Southern New England Landcare welcomes back to the team, Des Andersen who has recently been appointed as the dedicated Koala Conservation Officer for the Southern New England region.
Des has lived and worked in the New England for 30 years and holds a master’s degree in environmental management. He has 14 years’ experience as an environmental practitioner with a passion for Koala conservation.
Southern New England Landcare is pleased to welcome Alex Hunter to the team as the new Administrative Assistant in the office in Beardy Street Armidale.
Growing up in Armidale NSW, Alex was actively involved with the family’s livestock grazing property and has a strong rural background. Passionate about agriculture, Alex completed her Systems Agriculture Degree at Hawkesbury Agriculture College.
Southern New England Landcare is hosting an introduction to Natural Sequence Farming with Stuart Andrews (Tarwyn Park Training), October 22nd 2020 at Balala Station near Uralla.
This is the second of two events introducing concepts and principles behind landscape regeneration and rehydration.
“With the recent drought and bushfire crises, there is unprecedented interest in restoring hydration to rivers, creeks and wetland areas on farm as well as the broader landscape, maximising our ability to trap and hold water in our landscapes for as long as possible," said Rachel Lawrence, Landcare Coordinator with Southern New England Landcare.
There's only 1 week to go until the Aussie Backyard Bird Count begins — have you registered yet?
By participating in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count, you will be helping BirdLife Australia find out about the birds that live where people live. This is especially important because it’s these more common species that give us the best indication of the health of the environment — think of birds as a barometer for nature.
Register here for the Aussie Backyard Bird Count
And if that's not incentive enough, there are some exciting prizes on offer. With thanks to the generous supporters, you could win — a pair of Swarovski binoculars, a custom "create your own flock" print by Egg Picnic, or a mixed pack of Merini Ferlazzo stationery. Simply submit a count from 19-25 October to be in the running!
The Annual General Meeting of Southern New England Landcare will be held on 29th October this year - about a month earlier than normal.
All members and friends are welcome to enjoy some food and refreshments from 6.30pm before the meeting starts at 7.30pm.
Please note that the time and venue have changed since sending out membership paperwork via Australia Post last month. Due to space requirements under COVID-19 restrictions, the venue is changing to the RSL Memorial Hall in Uralla.
Download an updated version of the meeting notice and agenda here.
Landholders are invited to attend a two-day boot camp on September 16-17 with sought-after presenter, David Hardwick.
Local Landcare member was telling us about his orchids at a recent meeting and agreed to share their beauty with us all in these lovely photos he sent in.
Southern New England Landcare congratulates Elwyn Hegarty of Armidale as the winner of our 2020 Member Survey $100 voucher draw!
Elwyn was 'over the moon' when she called in at the Landcare office in Hanna's Arcade to pick up her gift voucher, and has chosen to spend it all at her favourite local bookstore, Boobooks in Armidale. We hope you enjoy many hours of reading, Elwyn!
Image - Elwyn Hegarty is pictured with Struan Ferguson (left) and Karen Zirkler (right) at the Southern New England Landcare office, while receiving her prize.
Armidale Urban Rivercare Group are planning to re-start our 3rd Sunday of the month working bee commencing on Sunday 16th August.
Time: 8.30am
Date: Sunday 16th August, 2020
Location: Dumaresq Creek upstream of Yoogoona Gully. Access off Erskine Street through the gate at the Phil Wheaton Soccer Oval and park near the gully, or access along the bicycle way.
$1 million worth of projects funded in the Armidale and Guyra region
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has today announced upgrades to a number of community halls, a new Beer and Barbecue Festival and a shop local gift card program as part of a $1 million State Government strategy to stimulate the Armidale region’s economy following the devastating summer bushfires and drought.
Left - Armidale Regional Council’s Manger Marketing and Communications Darren Schaefer, left, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Armidale Business Chamber President Anthony Fox discuss the new projects and programs funded under the $1 million recovery grant.
A small team of researchers, land managers and practitioners at the University of New England and Northern Tablelands Local Land Services are embarking on an environmental project to protect and restore two locally endangered woodlands here in the heart of the New England.
Angophora Bushland Reserve, at the junction of Bona Vista Road and Burgess Street in south Armidale, is a precious piece of bushland remaining within the town boundaries. It is small, only 1.35 ha but enough for large native trees to grow, mature, and shed branches. This is when most eucalypts develop hollows.
27 & 28 July 2020
Bushfire affected communities are suffering from high-stress levels, emotional burnout and heavy thoughts. Lifeline want to assist devastated communities at Dorrigo and Nymboida in building psychological resilience through some targeted training and support. Fully funded Psychological First Aid workshops will provide the tools to help your community members in this time of need.
BirdLife Australia regret to inform that the August round of the biannual surveys for Swift Parrots and Regent Honeyeaters has been cancelled. The official survey period was scheduled to occur from 25 July to 9 August 2020.
We're COVIDSafe, but we'd like to request that visitors to our office make an appointment , so we can ensure we maintain physical distancing in our small office space. We have a limit of 1 visitor in our reception area at any one time, so if you arrive and see someone already there, please knock and wait outside, or call us on 6772 9123 to make an appointment. You can view our Epidemic/Pandemic Policy document here. Stay safe and well everyone!
The start of the new financial year marks a fresh milestone in a 25 year partnership between Southern New England Landcare and Armidale Regional Council.
From left to right: Kàren Zirkler (Executive Officer), Peter Metcalfe, Bryan Johnston, Bev Stubberfield, Jill Moore-Kashima, David Henderson (President), Susan Law (ARC CEO), Richard Daugherty, Steve Harvey and Bill Perrottet. Image courtesy of Struan Ferguson.
African lovegrass is a species in the Northern Tablelands which is widely distributed. It has low feed value, can quickly colonize disturbed areas and can grow to a large perennial tussock grass of 1.2 m in height. African lovegrass grows on acidic, sandy soils with low fertility and can tolerate heat, drought and frosts. It is a born survivor.
Image - African Lovegrass, courtesy of Bruce Auld.
The years 1989-1992 saw the formation of several Landcare groups in the Southern New England. Around the same time, two amazing women began their careers in grazing and soil management, undertaking their Doctorates of Philosophy through the University of New England with one of our early Landcare groups.
We our proud to announce that we have secured both Dr Christine Jones, and Dr Judi Earl as keynote speakers at a two-day 30-year celebration event on 24-25 March 2021.
For the past few months, Southern New England Landcare has been involved in developing an implementation role in the Restore Australia Project, the largest restoration project the country has ever seen.
Dear Members - re the National Landcare situation,
As I settle into my third year as CEO of Landcare NSW, there is much to celebrate. Our community of dedicated Landcarers is doing a wonderful job. At the national level, however, Landcare faces a serious threat.
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Do you have a project that could benefit from a grant? Would you neighbours like to particpate?
Our Landcare Coordinators can help develop project ideas, action plan next steps, and source funding!
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