NSW Landcare Committee

The NSW Landcare Committee, the peak body for Landcare in NSW, met for the first time on Wednesday 10 August 2005. The Chair is Mr Chris Scott and the deputy Chair is Mr Ted Spackman. Both have had many years of experience with Landcare in NSW.

Chris Scott is also a member of the Natural Resources Advisory Council (NRAC), the peak natural resource management body in NSW. The NRAC provides a high level forum for stakeholders to advise the NSW Government on natural resource management issues.

The Committee is supported by the Department of Environment and Climate Change. Landcare group members will be pleased to know that the Department is committed to supporting Landcare, believing that the Landcare community has an important role to play in working with the Catchment Management Authorities, particularly in involving the community in implementing the Authorities’ catchment action plans.

The NSW Landcare Committee looks forward to continuing productive partnerships between Landcare and Catchment Management Authorities as we enter an exciting new era of natural resource management in NSW.

The membership of the Committee is

Mr Chris Scott - Chair and Coastal North Region
Mr Ted Spackman - Deputy Chair and Central North Region
Mr Andrew Bain - Central South Region
Position Vacant -Western Region
Position Vacant - Metropolitan and Coastal South Region
Cr Vanessa Ekins - Local Government
Mr John Klem - CMA Chairs Council
Mr Jim Booth - Department of Environment and Climate Change
Mr Robert Clegg - Aboriginal Interests

Please click here for further details about the Committee (Word Document -33 KB).

For more information please contact one of the following

Chris Scott - Phone: 0428 860639, E-mail sancris@tpg.com.au,

John Perrott, Project Officer - Phone (02) 9895 7252, E-mail john.perrott@environment.nsw.gov.au.

NSW Landcare Incorporated

NSW Landcare Incorporated is the new name for the NSW Landcare Community Reference Group. It held its inaugural meeting in November 2007.

NSW Landcare Inc will act as lobby and liaison group for the NSW Landcare Movement and will advise the NSW Landcare Committee on grassroots Landcare issues. The Reference Group is expected to have Landcarer representatives from each CMA area in NSW.

The group was established at the NSW Landcare Muster, held at Tamworth on 24 October 2007, which was attended by grassroots Landcare representative from around NSW.

One of the first tasks of NSW Landcare Inc is to establish sub-committees to look at the issues of representation, identifying key activities and legal issues such as the draft constitution.

David Walker, Executive Officer of the Liverpool Plains Land Management Committee, and Chris Scott, Chair of the NSW Landcare Committee are the co-convenors of NSW Landcare Inc.

For more information, please click here for a press release located on the Murrumbidgee Landcare Incorporated website.

Murrumbidgee Landcare has also put an online discussion forum on NSW Landcare Incorporated on their website. Landcarers and other interested parties are invited to participate. Please click here to access the forum.

For more information on the Landcare Muster, please click here for the Southern New England Landcare website.

2007 NSW Landcare Awards

The 2007 NSW Landcare Awards were presented at Tamworth on 26 October 2007 as part of the Namoi State Landcare and Landscape Management Forum.

The first place winners are:

Murray-Darling Basin Commission Rivercare Award

Riverglades Wetlands Project, Tumut Shire Council

Landcare Carbonsmart Nature Conservation Award

Dorrigo Mountain Top Landcare Group

Alcoa Landcare Community Group Award

Lower Apsley River Landcare Group

Leighton Holdings Local Government Landcare Partnerships Award

Orange City Council

Australian Government Coastcare Award

Friends of Avalon Dunes

Rural Press Primary Producer Award

Tim and Karen Wright, Uralla

Westpac Landcare Education Award

Wyong Creek Public School

Australian Government Landcare NRM Region Award

Lachlan Catchment Management Authority

Alcan Landcare Indigenous Award

Gandangarra Local Aboriginal Land Council Landcare Group

Individual Landcarer Award

John Blunt, Lucknow

The first place winners are now the NSW entrants in the National Landcare Awards and will be flown to the Awards ceremony which will be held in Canberra on 23 October 2008.

