🌿 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.

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!

Powerful Pollinators Webinar

10 November | ONLINE

The Wheen Bee Foundation are hosting a FREE Webinar!

Join Lea Hannah Project Manager Powerful Pollinators, Dr Anna Carrucan, Second-generation beekeeper & botanist, ecologist & conservation agriculturalist and Dr Megan Halcroft from Bees Business, for a webinar to:

• Find out how pollinators can play a role in healthy gardens and farm enterprises;

• Discover how to encourage pollinator populations on your property;

• Be introduced to our new planting guides and how they can be used in gardens and on farm; and

• Find out how to apply for tree grants that support pollinator habitat restorations.

Small Farms Pasture & Weed ID Workshop

7 DECEMBER | BENDEMEER

HOSTED BY LLS
Small Farms would like to invite you to attend a pasture and weed identification workshop. During a paddock walk, you will learn to identify local grasses, clovers and weeds.
*Bring along any pasture grasses you would like identified and photos of any weeds
*You will need to bring a hat, sunscreen, chair and sturdy shoes
*Morning tea will be provided

Is measuring carbon good for business?

27 NOVEMBER | TAMWORTH

HOSTED BY LLS
Join us to learn how measuring carbon on farm can make good business sense. Discover some of the opportunities that exist in carbon farming, including how understanding and managing agricultural emissions and carbon sequestration strategies can benefit your farm business.
Event highlights:
• Carbon in the cropping industry - GrainGrowers
• Sustainability along the supply chain - Tim Dellit, Rabobank
• Driving on-farm carbon neutral outcomes - Robert Mackenzie, Macka’s Beef
• Science of soil carbon - Susan Orgill, Select Carbon
• International perspectives on carbon farming - Pippa Jones, Local Land Services, SQNNSW Innovation Hub, 2024 Nuffield Scholar
• Understanding the farm business benefits of carbon farming - Clare Edwards, NSW DPIRD
• What is natural capital? - Andrew Jack, Local Land Services

Tree planting on my farm

9 NOVEMBER | DUNGOWAN

HOSTED BY LLS

Tree planting on my farm Small farms and lifestyle network would like to invite you to a FREE vegetation management workshop.
Topics covered:
• How to choose trees that are right for your farm
• Best practice planting techniques
• Simple things you can do to support beneficial insects on farm
• You will need to bring a hat, sunscreen, chair and sturdy shoes
• Morning tea provided

Small farms - Farm Water Basics

2 NOVEMBER | DARUKA

HOSTED BY LLS
As part of our small farms and lifestyle block program, we invite you to come along to our farm water basics workshop.
*Water testing – bring along a water sample for testing
*Designing trough and water systems
*Different trough types
*Water storage
*Trouble shooting and repairs
*Please bring a hat, sunscreen, chair and sturdy shoes
*Morning tea provided

🌿 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.

Platy-project community event - Manilla

22 OCTOBER | MANILLA
Join special guest Dr Gilad Bino, platypus expert, in Manilla on Tuesday 22 Oct from 12-2 pm for our upcoming platy-project community event. We will meet at “The Junction Riverwalk”, Corner of River and Market St.  We invite community members to help us look for platypus in the Manilla and Namoi Rivers and help researchers better understand this elusive animal.

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.

"Ngiyaani" Mini Field Day

3 November | GUNNEDAH
Peter and Sarah bought "The most degraded land in the Namoi Valley" in 2007, and you are invited to attend this field day to learn some of the strategies that have helped to bring it back to the beautiful property that it is today.

Open Garden Trail across Tamworth

26 & 27 OCTOBER | TAMWORTH
Follow our Open Garden Trail across Tamworth for the whole weekend. Each garden will be open for a set time, and the owners will be there to talk about their processes and plantings. Gather inspo for your own garden with the excellent water wise, native, and food producing gardens on display.

Platy-project community event - BENDEMEER

Join special guest Dr Gilad Bino, platypus expert, in Bendemeer on Tuesday 22 Oct for our upcoming platy-project community event. We invite community members to help us look for platypus in the Macdonald River and help researchers better understand this elusive animal.

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.

Nemingha Community Garden and Open Day and Workshop

If you're passionate about bees and want to learn more about creating bee hotels, come along to a hands-on workshop at the Nemingha Community Garden on September 28. Dean Heemskerk will be leading the session, sharing his expertise on how to support local bee populations. It’s a great opportunity to get practical tips and make a difference in your own backyard!

Biodiversity in our community

This workshop is hosted by Gunnible Landcare Inc and has been funded by the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust. It is presented by Liz Blair, Ecologist from Ecosystem Thinking. You will learn about the power and richness of the Liverpool Plains ecosystems; what fauna is out there, where they live and why they matter; the importance of landscape management options for remnant, recovering and recreated ecosystems, and how to bring fauna back through landscape connections.

