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 committee consists of representatives of the NSW Landcare community as well as State and Local Government representatives and indigenous interests.

The Chair of the Committee also represents the NSW Landcare Community on 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, Climate Change and Water (DECCW). 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 names of the members and the interests they represent are:

Chris Scott - Chair and Coastal North community
Ted Spackman - Deputy Chair and Central North community
Vacant - Central South community
Mandi Stevenson - Metropolitan and Coastal South community
Stuart Mosely - Western community
Jim Booth - DECCW
Robert Gledhill - Catchment Management Authorities
Cyril Sampson - Indigenous interests
David Walker - Landcare NSW Inc
Vacant- Local Government

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

For more information please contact one of the following

Chris Scott, Chair - 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.

Landcare NSW Incorporated

Landcare NSW Incorporated held its inaugural meeting in November 2007.

Landcare NSW 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 Landcare NSW 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 is the chair of NSW Landcare Inc and its representative on the NSW Landcare Committee.

For more information, please click here for a media release located on the Landcare NSW Inc website.

For more information on the 2008 Landcare Muster, please click here for the Southern New England Landcare website.

Landcare NSW Inc now has its own website (www.landcarensw.org.au). Please note the difference between our address and their address. Landcare NSW Inc has ".au" at the end of their address, we don't !

2009 NSW Landcare Awards winners announced

The winners of the 2009 NSW Landcare Awards were announced at the 2009 NSW Landcare and Catchment Management Forum dinner, held at Port Macquarie on 10 September 2009.

Winners were announced in ten categories. In nine out of the ten categories, the first place winners have been nominated as the NSW applicant at the 2010 National Landcare Awards. In the Landcare Community Group category joint first place winners of Buckwaroon Catchment Landcare Group and Southern New England Landcare were announced and Southern New England Landcare will represent NSW at the National Landcare awards.”

There was also a NSW People’s Choice Award which was won by the Northern Beaches Roadkill Prevention Committee.

The winners in each award category are as follows:

Urban Landcare Award

• Forbes Urban Landcare Group Inc, Forbes - First Place

Landcare Primary Producer

• Michael, Lynne & Nicholas Strong, Clover Hill Dairies, Jamberoo - First Place

Australian Government Landcare NRM Region Award

• Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority - First Place

Australian Government Coastcare Award

• Friends of Bungan, Newport - First Place

Westpac Landcare Education Award

• Orara Valley Learning Community, Orara Valley - First Place

Local Government Landcare Partnerships Award

• Murray Darling Association - First Place

Young Landcare Leader

• Erin Rowe - First Place

Individual Landcarer Award

• Kate McLaren, Attunga - First Place

Landcare Indigenous Award

• Eric Bell, Buranya Aboriginal Corporation, Yass - First Place

Landcare Community Group

• Buckwaroon Catchment Landcare Group, Cobar - Equal First Place
• Southern New England Landcare, Armidale - Equal First Place
  Southern New England Landcare progresses to the National Landcare Awards
  

Landcare Australia Limited has more details on some of the NSW Award winners. Please click here for its website.

The National Landcare Awards will be announced and presented at Parliament House, Canberra on 24 June 2010.

Landcare NSW PlaceStories

Landcare NSW PlaceStories is an exciting collaboration between Landcare NSW Inc and Feral Arts. This is a site for sharing local knowledge, local stories and local views on sustainable farm practices and natural resource management issues across New South Wales.

Landcare NSW PlaceStories is an information tool designed to enhance storytelling, communication and collaboration between individuals, communities, networks and organisations about National Landcare Program and other projects affecting communities and the environment throughout New South Wales.

To access the Landcare NSW Placestories website, please click here.

Caring for our Country Business Plan - Call for applications

The Commonwealth has called for investment proposals under its Caring for our Country Business Plan 2010/11. Caring for our Country is the Commonwealth's five-year (2008-2013) natural resource management initiative that focuses investment on six national priority areas:

• National Reserve System
• Biodiversity and natural icons
• Coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats
• Sustainable practices
• Northern and remote Australia
• Community skills, knowledge and engagement.