The NSW entrants, along with the other National Landcare Award nominees, are also eligible for a People's Choice award, where the Landcare nominee that receives the most online votes from the general public will be honoured at the awards ceremony.

For more information on the National Landcare Awards, and to vote on the People's Choice Award please click here for Landcare Australia's Landcare Heroes website.

Around the groups

The Community Environment Network (CEN) recently became the co-ordinators of the Land for Wildlife Program in NSW. Previously, the program was co-ordinated by Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) as a non-statutory program. DECC are supporting CEN with seed funding and advice to promote the program. Please click here for more details on the program on the CEN website.

Berry Landcare Artfest is on again! Come and join local artists and show your support for Berry Landcare at the annual art festival at Berry School of Arts, Alexandra St, Berry on 10 am - 4 pm, 6 September 2008 and 10 am - 3 pm, 7 September 2008. For more information contact Kim Dove on 02 4464 3391 or email berryartfest@optusnet.com.au

Big Scrub Rainforest Day is presented by Rainforest Rescue and the Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare Group at Rocky Creek Dam (north of Lismore). The day will be held on 14 September 2008. The celebration starts at 7 am with bird watching walks and continues until 4 pm with presentations, workshops, guided walks and performances. For more information please click here for the Rainforest Rescue website.

A joint Friends of Grasslands (FOG) /FNA tour on the Geology & Vegetation of Monaro will be held at 9.15 am - 3 pm, 14 September 2008. Dennis is a geologist, well acquainted with the Monaro, who will lead this trip around the Cooma area. The tour shall start at Quartz Hill, near Cooma (Bob and June Wilkinson's property). The program for the day will include a presentation on the geology of the Monaro (9.30am), followed by morning tea and a visit to granite and sedimentary sites on the property. Then the tour shall be visiting several sites around Cooma, including a subduction zone, a syenite (intrusive rock), and basalt terraces. At each site tour party shall relate the geology and soils to the vegetation structure and show the dominant plants. The tour shall stop for lunch in Cooma. To obtain more information/or register contact Tony Lawson on 02 6161 9430 or email tony.lawson@fog.org.au.

As part of the The Great Australian Bushwalk, Wolli Creek Preservation Society is planning a walk of the Two Valley Trail from Bexley North to Campsie, all 13 km! But there are plenty of dropping out points at train and bus stops along the way. Meet at the junction of Bexley Road and Wolli Creek at 8.45 am on 14 September 2008 for a 9 am prompt start and allow 4 – 4.5 hours for the full trip. For information on how to become a member of the Wolli Creek Preservation Society, please click here for their website.

The National Trust of Australia (NSW) is organising a tour of The Wildflowers and Wine Regions of Western Australia on 15 – 26 September 2008. This landmark tour never ceases to delight its participants, with the amazing variety and sheer beauty of flowers. Beginning in Perth’s Burswood Park, the tour follows the trails of the wildflowers north, taking in a diverse range of historic and geographic features. The tour visit several National Trust properties such as Tranby House, the historic wineries of Sandalford and Houghton, and geographic wonders like the river gorges and rainbow jungle near Geraldton. After exploring the mid-northern region of WA the tour moves south to the Margaret River area, driving first to enjoy the architectural gem of Bunbury and then on to the idyllic Voyager and Leeuwin estates. The National Trust properties Wonnerup Homestead and Ellenbrook are of particular interest in this area. In Pemberton the tour will encounter the magical world of the Karri trees, inspiration for the many artists and artisans whose galleries and studios abound. The rugged coastline of Albany will then be the tour's focus, before it soaks up the history and architecture of colonial Fremantle. A visit to the WA wildflowers in Wireless Hill Reserve makes a fitting finale to the tour. Bookings: Joan at Classic Holidays Perth, free call 1800 625 177 or (08) 9316 2277 – after 11am EST. The tour leader is Carole McFadden who can be contacted on (02) 9498 1612.

