With the unprecedented drought taking its toll across our region, it is more important than ever that we look to our friends, family and outside services for support.

Southern New England Landcare Congratulates two Armidale based schools on their success in the The Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Schools Property Planning Competition.

Southern New England Landcare experienced a proud moment this week when an email arrived from the NSW Environmental Trust, acknowledging the great track record we have with the Trust for developing and rolling out exceptional projects in the region. We thank the NSW Environmental Trust for this acknowledgement and have published the email here for all to see...

Landholders in the Southern New England will soon have an opportunity to participate in four local forums designed to exchange ideas, knowledge and techniques that are more likely to succeed during challenging climatic conditions.

Southern New England Landcare has partnered with Creeklands Vet Clinic in Armidale to provide an opportunity for cat owners in areas of high urban biodiversity to recieve a subsidised de-sexing rate for the month of September 2019. Find out how you might be able to participate!

Have you noticed Indian Mynas encroaching on your patch? Indian mynas have been spotted across the Southern New England, having increased their territory significantly in recent years. Find out how you can help reduce their numbers...

We have great pleasure in congratulating Stuart Austin and Trisha Cowley from Wilmot Cattle Co. Ebor, in winning the Excellence in Landcare Farming Award at this year's NENW Regional Landcare Awards held in Narrabri.

The Communities Environment Program provides each of the 151 electorates across Australia with up to $150,000 to fund small, community-led environment projects that address local environmental priorities. In consultation with their community, each Federal Member of Parliament must identify potential applicants and projects in their electorate and invite them to apply for a grant. Applications close: 10 October 2019. More information here.

The Habitat Action Grants are funded from the Recreational Fishing Trusts which direct funding generated by the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee towards onground actions to improve fish habitat and recreational fishing in NSW. Angling clubs, individuals, community groups, local councils and organisations interested in rehabilitating fish habitats in freshwater and saltwater areas throughout NSW can apply for small grants of $2,000 or large grants of up to $40,000. Applications close 5 pm Friday 20th September. More information here.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries has developed an app that helps landholders (and landcarers) identify problem weeds. More information at https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/nsw-weedwise-app

The Grant supports grassroots organisations who are working with on-ground community groups undertaking projects that will make a positive difference to the natural living environment. In particular, projects around: flora and fauna conservation and threatened mammal conservation. The next round begins in October. https://wettenhall.org.au/grants/small-environmental-grants/

Applications are now open for round three of the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund. Round Three will provide an additional $100 million for community projects in regional NSW, with at least $50 million for youth-related projects. Applications close 5pm, Friday 27 September 2019. More information at https://www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/regional-nsw/regional-growth-fund/stronger-country-communities/

The NSW RAA has published new Guidelines for the Emergency Drought Transport Subsidy for 2019-2020. Download the new guidelines here. One major change is the inclusion of invoices dated from 1st January 2018 into the eligibility for the current financial year $40k cap for those farmers who have not made a previous claim prior to 30th June 2019. Prior to these new Guidelines these farmers would have missed out on claiming for that period. Note: Those farmers who have previously applied prior to 30th June 2019 will still need to get all their invoices for claims lodged by 30th September to have them included against the separate $40k cap available for the period ending 30th June 2019.

Qantas is offering $5 million over five years through a new program to support regional communities. The Qantas Regional Grants program provides financial, flight, and marketing support to community groups and organisations to help further their causes. Applicants can apply for a share of $1 million offered per year. Entry is open to Australian-based individuals, not-for-profit community groups and organisations seeking to help people in regional communities. Apply . Applications close Friday, 30 August 2019 at 5pm AEST.

Here is an opportunity for groups who would like to unlock their potential with their younger members...T he Rural Assistance Authority's Group’s Vault funding aims to build business and leadership skills in your community. The aim of the Young Farmer Business Program Group's Vault Grant is to provide a “training for groups” grant to formal and informal groups (minimum of 3 members) who support young farmers and fishers, locally and regionally in NSW. The funds must be used for a project to develop the business and leadership skills of its members.

For the information of members and friends who may need more information about drought assistance, we provide the following information, which is also available at www.raa.nsw.gov.au.

The Tackling Tough Times Together grant program helps communities access the resources they need to support one another through the ongoing effects of the drought. https://www.frrr.org.au/Round 15 closes 16 October 2019. EOIs for the $150K tier must be received by 25 September 2019.

Closes: 30th of June 2021 or when the $12 Million funding allocation is exhausted. Value: Up to $25,000 per farm enterprise. Run By: NSW Government Department of Primary Industries, Rural Assistance Authority. Eligible Primary Producers can claim a rebate of 25% of the cost of purchase, delivery and if applicable, the labour cost to engage a person to install water infrastructure for animal welfare needs.The On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate scheme can be applied to costs incurred from 1st July 2018 for new purchases, and installation of pipes, water storages and water pumps, de-silting dams, and associated power supplies such as generators. More information here

Do you have a project or grant idea? Know a neighbour or two who might like to get involved too? Why not gather them around the barbecue, and ask one of our Local Landcare Coordinators to assist with some action planning? We can help you develop project ideas and source funding and resources. Call us on 02 6772 9123 or email mail@snelandcare.org.au. 

Winter 2017 Bird Survey Report (2.3MB)

Spring 2017 Bird Survey Report (3MB)

During the 2016 - 2109 Local Landcare Coordinator Project funded by a partnership between Landcare NSW and NSW Local Land Services, our Local Landcare Coordinators produced a series of case studies as a result of some of the great work they facilitated. Here they are:

Case Study 1 - Agroforestry Alive

Case Study 2 - Arding Landcare Re-invigorated

Case Study 3 - Council Support Provides Certainty

Case Study 4 - Diversifying Income

Case Study 5 - Horses for Courses

Case Study 6 - Hosting Conversations that Matter

Case Study 7 - Landcare Legend Shares His Story

Case Study 8 - Local Member Musters

Case Study 9 - Mentoring Students Pays Off

Case Study 10 - NENW Landcare Adventure 2017

Case Study 11 - New Urban Youth Group

Case Study 12 - Season for Soil

Case Study 13 - Weed Wackers Regreen Black Creek

Case Study 14 - What Future for Chilean Needle Grass in our Region?

Case Study 15 - When Two Become One

Case Study 16 - Where was YOUR BFF Today?

Southern New England Landcare Strategic Plan (2019)