The Commonwealth is seeking applications that address these priority areas under the Open Call funding component of the Business Plan. The 2010/11 Business Plan outlines specific regions and sites where funding is being targeted. Proposals seeking funding outside these areas will not be considered by the Commonwealth.

A copy of the 2010/11 Business Plan, details on what programs are available for the community and directions on how to apply are available on the Caring for our Country website. Please click here to access the site.

Applications for all available programs close on 15 April 2010.

Australian Landcare Council Reinstated

The Australian Government has reactivated the Australian Landcare Council.

The new Chair of the Council is Kim Chance, the former Western Australia Agriculture Minister.

For more information, please click here for a media release from The Hon. Tony Burke MP, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

2010 National Landcare Forum - Adelaide

A national forum for landcare and related community groups will be held at the Adelaide Racecourse (also known as Allan Scott Park), Morphettville, Adelaide, South Australia on 22-25 March 2010.

The theme of the 2010 forum is Landcare celebrates – 20 years of achievements and future challenges.

The key objectives of the forum are to:

• provide opportunities for people interested in healthy landscapes to communicate with each other
• learn from each other
• renew contacts and reinforce networks for sustainable natural resource management, and
• discuss future challenges and opportunities.

The forum will be particularly relevant to people involved in:

• community groups focussed on the environment
• farmers and landholders
• people interested in creating sustainable landscapes, lifestyles and livelihoods for the 21st century
• rural, regional and urban land managers
• indigenous land managers, and
• research and land development agencies.
  

For more information, please click here for the Forum website.

Information sourced from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Around the groups

The Bellingen Autumn Plant Fair will be held on 13 March 2009. There will be a number of interesting workshops, tours of the nearby rainforest led by representatives of the local Landcare community, stalls including ones organised by Bellinger Landcare, Bellingen Urban Landcare and CROPO and much more! The fair is a fundraiser for the Bellingen Environment Centre and sponsored by the Bellingen Community Markets and Bellinger Courier Sun. For more information please click here for the Landcare NSW Incorporated website. Information courtesy of The Bellinger Shire Courier Sun.

The next Australian Seabird Rescue (ASR) Marine Wildlife Workshop will be held on 13 March 2010, 8.30 am to 4.30 pm at the ASR Marine Wildlife Centre, Ballina. The workshop is a great opportunity for new and potential members to find out what ASR is all about and how you can help save our local wildlife. You must register prior to the workshop to secure your place, by phoning 02 6686 2852. The workshop is great value at $20 for members and $30 non-members and includes morning and afternoon tea, lunch and handbook.

In conjunction with Bankstown Council, OurRiver will run a Water Wise bus tour on 13 March 2010 to sites within Bankstown, such as wetlands, raingardens, council buildings and residential houses that show ways to reduce stormwater pollution and conserve water. There will be plenty of opportunity for questions and morning tea will be provided. Please meet behind the Bankstown City Council Chambers cnr of Rickard and Jacobs St 9:15 am. The bus tour will be from 9.30 am to 12 pm and will stop at:

• Bankstown Council Depot rainwater harvesting and re - use system
• Padstow raingarden
• Chullora Wetlands

To hop on board, please contact Madeline on 02 9748 9648 or Madeline.hourihan@strathfield.nsw.gov.au. RSVP: By 12 March.

Trees in Newcastle (TIN) will be selling frog friendly plants and resources at the Society of Frogs and Reptiles Expo at the Newcastle Jockey Club, Darling St, Broadmeadow, Newcastle on 14 March 2010, 9 am to 6.59 pm. TIN will be selling frog friendly plants and resources to help build your frog pond or regenerate your bushland so the wildlife returns. If things that slide and slither are your fancy his is an opportunity to get up close, but not to personal with your favourite amphibian.