The Community Environment Network (Central Coast) has a FrogsWorkshop on 27 September 2008. This exciting workshop is about Australian frogs and their conservation. The main focus of the day will be the habitat requirements of frogs, how to construct backyard habitats for frogs and restoring frog habitat. For more information and to book please contact CEN administration on 02 4349 4756 or e-mail cccen@cccen.org.au. Bookings are essential as numbers are restricted.

Wolli Creek Preservation Society has a birdwatching walk on 28 September 2008 from 9 am to 12 pm. Introductory birdwatching walk from Bardwell Park to Turrella with Alan Leishman. Pre-registration essential - contact Peter on 02 9554 3176 or or e-mail info@wollicreek.org.au. For information on how to become a member of the Wolli Creek Preservation Society, please click here for their website.

The Crossing Land Education Trust is hosting the Crossing Permaculture Design Course with John Champagne and Hugh Gravestein from 6 October 2008 to 17 October 2008. The Crossing Land Education Centre is located at Bermagui (near Bega) off Nutleys Ck Rd (Bermagui-Quaama track). Contact John Champagne for more details on 02 6492 7306. The cost is $950 per person and includes tuition, handouts, food during days & 2x evening meals. Accommodation costs are $250 for bunk sleeps, breakfasts & all evening meals or $200 for camping on site, breakfasts & all evening meals. A Course Deposit of $100 to secure your registration as places are limited. Make cheque payable to Brogo Permaculture Gardens. PO Box 576, Bega 2550, NSW. This fully residential course is approved by the Permaculture Institute and on completion participants will be issued with a certificate.

The National Trust of Australia (NSW) is organising a Riverina and Murray River Adventure on 10 – 17 October 2008. Spend eight days in the Riverina and Murray River regions, including a visit to Wagga Wagga, the largest inland city in NSW and also a garden city, as well as Junee, Yass, Temora and Echuca. One highlight of the tour is the open day at the Aviation Museum at Temora where collections of aircraft, including the Spitfire, are flown. The museum has the finest collection of flying historic aircraft in the world. Not to be missed is a cruise on a paddle-steamer along the Murray River at Echuca, once Australia’s largest inland port during the 1800s. The town is home to the largest collection of paddle-steamers in the world. Some of Australia’s most dramatic river scenery is found along the Murray River. We also visit the Balaclava Gold Mine, a chocolate and liquorice factory at Junee, and tour historic Lockhart, known as the ‘verandah town’ and once a favourite haunt of bushrangers. The tour leader is Suzy Greene who can be contacted on (02) 4332 2032. To register your interest call: Ghila Schutte, Goway Travel (02) 9262 4755 ext 43.

Riverlife has an interpretive tour, the People and the River tour, on 12 October 2008, 10 am - 12 noon. The tour meets and finishes at at The Old Sugar Mill, Hutton Street, Canterbury. Discover the stories of prominent personalities and groups who made decisions which changed the course of the Cooks River and its tributaries. Participants will need to bring a hat, water and sunscreen.Limited spaces are available so bookings are essential. Call Marrickville Council on 02 9335 2222 to reserve your place.

Wolli Creek Preservation Society has its Annual Dinner on 24 October 2008 from 6 pm onwards at the riverside venue of the St George Rowing Club, Levey St, Wolli Creek (near Arncliffe). Celebrating 25 years since the formation of the Society, the guest speaker is Justice David Kirby. The cost is $40 per person and payment is required by 14 October 2008. For more information please click here for the Society's website. For information on how to become a member of the Wolli Creek Preservation Society, please click here for their website.

The Friends of Lord Howe Island have announced the dates of their weeding ecotours to the island in 2008. They are aiming to make 2008 a big year to eradicate primary Climbing Asparagus. The final tour is 25 October to 1 November 2008. A deposit of $200 (cheque made to Pinetrees Travel) is required with the balance to be recieved 45 days prior to trip. For further information on the tours and how to pay contact the Friends on P.O Box 155, Lord Howe Island NSW 2898 or E-mail : lhitours@bigpond.com. The Friends also have reports on the 2007 tours, please click here for their web page and select "Newsletter 21".

