Tag: Volunteer

Parliamentary Friends of Landcare 2024: ’Trees in the House’ Event Case Studies

Landcare NSW is proud to host the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Landcare (PFL) ‘Trees in the House’ 2024 event, presenting case studies that highlight Landcare NSW’s community-led approach to natural resource management and its inclusive motto, “Landcare is for Everyone”.

Established in 2015, the PFL provides a unique platform for NSW Members of Parliament from all parties to connect with and support Landcare initiatives across both urban and rural areas. Landcare NSW, as the peak representative body, focuses on fostering sustainable farming, environmental conservation, and stronger communities, underscoring its role in building a resilient and sustainable future for the state.

Fire Ant Workshop

Granite Borders Landcare Committee hosted a fire ant biosecurity workshop in Tenterfield to address the increasing threat of fire ant infestations spreading from South East Queensland into New South Wales.

With expert guidance from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and the New England Weeds Authority, locals learned about fire ant ecology, infestation indicators, and risk mitigation strategies. Participants developed property biosecurity management plans, received biosecurity signs, and engaged in hands-on training, including a demonstration by a canine detection unit.

The success of the workshop, which fostered community awareness and inter-agency collaboration, led Tenterfield Shire Council to request future workshops to strengthen biosecurity efforts in the region.

Presenter: Granite Borders Landcare Committee

Engaging Gumbaynggirr Youth – South Grafton Dunggirr (Koalas)

Clarence Landcare collaborated with local primary schools in South Grafton to engage Gumbaynggirr youth in koala conservation and environmental awareness.

Supported by the NSW Koala Strategy through Envite Environment, the project brought together Aboriginal students from Gillwinga and St Josephs schools – both of which regularly have koalas on their grounds – for a cultural and educational event.

With guidance from Aboriginal Landcare Officer Michael Kennedy, the students participated in a Welcome to Country, listened to koala songline stories, and enjoyed interactive presentations about koalas and Landcare. The day included hands-on outdoor activities where students learned to identify koala food trees and planted their own, fostering a sense of responsibility and pride in protecting their local environment.

The students’ enthusiasm and interest in joining a Junior Ranger Koala Team underscored the event’s success in inspiring a new generation of environmental stewards.

Presenter: Michael Kennedy, Aboriginal Landcare Officer, Landcare NSW

OzFish & Landcare NSW Collaboration

Landcare NSW and OzFish have partnered on 100 projects across the state to address the critical ecological issues facing NSW waterways, such as declining fish populations, riverbank degradation, and habitat loss.

By uniting recreational fishers and Landcare groups, these projects promote hands-on community involvement in fish habitat restoration, including planting native trees and installing in-stream habitats. The initiative has mobilised thousands of volunteers, strengthening local ties to the environment and showcasing how collaborative efforts can drive meaningful environmental conservation.

This partnership model exemplifies how empowered communities can safeguard NSW’s waterways and promote ecological sustainability for future generations.

Presenter: Ryan Lungu, Program Manager, OzFish Unlimited

Soil Ya Undies

The ‘Soil Ya Undies’ activity, part of the Western Landcare School Education Program, educates primary students in Western NSW about soil health by engaging them in hands-on learning.

Inspired by work from Oliver Knox at the University of New England, the program involves burying cotton and synthetic underwear in school grounds to observe how soil affects decomposition over six weeks.

Supported by worksheets on soil types and fibre composition, the activity encourages students to discuss soil’s role in sustainable agriculture, food production, and environmental health. This fun, practical approach fosters early understanding of the vital connection between soil health and agricultural productivity.

Presenters: Associate Professor Oliver Knox, University of New England, and Vanessa Anderson, Local Landcare Coordinator Schools & Junior Landcare, Western Landcare NSW

WildVenture Landcare for Young Adults

WildVenture is a program in Greater Sydney that creates flexible, social events aimed at engaging young people in environmental restoration and building a community connected to nature.

Responding to challenges like eco-anxiety, digital isolation, and the difficulty young people face in finding supportive networks and accessible volunteer opportunities, WildVenture offers low-commitment events that allow young adults to participate in activities like citizen science, bushcare, and tree planting.

Over the past seven months, WildVenture has hosted eight events with around 100 young volunteers, fostering friendships and encouraging recurring involvement. To expand its impact, WildVenture seeks funding to increase event coverage across the Greater Sydney Basin, provide more restoration opportunities, and improve transport options, aiming to grow a vibrant environmental community for Sydney’s youth.

