Southern New England Landcare hosted a successful two-day Landscape Rehydration Bootcamp in Uralla, delivered in partnership with the Mulloon Institute on 18–19 March 2026.

“Landholders are increasingly looking for practical ways to manage water, reduce erosion and build resilience into their landscapes,” said Elizabeth Rosser, Local Landcare Coordinator with Southern New England Landcare.

 “This bootcamp gave participants the opportunity to learn directly from experienced practitioners and start applying those principles to their own properties.”

Held at CSIRO Chiswick Research Farm, the bootcamp brought together more than 20 landholders from across the region for a mix of practical demonstrations, theory and hands-on learning focused on improving landscape function and water management.

Participants explored how water moves through the landscape and how simple, well-designed interventions can slow flows, reduce erosion and increase water retention.

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Armidale Urban Rivercare members and friends assisted with a Scout planting along Dumaresq Creek on 16 November. A highlight of the day was spotting a turtle laying eggs adjacent to the site — a reminder of the natural activity continuing in the area.

On 26 November, the group hosted a tour of its activities for Councillors from Armidale Regional Council. The group received very positive feedback following the visit. Many thanks to Angus, Bruce, Helen and Struan for organising and leading the day.

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On 20 February 2026, Southern New England Landcare (SNEL) proudly took part in the UNE Lifesaver Day (O’s Day), delivering a vibrant Koala Education Stall led by Koala Conservation Officer Thaw Zaw, with support from Janeen Robb, Landholder Management Agreement Officer.

Throughout the afternoon, the stall attracted strong interest from students, particularly those studying education and environmental fields.

We shared a wide range of koala conservation and SNEL educational materials, including:

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On Thursday 19 February, Southern New England Landcare hosted a Landscape Rehydration Field Day in partnership with the Mulloon Institute at Kentucky.

The event marked the first in a series of activities being delivered under the Armidale Regional Council and Uralla Shire Council Regional Drought Resilience Plan, funded through the Future Drought Fund.

More than 30 landholders attended from across the region, including one participant who travelled from Sydney. Landscape Planners Shari Pike and Annabel Manning from the Mulloon Institute facilitated the day.

“It was great to see such strong attendance and interest,” said Elizabeth Rosser, Local Landcare Coordinator with Southern New England Landcare.

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Southern New England Landcare now offers EFTPOS payments at our office and at our events, making it easier to pay for memberships, merchandise, workshop fees and other purchases.

As long as there is mobile phone service at the event location, we’ll be able to process card payments on site. Cash is still welcome, but card facilities are now available for added convenience.

We look forward to offering a smoother payment option at future events across the region.

Southern New England Landcare extends its congratulations to board members David Steller and Bryan Johnston, who were recognised at the Armidale Australia Day Awards for their outstanding contributions to the local community.

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Landholders in the Uralla and Armidale local government areas are invited to take part in a fully funded landscape rehydration program running from February to June 2026, delivered by Southern New England Landcare in partnership with the Mulloon Institute.

The program forms part of the Armidale Regional and Uralla Shire Councils’ Regional Drought Resilience Plan and focuses on practical, on-farm approaches to improving water cycles, managing erosion, and building long-term landscape resilience.

“This program is very much about learning by doing,” said Elizabeth Rosser, Local Landcare Coordinator for Southern New England Landcare.

“Participants will learn how to read their landscape, understand water movement, identify priority areas for action, and then see those ideas applied on the ground.”

Valued at more than $5,000 per participant, the program combines learning and hands-on activities.

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2026 has been declared the Year of the Woman Farmer, celebrating the vital role women play across every level of agriculture in Australia. From station hands and managing family operations, to agribusiness leaders and CEOs shaping the future of the industry, women are driving innovation, resilience, and sustainability on and off the land.

Women contribute in diverse ways — working in the paddock, managing livestock, running farm-based businesses, leading research and development, and influencing policy and investment decisions. Their expertise and leadership are central to the strength of rural communities and the growth of Australian agriculture.

At Southern New England Landcare, our all-female staff team exemplifies this contribution every day, supporting landholders, fostering sustainable practices, and strengthening local communities.

This year is an opportunity to acknowledge women’s achievements, share their stories, and inspire the next generation to pursue careers in farming, agribusiness, and land management. Women are not just part of agriculture — they are shaping its future.

