News Archives

Be alert for Cane Toads

Author: NSW Dept of Primary Industries Invasive Species Biosecurity Team

In September 2022, six Cane Toads were initially found and reported by a rural landholder in Mandalong area in the Hunter Region. The toads were found at the premises around the farm dwelling and surrounding sheds, and it is unclear as to origin of the animals to the site. To date a total of forty animals have been removed and humanely euthanised.

Despite Cane Toads being widespread in Queensland and areas of north-eastern NSW, Cane toads are considered a serious non-native invasive pest in NSW. A Cane Toad Biosecurity Zone exists in all areas of NSW except a portion of the north-east of the state.

The management of existing non-native invasive animal populations and preventing the introduction and establishment of new non-native animal species are key concerns for the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI).

Cane toads have the ability to cause devastating impacts on our communities, native wildlife and ecosystems due to their ability to spread to new areas, use limited natural resources and to poison animals that try to eat them.

Figure 1 – The Cane Toad Biosecurity Zone

Cane toads can be accidentally transported to new locations via freight, including nursery products such as mulch and plants, and with travellers in camping and caravan equipment.

NSW DPI would appreciate the assistance of members of the Landcare network and community, including local industry such as nurseries and primary producers, that purchase plants, stockfeed and other materials from Cane Toad-infested areas (such as Qld and northern NSW), to be vigilant when receiving incoming deliveries by checking pallets, plants and containers that may accidently host a Cane Toad.

The Cane Toad Biosecurity Zone (Figure 1) consists of the buffer areas and cane toad free area. The green zoned area is where cane toads are established, there is no need to report cane toads in this zoned area. The amber and red zones are where cane toads are not established and if cane toads are suspected in these areas they should be photographed, contained, and reported.

Detecting and reporting Cane Toads:

Figure 2 – Key Identifying features of Cane Toads

Become familiar with the identification and key features of a Cane Toad (refer to Figure 2)
Assess and quarantine your equipment/deliveries in a secure location or holding area (if possible) until the goods can be inspected for Cane Toads and other unwanted pests (as part of your biosecurity inspection process).
Thoroughly inspect and look through equipment such as caravans/trailers/camping equipment, pallets, potted plants, mulch and other materials for Cane Toads.
If you suspect that you have found a Cane Toad, please capture the animal and place it in a container with a lid.
Report the suspect animal to the NSW DPI Invasive Species Biosecurity team as soon as possible by one of the following options:
– The online biosecurity concern reporting form found at: https://forms.bfs.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forms/9247
– Email – invasive.species@dpi.nsw.gov.au
– Calling the NSW DPI Biosecurity helpline on 1800 680 244.
Take a photo of the suspect animal to assist with the identification and response.
Keep the suspect animal in a cool, secure place until your report has been responded to and advice has been provided.
Please do not harm the suspected animal/s as it may be a native frog species that looks like a Cane Toad (Refer to Figure 3).

Be alert for Cane Toads, as they are particularly active over the summer months at night.

Landcare can assist NSW DPI by sharing information through their networks and raising the awareness of their members. It will be devasting for the remaining areas of NSW to become infested with Cane Toads due to their impacts to the environment, community and industry.

Opportunities may exist for Landcare members to become involved in dissemination of cane toad information to the community and on ground works as they arise. Reach out to NSW DPI through the invasive.species@dpi.nsw.gov.au mailbox or contact your Local Landcare Coordinator.

For more information regarding the Cane Toad Biosecurity Zone, refer to the NSW DPI website. Further information about other non-native animals of interest is also available at this website.

Resources:

Key identifying features of Cane Toads

Some mistaken native frogs as Cane Toads

QR code with link to the NSW DPI website

Creating Connected Resilient Communities – Eat Dirt heads to the beach!

‘Eat Dirt’ a program aimed at connecting students to Country, nature and each other is coming to an end for 2022 and to celebrate the group from Bellingen High School headed out to Hungry Head Beach in Urunga to hear some stories from Uncle Micklo and swim in the ocean under the watchful eyes of five lifeguards from Hungry Head Surf Life Saving. It’s not often you get the beach to yourselves with your own personal water safety crew!

Despite the rain and less than ideal conditions the group had an absolute ball, playing soccer, cricket and footy on the beach, finishing off with hot chips and scallops and a spot of fishing.

