Grassy White Box Woodland Restoration


What are Grassy White Box Woodlands?

Box Woodlands, including Grassy White Box Woodlands, once covered around 10 million hectares of south-eastern Australia. The dominant tree species is generally White Box (Eucalyptus albens) and grass species dominate the ground layer. Other tree species in these woodlands include Blakely’s Red Gum (Eucalyptus blakelyi) and Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora) a sparse shrub layer and an associated understorey of native grasses including Kangaroo and Tussock grasses. Grey Headed Flying Foxes (listed as Vulnerable under the Action Plan for Australian Bats) and Little Red Flying Foxes feed on White Box nectar.

Grassy White Box Woodlands provide habitat for over 60 threatened species such as the Bush Stone-Curlew and the Squirrel Glider and they are an important source of food and habitat for three nationally threatened bird species (Regent Honeyeater, Superb and Swift Parrots).

Grassy White Box Woodlands were once widespread on the deep fertile soils of the wheat-sheep belt of south-eastern Australia. Since European settlement more than 80% of that area has been cleared of its former native vegetation for agriculture. Across the state, more than 95% has been cleared and much of what remains is grossly altered and only 10% of what’s left is protected in reserves. These woodlands now occur in isolated fragments on the western New South Wales slopes of the Great Dividing Range in the north extending into Queensland to the southern Darling Downs and in the south extending into northern Victoria.

Experts believe that the Grassy White Box Woodlands are one of the most highly fragmented and poorly reserved ecosystems in Australia. Estimates are that now less than 400 hectares of Grassy White Box Woodlands with relatively intact understorey are known to exist in New South Wales. Our best local examples are Currabubula and Winton Cemeteries as well as parts of Moore Creek Caves Reserve.

There are many threats to these grassy woodlands. They include: clearing and modification, fragmentation, firewood cutting, inappropriate burning practices, soil disturbance and weed invasion.

So how can I help?

The Grassy White Box Committee are undertaking a number of projects to address the decline in this ecological community. Work continues to help rehabilitate and restore these woodlands at numerous sites across our region.

A monthly working bee is held by The Friends of Moore Creek Cave on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 8.30am, held at Moore Creek Caves Reserve (end of Maysteers Lane).

Contact Paul Moxon at info@trla.org.au to get involved



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📅 When: Wednesday, 15 May

🐾 NSW Companion Animals Act Review – Have Your Say! 🐾

🐾 NSW Companion Animals Act Review – Have Your Say! 🐾

🚨 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

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  • Statewide 24/7 cat containment laws
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  • $9 million+ in support for Councils and education campaigns


📄 Option C (official form):
Review the discussion paper and submit feedback via the online submission form on the Office of Local Government site.
🔗 Submit here

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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.

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together we can make a difference

funding support

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.

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