Brunswick Valley Landcare (Far North Coast) has a workshop on lizards and snakes and their habitat needs on 25 October 2008. For more information please contact Judy on 02 6684 5390

STEP Inc are having a walk at Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains National Park on 2 November 2008, 11 am to 3 pm (Leader: Bill Jones). Bring sturdy walking shoes, a picnic lunch and/or snack food, water and a hat. Binoculars recommended. For further details please contact Bill Jones on 02 9498 6052 or billojns@accsoft.com.au. For information on becoming a member of STEP please click here for their website.

Stipa are holding their 6th National Native Grasslands Conference - Regenerative Native Grassland Management for Profitable, Ecological and Social Gains on 9-11 November 2008 at Horsham, Victoria. For more information and to register please click here for the Stipa website.

NRM Networking Partnerships Conference will be hosted by NSW Landcare Incorporated and the Conservation Management Network at the Queanbeyan Conference Centre on 14-15 November 2008. The conference will bring together conservation and landcare community networks to explore future partnerships for biodiversity projects, funding and education. For further information please contact Toni McLeish, Grassy Box Woodland CMN, on 02 6229 7119 or Marion Benjamin, NSW Landcare Inc on 02 6925 7718.

Wolli Creek Preservation Society (WPCS) has its Annual Kayak Trip on 15 November 2008 at 9 am. Kayak up Wolli Creek (southern Sydney) with River Canoe Club training and WCPS commentary, with a light lunch thrown in. Cost $40. Pre-register your interest with Peter on 02 9554 3176 or e-mail info@wollicreek.org.au. For information on how to become a member of the Wolli Creek Preservation Society, please click here for their website.

The NSW Landcare Muster is hosted by NSW Landcare Inc and Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc at the Queanbeyan Conference Centre on 16 November 2008, 10 am to 5 pm. This is the annual muster for community-based landcare in NSW. Landcarers from across NSW are invited to join the public debate on the role of the community in environmental governance. They will have the opportunity to give input into setting the agenda for advocacy on behalf of the Landcare movement for the next twelve months. . For further information please contact David Walker, NSW Landcare Inc on 0428 418 332 or Marion Benjamin, NSW Landcare Inc on 02 6925 7718.

Resilient Landscapes, Resilient Communities: The Next Generation of Landcare is a forum hosted by Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc and Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Coordinating Committee at the Queanbeyan Conference Centre on 17-18 November 2008. This forum will highlight the on-ground successes and challenges of land managers in the catchment and will provide an opportunity to assess the role of the community in the future management of our landscapes. Day one will include field trips showcasing community environmental achievements in urban, peri-urban and rural landscapes. Land management issues and the partnerships required to address them will be the topic for discussion and debate on day two, including presentations from scientists, researchers, agencies and community members. For a program and registration please see the Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc website (www.murrumbidgeelandcare.asn.au). For further information please contact Jo Perkins, Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Coordinating Committee on 0415 907 959 or Marion Benjamin, Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc on 02 6925 7718.

The 2009 NSW Landcare Catchment Management Forum will be held at the Glasshouse, Port Macquarie on 10-11 September 2009. The 2009 NSW Landcare Awards Ceremony has been tentatively booked to be held at Port Panthers, Port Macquarie on 10 September 2009.

Landcare Marketplace

Welcome to the Landcare Marketplace !!

The market place is designed as an area where NSW Landcare groups can advertise their goods and services.

The Department of Environment and Climate Change does not endorse or in any respect warrant any third party products or services by virtue of any information, material or content referred to or included on, or linked from or to the Marketplace.

Advertisements by landcare groups are published on this site as a free service to groups. All enquiries should be directed to the landcare group that placed the advertisement.