About this cause:

Koalas are an iconic species for Australia, but they are endangered due to habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, disease, vehicle strike, bushfires and dog attacks.

With your help, we can educate kids in the Armidale Region of Koala Significance (ARKS), about how to reduce these threats so that as a community, we can protect this beloved species for the enjoyment of all.

Koala Awareness Training Kits for Kids will provide resource materials we can take to events and school classroom sessions across the ARKS, to build understanding, knowledge and a sense of empowerment among our youth.

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As this is our final newsletter for 2025, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our members for being part of Southern New England Landcare this year.

Whether you’ve liked or shared a post, read the eNews, dropped into the office, passed on useful information, or joined us at events and workshops, your involvement makes a real difference.

Your support helps guide our work and keeps our community connected.

We’re already looking forward to what 2026 will bring.

We’ll be starting the year with World Wetland Day events in early February and continuing our work with landholders as we explore the Natural Capital space together.

A few other activities to keep an eye out for in 2026 include:

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Armidale Biodiversity Strategy Community Survey closes 14th December 2025

Armidale Regional Council is developing a Biodiversity Strategy to protect and enhance biodiversity across the local government area (Armidale, Guyra, Ben Lommond, Black Mountain, Ebor, Hillgrove and Wollomombi) while our towns and communities grow.

Biodiversity is the variety of plants, animals and ecosystems and it provides us with many benefits.

It supports clean air and water, helps control pests and diseases, stores carbon, and contributes to our health, wellbeing and the local character.

We want to hear from the people that live and work here so that we can harness local knowledge and values to make the Strategy useful and effective.

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Armidale Urban Rivercare Group, a sub-group of Southern New England Landcare Ltd, hosted a Creeklands Bus Tour on Wednesday 26th November 2025 to showcase more than two decades of ecological restoration along Dumaresq Creek in the Armidale urban area.

Councillors from Armidale Regional Council joined local Landcare leaders to visit key restoration sites, hear project stories on the ground, and discuss future opportunities to enhance the city’s green corridors.

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The Uralla Rivercare Group together with Southern New England Landcare are excited to bring renowned horticulturist and sustainability expert Jerry Coleby-Williams from Gardening Australia to the New England region this November, sharing practical water-saving solutions for urban and peri-urban gardens.

“We’ve all experienced drought and the water quality challenges that follow,” said Sheenah Turnbull from the Uralla Rivercare Group.

“Most people want to make the most of every drop of rainwater they can capture, and Jerry is the expert on rainwater catchment systems and urban biodiversity,” she said.

Best known as a presenter on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia, Jerry will deliver his engaging talk, “Whole of Site Water Saving – Making Every Drop Count”, across a series of events in Walcha, Uralla, Armidale and Guyra.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience designing and managing sustainable gardens, Jerry will demonstrate how a Whole of Site Water Management Plan can help households and small landholders capture, recycle, and reuse water efficiently.

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The Guyra Landcare Network delivered an outstanding Seasonal Update on the 23^rd of October, bringing together landholders and local industry representatives alike for an informative afternoon.

Perry Newman, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services (NT LLS) Biosecurity Officer, discussed feral animal management, stressing that an integrated approach is often best to manage feral animals.

“Often working with your neighbours to coordinate management events is more effective,” said Perry.

There are currently free-to-access management tools such as baits, training and traps through LLS.

Perry said, “You don’t need lots of baits, you just need to know where to put them, and this is something we teach in our training courses.”

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The following nominations were received by the Secretary by the due date for consideration at the 2025 Annual General Meeting to be held at 6 pm  on Wednesday 12th November 2025 at the Uralla Community Centre.

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Southern New England Landcare (SNEL) now has a presence on the GiveNow platform, making contributions from donors easier than ever before.

SNEL CEO, Karen Zirkler said, "We've operated almost solely on grants in the past, but our board decided during it's 2025 strategic planning work, that it's time we started tapping into philanthropic giving as a means of funding some of the important work we do."

"Our first trial of the platform is for our 'Koala Kits for Kids' cause," said Ms Zirkler.

"This project is aiming to raise $5000 so our Koala Conservation Project Officer can develop educational resources and use then with children in the classroom and at special events," she said.