Presenter: Sophie Blair, Local Coordinator, Greater Sydney Landcare

Celebrating 25 Years of Landcare Illawarra

A Night of Connection & Reflection

Landcare Illawarra recently celebrated their 25th birthday. Like many 25-year-olds, Landcare Illawarra seemed confident, skilled, and somewhat mature…yet youthful. The celebration was held on a mild October evening at Curry’s Mountain Estate, a beautiful location and great supporter of Landcare in the Illawarra.

Attending this event was not just a trip down memory lane, reconnecting with volunteers, committee members and coordinators (past and present), it was also a reminder of the creative, resourceful and generous nature of Landcare.

The celebration included an outdoors AGM, live music, great food, a guided tour, and a photo display celebrating and remembering those who have been a part of Landcare Illawarra, including several wonderful souls who have since passed. One such soul was Mike Swanson, who exemplified the Landcare volunteer who just keeps on giving. Mike was Treasurer for Tullimbah Landcare, Landcare Illawarra, and South East Landcare, bringing commitment, patience and expertise to each of these roles.

Coordinators

In 1999, Landcare Illawarra was established, and with this their first coordinator was engaged. Alasdair Stratton was fresh-faced and eager, working with the four established Landcare groups and the Landcare Illawarra committee. Coordinators have long been a part of the Landcare infrastructure and tapestry, and play a critical role in the success of groups and networks. After 12 months in the role, Landcare Illawarra had 14 member groups spread across the Illawarra between the coast and the escarpment.

Another of Landcare Illawarra’s Coordinators, Megan Lee (previously Rowlatt), was passionate about bringing young people into Landcare, leading her to connect with Naomi Edwards from Queensland to start up a national youth-focused Landcare organisation called Intrepid Landcare (now 10 years old). The flow on effect from having secure and well supported Coordinators cannot be underestimated.

Science and Practice Leader

I was also reminded of the places where Landcare is a leader.  Richard Scarborough and Anders Bofeldt will long be remembered for their passion and dedication to the woodlands and rainforests of the Illawarra, and their relentless pursuit of getting the right plant in the right place.

The Illawarra Woodlands and Rainforest Project targeted threatened ecological communities and outcomes for ecosystem integrity and restoration, anticipating changes with climate and site-specific succession. There are many plants and multi-purpose plantings across the Illawarra that are a direct result of the work from this project.

Partnerships

Stories were told from the time when Conservation Volunteers Australia were a key partner for Landcare Illawarra, offering the hosting arrangements for coordinators and providing a continuous supply of conservation volunteers to sites across the Illawarra.

Thank you Landcare Illawarra, for all the work, for a lovely evening, and for the trip down memory lane.

 

– Peter Pigott, NSW Landcare Program Community of Practice and Events Coordinator, Landcare NSW

Images via Landcare Illawarra and Landcare NSW

2024 Landcare NSW Annual General Meeting

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:

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

All business that will be conducted during the Annual General Meeting will be outlined in an agenda made available prior to the meeting.

Details regarding the Annual General Meeting are as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 20th November 2024
Time: 8:30am – 9:30am
Location: Meeting will be a Hybrid*, with an in-person location in Sydney and online via Zoom.

*Meeting specifics will be shared upon Registration. Note attending in-person has limited capacity.

PLEASE REGISTER TO ATTEND:
Please ensure you register your intent to attend here, registration closes Friday 8th November 2024.

________________________________________
Lynette Thomson
Secretary

Creating Canopies’ 200,000th Tree Planting

Landcare NSW was thrilled to join Greater Sydney Landcare, Greg Warren MP Member for Campbelltown, LNSW Board Member Steve Bunnell, and our wonderful volunteers to help plant the 200,000th tree of the Creating Canopies project since its inception in 2020.

The planting celebration took place at Campbelltown Hospital in September next to a hillside location where previous plantings were now thriving.

Creating Canopies aims to plant 300,000 native trees and shrubs across Greater Sydney by the end of 2025.

Funded by the NSW Government under the Greening our City program, this project targets Local Government Areas of Sydney with less than 30% canopy cover.

By planting native trees and shrubs, we’re not only providing shade and cooling, but also connecting habitat corridors and improving the quality of life for all residents.

If you would like to join an upcoming planting, please visit Greater Sydney Landcare’s website.


All photos by Greater Sydney Landcare.

Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare are committed to connecting people to the environment and supporting their efforts to protect, restore, and improve it. Creating Canopies is funded by the NSW Government under the Greening our City program, aiming to reduce urban heat in Greater Sydney.

