Latest News

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. 

Tamworth Regional Landcare Association 2024 Photography Competition Results Announced

On Friday night, October 25, a large crowd gathered in Fitzroy Plaza to celebrate the winners of the Tamworth Regional Landcare Association (TRLA) 2024 Photography Competition. The Tamworth Regional Gallery illuminated the night by projecting all 97 entries onto the "big screen" on Fitzroy Street, offering a beautiful display of our community’s talent and love for nature photography.

Community Unites for Platypus Conservation

On Tuesday, October 22, students and community members from Bendemeer and Manilla had the unique opportunity to learn about platypus conservation from Dr. Gilad Bino, a leading expert in the field. Hosted by the Australian Conservation Foundation and Tamworth Regional Landcare Assocation, the event was part of the Platy Project, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of protecting platypus populations and maintaining healthy waterways. Dr. Bino shared his knowledge with students from Bendemeer Public School, St Michael's Primary, and Manilla Central School, educating them about the vital role platypus play in the ecosystem.

Opening of Werris Creek Community Garden October 19, 2024

TRLA was represented by Nicky Chirlian Landcare Coordinator at the Opening of the Werris Creek Community Garden.

This garden has been a community effort, lead by Lorae Johns, and is situated behind the Werris Creek Library.  It is a relaxed community space, with raised garden beds overflowing with healthy vegetables, and plans for school holiday children’s activities.

TRLA donated a range of native plants as a fundraiser for the Garden, which were purchased by community members. 

It was a pleasant couple of hours meeting and catching up with friends and chatting about Landcare current and future activities.

Photography Exhibition at Fitzroy Plaza!

From Wednesday, 23rd October to Saturday, 26th October, Fitzroy Plaza will be transformed into a vibrant gallery, showcasing over 90 stunning photographs. Each evening, these beautiful images will be projected for all to enjoy.

On Friday, 25th October, from 7:15 to 8:30 PM we’ll come together to view the images, announce the competition winners, and hand out some fantastic prizes. Enjoy light refreshments, and a chance to celebrate the beauty of our landscapes through the eyes of our talented local photographers. We look forward to seeing you there!

🌿 Extra Nursery Opening Hours – Tamworth Open Garden Trail 🌿

We're excited to announce that as part of the Tamworth Open Garden Trail, our nursery will have special extra opening hours:

📅 Saturday, October 26 & Sunday, October 27
⏰ 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Explore our diverse range of plants and learn how your garden can support local biodiversity. Don’t miss this opportunity to visit us!

🌱 See you there! 🌱

Spring Special

Our nursery currently has  Allocasuarina littoralis ( Black She Oak) and Casuarina criststa (Belah) are still on special at $1.00 each while stocks last.

Getting muddy with Gunnible Landcare Inc

On a cold and wet morning of 26^th September 2024, Harry Davey and Jay Barnett from OzFish Unlimited, Nicky Chirlian Liverpool Plains & Gunnedah Landcare Coordinator, and Tony Bernays, Chair of Gunnible Landcare Inc gathered to implement stage one of a Namoi River restoration project, on “Eldorado”, Gunnedah.

Why measure your farm's carbon footprint?

Do you know your farm's carbon footprint?  Do you need to ?  Both global and  domestic markets  are starting to demand more information from producers in regards to their environmental impact. 

The Platy Project: Spotting Platypus and Supporting Waterways

22 OCTOBER | MANILLA AND BENDEMEER
This spring, people across eastern Australia are invited to participate in the Platy Project, an exciting citizen science initiative that encourages locals to head down to their nearest waterway and search for one of Australia's most iconic creatures—the platypus. Running throughout September and October, the project aims to collect valuable data on platypus sightings to help bridge gaps in our understanding of where these elusive animals are (and aren’t) living.

Film Tour Highlights Importance of Healthy Soils for Sustainable Agriculture

In late 2023, Upper Mooki Landcare Inc members initiated a mini film tour after engaging with Suzannah Cowley of Nviro Media, who had created the short documentary Thankful for Soil in collaboration with the organisation "Thankful for Farmers." The documentary highlights the essential role of farmers, both as food producers and environmental custodians, echoing one of Tamworth Regional Landcare Association’s (TRLA) goals of providing landholders with the latest tools and education for sustainable agricultural practices.

2024 Photography Competition - Now Closed

Thank you to all our talented photographers who entered into our Water in the Landscape, 2024 Photography Competition. Entries are now closed, and we will be excited to contact finalists as soon as judging has been completed.

Empowering the Peel Valley: WaterInsights Presentation Recap

On Tuesday, September 17, we hosted a special presentation at the UNE Centre in Tamworth, introducing the WaterInsights platform managed by WaterNSW. Our guest speaker, Kate Masters, provided an in-depth walkthrough of how water is managed and shared across New South Wales, with a focus on the Peel Valley.

Special Screening of The Blind Sea

Join Us for a Special Screening of The Blind Sea

We are excited to invite you to a screening of The Blind Sea, an inspiring and breathtaking documentary featuring Jacqui’s brother, Matt Formston—an Australian Paralympian and 4x World Champion blind surfer. Diagnosed with Macular Dystrophy at the age of five, Matt has defied the odds, overcoming judgment and prejudice to succeed at the highest level, both in and out of the water.

This thought-provoking documentary not only explores Matt’s remarkable career but also his attempt to break the world record for a blind surfer by tackling the monster waves of Nazaré. Alongside insights from surfing legends like Layne Beachley AO, Sam Bloom, and Joel Parkinson, Matt’s story is sure to inspire, especially as he aims to motivate the next generation.

This screening is also a fantastic opportunity for our network to come together, connect, and enjoy an uplifting evening. Bring a friend and join us for a night of adventure and community!

We hope to see you there!

Watch the trailer here

Bendemeer Primary Students Plant the Seeds of the Future for Koalas

On Friday, 13th September, Bendemeer Primary School students took a step towards a brighter future for our local wildlife by planting 28 ribbon gums along the banks of the Macdonald River. These trees, chosen for their potential to form future koala corridors, will provide vital habitats and contribute to the ongoing efforts to protect our beloved koalas.

Building Biodiversity: Insect Hotels for Every Garden

Whether you have a small urban backyard or sprawling farmland, building an insect hotel can significantly boost biodiversity in your garden. Insect hotels, made from natural or recycled materials, provide much-needed shelter for various beneficial insects, from pollinators like native bees to natural pest controllers such as ladybugs and lacewings. These tiny workers are crucial for healthy ecosystems, ensuring the survival of flowering plants and protecting crops from harmful pests.

Latest news from Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group

Read more here for the latest updates on what's happening with the Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group.