Latest News

NAMOI SOIL SYMPOSIUM

Gunnible Landcare Inc was supported by Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group to host the Namoi Soil Symposium on 12^th March at Emerald Hill Community Hall, northwest of Gunnedah.

The event was initiated by local farmers, wanting a repeat visit from Joel Williams, an Australian soil scientist, now internationally acclaimed educator.  Joels sessions were backed by local soil scientist Dr Rober Banks, and local croppers Scott McCalman and Amy Perfrement.  The Emerald Hill CWA provided bounteous morning and afternoon teas, and the Verdict Café in Gunnedah used lamb from The Conscious Farmer at Caroona to create delicious boxed lunches.

TRLA staff teamed up on the day to assist Nicky Chirlian, Liverpool Plains and Gunnedah Coordinator, with Kate Spry providing comms, and Susan Wilson providing technical support.  Ninna Douglas manned the TRLA Nursery stand.  Wayne Chaffey, as TRLA Chair and NSW Landcare Board Member, did an outstanding job as MC for the day.

The fully booked event was a great success, with feedback such as “the best Landcare event I have ever attended”, a testament to intense planning and input from the Gunnible Landcare Committee working with the Local Landcare Coordinator.

Fifty shades of clay - Womens Soil Workshop

Fifty Shades of Clay: Celebrating Women in Soil Health

Recently, we held our inspiring women-only workshop, "Fifty Shades of Clay," graciously hosted by Kate Masters. Forty enthusiastic women attended, eager to deepen their understanding of soil health and management. Our expert speakers provided invaluable insights into soil and water management, helping participants unlock the potential of their land.

Bush to bowl - Discover the wild, taste of adventure

ATTENTION: SCHOOLS - Ready to explore the world of bushtucker and traditional food? ‘Bush to Bowl’ offers an exciting educational journey where you’ll connect with First Nations foodways and culture.

Our social enterprise creates a healing space by giving back to Country, our mob, and the wider community.

Beyond Soil Sustainability

Upper Mooki Landcare conducted a very successful workshop “Beyond Soil Sustainability: Wisdom from Gabe Brown, Col Seis & Walter Jehne” on March 3rd 2025.

Originally planned to be held at the historic Windy Woolshed, a wild storm resulted in the woolshed roof being damaged and the venue moved to the Theatre Royal in Quirindi.  Liverpool Plains Shire Council provided support to bring the Theatre out of mothballs, and it was fabulous to see a full theatre with around 350 people attending.

Landcare Learning - Photography Workshop with David London

TRLA is pleased to announce our first Landcare Learnings for 2025. Please join us for a Photography Workshop with David London, March 25 at 6.00pm at the UNE Building, Fitzroy St. Learn from the best and be prepared for our phopto competition starting in May 2025. 

Women’s Soil Health Workshop!

Join Us for an Inspiring Women’s Soil Health Workshop!

Tamworth Regional Landcare Association, in partnership with Climate Friendly, invites you to an engaging and informative Women’s Soil Health Workshop. This hands-on event is designed to equip women with the skills and knowledge to enhance soil health, boost farm productivity, and contribute to sustainable land management.

Small Grants Program is now open!

We are excited to announce that this year's round of our small grants program is now open. Volunteer Landcare, Grassroots Community groups and organisations can apply for up to $2,500 for activities that meet an objective of TRLA’s strategic plan. Applications close on March 1, 2025 with successful applicants being announced during April.

Namoi Soil Symposium

Namoi Soil Symposium
Save the date for an inspiring and informative event focused on soil health and sustainable production systems! Hear from distinguished speakers, including Dr. Rob Banks, Cameron Leckie, Scott McCalman, Amy Perfrement, and internationally renowned soil health educator Joel Williams, returning by popular demand.

When: 12th March 2025
Where: Emerald Hill Community Hall

Registrations open in January 2025. For further information, contact Nicky at nicky@trla.org.au or 0488 056 199.

Sprouting Joy This Festive Season: Nursery News & Holiday Updates

As the weather warms up and Christmas approaches, the nursery has been reasonably quiet this past month. However, behind the scenes, we're in full propagation mode, preparing to meet the demand for what we expect to be a very busy autumn season.

Over the Christmas period, Julie will be taking some well-earned leave, but Paul will still be on deck to keep things running smoothly. The nursery will only be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, so you can still pop in during the festive season.

Looking for a unique last-minute Christmas gift or tree? We’ve been selling small native Christmas trees, perfect for adding a touch of nature to your celebrations. They’re available for just $25.00 each, but stock is limited, so don’t wait too long. Visit us this Friday or Monday to grab yours before they’re gone!

We’d also like to take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our incredible volunteers. Your dedication and hard work throughout the year make everything we do possible, and we are so grateful for your support.

From all of us at the nursery, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season. See you soon!

North West Activities

Want to know what Landcarers are up to right around the North West Region and surrounds?  Here is the list of upcoming events from right across the North West.   To have your event listed get in touch with Shelley, Regional Landcare Coordinator, on 0474 887 982

🎄 Holiday Closure Notice 🎄

The TRLA Office will be closed from December 23rd and will reopen on January 2nd.

The TRLA Nursery will be closed on December 25th (Christmas Day) and January 1st (New Year’s Day).

We wish you a happy and safe holiday season! Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

🎉 Happy Holidays from the TRLA Team! 🎉

Water Symposium - SAVE THE DATE

The symposium will involve brief presentations on the issues from the perspective of our local governments, agriculture and industry and others, and discussions of key issues which will provide the opportunity for different stakeholders to be heard, and for proposals for strategies and initiatives to be proposed and examined.

Following these discussions, we will seek consensus on specific initiatives to be pursued.