Image at top: Greg Warren MP Member for Campbelltown at the Creating Canopies’ 200,000th Tree Planting

Greater Sydney Landcare staff getting ready for the planting at Campbelltown Hospital

Volunteers planting at Campbelltown Hospital with Creating Canopies

Landcare Hero Spotlight

Sue O’Brien
(Corowa District Landcare)

Sue O’Brien from Corowa has been a dedicated Landcare volunteer since its inception, focusing on improving local environments and cherishing the friendships formed along the way.

Sue’s passion for nature began in 1969, when her family moved to Mount Evelyn, Victoria. Her mum was a keen bird observer and orchid hunter. Many Saturday afternoons were spent bushwalking and enjoying the discovery of flora and fauna.

Luckily, her 6th grade teacher was Fred Rogers who, along with teaching, was a field naturalist and author of guide books in relation to the Little Desert and Acacias of Victoria.

Sue notes, “How lucky was I to be surrounded with people who not only cared for the environment, but were willing to teach the importance of our relationship within this amazing place we called home.”

Reflecting on her experiences, Sue recalls the transformative efforts in the Ancona Valley, including fencing Brankeet Creek and planting native species, which helped reduce soil salinity. Her involvement in these initiatives included bringing her daughter along, instilling in her the importance of environmental care, which she now carries on with her own family and Landcare involvement.

In the early 1990s, Sue and her late husband started a ‘friends group’ for the botanic gardens situated in Mansfield, Victoria. They lived right next door to the park, which now contains art installations, play areas for children, plus facilities for families to gather.

While Sue has stepped back from her physical involvement with Landcare, she is a valued member of Corowa District Landcare and recently joined us at the NSW Landcare Enabling Program State Gathering in Manly.

We wanted to say thank you to Sue for her unwavering dedication to Landcare and the invaluable contributions she and her family have made to our local environments.

Sue is pictured at top with Mansfield Shire Council member Sally Dowling and Council Superintendent of Parks & Gardens John Fogarty, and above with members of Corowa & District S.H.E. Shed Inc.

Join Our 200k Tree Planting Celebration!

A Milestone Event

On Saturday 14 September 2024, join Greater Sydney Landcare and Landcare NSW at Campbelltown Hospital to help us plant the 200,000th tree of the Creating Canopies project.

It will be a fun day of community, celebration, and environmental action.

Launched in 2020, Creating Canopies, funded by the NSW Government under the Greening our City program, aims to plant 300,000 native trees and shrubs across Greater Sydney by the end of 2025.

And we need your help!

Creating Canopies Volunteers Planting with GSL

Event Highlights:

Help celebrate the 200,000th tree planting of the Creating Canopies project: By being a part of this very important milestone, you’ll be helping reduce urban heat while creating valuable habitats for local wildlife.

Fun for All Ages: No experience necessary. We provide gardening gloves, tools, and training. Bring your family and friends for a day of hands-on planting.

Free Lunch and Entertainment: Enjoy a delicious sausage sizzle lunch on us. Plus, there’ll be a giveaway of native plant seeds, prizes, and a Campbelltown Koalas Talk.

Why Attend?

Trees are a vital part of creating a resilient, sustainable, and vibrant Sydney.

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) Executive Director Resilience and Sustainability, Steve Hartley said:

“Tree planting projects are a great way to engage with other people in your community and make a tangible difference to your local environment. Tree plantings are an investment in the health of the community and an opportunity for locals to connect with and enjoy the benefits of nature in urban spaces.”

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, 14 September 2024
Time: 9 am to 2 pm (may finish earlier – arrive at 9 am so you don’t miss out)
Location: Campbelltown Hospital, Therry Road, Campbelltown NSW 2560
Cost: FREE
What to Wear: Closed sturdy shoes, long sleeves, and long pants
What to Bring: A drink bottle of water, hat, and sunscreen

Greater Sydney Landcare Tree Planting volunteer

Register Now: Secure your spot at this tree planting. It will be a fun morning of community spirit and environmental stewardship.

Register today on Greater Sydney Landcare’s Eventbrite page.

Greater Sydney Landcare Creating Canopies logo

Celebrate National Tree Day:

Join Us in Creating Canopies in Liverpool

On Saturday 27 July 2024, join Greater Sydney Landcare and Liverpool City Council at Schoeffel Park for an unforgettable morning of tree planting, community bonding and family fun.

This event is part of Creating Canopies, a multi-year project by Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare to plant 200,000 native trees and associated shrubs across Greater Sydney by the end of 2025. Creating Canopies is proudly funded by the NSW Government under the Greening our City program, which aims to help reduce urban heat in Sydney.