Every Thursday since April the group has come together to undertake bush regeneration, creek clean-ups, propagation, primal games, growing vegetables, nature journalling and art activities at Bellingen High. Other activities have included chainsaw maintenance, jiu jitzu, learning about SMEAC briefings and fire-fighting, painting murals, yoga and trying to catch the elusive koi carp that have been released into the local creek.

We have also put on a Night for the Folks with Tomorrow Man, Tomorrow Woman and contributed to the school’s wellbeing day by funding a tie dye workshop and One Mob Radio and purchased some branded marquees for use at sporting and community events. It was great to see them being used to provide shade for locals who had gathered in Bellingen town for a memorial for Gillian Helfgott, acclaimed astrologer and wife of the amazing pianist David Helfgott.

Project Manager, Melanie Tyas said: “The aim of the project was to connect our students to nature, Country, each other and place and we are well on the way to achieving that goal. We now have a couple of students who would like to pursue a career in bush regeneration and a conversation with the lifeguards yesterday has planted the seed for a new bush regen group forming to remove the weeds from the littoral rainforest at the back of Hungry Head Beach.

“Uncle Micklo’s weekly stories have connected us to Country and by getting our hands in the soil, whether it be by planting vegies or removing weeds, and spending every Thursday out of the classroom we have connected to nature. Working as a team in sporting events such as Captain and Tunnel Ball, and force ‘em backs has cemented friendships with both mentors and mentees alike and as we heal the land we heal ourselves.

“A huge thank you to Resilience NSW for providing the funding to make this possible, to Bellingen High for embracing the program and to our partners Surf Life Saving NSW and Gotcha4Life. This is just the beginning of our journey to transform education,” said Melanie.

Funding for this pilot program has been made possible with a grant from the NSW Government’s Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund and is a partnership project with Gotcha4Life, Surf Life Saving NSW, Bellingen High School and the local community.

To find out more about the project, contact Melanie Tyas, Landcare NSW on mtyas@landcarensw.org.au.

Landcare NSW Appoints First Aboriginal Board Director

Mr Rene Woods, has become the first Aboriginal on the Landcare NSW Board, following his appointment to the director position reserved for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person at the Landcare NSW Annual General Meeting held in Sydney last month.

Mr Woods appointment demonstrates Landcare NSW’s commitment to increase opportunities to consciously develop stronger connections and partnerships between Landcare groups and Aboriginal Communities.

Mr Woods has played an integral role in guiding and strengthening the recognition of First Nations land and water practice in the Murray Darling Basin and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities over many years. “I am a Nari Nari man from southwest New South Wales. I have had a long involvement with Gayini (water) for Aboriginal people across the Basin and grew up on the Murrumbidgee River where the river has always been central to my family, my community, and our way of life,” said Mr Woods.

Mr Woods has been involved with a number of Boards including the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations, the Nari Nari Tribal Council, the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Aboriginal Water Initiative, the Murrumbidgee Valley Water NSW Customer Advisory Group and the first Aboriginal person appointed to the Murray Darling Basin Authority Board Member in December 2020.

Landcare NSW Chair, Stephanie Cameron, welcomed Mr Woods to the Board, recognising that his appointment is central to the future of Landcare NSW. “It is a significant milestone in Landcare NSW’s history to have Rene join the Landcare NSW Board. He has a deep connection to NSW’s Indigenous community and we’re looking forward to his contribution as a Board Director.

“Rene’s leadership and cultural guidance will make an invaluable contribution to Landcare NSW’s governance, which will lead to enhanced connections between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the Landcare community across the state of New South Wales,” Ms Cameron said.

Rene Woods – Independent Director

Why are you seeking to serve Landcare NSW Limited as a director?

I am a Nari Nari man from southwest New South Wales. I have had a long involvement with Gayini (water) for Aboriginal people across the Basin and grew up on the Murrumbidgee River where the river has always been central to my family, my community, and our way of life.

I am a strong advocate for First Nation people in the Basin and have worked in communities in both the public and non-government organisation sectors of the Basin. I am currently employed by the Nature Conservancy Australia as a Conservation Officer and have seen what can happen for communities that have Gayini and land under their ownership and control.

I believe that together we can achieve a strong healthy river system and healthier communities. I work with my Nari Nari Elders to make sure their views are incorporated into Gayini (water) planning within the state and Basin.

