A very productive Regional Stakeholder Forum, held on Tuesday 15 December 2020, has assisted the Northern Tablelands Koala Partnership Project to forge ahead.
Representatives from Local Councils, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, lead State Government agencies, the University of New England and community organisations from across the region were invited to contribute, resulting in a wide range of interests tabled for discussion.
Activities such as energy efficiency and waste reduction, environmental monitoring, education and/or rehabilitation, regeneration works are important contributors to the overall state of the environment.
As such Council invites submissions from individuals or organisations like community groups, schools, and businesses outlining their environmental activities and achievements during 2016 - 2020 for inclusion in the State of the Environment Report.
Closing Date: Friday, 26 February 2021, by 5pm.
For their last meeting of 2020 on Wednesday, 9th December, members of Southern New England Landcare's Save the Regent Honeyeater Group met up at Sue and Peter Metcalfe’s place on Dumaresq Dam Road to learn some native seed collection techniques.
Wishing all our wonderful Members, Friends, Landcarers, Rivercarers, Collaborators and Partners all the very best for a safe, healthy and happy Christmas from the whole team at Southern New England Landcare!
Our office in Armidale will be closed for the Christmas period from Friday 18th December 2020, and re-open on Tuesday 12th January 2021.
Image: A juvenile koala decorates a pine tree at the Zirkler residence near Kentucky in readiness for Santa's visit! Photo by Karen Zirkler with artwork by Alex Hunter.
Here’s are delightful and encouraging report from Candice Larkin, updating us on the results of the Regent Honeyeater nest spotted near Severn River.
The Armidale Tree Group nursery is short of Acacia (wattle) seed. If you have access to fruiting wattle trees/shrubs in your yard, would you be able to collect some and drop it into the nursery? It would greatly appreciated.
The NSW Government has urged bushfire-impacted businesses and primary producers in regional communities to submit their applications for bushfire grants with one month to go until the 15 December deadline for three significant financial assistance programs.
Do you know someone in our region who is passionate about caring for the land? Nominations are now open for the 2021 Landcare Awards, which close on the 8th January 2021!
These awards are to recognise an outstanding person or group within our region, who is working to conserve our natural environment and/or sustainable, regenerative farming systems. Let them know their work is appreciated and valued. Here’s your opportunity to acknowledge those stellar Landcare contributors.
Nominate them now at www.bit.ly/nenwnominate
Southern New England Landcare is excited to introduce Des Andersen as the first dedicated Koala Conservation Officer for the Southern New England region.
Mr Andersen will work with Southern New England Landcare to deliver the Northern Tablelands Koala Partnership Project, which will draw on recent and historical data to identify koala populations and engage and inform the community to help deliver ‘on-ground’ action.
Winterbourne Landcare group gathered for a long overdue catch-up on 18th November 2020.
Landcarers active members, Paul and Cathryn McFarland recently completed another spring tree planting and have contributed the following article to the Armidale Tree Group Newsletter, Number 119 Spring Edition, November 2020.
Landcare NSW today celebrated a new look for the ‘Working Together’ Aboriginal Landcare Engagement Program to mark NAIDOC Week.
Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit, says the initiative within the NSW Landcare Program will increase opportunities to consciously develop stronger connections and partnerships between Landcare groups and Aboriginal Communities.
During the drought of the last couple of years, water quality was a topic high on the list of enquiries made to the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services team.
Many farmers asked about the impacts of livestock on water quality, the impacts of water quality on livestock, how to interpret water tests, how to manage livestock around riparian zones and more.
Researchers for Northern Tablelands Local Land Services and University of New England are currently on the lookout for raptor nests on the Northern Tablelands and need your help!
Each year, Southern New England Landcare's Coordinators recognise a member who provides significant assistance or support with the "Coordinator's Choice" Landcarer of the Year Award.
"This is the person who has helped the most to keep us sane throughout the last 12 months," quipped Karen Zirkler, Executive Officer of Southern New England Landcare.
"Seriously though, it's a chance for our team at Landcare to reflect on and recognise the incredible support that a key volunteer makes to our organisation and our community," she said.
The 2020 John Winter-Irving Bequest, made each year by the Winter-Irving family in memory of John, has been awarded to long-time Southern New England Landcare member Ray South.
Acting President of Southern New England Landcare, Steve Harvey, made the announcement at the organisation's annual general meeting on Thursday 29th October in Uralla.
Southern New England Landcare welcomes back to the team, Des Andersen who has recently been appointed as the dedicated Koala Conservation Officer for the Southern New England region.
Des has lived and worked in the New England for 30 years and holds a master’s degree in environmental management. He has 14 years’ experience as an environmental practitioner with a passion for Koala conservation.
Southern New England Landcare is pleased to welcome Alex Hunter to the team as the new Administrative Assistant in the office in Beardy Street Armidale.
Growing up in Armidale NSW, Alex was actively involved with the family’s livestock grazing property and has a strong rural background. Passionate about agriculture, Alex completed her Systems Agriculture Degree at Hawkesbury Agriculture College.
Southern New England Landcare is hosting an introduction to Natural Sequence Farming with Stuart Andrews (Tarwyn Park Training), October 22nd 2020 at Balala Station near Uralla.
This is the second of two events introducing concepts and principles behind landscape regeneration and rehydration.
“With the recent drought and bushfire crises, there is unprecedented interest in restoring hydration to rivers, creeks and wetland areas on farm as well as the broader landscape, maximising our ability to trap and hold water in our landscapes for as long as possible," said Rachel Lawrence, Landcare Coordinator with Southern New England Landcare.
There's only 1 week to go until the Aussie Backyard Bird Count begins — have you registered yet?
By participating in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count, you will be helping BirdLife Australia find out about the birds that live where people live. This is especially important because it’s these more common species that give us the best indication of the health of the environment — think of birds as a barometer for nature.
Register here for the Aussie Backyard Bird Count
And if that's not incentive enough, there are some exciting prizes on offer. With thanks to the generous supporters, you could win — a pair of Swarovski binoculars, a custom "create your own flock" print by Egg Picnic, or a mixed pack of Merini Ferlazzo stationery. Simply submit a count from 19-25 October to be in the running!
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
