eNews #17

• 28th August - WaterWise Farms: Stock, Storage & Security
• 3rd September - Dam Good Water: Enhancing Farm Dams
• 15-18th  September - Spring into Nutrition Farming
• 15th September - Staying Safe & Savvy Online Uralla

Guyra Landcare Network is pleased to announce that Graeme Sait, an internationally recognised educator in soil health, plant nutrition and regenerative farming, will deliver a 4-day workshop in Guyra from the 15th to 18th of September 2026.

“We are delighted to welcome Graeme back to the New England,” said Campbell Wolfenden, member of the Guyra Landcare Network.

Graeme is the co-founder of Nutri-Tech Solutions (NTS), a world leader in sustainable agriculture education and products.

Over the past three decades he has presented more than 500 seminars in 20 countries, authored hundreds of articles and published Nutrition Rules!, a popular text on the link between soil, plant, animal, and human health.

His focus is on the practical application of regenerative principles that build profitability, resilience, and long-term productivity on farm.

The workshop, Spring into Nutrition Farming, is a 4-day version of Sait’s acclaimed Certificate in Nutrition Farming course, which draws farmers, consultants and educators from around the globe.

Revive & Thrive: Future-Ready Farm Dams is a practical new project supporting healthier farm dams, cleaner water, stronger biodiversity, improved livestock outcomes and greater farm water security across the Southern New England region.

Farm dams are vital to productive and resilient farming systems,” said Struan Ferguson, Local Landcare Coordinator with Southern New England Landcare.

“With practical improvements such as better stock access management, revegetation, off-stream watering and improved water planning, dams can support cleaner water, healthier stock, more native habitat and stronger drought preparedness,” she said.

Southern New England Landcare invites landholders, farmers, Landcare members and agricultural advisers to get involved in the project, which will deliver a series of connected activities over the next 12 months, including:

• WaterWise Farms: Stock, Storage & Security workshop at Kentucky on Friday 28 August 2026
• Dam Good Water: Enhancing Farm Dams workshop at Uralla on Thursday 3 September 2026, and
• Farm Dam Enhancement and Pondi Monitoring Train the Trainer workshop for Landcare, natural resource management and industry advisers on Friday 4 September 2026.

Help Shape the Region's Energy Future

Southern New England Landcare is seeking a Community Energy Project Officer (New England Renewable Energy Zone) to play a pivotal role in supporting communities through the renewable energy transition.

This exciting position will help deliver lasting benefits across the region by providing trusted, independent information and support to household energy consumers as they navigate changing energy opportunities and technologies. The role is focused on ensuring rural and urban communities can participate in the transition with confidence, access accurate information, and achieve equitable outcomes.

Working closely with Landcare groups, Local Landcare Coordinators, local government organisations and other key stakeholders, the Community Energy Project Officer will strengthen community engagement, build local capacity, and encourage transparent, informed participation in renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives. The successful candidate will also help empower individuals and community groups to engage with Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) opportunities and contribute to positive outcomes for the region.

Supported by Southern New England Landcare's extensive networks and community partnerships, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working at the intersection of community development, sustainability and energy innovation.

Interested in helping communities navigate the energy transition? 

Southern New England Landcare (SNEL) recognises the important history and contribution of the many Landcare groups that have supported their communities over the years.

A recent review identified several groups that have been inactive for more than three years.

Some no longer have members able to act as group representatives, and some hold funds that have remained unused.

These circumstances can affect SNEL’s ability to meet governance requirements, maintain accurate membership records and run effective meetings.

 “Our Landcare groups have a proud history, and this decision is intended to help SNEL keep its records current while respecting the contribution these groups have made,” said Emeritus Professor Nick Reid, chair of SNEL.

“We will continue working gently and constructively with groups to reconnect them with their membership and ensure that representative details are up to date,” he said.

Southern New England Landcare is shaped by its members — and as a valued member, we need to hear from you.

We’re inviting all members to take a few minutes to share their thoughts, experiences, and ideas by 31 May 2026. Complete the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026SNELMemberSurvey

The survey focuses on key areas including:

• Training and skills development
• Local issues and challenges
• Communication and engagement
• Membership benefits and services.

Your feedback plays a vital role in helping us understand what’s working well, what could be improved, how we can better support our Landcare groups and members across the region, help inform future priorities, guide resource planning, and strengthen collaboration and communication.

• The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete
• All responses are confidential
• Closes at midnight on Sunday 31st August 2026.

You can access the survery here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026SNELMemberSurvey

We truly value your input and encourage you to take part — whether you’re a long‑standing member or newly involved. Every response helps ensure Southern New England Landcare continues to reflect the needs, ideas, and passion of its community.

Thank you for being part of Landcare and for helping shape the region's future.

• 0.8 FTE Part-time, Fixed-term to 11 January 2031 at HEW Level 6.
• Hawkesbury campus with flexible working arrangements.
• Salary: $97,693 – $104,713 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading (Pro Rata $78,154.40 to $83,770.40)
• Coordinate applied research improving drought resilience across NSW landscapes through field, data and stakeholder engagement.

The DCCEEW Stewardship Support Program (SSP) has reopened for landholder applications.

Key points are:

• The aim of the program is to support landholders to establish biodiversity stewardship agreements to manage land for conservation that is funded by the sale of biodiversity credits.
• The program offers free biodiversity assessments for successful landholders whose sites have best potential to create in-demand biodiversity credits.
• The application process is very straightforward, the Application Form takes only 10-20 minutes to fill out and requires contact details and information about the Lots of land to be considered. There is a place to attach reports and the like if some work on sites has already been completed.
• There is a webinar scheduled for 19 August (12:30 pm-1 pm) and a face-to-face session in Armidale on 1 September (10-12 pm). Links to register for these are on our webpage.
• There is no obligation when submitting an application.
• The program is accepting applications right across the state, priority areas for this round include Western Sydney and the Hunter-Central Coast and New England Renewable Energy Zone areas.

A Practical Guide to Planting Tubestock Paddock Trees by John R. Baker is a hands-on, landholder-focused manual for successfully establishing paddock trees using tubestock (nursery-grown young trees). Drawing on many years of field trials and real planting experience in central NSW, it covers how to choose the right species, pick suitable planting sites, time your planting and select quality tubestock to maximise survival and growth. The guide emphasises practical techniques and lessons learned in the field so landholders can avoid common failures and improve the success of tree plantings that will become long-lived paddock trees supporting biodiversity and farm function.

If you would like a hard copy, visit the SNEL office or call 02 6772 9123.

Price: $20.

You can also download a digital copy from the Hovells Creek Landcare website here.

Consultation is now open on the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Community and Employment Benefit Program.

This program will invest in projects and programs that deliver legacy outcomes for the region.

We’re seeking feedback from local communities, councils and First Nations groups on how the program is designed and delivered.

The Minister for Energy recently announced that an initial $60 million will be invested into communities hosting renewable energy and transmission lines so they can share the benefits of this once-in-a-generation opportunity. It will bring new investment, funding and local jobs.

Take part in a community conversation