Our local association is a community of ordinary people, who are working together to maintain the health of our local environment, and make a real difference to the future of our planet.
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This week, I had the pleasure of visiting Bendemeer Primary School to talk to Years 3 to 6 students and their teacher, Mrs Doak about the
exciting TreeTroff in Schools program. We explored the origins of the project, what it means for their school, and even selected
the best location and tree for the installation — a great step forward in bringing the program to life at Bendemeer.
The TreeTroff project is part of the Koalas and Others 2025: A Schoolyard and Community Biodiversity Project, coordinated by the
Warrumbungle National Park Environmental Education Centre (WNPEEC). It's an innovative citizen science initiative that helps schools monitor
local biodiversity using cameras and data collection tools. Students gain valuable digital, scientific, and communication skills as they
analyse images, record data, and prepare scientific reports each semester to share with other participating schools across the region.
The project provides long-term data that supports conservation efforts and is of interest to universities and government agencies.
We're looking forward to seeing Bendemeer students actively engaging in this hands-on conservation science and sharing their findings with
schools across the state.
Have you undertaken native revegetation on your farm in the past?
Researchers from Western Sydney University, the University of Tasmania and their collaborators want to hear about the outcomes. We invite
you to participate in our study by completing a brief on-line survey, site visit and interview. Eight lucky survey participants will receive
prizes valued at over $1000 and an opportunity to share and learn from other land managers interested in ensuring sustainable and resilient
rural landscapes around Australia.
Join us for a special community event celebrating the Macdonald River — its rich history, vital ecology, and the people working to protect
it. This is a chance to connect with your local landscape, learn from passionate experts, and hear how you can be part of the ongoing
efforts to care for this important waterway.
Local historians Anne and Winston Doak will share stories of the river’s past — from early settlement to recent restoration efforts — while
ecologists Dr. Lou Streeting and Martin Dillon will highlight the river’s role in supporting native wildlife, including endangered species
like the Bell’s turtle. Their work in the region spans decades, involving everything from nest protection and hatchling releases to
landholder collaboration and education.
Whether you’ve lived by the river all your life or are new to the area, this event is a great way to better understand the natural systems
that support our community and how we can protect them. You’ll hear about past and ongoing efforts to restore the riverbanks and improve
habitat, as well as future opportunities to get involved with the Macdonald River Restoration Landcare Group — including tree planting days
and working bees.
Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be provided. Come along, bring a friend, and be inspired by the stories of resilience, collaboration
and care that flow through the heart of our river.
🌿 Our friends at Nemingha Community Garden are hosting a fantastic Open Day on Friday, May 10—and you're invited! 🌿
Starting at 10 AM, this free community event is packed with hands-on gardening fun, guest speakers, and plenty of
inspiration.
🌱 Highlights include:
Got a prickly problem on your patch? Join us May 20 to learn how to spot, stop, and manage invasive cacti with Harrisia Cactus Project Officer Debi Bancroft!
We’re excited to be partnering with Carbon8 for a powerful one-day workshop all about boosting biodiversity
to strengthen your farming system — from the soil up!
Whether you’re managing pasture or cropping, increasing biodiversity can improve productivity, build resilience, and reduce the need for
chemical inputs. This is your chance to hear directly from landholders, educators, and experts who are walking the talk.
📅 When: Wednesday, 15 May
🚨 Submissions close Sunday, May 4, 2025 🚨
After years of advocacy, the NSW Government is finally reviewing the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998 — and your
voice is urgently needed
to help protect our native wildlife from the impacts of free-roaming pet cats.
🦘 Why it matters:
This outdated law currently prevents local Councils from setting and enforcing cat containment policies, leaving cats to
roam, kill native wildlife, and spread diseases like toxoplasmosis. It’s time for a law that reflects
modern expectations of responsible pet ownership.
💥 Make a difference – three easy options:
✅ Option A (quick & easy):
Use the Invasive Species Council’s free writing kit – they’ll send you a ready-to-go email template.
🔗
Register here
✍️ Option B (most impactful):
Write a short email in your own words explaining why you believe cat containment is essential.
📧 Email: ca.review@olg.nsw.gov.au
📝 Subject: Companion Animals Act Review
💡 Ask for:
We're helping support important PhD research from Federation University Australia exploring how farmers think about sustainability,
technology, and data in agriculture
– and how we can build better tools to support real-world needs.
If you're a farmer, farm manager, or farm owner, please take 10-15 minutes to complete this anonymous
survey. ✅
Or, if you’re not a farmer, help us by sharing this post with your networks!
🧑🌾 Your insights will help shape a new framework for assessing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) impacts in agriculture.
🔗 Take the survey here:
https://federation.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Mqz9Vzs9m7kdNk
🎓 Research by Bhola Paudel, PhD Candidate
✔️ Approved by Federation University Human Research Ethics Committee (2024/228)
Looking for a fun and creative school holiday activity? Join us at the Tamworth Regional Landcare Nursery on Wednesday, April 23 from 10:30am to 12:30pm to paint and create your very own bee hotel to take home for the garden — a buzzing good time for kids and parents alike!
Join us for a special morning exploring how to design your garden for habitat — whether you live in town or on the land!
Our Habitat Talk starts at 10:00 AM, presented by Paul Moxon, our resident horticulturist. Paul will share his expert advice on:
Transform your farm, backyard, or community into a thriving ecosystem!