I have previously held the position of chairperson of the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (2018 to 2020) and have also been vice-chair of the Nari Nari Tribal Council. I held several other positions including with New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Aboriginal Water Initiative (2013 to 2016) and Murrumbidgee Valley Water NSW Customer Advisory Group (2018 to 2020).

I was also a member of the National Cultural Flows Research Committee (2013 to 2018) and was a panel member of Former Minister Littleproud’s Independent Panel for the Assessment of Social and Economic Conditions of Murray–Darling Basin communities.

I was the first Aboriginal person appointed to the Murray Darling Basin Authority Board Member in December 2020.

What do you hope to contribute to the Board of Landcare NSW Limited?

I would hope that I would bring a cultural lens to the work that Landcare does across NSW and my expertise and networks within NSW, Australia and Internationally. My experience and understanding of strategy implementations bring a better understanding and recognition of First Nations land and water practice in Landcare NSW.

I have worked with the key agencies that manage, protection and enhancement of Culture and Heritage across the Southern Basin.

My knowledge of current and emerging issues with the Aboriginal water sector would assist the MDBA to be able to plan and continue to assist Traditional Owners and Basin states to continue the good work already being undertaking across the Basin.

I believe my willingness to listen to all stakeholders, State and Federal Governments and my knowledge of Traditional Owners of the Hay and Balranald Community’s would assist me in this role.

Buy Local – Support Landcare NSW Members Nurseries

This year, show your support for the environment and community by purchasing plants from your local Landcare or community group.

Each of our members works to collect, grow and sell local species that support local biodiversity. From grasses for lizards, shrubs for the fairy wrens and the gums for galah’s to perch on, they will be able to guide you on caring for your small patch of paddock and what and where to plant.

Trees in Newcastle (Redhead)

Trees In Newcastle are proud to provide advice on appropriate species selection to their community. The volunteers and staff are keen to share their knowledge and help you find the best plants for your project.

Find out more https://treesinnewcastle.org.au/

Community Environment Network Wildplant Nursery (Ourimbah)

CEN Community Nursery’s purpose is to promote and grow local provenance, native plants, to the public, to our members, and for use in their many projects.

CEN members are able to access local native plants to complement their gardens and provide a habitat for our local wildlife as well as sustaining the coasts ecology.

Members can take advantage of the nursery to grow natives from seeds collected from their properties which can then be replanted on their land for reforestation purposes and access the nursery to grow seeds collected from areas under their care to use in the revegetation of these areas.

Find out more – https://www.cen.org.au/nursery

Riverina Highlands Landcare Nursery (Tumut)

The Riverina Highlands Landcare Nursery provides locally grown native plants for Landcare and community projects and for sale to the general public.

The Nursery specialises in growing native plants to suit the region’s local climatic conditions. Over 60,000 plants are grown each year, including a range of trees, shrubs, groundcovers, sedges, grasses and climbers.

Find out more https://www.riverinahighlandslandcare.com.au/landcare-nursery/

Watershed Landcare Nursery (Mudgee)

Run by talented volunteers, Watershed Landcare grow a wide variety of local native grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees for all your planting needs!

Anyone can purchase via online store and see what is available, the physical nursery not open for browsing or drop ins. Watershed Landcare Members discount. If you’re looking for something specific or have a large order request you can liaise directly with the staff and they may be able to grow it for you.

https://watershedlandcare.com.au/nursery/#!form/2022AugustSales

The Habitat Network (Ryde)

The Habitat is run by volunteers for the community. Opening hours are between 10am and 4pm any Wednesday or Saturday the nursery sells local native habitat plants and some food plants and provide native plants to local bushcare sites and schools in small biodiverse lots to also help them create habitat havens.

Available to the public. Volunteer run

https://www.habitatnetwork.org/CommunityNursery.htm

Weddin Community Native Nursery (Grenfell)

Specialising in propagating plants of the Weddin Shire. Our plants are grown from locally collected seed, and raised at the nursery making them well adapted to growing conditions in Central West NSW.

The nursery staff can also provide advice on plant selection, planting location and care.

https://www.weddinnativenursery.com/

Tamworth Landcare Nursery (Tamworth)

Producing an array of over 100 plants for growing from region the plants are grown from locally collected and propagated seed and are a variety of native and local species.

You will find plants for the garden, the paddock and your regeneration project right here in Tamworth.

