The Scoop
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
‘Renewal in the Desert’ Short Film
Grab a cuppa, some friends, and a computer interface to enjoy this short film hosted by the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR) as we celebrate a milestone or two with the production of our documentary celebrating one of the earliest bush regeneration... read more
Expression of Interests sought to present and share your story at the 2022 Landcare NSW & Local Land Services Conference in March 2022
Farmers, Landcarers and community groups with a story to tell are being encouraged to submit their ideas for an opportunity to present at the 2022 NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference in Tweed Heads. The conference theme is ‘Rethink, Renew, Recharge’ with... read more
Understanding Nest Boxes
This informative video from Granite Borders Landcare can help explain the need for nest boxes in our changed landscapes and explain some of the complexities in choosing the right nest box for your site or property.... read more
Plant of the Month – Of Serpents and Spinifex
Botanically the Hunter Region compares well with other regions of the world for diversity. Given our geographic location with the New England Fold Belt to the North and East and the largely sedimentary Sydney Basin to the South and West (with the Hunter-Mooki Thrust... read more
Woodland birds: Swift parrot feature
The Central Hunter Valley Woodlands and Eucalypt forests is a vegetation community that has been declared critically endangered since May 2015 (EPBC Act 1999). It is typified by limited undergrowth and a variety of eucalyptus species, including Box gums and Ironbarks.... read more
Fauna Feature: The Pale-headed Snake
On the 16th of July the world celebrates snakes. There is no better place than Australia to increase awareness and introduce you to one of our slithering residents of the Hunter, the pale-headed snake (Hoplocephalus bitorquatus). Australia hosts 14% of the world’s... read more
The 2021 Winter Shorebird Count season is here…
Hi Shorebirders, The Winter Shorebird Count season is already in full swing, starting 15 May and going through until 15 August. Birdlife Australia and the Hunter Bird Observers Club encourage you all to share your survey results when you go to local shorebird areas,... read more
Watch Your Step
When most people think of rare plants they think of large and exotic and hidden in the middle of nowhere. Oftentimes the rare ones can be found right under our feet, or in this case from London, just over our heads. “A rare species of orchid believed to have... read more
Plant of the Month: Not a Weed Either!
Following on from last month’s look at a couple of “weedy looking” natives is another native which looks like a weed and unfortunately has a weedy look alike. Bleeding Heart or Homolanthus populifolius (sometimes listed as Omolanthus populifolius) is a rainforest... read more
2021 Regional Landcare Awards
Thank you to all those Landcarers who came along to celebrate the achievements of groups and individuals in our Hunter region Landcare community. Congratulations to all our winners- Categories and winners Coastcare Award- Clean4Shore Indigenous Land Management Award-... read more
Fauna Feature: The Green and Golden Bell Frog
At the Tocal Field Day, many of you expressed interest in rehabilitating ponds for frogs. So, this month, let me tell you about a fascinating Hunter resident, the green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea). The green and golden bell frog is typically found in... read more
Timber Production Survey for Rural Landholders
Timber production can be a viable addition to farm income but is not often exploited. Researchers at Southern Cross University are looking at why timber production is not part of the local rural economy and they need your opinions. Researchers are looking for rural... read more
Incorporating Native Biodiversity in the Wine Industry
Wine Australia Regional Program Biodiversity Workshop Hunter Valley I attended this event (HRLN sponsored) recently and was encouraged to learn about the scientific findings supporting the case for native biodiversity in the wine growing industry – and less... read more
Luskintyre Landcare in focus 2021
This new video showcases the inspiring projects and people in this wonderful group…... read more
Plants of the Month: That’s gotta be a weed?
Plant(s) of the Month: That’s gotta be a weed, doesn’t it? Well….. You know how it goes, you go wandering through the bush and see a plant which just doesn’t fit in, which just by the general look of it you just know it’s gotta be a weed. So you reach down and…. NO!... read more
Fauna Feature: Koalas
On the 3rd of May Australia celebrates Wild Koala day. It is the perfect moment to raise awareness of the endangered koalas and their threatened habitat. For this occasion, we introduce you to the koalas of the Hunter (Phascolarctos cinereus cinereus) and a few facts... read more
Motion sensor cameras available
A handy tool for spying on local wildlife activity, or looking out for wild dogs, foxes and cats, our motion sensor cameras are available for members to loan. To arrange to loan, please contact Stacy at lowerhunterlandcare@gmail.com read more
Do trees (forests) really make rain? Or do areas with high rainfall grow forests?
You may have debated this topic at a dinner party, or maybe not… Either way, it is worth pondering. And perhaps planting. An expanding body of evidence supports the idea that forests, in the right conditions, not only make rain locally but also hundreds of kilometres... read more