Join us on Thursday, May 15, from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Barraba Golf Club for a hands-on workshop with Mick Callan from Habitat Innovation
and Management.
Discover effective and innovative habitat augmentation techniques through practical demonstrations — including the installation of
artificial tree hollows and a raptor platform
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how simple changes can make a big impact on local biodiversity.
We're excited to share an incredible opportunity for landholders, farmers, and anyone passionate about Regenerative Agriculture!
Join the 8-day Holistic Management course in Tamworth, delivered over four 2-day sessions between July
and November 2025.
💡 Learn how to improve: ✅ Farm profitability
✅ Paddock resilience
✅ Land health & biodiversity
📅 Course dates:
The Friends of Moore Creek Caves Reserve
Invite You
To a community family friendly tree planting morning
In the reserve at the end of Maysteers Lane
(off Moore Creek Road)
On Saturday 19th April 2025 between 9:00am and 12:00
🚨 Feral birds like the Common Myna, Starling, and House Sparrow are wreaking havoc on our native birds 🐦 — stealing food, taking over
nests, and damaging crops and infrastructure! 😟
🛠️ But there’s hope! The clever crew at Tamworth Birdwatchers Inc. has developed a simple and effective feral bird
trap
to help restore balance. 💡
🎥 In this video, 94-year-old legend Eric shows how to build the trap, with expert tips from Annabel. It’s practical, DIY-friendly, and a
fantastic way to make a real difference. 👏
🌿 This project was proudly supported by Tamworth Regional Landcare Association and beautifully produced by Matt Foley of
Folmac Video Productions. 🙌
📽️ Watch the video here:
👉 The Making of a Feral Bird Trap
🕊️ Let’s protect our native birdlife and give them the space they need to thrive! 💚
More resources here: tamworthbirdwatchers.com
The NSW Environmental Trust is now inviting applications to the 2025 round of its Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation Grants
Program.
$4 million in grant funding is available to community and government organisations for projects focused on protecting, conserving and
restoring the environment in New South Wales. Funding of $150,000 to $350,000 per project is available.
A deep dive into soil, water and the little critters in the environment
A Call out for all Stage 2 and
3 teachers in the North West Region.
Carbon8 is excited to be working with the inspiring Tamworth Regional Landcare Association and LLS NSW to deliver "A deep dive into soil,
water and the little critters in the environment"
If you are a teacher from yrs 3 to 6 and would like to be immersed in a practical hands on learning environment with Rock Star soil
scientists and ecologists, , leading speakers and farmers, you will love this full day teaching event for your students.
Are you keen to learn about Glossy Black Cockatoos and enjoy delicious woodfired pizza and gelato?
Join Jayden Gunn from Birdlife Australia and local birding guide, Julie from Pilliga Pottery, for a delightful and delicious evening on
Friday 11th April 2025.
The Glossies, Pizza and Gelato at Dusk Event is FREE and begins from 3:30pm and will finish around 7:30pm at Pilliga
Pottery, north east of Coonabarabran via the Newell Highway.
The evening will include an informative introduction to the beautiful and fascinating Glossy Black Cockatoos including tips on how to
identify them and ways to improve and protect their habitat.
A dusk birdwatching walk will give all participants the opportunity to perhaps spot a Glossy on the grounds of Pilliga Pottery, while
being accompanied by expert birders.
The evening will round off with dinner at Pilliga Pottery’s Blue Wren Bush Café.
RSVP is essential as numbers are limited.
Keen to attend? For more details and to register click here
This event is supported by Central West Local Land Services and the project partner as part of the Making Inland Glossies Great Again
project funded by the NSW government through it’s Environmental Trust.
Strengthen our region with a Tax-Deductible Contribution to Tamworth Regional Landcare Association
Landcare is about more than the environment—it’s about the future of our region.
At Tamworth Regional Landcare Association (TRLA), we work across the landscape—supporting sustainable land management, improving soil
health, preserving water resources, and enhancing biodiversity. Whether you're managing a farm, running a business, or part of a local
community, the decisions we make today about how we care for our land directly impact the health, productivity, and resilience of our region
tomorrow.
Now recognised as a Tax-Deductible Gift Recipient by the Australian Tax Office, TRLA can offer even more value for every donation received.
Contributions of $2 or more are tax-deductible—meaning you can invest in the long-term future of our region while also receiving a benefit
at tax time.
Did you know (TRLA) run an Annual Small Grants program for Landcare activities connected to the Tamworth region.
Volunteer Landcare and Grassroots Community groups can apply up to $2,500 for activities that meet an objective of TRLA’s strategic plan with eight successful projects being awarded funds from across the region.
Our members often say that when you become part of Landcare, you’re not just joining a group, you’re becoming part of a family. The concept is so compatible with Australian culture it’s hard not to get involved! By becoming a TRLA member, you’ll be supporting our work, learning new skills, becoming part of the solution, and helping to make a difference for the future.
Mari ngiyani winangaylanha ganunga-waanda yanaylanha, dhaymaarr ganugu-waanda nhama ngarrangarranmaldanhi. [We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first people and custodians of this land] Gomeroi People are the traditional custodians of the waterways and the land on which we work and live. Tamworth Regional Landcare Association pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal people.
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