Founded in late 2021, Hunter Valley Wine Country Landcare (HVWCL) is a small, community-driven group dedicated to protecting and enhancing native biodiversity across the Lower Hunter Valley Wine Country region.
Operating within Singleton and Cessnock LGAs, our core group of passionate land carers works alongside local landholders, vignerons and community organisations to promote sustainable land management and restore native habitat to strengthen vineyard resilience.
Through partnerships with organisations such as Hunter Region Landcare Network & Hunter Local Land Services, we’ve tried to deliver practical, on-ground projects that connect people with the natural environment while supporting long-term landscape health and viability.
Photo courtesy: Stacy Mail (HRLN)
Key highlights & activities
Since our formation, we have hosted several native planting days, including vineyard projects at Scarborough Wines on Hermitage Road in 2022 and at Keith Tulloch Wines later that year. These plantings introduced carefully selected native species such as Bursaria spinosa, Leptospermum juniperinum, Lomandra longifolia and Poa labillardierei to encourage beneficial insects, improve soil health and enhance functional biodiversity within vineyard systems.
Photo courtesy: Stacy Mail (HRLN) Scarborough on Hermitage native planting day
In 2023, we tried our hand at native seed propagation through a collaboration with Hunter Valley Gardens Nursery (HVGN), with a view to increase the availability of locally grown native plants for restoration projects. We held a local seed collection afternoon with the help of Paul Melehan (Upper Hunter Landcare Coordinator, HRLN) which was super interesting. We learnt a lot about our local native species, timing around collecting seed and the difficulties associated with propagating these into viable seedlings.
Late in 2023, with the help of Hunter Local Land Services, we received some Community Grant funding for a Native Bushtucker Walk and propagation workshop at Wine House Hunter Valley, building awareness of the ecological and cultural value of native species. It’s fantastic seeing such species as the Davidson Plum, Kurrajong, Gymea Lilly and Midgen berries flourishing. We had so many locals come along on the day to support the event and it’s fantastic hearing that tourists are visiting the area & enjoying this garden as it matures.
Photo courtesy: Lorrae St Vincent. Native Bushtucker Garden Walk at Wine House Hunter Valley, Paul Melehan (HRLN) talking us through how these plants have been used throughout Indigenous culture.
A Growing Partnership
In November 2025, HVWCL commenced a meaningful seed propagation partnership with Hunter Correctional Centre. Through this initiative, facility participants are propagating native seedlings on behalf of the group for use in future community replanting projects. Species currently being grown include Bursaria spinosa, Leptospermum juniperinum, Lomandra longifolia, Poa labillardierei, Wallaby Grass, Dichondra repens and Atriplex semibaccata. The project supports both biodiversity outcomes and positive community connection.
Photo courtesy: Hunter Correctional Facility. Native Seedlings being potted for the upcoming Weed Management Workshop in May 2026
Looking Ahead
HVWCL Workshop on Friday 8th May 2026
Wine Country- Weed Management for Vineyard and Surrounds
Supported through funding from Hunter Local Land Services, Hunter Valley Wine Country Landcare present a whole day workshop for new and existing landholders in the Pokolbin area. We will focus on learning best management practice for controlling weeds in vineyard surrounds such as creek lines, dam walls and aquatic weeds in water sources. Seven expert speakers and lots of neighbours to meet!
Spots are limited, so follow the booking link to register: https://events.humanitix.com/winecountryevent2026
By working together, we continue to build a more sustainable and biodiverse future for Hunter Valley Wine Country.
