Landholders in the Uralla and Armidale local government areas are invited to take part in a fully funded landscape rehydration program running from February to June 2026, delivered by Southern New England Landcare in partnership with the Mulloon Institute.
The program forms part of the Armidale Regional and Uralla Shire Councils’ Regional Drought Resilience Plan and focuses on practical, on-farm approaches to improving water cycles, managing erosion, and building long-term landscape resilience.
“This program is very much about learning by doing,” said Elizabeth Rosser, Local Landcare Coordinator for Southern New England Landcare.
“Participants will learn how to read their landscape, understand water movement, identify priority areas for action, and then see those ideas applied on the ground.”
Valued at more than $5,000 per participant, the program combines learning and hands-on activities.
It begins with a Field Day on 19th February, followed by a two-day Boot Camp on 18th and 19th March.
From March to June, four landholders will be selected from Boot Camp participants partake in one-on-one mentoring to develop a property-specific Landscape Rehydration Plan.
The program concludes with a Boots on Ground Day on 14th May, where participants will see on-farm works, such as leaky weirs, demonstrated in practice.
Elizabeth said the program is designed to support landholders with practical skills and confidence to plan and implement landscape rehydration works on their own properties, strengthening resilience to drought and dry conditions.
“The program is designed to deliver benefits beyond individual farms,” she said.
“Improved water quality flowing into town water catchments benefits the wider community, while drought-resilient farms support stronger rural communities overall.”
Southern New England Landcare is currently seeking Expressions of Interest from landholders who would like to participate in or host activities as part of the program.
Expressions of Interest close on 30 January 2026.
This program is proudly funded by the Australian Government and NSW Government through the Future Drought Fund, in association with Armidale Regional Council and Uralla Shire Council, and delivered by Southern New England Landcare under the NSW Landcare Enabling Program.
For more information or to submit an Expression of Interest, visit the SNEL events page or call 02 6772 9123.
