The Scoop
Contractor Management
When we hire a contractor we tend to assume they have all the right insurances and licensing, certainly their licence number is probably written on the side of their work ute, for a small job around the house we might decide checking up on their qualifications... read more
Tools, Tips and Tricks: Try not to get lost!
Apart from my Landcare work I do the odd bit of consulting and flora survey work, this work can take me into some fairly remote places and often by myself. While I regard this as the fun bit of my job it is not without a level of risk with the possibility vehicle... read more
Natural Resource Management Drought Resilience Program Grants
Natural Resource Management Drought Resilience Program Funding: $10 million Summary: The program will provide grants of between $20,000 and $200,000 to organisations, farmer groups and individuals to build drought resilience on agricultural landscapes. A competitive... read more
Grasses quiz
Can you identify these common weedy grasses that were presented at Tilligerry Landcare workshop recently? Once you’ve had your guess, scroll down for the answers! v v v v v v v v v v v Answers: Red Natal from Africa Whiskey Grass from the USA Erharta from... read more
Plant of the Month: Johnson’s Grevillea (Grevillea johnsonii).
Apart from my Landcare work I get a few other projects in from time to time, at the end of last week I was out in the Goulburn River National Park trying to track down a lost population of Fairy Bells (Homoranthus darwinioides)*, we didn’t manage to find that... read more
Bird Species Feature: Spotted Pardalote
Everyone loves a Spotted Pardalote! This tiny bird of 10cm long is distinguished by its white spots, mostly found fluttering around in eucalypt forests and woodlands but occurs in parks and gardens with well-established eucalypt canopy. I have also seen them feeding... read more
NEW Landcare NSW COVID-19 Fact Sheet
Landcare NSW is providing the attached Fact Sheet containing information published on the Service NSW and NSW Health websites. The advice is current as at 11:00am 22 July 2020. As the information flow is fluid and subject to change, at this point in time this was the... read more
Work Health and Safety Resources
Yeah, I know, WHS can be pretty tedious and while you may be operating safely in your farm, work or Landcare activities if something were to happen and someone were to get injured then without documented procedures and risk assessments you could be liable to expensive... read more
Bird species feature: Little Lorikeet
A small bird at 16 – 19cm, 40g, it is easy to tell why they are named ‘little’ when side by side with a Rainbow Lorikeet. They make up for their size in their constant chattering calls and large flocks. This species is listed as vulnerable in NSW, found mostly... read more
Benefits of Fallen Timber and Dead Trees on Farms
Especially in winter, It may be tempting to use fallen timber for burning and to ‘clean up’ the understory but it serves essential ecosystem functions. Fallen timber stabilises soil, reduces erosion, and creates a protected microclimate where small animals can... read more
Tools, Tricks and Tips: Nursery Cheats
Ok, I have a confession, despite enjoying working in nurseries I really hate pricking out and potting up seedlings. Yeah, I know, it is the main point of working in a nursery, but it is just so tedious and time consuming so if I can find any way of doing it quicker I... read more
Covid updates for Landcare
The NSW Government has further eased certain restrictions from 1 July. What does this mean for Landcare groups? Under the new guidelines, Public gatherings of up to 20 people are now permitted with restrictions for Outdoor venues (working in the bush or on your... read more
Video: Axe Restoration with Paul
How I restore axes, you may do it differently but this works for me. Of course the golden rule with restorations of this type, as little as possible, as much as necessary.... read more
Plant of the Month: Magenta Lilly Pilly
(Syzygium paniculatum). Katuba (Kattang), Daguba (Cadigal). March is a great time for fans of bushfood, Kurrajongs, Sandpaper Fig and the Magenta Lilly Pilly all ripening. This year was a good season for the Lilly Pilly here in the Upper Hunter and while I didn’t get... read more
Singleton Community Garden – Bird Habitat
Stacy Mail explores the Singleton Community Garden Bird Habitat. read more
Shorebird Count
We are now in the window for the winter shorebird count which is mid-May to mid-August, with the ideal date being July 1. We encourage you all to get out there and survey your local shorebird areas but please be sure to comply with State/Territory guidelines and... read more
Bird Species Feature: Red Wattlebird
Another of our unique woodland birds is the Red Wattlebird. As featured in our Woodland Bird chart they have a very loud call, are quite large birds at 35cm long, and acquired their name by the red ’wattle’ appendage on either side of their neck. Being one of the... read more
Good plant: Bad plant
I had a question the other day about how to tell the difference between an African Olive (Olea europea ssp cuspidata) and Mock Olive (Notelaea microcarpa), having spent quite a bit of time killing the former and trying not to kill the latter I work with the following... read more
Tools, Tricks and Tips: Rainy Day Jobs
You know what it’s like, it’s cold and wet outside but you really don’t want to be inside, because, well, you need to do something more than pushing pixels, or you just want to hide from the boss for a while so the only real retreat is the shed and as there’s only so... read more
Covid-19 Update from LNSW
Dear Landcarers, It has been a constant state of flux these past few months and as we slowly emerge from this period of uncertainty in response to the global pandemic of COVID-19, we count our blessings that Australia has come out of this stronger as a society.... read more