Newsletters
The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife Grant
The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife invites applications to support revegetation activities for communities in the Local Government Areas (LGA) listed as impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires. The application deadline for FNPW Bushfire Recovery Restoration... read more
Celebrate World Wetlands Day!
2 FEBRUARY 2022 Did you know? Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests and are the earth’s most threatened ecosystem. In just 50 years — since 1970 — 35% of the world’s wetlands have been lost. Roughly, 40% of the world’s species live or breed in... read more
Community Climate Change Response Research Project – Call for Interviewees
Robert Perey from UTS has requested our assistance in putting the call out for research participants within our region. His research project is looking at how people make day-to-day decisions in their workplaces and lives in light of the global debate about the causes... read more
National Landcare Conference – Call for Abstracts
Landcare Australia is pleased to call for the submission of abstracts and posters for the 2022 National Landcare Conference. The bi-annual event will be held from Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 August 2022, at the International Convention Centre Darling Harbour in Sydney.... read more
NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference
There is still time to register to attend the NSW Landcare Conference in Tweed Heads, 15 – 17 March 2022. The program is out including a wonderful array of field trips to attend. Find out more here: nswlandcareconference.com.au read more
What can drones do for bush regeneration…
If you missed the webinar hosted by the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR) on how drones can be used for all sorts of Landcare mapping and monitoring, catch up on some regenTV here: https://youtu.be/cboyir5jwtE February 11th, 2021 AABR Demonstration... read more
Landcare NSW and Local Government NSW
A new partnership has been established between Landcare NSW and Local Government NSW, that will enhance natural resource management (NRM) planning across boundaries. New partnership set to strengthen ties between Landcare and Local Government in NSW – Landcare... read more
Ludwig woz ’ere!
F.W.L (Ludwig) Leichhardt 1813-1848(?) Over the Xmas break I found myself with a free day and went for a ride to Bylong, not having been into the Widden Valley for a while I dropped in for a look. I could see a greyish leaved tree at the edges of the valley but as... read more
Hunter Local Land Services Community Small Grants Program
Hunter Local Land Services Community Small Grants Program aims to achieve: increased skills and knowledge of participants to assist with local networking, educational activities and land management and restoration events: and increased community participation within... read more
Results of the Shorebird Workshop in November
With support from Hunter Local Land Services under the National Landcare Program, HRLN hosted another successful shorebird training workshop on 10th November, and here are the outcomes; The workshop was booked out – with an attendance of 22 enthusiastic... read more
Managing Blue Heliotrope in NSW – Your Views and Experiences Sought
We are seeking the views of land managers affected by the weed blue heliotrope (Heliotropium amplexicaule). Please consider completing an anonymous 15 min survey to share your experiences with blue heliotrope – its distribution, impacts and management. Information... read more
The Kurri Kurri Lateral Pipeline Project
The Kurri Kurri Lateral Pipeline (KKLP) is a proposed buried gas transmission pipeline and storage pipeline that will connect the proposed Hunter Power Project at Kurri Kurri, in New South Wales, to the existing Sydney to Newcastle pipeline, near Newcastle. Nearby... read more
Local Councils and HRLN
HRLN and the nine local councils of the Hunter region have been working collaboratively over many years on conservation projects and events, supporting Landcare groups working on council lands. Many of our councils have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)... read more
Hunter Valley Wine Country Landcare Group
In recent months, a collective of wineries in the Pokolbin region have started a new Landcare group. The Hunter Valley Wine Country Landcare Group have come together to plan and action a whole range of sustainability principles into their viticulture operations... read more
Merriwa Landcare Plant Propagation Day
While still waiting on the go-ahead to start construction of the new community nursery at Merriwa propagation has already started with around 2,000 plants potted up on the 9th of November, around 20 people attended during the course of the day with numerous Acacia,... read more
New Landcare Group – Pine Ridge Denman
Welcome to our newest group, Pine Ridge Landcare at Denman, the group has formed under the umbrella of the Hunter Sustainability Landcare TEAM which covers a number of small groups in the Muswellbrook Local Government Area. The main focus of the group, to begin with,... read more
Special Fauna Feature Edition: Red Fox
Vertebrate feral animal this month is the Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) The red fox, brought to Australia by Europeans in the 1850s, is an ongoing and serious pest problem due to their impact on native animals and livestock. Today foxes occur over 75% of Australia and their... read more
Plant of the Month: Learning new ‘trix
Here’s an interesting one for you (well, they’re all interesting to me at least), I was out in the field a few weeks back doing a follow up on the Fairy Bells work I’ve been doing the past couple of years (see: insert link). One of our monitoring sites is in the... read more
Shorebirds Feature: Newcastle Shorebird Training Workshop
Join us on Wednesday November 10th, 2021, for our Newcastle Shorebird Training Workshop. We will host a morning of informative presentations, followed by lunch (provided) and a field trip to Stockton Sandspit. Tidal movements are expected to provide great... read more
Fauna Feature: Teddy Bear Bees
It’s Australian Pollinator Week, 13 – 21st November https://www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au National pollinator week is approaching so let’s talk about one of our local buzzing insects, the teddy bear bee or golden haired mortar bee (Amegilla bombiformis).... read more
Special Fauna Feature Edition: What do you know about the vertebrate feral animals of the Hunter?