STEP Inc has a walk at Long Reef, Collaroy on 14 March 2010. The walk is aimed at both existing STEP members and any others who simply want to get out into the wonderful local Australian bushland. As well as having a marine reserve, Long Reef is a major resting and feeding ground for seabirds. It features sites of great geological interest and remnants of coastal clay-type vegetation, and is a wonderful place to look at the life of tidal rock pools. Times are restricted by tide - so STEP will visit at low tide when one is able to walk across the rock platform. Meet at 1 pm at the end of Anzac Avenue, Collaroy (near the Long Reef Golf Club). Parking is metered along the beach front but street parking (at own risk) is usually available near Anzac Ave. Estimated duration is 2 hours and the difficulty is Easy. Bring your own supply of drinking water, something to nibble for energy, hat, sun screen, insect repellent and weather protection if required. In addition bring beach wear, sturdy non-slip shoes that can get wet and salty, and especially camera, binoculars, and any identification books on birds and seashore life if you have them. The STEP safe walking guidelines apply and the walk requires some reasonable level of fitness. Due to sometimes rough terrain, the walk is not suitable for young children or those with walking difficulties. The group size will be limited to 15, so booking is essential. Contact John Martyn on 02 9449 7962, 0425 830 260 or johnmartyn@optusnet.com.au. Complimentary afternoon tea follows the walk.

• information on the Bush stone-curlew's ecology and current population,
• managing vital habitat,
• the captive breeding program,
• translocation and release program,
• personal experiences of the Bush Stone-Curlew by the presenters Jan and Neville from the Nature Conservation Working Group in the Murray Catchment,
• a photographic display,
• informative brochures,
• an exhibit of taxidermy Bush Stone-curlews and also their eggs.

This workshop is for environmental volunteers and anyone with a keen interest in our native birds. So come along and learn about this endangered ground dwelling bird, find out how you can help their population, while you meet new friends or catch up with some old ones. The workshop will be held at the Coastal Environment Centre, at Narrabeen Lagoon. The entrance is at Pelican Path, Lake Park Road, North Narrabeen. The cost is free and supper will be provided. Environmental volunteers, members of bird groups and their family and friends welcome. Please RSVP to Rebecca Mooy at the Hawkesbury Nepean CMA on 02 4725 3055 or mobile 0417 436 105 or email rebecca.mooy@cma.nsw.gov.au by 10 March 2010. Information courtesy of Pittwater Council.

M2100 has a Composting Workshop with Jack Waterman and Merlene Olson at "Weeambelah" Trangie on 17 & 18 March 2010. Thinking of making Compost or Compost Tea? All are welcome from small gardeners to large scale farmers. You will learn:

• About making small scale compost (fungal & bacterial) for the principal aim of brewing compost teas
• An overview of protozoa and nematode inoculums as well as an outline what their roles are in the soil system
• How to adopt these practices in larger scale operations
• The process required to brew beneficial compost teas (particularly fungal dominated brews)
• The different types of compost tea brewers
• Protozoa brews (how to and when to combine with compost teas)
• The application of compost teas and protozoa brews, including food sources

Cost $50.00. For more information and to RSVP essential by 15th March please contact Kirsty at m2100@bigpond.com or 02 6888 7778. Information courtesy of Central West Catchment Management Authority.

The Department of Industry and Investment has a free Paddock Walk field day at Dorrigo on 19 March 2010, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Morning tea provided, BYO lunch. For more information, contact Bellinger Landcare on 02 6655 0588 or email belland@westnet.com.au.

The Department of Industry and Investment has a free Paddock Walk field day in the Bellingen/Coffs Harbour area on 20 March 2010, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Morning tea provided, BYO lunch. For more information, contact Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare on 02 6651 1308 or email chrl@westnet.com.au.

Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon President Tony Carr will host a combined walk, paddle and presentation at Narrabeen on 21 March 2010, 7 am to 12 pm. This will start at 7 am with a guided birdwalk through the Deep Creek area, led by Field Ornithologist Ricki Coughlan then breakfast courtesy Warringah Council and a paddle to the Coastal Environment Centre for morning tea and a talk about the ecology of the area. Back to Deep Creek by kayak, arriving at noon. Kayak hire is available at $48 per person ($43 for members of Friends). No previous kayaking experience required. To register Email tonycarr@ozemail.com.au but places are limited. Presented by Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon. Information courtesy of Pittwater Council.