Tamworth Regional Landcare Association (TRLA) grow endemic (local) plants, in particular plants specific to local threatened ecological communities, to our region for group and project activities.

Tamworth Landcare Nursery hours are 8.30am to 1pm, located at 300 Wallamore Rd Tamworth – volunteers from 8.30am, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. For plant orders contact our Nursery Manager Paul Moxon at nursery@trla.org.au or on 0425 337 475.

Find out more https://www.trla.org.au/what-we-do/tamworth-landcare-nursery/

Yass Landcare Community Nursery

Yass Landcare Community Nursery is run solely by volunteers, the YAN Landcare Nursery offers selected plants from their Climate Ready list to the public via one or two plant sales each year. The list of plants can be found here .

The nursery is only open on working bee days which is the second Saturday and fourth Tuesday of each month from 9.30 to noon. Or by appointment by contacting Kath Mcguirk at kangiara@gmail.com.

The nursery offers a specialised service for large orders (over 50 plants) – but six months notice period is required for propagation purposes.

Tubestock is available for both large scale or residential gardens and vary according to seasonal conditions for species local to the region.

Landcare members can negotiate with Nursery volunteers to take advantage of nursery facilities to grow natives from local seed collected, which would then be replanted on their land for revegetation purposes or for environmental projects that the member is responsible for.

The Nursery welcomes and encourages new volunteers to assist in the sowing, growing and managing of their climate ready and cutting tubestock. Any new volunteer will learn a range of skills in relation to the growing and management of native plants if they attend one of the regular nursery working bees.

Image featured: Watershed Landcare

NSW Government one million tree milestone reached

The planting of a ceremonial tree has marked the completion of the NSW Government’s ambitious plan to get one million trees in the ground by the end of the year.

Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts planted the millionth tree in Camden, alongside Camden Mayor Therese Fedeli, during a community planting day at Elizabeth Macarthur Reserve on Saturday 5 November, 2022.

“This is the culmination of more than three years of hard work to meet the government’s priority to plant one million new trees by 2022 across Greater Sydney, with countless people taking up the one million tree challenge alongside us,” Mr Roberts said.

“To meet the goal almost two months early is a testament to the mammoth planting efforts of the community, local government, and organisations like Landcare NSW, and Greening Australia, who got on with the job despite weather and pandemic challenges.”

More than 200,000 of the one million trees were planted and registered by the community. Many of those came from the Government’s Tree Giveaway, which saw over 77,000 trees given away to green-thumbed Greater Sydney residents.

The one millionth planting marks the completion of the Greening our City program, the second priority to be met in recent months following the successful increase of the proportion of homes in urban areas within 10 minutes’ walk of quality open and public space by 10 per cent.

Mr Roberts said he hoped the achievements helped spur on further planting efforts to continue making Greater Sydney greener and more resilient.

“Together we have created – and continue to create – greener, safer and cooler urban environments with world-class green spaces for everyone to enjoy.”

“Now our focus turns to our long-term target of increasing tree canopy and green cover in Greater Sydney to 40 per cent by 2036.”

The NSW Government partnered with Landcare NSW to deliver the Creating Canopies in Greater Sydney project planting 100,000 of the 1 million trees through Greater Sydney Landcare. The Landcare plantings in Sydney have been coordinated by Greater Sydney Landcare in conjunction with local Landcare and community groups.The trees were planted as part of the NSW Government Greening Our City program, to increase the tree canopy and green cover across Greater Sydney. Funding has been provided to Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare as part of the NSW Government’s $2.1 million investment and partnership with Landcare to plant 100,000 new trees across Greater Sydney.

Partnering In Private Land Conservation Project a highlight for community

Landcare Coordinators, Project Managers and Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) partners came together last week when the Partnering In Private Land Conservation (PPLC) Project End of Year event was held in Sydney.
With over 20 in-person and online participants, Landcare and BCT regional managers and coordinators shared their successes and learnings from the past year.
“It was a fantastic day and a testament to the hard work that all our Landcare community have undertaken,” said Partnering in Private Land Conservation Project Manager, Samantha Stratton.
“Through this program we have helped provide employment for 11 PPLC staff, it’s engaged with all our Landcare Coordinators – whether through in-kind or direct project support, we’ve had 1,782 people engaged, 50 field days, 109 networking events – whether one-on-one or in a group and 374 communications products promoting and supporting the value of biodiversity.
“They’ve engaged with project partners such as local Councils, Government departments and not-for-profits, it’s a testament to how Landcare delivers despite the many challenges our community have faced over the past year.
“Our objectives were simple. Work together with the BCT to educate landcare and the private land holder community about conservation actions and outcomes, build understanding within our community and share the value of biodiversity and investing in biodiversity on private land.
“From highlighting biodiversity actions from all areas of NSW, to pest and weed management and its impact on ecosystem health, to field days on properties that have conservation actions that span decades, it’s been fantastic to see all we have achieved as a community,” Samantha says.

