What’s in a Name? Critter Time
So far we’ve looked mostly at plant names and what they mean but as an equal opportunities columnist I figured I’d better do something for the critter lovers amongst us and translate a few animal names Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus Tachy - fast, -glossus tongue,...
Plant of the Month – Grains
Sigh, I was wr….. Not exactly right…. You know how you’ve been telling people stuff for almost 30 years and no one’s ever corrected you and finally you get around to trying it and…… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvdY3HfepOo&t=18s Grains have been quite a common...
News from Dungog Common Landcare
Dungog Common Landcarers were able to capture a very rare sight while out on the common this month- not only the Cynanchum elegans (White-flowered Wax Plant- Endangered under the EPBC Act) in flower, but wait…. also the caterpillar of the moth that lays her eggs on...
Collaborative ‘Dig-It’- Lake Liddell Recreation Reserve
As part of the Dig-It Grant obtained from Local Land Services in April 2022 and a Landcare Grant from Muswellbrook Shire Council, Lake Liddell hosted another planting day on Friday 22nd March 2024. Ten volunteers from AGL’s Bayswater Power Station were involved with...
Weed Grants 2024
Grants are open for Landcare groups to tackle weed issues in the Hunter. If you have a project in mind, reach out to your local landcare coordinator to discuss options and advice for loger term projects.
Bird of the Month: Eastern Koel
The Eastern Koel- previously called the Common Koel is not so common in its rearing behaviour. It’s called brood parasitism and I personally find it fascinating. This photo was taken recently of a fledgling koel squawking for food from the little wattlebird surrogate mother.
Plant of the Month: Lotions and Potions!
I generally keep away from the medicinal uses of native plants as there’s a lot of cultural significance and sometimes ceremony attached to the use and preparation of them, but there are a few I refer to as “first aid plants” which I find are quite useful to have a...
Ask a Plant Nerd: Grass
Grasses and lots of other plants can tell us a lot about soil type, fertility, moisture, land use, fire history, salinity and so on, it’s not an exact science but knowing plants and some of their ecological requirements helps us to understand our sites better and to better manage them.
WE’RE HIRING! Come and work with us.
Come and work with us. Hunter Region Landcare Network (HRLN) and Mid Coast to Tops Landcare Connection (MC2TL) have a number of roles to fill for energetic and enthusiastic team members. We are looking to fill four (4) new positions:
More local support with regional guidance for Landcare in the Hunter region
Landcare in the Hunter region has gained enhanced funding under the NSW Landcare Enabling Program. In the first phase of its $59 million state-wide program, the NSW Government has committed funds for the employment of more local and regional coordinators and administration support officers by Landcare across NSW, until 30 June 2027. This comprehensive support program will be managed jointly by Local Land Services and Landcare NSW.
Plant of the Month: Arr, me scurvy dogs!
Ok, so it’s a little early for International Talk Like a Pirate Day but one issue for pirates, other seafarers and more than a few landlubbers was the disease of scurvy brought about by lack of Vitamin C in the diet, this was a big issue in the Royal Navy till young Jimmy Cook had lemons, limes and sauerkraut as mandatory dietary items for his underlings as they bobbed about the world’s oceans (“no dessert for you till you’ve sucked on a lemon”).
What’s in a Name? In the lap of the Gods.
One of the more common practices in botany and zoology is to name a species after a Greek or Latin god or figure of legend, here’s a few of them.