Index

For Hire
For Sale
Resources Available
Positions Vacant
Fundraising and Volunteer Opportunities
Grants and Competitions
Equipment/Services wanted
On-line shops
How to Advertise

For Hire

East Ballina Landcare has a fully lockable, road insured trailer available for hire by Landcare groups for up to five days. The rates are: $25 for a single day; $20 per day for multiple days. Groups will need to pick up and return it to Angels Beach, East Ballina. Tools can be included (Loppers, secateurs, backpacks, shovels, etc.) for small additional fee depending on what's needed. Contact: Lee on 02 6681 3557 or e-mail andresen@sydney.dialix.com.au.

Parkes and Districts Landcare have a 3PL Deep Ripper and 3PL Tree Planter and Seeder (with Direct Seeder Attachment). To enquire about the hire of these implements please contact Parkes and Districts Landcare on 02 6862 1255.

For Sale

Index

Books and other publications
Posters
Plants

Stipa is selling perennial Stipa calanders for $20 (including postage and GST). The calanders feature a grass or grassland plant each month with identification, growth habits and grazing information. Please click here for an order form on the Stipa website.

Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare Group has published the second edtion of its manual Subtropical Rainforest restoration. This is a practical manual for landowners and land managers on caring for subtropical rainforest remnants and establishing rainforest plantings. . The manual costs $30 plus $3 postage and packing. The group's website has an order form with further instructions on how to order the manual. Please click here to access this form.

Brunswick Valley Landcare is offering for sale a range of hard to source environmental reference books. All profits will fund tree planting projects. All prices include GST, but postage is extra. For details on the titles available and contact information, please click here for the group's website.

Dyers Crossing Landcare Group Inc has published a field identification guide for indigenous trees. Although focusing on the Wallamba Valley (near Taree) and surrounds, this guide has relevance for vegetation across a wide area of Coastal NSW. The guide is 128 pages in length and is printed in colour. It has five sections.

• Section 1 provides basic information about how to use the book, including keys for use in identifying trees.
• Section 2 is the main section of the book and contains colour photographs, diagrams and descriptions of 72 common Australian trees and shrubs. This section was written by a Hunter/Central Rivers CMA Board member who has considerable expertise in tree identification and bush regeneration.
• Section 3 contains information important for readers who wish to learn how to protect habitats for common and threatened species of plants and animals. This section was written by the Senior Threatened Species Officer in the Department of Environment and Conservation, Coffs Harbour.
• Section 4 contains a description of four major weed trees found locally. This section was compiled from information provided by Greater Taree City Council, Great Lakes Council and the Midcoast Weeds Advisory Committee.
• Section 5 contains references, resources, a glossary of terms and diagrams of typical leaf shapes.

The book has 80 colour photographs and is spiral-bound to facilitate tree identification in a field setting. The cost is $25 per copy plus $5 for postage and handling.. Orders may be sent to Dyers Crossing Landcare Group Inc. Email: kgl_landcare@bigpond.com. Please click here for an order form (Word Document 21 KB)

Penny Watsford and Margaret Elliott are members of the Friends of Wollumbin Landcare group, in northern NSW. Penny and Margaret have produced the following guides:

• Plants of the Forest Floor: a guide to small native plants of subtropical eastern Australia describes over 84 plants, with 'Plain English' text compiled by Penny and detailed line drawings by Margaret. Included with the book is a CD-ROM, produced by Botanists Robert Price and Lui Weber, with colour photos of 150 plants. The book contains gardening notes, references and an index. A5 format. 115 pages. Retail $15, Wholesale $10, Mail Order $20
• Grasses of the Tweed Valley of NSW: An introductory field guide to locally common grasses: native and introduced has descriptions and line drawings of 33 native and introduced grasses which are widespread in sub-tropical eastern Australia. It includes references and an index. A5 format. 83 pages. Retail $8, Wholesale $5, Mail Order $10.

These books can be ordered from the Croaking Environment Resources website. Please click here to access the site.