Celebrating Landcare – Trees in the House 2022

After a two year break due to COVID, over 90 Members of Parliament, Government Ministers, agency representatives and Landcarers from across the State came together to celebrate Landcare at the ‘Trees in the House’ event in Sydney last night.

The annual flagship event, hosted by Landcare NSW and the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Landcare (PFL), showcased the success and resilience of the Landcare movement.

NSW Parliamentary Friends of Landcare Chair, Gurmesh Singh MP, Member for Coffs Harbour, opened the event and spoke of his involvement with Landcare in his local electorate and the critical role Landcare plays in the community.

Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. Dugald Saunders MP, Member for Dubbo spoke alongside Landcare leaders from the South East, Greater Sydney and Western regions, highlighting the diversity of work, and landscapes in which Landcare operates. The speaker’s passion and dedication to supporting and empowering their local Landcare communities through their roles in the NSW Landcare Program was evident.

Landcare NSW is the representative body of the Landcare movement in NSW and the voice of community Landcare across the state. It is responsible for state-wide initiatives such as the NSW Landcare Program in partnership with Local Land Services, employing over 80 part time Regional and Local Landcare Coordinators to support Landcare across the State.

The NSW Parliamentary Friends of Landcare (PFL) is a cross-party group of NSW Members of Parliament who have a common interest in demonstrating support for the goals of Landcare and a commitment to advancing the environmental, social and economic benefits that sustainable land and water management are unlocking in NSW.

To highlight the challenges currently faced by bee populations, Members of Parliament were given a jar of native honey, a wildflower seed shaker and a native seedling to take away and plant in their electorate.

The jars of native honey were harvested in Nooroo in the Lower Hunter region and kindly donated by Graham Creed – Weather Specialist and Small-Scale Farmer.

The seedlings were kindly provided by Sydney’s Habitat Community Nursery as a gift from Landcare.

NOTICE OF 2022 LANDCARE NSW ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 23

NOTICE OF 2022 LANDCARE NSW ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING.

On behalf of the Executive Committee of Landcare NSW Ltd, Landcare NSW invites Members to join for the 2022 AGM

The details regarding the Annual General Meeting are as follows:

Date: Wednesday 19 October 2022
Time: 8:30am
Location: Stamford Plaza, Sydney Airport Hotel, Mascot

An online link is also available for online attendees via Zoom here (please note *eligible voting members must pre-register to vote by Sunday, 16th October at 5pm):
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83810567785?pwd=RHZXZERkaVpFREgxd3hERUdUUzV0dz09

Annual General Meeting:

The Annual General Meeting is an important event for Landcare NSW Incorporated. Both the Chair’s Report and the audited Financial Report are accessible to members prior to the meeting through the Governance link on the Landcare NSW website.

The business that will be conducted during the Annual General Meeting will be sent directly to members.

2021 AGM Minutes can be found here

2022 AGM Agenda

Special General Meeting:

A Special General Meeting will follow the AGM, a notice which outlines the meeting and special resolution to be passed can be accessed here: Notice of Special General Meeting – Landcare NSW Incorporated

2022 SGM Agenda

For further information or to register to vote at the AGM (by Sunday October 16 at 5pm) please contact Landcare NSW via vote@landcarensw.org.au or communication@landcarensw.org.au

VOTING

Voting as a Member Group of Landcare NSW – what does this mean?

Every Incorporated and unincorporated Member group who is a financial member of Landcare NSW is entitled to one vote at our AGM and SGM. This must be the Chair or the nominated representative of the group. See ‘who can vote’ below

What are my membership rights?

The Landcare NSW constitution allow members in the following categories the right to vote.

*Group Member – YES

Honorary Life Member – YES

Associate Member – NO

Individual Member – NO

Can I send a proxy instead?

No.

