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    Graeme Apples Preferred resolutionGuyra Landcare Network is pleased to announce that Graeme Sait, an internationally recognised educator in soil health, plant nutrition and regenerative farming, will deliver a half-day workshop in Ben Lomond on the 4th of October, 2025.

    “We are delighted to welcome Graeme to the New England,” said Campbell Wolfenden, member of the Guyra Landcare Network.

    Graeme is the co-founder of Nutri-Tech Solutions (NTS), a world leader in sustainable agriculture education and products.

    Over the past three decades he has presented more than 500 seminars in 20 countries, authored hundreds of articles and published Nutrition Rules!, a popular text on the link between soil, plant, animal, and human health.

    Ben Lomond LandcBen Lomond Landcare Attendeesare Group hosted more than 25 people at their Progressive Sustainable Agriculture and Food workshop on Saturday, 13th September 2025.

    Brian Marshall, a retired Holistic Management educator and Ben Lomond local, presented on land function, ecosystem processes, tools for managing land to meet objectives, overgrazing and recovery times, as well as planning for cash surplus and monitoring ecological health.

    “I wanted the group to get back to the business of Landcare, and that was the purpose of the day,” said Brian.

    Guest speaker Heidi McElnea, a qualified permaculturist and owner of Highland Permaculture, spoke about animal and plant food systems, cycling waste into resources, leveraging permaculture design, and fostering backyard biodiversity.

    prepping for planting Acacia ParkOn Saturday, the 23rd of August, Sam (Armidale Tree Group) and Janeen (SNEL) hosted a Volunteer Planting event.

    This was part of a project funded through the Northern Tablelands Koala Partnership.

    This funding has been improving the quality of koala habitat and conserving existing habitat for koalas around the Armidale Area of Koala Significance.

    Rob SiebenSouthern New England Landcare Ltd welcomes Mr Robert Sieben as a new board member, growing the board of directors to eight, and raising the board’s skills set to new heights.

    Mr Robert (Rob) Sieben BSc DipEd MEd (Ed Admin) was appointed at the board’s August 13th meeting and brings significant skills and experience in information technology, business management, human resources, fund-raising, marketing, and governance, accrued over a forty-year career.

    Southern New England Landcare Board Chair Emeritus Professor Nick Reid said, “Rob’s long and meritorious career in a range of publicly listed and private businesses, along with his senior executive and governance experience, is very relevant to Southern New England Landcare.”

    Image 1Southern New England Landcare has successfully delivered the first professional veterinary training course focused on koala health in the Northern Tablelands.

    Held on 25–26 August 2025 at University of New England, the course brought together 20 veterinarians from across the Northern Tablelands to strengthen their skills in koala-specific medical care.

    Local Koala Conservation Project Officer, Thaw Zaw said, “This course was designed to build local capacity for treating sick, injured and orphaned koalas, supporting better health outcomes, and it will also reduce the need for long-distance transfers to specialised facilities, which is stressful for koalas in care.”

    “It forms part of a broader initiative to improve wildlife healthcare in the Northern Tablelands,” said Thaw.

    landcare header logoLandcare NSW is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from candidates to join the Landcare NSW Board.

    Applications close 31st August 2025. The Nominations Committee will review applications, conduct interviews, and progress candidates through probity checks before election and appointment at the November AGM.

    This is an opportunity to contribute to the leadership and direction of Landcare in NSW. We encourage suitable Landcare members or community members to consider applying.

    For further information, please contact the Chair of the Nominations Committee, Steve Bunnell..

    More information available through these links:

    LNSW Governance web page

    LNSW Director EOI web page

    LNSW Director EOI form

     

    URC GroupThe Uralla Rivercare Group is entering an exciting new chapter following a successful action planning meeting held on Tuesday 12th August at the Uralla Bowling Club.

    ‘We were overwhelmed by the response from the community when we announced the Group Action Planning initiative for the Uralla Rivercare Group’, said Elizabeth Rosser, Local Landcare Coordinator with Southern New England Landcare.

    ‘The group, which has been around since the late 1990’s, has a proud history of tackling issues such as declining water quality, silt build-up, and invasive weeds in Rocky River and the Uralla Creek,’ she said.

    fixed price offer socialDo you have good condition native habitat on your land?

    Would you like to manage it for future generations?

    Could a fixed rate, per hectare, paid annually, help you achieve your goals?

    The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust invites eligible landholders from across NSW to submit an expression of interest to its latest fixed rate offer.

    To find out more about eligible areas, the price offered for conservation activities on your land and the application process, visit the website here.

    Expressions of interest close on 28 February.

     Help shape the future of our open spaces

    Curtis Park 400pArmidale Regional Council are developing a new Open Space and Recreation Strategy—and they want to hear from you!

    As our community grows, Council is planning for the future of parks, reserves, trails, and recreation facilities across the region. This strategy will guide how they plan, acquire, develop, and manage public open spaces over the next 15 years.

    It will also help ensure these spaces are inclusive, accessible, and aligned with local and state planning frameworks—supporting healthy lifestyles and responding to challenges like climate change and biodiversity.