ErinEarth is an environmental education house and garden on half a hectare of land in central Wagga Wagga. It has an open day on 20 March 2010, 10 am to 3 pm. The day will feature a workshop at 11 am on growing wattles from seed. There will also be a large number of Eremophilas (emu bushes) available for purchase. ErinEarth is located at 1 Kildare Street, Wagga Wagga.

A series of Rocky Shorelines Community Walks will be held in March and April 2010. The walks will start with a talk from guest speakers and conclude with a walk around the rock pools and a look at their ecology. Each event will go for approximately two hours. These walks are hosted by WetlandCare Australia and will feature guest speakers from the Marine Park Authority, Byron Bird Buddies, NPWS, Yarrawarrah Aboriginal Corporation, and the National Marine Science centre. For enquiries or to register please call Simone Haigh at WetlandCare Australia on 02 6681 6169 or email simonehaigh@wetlandcare.com.au. Please leave your name and a contact number in the event that we need to reschedule due to poor weather.

The times and dates for the final three rocky shoreline walks are:
• 20 March 2010, 4.30 pm: Broom’s Head (near Grafton)
• 8 April 2010, 9.30 am Hastings Point (near Tweed Heads)
• 9 April 2010 10 am: Evans Head (Snapper Rocks)

What to bring:
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Water
• Appropriate footwear for walking on rocks
• Binoculars if you like bird watching

Information courtesy of Brunswick Valley Landcare

North Coast Landholders have an opportunity to gain the skills of identification and management during a Legume and Herbs Field Day being run by Industry & Investment NSW, Hastings Landcare and Comboyne Landcare at Comboyne (near Wauchope) on 26 March 2010. The day will highlight the recognition features of plants that are currently flowering and seeding in the pastures of the region, along with their strengths and weaknesses. This field day is free. However numbers are strictly limited and bookings are essential. Bookings can be made by contacting Marg Duffy at Comboyne Community Centre on 02 6550 4346. The day runs from 10 am to 3 pm, with morning tea supplied. However, participants will need to bring their own lunch, chair and sun protection. They can also bring along pasture plants (preferably flowering) from their own property for identification. Copies of the book Legumes and Herbs of the North Coast of NSW will be provided on the day.

A two day workshop, Introduction to Biodynamics, will be held in the Bellingen area on 27-28 March 2010. The cost is $95 per person or $145 per couple. For more details please contact Bellinger Landcare on 02 6655 0588 or email belland@westnet.com.au.

North Wollongong Community Garden has a free Waste Not! Fruit and Veg Swap on 27 March 2010, 9 am to 12 pm. If you have garden surplus and are concerned about issues of food quality, sustainability, fairness and waste, then you are invited to come to the Garden on the 4th Saturday of every month to swap home-grown produce (herbicide/pesticide free). FairTrade coffee and sweets will also be available for purchase. The Garden is located at Ajax Avenue, North Wollongong (at the back of the PCYC facility). Bookings are not required but for more information please ring 02 4244 0345. Information courtesy of Sustainable Illawarra.

Landcare Illawarra would like to invite you to a Rainforest and Seed Collecting Workshop and Walk at Foxground, near Gerringong, on 27 March 2010, 10 am – 3 pm. Learn about the local rainforests, plant identification, and seed collection skills, and the Illawarra Woodlands and Rainforest Project and how you can be involved. For more details please click here for the Landcare Illawarra website.

Brunswick Valley Landcare (BVL) (Far North Coast) has a workshop on 27 March 2010, 1.30 to 4.30 pm, on ‘Living with Wildlife Peri-Urban Issues: Protecting Our Local Biodiversity' with Brendan Taylor. The cost for non BVL members is $5. Afternoon tea provided. Bookings essential: contact Judy MacDonald, BVL Project Officer, on 02 6684 5390 (Wednesdays & Thursdays).