As outlined in the Constitution, Proxy voting must not be undertaken at or in respect of a general meeting. Therefore, a committee cannot delegate this to a coordinator or paid employee if they can’t attend the meeting.

See above for the AGM & SGM notice, agendas, 2021 minutes

Who can vote?

Group Member – Chair or Nominated Representative of a Group Member (‘Group’ does not include district networks)

Honorary Life Member – Current Life Members on our Honour Roll

I want to vote and have my say on behalf of my group. What should I do?

Please ensure you pre-register with your name, email and group you are voting on behalf on before Sunday 16th, and you will be sent a link in advance to cast your vote.

Advanced registration is required as Landcare NSW has engaged an external third party, True Vote to conduct the SGM vote and TrueVote will directly send you the information and links need to vote. This will be sent only to the nominated voter directly.

*’Groups’ do not include district networks. The Landcare NSW Constitution defines a District Network member as representing ‘two or more Landcare Member Groups’ – (iii) District Network Member (non-voting) – an incorporated body composed of two or more Landcare Member Groups (whether incorporated or unincorporated) that is recognised by the relevant Regional Body.

MEDIA RELEASE – CHALLENGE ACCEPTED: NAMBUCCA VALLEY COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND RAINFOREST RESTORATION

Nambucca Valley’s subtropical rainforests and threatened species including Koalas, Tiger Quolls and the Grey-headed Flying Fox are on the road to recovery thanks the Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants funded Bushfire Recovery in the Nambucca Valley project.

Headlined by Nambucca Valley Landcare, the project focussed on habitat revegetation, strategic erosion control and riparian fencing across seven private properties in the severely burnt forested headwaters of the Nambucca River’s southern catchment. With the support of Nambucca Council and local landholders, Nambucca Landcare planted 3,200 native trees and sedges, installed 1,200m of fencing and partnered with local Indigenous groups Mujaay Ganma and Jaanymili Bawrrungga to grow First Nations engagement in local bushfire recovery.

“The Kian Road fire was a shocking and extremely distressing event for community. Nearly every hill and ridge south west of Bowraville see was fire scarred. To be able to restore this environment and support the community through landcare activities was a real privilege,” said Nambucca Valley Local Landcare Coordinator Logan Zingus.

“One of our biggest successes was regenerating areas of subtropical rainforest and endangered ecological community. Most of these species haven’t evolved with fire the way eucalypt forests have, and a fire of that intensity may have set it back 400 years. Combined with other forms of degradation- weed infestation, erosion and impacts of uncontrolled stock access, chances of natural regeneration were slim.”

“The environmental outcomes have been fantastic, but it’s not just about charging in, doing the job and walking away- it’s about long-term investment in the community at large. For us, that involved working closely with other community organisations and engaging local people to do the works, getting them back on their feet, empowered and employed to support their individual and community recovery,” said Mr Zingus.

Although Bushfire Recovery in the Nambucca Valley has had an incredible impact on community resilience and the health of the catchment, like many recent landcare projects, the work was heavily impacted by increased rainfall and severe flood events.

“We’ve been jumping from one natural disaster to the next. During the final six months of the project groundwork was very limited due to the flooding. For some of the sites, the access completely washed out twice so getting to the property was physically impossible,” continued Mr Zingus.

“While the floods created additional pressures, it was really important to make sure that the people affected by the bushfires remained focus for this recovery project. We were lucky that despite the challenges we had flexibility in delivery and significant community investment so we could eventually get out there and help,” said Mr Zingus.

Despite the setbacks community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and with further work planned for the future, Landcare NSW CEO Turlough Guerin says he couldn’t be more pleased with the results.

“The work of Nambucca Valley Landcare and their partners is a fantastic example of how investing in community projects can support substantive, long-term outcomes,” said Mr Guerin.

“A University of Melbourne study into the social impacts of post-disaster environmental work suggests landcare-led projects provide key benefits to fire affected communities by building resilience and stronger connections. This is really reflected in Nambucca Valley Landcare’s work which has proved crucial to the long-term recovery of the local community and environment.”

“The fantastic accomplishments of this project and the wider Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants Program have highlighted the value of local environmental protection projects in supporting the recovery of bushfire-affected communities and environments. The success of this landcare-led model shows our movement is well placed to be on the front lines when tackling future natural disasters,” said Mr Guerin.

