behalf of Sustainable Farms.
“For all six dams we made a man-made floating island of a pallet with 20L drums under them and artificial grass over the top, anchored in the water.
“The idea is to give either birds or turtles a refuge. Because ducks crap on it, grass grows and it looks quite natural. Unfortunately, I have yet to see a turtle on it, but I’m hoping one day I will.”
Words and interview courtesy of ACM Agri
Grassland Earless Dragons are great ecosystem indicators
rassland Earless Dragons have proven to be a wonderful species when discussing the importance of maintaining grassland ecosystems in Monaro, NSW. The Upper Snowy Landcare Network, in partnership with the DCCEEW, have rolled out a local schools program to educate students about the Monaro Grassland Earless Dragon, a threatened species endemic to Monaro.
The endangered ecological community of natural temperate grasslands are home to these dragons as well as a variety of unique flora and fauna, which are under threat due to land clearing and feral species.
Not only are these dragons a fascinating and elusive creature, they’re also a bit cute. They can reach a maximum size
of 15cm in length and display a spectacular array of patterns and colour. They form homes in wolf spider burrows, sun themselves on rocks, and prefer partially open, lightly grazed grassland.
The education program includes a presentation about the dragon’s habitat and diet, physical characteristics, and the key threatening processes leading to their decline. This is followed by an identification activity and a craft activity where students get to paint their own 3D model of the dragons. These models were produced with the help of the University of Canberra who helped with 3D scanning an earless dragon specimen to produce 3D printed models.
They’ve visited five schools across the Monaro region, engaging with about 140 students who have responded with interest and enthusiasm to learning about this unique reptile.
The dragons have proven to be a wonderful flagship species when discussing the importance of maintaining grassland ecosystems. By engaging students with the animals and plants which make up these ecosystems we hope to build a deeper sense of belonging to, and caring for our native grasslands.
For more information, please visit www.uppersnowylandcare.org.au or email contact@uppersnowylandcare.org.au
Words by Magdalene Lemcke | Upper Snowy Landcare Network
Photos supplied by Upper Snowy Landcare Network
Watch out the OGRES have taken over!
his year marks the 10th anniversary of a project to revegetate some of the old mining sites at Mt Etna near The Caves in central Queensland.
While there had been a couple of earlier and smaller plantings, the current project aimed to reestablish the Semi Evergreen Vine Thicket (SEVT) vegetation and provide a green wildlife corridor connecting two parts of the park bisected by the old mine. Revegetation will also assist the recovery of the bat populations from the nearby caves. SEVT is sometimes called ‘dry rainforest’ and includes a diverse array of plants but with a lower canopy because of lower rainfall. The project was initiated by Greening Australia and Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA). When the formal project ended (2015-17) an informal group of six retirees who styled themselves the OGRES (Old Guys Restoring Ecosystems) took up the challenge of maintaining the area by ongoing weeding and watering and then expanded the project by undertaking further extensive planting.
Since the big wildfires in central Queensland of December 2018, the OGRES set about planting new areas. Approximately 10 000 trees of local provenance have been planted in an area of approximately 5 hectares. The volunteers contribute one morning per week and the original group is now joined by other groups and individuals on an ad hoc basis.
Significant support has been provided by Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service and technically the group operates as QPWS Volunteers. Various local ‘green’ groups continue to offer support.
The site is now used for educational purposes with FBA running revegetation workshops on site and CQUniversity students studying land rehabilitation and botany visiting the site on field trips. Several groups of trainees undertake field experience on site.
Overall the project has been a huge success and demonstrates what can be achieved by a small group with limited resources but a determination to achieve a successful outcome.
Words by Bob Newby and Steve Elson | Mt Etna
Left: Mt Etna revegetation site. Credits Bethlea Bell
Top: The six original OGRES (standing L-R Michael Herring, Bob Newby, John McCabe, Noel Sands, Steve Elson, sitting Phil Esdale (decd).
Bottom: CQUni students on site at Mt Etna
Credit: Sophie George
Feature image Celia Leverton (left) of Regenerative Agriculture Network Tasmania. The award was presented by Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC Governor of Tasmania.
Australian Government Climate Innovation Award
The Australian Government Climate Innovation Award celebrates exceptional dedication and ingenuity in tackling the climate challenges confronting Australia.
QLD NT
Wallabadah Community Association
The Wallabadah Creek Catchment Community (WCCC) was born out of the challenges posed by water scarcity in 2018-2019 followed by subsequent flooding, represents a grassroots initiative driven by the resolve of Wallabadah residents. WCCC has been instrumental in spearheading climatefocused initiatives within its local community and beyond.
TAS
Regenerative Agriculture Network Tasmania
Formed in 2018 and marked a pivotal step towards combating climate change, while producing food and fibre sustainably and profitably. The Network is outcome focused, curious and dedicated to supporting farmers to successfully adopt regenerative agriculture to increase landscape function (ecosystem services), farm profitability and the wellbeing of farmers and their communities. The organisation is made up of farmers and passionate friends of farmers.her videos, attract thousands of viewers.
NSW
Grant and Carly Burnham
Grant and Carly Burnham and their four children are ecological and organic beef producers at Bonnie Doone west of Monto in the beautiful North Burnett. The Burnham’s are highly regarded leaders in the agricultural industry, regularly invited to speak and share their experiences of ecological agriculture and soil carbon sequestration.
SA
Adrian and Kate McCabe
Adrian and Kate McCabe, directors of McCabe AgCo, were recognised for their contributions to innovative projects aimed at enhancing climate resilience and sustainability within their grain-producing properties and South Australia’s broader grains community.
WA
Denis Watson
Denis Watson has demonstrated exceptional dedication and ingenuity in addressing the climate challenges facing Australia. He laid the groundwork for one of Australia’s most enduring reforestation and carbon sequestration organisations and spearheaded the creation of the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor, the country’s largest biodiverse reforestation carbon sink.
Dr Mark de Souza
Dr Mark de Souza is the Chair of the Sustainable Healthcare Committee, (Top End Region, NT Health), Senior Staff Specialist in Emergency Medicine at the Royal Darwin and Palmerston Regional Hospitals in the Northern Territory. Mark is the leader of the volunteer-led greening program of the Royal Darwin Hospital site. Mark has been responsible for coordinating the mapping of land surface temperatures, integrating Indigenous perspectives, and providing justification for the rationale for site and plant species selection.
Climate Adaptation Requires Youth Action – CARYA
Climate Adaptation Requires Youth Action (CARYA) is a dynamic yearly program to empower youth initiatives in climate mitigation and adaptation. Launched in 2020 at Banksia Gardens Community Services (BGCS) in Broadmeadows, Hume. CARYA focuses on young people from the northern suburbs of Melbourne and offers the power to act and connect with likeminded peers, working together to reduce climate anxiety.
Australian Government Sustainable Agriculture Landcare Award
This award celebrates remarkable individuals, groups, networks and organisations in the agriculture sector who’ve demonstrated excellence and leadership in putting sustainable and integrated land management practices into action on a farm property that protect soils, water, vegetation and biodiversity.
The Blackwell Family
The Blackwell family, fifth-generation farmers, have proven a profitable livestock enterprise while embracing sustainable practices. Their conservation efforts included collecting seeds, direct seeding, and using nursery-raised seedlings. Together with their neighbours, they formed the now defunct local landcare group “Nevertire’’ named because of all the trees and shelterbelts they wanted to plant. Over the past 49 years, they have planted over 300,000 trees and shrubs across 150 hectares, with strong support from their community.
Jeremy Trembath
Jeremy Trembath and his family live on their property and have been involved in projects through Territory Natural Resource Management to improve their management practices for at least the last 5 years. Jeremy is an extremely passionate young farmer and is one of the emerging leaders in regenerative agriculture for the Katherine region and the Northern Territory. Jeremy has been instrumental in the successful outcomes of not only the TNRM project but also his own regenerative farming outcomes.
Leather Cattle CO
In operation since 1988, Leather Cattle Co (LCC) is a family owned and operated sustainable beef business covering 17,500 ha over three properties in Central Queensland. LCC has a clear focus on a sustainable future and takes responsibility of how they contribute to global food security and climate action as a priority. They understand the importance of sustainable beef production to meet the nutritional needs of an increasing population that requires safe and nutritious protein sources whilst restoring, nurturing, and protecting the land they manage.
TAS
Leap Farm
Iain and Kate Field, of Leap Farm, operate a sustainable, biodiverse, and ethical agribusiness, sharing their knowledge widely and effectively with their community and beyond. Both Iain and Kate are passionate leaders who have demonstrated that their land management techniques can enhance resilience on a working farm, increase organic carbon in soils to benefit both productivity and nature, and inspire primary producers to evaluate their land management practices. They encourage reducing carbon emissions, increasing carbon sequestration in soil and trees, and integrating these efforts with the conservation of native biodiversity.
Buckleboo Station is owned and operated by Paroo Pastoral Company since 2005. Their sustainability improvements have been showcased through successful activities that will encourage other pastoralists to introduce new management techniques to their grazing properties. Buckleboo Station is transforming into a profitable, sustainable grazing property by implementing long rest grazing management practices and modern monitoring technology into the future.
Little River Landcare Group
Little River Landcare Group is a not-for-profit organisation with an innovative approach to sustainability in productive landscapes, environment and people. Formed in 1998 as a result of community members identifying that natural resource management needed to be implemented on a catchment scale, rather than in small social clusters.
Passionate Merino growers and equally committed land stewards, the Ipkendanz family have made exceptional contributions to sustainable farming and environmental conservation. The Ipkendanz family has farmed Callum Brae, a heritage-listed 150-hectare sheep farm on Ngunnawal country in the ACT, since the 1950s. This farm supports a self-replacing fine wool Merino flock of typically 350-400 head, producing high-quality wool due to the native grasslands and cool climate, which create finer, larger fleeces. Callum Brae wool is purchased by local brokers and exported to create high-end fashion garments in Italy.
Buckleboo Station - Paroo Pastoral Company
Callum Brae
Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award
The Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award acknowledges the significant contribution made by an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to landcare. There are many people who, through their actions, have had a positive impact on improving land management practices through practical on-ground activities, and/or by creating awareness of landcare in their local community.
Tony Cox
Kevin Nolte is a landowner and retired farmer based in Tahara-West, Victoria. Kevin is a passionate landcare advocate, past community volunteer and leader in his region. He became involved with landcare not long after its launch in late 1986 and participated in groups in his region. In the early 1990s, he established the Tahara-West Landcare Group, a volunteer group committed to restoring the environment in their region.
NSW
Ran Mitchell
Ran has been a catalyst for change since returning to the family farm, “Leyland,” near North Star in NSW’s “Golden Triangle” cropping region in the 1970s. Though retired from farming, he remains an active advocate for Landcare, healthy soils, and biodiversity. Over the past 45 years, Ran commitment to regenerative farming has transformed his management approach. Today, Ran continues to champion the protection and restoration of the natural environment, passionately promoting sustainable and profitable farming practices.
Tony Cox has been a dedicated member of the Ludmilla Creek Landcare Group (LCLG) for over 20 years, serving as President and Treasurer. His unwavering commitment stems from a deep belief in landcare’s role in fostering a healthy environment and a connected, empowered community. Combining his passion for nature with professional expertise, Tony supports LCLG’s efforts to protect remnant woodlands, monsoon forests, and mangroves, ensuring clean freshwater flows into Darwin Harbour.
Angela Rossen
Since 2009, artist and biodiversity educator Angela Rossen has collaborated with scientists, landcarers, and communities across WA to inspire and engage people in protecting and restoring their local environment. Through events that blend art and science, Angela brings together people of all ages to observe, document, and connect with nature, fostering a deeper understanding of endemic species and ecosystems.
Ian Roberts
Vivienne has dedicated 25 years to Australian wildlife conservation, focusing on platypuses, penguins, and birds like the Silver Gull in Burnie. For two decades, she has played a key role in platypus preservation in Tasmania through professional and voluntary efforts. As founder and coordinator of Friends of Fernglade since 2014, Vivienne has helped establish Fernglade as one of Australia’s premier spots to observe wild platypuses. She also founded the Tasmanian Platypus Conservation Group in 2021 and elected to the Landcare Tasmania Members Council in 2023.
Vera Kurz is an exceptional landcarer and Co-Convenor of Friends of Tuggeranong Hill (FoTH). Since 2018, she has dedicated time to various volunteering activities, primarily managing invasive plants. Vera demonstrates strong leadership by guiding volunteers to safely and effectively achieve their goals and fostering a well-informed community. She overcomes challenges like coordinating diverse volunteer priorities by actively participating in quarterly ParkCare Convenor and annual planning meetings, ensuring she can share valuable insights with FoTH volunteers and her local community.
Ian Roberts, a lifelong resident of Blyth in South Australia’s Mid North, transitioned from farming to full-time artist in the 1980s. Renowned for his artworks of native plants and Australian birds. Motivated by the loss of native vegetation in his youth, he has spent 40 years propagating and planting over 100,000 native trees locally, including rare species. A dedicated educator, Ian is the district’s trusted expert on native plant care, with his guidance contributing to the establishment of hundreds of thousands of plants.
Judit Roland
Judit Roland has been a dedicated member of Tamborine Mountain Landcare (TML) since 2003, serving as regeneration coordinator since 2011 and president since 2014. Her tireless commitment and inspirational leadership has brought together government, business, and community to achieve lasting environmental outcomes across Tamborine Mountain for over 20 years. Judit’s rare ability to connect and inspire people—from schoolchildren to senior bureaucrats—has been key to TML’s enduring success.
Kevin Nolte
Vivienne Anne Briggs
Vera Kurz
Australian Government Community Partnership Landcare Award
The Australian Government Community Partnerships Landcare Award acknowledges individuals, groups, networks, or organisations that have demonstrated leadership and achievement in landcare-related activities as a result of working in partnership with others in their community.
ACT
Lake Macquarie Volunteer Landcare Network
For 25 years, LMLVN has been the backbone of Lake Macquarie Landcare partnership, a collaboration between Council and the groups working across the city. Representing almost 180 individual groups with collectively up to 1,000 volunteers, providing critical, social support to its members and creating a community of volunteers. Collectively, the Network is motivated by a desire to see Landcare flourish in the Lake Macquarie area and to see habitat and biodiversity improved in local bushland sites.
McMinns Lagoon Reserve Association
The McMinns Lagoon Reserve Association (MLRA) was established in 1987 by a group keen to restore the valuable wetland habitat which holds significant environmental, social and cultural value to the Larrakia people and local residents. MLRA volunteers have worked to restore valuable wetland habitat, mitigate soil erosion, and improve water quality to protect the natural habitat of the lagoon for a diverse range of wildlife. MLRA have restored this valuable wetland habitat into a thriving, healthy ecosystem, and biodiverse oasis that is now home to over 150 species of birds.
The Understorey Network Inc.
Beginning in 1994, in response for a need to include understorey species - not just trees - in revegetation sites for improved habitat and biodiversity the Understorey Network (USN) brings people together with the aim of improving the natural environment whilst learning about native flora. Using a native seedbank, they focus on propagating, preserving and promoting the value of Tasmanian native plants. The re-invigoration of USN in recent years, with a dedicated committee, expanding seedbank, nursery volunteers and growing membership is an important asset for the community.
Bush on the Boundary Committee
The Bush on the Boundary committee (known as ‘the BoB’) is a partnership formed across multiple sectors, including NRM associations and environmental organisations, local community councils, private businesses and several local ACT government departments. They have demonstrated exceptional engagement and collaboration with the community through various landcare-related initiatives. Their dedication has significantly contributed to fostering partnerships, networks, and alliances, thus amplifying community involvement and collective action in environmental stewardship.
Russell Family Park BushCare Group
Forming in 2007 with the hope of re-establishing a rainforest for critical habitats this group demonstrates an extraordinary degree of commitment as one of the most enduring environmental community groups on the Sunshine Coast. They meet weekly to create habitat for local wildlife and to improve the quality and resilience of the bushland in the Council Park. Russell Family Park BushCare Group’s valuable and long-term partnerships have created critical habitats and enhanced the place in which they live and love.
Merri Creek Management CommitteeBernadette Thomas
WA
Dampier Peninsula Fire Working Group (DPFWG)
DPFWG is an exemplar of an appropriately scaled, First Nations-led, community-focused, multi-stakeholder collaboration in land management and restoration of landscape health through right way fire. Together they use expert ecological knowledge and practical fire management experience of the Indigenous members and combined it with knowledge of fire ecologists, to identify the cultural, ecological and economic assets on the Dampier Peninsula that are affected by large, intense wildfires; and to determine the strategies for mitigating the fire-caused damage to these assets.
Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC) brings people together at a catchment scale to make a difference to the environment. MCMC is a longterm motivated pioneer of urban creek protection. They continue to innovate and undertake creek restoration projects, whilst combining community education and specialist technical advice to volunteers, land managers, and decision-makers with a reach over nearly 400 square kilometres. This passionate group of people work together to improve the health of Merri Creek and beyond.
Biodiversity McLaren Vale
Biodiversity McLaren Vale (BMV) was founded in 2014 as a collaboration between local community, industry and government to rehabilitate native landscapes and waterways and increase indigenous biodiversity within the region – reaping benefit for vineyards, farms and community. The result – the creation of healthy, biodiverse corridor linkages between key vegetation zones, beckoning back native fauna to the area.
BMV’s commitment to enhance and protect indigenous biodiversity by working collaboratively with community, industry and government has set a benchmark for creating real environmental change.
NextGen Landcare Award
Feature image Taylor Springett (2nd Left) and Penguin Warden volunteers at Spring Cove, Manly NSW.
The NextGen Landcare Award acknowledges an individual or a youth group* between the ages of 18 - 35 years who promote excellence in landcare through on-ground projects and/or awareness raising activities.
VIC QLD
Zoe Stuart McMahon
Zoë is a deeply committed and dedicated land manager and educator with a strong focus on sustainability, community engagement, program management and organic food production. Zoë has been a leader in local Landcare practices and has demonstrated excellence in activities that improve natural resource management outcomes in the ACT and beyond.