Are you involved in controlling of them? We will be highlighting each of these species over the coming months to give you an insight into their behaviour and their effect on the ecology of our region. Loading... Taking too long? Reload document | Open in new tab View,... read more
Expression of Interest (EoI) for Cultural Fire Management Aboriginal Working Group
The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) is calling for Aboriginal people experienced &/or active in cultural fire to establish the new DPIE Cultural Fire Management Aboriginal Working Group. The Working Group will lead the development of... read more
Hunter Region Landcare Network are Looking for Committee Members to Join Our Team!
Everyone is welcome to join us on 20th November at Kurri Tafe for lunch and our AGM to see what projects and activities you might like to get involved in. Our committee has experienced landcarers, people who are new to landcare, students, young and mature aged... read more
Conference Attendance Sponsorship for First Nations People
The Hunter Region Landcare Network would like to invite First Nations members of our community to register interest in attending the 2022 Landcare NSW and Local Land Services State Conference, to be hosted in Tweed Heads in March 2022. With support from the NSW... read more
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
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
Fauna Feature: Rainbow Bee-eater
A First Nations’ Dreaming story describes how birds were created when a rainbow burst and its fragments fell on Earth. The colours of the rainbow are well represented in one of the most magnificent and colourful Australian birds, the rainbow bee-eater (Merops... 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
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
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
Pasture options after a coastal flood
Check out this fact sheet by Neil Griffiths on what you can do with pastures after flooding. Download... read more
Wildlife Friendly Fencing
Fencing is important for effective stock control, but barbed wire near fauna corridors can be problematic for wildlife. Check out this handy resource from Hunter Local Land Services… Download as... read more
Plant of the Month: Australian Toadflax
(Thesium australe) When most people think of endangered species they think of something like the Wollemi Pine, tall, majestic and hidden away in a remote valley in the wilderness but in truth most of our endangered plant species are small, nondescript and in places... read more
Volunteer Grants Activity – 2021 Volunteer Grants through your local Federal MP
Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to eligible not-for-profit community organisations. This funding is to be used to: purchase eligible small equipment items for use by volunteers contribute to volunteers’ fuel costs contribute to transport costs for... read more
Healthy Land, Healthy Horse
Register your interest at: https://hunterlls.wufoo.com/forms/hunter-healthy-land-healthy- horses-eoi/ read more
Singleton Landcare – Nature Art in Col Fisher Park
Singleton Landcare are hosting a Nature Art in Col Fisher Park event in March as part of a grant they received from the Australian Government Communities Environment Program. This workshop is already booked out, but there are many different ways that you can engage... read more
Fauna Feature: Cicada killer
The Australian cicada-killer wasp (Exeirus Laterius) is commonly mistaken for a hornet due to its imposing size (4 cm). Interestingly, there are no hornets reported in Australia. Exeirus Laterius is closely related to the American cicada killer wasp. Solitary,... read more
Approved Grants Information Page
Congratulations, your workshop funding application has been approved by the HRLN committee! Next Steps: 1. Create a flyer to promote your event. The flyer must include the following logos (download them below) for sponsor recognition- HLRN portrait version or HRLN... read more
Plastic Free July
We know how much plastic affects our natural environments of land and sea, we sometimes see litter and dumping on our Landcare sites. For the month of July, let’s think about what we can do to eliminate plastics on our sites and in our homes and be part of the global... read more
Vale Bill Hicks
Dear Landcare Members and friends, Members will be saddened to hear that Bill Hicks died last Saturday. He was 97. Bill passed away peacefully in his room at Bimbadeen Hostel in Calvary Cessnock Retirement Community. Bill led a long and incredibly full life,... read more
Do you have a small farm or semi-rural block?
The Every Bit Counts Project, lead by Hunter Local Land Services, recognises all small farms and lifestyle blocks (2 to 20ha) play an important role in managing our natural resource and agricultural environments. This project will coordinate workshops, local resources... read more