REGEN are proud to present the launch of their latest psytrance compilation Regeneration on 27 March 2010 at Marrickville Bowling Club, 91 Sydenham Rd, Marrickville. Live sets from six of the artists on the album plus REGEN sound and decor. Cheap entry, cheap drinks, cheap CDs, and the chance to play barefoot bowls! Artists performing:

• Terrafractyl – live (Melbourne)
• Daheen – live
• Onda – live
• Ridgeback – live
• Thermohaline – live
• Bumble – live
• Bio[diversity]

Doors open 6 pm – 4 am. Entry price of $15 or $30 with a copy of the CD. Get there early to play barefoot bowls ($10 a game). All proceeds from the event go towards REGEN’s environmental rehabilitation and education works.

Enjoy the music of Ecopella, an environmental a capella choir, and an exciting range of local musicians, at Wombarra Sculpture Garden on 28 March 2010, 1 pm to 4 PM Relax under the trees with lunch. Bring a picnic, a blanket or a picnic chair. Food and coffee are available from Manic Organic. Wander around winding paths finding beautiful and quirky sculptures. Wombarra Sculpture Garden is at 59 Morrison Avenue Wombarra (gates open at 12:30 PM). The wet weather alternative venue is Thirroul Railway Institute. Entry is $10 or $5 concession, with all money raised goes towards Australian Seabird Rescue. Prior bookings not required. This event is run by Ecopella with support from Healthy Cities Illawarra. For more information please call 02 4285 1714. Information courtesy of Sustainable Illawarra.

A Wildnight Walkabout will be held at Wirrimbirra Sanctuary, 3105 Remembrance Drive, Bargo on 17 April 2010 at 7 pm. Be treated to a delicious light meal in Wirrimbirra's Café, then join a spotlight tour of the Sanctuary. Prowl the beautiful bushland of Wirrimbirra, the sole remaining part of the area known as the Bargo Brush in colonial times, an impenetrable forest once infested with bushrangers! Invite your friends and bring your torches, and see who can be first to spot one of the elusive nocturnal creatures that call Wirrimbirra home. The cost for this Wildnight experience is just $15 per person, ($5.00 for children under 13). Bookings are essential, as numbers are limited, so phone early to secure your place – 02 4684 1112, or email enquiries@wirrimbirra.com.au for more information.

STEP Inc is having a recreational walk on the Callicoma walk, Cherrybrook on 18 April 2010. The walk is aimed at both existing STEP members and any others who simply want to get out into the wonderful local Australian bushland. It will commence from The Lakes of Cherrybrook Reserve. Areas of interest will include dry cave structure and dry sandstone ridges as well as the Callicoma & Coachwood temperate rainforest. The length is 5km. estimated duration is 2 – 3 hours and track difficulty is Moderate. Bring your own supply of drinking water, something to nibble for energy, suitable sturdy shoes, hat, sun screen, insect repellent and weather protection if required. The STEP safe walking guidelines apply to the walk and it requires some reasonable level of fitness. Due to sometimes rough terrain, it is not suitable for young children or those with walking difficulties. Bookings are essential, contact Robert Bracht if you are coming on the walk on Robert.bracht@hotmail.com or 0422 088 305. At the end of the walk you may join STEP for coffee at Cherrybrook Shopping Centre.

Join the Wangi Ridge Preservation Board on a special tour of their site as they launch their Wangi Peninsula Green Corridor Project funded through the Australian Government's Caring for Our Country Community Action Grant. This site features a Fern Gully rainforest, WWII Gun Emplacements, and is home to at least two Koalas. The landcare group has worked on this site for the past 20 years. Join them and hear about their achievements and future plans. Phone the Lake Macquarie Landcare Resource Office on 02 4921 0392 or email: lro@lakemac.nsw.gov.au for more information. Information courtesy of Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Trust.