Mount Gibraltar Landcare and Bushcare is publishing The Gib, a book about Mount Gibraltar, which is a prominant landmark just outside of Bowral. The book is packed with information about this special place. It describes the Aboriginal and European social history from bark shelters to grand houses, the industrial history of the railway, the famous Bowral Trachyte quarries and the restoration of the Mount Gibraltar Reserve. Specialists introduce the natural
history of the plants and animals and the book has over 300 advertisements illustrated with maps, diagrams, charts, photographs and drawings. The cost is $49.95 plus $8 postage and handling. Please click here for more details about the book and information on how to order it (PDF 2.1 MB).

Native Dog Landcare Group, in collaboration with Berrigan Shire Council and Charles Sturt University have issued a publication - Native Vegetation Guide for the Riverina - notes for land managers on its management and revegetation. The Guide provides information in the western Riverina and key issues in vegetation management, restoration, and plant establishment. Vegetation profiles are provided for all land systems in the region plus illustrated descriptions of over 300 species. The Guide costs $40 (including GST and postage). For more information please click here for the attached flyer (PDF -361 KB). To obtain an order form (PDF - 67KB) please click here.

STEP Inc has also produced the following publications:

• Field Guide to the Bushland of the Upper Lane Cove Valley - Written by John Martyn, this Field Guide contains an overview of the area's natural history, describes fifteen bushwalks, lists the flora and fauna, and contains over 300 illustrations of plants, fungi, fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds in the Upper Lane Cove Valley. Published in 1994, the Field Guide costs $30. Please click here for more information on the STEP website, including a link to an order form.
• Sydney's Natural World is a 217 page hard cover book on Sydney's beautiful natural assets. It is written by STEP Inc committee member John Martyn. It shows fascinating sites, will inform you about the wonderful natural world at the doorstep of Sydney, and will challenge you to go and look for yourself. The beauty and variety of Sydney’s landscape and ecosystems are brought into stunning focus in this beautiful book featuring over 400 amazing colour photographs. The cost of the book (by mail order) is $60 to non members, including postage and handling. Please click here for more information on the STEP website, including a link to a brochure and order form.
• Walking Tracks of the Lane Cove Valley (2000).
• Walking Tracks of Middle Harbour Valley and Northern Sydney Harbour Foreshore.
  Sheets 1 and 2 Bungaroo and Roseville Bridge (2004)
• Walking Tracks of Middle Harbour Valley and Northern Sydney Harbour Foreshore.
  Sheets 3 and 4 Northbridge and North Harbour (2004)
  The Walking Track Maps show bush tracks, cycleways and fire trails with connecting streets and access points. theyan excellent reference for all ages and type of user, from the occasional suburban stroller to the dedicated bushwalker. Cost $20 for non-members. Please click here for more information on the STEP website, including a link to an order form.
  

The Wolli Creek Preservation Society has published a series of books about the Wolli Creek Valley (Southern Sydney):

• The Story of Stone by George Morgan, with special geological section by Dr P.J. Conaghan
• The Place That Jackson Built - the story behind six stone cottages by Judy Finlason, with a foreword by Jack Mundey
• The Wolli Creek Valley - A History of Survival by Brian Madden & Lesley Muir
• Neil Rankin's Birds of Wolli Valley - new revised version

The Society also has a number of DVDs outlining the history of the Wolli Creek Valley. For more information on the books and the DVDs, including how to order them, please click here for the Society's website.

Milton Rural Landcare Group has A3 sized Foliage Posters for sale at $15. For further information please click here for the group's website.

The Blue Mountains Wildplant Rescue Service has a nursery at 14 Oak St Katoomba. Its operating hours are 10 am to 4 pm, Tuesdays to Fridays and 10 to 1pm Saturdays. For a list of plants available and prices, please click here for the service's website and select "Nursery" from the menu.

Resources Available

Bellingen Urban Landcare recently produced a Restoration Guide full of ideas on things you can do to regenerate your own yard. The guide is specifically written for the environment and climate of the Bellingen Shire. If you would like a copy mailed to you please click here for the group's website.