Zoë has encouraged community members, school-aged children, fellow food producers, industry representatives and peers through events, field days, social and conventional media, podcasts and workshops through her Farmer Zo programs and her role with the Canberra Environment Centre.
Taylor Springett
Taylor is a young, passionate longstanding member of the Penguin Warden volunteer group. Penguin Wardens contribute tireless hours of work each year protecting the endangered population of little penguins at Spring Cove, Manly NSW.
Taylor’s first involvement with the project was in 2014 in year 7, participating in an annual Penguin Wardens training day. In 2015, Taylor became a Penguin Warden overseeing many important functions.
Taylor’s long and outstanding dedication to the Manly little penguin population sets an example for others interested in threatened species conservation to aspire to.
Rosalinde Green-Brinkman
Rosalinde (Rose) is CEO of Watergum Community Inc. A born leader, with a passion for Australian landscapes. Over seven years, she has grown Watergum to directly engage with over 10,000 people in carrying out hands on environmental and land management work.
Rose is driven by connecting people to the land and creating real on-ground outcomes. She does this by networking, managing a large-scale Watergum social media presence, and managing and mentoring her team to carry out citizen science, Natural Resource Management (NRM), invasive species, land restoration projects and supporting 45 small Landcare groups.
Dr Cara Penton
Cara has been deeply involved in conservation biology, with a specific focus on the protection of threatened species and small mammal populations in northern Australia. Her journey in the Northen Territory began with her PhD conferred in April 2021, where she investigated tree hollow availability and the tree hollow ecology for arboreal mammals in northern tropical savannas.
Cara bridges research and practice, advancing community-driven land management through cross-cultural collaboration and driving impactful ecological stewardship in protecting threatened species in remote northern Australia.
Bryce Watt-Parker
Bryce is an enthusiastic environmentalist having a soft spot for the local unique flora and the scaly critters of East Gippsland. Bryce has been a key speaker on the natural environment within his community, undertaking many bush walks and talks about bushfire recovery and the many local threatened plant species.
Since the Black summer bush fires Bryce played a critical role in delivering and conceiving the idea of the Mallacoota Endemic Garden and the local community nursery, both crucial in reconnecting community with nature. He’s achieved so much in the fire recovery of Far East Victoria and has been instrumental in educating the community about the natural environment!
The Biology Society of South Australia
The student-run Biology Society of South Australia (BSSA), is a vibrant youthled organization embedded within the University of Adelaide’s School of Biological Sciences. Exemplifying the nexus between youthful energy and conservation efforts. Established in the 1990s by a group of visionary South Australian conservationists, the BSSA has evolved into a crucial platform for engaging young individuals in environmental science, conservation, and ecology. The BSSA has made significant strides in bridging the gap between academic study and practical conservation work.
Junior Landcare Award
The Junior Landcare Award acknowledges an individual, school, youth organisation or young community landcare team that contributes to raising awareness, sharing knowledge and promoting participation of landcare amongst young people. The award recognises Junior Landcare individuals or teams who implement landcare practices within the local community or school.
Scouts ACT Venturers
Venturer Scouts ACT’s Waterwatch team started up in December 2016, with Venturers (youth aged 14 to 18) from Southwell, Diamantina and Crowajingalong Scout groups banding together to undertake bimonthly water quality monitoring in remote areas of Namadgi National Park. This quickly evolved into an ACT wide activity for youth Scouting. They soon added regular ecological surveying of aquatic life and riparian vegetation to their work and now contribute a full complement of catchment health data for the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Health Indicator Program (CHiP).
Wilsons Creek
Wilsons Creek Public School is a tiny school making a big difference by sharing the joy of learning and caring for land. The school is in a region with extraordinary biodiversity that is under threat by habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change. In the past five years, the school and the surrounding area experienced prolonged drought, then catastrophic fire, then extreme flooding. These natural disasters brought the local community closer together and sharpened the school’s focus on environmental management and sustainability. The school coordinates an integrated suite of projects to involve the students in Landcare activities that align with learning goals in the curriculum.
South Coogee Primary School
South Coogee is an innovative metropolitan Level 5 primary school with a whole school approach to sustainability. With 10 years of accreditation as a WasteWise/Sorted School and using the Climate Clever Program they manage their carbon footprint through monitoring and comparing energy use. They increase students’ understanding of waste and its reduction, and conservation of natural resources through whole school initiatives and practices.
Data collected reflects the work the students and school community are achieving. The results demonstrate increased understanding about landcare, the environment and natural resources.
Students for Sustainability @ Darwin High School
Students for Sustainability @ Darwin High School is a student-led initiative focused on introducing sustainable practices across the school campus and raising awareness about sustainability and climate change.
SfS activities include on-school native revegetation plantings, holding awareness raising events plant sales, the implementation of classroom paper recycling, and creation of a tiny forest for heat mitigation and reconnecting the school community with nature. The students are taking real world problems at a local, school level, studying the challenges and solutions, and proactively collaborating within their local community to solve them - a fine example of what Landcare is all about.
Collinsvale Primary School
Students, staff and the wider community participate in and support a variety of endeavours that have led to an enhanced understanding of and appreciation of the environment and natural resource management. The over-arching aims of the programs are to instill in students a love of investigating the environment around them, whilst connecting, respecting and protecting nature.
In 2020, the school partnered with Dr. Tanya Scharaschkin, local botanist and member of Friends of Collinsvale Landcare Group. Dr Tanya (as she is fondly called by the students) has shared her passion for science and the natural environment with the entire school.
Butchers Creek State School
The geographic location of Butchers Creek State School places it in an extremely high rainfall zone, a factor that has major impacts on everyday school life. In 2022 sustainability considerations were integrated to strengthen the whole school approach to sustainability, teaching and learning and community partnerships.
Typically Soil Health can be a ‘dry’ topic and generally overlooked in schools, however questions around the old school forestry plot sparked interest in the students. The whole school - students, parents, community and the school staff jumped on board and ‘The Soil Savers’ project started their journey into building knowledge and understanding of the importance of healthy soil.
Tavish Bloom
Tavish Bloom, a 13-year-old nature enthusiast, is making significant contributions to his community by dedicating himself to the protection of a local reserve. Through meticulous data collection on wildlife, Tavish has played a crucial role in safeguarding the lives of local fauna, raising awareness about the importance of conservation efforts. His involvement in school environmental programs and community projects aimed at wildlife conservation is remarkable for someone his age, reflecting his deep commitment to environmental stewardship.
St Michael’s Lutheran Primary School, Hahndorf
St Michael’s Lutheran School is a co-educational primary school whose students have totally rejuvenated a neglected creek into a pristine waterway. The Hahndorf Creek runs directly behind the school and for decades, this portion of creek was inaccessible due to the prominence of blackberry bushes and excessive rubbish which makes its way down the waterway. The school saw this project as a way of rejuvenating a waterway, re-establishing native plants to the area, and creating an outdoor ’classroom’ for students to learn about the impact of change on an environment that was being neglected.
Alandi’s top tips for writing a winning grant application
landi Durling is the Environmental Grants Coordinator at Landcare Australia, where she works closely on grant rounds for community groups and identifies potential projects for funding with support from corporate partners. With 13 years of experience supporting landcare groups, Alandi has written numerous grants.
She is also an active member of her local group, the Burgoigee Creek Landcare Group in Victoria. She has been actively supporting the group to engage young farmers in landcare and provide learning opportunities to support their farming businesses.
Discover Alandi’s top do’s and don’ts for grant applications - your go-to checklist!
What to consider before applying? What makes a standout application?
• Read the Grant guidelines in full, don’t just skim.
• Understand the grant’s objectives and ensure your organisation is eligible to apply.
• Check if partnerships with other organisations are required and start forming those relationships.
• Determine if letters of support or landowner consent are necessary, especially for on-ground projects.
• Identify if mapping of ongoing ground project sites is needed and plan for it.
• Develop a project plan outlining the what, why, who, and how to make answering grant questions easier.
• Ensure your project aligns with the objectives and addresses relevant local, regional, state, or national strategies.
• Familiarise yourself with your local, regional or state Natural Resource Management strategy and how your project may potentially address it.
Common mistakes to avoid
Don’t assume that the grant assessor knows anything about your group, local area or the challenges your community faces. You must include this information. It’s important to tell the full story and ensure the assessor gets the complete picture.
Ensure your answers fully address each question. It’s worth having someone who isn’t closely attached to the application read it before submission to ensure clarity and it’s addressing the question.
If two questions seem similar, seek clarification as they may require different responses.
Avoid being vague with the budget. Provide a clear, detailed breakdown of how the funding will be used. Explain each item, and if something has a high cost, justify it - it shows you’ve done your homework and aren’t just making up numbers.
Watch out for typos! Draft your responses in a Word document to check grammar and spelling before pasting them into the application form.
Stay up to date with grant news and announcements on landcarer.com.au, a platform designed to connect the landcare community with funding opportunities.
Words by Millie Webber | Landcare Australia
Carmel Pethick
You directly answer the questions and clearly connect to the outlined objectives. It demonstrates that you’ve read the guidelines and can articulate how your project will help achieve the grant’s goals. This is essential for showing that the grant funds projects that are aligned with its purpose. Anyone can craft a compelling, winning application - no expert grant-writing experience required!
Clear timelines and a well structured plan that details how you will deliver the grant, what will happen and when. This gives grant assessors confidence that you are ready to launch and that you have a clear strategy to deliver results successfully and on time.
High quality photos can help tell your story! Sharing photos of your group’s activities, the work you’re doing and the location can create a compelling narrative. This strengthens your application and builds the story of your group and project.
Additional grant resources
• Check your state and local government websites for additional funding opportunities.
• Sign up for your local landcare community newsletter to receive grant updates.
• Subscribe to regional NRM newsletters for more funding opportunities.
• GrantConnect
• Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)
• The Grants Hub
Hero photo by
Left Alandi and Sally Day (NECMA Senior Project Officer - Sustainable
Let’s hear about your connection with nature!
ow Australians experience a sense of connection with nature, and the impacts of that connection, are the questions at the heart of The Nature Connection Project.
The Nature Connection Project is gathering stories from Australians all over the country. This will help them understand how we experience a sense of connection with nature, and the impacts of that connection.
The team would love to hear a stories that shows how, where or why you connect with nature. Whether it be a tale about looking out the window or climbing a mountain, gardening in your backyard or swimming in the creek, walking, fishing, or being with your pet, all stories matter.
Your stories will help the research team understand how, where and why we connect, and how connecting benefits us and nature.
What do we mean by Nature Connection?
Part philosophy and part practice, nature connection is about our human relationship with non-human nature.
So what are the big questions?
This is where The Nature Connection Project steps in. Firstly the project analysed a national survey completed by just over 4000 Australians from diverse backgrounds. The results showed that those who identify as being strongly connected to nature are 81 times more likely to engage in ‘proenvironmental’ behaviours than people who report having low levels of connection. We also found that people who are more connected to nature have a far greater life satisfaction.
This University of Tasmania-led research is funded by the National Environmental Sceince Program and is born from Australia’s Strategy for Nature, with its Number One Goal “To Connect All Australians To Nature”. However, the majority of nature connection research has happened overseas, and there are some real gaps in our understanding in the Australian context.
Why collect stories?
Statistics are important in giving broad, sweeping understandings, but we also want to gain deeper insights into the complexities of human connection with non-human nature.
So the second part of the research is gathering stories of people’s experiences in nature. Your stories will help our research team understand the nuances, emotions and variations of how, where and why we connect with nature. Stories like ‘Grey Fantail’
SYLVIA’S STORY
This photo was taken at the end of the most difficult year of my life. Watching this young grey fantail fledgling reminded me that there was light at the end of the tunnel, that I had not only survived unimaginable emotional, psychological, and financial abuse … I had healed from long-term chronic pain and had made a new life for myself. It was almost a new year, a new beginning, just like for this young little fantail fledgling.
Most of us have had moments that awaken a feeling of connection with other living or non-living things around us. If you have a story, a photo, poem, painting or other creative offering - that you want to share visit the website to learn more. You will find submission guidelines and inspiring examples here: www.thenatureconnectionproject.com.au
As well as being shared with others, your creative responses will be carefully considered as researchers look for insights into how nature connection impacts our health, wellbeing and environmental future.
SHARE YOUR STORY
Send your story as a picture, or write a short piece, a poem, make a video or audio recording.
This project will shape environmental and wellbeing policies plus develop resources and tools to promote nature connection.
Scan the QR code to watch or click the link below
https://youtu.be/sHXX5hxES0o
For more information about the project or the pod, please contact Jen Sharman at jenni.sharman@utas.edu.au
Words by Eleanor Slade | Landcare Australia
Left Lena Top left The Nature Connection Storytelling Pod Main Image supplied by Sylvia - “Grey Fantail”
Nature’s a big part of life at Mary’s Mount Primary School
ur students and staff at Mary’s Mount Primary School (MMPS) are passionately committed to restoring a corridor of vacant land at the rear of their school grounds, transforming it back into the thriving ecosystem it once was.
Our students and staff at Mary’s Mount Primary School (MMPS) are passionately committed to restoring a corridor of vacant land at the rear of their school grounds, transforming it back into the thriving ecosystem it once was.
After the City of Kalamunda cleared the area of overgrown weeds, a natural spring was discovered running through the middle of the land. The staff and students were really excited by this discovery which lead to a partnership develop between the Natural Areas Team at the City of Kalamunda, South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare (SERCUL) and MMPS community to care for this land.
Over the past twelve months, the children have enjoyed regular visits to their Adopt-A-Patch with the support of the City of Kalamunda. These visits have included a variety of activities such as picking up litter, observing changes throughout the Noongar six seasons, planting native plants, installing a habitat box with Simon Cherriman (Ornithologist), observing and recording animals, vertebrates and invertebrates and even just listening to and trying to identify the increasing population of local frogs. These hands-on experiences have not only fostered a deeper connection with nature for our students in our care but also provides valuable learning opportunities about local biodiversity and environmental stewardship.
In addition to the efforts of Mary’s Mount Primary School, students from the local high school, Mazenod College, offered a helping hand during the primary school’s Earthcare Expo last spring. These high school students provided mentorship to our younger primary students, guiding them with the environmental leaders at the City of Kalamunda in planting sedges along one of the water basin’s edge. This collaboration between schools and the City of Kalamunda staff has strengthened community bonds and highlighted the importance of working together to protect and enhance our natural environment.
The dedication and enthusiasm of our school community serves as a shining example of how children can connect with nature and make a positive impact on their local environment. Through our ongoing efforts, we are not only restoring a vital ecosystem but also providing opportunities for our future generation to value and care for our natural world. For more information, please visit www.mmps.wa.edu.au
Words by Belinda Henderson, Sustainability and Environment Leader | Mary’s Mount Primary School
Helping city kids restore landscapes and connect with nature.
Watershed Landcare combine art and environmental work
n early November 2024, Watershed Landcare delivered an unforgettable two-day experience that combined hands-on environmental restoration with artistic expression. Hosting 36 Year 9 students and staff from St Leonard’s College in Melbourne. It brought to life the power of collaboration and creativity in landscape regeneration while connecting city kids with the country.
Held at Franks Breakaway Farm on the banks of the Cudgegong River, the program immersed students in the principles of holistic land management through hands-on activities. The event kicked off with a Welcome to Country by Uncle Peter Swain, who shared the “Tiddalik the Frog” Dreamtime story. This timeless tale conveyed the shared responsibility of caring for land, water, and community, setting the tone for the days ahead.
Under the guidance of Watershed Landcare and Dr Laura Fisher from Mulloon Institute, students learned about the four interrelated ecosystem processes: water, mineral, energy cycles, and community dynamics. The focus was on improving landscape rehydration, which is vital for restoring soil health and ecosystem resilience. Before the students arrived, meticulous preparation had been undertaken, including contour earthworks, seeding, and mulching to create an optimal environment for planting native vegetation.
Armed with tools and tree guards provided by the Watershed Landcare Nursery, the students rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Together, they planted native species along newly constructed contour banks, a strategy designed to slow water runoff and improve soil moisture retention. Mulching and watering followed to ensure the young plants had the best chance of survival. It was a powerful experience, reinforcing individuals’ critical role in restoring degraded landscapes.
For more information, please visit www.watershedlandcare.com.au
Words by Maddison O’Brien | Watershed Landcare
Hero Students from St Leonard’s College, Melbourne. Credit: Gus Armstrong
Top right Students carved small stamps representing elements in the landscape and put them together to form a mural, representing the interconnectedness in the ecosystem.
Top bottom Students worked together planting native plants below the contour bank, adding mulch and tree guards. Photo by Gus Armstrong
Rehabilitating Roe 8: Healing the land with community
lashback to the summer of 2016/17 - a highly controversial road project began in Perth, when incumbent Premier Colin Barnett called for clearing to start on Stage 8 of the Roe Highway. Thousands of people protested, and hundreds were arrested in the fight to save valuable urban woodlands, much-loved bushlands and wetlands and Aboriginal heritage sites. With the change in government in March 2017, incoming Premier Mark McGowan called an end to ‘Roe 8’. Since then, project Rehabilitating Roe 8 (RR8), which is state government funded, has been working hard to repair the damage done to 14 hectares of Banksia woodlands and to local community relations.
In a way this project is unique, in that it is working on both environmental and social rehabilitation. The environmental repair is obvious: plantings of over 270,000 native seedlings to date; weed and feral animal control; fencing to prevent unauthorised access; habitat enhancement such as installation of nest boxes, bee hotels, a Bandicoot Bungalow and a Cockitrough bird waterer. This has led to a transformation from a bare, desolate site to a thriving wildlife corridor.
The social rehabilitation is more subtle, but equally powerful. Many people in the community still remember the trauma of the land clearing, sometimes just metres from their homes.
