In 2017 ornithologist Dr Andrew Huggett conducted surveys of bird communities in native vegetation in the Armidale to Uralla district as part of our NSW Environmental Trust 'Closing the Gap' project. Here's what he found.
Image - SNELandcare member Helen Webb enjoys her copies of the survey reports, which contain many beautiful bird images.
Learning how to assess pastures, as well as understanding their quality and quantity, is key to managing profitable and sustainable grazing systems.
Image - Participants at a Prograze workshop at Yarrowitch.
Armidale Urban Rivercare's Project "A complete turnabout in the creek" will be included in the public vote in our electorate under the My Community Grants scheme. If enough community members vote for it, the project stands to receive $150,000 in funding. Voting opens 15 July and closes 15 August. You can vote online at or at your local Service NSW Centre. For more information on how to vote, visit Fact sheet for voters.
Southern New England Landcare is playing a significant role in national recovery efforts to protect the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
The five-year project, 'Turning the Tide on Threatened Species - Regent Honeyeater', is being delivered by Northern Tablelands Local Land Services in partnership with Landcare networks on the Northern Tablelands, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, to reverse the trend of events that has led to the potential extinction of the species.
Southern New Englanders will soon have an opportunity to see first-hand how to balance higher production with good environmental outcomes on one of the highest altitude properties in the Malpas Catchment on 31 July.
‘Urandangie’ property owner, Bill Perrotet said, “Since finalising our property plan in 2008, and fencing off Urandangie Creek during the High Country Urban Biodiversity Project in 2010, we’ve been restoring riparian areas using techniques that help hydrate the whole farm.
A new Regent Honeyeater Action Group has formed in our region and will meet for the second time on 24th July in Uralla to plan the next steps needed in our region to help save this critically endangered species. Download the flier here. Image courtesy of Lucy Farrow.
The first year of an exciting five-year project, Protecting Little Llangothlin Lagoon for Future Generations, has come to a close, with some highly beneficial and advantageous outcomes set to ensure the sustainability of the significant site.
Across rural NSW, people are adapting to our changing environment and climate. They are regenerating landscapes, reshaping the food system, and using ingenious methods – old and new – to harness natural resources and protect vulnerable ecosystems.
NT LLS are coordinating this year's Fox Control Program in the Southern New England region and are encouraging everyone to get involved. Download the flier here to see dates and local group contacts.
Fifty baby turtles will provide a boost to the wild population of an endangered freshwater turtle species after they are released into the Macdonald River near Bendemeer this week.
Image - One of a group of over 260 juvenile Bell's Turtles in the research lab at UNE. They will be released at different sites around the region in a quest to conserve the species.
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services is responsible for managing 46,700 hectares of Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs) which means they have many neighbours right across the region. They are committed to maintaining a neighbourly friendship with landholders who own farms alongside TSRs.
Image - Northern Tablelands LLS TSR Project Officer, Helen Ward, has marked out trees along a TSR east of Inverell so that the neighbouring landholder can replace the fence line.
New England Weeds Authority has inspected the Armidale township for privet and letters for controlling this weed have been sent out to landholders.
The responsibility of landholders/occupiers is not to remove privet entirely but to keep it trimmed back and prevent the plant from flowering and fruiting. This is an ongoing task.
A better long term strategy is to remove it and replace it with a more desirable species, and there are many alternatives. Privet can be controlled by cutting the plant and painting the freshly cut surface with herbicide such as glyphosate (e.g. Round-Up). This is best done whilst the plant is actively growing.
The whole community, including urban dwellers, landholders, local government representatives and wildlife carers are being invited to a free event where the spotlight will be on koalas – literally!
“We’d like to involve anyone who has an interest in retaining and increasing koala populations in the region through better management and planning,” said Karen Zirkler, Coordinator with Southern New England Landcare who are hosting the event.
Over the past 10 months, Armidale Regional Council staff and representatives from the community have contributed towards creating a ‘greenprint’ strategy for improving environmental sustainability in our local government area, and now you are invited to comment and make suggestions.
Meet some local critters in your neighbourhood! Landholders and the broader Armidale community are invited to take part in a rare opportunity to meet some of the shyer locals they may have had no idea are living in the neighbourhood.
Image - Creatures like this Little Pied bat could be found on the upcoming Spotlight Adventure Walk in Armidale.
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services is unveiling a program to provide landholders with the tools they need to help manage feral animals. The Feral Fighters program is an initiative to strategically target pest animals at a regional scale.
Image - Because the pigs are food stressed it is important to free feed correctly. It is important to aggregate the pigs to free feeding sites which should be free fed for seven to ten days before poisoning.
Armidale was the location of a cane toad sighting confirmed by the Department of Primary Industries this week. Here's what to do and what not to do if you think you've spotted one...
Southern New England Landcare invites landholders, members and friends to action plan a bright future in our region, for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater. Landholders in the Balala Brushgrove, Bundarra, Kingstown, and Yarrowyck areas are especially invited to attend. Your input is important and will be valued.
This gathering will also have a view to establish a new Regent Honeyeater Landcare group. Information will be provided about upcoming grants.
When? 3 - 6 pm Friday 12th April 2019. Where? Kingstown General Store OR Kingstown Hall (TBC depending on numbers)
Finger food and refreshments provided. Phone 6772 9123 for more information. UPDATE: New RSVP date by Wednesday 10th April to mail@snelandcare.org.au for catering purposes.
Landholders, landcare group members and bird lovers are all welcome at this field day on Tuesday 2nd April at the Gwydir TSR from 10 am until 1 pm. The Regent Honeyeater field day boasts key expert speakers on the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater including:
Ross Crates, Australian National University Lead Researcher - Regent Honeyeater.
Dr Paul McDonald, University of New England - Associate Professor School of Environmental & Rural Science.
Emily Mowat, Birdlife Australia NSW Woodland Birds Project Officer.
Do you have a project that could benefit from a grant? Would you neighbours like to particpate?
Our Landcare Coordinator can help develop project ideas, action plan next steps, and source funding!
Tell us about it using our