Two free seminars on sustainable horse property management will be held by the Molonglo, Ginninderra and Southern ACT Catchment Groups, with assistance from the ACT Natural Resource Management Council. The seminars are presented by Jane Myers, MSc(Equine Studies), educator and author of the book Managing Horses on Small Properties. The first seminar will be held on 21 April 2010, 6 pm - 9 pm at Ainslie Football Club (Antill Room) Canberra. (Bookings essential - contact Bonnie on 02 6278 3309). The seminar will be repeated on 22 April 2010, 6 pm- 9 pm at RB Smith Community Centre, (Jim Snow Room), 262 Crawford St Queanbeyan. (Bookings essential - contact Andy on 02 6299 2119). Each seminar will cover:

• Pasture improvement
• Grazing management
• Property design and horse facilities
• Water protection, conservation and supply
• Manure management
• Trees and plants
• Horse health and behaviour

Food and refreshment are provided. For more information please click here for the Molonglo Catchment Group website.

Sutherland Bushcare has a bushwalk at Kurnell on 23 April 2010, 9.30 am – 11.30 am. Meet at the end of Sir Joseph Banks Drive, Kurnell for a stroll through the dune vegetation to the coast. This walk will include examples of vegetation that the Kurnell 2020 project will try to replicate across the peninsula. Bring morning tea and wear sturdy footwear. Please note that bookings are essential so call Sutherland Bushcare on 02 9524 5672 to sign up.

REGEN is happy to present the return of the Regrowth Festival on 24-26 April 2010! After a year away the festival is back, celebrating its 5 year anniversary with three days of music, workshops, tree planting and good times. Tickets are $60 plus booking fee from 1 March to 23 April and $80 at the festival. For more details and to contact REGEN please click here for its website. REGEN is also looking for volunteers, market stalls and people willing to do decor installations; please see the above link for contact details.

The Friends of Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens have an Open Day at the Gardens on 24 April 2010, from 9 am to 1 pm. The Gardens are situated on Wyrallah Road approximately 2.5 km south of the Lismore CBD. The entrance is found on the right as you leave town, just past the 80km speed sign. Another Open Day will be held on 23 May 2010. Information courtesy of Lismore City Council.

Wolli Creek Preservation Society (WCPS) is conducting Wolli from Creek to Crest on am 1 May 2010. Creek to Crest is the Society's very popular kayak trip up Wolli Creek with River Canoe Club kayaks and training and WCPS commentary, and a light lunch thrown in. The cost is $40. Early registration makes sure you get advance notice. To register contact WCPS as soon as possible on info@wollicreek.org.au or 02 9554 3176 (Peter).

A two day workshop on Prograze for Horses will be held in the Bellingen area on 1-2 May 2010. The cost is $200 per property. For more details please contact Bellinger Landcare on 02 6655 0588 or email belland@westnet.com.au.

Trees in Newcastle (TIN) will be at the Cultural Stomp Festival, Civic Park, Newcastle on 1 May 2010, 9 am to 6 pm. TIN turns 21 this year and as part of its commitment to the cultural fabric of Newcastle they'll be radiating the light and stomping along with the rest of the city. Some information courtesy of The Octapod Association.

For a fun and educational day out, bring the family along to the Wildlife Fair at Wirrimbirra Sanctuary on 16 May 2010, 10 am to 3 pm. Anthony Stimson from Australian Wildlife Displays will have plenty of hands-on fun for everyone, with shows right throughout the day. Look through the Native Plant Nursery to find that special plant for your garden, or you can purchase your own living dinosaur, a Wollemi Pine. Wirrimbirra’s gift stall will have plenty of gifts and souvenirs, including a fantastic range of Australian-made soft native animal toys and puppets. There’ll be displays, activities and plenty of hot and cold food available all day. Wirrimbirra Sanctuary is a non-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers, and is located at 3105 Remembrance Drive, Bargo, about half-way between Bargo and Tahmoor. Entry to Wirrimbirra is free, but your donation at the gate would be accepted with thanks, and will assist with the ongoing work of the Sanctuary.

The Australian Rural Education Centre (AREC) will host the 2010 Mudgee Small Farm Field Days at its site on Ulan Road, Mudgee (near the aerodrome) on 16 to 17 July 2010, 8 am to 5 pm. For over 33 years the AREC has hosted the Field Days delivering information and demonstrations about living life on the land. Watershed Landcare will have a site at the Field Days with its Disc Seeder on display.