A Resource Kit For Rural Landholders In The Nambucca, Macleay and Hastings Valleys. If you live on the land or you are thinking talking up rural life on the mid north coast of NSW, this kit is for you. It pulls together basic information relevant to living on the land that is normally scattered across organisations into an easy to use guide for landholders in these three valleys.The kit briefly describes the natural resources (soils, water, native vegetation, pastures) and major factors that impact on them (climate, drought, fire, weeds) specific to this area. It also provides a guide to resources where you can find more detailed information about the enterprises you work with or to better understand your land. The contact section in the kit lists contact details for Government departments and organisations relevant to living on the land. A supplementary pack is also available for more detailed information on agriculture enterprises and managing your natural resources. Landcare on the Mid North Coast together with the National Landcare Program and the Northern Rivers CMA provide this kit to landowners free. For more information contact:-

• Nambucca Valley Landcare 02 6564 7838
• Macleay Landcare Network 02 6562 2076
• Hastings Landcare Inc. 02 6586 4465

OceanWatch Australia has produced a range of publications, CDs DVDs, videos and posters. Please click on the title of the product for more information on the OceanWatch website.

• Protected Species Handling Manual
• Coastal Ecological Floodplain Manual
• Bycatch Solutions
• Waste Reduction in Action - Video
• Maintaining Biodiversity in Sustainable Marine Fisheries
• Hoppers in Australian Trawl Fisheries - A Handbook for Fishers
• Our Valuable Estuaries CD Rom (Primary Schools) and Poster (High Schools)
  

Please contact Oceanwatch on 02 9660 2262 or e-mail ocean@oceanwatch.org.au to obtain copies of these resources.

Palmvale Community Landcare (North Coast) has released the Eco Monitoring Kit. This information package has been designed as a utility to assist in managing community Landcare projects. It attempts to bring together sufficient resources and relevant information to enable individuals or community groups to manage their ecological restoration and/or rehabilitation projects. Beginning with the formation of a group to seeking funding and ensuring suitable monitoring methods are applied, this package will endeavour to provide the foundation to facilitate effective, efficient environmental change. Please click here for more information on the kit on the Palmvale Landcare website.

Positions Vacant

The Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife is looking for a PR and Communications Manager - an all rounder who is keen to take on their media relations, publications and other communications. For more information please click here for the Foundation's website.

The National Trust of Australia (NSW) Bushland Management Division requires Bush Regenerators: Site Supervisors, trained Bush Regenerators and Trainees to work in various bushland sites located throughout the Sydney area, particularly the Eastern Suburbs. These positions for are casual. Award Conditions and rates apply. TAFE Bush Regeneration qualification is preferred. Applicants must have minimum of Chemical Safety training (AQF 2 or equivalent) for use of herbicides. Please E-mail CV and experience to: bmd@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au or mail to: GPO Box 518 Sydney 2001. For further enquiries please ring 02 9258 0176.

Fundraising and Volunteering Opportunities

The Kooragang Wetland Rehabilitation Project (near Newcastle) has volunteering opportunities in all these areas.

• Bush Regeneration
• Plant Propagation
• Community Gardens
• Revegetation
• Adopt a Patch
• Building and Grounds Maintenance
• Monitoring
• Communications
• Tour Guiding
  

For more information and contacts please click here for Kooragang's website.

Rainforest Rescue is ready to plant trees for you! And they will send you or your loved ones a special "Plant a Tree" Gift Card detailing how many trees you have had planted for you, or on behalf of your friends or loved ones. Plant a tree for your children or grandchildren, for mum or dad, for Chrismas, birthdays, on Mother's or Father's day. Businesses are are also welcome, in fact anyone from Alaska to Timbuktu can be involved. The trees will be planted at the Crystal Castle, near Byron Bay. This area was once part of the Big Scrub rainforest which ranged from Byron and Ballina to Lismore. One tree will be planted for $25, five trees will be planted for $100 and fifty trees will be planted for $500. For more information and to plant a tree, please click here for the Rainforest Rescue website.