The City of Cockburn has been enlisted to implement the Rehabilitation Management Plan and this local presence has helped reassure the local community. The local Whadjuk Nyungar community have also provided their knowledge and input into archaeological surveys and other aspects. A trail called Beeliar Woodland Walks has been installed to give people access to the bushland. Lastly, the project has fostered custodianship by supporting two Friends Groups – Cockburn Community Wildlife Corridor (CCWC) and Karak Cooby Bushcarers (KCB). They are very much ‘hands on’ with landcare activities. With three years still to run, the project sets a great example of how to heal the land we love.
For more information, please visit www.rehabilitatingroe8.org
Words by Adam Peck
Come and try days
Landcare groups have banded together to develop educational materials and strengthen local networks.
he Camden Haven Environmental Regeneration Project (CHERPs) is an initiative spearheaded by the Landcare Groups in the Camden Haven region in NSW, including Kendall, Laurieton, North Haven, Bonny Hills, and Dunbogan, alongside the Hastings Landcare staff. Noxious weed identification and removal, plus local habitat restoration, were the main activities carried out with a small grant from the Energy Forever Sustainability Grants Program.
It helped to increase aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity. The team running the project found there was a high demand for an annual workshop and practical “field trip” to observe and implement strategies, as well hosting joint landcare group activities to increase public participation, such as the popular “Come and Try Days.”
The project provided a fabulous opportunity to connect with other Landcare groups in the area. Conducting joint activities has strengthened these networks, increased membership numbers and encouraged more collaborative events like “Come and Try Landcare Day” and “Clean Up Australia Day.”
The team created a bespoke infographic highlighting the Top 10 noxious weeds and management techniques in Camden Haven which has proven very useful and cost-effective way to increase local knowledge and promote care for the natural environment.
The team have exciting plans for the future, which includes obtaining funding to establish regenerative residential gardens in Camden Haven.
Words by Deborah Doyle | LUSC Landcare Group
Left KCLC planting
Right Northhaven landcare
Connection by fire
gurang Reserve’s wonders are only starting to be revealed, underscoring the importance of conservation efforts and strengthening the call to protect and preserve this unique landscape.
A collaborative project at Ngurang Reserve (near Rylstone, NSW) combines cultural land management and biodiversity monitoring, integrating traditional knowledge with scientific research to improve the landscape. This exciting new initiative – Connection by Fire - has just been launched by Watershed Landcare and the North East Wiradjuri Company (NEWco).
A planned project highlight is a cultural burn this winter. This practice, used for thousands of years by First Nations people, reduces fire hazards, clears excess vegetation, and encourages the growth of native plants, providing habitat for a diverse range of species. To track the ecological impact of these efforts, a research partnership is underway with Annabell Murray, a Western Sydney University and UNSW Master’s student, who will study the vegetation’s response to cultural burning.
Wildlife cameras monitored the reserve’s inhabitants over the holiday season, providing a fascinating glimpse into their lives.
To help process the images and data, a Wildlife Camera Workshop was held in Kandos, where 15 dedicated volunteers gave their time and effort to help review the footage. Their enthusiasm and keen eyes helped uncover some incredible discoveries, adding valuable insights to the project. The day was a celebration of community-driven conservation, made possible by the leadership of John Marshall from the Central West Wildlife Carers Network & NEWco, who generously hosted the event at their centre in Kandos.
Among the most frequently sighted birds were the white-winged choughs, which roamed in family groups ranging from three to thirteen individuals, and the stately wonga pigeons, strutting their distinctive plumage through the undergrowth.
The reserve is undoubtedly a hotspot for native mammals, with cameras revealing an array of species, including lace monitors, possums, lyrebirds, echidnas, and wombats. Among the more elusive creatures was the Antechinus—a small, carnivorous marsupial known for its high-energy lifestyle and brief but intense breeding period. While this discovery was not unexpected, it was significant, as some Antechinus species are listed as endangered due to habitat loss and predation by invasive species.
Left One of several Koala sightings captured with wildlife cameras at the Reserve Above Local Landcare Coordinator Maddison & Kelsie from NEWCO out on Wiradjuri Country, installing the cameras
The reserve is undoubtedly a hotspot for native mammals, with cameras revealing an array of species, including lace monitors, possums, lyrebirds, echidnas, and wombats. Among the more elusive creatures was the Antechinus—a small, carnivorous marsupial known for its highenergy lifestyle and brief but intense breeding period. While this discovery was not unexpected, it was significant, as some Antechinus species are listed as endangered due to habitat loss and predation by invasive species.
One of the most captivating sequences captured on camera was of a red-necked wallaby, a keystone species within the forest. These curious and intelligent animals were seen sniffing and digging in the soil, searching for native truffles. This behaviour plays an essential role in the ecosystem—by digging, wallabies aerate the soil and help disperse fungal spores that contribute to tree growth and soil health. Their foraging is a perfect example of the interconnectedness of Australia’s bushland.
The biggest highlight of the survey was the confirmation of koalas living within Ngurang Reserve. Across multiple recordings, nine separate sightings were documented, along with sound meter data capturing their distinctive vocal calls. This evidence strengthens ongoing efforts to protect koala habitats in the region.
Not all of the reserve’s inhabitants were welcome, however. The cameras also recorded several introduced species, including foxes, feral cats, and even a large black cat of unknown origin. A spotted wild boar also made an appearance, highlighting the need for ongoing feral animal management to protect native wildlife.
With the Connection by Fire project now in full swing, there’s much more to come. A series of upcoming events, including a Songline Walk with Uncle Peter Swain, the cultural burn, and further biodiversity surveys, will continue to build knowledge about Ngurang Reserve and its unique ecosystem.
If you’re interested in participating or learning more, please email info@watershedlandcare.com.au and become part of this important work.
Words by Maddison O’Brien
Above Wildlife cameras at the reserve
Right The Ngurang Reserve is home to lots of wallabies who like to sniff out and snack on truffles. How cute is this capture!
The school’s annual tree planting day reaches its 30th year
his year marks the 30th anniversary of the annual school tree planting initiative, dedicated to the restoration of threatened ecosystems, cultivating a deep connection to the land.
Our Little Yarra Steiner School is nestled in the Little Yarra River valley. It was established on a 60-acre former farming property of paddocks, with blackberry infestations along the wetlands and river. This land stretches down to the Liwik Barring landscape conservation area, which was established along the Little Yarra River to support the Helmeted honeyeater and the Leadbeaters possum.
It has been an amazing opportunity for students to connect with land that has been cared for by Wurundjeri People for thousands of years.
Led by one of the teachers, the school has been undertaking ecosystem restoration planting for over 30 years. The restoration work began with the revegetation of the banks of the Little Yarra River, and the first plantings of Eucalyptus are now over 20 metres tall – becoming a haven for visiting wildlife. The revegetation of the threatened swampy riparian complex (the school wetland) then became the focus. This required stock exclusion, fencing, removal of blackberry, and building of a boardwalk to allow easy access to the wetland and river without disturbing plants and animals. More recently wildlife corridors have been planted through the paddocks to connect old paddock trees. The aim is to work towards restoring some Silverleaf stringybark damp heathy woodland.
The school has received several Federal and State government grants and works closely with Melbourne Water Stream Frontage Management Program, Yarra Ranges Ribbons of Green Program and The Friends of Helmeted honeyeater local plant nursery, as well as Conservation Volunteers in the past and 300 students from Prep to Class 12.
Many students have participated over the years, not only planting each year, but also caring for planted trees, shrubs and grasses, watching them grow to form habitats, and observing the mobs of kangaroos, the wombats, and even sacred kingfishes who are sighted regularly through our quarterly Birds on Farms surveys.
For more information, please visit www.lyss.vic.edu.au
Words by Claudia Ludescher Howells and Julie Sale | Little Yarra Steiner School, Yarra Junction, Wurundjeri Country, Victoria
Empowering the next generation: Capricorn Conservation Council and Cap Coast Eco Warriors
or over 50 years, Capricorn Conservation Council (CCC) has been a voice for the environment in Central Queensland, advocating for the protection, conservation, and enhancement of biodiversity across the region. In recent years, CCC has strengthened its commitment to fostering the next generation of environmental advocates through an ongoing and thriving partnership with the Cap Coast Eco Warriors (CCEW).
A Grassroots Collaboration for Change
This dynamic partnership has provided young people with opportunities to learn about environmental conservation, engage in hands-on activities, and connect with Traditional Owners to ensure culturally respectful and informed action. Through this collaboration, CCC has built its own Youth Sub-Committee, an initiative dedicated to elevating youth voices in environmental advocacy.
The Youth Sub-Committee, led by young environmental champions, works towards raising awareness about environmental issues, engaging in on-the-ground conservation efforts, and collaborating with councils, schools, universities, and community groups to drive meaningful change. With CCC’s support, youth members now have a platform to advocate for biodiversity protection at the local, state, and national levels.
Taking Action for the Environment
Together, CCC and CCEW have organised a range of impactful environmental initiatives, including: Tree Planting Events: CCC and CCEW have planted hundreds of native trees at locations such as Nurim (Mount Archer) and the Capricorn Caves, helping to restore vital ecosystems and provide habitat for native wildlife, including the endangered ghost bat.
Clean Up Australia Day & GBR Reef Clean: Youth members have led and participated in multiple clean-up events, removing significant amounts of waste from local beaches, wetlands, and bushland to protect marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Caring for Country on Konomie Island: In collaboration with Woppaburra Saltwater Aboriginal Corporation, CCC and CCEW have worked alongside Traditional Owners, the Woppaburra Land and Sea Rangers, and Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre to rehabilitate and restore Woppaburra Country.
Cultural Immersion & Knowledge Sharing: CCC and CCEW have prioritised learning from Indigenous knowledge holders, attending cultural immersion days and working closely with Darumbal and Woppaburra Elders to integrate First Nations perspectives into conservation efforts.
Youth Leadership Development: CCC has supported the next generation of leaders, with youth members like Zahara Evans (Chair of the CCC Youth Sub-Committee) stepping up to advocate for environmental and cultural conservation initiatives.
Strengthening the Future of Conservation
The partnership between CCC and CCEW has demonstrated the power of community-led environmental action. By supporting youth-led conservation efforts and fostering collaboration with First Nations knowledge holders, this initiative ensures that future generations are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and passion to continue advocating for a healthy and sustainable environment.
The Capricorn Conservation Council is immensely proud to work alongside the Cap Coast Eco Warriors and is committed to expanding youth involvement in environmental stewardship. If you would like to get involved with CCC’s Youth Sub-Committee or support its work, visit www.cccqld.org.au.
Together, we are a voice for the environment— for this generation and the next.
For more information about Glenwood Merinos, please visit: www.cccqld.org.au
Words by Sophie George | Capricorn Conservation Council
Top left Cap Coast Eco Warriors and Capricorn Conservation Council on Konomie Island with the Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre P&C and Woppaburra Ranger, with thanks to Livingstone Shire Council who sponsored this event
Top right CCEW, CCC and Capricorn Caves NRM on National Tree Planting Day (2nd year)
Bottom left Capricorn Conservation Council Treasurer, Co-Ordinator and Youth Sub-Committee Chair with Cap Coast Eco Warriors on our Great Barrier Reef Clean Up Australia Day Event
Bottom right CCC, CCEW, KIEEC P&C on Konomie Island with Woppaburra PBC Director and son rehabilitating Konomie Island Event
Wendouree Primary School’s biodiversity journey transforms school grounds
Four years of Junior Landcare grants helped us change our school’s bland and under utilised areas into a thriving wildlife habitat corridor with over 30 species.
n 2021 we applied for a Junior Landcare grant to increase our biodiversity and improve the habitat spaces within our school grounds. While we already had well established eucalyptus trees and many species of large birds, we lacked understory and any habitat areas that would be suitable for small birds’ insect’s, lizards, frogs etc.
The Bass Coast Landcare Network launched this program Our journey began by contacting our local Gardens for Wildlife group, and we had one of their members visit our school to give us some recommendations on indigenous plants that would be suitable for the spaces we wanted to transform. Luckily for us this person was also a member of the Wattle Flat/Pootilla Landcare group and they have supported us with advice, excursions, knowledge and with all our further applications.
Since then, the students and I, via our weekly garden classes and flexible learning programme CREATE, have transformed these unused sections of school grounds by planting over 4000 trees shrubs and grasses, building specific themed areas such as a Temperate Rainforest space, dedicated Swift Parrot area, frog bog and two lizard lounges. To compliment these gardens, we have also installed numerous bird baths, nesting boxes, insect hotels and developed pathways throughout the corridor that connects all the spaces together.
Included in our planning was the addition of a yarning circle that is used as an outdoor classroom for many activities including book reading circles, gardening classes, special presentations and of course a place to yarn.
Looking to the future we will continue to plant more indigenous trees, shrubs and grass to extend our wildlife habitat corridor and increase our biodiversity. With the assistance of our most recent Landcare grant, we are currently building a boardwalk / dry creek bed garden and sharing our knowledge, experiences and resources with other schools and community groups within our area. Rebecca Prentic, Grade 4/5 teacher said.
“Since increasing our biodiversity by transforming our school grounds, the students’ interactions with nature and their discussions have seen a tremendous change. The students now take notice of the increasing birdlife that is now not just flying over us but stopping to check out our new areas. The students are constantly asking and wanting to research ways we can get other animals into our environment, which is one reason why we added the frog and lizard lounge. Now we have students wandering around at play times checking to see if we have lizards visiting us yet!! Being a teacher that goes out to Garden classes with the students, I am constantly blown away by the students new found understanding, respect and ownership for our local environment.”
Stephanie Davison from Wattle Flat Pootilla Landcare Group reflects on the project.
Stephen first approached us three or four years ago because he and the Wendouree students were interested in turning a bare patch behind the school oval into an outdoor classroom and wildlife garden. We jumped at the chance to assist with plant selection and their first Junior Landcare Grant application. From there they have gone from strength to strength expanding their original plan to create spaces that are beautiful, educational and beneficial to birds and other local wildlife. We’re not surprised that Stephen and the Green Grubs have received awards and accolades for this big project they’ve undertaken – their enthusiasm is infectious, and we see no end to the greening of their school grounds!
We’ve enjoyed watching the students’ environmental awareness blossom and love the positive “can do” attitude they show. One of the highlights for our members has been an annual bush walk with grade 4 – 6 students in the nearby Creswick Forest where we spend a couple of hours birdwatching (Stephen purchased a class set of binoculars), learning to identify some of our local forest trees and exploring nature.
Junior Landcare Ambassador Costa Georgiadis also recently visited Wendouree Primary School, and shared on his blog Costa’s Corner.
For more information, please visit www.wendoureeps.vic.edu.au
Words by
Stephen McNeight, Garden Specialist, Maintenance and Sustainability Officer | Wendouree Primary School
Landcare Australia and Manheim Cox Automotive.
The partnership between Landcare Australia and Manheim Cox Automative (Manheim) has seen sites transformed in Victoria and Tasmania. Local groups successfully implemented numerous communityfocused initiatives to enhance the local environment and provide lasting community involvement.
Words by Eleanor Slade | Landcare Australia
Image Friends of Kororoit Creek
Outstanding work in Victoria
he Friends of Kororoit Creek, a highly active volunteer group, works to restore and improve the creek’s habitat corridor. Their work includes large-scale revegetation, workshops, art projects, and educational initiatives. They’ve also embarked on a reconciliation journey with First Nations peoples. They have around 60 members who are on the creek two or three times a week - it’s become a real passion project for these landcarers.
The project sites, before the group’s work began, were weedy, mown stretches alongside the creek. Now the sites are bursting with biodiversity. The restoration of natural beauty and wildlife has generated widespread community enthusiasm.
Jessica Gerger, President of Friends of Kororoit Creek said “The generous support from Landcare Australia with funding from Manheim Cox Automotive has enabled us to do largescale revegetation over 28,802 m2, consult and engage with Traditional Custodians, reach even more community and install fun and fabulous projects like our sculptural Bug Hotels, Wildlife Ceramics, Frog Bogs and Planting for Platypus. Investing in passionate volunteer organisations gets so much bang for buck - as the passion and hard work is endless!”
The Friends of Kororoit Creek sites represent a significant portion of the large-scale indigenous plantings along the Brimbank section of Kororoit Creek. This important work aids biodiversity, including endangered species, educating the community about indigenous plants, restoring a landscape to that of pre-colonial times, and providing vital habitat and food for wildlife adversely affected by development, and improving the water quality entering the creek by planting native grasses to filter stormwater runoff.
Weed eradication involves brush-cutting, spraying, and manual weeding. Those areas are filled with indigenous plants that will self-seed. The group plants numerous flowering plants to aid beneficial insects, whose populations are dwindling worldwide.
This means the sites are attracting lots of native bees, butterflies, moths and other beneficial insects, and this will only improve with future work. They are planting as many plants as possible near the water to sequester carbon, provide shade, and clean the air and water.
Over 11,000 seedlings were planted (a combination of lower, mid and upper story plants), and almost 3ha of weed control undertaken to encourage native tussock grasses to regenerate. A biodiversity survey was undertaken, and a return of Tussock Skinks was noticed. Five bug hotels were created from large logs carved into beautiful shapes with patterns of holes drilled into them, which were then installed vertically at The Bug Rug. The bug hotels (thanks to Manheim), along with frog bogs, rocks and logs that were installed to provide habitat and food for a diverse population of wildlife and to create a valuable community asset.
Additionally, 15 First Nations people from Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation were directly engaged in this project, via community consultation, Welcome and Smoking Ceremonies, renaming of a site and creation of signage; as well as holding an Indigenous workshop at the site to engage local children.
Corporate Environmental Volunteering kicked off with members of the Manheim Australia team at Kororoit Creek around the ‘Bug Rug’ and ‘Lizard Lounge’. The site is in excellent condition and the Friends of Kororoit creek have continued to invest time and resources expanding and maintaining the area.