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.

Koala Detection and Conservation Efforts in Tamworth Region

On Sunday night, August 25th, TRLA's drone team, led by Chief Pilot and Project Manager James Filby, along with Peter Grono and Susan Wilson, conducted a heat-seeking mission at Mulla Creek, searching for koalas. This effort is part of the Wildseek Koala project, a partnership between TRLA and Landcare Australia that began in January 2023.

Calling All Young Environmentalists: Join the Adventure with Landcare Youth Intrepid Landcare!

Are you a young person looking to make a difference in your local environment? Do you have a passion for nature and a desire to learn new skills? If so, Intrepid Landcare is calling your name! We invite you to embark on a thrilling journey to care for our land and community. Tamworth Regional Landcare is starting up a Youth in Landcare movement and we want you to be part of the adventure.

Water Symposium

The Water Symposium for the Upper Namoi Valley is a community-centered event aimed at gathering the insights and experiences of our local community and landholders. Recognising the vital role they play in our region's sustainability, the symposium seeks to address the challenges and opportunities related to water management in our region. With changing rainfall, temperature, and agricultural practices, it’s crucial to hear from those most impacted. By fostering dialogue and sharing diverse perspectives, we aim to develop collective strategies for sustainable water management, landscape rehydration, and resilience against environmental pressures. This collaborative approach ensures that the voices of our community are at the forefront of shaping a sustainable future for the Upper Namoi Valley.

Landcare Learning Waterinsights by WaterNSW

Join us for a comprehensive presentation on WaterInsights, the website managed by WaterNSW, providing detailed information on how water is managed and shared in New South Wales. We'll explore the pages most relevant to the Peel Valley, ensuring participants can navigate through the platform with ease. Please bring along a laptop, iPad, or tablet to follow along during the session.

🌱 Join TRLA at AgQuip 2024! 🌱

🌱 Join TRLA at AgQuip 2024! 🌱

We’re excited to announce that TRLA will be attending AgQuip next week, from Tuesday to Thursday! Our passionate volunteers will be at our stand, ready to share insights on our community empowerment initiatives, environmental stewardship programs, and how we're making a difference through biodiversity conservation, water preservation, and more.

Whether you're curious about our work or just want to chat with like-minded individuals, we'd love for you to stop by and say hello! Your support helps us continue our mission to foster a sustainable future for our region.

📅 When: Tuesday, August 20th - Thursday, August 22nd
📍 Where: AgQuip Field Days, TRLA Site  E16-17

See you there!

The plant BBQ roadshow

Please join us to share knowledge on grassy white box woodlands, fire management, fire ecology and plant flammability. RSVP for catering purposes but not essential. Let us know if you are bringing a group. RSVP to: Wally Hammond 0419 611 715 wally.hammond@lls.nsw.gov.au or molly.wallace@student.uts.edu.au

Photo Competition Extended

Exciting news our photo competition has been extended until September 27th 

Capture the Essence of Water in Our Landscape: Enter Our Photo Competition! 

iNaturalist Workshop

Are you facinated by flora, fauna and fungi, but don't know what they are? Do you like being out in nature and photographing plants, animals or fungi? Do you want to help document biodiversity in the places you visit? Then iNaturalist is the app for you!
Come along to Gunnedah Urban Landcare’s hands-on workshop on Bindea (Porcupine Reserve) at 10am Sunday 25 August 2024 to learn about iNaturalist and our native flora and fauna. Bring your smart phone (with the iNaturalist app already installed if you can) and join others in documenting the plants, animals and fungi of Bindea. 
ALL WELCOME AND BBQ TO FINISH
For further information and to book contact gulg2380@gmail.com

Landcare Australia Community Grants

As part of Landcare Australia’s celebration of 35 years of Landcare Australia and landcare as a national movement, the 2024 Landcare Australia Community Grants program will support local landcare and community environmental groups across Australia to deliver projects that address priority issues for the group, community and/or the environment.

Celebrating National Tree Day: Supporting the Glossy Black Cockatoos

On National Tree Day, our community came together with a shared purpose: to support the threatened Glossy Black Cockatoos. This remarkable event saw the planting of over 100 trees, a significant stride in creating and enhancing habitats for this endangered species.

Successful habitat augmentation event in Bendemeer

On July 25, the Bendemeer Town Hall buzzed with excitement as approximately 40 enthusiastic attendees gathered for a workshop on habitat augmentation. Hosted by the Tamworth Regional Landcare Association and featuring expert presentations from Mick Callen of Habitat Innovation, the event was a resounding success.