A Bird and Bugs Day will be held on 1 August 2010 at Wirrimbirra Sanctuary, 3105 Remembrance Drive, Bargo, 10 am to 3 pm. Entry is by donation, 100% of which is used to maintain the Sanctuary.

A plant sale will be held on 4 September 2010 at Wirrimbirra Sanctuary, 3105 Remembrance Drive, Bargo, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. Come along to Wirrimbirra's native nursery and pick up waterwise and native fauna friendly plants.

A Frog Day will held on 14 November 2010, 10 am to 4 pm, at Wirrimbirra Sanctuary, 3105 Remembrance Drive, Bargo. Bring the family along and learn just about everything you want to know about frogs. Find out how to attract frogs to your garden. There’ll be displays and activities right throughout the day, and a wildlife expert will have plenty of information and hands-on opportunities for everyone. Look for the display of frog-friendly plants in Wirrimbirra's Native Nursery, and say hello to our resident native fauna – kangaroos, wallabies, emus, wombats, cockatoos, tawny frogmouths, and rainbow lorikeets. For a coffee or a light snack visit the White Waratah Café, or if you are after some lunch the Wirrimbirra BBQ will be fired up. Entry to the sanctuary is free, but, by dropping a donation into the bucket on your way in, you will help the work at the Sanctuary continue. Information courtesy of the Macarthur Chronicle and Wirrimbirra Sanctuary.

Celebrate Christmas in laid-back Aussie style on 18 December 2010 in the magnificent bush surrounds of Wirrimbirra Sanctuary, 3105 Remembrance Drive, Bargo commencing at 7 pm. Sing along to your favourite carols with the Wollondilly Country Music Club in a true-blue Aussie celebration of Christmas. Santa will be popping in with treats for the children, and there'll be plenty of hot and cold food available. There will be a giant Christmas Raffle with dozens of great prizes. Pick up some last-minute Christmas gifts from Wirrimbirra's gift shop, which is packed with all kinds of Australiana – soft toys, puppets, books, puzzles and lots more. Wirrimbirra is free to enter, but your donation as you arrive will be shared between Wirrimbirra and the Wollondilly Country Music Club.

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, Climate Change and Water 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
Services Available
Resources Available
Positions Vacant
Fundraising and Volunteer Opportunities
Grants and Competitions
On-line shops
How to Advertise

For Hire

The Coastal Environment Centre (CEC) is the perfect venue for your next seminar, training session or small conference. The Centre is available for hire on an ongoing or casual basis at affordable rates. Situated on Sydney's spectacular Northern Beaches and overlooking Narrabeen Lagoon, the CEC offers a quiet, private and attractive setting and provides a wide range of facilities. Please click here for more details on the CEC webpages on the Pittwater Council website.

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.

For Sale

Index

Books and other publications
Clothing
Posters and Postcards
Plants

Grassland Flora, a Field Guide for the Southern Tablelands (NSW and ACT), by David Eddy, Dave Mallinson, Rainer Rehwinkel and Sarah Sharp, is an easy to use field guide for grassy ecosystems with numerous colour photographs and some illustrations of grassland plants of the Southern Tablelands of NSW and the ACT. This book of 156 pages is incredible value. In 2009, Friends of Grasslands Inc became the distributor for the book and can supply both retail and wholesale quantities. Price: $20 per copy, plus postage of $2.50 per copy. For more information and to order please click here for the Friends of Grasslands website.

Grassy Ecosystems Management Kit: a guide to developing conservation management plans was written by Sarah Sharp, Josh Dorrough, Rainer Rehwinkel, David Eddy and Ann Breckwoldt; with illustrations by Michael Bedingfield. In 2009, Friends of Grasslands Inc became the distributor for the kit and can supply both retail and wholesale quantities. The kit contains step-by-step activities that are used to develop a conservation management plan for your site. Learn how to assess what you have on site, identify achievable management aims, prepare a site work program and assess whether your management actions are achieving your desired results. Price: $30 per kit, plus postage of $10. For more information and to order please click here for the Friends of Grasslands website.

Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare Group has also published the third edition of its manual Common Weeds of Subtropical Rainforests of Eastern Australia: A practical manual on their identification and control. 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.

Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare Group has published the second edition 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 $11 per copy plus $5 for postage and handling. The book is available by written request to PO Box 3 Nabiac NSW 2312.

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

• Plants of the Forest Floor: a guide to small native plants of subtropical eastern Australia by Penny Watsford and Margaret Elliott 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. Cost $20
• Grasses of Subtropical Eastern Australia - An introductory field guide to common grasses: native and introduced by Margaret Elliott illustrates and describes 72 species of grass. It also includes a CD-ROM with over 500 colour photographs of 126 native and introduced species. 105 pages, Cost $20.

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 prominent 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.

Ocean & Coastal Care Initiatives (OCCI) has produced the Mollusc Man CD. The CD gives an educational tour of the NSW east coast of Australia between the Central Coast and Taree. From rock platforms to estuaries, and molluscs to birds this CD explores the habitats and the life forms of the coastal realm and aims to educate on how to best learn, explore, enjoy and preserve our wonderful coasts. This great educational resource is available for free (but please consider a donation) to schools, educators and interested members of the public. It is oriented towards primary school aged children , particularly those in the Central Coast to Taree area. Please click here for more information on the OCCI website.

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.
  

Stipa is selling perennial Stipa calendars for $20 (including postage and GST). The calendars 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.

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.

Rainforest Rescue's comfortable T shirts are made from quality 100% organic cotton. You can wear its shirts with pride knowing that all of the profits are helping Rainforest Rescue protect rainforests forever. The T's make ideal gifts for birthdays, mother's and father's day, Christmas or any other occasion. We can send your shirts directly to anyone anywhere in the world or we can send them direct to you so you can deliver them personally. Cost $40 for all sizes. For more information please click here for the Rainforest Rescue Shop.

The Southern ACT Catchment Group now has a range of postcards featuring local flora and fauna. Each postcard features a plant or animal that is native to the area. For more information please click here for the Catchment Group 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 1 pm Saturdays. For more details please click here for the Service's website.

Services Available

Lachlan Aboriginal Natural Resource Management Group (LANRMG) have Natural Resource Management & Cultural Heritage Canoe Tours between September 2009 and April 2010. These travel along the Lachlan River over various distances. The trips demonstrate and highlight natural resource managment and cultural heritage impact zones including erosion, water quality, salinity, quarries, infrastructure, native aquatic and riparian vegetation, biodiversity and exotic weeds infestation. The trips include farm visits discussing farm management technique and conservation strategies. Other activities throughout the tour will include cleaning rubbish from the waterways, Aboriginal cultural awareness, capacity and team building, self esteem and motivation to engage in future NRM activities. For more information and bookings please click here for the LANRMG website.

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.

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.

Positions Vacant

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: bms@nationaltrust.com.au or mail to: GPO Box 518 Sydney 2001. For further enquiries please ring 02 9258 0123.

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.

Grants and Competitions

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.

The Project AWARE Foundation is facilitating the provision of grants to a variety of nonprofit organisations, 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.

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.

On Line Shops

REGEN Records is an arm of the environmental festival organisation REGEN It is proud to present its first release, Tree Dimensional V.A. The album is a journey through psytrance genres going from stomping full on, to a touch of dark, some beautiful melodic morning tunes and a little chill time to finish. For more information on the album and about REGEN Records and to buy the album, please click here for REGEN's website.

The National Trust of Australia (NSW) has an online shop which has a variety of books and CDs covering issues relating to built and natural resource management. Please click here to access the shop on the Trust's website.

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.

Please note - The Green Grants Guide is currently sold out. Please keep referring to the Molino Stewart site for more information.

History of Landcare Support in NSW

Want to see some of the highlights of the past 20 years? Please click here.

Links to Calendars of green events