Jessica explains We want to extend The Bug Rug by adding another large section directly north of the current planting. We want to continue to do infill work at The Lizard Lounge and the other sites. This will help eradicate weeds and increase biodiversity. We’d like to add a nesting hollow/artwork at The Bug Rug. We recently installed a First Nations rock carving - Walan-Walan (www.fokc.org.au/walanwalan) at the site and would like to continue to add art with meaning. There are plans afoot to hold even more corporate volunteering days at The Bug Rug where team members can see the beauty of the site firsthand!
Bottom left Swallowtail on at the Bug Rug
Top left Direct seeding before Hero Natureplay
Franklin River Wilds
Another project supported by Manheim took place on Tasmania’s rugged west coast, home to several sites that provide excellent habitats for numerous endangered and critically endangered native species, such as the azure kingfisher, Tasmanian devil, swift parrots, orange-bellied parrot, white-bellied sea eagle, and grey goshawk.
The Franklin River Wilds program aimed to protect native vegetation within the Franklin River Catchment’s buffer zones, focusing on two key areas: the Swan Basin and Henty River.
The Swan Basin restoration site adjoins a former Radiata Pine Plantation. The coastal vegetation is intact but has been infested with pine wildlings that escaped from the adjoining plantation. By employing local people, the project supported the local economy and equipped the community with skills for future work managing natural areas, like weed control. Clearing invasive pine saplings from 21 hectares of native forest opened up space and sunlight, enabling native species to thrive.
Treatment of gorse plants has been very effective and while follow-up work is necessary for controlling this species, it has successfully slowed the spread of this weed within the project areas.
Pete Stronach, CEO Landcare Tasmania said “Our community events were particularly successful in highlighting the natural values of the area and improving people’s knowledge of local weeds and methods to control them. The weed contractor support enabled us to break the back of several large patches and the local group can now manage the follow up in the same area. We are already seeing natural regeneration of native species in the areas controlled for weeds”.
The Henty River site is a high-priority area for weed control, offering the potential for long-term management of gorse and pampas. Parks and Wildlife, Henty Council, volunteers from Friends of the Henty Wildcare and University of Tasmania worked closed to clear over 20 hectares of gorse and pampas grass.
Images: UTAS Landcare Society and Wildcare Friends of Henty join forces to tackle invasive gorse on the West Coast!
Plant identification workshops
This project included a workshop by renowned weedmanagement specialist Todd Dudley, teaching techniques vital for restoring threatened species habitats impacted by pine, gorse, and other weeds. Reaching beyond the local community, the workshop drew participants from the greater Northwest Coast, including ecologists, NRM sector workers, and those seeking restoration project skills, significantly expanding the program’s impact.
More workshops helped volunteers learn more about Plant Identification and Ecological Restoration. Positive community support for Landcare activities was shown by workshop attendance, building individual and community resilience.
Volunteering in Hobart
In 2023 a small team of volunteers from Manheim braved the cold to plant seedlings in Hobart as part of the project during Landcare Week. This landscape restoration project improves wildlife connectivity in the Pages Creek Catchment by creating forested areas that support threatened species such as the Green and Gold frog (Litoria raniformis).
A lasting legacy
Results from these projects and others funded by the Manheim-Cox Automotive and Landcare Australia partnership show both organizations’ commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and positive community contributions.
Dr Shane Norrish, CEO of Landcare Australia thanked Manheim - Cox Automotive for their contribution to Landcare Australia projects in SA, VIC, TAS and QLD. He said, “This highly successful corporate partnership demonstrates our organisations’ shared interest in caring for the natural environment, supporting community volunteer groups, and enhancing the wellbeing of employees”.
Words by Eleanor Slade |
Top middle and bottom With extra funding from Landcare Australia and Manheim, the Friends revamped their trailer into a mobile artwork and call to action, using multiple languages to reach diverse groups. Community awareness of the important work being done will be raised by the trailer’s presence at every event, engaging future landcarers.
Landcare Australia
Top right Willie Wagtail on Wildife Treausre hunt sign
Rooftop Gardens: Our Mini Food ‘n’ Oxygen Factories
s I go about my daily life in Lahore, the metropolitan of Punjab province of Pakistan, I’m constantly reminded of the rising level of pollution in our city. The air quality index is alarming, which is detrimental to human health as well as to the other natural flora and fauna. It’s clear that efforts are continuously needed to address the issue.
As an educationist, a plant lover and a recycling enthusiast, I’ve always found ways to cultivate my passion, even amid a bustling city. Living in a rented apartment on the 2nd floor, I assumed gardening was out of reach. I had a few thermophore containers set aside. I used them as planters and with permission from the park authorities, collected garden soil from nearby parks, filled the soil in thermophore containers and planted a few vegetable seeds available at home. And that’s pretty much what it takes to build a rooftop nano garden.
I like to call the garden my own “mini oxygen factory”. The garden yields organic high-quality vegetables and more importantly contributes to sequestering carbon dioxide from the air. But the benefits of my rooftop garden do not end here. I as a biology lecturer, I was overjoyed to witness the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly on my rooftop – a phenomenon I had only studied in theory until then.
“I have been able to extend the awareness of this initiative
Tiny Forests Take Root Across NSW
ockets of green are springing up across New South Wales as a nature-based solution to climate change takes root.
Led by not-for-profit The Groundswell Collective, a wave of tennis court-sized tiny forests is transforming schools, backyards, and underutilised urban land into thriving ecosystems.
These ultra-dense forests grow up to 10 times faster than traditional tree planting methods, are 30 times denser, and support 100 times more biodiversity, providing a powerful tool for restoring habitat and cooling cities.
Co-founder Anna Noon says the initiative was born from concern over extensive land clearing in her hometown of Lake Macquarie, where bushland is routinely
to my students, my college community, local schools and my village. Moreover, this concept was showcased as a working model in the Scinovation, the annual science fair at Forman Christian College, Lahore. The Nano Gardens, I believe,
are a zero cost yet effective contribution towards a cleaner and a greener Lahore.
For more information, please email tauseefmubarak@fccollege.edu.pk
Words by Tauseef Iftikhar
felled to make way for housing developments.
“The loss of trees and green space means our suburbs are hotter, drier, and offer little for wildlife. We need to replace what we’ve lost, and tiny forests let us do this quickly, even in small spaces.”
Also known as Miyawaki forests, these miniature forests follow a scientifically backed method: improving soil quality, choosing native species, and planting trees three per square metre to encourage rapid upward growth.
According to Ms Noon, The Groundswell Collective has planted what may be Australia’s fastest-
growing tiny forest, with the Urban Hum Tiny Forest in Cardiff Heights reaching 6 metres in just 12 months.
“One of the most important aspects of our work is engaging local communities and schools in hands-on climate action.
At our planting events, people of all ages come together to plant up to 1,500 trees in a single morning
In just two years, The Groundswell Collective has planted 10 tiny forests, involving 1,600 students and community
members and adding nearly 6,000 native plants to the landscape.
With momentum building, these small but mighty forests are proving that big environmental change can start on a tiny scale.
For more information, please visit www.thegroundswell.org.au
Tauseef at the roof top garden in Lahore City
Little Hill Grove Tiny Forest planting day on the left, Urban Hum Tiny Forest at one year old on the right.
Photo credit Neil Keene.
Words by Katie Ryan and Anna Noon | The Groundswell Collective
A woody biomass innovation
n the South Coast of NSW, a ‘Trailblazing’ woody biomass innovation has the potential to enhance the experience, knowledge and impact of landcarers nationwide whilst reducing risk and increasing resource use, soil carbon and drought resilience. It has the potential to turn landcare activities carbon negative.
Using circular economy, natural capitalism and sustainable principles the invention is easier to own and operate than a small to medium sized woodchipper and is safer and more beneficial than piling woody biomass or burning it. The device sterilises weeds and their seeds, produces biochar, hot water, can BBQ, replaces a mechanical mulcher, you can make it yourself (or someone you know) and you may already own the materials and tools needed to make it.
The benefits of biochar for sequestering carbon and improving soil have been well researched, however, the cost of production equipment and biochar has inhibited its uptake by small to medium enterprises. Equipment prices are high due to the cost of new materials and manufacturing. Biochar prices are high due to the cost of handling materials and low production rates. Typically, biochar equipment costs 10 times that of an equivalent sized woodchipper and biochar costs are more than 10 times that of woodchips.
This Trailblazing system is unique and a disruptive innovation for many reasons. The main ones are:
• Low cost
• Adjustable intensity
• Passive drawn pre-heated incoming air with secondary combustion (low smoke)
• Continuous
• Fertilisers, known soil deficient minerals etc, can be added during process.
This innovation has been years in the making from making small but continuous improvements to working prototypes. It has taken hundreds of hours of research and development, and tinkering to get here.
– Michael Stone
For more information, please visit www.trailblazermulchar.com.au
Photos of the system’s exterior shielding, BBQ attachment and Trailblazer Mulchar attachment.
Words by Michael Stone | Two Birds Environmental Solutions Pty Ltd
Revegetation benefits bandicoots, birds and people
ossil Bluff is a prominent tourist attraction especially for the geology and the coastal views from the top of the hill. The original Eucalyptus viminalis wet forest vegetation community on the Fossil Bluff inland hill-side was cleared in the 19th century and the 3.7ha land used for grazing cattle. Twice in the 1970s the local community successfully opposed subdividing the land for luxury residential houses. The hill-side was then largely neglected.
Over the last 20 years Coastal Wattle, Acacia longifolia subsp. sophora, has spread extensively and now covers half the hill. It normally grows along the narrow coastal strip and is not found in E. viminalis wet forest communities. However, in the absence of competition, it becomes a weed that spreads rapidly. Interestingly, two Acacia
species native to New South Wales were deliberately planted on the hill many decades ago alongside the native Coastal Wattle. These three species have now hybridised and are spreading. Natural vegetation regeneration is not occurring, due to loss of seed bank from long-term grazing by cattle and pademelons.
The Fossil Bluff Hill revegetation community project, funded by Landcare Tasmania, will restore native vegetation to provide a suitable habitat for bandicoots and birds, plus a nature reserve for the community to enjoy and appreciate.
Over the last five years, Biodiversity Alive, in cooperation with PWS (Parks & Wildlife Service) and “Parents For Climate”, successfully revegetated
0.7ha by planting 3200 seedlings in patches. The vegetation patches are a diverse indigenous species mixture of small trees, shrubs and bushes interspersed with a diverse ground layer of grasses, sedges and rushes that will also provide shelter for bandicoots and nestsites for small passerine birds.
Importantly, they engaged their grandchildren—the future generation—to connect with nature by restoring biodiverse native vegetation to benefit bandicoots, small passerine birds, and Homo sapiens.
For more information, please visit www.landcaretas.org.au/40308
Words by Peter Lawrence, Convener | Biodiversity Alive Wynyard
March forward: For ALL women and girls
International Women’s Day is held on 8 March each year. In Australia it is celebrated with a diverse array of events including marches, rallies and fundraising events.
Across the landcare community, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to demonstrate that Landcare is For Everyone (LIFE) and celebrate the amazing contributions women make in landcare.
The IWD 2025 theme is ‘March Forward: For ALL Women and Girls’. We have asked a cross section of women from all walks of landcare the question: In what ways would you like to see the Australian landcare movement March Forward?
Gender equality won’t happen just because we want it to. Changing culture takes time and it is essential that we keep March Forward: For ALL Women and Girls in the right direction.
Image Aunty Cheryl Penrith OAM
Amanda Foxon-Hill and Tracee Burke Mid Lachlan Landcare
Tracee & Amanda share the role of Land Care Coordinator for the Mid Lachlan Region. Mid Lachlan Landcare is a community-based, not-forprofit organisation that is committed to restoring the environment, improving agricultural sustainability and supporting communities around Canowindra and Cowra in the Central Tablelands region of New South Wales.
Key to our organisation is capacity building within our landholder network that encourages the adoption of sustainable and regenerative grazing management practices that deliver on financial, social and ecological outcomes. We are also committed to providing natural resource management education for all ages that aims to connect people with food production and strengthen the links between urban and rural communities. They are dedicated to building resilience across the landscape through on-ground works and education aimed at improving biodiversity and a better environment for all.
In
what ways would you like to see the Australian landcare movement March Forward?
March marks the first year anniversary of job-sharing a Landcare Coordinator role. We’ve worked together for 18 months. With that realisation my shoulders relax, I breathe out and break into a smile. It’s been a challenge, and we did great!
This year Tracee & I have learned how to march forward together by observing nature and noting that everything has its pattern, it’s time to shine, to set seed and to retreat. That there is no discordance in the ebbing and flowing of a healthy box gum woodland, thriving paddock or eclectic garden, only cycles that re-invigorate and support each other as nature progresses towards its goal.
While it’s fair to say that sometimes we learned these lessons the hard way, one persons flow catalysing the others ebb, leaving us revitalised and comfortable as we march forward together.
Anna Charlton Shick Project Field Officer – Landcare Australia
Anna’s integral role as a field project officer and grants team member involves managing and implementing environmental restoration projects. This includes hands-on work with local landcare groups and volunteers on tasks like weed control, native plant planting, habitat restoration, and environmental indicator monitoring.
In what ways would you like to see the Australian landcare movement March Forward?
I would like to see landcare embrace empowering women/girls (particularly those who are vulnerable or from remote communities) in science, in agriculture, in sustainability to provide hands on experience in the field and inspire the next great careers, leaders and environmental advocates.
Dr Anika Molesworth Farmer. Scientist. Storyteller.
Dr Anika Molesworth is a farmer, scientist and storyteller. She’s well-known for her work on agriculture, food systems, and climate change. Anika is the author of award-winning book, Our Sunburnt Country. Anika is passionate about ensuring the best possible future for the planet, people and the food on our plates.
In what ways would you like to see the Australian landcare movement March Forward?
I’ve always been drawn to the raw beauty of far western New South Wales—the endless, open skies that stretch over red sand rangelands, the gnarled river gums clinging to the banks of winding creeks, and the shimmering heat that makes the horizon dance. It’s a place where resilience is etched into the land and the people who call it home. The Mulga and saltbush country, tough and unyielding, gives way to the occasional burst of wildflowers after rain, a fleeting reminder of nature’s ability to regenerate. Sunsets out here are something else—deep blushing pinks and burnt oranges melting into twilight, casting long shadows over ancient rock formations. There’s a stillness, a quiet wisdom in this landscape, shaped by millennia of Indigenous knowledge and the hard-learned lessons of graziers and town communities. It’s a place that tests you, but also rewards those who understand its rhythms and respect its limits. endless inspiration. It’s grassroots action at its best—vision of a healthy and vibrant future, hands in the dirt, learning from each other, and making real, lasting change.
Cat Williams
Finalist and Community Landcare Manager
My job is in urban community landcare, helping groups and people restore Boorloo’s damaged ecosystems. The pressures on our unique bushlands and biodiversity are significant, yet we’re lucky to have committed volunteers working along government agencies to protect them.
Much of community landcare is driven by inspirational women who have been brilliant mentors and colleagues to me. These women lead landcare groups, coordinate on-ground projects, and serve as voices advocating for our environment, leveraging funds and driving change.
In what ways would you like to see the Australian landcare movement March Forward?
My work has mostly been in the not-for-profit sector, being adept at achieving a lot with limited resources. We’re heavily reliant on grant funding for our community landcare programs. This process is both timeconsuming and highly competitive. To advance landcare effectively, long-term and sustainable funding is crucial. Reliable long-term funding for skilled practitioners would better support the numerous passionate groups and volunteers working to protect the Australian environment.
Dimi Ratnayaka
Conservation Project Officer - Landcare Australia
Dimi’s job combines fieldwork and GIS analysis as a Conservation Project Officer and GIS Analyst. Operating machinery (tractors, 4WDs, side-by-sides), along with tree planting and weed control, are her favorite aspects of the job, as they let her work outdoors restoring the environment. In addition to fieldwork, Dimitra specializes in GIS analysis.
Currently, Dimi, a licensed drone pilot, is engaged in an exciting project that uses drones to survey the koala population of Greater Sydney.
In what ways would you like to see the Australian landcare movement March Forward?
Working in a male-dominated field, I’d love to see Landcare Australia continue to break down outdated perceptions and empower women to thrive in all aspects of environmental work. Capability isn’t just about strength; there are many approaches to problem-solving and task completion.
By recognizing women’s resilience, innovation, and expertise, we can shape a future where opportunities are based on skill and passion, not assumptions based on gender conceptions. This mindset ensures everyone, irrespective of gender, can meaningfully contribute to landcare.
Dr Amanda Hansson Manager – Environmental Markets & Policy at Accounting for Nature
Originally a geologist from Sweden, Amanda moved to Australia 10 years ago to pursue her passion for the environment. After a master’s degree in environmental management, she entered a PhD program where she studied alpine forests and climate change. During this time, she found a passion for teaching others about the environment, leading her to work at Accounting for Nature, where she developed training material and hosted workshops in environmental accounting. She has hosted over 40 workshops with Landcare organisations across Australia, building the capacity of landholders to navigate the complex space of natural capital accounting
In what ways would you like to see the Australian landcare movement March Forward?
The theme, March Forward, is especially fitting in a world of rapid change and uncertainty, particularly on the global stage. Now more than ever, we must stay steadfast in our mission—both as individuals and as organisations—ensuring that progress is not derailed by distractions or doubt. While the noise around us may grow louder, we must remain focused on what truly matters: uplifting those driving positive change, amplifying their voices, and actively supporting initiatives that make a difference. Together, we don’t just move forward—we forge a path for a more equitable and empowered future.
Aunty Cheryl Penrith OAM
Finalist in the 2025 First Nation Collaboration National Landcare Awards
Cheryl is a connector, an influencer and mentor, and a coach, a mother and a grandmother. She calls Brungle her home Country, but lives in, and loves, Wagga Wagga. She is a cultural Wiradyuri woman, a poet and storyteller and creative. Cheryl works in cultural leadership, cultural practice revival, language, cloak-making, womens business, weaving, connecting and reconnecting are her passions. Her life experience as a First Nations Wiradyuri woman gives her a unique perspective, skills and networks.