    Southern New England Landcare is delighted to welcome Thaw Ni Ni Zaw to the team as the new Northern Tablelands Koala Conservation Officer.

    Portrait photo ThawOriginally from the dry zone region near Mandalay in Myanmar, Thaw Ni brings a rich and diverse background in agriculture, environmental science, and community-based conservation to the role.

    “I’ve always been passionate about biodiversity and community-based conservation,” says Thaw Ni.

    “This role aligns perfectly with my background in agricultural and environmental science and my experience working with farmers and communities,” she said.

    Thaw Ni’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Agriculture and a Master of Horticulture from Yezin Agricultural University.

    Her master’s research explored the harvesting and use of traditional wild vegetables by isolated ethnic groups in Myanmar’s mountainous regions.

    Since 2016, Thaw Ni has worked on international agricultural research and extension projects led by the University of New England (UNE) and funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

    DSC 0288 Thunderbolts Woodlands Event 300pA new national survey, “Tell Us What Matters”, conducted by Landcare Australia, the National Landcare Network and the State and Territory Landcare Organisations tells a compelling story of the increased connection to community through active engagement with landcare activities.

    Overwhelmingly, the data shows a significant number of Australians reporting new friendships and feeling a sense of belonging within their community.

    The most common benefit reported by landcare volunteers was feeling more connected to nature in their local area (87%). Close behind, 79% said they have built stronger social connections within their community through volunteering.

    Curtis Park 400pYou are invited to share your thoughts and feedback for Armidale Regional Council's Open Space Strategy Consultation BBQ

    Date: Sunday 3rd August 2025

    Time: 10am – 2pm

    Where: Curtis Park Playground, Armidale

    Join consultants, @leisure, for a free BBQ and share your dreams and ideas for open spaces in our city.

    All community groups and members welcome.

    koalaSouthern New England Landcare is seeking a passionate and proactive Koala Conservation Project Officer to join our team in Armidale. This role will lead local efforts under the NSW Koala Program – Northern Tablelands Regional Partnership, working with landholders, communities, and partner organisations to protect koalas and their habitats.

    Key responsibilities include coordinating events and partnerships, supporting landholder engagement, producing educational resources, contributing to project planning, and seeking further funding opportunities.

    Applicants should have strong communication and project management skills, experience working with rural communities, and a genuine commitment to conservation. GIS and mapping skills, as well as familiarity with koala conservation, are highly regarded.

    To learn more or apply, click here.

    EOI Biodiversity

    Tax Deductible Gifts

    IMG 8800There was storytelling at its finest when a group of local women gathered in Guyra on May 27th for the Telling Your Story workshop with author Annabelle Brayley.

    “The day had a special feel,” said Elizabeth Rosser from Southern New England Landcare.

    “Annabelle shared her experience and practical advice on how to shape and share personal stories, sparking thoughtful discussion and reflection among attendees,” she said.

    Senior Citz Social TilesSenior Citizens will be the key beneficiaries of a ‘Click with Confidence’ cyber security workshop being hosted by Southern New England Landcare and the New England Community College in Guyra on the 11th of June.

    Designed to boost confidence and safety when using the internet this free workshop will include a short talk, morning tea, and one-on-one help with devices.

    “‘Click with Confidence’ has been designed to provide some of our most vulnerable groups with added safety and security online”, said Elizabeth Rosser, Local Landcare Coordinator with Southern New England Landcare.

    NET May 25 1 17The New England Times recently reported on the region’s most ambitious koala habitat restoration project to date, set to unfold at ‘Ringwood’, a 1600ha property near Uralla owned by James and Angelica Smith.

    The project is part of the Koala Friendly Carbon Initiative, a collaboration between Climate Friendly and WWF-Australia, supported by the NSW Government.

    Over 300 hectares at Ringwood will be reforested with native species, forming part of a broader goal to restore 10,000 hectares of koala habitat across NSW.

    2904826311The Armidale Tree Group is having its annual sale of discounted hiko stock and half price to less retail plants.

    Full trays of hiko tubestock (40 trees) will be discounted to half price or less. 

    Sale begins Thursday 29th May, while stock lasts, and ends Saturday 31st May.

    Doors open at 9 am.

    Spread the word!

    Armidale Tree Group, 80 Mann Street, Armidale NSW 2350

    P 02 6771 1620 W: https://armidaletreegroup.org.au/

    imagesSoil Land Food has launched a practical new tool to help landholders easily monitor and manage soil health on their properties — the Soil HASH (Holistic Assessment of Soil Health) tool.

    Designed as a simple, integrated method, Soil HASH uses biological, biochemical, and physical indicators to assess soil condition and highlight areas limiting productivity.

    Like regular servicing for a car, an annual HASH assessment — ideally in Autumn or Spring — helps keep your soil in top condition.

    The tool can guide future management decisions, such as improving water infiltration or reducing compaction.

    A free download of the HASH 1 Manual is now available via the SoilSkills website, with a more advanced HASH 2 Manual set to be released soon.

    Credit: Soil Land Food

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