Creating Canopies Volunteers Planting with GSL

Event Highlights:

Plant 2,000 Native Trees and Shrubs: Green community space in the Liverpool LGA – contribute to the Creating Canopies project and help reduce urban heat while creating valuable habitats for local wildlife.

Fun for All Ages: No experience necessary. We provide gardening gloves, tools, and training. Bring your family and friends for a day of hands-on planting.

Free Lunch and Entertainment: Enjoy a delicious sausage sizzle lunch on us. Plus, there’ll be live music, face painting, and an Indigenous weaving workshop by the talented Tarni Eastwood of Nula Weaving.

Barista-made Coffee and Sweet Treats: Available for purchase to keep you energised throughout the day.

Why Attend?

“We’re looking for volunteers to plant with us,” says Ms Danielle Packer, Creating Canopies Project Manager for Greater Sydney Landcare.

“Our plantings offer a fantastic day outdoors, and volunteers regularly tell us how rewarding it feels to do something positive for nature.”

The benefits of green spaces are immense—improving physical health, lowering stress levels, and creating cooler environments.

“The trees we plant will not only cool down Schoeffel Park and wider Sydney, but they’ll also provide vital habitats for birds and other wildlife,” said Ms Packer.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, July 27 2024
Time: 9 am to 2 pm (may finish earlier – arrive at 9 am so you don’t miss out)
Location: Schoeffel Park, 26 Strzlecki Drive, Horningsea Park, NSW 2171
Cost: FREE
What to Wear: Closed sturdy shoes, long sleeves, and long pants
What to Bring: A drink bottle of water, hat, and sunscreen

Greater Sydney Landcare Tree Planting volunteer

Register Now: Secure your spot at this tree planting. It will be a fun morning of community spirit and environmental stewardship.

Register today on Greater Sydney Landcare’s Eventbrite page.

Greater Sydney Landcare Creating Canopies logo

Celebrate National Tree Day:

Plant Trees at Lizard Log for National Tree Day

Greater Sydney Landcare is calling for volunteers to plant trees at Lizard Log in Western Sydney Parklands, Abbotsbury on National Tree Day – Sunday 28 July from 8am.

This event is part of Creating Canopies – a multi-year project by Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare to plant 200,000 native trees and associated shrubs across Greater Sydney by the end of 2025.

Creating Canopies is proudly funded by the NSW Government under the Greening our City program, which aims to help reduce urban heat in Sydney.

“We’re inviting local residents to come along and plant trees for National Tree Day,” said Ms Danielle Packer, Creating Canopies Project Manager for Greater Sydney Landcare.

To attend the tree planting, register via Greater Sydney Landcare’s Eventbrite page. Visit greatersydneylandcare.org for more information.

GSL Tree Planting

“Not only will the trees planted provide shade and cooling through evapotranspiration as they mature, but they will also create habitat for wildlife and a more beautiful space for people to enjoy too.”

“All ages can join us and no experience is necessary. We provide the gloves, tools and training for planting and we also put on a free lunch as a thank you as well. Volunteers regularly tell us that they have a fantastic day outdoors doing something positive for nature.”

“Between 2020 and 2022, Creating Canopies held 163 events attended by over 2,000 volunteers and planted over 100,000 trees across Greater Sydney.”

“In this second stage of the project, we’re hoping to beat that record and get twice as many trees in the ground,” said Ms Packer.

Last year, over 59,000 trees were planted thanks to Creating Canopies on private and public land across the Sydney region. Over 1,200 volunteers planted at 66 Creating Canopies events in 2023.

Greater Sydney Landcare Tree Planting volunteer

National Tree Day is also supported by the NSW Government.

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) Executive Director, Resilience and Sustainability, Steve Hartley, said that planting more trees helps increase our canopy—creating more shade, cleaner air and healthier communities.

Creating Canopies GSL Volunteers

“Events like National Tree Day are a great opportunity for the community to come together and contribute to increasing our urban canopy,” Mr Hartley said.

“The NSW Government has a goal to increase tree coverage across Greater Sydney to 40 per cent by 2036 to build better resilience to urban heat.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to make a tangible impact on our environment and community. Individuals, families, friends, and community groups are all welcome to participate and make a difference. Be a part of creating a greener, cooler, and more vibrant Sydney this National Tree Day.

Register Now: Secure your spot at this tree planting, which promises a fun morning of community spirit and environmental stewardship. Register today on Greater Sydney Landcare’s Eventbrite page.

Greater Sydney Landcare Creating Canopies logo