Landcare Learning - Celebrating Local Landcarers

Join us in celebrating Landcare Week and the outstanding achievements of our three regional winners of the NSW State Landcare Awards: Stephanie Cameron, Tania Hartigan, and Nell Chaffey. This special event will honor their remarkable contributions to Landcare in the Northwest Region. Come along to hear their inspiring stories, learn about their journeys in Landcare, and celebrate their dedication to protecting and enhancing our natural environment.

Future Proofing our Farms

15 AUGUST | TAMWORTH

This is an informative and inspiring presentation and short film session, followed by a panel discussion with local farmers.

Landcare Week: Plantings, Chats, and Cuppas – Grow, Share, Sip!

5-9 AUGUST | TAMWORTH

Landcare Week, held from August 5-11, is an annual celebration that honors Australians actively involved in restoring, enhancing, and protecting their local natural environments. This year's theme, "Landcare Is For Everyone (L.I.F.E)," invites everyone to participate. Join us at our local Landcare nursery at 300 Wallamore Road for a chat about all things Landcare. We will also be doing som plantings to beautify our nursery surroundings. If you are interested, stop by for a cupp and a chat.  

National Tree Planting Day

28 JULY | TAMWORTH

Please join us for this year's National Tree Planting. All volunteers need is sturdy shoes and clothing, we supply plants, tools and refreshments etc

Future Proofing our Farms - Quirindi

14 AUGUST | QUIRINDI

This is an informative and inspiring presentation and short film session, followed by a panel discussion with local farmers.

Future Proofing Our Farms - Gunnedah

13 AUGUST | GUNNEDAH

This is an informative and inspiring presentation and short film session, followed by a panel discussion with local farmers.

Wallabadah water forum

3 AUGUST | WALLABADAH

Following on from our first forum, we present

Dr Judi Earle & Professor Martin Thoms to progress discussion on best practices for water and land management. Wallabadah Public School, 3rd August 2024, 8:30 - 12:30. Catering by Wallabadah P & C. Free Event

Please register at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/wallabadah-water-forum-ii-tickets-939270051007

Habitat augmentation

25 JULY 2024 | BENDEMEER
Join us for an engaging and hands-on workshop on artificial habitats and their importance in conservation on July 25th at Bendemeer Town Hall. Learn about modular nest box systems, specialized habitat solutions, and participate in field installations of various habitat structures. This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding of sustainable practices and make a tangible impact on our local wildlife. Click the Eventbrite link to register and find out more. Bring your gloves and passion for conservation—we look forward to seeing you there!

 https://tinyurl.com/yv482bw8

Exciting New Resources for Education and Youth in the North West Region

Exciting New Resources for Education and Youth in the North West Region

We are thrilled to announce that Tamworth Regional Landcare is embarking on an exciting new initiative to establish resources aimed at education and youth engagement in North West NSW. Our goal is to inspire and empower the younger generation to take an active role in landcare and environmental stewardship.

Counting Koalas

Tamworth Regional Landcare have embarked on an exciting new project. To count Koalas in the region as part of a country wide initiative funded by WIRES. With the use of a drone equipped with a high resolution thermal camera we are seeking out individual koalas camped high in the canopy of their eucalypt forest habitat.

Junior Landcare Family Fun!

The winter school holidays are fast approaching. We have created a free guide for some awesome Junior Landcare activities you can do right at home that are perfect for colder times of the year.

Caring for a native garden in winter

Sure is cold down here at the minute in Willow Tree!   

Having moved to a “Plantswomans” garden with a LOT of native plants, I thought I better do a bit of research and see if there were any essential tasks I need to keep in mind.  Luckily, it seems pretty simple… there are a few photos below, and I take NO credit for the garden! 

Turning Knowledge into Practice at Balala Station, Uralla

Producers and industry representatives alike enjoyed an informative and motivating discussion on Natural Capital and its potential benefits to food and fibre markets at a recent Australian Holistic Management Cooperative (AHMC) field day hosted by Richard and Sarah Daugherty at their historic property “Balala Station”

Photo Competition now open

Submit your entry by Friday, August 25 | ONLINE

Join Our Exciting Photo Competition! 

Theme: Water in the Landscape 

Are you passionate about photography and the natural beauty of our landscape? We invite you to participate in our photo competition and capture the essence of "Water in the Landscape." This theme aims to highlight the vital role of water in our environment and inspire awareness and appreciation of our natural surroundings. 

What are the benefits of native bees and what can you do attract them to your garden?

If you want flowers or fruits in your garden, they'll need pollinating, and native bees are among Australia's most powerful pollinators.