In what ways would you like to see the Australian landcare movement March Forward?
In Wiradyuri culture there is an expression ‘Yindyamarra’. This is a Wiradyuri value of respect, care, and to go slow and be considerate of each other and our surroundings. ‘Yindyamarra’ is also central to the inherent connection Wiradyuri culture has to Country. Similar expressions and values are evident throughout Australia’s Aboriginal nations.
My hope for Landcare, and society in general, is that all-encompassing values, like ‘Yindyamarra’, guide us in all that we do. Fostering such values, along with Indigenous and non-Indigenous collaboration and knowledge exchange, has the capacity to realise ecological and culturally sustainable continuums that will be of benefit to us all.
Jane Carney Chair – Landcare Victoria
Jane is a livestock producer from Rosewhite in North East Victoria where she runs a beef enterprise on 426 hectares with a focus on breeding high performance Angus cattle. Jane spent her professional career working within the agricultural sector in Australia and the USA. Jane believes that farmers as land stewards have a responsibility to the community to farm sustainably and in doing so, have an opportunity to be part of the solution for climate change.
In what ways would you like to see the Australian landcare movement March Forward?
Funding scenarios demand that we do more with less, this requires strong communication and collaboration to build capacity and impact. I would like to see more funding to build capacity of landcare to collaborate with partners and for on ground action and celebrate true recognition and appreciation for the amazing work of local landcarers.
Priscilla Papertalk Aboriginal Custodianship Program Coordinator
I was born in Port Hedland, and I have grown in Geraldton and love my region. I am a Coastal Mududthunerra, Yindjibarndi and Wadjarri girl.
My connection to country is everything I was taught by my parents, elders and family members and the traditional owners on Country. My connection is through the history of ancestors as I respect them for what they have done for me in the past and how they tried their hardest to keep respect and culture in society. I love my job as the Aboriginal Custodianship Coordinator living with the sea on one side and the bushland on the other side. I love working with team from NACC NRM and how we are catalyst for the environment.
In what ways would you like to see the Australian landcare movement March Forward?
A vision where community is working collaboratively, including each generation looking after Country. The facilitation of schools to engage with community groups around a single site of cultural and environmental significance is building environmental respect, understanding, and inspiring future land carers. Connecting Aboriginal Rangers and Elders through the same process and within these networks adds a layer of community cohesion and respect, that is a foundation for sustained outcomes for Culture and Country.
I would like to see an expansion of outreach to younger generations through schools and digital platforms to inspire future environmental stewards. I think it’s important to encourage greater urban participation in landcare activities, ensuring environmental responsibility is embraced beyond rural communities. Provide funding and leadership opportunities to elevate Indigenous-led conservation initiatives within our community. If we look after Country, Country will look after us.
Robyn Moore
Dolphin Sands Community Association
Robyn is the convenor of the Dolphin Sands Community Association Landcare group, caring for the Nine Mile Beach peninsula on the southern border of Moulting Lagoon, a RAMSAR-declared wetland.
The group aims to protect the integrity and biodiversity of the fragile dune environment. One of the biggest threats we face is bushfire. To minimise the impacts of frequent bushfires, we integrate bushfire prevention and mitigation with our other activities, such as weed management. Last year, they received a Landcare Australia Community Grant to mechanically control gorse, a weed of national significance but also a highly flammable species that adds to the bushfire risks.
In what ways would you like to see the Australian landcare movement March Forward?
I’d like to see the Australian landcare movement draw on Indigenous women’s expertise in caring for Country. I acknowledge the generosity with which Indigenous peoples share their knowledges and would like to see this knowledge integrated into best practice guidelines.
Sarah Last Artistic Director & CEO for The Wired Lab
Finalist in the 2025 First Nations Collaboration National Landcare Award
Following years of experience working in public cultural institutions, and her experience of the issues facing rural Australians, Sarah established The Wired Lab to ensure rural communities were appropriately represented whilst providing direct access to enriching cultural activities they could connect with.
In what ways would you like to see the Australian landcare movement March Forward?
Since the Australian Landcare movement’s inception, its presence at a grass roots level through to its advocacy for national initiatives is nothing short of remarkable.
I am in awe of the many inspiring groups and individuals working in this space. Some volunteering decades of their life to ensure the very survival of landcare, and for it to flourish at a community level. Landcare has been a crucial vehicle for community groups and individuals to demonstrably care for Country. As Landcare continues to evolve, I hope we can be guided by the intrinsic connections to Country that are held by First Nations cultures in Australia and around the world. Embedding such principles throughout society and into our very being is not a radical act, it’s the way it should be.
Tibby Tuckett Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator, Perth NRM
Tibby Tuckett grew up on a mixed livestock and cropping farm in the Great Southern of Western Australia. She studied for a Bachelor of Science (Zoology) at the University of Western Australia. In 2023, she joined the Sustainable Agriculture team at Perth NRM and quickly became dedicated to supporting regenerative agriculture and Landcare activities. In her role as Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator, Tibby is committed to facilitating partnerships, community engagement, and resource sharing.
In what ways would you like to see the Australian landcare movement March Forward?
Women have been at the forefront of agriculture and landcare in Australia. They are taking on leadership roles in WA grower and landcare groups. They’ve pioneered sustainable farming methods, and created pathways for future generations.
Whether volunteers, managers, Indigenous Elders, or STEM educators, women are leading the Australian landcare movement now and into the future. For these women and the industry, collaboration and leadership will drive innovation and recognition. We must celebrate their successes and demonstrate the impact women are making in sustainable agriculture and landcare, as their fresh perspectives and nurturing approach are crucial for a thriving, prosperous world for future women and children.
Janet Mangan Finalist in the 2025 Women in Landcare National Awards
My reply to the question-I find myself involved in the following challenge- Research local biodiversity and educate communities about the integral value of local native animal, plant and insect communities.
Janet has clearly been active in implementing sustainable landcare practices through her widespread bushcare work. She has done great work bringing people together and empowering them through knowledge and skills sharing to take action to care for areas of bushland, resulting in environmental and community benefits.
I implement sustainable landcare practices through bushcare work – bringing people together and empowering them through knowledge and skills sharing – my biggest challenges are researching local biodiversity and educating communities about the integral value of local native animals, plants and insect communities.
Jessica Gerger
President of Friends of Kororoit Creek
I have had the honour of serving as President of the Friends of Kororoit Creek for the past nine years, leading an incredible group of dedicated volunteers. Together, we have transformed vast sections of the creek reserve with richly biodiverse plantings, habitat enhancements, public amenities, and large-scale artworks. We are always on the creek—always active, always thinking about what’s next. At the end of a working bee or event, we have to drag each other away, even when we’re red-faced and exhausted, because there’s nothing better than being surrounded by the plants, birds, insects, and each other’s company. We love creating thriving spaces for our community—both human and wildlife alike.
In what ways would you like to see the Australian landcare movement March Forward?
I would love to see everyone who lives on this precious land take action to protect and restore it—even just an hour a month. With nearly 27 million people, imagine what could be achieved! I’d also like to see stronger environmental laws and greater government investment in conservation and restoration.
Katie Elder Wycarbah Landcare Group
I find that women in the rural sector are generally on the front foot with trying to access technology to improve farm, home, health, fitness and community life.
We recently use a Landcare Australia Community Grant to purchase trail camera’s, pig traps with soft closing electronic doors & pig feeders which will help us track, monitor, trap & humanly put down feral pigs is a move forward from the conventional trapping & hunting of pigs.
We have also participated in drone training, weather monitoring, & property fire management plans. But there is a lot more out there that could assist such as systems that provide better phone service, internet access, water monitoring systems, apps for property recording and fitness.
Nell Chaffey
Finalist in the 2025 Women in Landcare National Awards
The Landcare Australia motto L.I.F.E., Landcare Is For Everyone, really resonates with me as a powerful truism. Holistically, Landcare manifests itself in the choices, small and significant, that each of us make every day; the resources we use, consume, and recycle, the energy we use, the travel choices we make, the plants and animals we add or remove from our ecosystems; in other words, our footprint on the planet.
For Landcare to March Forward, we need to share the hopeful message that each of us, whether we live on the 50th floor, in the suburbs, towns and villages, on a bush block, farm or outback station, no matter where we live, we can make small changes which, like a dripping tap, will add up and fill the bucket of change.
Landcare is inclusive, everyone is welcome because we share planet Earth with ‘all living things’, and we can ‘all’ play a part in keeping and making our ‘place in space’ better, together.
Pam Cunnigham
Secretary - Cannibal Creek Catchment Landcare Group
Pam Cunningham is the driving force behind keeping the awesome work of the Cannibal Creek Catchment Landcare Group. Pam has been with the group since 2008 and Secretary from 2014. She is a skilled communicator who motivates members to work together on the Group’s planting projects.
For over fifteen years Pam has coordinated a wide range of landcare projects and activities including; community planting days, numerous school and corporate group planting days, pest animal control, vulnerable species protection (southern brown bandicoots) and dung beetle breeding project. Pam has written grant applications to obtain funding for landcare’s indigenous plants, equipment, resources and activities. Pam has organised weed control contractors and slashing to prepare the planting sites and ongoing weed management. She has organised catering to provide morning tea and lunches to volunteers on the planting days. She has established networks with Cardinia Council, Melbourne Water, and local businesses such as Holcim Quarry and Wagstaffs to support Landcare’s work. She is highly respected for her work amongst the landcare groups and the wider Garfield community.
In
what ways would you like to see the Australian landcare movement March Forward?
In regard to Marching Forward I think that working together, being in a group, and with the community or the corporate groups let alone with entities such as the Cardinia Shire, Melbourne Water, Wettenhall Trust and Landcare Australia is the only way to go. This is the way our group is going.
Sarah Sharp Acting Chief Executive Officer
Finalist in the 2025 Women in Landcare National Awards
I would like to see conservation achieved through a caring for country ethic and practice that is understood and implemented by all community and supported by government. This means all society would see themselves as Landcarers, working together to conserve and protect biodiversity across the landscape and ensure human and our environment’s resilience and health.
Growing connections to culture and community
n Point Pearce, South Australia, within the Wardang Island Indigenous Protected Area (IPA), an exciting new project is taking shape, the Point Pearce First Nations Culture Garden. This dedicated space will bring together Elders, First Nations Rangers, and Indigenous youth to bridge and transfer Cultural knowledge. Designed as a hands-on learning environment, it will inspire young people to engage in environmental conservation and explore career pathways that incorporate Cultural knowledge.
Recently, Point Pearce Primary School students visited the Indigenous Protected Area Rangers’ shed. During their visit, they interacted with the Rangers, explored various pieces of equipment, learned about their work, and gained insight into what it is like to be a First Nations Ranger.
As part of the planning activities, the children interacted and listened to the stories from a group of local Elders. They provided vital feedback and essential engagement for this project, which will be a critical part of informing the design, layout and content of the garden, as well as engaging and endorsing the overall aims of the project.
The meeting was a great way to introduce the Elders to the project and elicit their input and comments on the approaches to be taken when moving forward.
There was a great deal of support to embed Narungga language into every stage of the project and continue to work with those local Narungga based businesses that are already growing native plants and bush foods, which will be an intrinsic element within the project.
There also has been earthworks preparation for the shed that will be built and some of the site prep for the propagation beds that will be erected in the adjacent compound, all of which are part of the capital works of the Point Pearce First Nations Culture Garden Project
The earthworks and site preparation work has been done in partnership with the Wardang Island - Point Pearce Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA) Rangers.
Earthworks and site prep have been undertaken at the Point Pearce Primary School. Visitors include Mr Ian Falkenberg and some of his project partners from LandscapeSA, who are undertaking a nesting tower installation project to support the endangered Osprey.
The young students participated in a nest building exercise, so that when the Osprey nesting tower is installed, in mid May, the pre-built nest bases will be placed on top as ready made starter kits for the Ospreys.
Words by Paul Heck, General
Manager
| Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporation
Top Building the Osprey nest – photo credit: Paul Heck
Bottom images Students listening to Uncle Dooki’s storytelling –photo credit: Paul Heck
Point Pearce Primary students getting involved in the project –photo credit: Kath Magarey
Image (top) Group photo from the Elders gathering – photo credit: Paul Heck
Image (bottom) Point Pearce Primary School students connect with Indigenous Protected Area Rangers learning about the career – photo credit: Kath Magarey
Environmental detectives – a project worth investigating!
hrough the Environmental Detectives school program, students can explore, understand, and connect with their local environment.
The Bass Coast Landcare Network launched this program in 2010, which is designed for students of all ages, from kindergarten to tertiary, serving schools across Bass Coast and surrounding communities.
Under the guidance of expert Landcare facilitators, the program encourages students to become environmental detectives, discovering the tiniest bugs to the biggest trees and uncovering the complexities of their local ecosystems. Through learning about sustainability and conservation, participants develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world
“As a Landcare professional working with the next generation to connect them to their local environment, nothing makes me happier than to have students come up to me after activities and give me a leaf, flower or a seed pod and then explain back to me what it is, why they love it and that they want me to keep it as a reminder of the awesome day they have just had!
It gives me hope that by instilling this sense of wonder for the natural world, and an understanding of how it functions, these amazing students will go on to conserve it,” says Lisa Wangman, Landcare Educator for Bass Coast Landcare Network.
Funded by philanthropic, government and corporate sources over the years to reduce the financial burden on schools, the program developed from a foundation of monitoring and tree planting days. Today educational activities are delivered that foster curiosity and environmental stewardship through investigations into how human actions impact the environment and the vital role ecological health plays in community well-being. Students and teachers connect to local farms, bushland reserves and foreshores, through hands-on activities designed to inspire students to take an active role in protecting and enhancing their local environment.
Seed collection and propagation, Tree planting, Exploration trails, Bug bitz, Water bugs, Water quality testing and setting up Citizen Science projects using iNaturalist are just some of the activities on offer. It’s a hands-on, engaging way for young minds to learn about the world around them and the actions they can take to ensure its sustainability for future generations, while empowering students to become environmental leaders within their communities.
For more information, please visit https://www.basscoastlandcare.org.au/education.html
Words
Wangman,
Manager
Hero Students from Bass Coast College helping protect shorelines from erosion by restoring vital mangrove habitats on Phillip
Bottom left Bass Valley Primary School students learning about local plants, seed, propagation and diversity in the Grantville Bushlands.
Top left Little hands getting dirty, discovering soil properties and creatures that call our soil home.
Top left Discovering cycles of life through water bugs or macroinvertebrate sampling.
Island.
Glenwood aiming for a new horizon in environmental and animal resilience
NSW wool enterprise is among the first Australian rural businesses to take advantage of an ecological and environmental audit on their natural capital as evidence based sustainability for their regenerative farm management system.
Norm and Pip Smith, Glenwood Merinos, take a holistic approach through natural capital accounting on their 2934ha property at Wellington, in central western NSW, in their commitment to sustainability and environmental health.
Each year Glenwood Merinos undergoes an audit to measure regeneration through ground cover, water infiltration, biodiversity, soil carbon and soil health.
The family took part in the initial trial of Natural Capital Accounting, supported by Australian Wool Innovation, to measure and track the health of the environment.
The Farm-Scale Natural Capital Accounting project was funded by the Australian Government’s Farming Partnership program with co-investment from la Trobe University and Odonata Foundation.
Natural capital assets include both environmental, including minerals, water and soil, and ecosystem assets, such as native vegetation, grasslands, croplands and wetlands. Natural capital accounts are defined in biophysical terms and are compiled according to a set of standards, and are quantifiable, verifiable and repeatable.
Glenwood was one of 11 farms from NSW, Victoria and Tasmania in the case study.
“We underwent our first audit in 2022 and were excited to see the data collected from a methodical and practical process looking at key land health indicators,” Mr Smith said.
“Natural Capital Accounting aligns well with our holistic management and we are not just looking at carbon but biodiversity and ground cover in the landscape. We are now able to monitor change over time on short- and longterm sites with a third-party audit in place.
“The auditors also look for the presence of insects, small animals, tree cover, and key native and introduced plant species to indicate we are moving in the right direction.
“Our holistic goal is to leave Glenwood in a better condition than when we took over. We aim to maintain 100 per cent ground cover by encouraging a diversity and high density of perennial plants through long rest and short graze periods and retain as much of the rainfall as possible to make the landscape more resilient.”
Fertiliser and pesticide use is minimised on pastures while the flock is non-mulesed, and worm and flystrike resistant to reduce chemical use.
Mr Smith said there had been positive interest from wool buyers wanting to purchase the Glenwood SRS® (soft rolling skin) accredited wool at a premium.
Images supplied by Glenwood Merinos
“We’ve had the Responsible Wool Standard looking at animal welfare and to a degree land management but now we have another third-party audit allowing us to look at our land management as well. We can tie the two together and that is really exciting.”
Natural capital assets include both environmental, including minerals, water and soil, and ecosystem assets, such as native vegetation, grasslands, croplands and wetlands. Natural capital accounts are defined in biophysical terms and are compiled according to a set of standards, and are quantifiable, verifiable and repeatable.
“The survey showed 78 per cent of Glenwood is regenerating towards a productive grassy woodland, which includes over 60 perennial species, providing great shelter and high-quality year round diverse diets for livestock,” Mr Smith said.
“Over the last 13 years, ground cover has remained above 85 per cent peaking at 100 per cent. Ground cover is important to have an effective water, carbon and mineral cycle, resilience and weed control.
“Conservatively, Glenwood capture and stores more carbon than it emits, that being approximately 3500 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year net.
“Glenwood producers negligible air pollution, water pollution or waste.”
The modelled carbon stocks in the top 30cm of soil for Glenwood in 2022 was 147,147 tonnes. Rainfall use efficiency was rated as 0.64 dry sheep equivalents per hectare per 100 mm of rainfall.
Glenwood rated at 98 per cent or Very Good ecosystem capacity, the highest possible score for conditions for livestock
grazing. Under the soil protection metrics, the mean minimum groundcover for 2022 was 86 per cent while the proportion of the farm with minimum ground cover above 70 per cent was 95 per cent (five year average rainfall of 734mm).