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Southern New England Landcare will hold its Annual General Meeting at 6 pm on 12th November at the Uralla Community Centre.

The event will be the 24th since the formation of Southern New England Landcare Ltd and all members are invited to attend.

Immediately following the AGM, a general meeting - the November Member Muster - will commence, with updates from Around Our Groups, announcement of the 2025 John Winter Irving Bequest and Coordinator’s Choice Awards, and a guest speaker.

Thaw Ni Ni Zaw, Southern New England Landcare's Koala Conservation Project Officer, is the guest speaker, and will present on the success of the Northern Tablelands Koala Partnership Projects.

Karen Zirkler, CEO at Southern New England Landcare said, "This series of projects, spanning more than 6 years, has really highlighted the power of a community and a region to work together for the greater good of a species."

"We are really excited to hear from Thaw who is currently collating all the highlights of the program to share with members," she said.

Members will be updated on the extent of habitat restoration being undertaken by landholders across the Armidale Region of Koala Significance, training programs for vets and vet nurses focussed on koala rehabilitation, and plans for a new koala and wildlife hospital in partnership with the University of New England.

"The board of Southern New England Landcare will also announce the 2025 John Winter Irving Bequest recipient, and staff will announce their 'Coordinator's Choice Award' recipient," said Karen.

"These awards are a way of recognising and appreciating those locals who have made a significant contribution to Landcare in our region," she said.

All members are invited. Supper provided so registrations are essential.

For all event details including Agendas and Registration Button, please click here.

The highly anticipated Black Gully Festival is set to kick off on Saturday November 8th at the scenic Black Gully Reserve (behind NERAM on the north and south sides of the creek).

This free, family-friendly event celebrates the vibrant spirit of Armidale as the weather warms up.

Live music will take place on two stages from 10.00am to 7.30pm with a maker’s market, food vans, arts and science activities, clothes swap, crafting, and creek bug collecting.

An entertaining experience for all ages, the 2025 festival will present ‘How to Weather Together’, a major exhibition exploring what climate adaptation looks like when guided by the concept ‘weathering’.

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Tamworth local, Nell Chaffey, has taken out this year’s Women in Landcare Award.

Nell is a dedicated Landcare advocate, embodying a profound commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement, starting her journey four decades ago.

“Nell’s dedication to inclusivity and sustainability in Landcare exemplifies her passion for Australian ecosystems, biodiversity, and community education. Her proactive approach to promoting sustainable Landcare initiatives reflects her strong commitment to responsible resource use. Nell’s efforts benefit her farm and inspire others to adopt sustainable practices for the betterment of the environment.” said Landcare Australia.

Nell was one of eleven highly deserving and exceptional landcare award winners from across Australia who were crowned at the prestigious 2025 National Landcare Awards dinner.

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Trees, Power & Proof: What Australia’s Climate Policy Means for New England Graziers

Australia has tightened its climate targets: Net Zero by 2050, a 43% cut by 2030, and a new 2035 target to reduce emissions by 62–70% below 2005 levels.

What does that actually mean at the farm gate in New England?

• More interest in environmental plantings and biodiversity projects and other carbon projects.
• Continued renewable energy proposals knocking on farm doors.
• And more buyers asking for proof of lower emissions and good land stewardship.

This session is hosted by TASC Carbon—experts in carbon and environmental markets—with community voices across a wide range of interests to ensure a broad, open discussion.

Their aim is to open communication on issues affecting individual farmers and easing tensions emerging in the community.

They will unpack environmental projects driven by international and federal initiatives to reduce the impacts of climate change—what’s coming, what it means locally, and how to respond.

There’ll be short presentations on recent government announcements, the ongoing renewable energy markets, and land-use competition linked to these initiatives.

We’ll also give a high-level overview of how these decisions could affect local landholders, plus practical ways farmers can leverage the changes for cash-flow income and long-term farm resilience.

Join local producers for a straight-talk session on the real-world risks and opportunities: carbon income, biodiversity credits, lease deals for solar/wind, and what paperwork and timeframes look like.

Bring your questions.

When: Thu 2 Oct, 6:00–8:00pm

Where: Walcha Sports Club

Cost: Free