Date: March 17, 2025

Time: 9am

Location: Mercure Tamworth

Calling for Rainfall Data from the Namoi Region

Rainfall information is critical for all sorts of decisions made about water resources.  Rainfall data are used by many people and industries to inform decisions on activities ranging from water irrigation practises, water supply and drought risk and insurance. 

Wonderful Weeds at Wilgabah!

19 people eager to better their grass and weed identification skills attended an excellent half day workshop run by George Truman, LLS at “Wilgagbah” Wallabadah on 30th November. 

Tania and Rod Hartigan opened The Ark Shack – an excellent learning space surrounded by art, indigenous artifacts and with a welcoming Dachshund who took a front row seat!

Keeping Swallows at Bay: A Guide for Gardeners, Farmers, and Bird Lovers

Swallows, particularly the Welcome Swallow, are a common sight in Australia, admired for their graceful flight and mud cup nests. While their name evokes a sense of charm, they can create challenges when they nest in large numbers under eaves or rafters. From droppings to noise and potential property damage, managing their presence requires a thoughtful and proactive approach. Here are some practical tips to help you prevent swallows from nesting where they’re not welcome.

Regional Landcare Coordinator Update

In March this year, I was excited to be given the opportunity of being the Regional Landcare Coordinator for the North West Region of NSW. I was previously a Local Landcare Coordinator for 8 years, before moving into the Regional role in March this year. I am married to a 5th Generation cattle producer, and lives with husband and daughter in the productive Horton Valley...

Spring Success and Exciting New Projects at the Nursery

We’ve had a fantastic spring here at the nursery, and as the weather warms, our propagation program is in full swing. Paul has been busy collecting seeds from our local natives, which have just finished flowering. It’s an exciting time as these seeds will become the foundation for future plantings in our community...

Welcoming Kate Spry as Our New Youth and Education Coordinator

We are thrilled to announce that Kate Spry has joined our team as the new Youth and Education Coordinator, starting Monday, November 4. Kate has hit the ground running, and in just a short time, she has already made significant strides in establishing our new Intrepid Landcare group. Her enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment to engaging young people in environmental stewardship are already shining through...

A new Intrepid Landcare Group for TRLA is emerging

’Empowering the next generation to care for our land.’

An exciting and innovative opportunity for environmentally conscious youth is on the horizon!

The Tamworth TRLA is establishing an INTREPID LANDCARE GROUP targeted at individuals ranging from their mid-teens to their mid-30s. We encourage schools, school students and interested individuals to contact us if this initiative piques your interest...

What is a Stream Order, and How Do You Determine It?

Have you ever wondered what stream order your local creek or river belongs to? It’s a common question we receive, and understanding stream orders is essential for water management, planning, and conservation efforts.

What is Stream Order?

Stream order is a classification system used to define the hierarchy of streams within a catchment. The system starts with the smallest streams, known as first-order streams, which have no tributaries...

2024 TRLA Annual General Meeting Wrap-Up

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Tamworth Regional Landcare Association. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our achievements, share plans for the future, and connect with our dedicated members.

Why Autumn is the Best Season for Planting Farm Trees: Plan Ahead for Success

Planting trees is a significant investment in the future health and productivity of farmland. Choosing the optimal planting season can greatly influence the success and growth of these trees. Insights from "A Practical Guide to Planting Tubestock Paddock Trees" by the Hovells Creek Landcare Group highlight the advantages of autumn planting over spring planting.

Advantages of Autumn Planting

Autumn planting offers several benefits:

• Enhanced Root Establishment: Planting in autumn, after the first substantial rains...

The Power of Beneficial Insects and Trees on Farms

Invertebrate animals, including insects, spiders, and worms, make up over 95% of Australia’s animal diversity and around 55% of its total biodiversity. These small creatures may be easy to overlook, but they are absolutely essential to the health of our ecosystems. Invertebrates help maintain the balance in nature by breaking down organic matter, recycling nutrients, pollinating plants, dispersing seeds, and controlling pest populations. However, despite their importance, many invertebrate species are not included in conservation plans, even though hundreds are listed as threatened. Supporting these species is crucial for ensuring that our ecological and economic systems remain stable.

Paddock Plants and Weed Identification

NOVEMBER 30 | WALLABADAH

Are you keen to know what native and introduced pastures you have on your farm, and learn about their nutritional value and productivity? Which ones are desirable and which not so and how to increase the overall native base? What are some of the common weeds you have as well, and whether they might be toxic to livestock?

“NGIYAANI” GUNNEDAH FIELD DAY 3rd NOVEMBER 2024

“Ngiyaani” Field Day was initiated by landowners Peter Long and Sarah Ferguson.  This property was described previously as "The most degraded land in the Namoi Valley" in 2007.  Peter and Sara have developed it over time using low input cost regenerative strategies.  They aim to have 100% ground cover across all seasons, and produce Lowline Angus cattle being sold directly to a specialist butcher (“Feather & Bone”, Sydney) at an excellent profit.

Biodiversity in our community.

Gunnible Landcare Inc, with support from LP & G  Landcare Coordinator Nicky Chirlian, hosted a workshop funded by the Biodiversity Conservation Trust on 25^th October at the Gunnedah Aero Club, and then later at 347 Blue Vale Rd, Gunnedah...

🌿 Welcome Kate Spry, Our New Youth and Education Landcare Coordinator! 🌿

We’re thrilled to introduce Kate Spry, joining TRLA as our Youth and Education Landcare Coordinator. Starting Monday, November 4th, Kate will be joining us part-time in this role for the next six months as she transitions from other commitments. Kate will be full-time after this date.

Kate brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for Regenerative Agriculture, with twelve years dedicated to transitioning her own farming practices to regenerative approaches.