During the natural values surveys conducted for the project, 78 species of native birds and 112 species of native plants were detected on the property, including seven threatened birds.
Glenwood contained 53.7 per cent of good quality habitat and 41.5 per cent of very good quality habitat for pollinators.
The enterprise has progressed to a full audit with the Macdoch Foundation flagship program, Farming for the Future.
Mr Smith said Natural Capital Accounting helped the farm business set and achieve financial environmental and social goals, and determine where improvements can be made to farm management to increase environmental health and profitability.
He said it was valuable for evidence-based sustainability reporting to buyers under certification schemes and for brand access, and demonstrating the public benefit of maintaining and improvement natural capital.
The family owns the Love Merino brand with clothing made from their SRS® (Soft Rolling Skin) Merinos and designed and individually hand dyed in Australia.
Mr Smith anticipates farmers who build natural capital are financially rewarded through market access, price premiums, favourable financial terms and payment for public benefits such as biodiversity habitat and carbon sequestration.
This included identifying where to plant trees to maximise production outcomes for shade and shelter, optimising grazing for best production outcomes, and identifying areas vulnerable to soil loss and erosion.
Resilience in the sheep flock is a critical part of the Smith family’s sustainable management, breeding a balanced, easy care, quick maturing and fertile Merino with a moderate adult weight and high quantities of superior quality wool.
Australian Sheep Breeding Values are used for carcase, reproduction and resilience traits combined with visual selection for density and length.
“With the current perception among the younger generation that Merinos are a lot of work, it is important we have an animal that is easy care, resilient and comfortable in its own environment,” Mr Smith said.
“There has been a lot of research around the selection for positive fat and muscle to increase resilience, fertility and lamb survival during dry times. Those animals with better fat numbers can have up to 25 per cent more lambs, which is important in our variable climate.”
Mr Smith said a focus on increasing fleece weight would lead to thicker, heavier skins, more variable micron, increased breech wrinkle and increased susceptibility to fly strike.
“We’ve got to be careful as an industry to balance fleece weight and skin thickness – we don’t want a light cutting animal but one that is highly productive with moderate fleece weight.”
Sixth generation wool grower Will Smith has returned to work alongside his parents on Glenwood after achieving a Bachelor of Agriculture.
“I find the natural capital accounting very exciting to be part of firsthand and to be one of the higher end farms in environmental stewardship,” Will said.
“It’s not necessarily to make as much money as possible but is more about looking after our environment and animals to be the best we can be.”
Will plans to play a larger part in developing the Love Merino brand and considers the Land to Market seal to be a key factor in that.
For more information about Glenwood Merinos, please visit www.glenwoodmerinos.com.au
Words by Kim Woods | Glenwood Merinos
New fishways have opened over 100km of waterways
ew fishways are helping fish species, including barramundi and mangrove jack, to breed up in North Queensland waterways.
Six fishways built between Tully and Townsville have removed barriers for juvenile fish, together opening over 100 kilometres of creek and river systems.
Recent surveys have shown “fish highways”, with more than 1000 fish moving through one of the fishways in one day and with over 4500 fish caught and released during monitoring work at four of the rock ramp fishways.
Sixteen native species, including juvenile barramundi, empire gudgeon, rainbow fish, tarpon and long-finned eels, were recorded,’’ Terrain NRM’s Deb Bass said.
Of the 80+ species of native fish in the Wet Tropics region, up to half need to move between salt and freshwater habitats to complete their lifecycles. Barriers like weirs, pipes, culvert crossings and weed chokes can stop these species from thriving.
Terrain NRM has been working with OzFish Unlimited, Catchment Solutions and Australasian Fish Passage Services, funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust.
Fishways are a relatively new solution in the region. There is a series of underwater stairs for fish, with deep pools between each one for resting.
Oz Fish Unlimited’s Geoff Collins said survey results showed the fishways would help both fish health and the waterways.
“We are opening up habitat that many juvenile fish haven’t been able to access, particularly in low-flow situations, for decades in some cases,’’ he said.
These structures enable migration for tens of thousands of fish. And the more habitat we can give fish access to, the more productive our fish stocks will be.
Freshwater wetlands, creeks and rivers are important nursery grounds with abundant food resources that will help our native fish to grow fast, and to travel back downstream and breed in the tropical wet season.
Images supplied by Geoff Collins
Hero A fishway at Four Mile Creek near Cardwell.
Top left A baby barramundi caught and released during surveys at fishways.
Top right OzFish Unlimited’s Geoff Collins and Terrain NRM’s Deb Bass conduct fish surveys at fishways.
Words by Terrain NRM
Farm dams for wildlife in Upper Goulburn
pper Goulburn Landcare Network (UGLN) completed a highly successful Farm Dams for Wildlife project. The project helped to rehabilitate, revegetate, and permanently exclude stock from 14 farm dams on 9 properties across the Upper Goulburn region.
It helped to increase aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity and habitat, improve water quality and repair degraded soils in and around the 14 dams.
The project also demonstrated sustainable farming practices to other local farmers and the wider community.
With the assistance of local school students and landcarers, the group built 10 nesting boxes for native birds and mammals and installed them on trees near some of the dams.
Studies have shown that providing stock with clean water from fenced off dams virtually eliminates the risk of stock and production losses caused by diseases like Salmonella, Leptospirosis and toxic blue-green algae.
During a landcare field day, water samples were taken from a fenced-off dam, a dam with a newly constructed restricted access point, and a fully open dam.
The first sample demonstrated the high biodiversity benefits of excluding stock from dams. As well as being exceptionally clear, it contained highly sensitive macro-invertebrates (including mayflies) and huge tadpoles. In contrast, the other samples had high turbidity and only contained macroinvertebrates that are highly tolerant of poor water quality.
Fencing off farm dams also protects animals from injury or death caused by drowning or becoming trapped in mud.
The project was funded by the Victorian Landcare Grants.
Words
by Chris Cobern | Upper Goulburn Landcare Network
Hero Farm dam site Jackson
Above Farm dam reveg & hardened access point Markham Top right Farm dam site Nichols Top bottom Farm dam site Bradshaw
Uncovering an invertebrate haven
he Mt Piper/Broadford region has emerged as a significant stronghold for insect biodiversity in Victoria. This area harbors Australia’s only listed threatened Lepidoptera community, known as Butterfly Community No. 1 (Jelinek, 2003). It is the only location in Victoria where the Large Ant-blue butterfly (Acrodipsas brisbanensis) and the Small Ant-blue butterfly (Acrodipsas myrmecophila) coexist. The region boasts a recorded 41 butterfly species and supports a crucial population of the Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana) (Mata & Smith, 2021).
The Threatened Species Conservancy (TSC) has played a crucial role in uncovering and safeguarding the invertebrate biodiversity of the Mt Piper region. As a dedicated non-profit organisation, TSC focuses on researching, monitoring, and conserving Australia’s most at-risk species.
For the past seven years, TSC has been investigating the distribution of the Ant-blue butterflies within Mt Piper and across Victoria. This research has primarily focused on their host ants to better understand ecological relationships, breeding biology, population density, and distribution. The organisation’s persistence has provided invaluable insights into the interdependent relationship between these butterflies and the Coconut Ants (Papyrius spp.). These surveys have contributed data to aid legislative protection efforts and provide insight into the ecological relationships between these butterflies and their host species.
Despite their significance, records of Acrodipsas butterflies at Mt Piper have been sparse in recent decades. The most recent Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA) records date back to 1995. Before TSC’s extensive fieldwork, there were no VBA records of Coconut Ants in Victoria, with only limited records from the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA). The organisation’s dedication to filling these knowledge gaps has been instrumental in advancing conservation strategies for these species.
Hero Amegilla albiceps roosting on grasses
Top right Coconut Ants (Papyrius spp.)
Bottom right Large Ant-blue butterfly (Acrodipsas brisbanensis)
In 2018, TSC commenced field surveys across Victoria in key areas, systematically searching for Papyrius nitidus nests. These ants build distinctive ‘byres’—woven coverings made from plant debris that protect their nests and foraging trails. Thanks to the relentless efforts of TSC researchers and volunteers, three significant nesting sites were identified in the Mt. Piper region. The discovery of Acrodipsas eggs beneath the bark at one of the sites confirmed active butterfly breeding. A really significant discovery!
TSC’s fieldwork demonstrates that Coconut Ants are more widely distributed around Mt Piper than previously thought and continue to play a vital role in the lifecycle of Ant-blue butterflies. While no nests were found directly within the Mt Piper Nature Conservation Reserve, ongoing surveys using novel search methods, such as detector dogs, are expected to confirm their presence.
In early 2023, during follow-up surveys at a previously documented Ant-blue breeding site, TSC researchers made an unexpected and significant discovery—the elusive Amegilla (Asaropoda) albiceps bee. This species, rarely recorded in Victoria, was meticulously documented through photographs and video recordings, capturing both male and female specimens.
The female bee’s nesting behaviour was particularly interesting. It was seen burrowing into bare earth beneath a mistletoe (Amyema sp.). Given the lack of knowledge surrounding Amegilla albiceps’ reproductive ecology, this finding provides valuable insights into its lifecycle and potential ecological relationship with mistletoes. Such discoveries further highlight TSC’s essential role in shedding light on lesserknown species and their conservation needs.
Above Coconut ant nest and byre
Left Hatched eggs of Acrodipsas sp. Each egg is 0.8 mm in diameter
Right Amegilla albiceps roosting on grasses
The identification of Amegilla albiceps and further documentation of Acrodipsas butterfly breeding habitats reinforce the importance of the Mt Piper/Broadford region as a significant refuge for invertebrate biodiversity. Despite comprising over 80% of Earth’s animal life and serving vital ecological functions, insects remain underrepresented in conservation efforts. Recognising and protecting invertebraterich habitats is essential for integrating them into broader conservation strategies and environmental policies.
TSC remains steadfast in its mission to document, advocate for, and protect these critical habitats. By engaging local communities, volunteers, and emerging entomologists, the organisation ensures that conservation decisions are grounded in rigorous scientific research and contribute to long-term ecological resilience. The hard work of TSC and its dedicated team continues to drive meaningful change in the protection of Australia’s most vulnerable species.
For more information, please visit www.tsconservancy.org
Words by Abi Smith, Chief Executive Officer | Threatened Species Conservancy
Acknowledgemaents
A grant was supplied by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and Landcare Australia which is gratefully acknowledged, as is the support of volunteers and the local community.
References
Atlas of Living Australia (2022). Acrodipsas. https://www.ala.org.au
Mata, L., & Smith, A. (2021). Re-enchanting Victorians with Mt Piper’s Butterflies. Victorian Entomologist, 51(4) iNaturalist (2022). Acrodipsas. https://www.inaturalist.org
Victorian Biodiversity Atlas. Acrodipsas. https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/biodiversity/victorianbiodiversity-atlas
Strathallan Rochester Landcare celebrates 15th anniversary
trathallan Rochester Landcare will celebrate its 15th anniversary later this year, highlighting two major projects that have made a significant impact.
The first project began unexpectedly when members came across a Carp Catch poster in the old gold mining town of Sofala in NSW. It was seen by members on a driving holiday. Inspired by the idea, they held the first Campaspe Carp Catch in October 2011. It has now become eagerly anticipated annual event. Over time, hundreds of the feral fish have been removed from the Campaspe.
For several years the NCCMA (North Central Catchment Management Authority) provided funding for Carp Catch registration points along the Campaspe from Echuca to Kyneton, a mammoth effort that saw many people involved and hundreds of carp removed from the length of the river. Campaspe Shire, VRFish and Tackle World Echuca have also provided funding for the annual ‘Feral Fish Catch’.
The group’s second major project began discovered the endangered Squirrel Glider Petaurus norfolcencis. Several colonies of the glider had been found at two locations in Strathallan following a Department of Sustainability project in 2009.
With funding from the Shire of Campaspe and help from the Echuca/Moama Men’s shed, the group constructed 500 nest boxes over the years. With the help of the community including Kindas, schools and special interest groups have spread the word about the existence of the gliders and painted, decorated and installed boxes to provide glider habitat.
To date, over 400 boxes have been installed along the Campaspe River reserve from Victoria Park in Echuca to Rochester, Elmore and as far south as Barnadown and Axedale.
Several members became involved in a captive breeding project for the endangered glider and established the Strathallan Glider Sanctuary. The group has supported this by forming the Friends of the Strathallan Gliders. An annual ‘Spot the Glider’ night is held at the Sanctuary on Earth Hour each March.
At the January monthly meeting members unanimously agreed to add the name Rochester to their Landcare Group name. Since Covid and the floods in 2022, and the closure of Strathallan Hall, members have been successfully meeting at Rochester and have gained new members.
Over the past 15 years, the group has planted hundreds of trees and understorey plants across the Campaspe Shire. They have also organised Threatened Species Art Shows in Nathalia, Rochester, Euroa, and Echuca.
Photos supplied by Strathallan Rochester Landcare
Save the date!
Join the upcoming Carp Catch, with strong support of the Bendigo Bank, Rochester Business network members and Rochester Anglers Club.
Sunday 19th October from 11:00am along the River Reserve, next to the bridge at Rochester. Prizes, information, drinks and snacks will be available on the day.
‘Buzzing Bee Hotel’ workshop
he Werris Creek Community Garden recently turned a typical Wednesday into an unforgettable day for our buzzing Bee little friends by hosting an extraordinary bee hotel workshop at the Werris Creek Library. With the expert guidance of Tamworth Regional Landcare Association (TRLA), and the energetic support of ACT for Bees and other Pollinators, the event welcomed 13 young eco-warriors and several enthusiastic adults.
Participants brought their artistic flair to life by painting terracotta pots, which were then transformed into charming bee hotels. These cosy havens, filled with bamboo, bark, and seeds, are set to become the perfect nesting spots for bees and other insects. Julie, representing ACT for Bees and other Pollinators, captivated everyone with her insights into the fascinating lives of bees. Julie shared tips on identifying different species, planting bee-friendly gardens, and the vital role bees play in our ecosystem.
Thank you to the Tamworth Men’s Shed, we had sturdy, ready-made bee hotel bases on hand. A few lucky attendees took these home, eager to add their finishing touches and share photos of the completed masterpieces in action.
From all at Tamworth Regional Landcare Association, thank you to the Werris Creek Library for making this event a resounding success. We look forward to many more collaborative projects in the future, all aimed at keeping our environment happy and thriving.
For more information, please visit www.hastingslandcare.org.au
Words by Kate Spry | Tamworth Regional Landcare Association
Photos supplied by Tamworh Regional Landcare Association (TRLA)
Junior Landcare book corner
Australia’s favourite garden gnome writes a children’s book
By Costa Georgiadis & Brenna Quinlan
Junior Landcare Ambassador Costa Georgiadis has written a wonderful new Children’s Picture Book Series. Focusing on sharing the magic and wonder of the natural world, Costa has collaborated with illustrator Brenna Quinlan (Costa’s World), to bring the world of nature alive for young readers.
Costa shared with us “Nothing makes my heart sing more than to interact with children. Sharing stories with children is a privilege for me. It’s an opportunity to encourage engagement with the world, to inspire kids to put their nature goggles on and to see, smell, touch, listen and taste the world.
Published by ABC Books, the first of these picture books, Costa’s Garden: Flowers is out now.
What a great addition to any budding young environmentalists reading lists!
Bandicoot Book Corner
The Bandicoot Book Corner is a new educator resource showcasing inspiring and beautiful books that foster children’s understanding of Australian nature and the environment.
Our book groupings reflect our four learning pillars: Biodiversity, Food Production, First Nations perspectives, and Waste Management.
Any books spring to mind that would make great additions to our reading lists? Recommendations from fellow educators and experienced landcarers are invaluable.
Please email the Junior Landcare Team with your book recommendation at juniorlandcare@landcareaustralia.com.au
Guarding the Grasslands
he Private Land Conservation Matters (PLCM) project is a two-year initiative, funded by the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) and delivered by Landcare NSW since July 2023, empowering landholders to share their expertise in protecting and enhancing biodiversity. Wherever possible, events were hosted on BCTcovenanted properties, allowing attendees to see firsthand how biodiversity conservation and productive agriculture can work together.
At the Guarding the Grasslands: native grasses identification and plains-wanderer protection field day, Harry Stonehill, Conservation Covenant holder on Cocketgedong Station shared his insights.
Something that I’m passionate about is the way that livestock and conservation can work in together. We need to be doing more work, looking after the landscapes and things that we have. The role of livestock and being able to be a productive farm, as well as looking after these threatened ecological communities – they can all work together, and for that to happen, it has to be a bit more appreciated.
The plains-wanderer program was quite unique and it just it really fits in with our grazing system that we already have. Basically, you can’t have too much grass or the plains-wanderer can’t move around freely – and there can’t be too little that its bare and they’ve got nothing to eat and can be attacked by predators. We don’t want to run it bare anyway because the stock won’t do well, the primary habitat was there was because of the way we’re managing it, so it’s more or less the way we’re going to keep going.
Across NSW, 12 Landcare Networks have hosted 120 events including regional forums, local workshops, and community field days, reaching 3,300 attendees, of whom 1,759 were landholders
Resources such as Habitat augmentation around a dam, Cage traps, Hollowhog vs. nest boxes, and Myrtle Rust & Phytophthora are available on the Landcare NSW website: landcarensw.org.au/partnering-inprivate-land-conservation/.
For more information, please visit www.landcarensw.org.au
Words by Suzanne Pritchard, Project Manager Landcare NSW
Photos
Bacchus Marsh Grammar’s Staughton Vale Campus: A hub for student-led revegetation efforts
estled on 200 acres next to the Brisbane Ranges National Park, Bacchus Marsh Grammar’s Staughton Vale Campus is a living classroom where students dive into environmental stewardship. A key part of this commitment is the school’s annual participation in National Tree Planting Day, held during the last week of July.
