The Scoop
New NSW Environmental Trust Environmental Education Grants
Open now, closing date 8 November 2021 https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-support/nsw-environmental-trust/grants-available/environmental-education Support projects that develop knowledge, skills, commitment to, and ongoing participation in protecting the... read more
Shorebirds feature: Sooty Oystercatcher
Haematopus fuliginosus Sooty Oystercatchers are a large coastal wader, with pinkish legs and scarlet-orange eyes and bills, offset by jet-black plumage. Reaching similar sizes as their Pied relatives – about 50cm in length – their contrasting all-black... read more
Fauna Feature – Eastern Pygmy Possum
Climbing between banksias, you may spot a tiny brown marsupial feeding on the nectar. The Eastern pygmy possum (Cercartetus nanus) is a remarkable, endemic Australian species of the eastern coast, including the Hunter region. They are part of a family divided into two... read more
Healthy Farm Dams
Healthy Farm dams webinar recording by Central West Local Land Services. This webinar on healthy farm dams is a must watch for anyone interested in improving our landscape. Alison Elvin presents several examples of farm dams from the not so good to the ideal and... read more
Cactus Causing Prickly Problem
Loading... Taking too long? Reload document | Open in new tab View, Print and Download [659.68 KB] A new state-wide campaign is urging residents to be on the lookout for the prohibited sale or trade of prickly pear cacti. Image of Blind cactus, courtesy of Queensland... read more
Helping Scientists Control Lantana – Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain
Do you have Lantana camara in your backyard or on your property? Our scientists are documenting patterns in Lantana’s genetic diversity across Australia and need your help. “Lantana camara is a widespread shrub with colourful flowers. It’s poisonous to people... read more
Plant of the Month: Mangroves – Getting Muddy
There’s a concept in evolutionary biology called convergent evolution, it’s where distantly related organisms evolve the same or similar strategies for dealing with the environment in which they find themselves. One example many will be aware of are the Thylacines... read more
Plant of the Month: Please don’t pull this one out
Another couple of plants which commonly get mistaken for weeds (and pulled out) is Flannel Leaf (Astrotricha floccosa). With a home range between Newcastle and Sydney it’s found in Dry Sclerophyll Forest on sandstone, unfortunately the leaves can have a strong... read more
Ask a Plant Nerd: From Little Things
Ask a Plant Nerd: From little things. This month’s “Ask a Plant Nerd” question comes from HRLN committee member Les Pearson who asks “What’s a forb and why are they important?” The first bit is easy, a forb is a herbaceous flowering non graminoid (grass like) plant,... read more
Shorebird Feature: Crested Tern
Thalasseus bergii As many of us flock to the shoreline for some lockdown-permitted exercise, you may have spotted flocks of Crested Terns. These ubiquitous shorebirds are the 2nd largest of the Australian Terns- approximately 49cm in length and are the most commonly... read more
Take a Coffee Break, search for Fairy Bells, or take a ride on a drone…
Have you seen our Landcare YouTube channel lately? It’s filling up with stories and adventures across the region. Immerse yourself in the world of our natural environments for inspiration: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVJYvXOeppRURmfkwxfYJVA/videos... read more
National Landcare Conference Outcomes
Don’t worry if you missed joining in for the recent online conference, the presentations and discussions are available here for free until the end of September: https://nationallandcareconference.org.au/education-resources/ Prepare to be amazed, questioned, inspired,... read more
National Tree Day success in Maitland
As part of National Tree Day on Sunday 1 August, people all around Australia rolled up their sleeves to plant trees, including at Metford Oval, where Maitland Council invited residents to join in on the planting of 400 seedlings. Local schools also played their part... read more
Working Together Aboriginal Engagement Communities Program
Caring for country is what we do in our Landcare activities, but how do we incorporate Aboriginal cultural knowledge and understanding into our Landcare activities, and seek advice from our local Aboriginal community to guide us? We’ve been working with Landcare NSW... read more
Collaborations are the key…
There are many Landcare projects around the Hunter region that would not happen if it wasn’t for collaborations and meaningful networking. Check out this great video about OzFish and Landcare, featuring our very own Luskintyre community projects: If you would like... read more
Two Hunter Landcare Projects Funded – Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Fund
Two Hunter Landcare projects gain funding through landcare led bushfire recovery fund. The Program is a $14 million Federal Government commitment to deliver on-ground activities to aid in the recovery of native wildlife and habitat in seven regions severely impacted... read more
Gresford Landcare
This group embodies the Landcare philosophy and spirit with their sense of community, continual learning and sharing of practices that care for the land and local environment. Discover what makes the longest-running Landcare group in the Hunter Valley thrive!... read more
Frog Deaths Across Eastern Australia
Have you noticed ill and dying frogs in your backyard or Landcare site? Please read this article to find out more and send any reports of sick or dead frogs (and if possible, photos) to the national citizen science project FrogID, or email calls@frogid.net.au They... read more
Fauna Feature: Joseph’s Coat Moth
Among the diverse moth species fluttering throughout the Hunter is the magnificently colourful Joseph’s Coat Moth (Agarista agricola), or painted vine moth. The name recalls a biblical story in which Joseph received a “coat of many colours” as a gift from his... read more
Woodland Birds School Program Feature – Mistletoe: Marvellous yet often misunderstood!
Although it is often considered the bane of gardeners, arborists and farmers, the pendulous clumps of mistletoe provide an extremely important resource for all manner of wildlife. Mistletoe boosts wildlife numbers in agricultural landscapes, especially insect-eating... read more