More than 120 p
assionate community members gathered for Southern New England Landcare’s Koala Konversations event on 20th March at the Welder’s Dog Brewery in Armidale.
An overwhelming success, the event provided a unique opportunity for participants to hear from leading experts about the current state of koalas in our region, and the urgent need for conservation efforts.
Southern New England Landcare’s Koala Conservation Project Officer, Matt Elsley, said, “Community feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees expressing their appreciation for the expert speaker insights and calling for more events like this in the future.”
Attendees had the privilege of hearing from a panel of expert speakers, including:
- John Lemon, a local ecologist, who spoke about the ongoing decline of koalas in the region, highlighting the alarming trends moving eastward due to climate change.
- Tim Scanlon, NPWS Habitat Restoration Expert, who emphasized the importance of habitat restoration and how maintaining and creating new habitats allows koalas and other species to adapt and move through the landscape.
- Romane Cristescu, a conservation ecologist, who demonstrated cutting-edge technology used for ecological surveys and introduced Bear, a specially trained koala detection dog, who was well received!
- Carolyn Hogg, a conservation geneticist, who delved into the genetic significance of Northern NSW koalas, highlighting their high levels of genetic diversity, which is crucial for the long-term survival of the species at a national level.
Would you like to join a dynamic board of directors in the local area, or do you know someone who would like to?
Southern New England Landcare Local Landcare Coordinators Struan and Beth are working with our affiliated Local Landcare Groups to develop a Local Priority Plan, and we need your input!
Southern New England Landcare’s new ‘Cuppa Chat’ groups are bringing together local farmers and graziers for informal, on-farm discussions about sustainable and regenerative agriculture.
Southern New England Landcare invites community members to Koala Konversations, an inspiring Koala Conservation Speaker Night, to learn how they can help protect one of Australia’s most iconic species.
Armidale Regional Council is offering Community Small Grants (up to $2,000) and Community Support Grants ($2,000 to $5,000) to support projects within the Armidale Local Government Area.
Local community organisation GWYMAC (Gwydir and Macintyre Resources Management Committee) is preparing to host the 2025 New England and North West Landcare Adventure, on 7th & 8th March at Inverell.
Seeing native vegetation as ‘natural capital’, and managing it as such, has been a topic of great interest to policy makers and landholders in recent times, especially since the release of the Draft Native Vegetation Regulatory Map.
Landcare Australia has opened the 2025 General Jeffery Soil Health Award and is inviting landcarers across the country to nominate friends and colleagues who make an impact in soil health. 
The first entries for the Brushes for Biodiversity Kids and Youth Art Competition have been recieved and I have been blown away by some talented kids from Walcha!
Gwymac Landcare invites you to an exciting two-day event packed with learning, connection, and celebration.
Guess the Species and Get Creative!
England Landcare is pleased to recognize Campbell Wolfenden as the recipient of the Coordinator’s Choice Award for 2024.
Gordon Williams has been named the 2024 John Winter Irving Bequest Recipient at the 2024 Southern New England Landcare AGM on 13 November 2024.
The University of New England, in partnership with Southern New England Landcare and GLENRAC Inc has developed a set of resources to help groups work to strengthen farmers' decision-making skills to better manage climate variability.
rs across the region are invited to attend a free Soil Carbon Field Day and Workshop hosted by Carbon Rich on 28th November near Armidale.
Southern New England Landcare and the Guyra Landcare Network invite local farmers to join experts for a one-day event dedicated to improving on-farm biosecurity practices.
About the project