In July 2024, the school celebrated its third year in a row of joining this nationwide initiative. With support from Planet Ark and guidance from the Moorabool Landcare Network, students planted nearly 3,000 native trees throughout the week. These efforts aimed to “rewild” parts of the campus and re-establish vital wildlife corridors, boosting biodiversity and providing habitats for local fauna.
Kimone Stacey Missen, the project manager and a recently recognised Landcare Champion on Landcarer, has been instrumental in making this initiative thrive. Her leadership has encouraged student participation, ensuring that every planting project is not only educational but also deeply engaging for young environmentalists.
The event also gave students hands-on learning experiences. The Junior Landcare team identified a local koala in need and facilitated a rescue operation in collaboration with Koala Clancy, a local conservation group. This real-world encounter highlighted the direct impact of habitat restoration on native wildlife.
Beyond the annual tree planting, Bacchus Marsh Grammar’s commitment to environmental education shines through its broader curriculum. The Staughton Vale Campus serves as a hub for various programs that immerse students in nature, fostering a sense of responsibility and connection to the environment.
The school’s dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2024, Bacchus Marsh Grammar was nominated for the State Landcare Awards for its revegetation projects. To date, over 3,000 trees have been planted on campus, with more than 1,000 students contributing to this impressive total.
Through these initiatives, Bacchus Marsh Grammar not only enhances its local ecosystem but also instils in its students the values of environmental stewardship and community engagement.
For more information, please visit www.bmg.vic.edu.au
Bottom Students hard at work on the top paddock, neighbouring the Brisbane Ranges NP
Top BMG Students taking part in the National Tree Planting Day
Words by David Gorton, Head of Staughton Vale Campus | Bacchus Marsh Grammar
Protecting threatened species and agriculture in Shoalhaven, NSW
he Shoalhaven region, 200 kilometres south of Sydney, hosts a wide range of native wildlife, from more common species such as long-necked turtles and swamp wallabies to threatened species like hooded plovers, brushtailed rock wallabies and the elusive spotted-tailed quoll. It’s also a prime region for agriculture that contributes significantly to the local economy. But this balance of thriving ecosystems and agricultural productivity faces serious threats from introduced predators – particularly the European red fox, wild dog feral cat.
To tackle the issue of foxes, the Shoalhaven Fox Control Program was launched in 2018 by the Shoalhaven Landcare Association. The program came about after local landholders
began seeing the heavy impact foxes had on their livestock and wildlife and wanted to be involved in the solution. Initially, a five-month trial covering 13 properties, removed 50 foxes. These results showed how effective a coordinated approach could be and quickly led to a full-scale communitybased effort.
The 2019/2020 summer bushfires ravaged the regions bushland and farmland alike. The impacts of foxes increased, with nowhere left for wildlife to hide. These bushfires also brought about federal government funding for Gillian Basnett, the National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordinator, through the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, to help community groups grapple with the impacts of these invasive predators. Gillian has worked with
the Shoalhaven Fox Control Program to review their fox management plan to improve outcomes, provide resources and some training to the group and to assist with strengthening relationship with key partners in the region.
This assistance, along with further funding found by the group for the Shoalhaven Fox Control Program Coordinator, Ryan, the project has gone from strength to strength. Today, the program operates across 104 private landholdings, in a more targeted and coordinated way, with trained volunteers and land managers all working to curb the fox population, reduce their impacts and protect the Shoalhaven’s environmental and agricultural assets. The program links with fox and wild dog management being undertaken by others in the region such as NSW National Parks and Wildlife, Local Land Services and local government, who also work with Greg Mifsud, the National Wild Dog Management Coordinator. These coordinated, introduced predator management programs are successfully protecting both the Shoalhaven’s ecosystems and threatened species and local agriculture.
National Coordinators and Ben Watts. Supplied by NFPAP
Did you know?
There are five National Management Coordination programs working to help support, encourage and empower communities to manage key pests?
National management coordinators have taken a lead role working with Landcare and NRM groups, industry, communities, farmers, land managers, Indigenous Rangers, researchers, agencies and councils to reduce pest impacts on agriculture, environment, cultural assets and human health.
With core funding from the Australian Government, and support from their respective organisations (Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, South Australian Department of Primary Industries Regions, Australian Pork Ltd and Australian Wool Innovation) and partners, national coordinators:
• Provide national leadership and strategic coordination for sustained management
• Facilitate networks to promote cooperation, collaboration and ongoing investment
• Raise awareness of impacts of pest species
• Connect people with their peers, technical expertise and provide ‘how to’ information
• Encourage adoption of best practice methods
• Share research and land management stories.
To help Landcare groups, farmers, and land and pest managers tackle these six feral species the Coordinators have created user friendly websites, resources and newsletters. You can get in contact; learn how to plan, manage and improve your management programs; access latest research; or check out some of the pest management programs being undertaken across Australia.
Wild Dogs
National Coordinator: Greg Mifsud
Website: www.wilddogplan.org.au
Feral Deer
National Coordinator: Annelise Wiebkin
Website: www.feraldeerplan.org.au
Feral Pigs
National Coordinator: Heather Channon
Website: www.feralpigs.com.au
Feral Cats and Foxes
National Coordinator: Gillian Basnett
Website: www.feralcatandfox.com.au
Feral Rabbits
National Coordinator: Heidi Kleinert
Website: www.pestsmart.org.au/toolkits/european-rabbits
CISS useful resources
PestSmart: www.pestsmart.org.au
FeralScan: www.feralscan.org.au
For more information, please visit: www.shoalhavenlandcare.org.au/fox-control-program.html www.feralcatandfox.com.au/resources/shoalhaven-nsw/
Watch these videos to learn more about these projects here: www.youtube.com/ playlist?list=PLvvZSynxYkKccaZDaONr4WGUS0C1w_NW_
Words by Shoalhaven Landcare
Above Greg Mifsud, Gill Basnett, Heather Channon. Supplied by NWDAP
Top right Shoalhaven fox program workshop Ryan Wall
Victorian communities get together to restore natural landscapes
Across Victoria, passionate landcarers are rolling up their sleeves to restore their local environments, and two have secured funding from Victoria’s largest diversified energy company, AusNet to help with their vital work. The AusNet Community Landcare Grants Program, a three-year initiative is providing $20,000 annually to Gecko CLaN and Phillip Island Landcare Group, who have already made significant strides in just one year.
Connecting landscapes and communities in Strathbogie
n the vibrant rural community of Stathbogie Shire, The Gecko CLaN is making steps to transform community revegetation and habitat restoration activities through access to native plants, paddock tree guards and nestboxes for member landcare groups to install. The first year of the project focused on paddock trees with the purchase of 220 large paddock tree guards that were shared by members of seven landcare groups within the Strathbogie shire. The tree guards that have been selected within this first part of the project are built to last and once the tree is established the guard can be reused to protect another tree.
In just one year, the group has:
• Engaged 80 volunteers in the project.
• Enhanced 12 hectares of agricultural land.
• Established 140 new native plants and protected 80 natural regeneration trees with paddock tree guards.
Paddock trees form vital stepping stones between patches of vegetation in the landscape creating better connectivity for wildlife. For example, birds favour paddock trees that are within 100-200m of larger blocks of native vegetation. The guards were purchased locally and were used to protect newly planted native trees and young natural regeneration trees within the landscape. Each landcare group has engaged their community to support the selection of sites with a focus on supporting koala-friendly feed trees.
By assisting landholders, the group has developed an understanding of where domestic livestock require shade and shelter within the grazing system so the paddock trees can provide a co-benefit to livestock. As an example, guarding a patch of three or five trees in a clump will provide greater shelter.
The project has enabled people in the community to engage in protecting trees, regardless of land holding size, as trees can be of value across grazing properties or along roadsides with limited canopy vegetation. By engaging each individual group to support guard placement and landholder engagement their capacity to engage with their community and connect with neighbouring Landcare groups has grown. This has created ownership of the project at the grass-roots level to ensure on-going monitoring and management of trees.
Restoring natural corridors enables species to migrate, disperse, and interact more freely within the landscape with paddock trees. This enhanced connectivity will help foster resilience in the face of environmental changes and strengthen ecosystem function.
Hero Biodiversity Walk with Gecko CLaN
Above Tree planting swanpool Left Warrenbayne regevetation
Protecting, promoting, and providing opportunities for community revegetation on Phillip Island
n partnership with Bass Coast Shire Council, Phillip Island Landcare Group’s project protects and enhances endangered remnant vegetation in a 3.9 hectare section of the new public Phillip Island Recreation Reserve in Cowes. The project site, owned by the Bass Coast Shire Council, is in the southeast corner of the Phillip Island Recreation Reserve. The key objective of the project is the protection and enhancement of endangered remnant vegetation.
The site’s existing vegetation is highly disturbed, lacking mid and understorey layers, and is full of rubbish, weeds and rabbits. This staged 3-year project will establish zones with new planting, wetland and remnant enhancement, and demonstration plots of different techniques to restore indigenous vegetation. The area will be protected by wallaby and rabbit proof fencing so new plants can thrive.
The project site is a highly accessible space and creates a great opportunity for the Phillip Island Landcare Group to demonstrate and research best practice revegetation techniques and promote landcare at a visible public site. This project promotes and demonstrates landcare activities using community action days to empower local ownership of the site. The learnings from this project will be used to protect and enhance other important conservation areas across the Reserve. The first year of the project saw impressive results:
• A community planting event attracted 48 volunteers.
• a Bass Coast Shire Council corporate volunteering event with 50 staff participating.
• A ‘walk n talk’ community tour with a local botanist and ecologist, attracting 20 volunteers.
• The planting of 1,500 native plants.
A ‘Walk ‘n Talk’ event was led by Alison Oates, Botanist and Director of Oates Environmental Consulting and John Eddy, a local Ecologist. John is the Island’s preeminent naturalist with an extensive history of caring for the land on Phillip Island. Both Alison and John provided great insights into the land and shared their different views on how best to successfully revegetate the land in a world where climate change is affecting the health of our natural environment and its biodiversity.
For more information, please visit: www.landcareaustralia.org.au/mediarelease/2024-ausnet-communitylandcare-grant-recipients-announced
Words by Millie Webber
Hero Phillip Island Landcare members busily planting
Top left Flora and fauna walk ‘n talk
Above Happy planters at a successful community planting day
New website celebrates Box-Gum Grassy
new website dedicated to showcasing the critically endangered Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands launched this year.
Developed by The Australian National University’s Sustainable Farms initiative with support from WWFAustralia, the website celebrates and supports this vitally important ecosystem that was once widespread across the sheep-wheat belt of southeastern Australia.
Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands are one of Australia’s most important ecosystems for their rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. However, less
than five percent of the original woodland remains. This habitat decline has put more than 50 woodland wildlife species under threat.
Significant investment and urgent action are needed to conserve BoxGum Grassy Woodlands. With most remnant woodland found on private land, landholders need to play a role in their protection and recovery.
The new website is a resource for the latest news, research and conservation work happening in the woodlands. It features stories, practical information about protection and restoration, opportunities to get involved and
invest, and ways to connect with the people and organisations making a difference.
By celebrating the work being done to steward these landscapes, the website aims to raise the profile of the BoxGum Grassy Woodland as a national conservation priority. It offers a place where policymakers, investors and the wider public can learn about who is doing the work — and why it matters.
We are inviting contributions from the landcare community to help grow this resource — your conservation stories, projects and insights are key to growing awareness and action.
Please visit www.woodlands.org.au to explore the woodlands, learn who is making a difference, and join the movement to protect one of Australia’s most threatened and important ecosystems.
Words by James Wong and Amber Craft | Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands
Image supplied by Mark Jekabsons
Bunyas to border climate corridor
new climate corridor for koalas, greater gliders and other wildlife is springing to life along the western ‘horn’ of the Greater Border Ranges in southeast Queensland.
Over the last twelve months, Lockyer Uplands Catchments Inc. has been working with local landholders to plant more than 3500 trees and install dozens of nest boxes and wildlife water drinkers across 53 properties to establish the Bunyas to Border (B2B) climate corridor.
This corridor is the first in a series that the Great Eastern Ranges and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), together with local partners, hope to create as part of Koala Climate Corridors to help wildlife adapt and communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Lockyer Uplands Catchments Inc. (LUCI) has been engaged as the regional project partner, and has been working with more than 350 local landholders, community members and groups to regenerate and reconnect habitat.
This has included community workshops focused around some of the project’s eight target animal species, which include koalas, greater gliders, brushtailed rock wallabies and rainbow bee-eaters.
A recent highlight of the project was the sighting of an endangered greater glider emerging from a customdesigned, high-tech nest box, one of twelve we installed at Dingo Mountain. Sadly, many old-growth trees have been lost through logging, land clearing and bushfires, so it is great to see efforts working to support biodiversity.
Lockyer Uplands Catchments Inc. is looking for more local landholders to plant habitat corridors on their properties and is looking forward to more support from local groups that will enable them to achieve broader conservation goals together.
For more information please email at B2B@lockyeruplandscatchmentsinc.org.au Watch a video about the project here
Words by Lockyer Uplands Catchments Inc
Above Drone image capture by Justine Rice
Top right Greater Glider
Top bottom Feathertail glider
Landcare Australia Book Corner
The Bee Squad boosting biodiversity in your neighbourhood
By Judy Friedlander
The Bee Squad by Judy Friedlander is a fun, informative and practical guide to help kids take charge and boost biodiversity in their own backyards.
‘The Bee Squad is the bee’s knees of how to get to know biodiversity and its library of examples, displayed right where we all live in the suburbs and towns we call home. The Bee Squad takes the big-picture reality and all its challenges in a rapidly urbanised world and translates the science into a fun and understandable story that engages people to take action through small steps that matter… It is our ticket to look at the wonders of the world with new multi-lens eyes. The view is breathtaking. It’s fun. It’s home. We are who nature is looking for to tell her story.’ - Costa Georgiadis
Purchase today here How does a butterfly, bee or bird see your garden and your neighbourhood? A great way to learn about our neighbouring species is to put yourself ‘in their place’. Let’s put on some pretend wings – or a strong, flexible tail – and discover your suburb as your favourite pollinator.
your
or a bat?
As you learn all about your pollinator, think about some of the best places in your neighbourhood for your species to find favourite meals, snacks, drinks and treats. How could your neighbourhood be more homely for you and your pollinator friends? What could be done to provide more shelter,
food and water? What could you do to help?
You can keep these questions in mind as you take a walk down your
or through your neighbourhood. This is a
you and an adult. (Always let an adult know before you embark on your pollinator protector journey!)
Deep Time – and the implications for a sustainable agriculture
By Chris Alenson
Chris is an active member of many project steering working groups for sustainable agriculture based projects in Victoria. His wealth of knowledge which is freely shared with so many, is so appreciated by the farming community.
He is passionate about promoting soil health, and has delivered multitudes of workshops, training programs, and presented at many field days. He has also helped to establish on-farm demonstration sites to trial new and innovative practices on farms.
Chris Alenson has lectured widely across Australia on sustainability and soil health. He regularly delivers workshops and field days – most recently supporting landcare groups in the Bellarine Peninsula.
Many local Landcare networks from Melbourne to NSW have videos, case studies, webinars, zoom recordings etc with Chris communicating his wealth of knowledge to farmers and land managers. He can talk to a farmer with 1000ha or 1 ha and share about sustainable soil management in a way that everyone can understand. He always bases his advice on scientific studies and research.
In this new book, Chris introduces the concept of Deep Time to discuss a previously under-rated threat of diminishing resources provided by geological processes over hundreds and sometimes millions of years which as Chris illustrates has ramifications for agriculture.
Further discussion of the Anthropocene period confronts us with the environmental damage, much of it as a result of agricultural activities. Chris Alenson’s observations, validated by extensive research data, demonstrate that much of the current approach to agriculture is unsustainable. The antithesis of this is that many thousands of producers across the world are managing their land-based assets in a sustainable manner and as such provide practical models that can provide inspiration to producers wishing to transition to a more ecological and responsible approach to production.
The book is $70 plus postage and as it is self-published, it is only available by ordering direct from the author.
Please contact Chris Alenson on (03) 5968 3040 or calenson@bigpond.com
World Soil Day Competition: Soil Health Insights from the SQNNSW Innovation Hub
he health of our soil is intrinsically linked to the impacts of drought and other climatic extremes. To identify and amplify practices that manage for soil health and climate resilience the Southern Queensland and Northern NSW (SQNNSW) Innovation Hub has been running a World Soil Day competition for the past two years.
The competition encourages land managers to share their soil health practices and resilience strategies. Winners receive a farm visit from the Hub’s Regional Soil Coordinator, Cameron Leckie, who is also a Registered Soil Practitioner. During the visit, soil samples are collected from four sites for chemical analysis, at four depths, and a biological analysis of the topsoil. A comprehensive soil condition report is subsequently provided.
Key observations from these visits are shared by the Hub through articles and YouTube videos. Winners have used the sampling for various purposes, including establishing baselines, comparing different management impacts, and diagnostic purposes. Interesting observations have included the effectiveness of chicken tractors in distributing fertility of key nutrients, identifying the causes of underperformance in specific paddock areas, and significant increases in soil organic matter and nutrients in agroforestry systems compared to unimproved native pasture on challenging soils. The combination of visual observation during the site visit and the soil laboratory data provides for enhanced understanding of the soil as well as being useful for decision making.
The competition will run again in 2025 with winners announced on World Soil Day (5 December). Land managers in northern NSW or southern Queensland should keep an eye on the SQNNSW Hub’s social media for entry details and more information.
The activities of the SQNNSW Innovation Hub and Regional Soil Coordinator, including the World Soil Day Competition, are funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Natural Heritage Trust.
For more information, please visit www.unisq.edu.au/research/sqnnsw-hub
Words by Cameron Leckie, Regional Soil Coordinator | SQNNSW Innovation Hub
Farm visit to Echo Valley Farm (Goomburra QLD) who were one of the winners in the 2023 competition. Left is Randal Breen and Cameron Leckie (Regional Soil Coordinator) on the right.