Grants and Competitions

The Crossing Land Education Trust is organising a Wild Place Song Competition and the opportunity for youth to perform at the Cobargo Folk Festival, 28 February to 1 March 2009 at Cobargo Showground (near Bega). Performance at The Crossing Youth Music Expo open to all youth at The Cobargo Folk Festival (Best two songs! 15 minute sets). There is also a songwriting competition about Wild Places. To enter please email thecrossing@thebegavalley.org.au.

Project Aware Asia Pacific is facilitating the provision of grants to a variety of nonprofit organizations, institutions and individuals involved in activities directly related to the conservation of underwater environments - both marine and freshwater. For further details please click here for the organisation's website.

The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife along with Dymocks, Project Aware, the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Faber Castell and the Australian Maritime Museum are hosting the 2008 Dymocks Golden Paw Awards. This competition is for kids between the ages of four and twelve and encourages them to draw or paint an Australian threatened animal. Six hundred of the artworks will be shown at the Austalian Maritime Museum from 28 September 2008 until 12 October 2008. For more details on the competition please click here for the Foundation's website. Entries close 30 September 2008.

The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife provides funds to Australian State and Commonwealth government agencies for protection of our native species, habitats, landscapes and cultural heritage. For more information please click here for the Foundation's website.

STEP Inc funds two research and education grants every year:

• The Pam Morse Bequest Fund offers grants for research or education projects relating to managing and conserving urban bushland in the Sydney region.
• STEP is also aligned with Intel Young Scientist and each year they donate a prize of $200 for the best environmental project.
  

For more information please click here for the STEP website and select the grants section.

Equipment/Services Wanted

The Crossing Land Education Trust are looking for donations of the following equipment and services:

• Retired/semi retired plumber to volunteer to connect solar hot water, wood stove and fire sprinklers
• Double oven bakers wood stove for main hall
• A large water tank of around 100 000 litres
• Grey Fergie tractor overhaul, roll bar, slasher and blade

Please click here for more information on the Trust's webpages on the thebegavalley.org website. To help please call the Trust on 02 6493 3400.

On Line Shops

The Crossing Land Education Trust has an online shop on the thebegavalley.org website It is selling a CD - Sounds of the Crossing. Sounds of the the Crossing is a worldmusic journey through a day and a night featuring The Waifs, Jigzag, Andrew Claremont, Justin Brady, Riley Lee, Loth Lorian and more. The cost is $20.00 AUD. Please click here to access the shop.

How to advertise

Advertisements will be only be accepted from NSW Landcare groups and recognised NSW Community Support Officers.

To advertise please send your draft advertisement to the website's E-mail address (landcarensw.landcarensw@dnr.nsw.gov.au).

The maximum space of advertisements appearing on the Marketplace is one paragraph per item. The web manager will edit draft advertisements to fit this limit.

The web manager retains the right to move, edit, delete and not publish any advertisement considered inappropriate for the Marketplace.

The Australian Green Grants Guide

Are you involved in a Landcare or another community group? Are you an individual or business with a great project that could help the environment?

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of grants available each year, which could make a big financial difference to your project.

The Australian Green Grants Guide 2008 is a comprehensive listing of environmental and heritage grants offered by Government and non-Government organisations.

Projects that lower greenhouse gas emissions, that conserve places of environmental and heritage value and that use water wisely are examples of those that have received funding..

The Guide focuses on grants relating to seven themes:

Water ~ Biodiversity ~ Energy ~ Greenhouse ~ Heritage Sites ~ Land ~ Waste

In the Australian Green Grants Guide 2008, you’ll have access to more than 300 grants around Australia.

The guide costs for $54.95 (GST included) each.There will also be a charge of $9.95 for postage and handling for each copy mailed.

Please click here for a webpage on the site of the guide's publishers, Molino Stewart Pty Ltd, which will give you more information on the guide and how to order it.

History of Landcare Support in NSW

Want to see some of the highlights of the past 19 years? Please click here.

Links to Calendars of green events