Landcare Australia seeks NSW landholder/s interested in participating in a large direct seeding project

Landcare Australia is looking for a landholder/s who would be interested in participating in a large direct seeding project, in collaboration with one of our corporate partners, to plant 44,444 trees in 2025.

Committee Meeting

18 JUNE 2024 | ONLINE

2024 May-June TRLA Committee & Member Meeting

Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Start time: 5:15pm for a 5:30pm start
Venue: Join Zoom Meeting

Join Meeting

Meeting ID: 883 1044 0804
Passcode: 409548

All TRLA members are welcome to attend committee meetings.

We want to know more...

We want to hear from YOU! Help us make a bigger impact in our community and our local environment. We've put together a quick survey to find out how we can serve you better. Whether it's learning about new subjects, getting involved as a volunteer, or sharing your awesome ideas – we want to know it all!Click the link below to fill out the survey. Your feedback is crucial for us to grow and make a difference together. Let's keep our grassroots movement strong and thriving!

Habitat Augmentation

25 JULY 2024 | BENDEMEER

Join us for an engaging and hands-on workshop on artificial habitats and their importance in conservation on July 25th at Bendemeer Town Hall. Learn about modular nest box systems, specialized habitat solutions, and participate in field installations of various habitat structures. This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding of sustainable practices and make a tangible impact on our local wildlife. Click the Eventbrite link to register and find out more. Bring your gloves and passion for conservation—we look forward to seeing you there!

Finding Bogong moths and Semi Evergreen Vine Thicket communities

We have this week been contacted in relation to sourcing local knowledge around locations of Bogong Moth breeding habitat and Semi Evergreen Vine Thicket communities.

The Royal Botanic Gardens are looking to carry out field research on Semi Evergreen Vine Thicket.  I have advised them of a remnant area I am aware of in Bingara, however they are keen to hear of any other SEVT communities in the North West.  If you know of further sites which the researchers would be able to access, please get in touch with me in order that I can pass this information on.  The Royal Botanic Gardens researchers are about to commence a project that aims to increase the resilience in the Semi-evergreen Vine Thicket dry rainforest community. The project will follow the model they communicated in the previous Brigalow community workshops held across the region,  that combine a genetic and seed trait approach to help identify environmental conditions that are amenable to create new SeVT communities that are resilient and self-sustaining or to build additional resilience into surviving remnants.

Separately to this request, we have also been contacted by the University of Melbourne looking for information on local Bogong Moths in their winter breeding grounds.  I have attached an information sheet in regards to this.  Please either contact Emily direct on the details on the attached information sheet, or get in touch with me and I can forward any relevant information on to Emily.

Any queries in regards to the above, please don't hesitate to contact me

Shelley McDouall
Regional Landcare Coordinator (North West Region)

Northern Slopes Landcare

Mob 0474 887 982    ph. 02 6724 2052

Knowledge sharing in Bendemeer

On Friday, June 14th, members of Little Manilla Landcare Group, visited Bendemeer for an inspiring tour of the Macdonald River led by Anne and Winston Doak. Over more than a  decade, Anne and Winston have spearheaded a beautification project that has transformed the river's ecosystem. Their efforts have focused on removing invasive species like Black Willow and Privet, and planting native species such as Ribbon Gums and Callistemons. The Macdonald River, home to the Bells turtle and platypus, has seen significant habitat improvement due to the removal of introduced willows, which has greatly enhanced the natural environment for these native species.

The Doaks generously shared their time and expertise, motivating the group from Manilla to consider a similar project at the Junction in Manilla. This area, where the Manilla River meets the Namoi, is popular among walkers, families, picnickers, and fishing enthusiasts. However, it has been overrun by invasive weeds and trees, making river access difficult. The educational and inspiring visit to Bendemeer provided valuable insights and encouragement for our Manilla group to reclaim and restore their own stretch of the river, enhancing its accessibility and ecological health for the community.

Rehydrating the Landscape at Big Jacks Creek

Roger and Jill bought “The Oaks” about 20 years ago.  Roger’s background is in IT and Project Management within financial groups, which would explain his ability to observe, analyse and take cost effective action to resolve problems.  Jill is Nurse Educator based in Sydney.  Their focus at The Oaks were cattle, fattening, fodder, profitability...

2024 Photo Competition

Get Ready, Nature Lovers! 🌿📸

We're excited to announce that our 2024 Photo Competition is on the horizon! This year's theme is "Water in the Landscape," and we can't wait to see how you capture the beauty and importance of water in our environment.

Keep your eyes peeled for more details coming soon! In the meantime, grab your cameras, start exploring, and follow us to stay updated. Let's showcase the stunning landscapes that make our community special!