Hero AURG Member Planting Day 1
Top AURG members removing logs from Dumaresq Creek
Top bottom Wharf Bench at WW2WW site
Wetland Warriors strike their biggest blow to weedy wasteland
ince 2002, Armidale Urban Rivercare Group (AURG) has remediated reaches of Dumaresq Creek within the city limits. On 28th September 2024, they had an official opening of their biggest project yet; the NSW Government Stronger Community Grant entitled, ‘Weedy Wasteland to Wildlife Wetland’ (WW2WW). This enormous undertaking by AURG and partners included:
• Clearing a very significant willow and privet choke over 18 months working two to three days a week.
• Planting 14,900 plants involving six school groups and educating and training 265 students, hosting 12 community planting days, and partnering with two community groups.
• Installation of two new picnic tables, a wharf bench and a gravel pathway.
• Support from Armidale Dumaresq Lions, Armidale Tree Group - including donation of over 2,000 additional grasses, Dr Sarah Mika and Ben Vincent, University of New England’s Aquatic Ecology and Restoration Research Group designed the wetland, Inglis Plumbing with at cost works, Armidale Regional Council permitted us to work on the site and installed the pipe and bridge, Southern New England Landcare (SNEL) with project administration support, and Sustainable Living Armidale with advertising and inter-project support.
• Countless hours of volunteer work.
The restoration followed ecological principles such as riparian planting to restore channel complexity and improve creek biodiversity, native species and log sills to improve oxygen levels and water quality, manage invasive weeds and rushes, and removal of barriers that prevent downstream stream flow.
By creating an artificial wetland on the floodplain, they improved stream quality and increased awareness with interpretative signage, leading the way towards community ownership of the creeklands.
Community feedback on this project has been fantastic, with frequent compliments from passing walkers and happy dog owners.
In conjunction with the WW2WW project, they gained some funding through SNEL to undertake a Koala Habitat planting and signage project at the western end of the site.
During a landcare field day, water samples were taken from a fenced-off dam, a dam with a newly constructed restricted access point, and a fully open dam.
ARMIDALE URBAN RIVERCARE GROUP is a sub-group of Southern New England Landcare Ltd
For more information, please visit www.snelandcare.org.au/armidale-urban-rivercare
Words
by Bryan Johnston | Armidale Urban Rivercare Group
Can iNaturalist help Landcarers detect invasive species?
ow many plants do we walk past, how many insects do we observe, and not think anything of them?” People’s curiosity and desire to learn about nature by identifying what is living in our backyard or local area is something people naturally do. Our senses alert us to new or different sightings or things we hear. Our natural curiosity is to find out what it is, it’s part of our innate sense of survival. Thousands of people are now using iNaturalist in Australia, and across the world to help them identify plants and animals they come across at home or on local travels. It’s as simple as taking a picture on your phone and uploading to the platform to get help in the subject’s identification.
Can we use iNaturalist to protect our Australian biodiversity?
According to iNaturalist the answer is “Yes”.
Invasive insects, a distinct subgroup of biological invasions, represent a global multibillion-dollar problem. Invasive pests can severely damage forestry, lead to shifts in biogeochemical cycles, changes in plant community composition and local species extinctions. Once established, many invasive species are impossible to eradicate. Taking years, if not decades to become managed successfully as in the case of invasive Fire Ants. In some extreme cases, invasive species prove to be essentially unmanageable, such as cane toads and rabbits. Thus, early detection and rapid response to new invasives is vital to maintain the integrity of both local ecosystems and economies. There have been several incidences in the USA and more recently in the UK & Australia where curious observers have snapped a photo and uploaded it onto iNaturalist sparking biosecurity alerts on a massive scale.
Recently Felipe Moretto, a Bushcare officer from New South Wales was visiting Tasmania and took a photo of a Peron’s Tree frog in a Port Arthur lavender field and uploaded the image to iNaturalist. Ordinarily a frog in a field wouldn’t raise any biosecurity security alerts, but on this occasion it did because the frog was not endemic to Port Arthur. Whilst it was a native frog, it was alarming because the frog could easily establish itself and outcompete local frogs.
So, finding a tiny frog in a lavender field was almost an impossible task as it could easily hide in the dense foliage. Luckily the Biosecurity Officer was able to contact the lavender farm owner’s. She recognised the type of eucalyptus tree the frog was photographed sitting on and narrowed the search area to ‘one or two’ locations on the property. Within 10 minutes of searching the property owner and her teenage daughter had located the frog. The teen credited her shorter height for finding the frog so quickly! In less than one week after it’s happy snap had been uploaded onto iNaturalist, the frog had been removed, and a biosecurity crisis had been averted.
Above Peron’s Tree Frog (c) Michael Stager
Right Peron Tree Frog seen in Tasmania (c) Felipe Moretto
In July 2024, Guiliana Sinclair, a Community Science Officer at London’s Natural History Museum, was heading home on a London bus when she found a tiny lacy insect on her bag as she sat down. She was about to release it out the window but when her curiosity about it prompted her to take a photo. She uploaded it onto iNaturalist and continued home. She never thought that her blurry picture would spark a biosecurity alert.
Within days it transpired that Giuliana had recorded an invasive species not seen in the UK for almost two decades and in the process spurred a nationwide monitoring effort. The little bug was positively identified as a Eastern Sycamore Lace Bug (Corythucha ciliata), also know as Plane Lace bug. There are around 2,000 species of lace bugs found around the world, of which around 24 are native to the UK. Most species are tiny with a striking lace-like structure that covers the body.
So, it was crucial to investigate the Plane trees bug reappearance since it’s eradication from trees in 2006. The bug sucks the sap from the trees causing the leaves to discolour and reduces the tree’s ability to fight off fungi putting them at risk of dying. The loss of London’s large shady trees, would be hugely detrimental to the city’s landscape and create a domino effect on the population of London. How one ended up on Giuliana’s bag is uncertain, although the adults are known to be good flyers.
A team of Observatree volunteers from the Woodland Trust got involved and began searching the area around the Natural History Museum. They used binoculars to look for yellow discolouration of the leaf veins. Eventually a population was discovered living in a nearby park, not far from where Guiliana caught the bus, and the population was eradicated before causing too much damage to London’s trees.
Whilst London managed to avert a biosecurity disaster in their city, Perth has not been so fortunate. Since the Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer was discovered in 2021, Perth has lost 4000 trees, including many of its Moreton Bag Fig Trees. Polyphagous means it can feed on multiple types of trees, so even native 300 year old paperbark trees have not been spared. The beetle has been found in over 300 species of mainly non-native trees. So far over 1.6 million trees have been inspected and 1000 sites have been identified.
These little shot-hole borers are barely two millimetres long, but they are deadly. They can kill a tree within two years. The beetle can tunnel deep into the wood and cultivate a fungus which inevitably blocks the tree’s vascular system. This prevents the tree from dispersing water and nutrients to its branches causing the tree to die of thirst. Unfortunately, there is no chemical treatment to kill the shot-hole borer, so the trees must be cut down and mulched.
Polyphagous shot-hole borers can hitch a ride to other regions or states by humans, in a car or train. Perhaps the biggest challenge is that female borers can reproduce without a male and can fly up to 400 metres to start a colony in a new host tree.
The polyphagous shot-hole borer is native to Southeast Asia and has spread to California, Israel, Argentina and South Africa. A Stellenbosch University study estimated the borer’s economic impact at $28 billion over the next decade. Although Perth has taken strict measures such as a quarantine zone and restricted the movement of timber and plants out of the quarantined area. There is certainly a risk if the shot hole borer isn’t eradicated in Perth, it could spread to eastern states.
One thing is certain, citizen scientists play an important role in protecting the nation from pests and diseases through surveillance. Online apps like iNaturalist can be particularly useful, especially with its ability to crowd source information and expertise, thus allowing anyone to play a part in monitoring and protecting the natural world. In a similar way, Guilana’s photo had in protecting London’s trees from the Plane Lace bug, Australian iNaturalist users can be on the lookout for the polyphagous shot-hole borer to stop another invasive insect in its tracks.
For more information, please visit www.inaturalist.org
Words by Luise Manning | Springfield Lakes Nature Care Inc.
Left Shot-Hole Borer credit Karl Magnacca Top right Eastern Sycamore Lace Bug (c) Roland Achtziger
Know what you are working with before you start planting!
Find out what a landcare group unexpectedly discovered during a vegetation assessment in Ballarat.
oss Creek Landcare Group works on Wadawurrung country outside Ballarat.
Back in 2022, we got together with the Bunanyung Landscape Alliance (BLA) to discuss their plans for conservation work on a landscape scale. Their Little Creeks Strategy, which advocates climate adaptation and healthy streams by focusing on revegetation along smaller tributaries of the Yarrowee River, inspired the group.
We initially conducted botanical surveys at both locations. From this, the property of Chris and Maree Prehn proved especially surprising. The alluvial flats are used for livestock grazing, and at first glance the site looked unremarkable. Initially, the site appeared unremarkable, the pasture significantly altered by overgrazing and compaction. However, a rich diversity of native herbaceous species, including ten indigenous grass species, six rushes, two orchids, and sixteen broadleaved species were found. Two indigenous Ranunculus species grew in the creek channel. But most exciting was a large sward of the Blue-flowered Prickfoot (Eryngium vesiculosum), an indigenous member of the celery family. That it had survived was impressive enough, but this beauty had thrived.
Ross Creek Landcare Group initially proposed fencing off the creek side to plant it with Poa labillardieri and native tea tree to minimise erosion. A scattered planting of Yarra and swamp gums and other shrubs would enhance biodiversity and cool the creek waters – key BLA objectives. However, the Blue-flowered Prickfoot’s presence forced a change of plans. The landowners agreed to fence off the area to protect the Prickfoot from grazing pressure. Tree plantings there were strategically limited to minimise shading of the Prickfoot. Other plantings were spaced to retain the paddocks’ general herbaceous biodiversity.
This year, we will meet again with the BLA and invite other local landowners to inspect the Prehns’ property and see the potential of what could be done with their land. Who knows what else is hanging on out there?
For more information on the strategies of The Bunanyung Landscape Alliance, visit www.bunanyunglandscapealliance.org
Words by David Neate, Secretary | Ross Creek Landcare Group
Above Tea tree Ross Creek 27 March 2025
Top right Prehn property, Ross Creek, showing fences and some of plantings done July 2024
Mallee Landcare –changing of the guard
long running local landcare group in Victoria has had a changing of the guard.
Established in late 1990, the Mallee Landcare Group, like other landcare groups, supports sustainable agricultural and environmental best practice systems within its region.
Encouraging research and development from community groups, individuals (including schools, councils and businesses), and tackling local natural resource management priorities were its aims.
Starting with 165 members and covering an area of 1,085,000 ha, the Mallee Landcare Group became a practical voice and feet on the ground for local farmers, leading the way was the Vallance family of Tempy.
Mallee Landcare Group’s recent AGM saw a new, energetic group take the helm. The Vallance family’s decades-long dedication to Mallee Landcare Group includes 15 years of leadership from Faye. Her husband Leonard assumed the role of chair in 2019, leading a constitutional refresh in 2022, and consistently championed his teams and volunteers, initially pledging to rebuild relationships, particularly with the CMA, DWELP, and MRCC.
Lenoard’s contributed greatly to community projects, offering innovative ideas to involve farmers and landcare members of all ages, and generously sharing his expertise in chairing meetings, good governance, and effecting change.
Mallee Landcare Group’s recent AGM saw a new, energetic group take the helm. The 2025 Mallee Landcare Committee, led by strong membership and leadership, starts a new chapter with Alex Hulland as Chair, Michel Walch as Vice Chair, and Jessica Millar as Treasurer. Karen Crook, outgoing Chair and Treasurer, will mentor and support the new executive committee members.
During his handover, Leonard thanked volunteers and project participants and praised Marisa Shean for her excellent work as the Mallee Landcare Facilitator.
He ended his speech with well wishes for the new executive, urging a conscientious membership drive to celebrate the positive effects of landcare initiatives on schools, communities, wildlife, and the environment.
For more information, please visit www.landcarevic.org.au/groups/mallee/mlc
Words by Mallee Landcare
Image Leonard Vallance presenting to the Victorian Regional Landcare Coordinators about the Mallee Landcare Group when they visited Tempy Primary School in August 2023.
Murray-Riverina landholders combine coversation with carbon credits
urray-Riverina region properties
Savernake and Warangee have a very special thing in common: they’re both protecting native woodlands and generating carbon credits under a first-of-its-kind initiative led by the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust.
Founding member of West Hume Landcare, Judy Frankenberg, of Warangee, and longterm member of Corowa Landcare, David Sloane, of Savernake, are among a number of the region’s farming families to sign in-perpetuity agreements to protect, enhance and extend patches of important native vegetation while generating Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) under the Restoring Murray Woodlands Biodiversity and Carbon Tender.
The combined biodiversity and carbon opportunity attracted the attention of private landholders, with 788 hectares of threatened native habitat protected under private land conservation agreements with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust, and 141 hectares registered with the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Regulator to generate ACCUs.
Judy Frankenberg started planting native trees on Warangee in the late 1980s. She said the tender appealed to her as a way of making sure her conservation work would remain for generations to come. She said,
The
carbon plantings will be of
great
benefit
because not only will
the trees store carbon, they will also provide payments and an allimportant environmental benefit to the land.
David Sloane’s connection to the land started when his family settled in the area in 1862. He grew up at Savernake, a heritage-listed property of Inland Grey Box Woodlands and Sandhill Pine Woodlands.
Sheep were grazing across most of the land until a few years ago when they were removed to allow the pasture to rest.
David said that since removing the sheep, yellow box and grey box trees have started to return to the area. He said,
Now we get an annual payment, which covers things like fencing and other items like fire breaks and weed control.
So far, carbon plantings have been direct seeded, using more than 50kg of seeds supplied by Murray Native Seed Services, on four of the new conservation areas.
The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust invested $6.31m into the biodiversity and carbon tender with funding that has been set aside in the NSW Government’s Biodiversity Conservation Fund for private landholders to manage the newly protected sites inperpetuity.
The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust works with partners who have shared values and aligned goals to scale private land conservation outcomes in NSW. To learn more about our programs and partnerships visit www.bct.nsw. gov.au/partner.
Words by NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust
Hero David Sloane, of Savernake, will be protecting his conservation efforts to bring yellow box and grey box gums back on his property.
(Credit: Vince Bucello)
Left Landholder Judy Frankenberg shows NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust Regional Manager Dieuwer Reynders carbon plantings underway at Warangee.
(Credit: Vince Bucello)
Landcare is not just about trees!
hen many people think about landcare, they picture tree planting and weed control. However, Landcare plays a much broader role in driving community-led initiatives that support sustainable farming, empower communities, and help regions adapt to change.
A great example of this is the work of the Western Murray Land Improvement Group (WMLIG) in addressing economic and environmental challenges in the NSW/Victorian border region. WMLIG recognised the impact of structural changes in the timber and agriculture industries on local communities.
Community driven action
Understanding the challenges such as the reduction in access to Redgum forests for logging, government purchase of irrigation water and creation of water markets, water entitlement reduction of more than 40% since 2000 and the impact of adverse climatic events such as droughts and floods.
WMLIG embarked on a eight-year community engagement journey which has encompassed planting sessions, local community groups, business and government entities and almost 1500 volunteer hours.
The community’s priorities emerged clearly to diversify the economy, enhance local revenue streams, encourage innovation and support partnerships, all of which led to the launch of several initiatives including the delivery of industrial hemp farming trials in the region.
Can Hemp build a brighter future in the Murray Region?
One of the most innovative projects to emerge is Murray Industrial Hemp (MIH), which aims to establish an agribusiness ecosystem around industrial hemp. The journey began in 2021 when WMLIG convened local farmers to explore new opportunities aligned with community feedback on water availability, agricultural diversification, and economic resilience.
Hemp is recognised as an environmentally sustainable building material that stores carbon from the atmosphere, while offering strength, durability and breathability.
Back in February, farmers and investors got a firsthand look at an industrial hemp harvest at a Murray Industrial Hemp field day. Tullakool farmers Michael and Felicia Chalmers
successfully grew a 50ha hemp crop over the summer, in a trial for the new Barham-based enterprise.
Planted in September 2024 and grown under lateral irrigators, the crop was harvested at the end of February. Once it is raked and baled, it is then ready for processing and later manufacture into building products.
Murray Industrial Hemp Executive Director Leigh Fletcher said industrial hemp was a unique crop to grow, harvest and process. “It was a pretty unique experience to see the three- to four-metre-tall crop be harvested, using a modified forage harvester,” he said.
“We think the Murray region is an ideal one for hemp growing, and we hope that as more local farmers have success, others will see the crop as a viable alternative and come on board.”
Murray Industrial Hemp has ambitious plans to become a leader in hemp-based building materials by developing a network of growers and building hemp processing and manufacturing facilities in Barham. They aim to make precast hempcrete blocks to replace traditional clay bricks in new homes and renovations. Other products being planned include hemp insulation and board.
Murray Industrial Hemp is developing partnerships with hemp experts around the world, with existing overseas and local manufacturers and with local partners. Mr Fletcher said, “We have had some initial local investment, and we are aiming to get to a seed investment milestone of $500,000. At the same time, we are looking at government and private opportunities for major capital and operating funds to make processing and manufacturing a reality.
He said the company is also working with Carbon Futures to assist hemp growers across southern Australia to realise the value of their carbon credits.
“Hemp is a brilliant carbon sequestration tool, and we want growers to be able to benefit from that, by either receiving payment or insetting those credits into their business.”
To learn more, visit Murray Industrial Hemp or contact Leigh Fletcher at info@murrayindustrialhemp.com.au
For more information about WMLIG visit www.westernmurraylig.org
Words by Tahlia Stewart, Landcare Coordinator | WMLIG and Eleanor Slade | Landcare Australia
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