About the Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants Program

The Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants Program is a $14 million program funding community-driven projects across bushfire affected areas of Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia. Together the 111 projects funded by the Program benefitted over 100 federal and state listed threatened species and ecological communities, including 16 mammal species, 16 bird species, 9 frog species, 34 plant species and 16 threatened vegetation communities.

Supported by the Australian Government’s Bushfire Recovery Program for Wildlife and their Habitat, the Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants Program is managed by a partnership between the National Landcare Network, Landcare Australia and the Peak Landcare State and Territory Landcare organisations.

For further information, visit the Program Website: https://landcareledbushfiregrants.org.au/

MEDIA CONTACT: Rosie Rayns, rosie.rayns@landcareaustralia.com.au, 0401 991 792

Further project information:
Nambucca Valley Landcare received over $49,800 to undertake revegetation, strategic erosion control and riparian fencing across seven private properties in the severely burnt forested headwaters of the Nambucca River’s southern catchment. With the support of Mujaay Ganma and Nambucca Valley Council they planted 3,200 trees and sedges, installed 1,200 metres of fencing and held 6 community engagement events.

The project has had ongoing impacts in the health of the catchment. Through wider, more diverse and protected riparian zones that have been planted with a range of riparian trees and excluded from grazing through fencing, the waterways can again provide habitat for both terrestrial and aquatic animals. Erosion has also been reduced and water quality enhanced, with a range of recreational and cultural benefits also apparent through improving the landscape.

MEDIA RELEASE – GROWING RECOVERY: MID-WEST IN BLOOM FOLLOWING DISASTER RECOVERY EFFORTS

Critical habitat in New South Wales’ mid-west is on the road to recovery thanks to the Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants program.

Launched by Watershed Landcare to address large scale fire damage resulting in habitat loss, species decline and erosion, the Growing Recovery in the Mid-Western Region project has seen 10,000 seeds for native trees, shrubs and groundcovers collected, propagated and planted by nearly 100 local volunteers.

“Due to seasonal conditions following the fires our community nursery received a massive increase in requests for local plants, but we were struggling with a reduction in our seed stores because of the ongoing drought,” said Watershed Landcare Local Landcare Coordinator Claudia Wythes.

“Thanks to the Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants funding we were quickly able to get to work collecting local providence seed and propagating tubestock to ensure we could meet the needs of fire affected landholders and provide them with species diversity at all levels of vegetation.”

“The range of local plants available was incredibly important because we wanted to both help revegetate biologically diverse habitats and to ensure stronger, more sustainable regeneration to help build ongoing resilience in the face of future disaster events.”

The project was a roaring success with plants distributed across 70 sites- but for Watershed Landcare and their partners it was important that the project’s focus extended beyond improving environmental outcomes to ensuring they were reinvesting in their community. As part of the project, they held three workshops and ten working bees to build local capacity for the high number of revegetation projects in their region.

“We were blown away by how eager the community was to come together to restore and rehabilitate local environments. Everyone was eager share and learn new skills during the farm and hands on experience in seed collection and plant propagation too.”

“We’ve also been able to expand our impact by hosting a visit to Merriwa Landcare to share knowledge gained from the project and support local communities to take action on their patch,” said Ms Wythes.

With Merriwa Landcare now keen to start their own project and with plans in place to reconnect with Watershed Landcare in 2023, Landcare NSW CEO Turlough Guerin saying he couldn’t be more impressed with the results.

“Community involvement in activities such as the Growing Recovery in the Mid Western Region project are crucial in ensuring that the projects Landcare delivers have long lasting impact. The trees they grow today will be the species that will weather the next event,” said Mr Guerin.

“Projects such as this also ensure that community members are supported and empowered to have the resources they need to move forward together.”

About the Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants Program

For further information, visit the Program Website: https://landcareledbushfiregrants.org.au/

MEDIA CONTACT: Rosie Rayns, rosie.rayns@landcareaustralia.com.au, 0401 991 792

Further project information:
Watershed Landcare received over $54,500 in funding from the Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants program to increase community capacity for revegetation projects and support large scale propagation of native plants in the New South Wales mid-west in partnership with Mid Western Regional Council, Central Tablelands Local Land Services, Royston Petrie Seeds and Merriwa Landcare.

The project saw 10,000 trees, shrubs and groundcovers planted over 70 sites, supported 10 working bees and engaged 98 volunteers over 520 volunteer hours.