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Managing natural assets on farm – Enhancing Farm Dams

Wayne & Nell Chaffey, Susan Wilson and Nicky Chirlian joined many LLS staff from across the NorthWest and New England on an excellent  workshop on 28th & 29th July at the  Department of Primary Industries Tamworth Agricultural Institute.

The workshop was delivered by the NorthWest LLS Sustainable Agriculture Team in collaboration with the Sustainable Farm initiative at the Australian National University. It was part of the Valuing Natural Assets on Farm project funded by the Australian Government from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate Smart Agricultural Program. The aim was to support LLS & Landcare staff, landholders, and NRM professionals to gain a better understanding of managing and monitoring natural assets on farm, and support landholders in managing their farms.

Research on farm dam data collected over twenty years was presented by ecologists Angelina Siegrist, Senior Research & Extension Officer, ANU; Amber Croft, Senior Communications & Engagement Officer, ANU; and

Nathan Gregory, Biodiversity Field Officer, ANU.

Major messages (with strong research back up) covered farm dams as biodiversity hotspots; benefits for agricultural productivity; improving water quality; reducing evaporation and increasing water persistence and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Key management actions included reducing livestock impacts by fencing off dams and building alternative watering points; revegetation; connectivity and integrating with other natural assets; and providing  a variety of habitats within the dam environment.

A field trip to Wayne and Nell Chaffey’s property “Naours” at Somerton was a highlight of very chilly day.  We viewed a 20 old dam which displayed many positive features and a new one under construction through the Landcare Australia Cocoa Cola Grant.

Excellent printed resources were provided.  For more information, please contact Project Officer, Razzaq Sarker (razzaq.sarker@lls.nsw.gov.au, 0448 095 429) and view the website https://www.sustainablefarms.org.au/

 



Latest News

2025 Healthy Cities Landcare Grants Now Open!

Landcare Australia, in partnership with Bupa, has launched the 2025 Healthy Cities Landcare Grants Program, supporting community-led environmental projects in urban and peri‑urban Australia

What You Need to Know:

  • Funding: Grants between $5,000 – $25,000 (ex‑GST). If your project needs more and can be completed by August 2026, reach out to discuss options. 
  • Eligibility: Open to Landcare groups, Friends‑of/Coastcare/Bushcare groups, local councils, environmental nonprofits, NRM organisations, First Nations or Traditional Owner groups, and State/Territory Landcare organisations. 
  • Project Requirements:
    • Plant native trees, shrubs, or groundcovers in public spaces within urban/peri‑urban areas.
    • Sites must be within 300 m of homes or accessible via public transport, and suitable for outdoor activity. Minimum of 500 plants required. 
    • Must also host a public community event. 
  • Key Dates:
    • Applications open: 22 July 2025
    • Closing: 29 August 2025, 5pm AEST 
    • Successful projects notified: By 21 November 2025
    • Project completion: by 31 August 2026, with maintenance covered until August 2027 (max 10% of budget) 
  • Last year’s impact: In 2024, grants supported the planting of 106,500 native plants across the nation, boosting biodiversity and community wellbeing.  


Whether you're a local group, council, or not-for-profit with a vision for greener, healthier cities, this is your chance to bring it to life!

Join us for a magical evening under the stars as 130+ incredible photos light up Fitzroy Plaza for the TRLA Photography Awards N

Join us for a magical evening under the stars as 130+ incredible photos light up Fitzroy Plaza for the TRLA Photography Awards Night!

Friday, August 8 | 6–8 PM
Burger Urge, Fitzroy Plaza, Tamworth

Celebrate the talent of our local photographers
See the winners revealed & prizes awarded
Enjoy light refreshments at Burger Urge
Dress warm – it’s an open-air gallery!

This is a free, family-friendly event and all are welcome!
For more info or to register, contact Susan Wilson: 0400 590 776 | susan@trla.org.au

Don’t miss this special Landcare Week event – see you Friday!

Flood Damage and Creek Crossings – Do You Need a Licence to Repair?

After recent flooding across the region, many landholders are facing damaged or washed-out creek crossings—and the question we’re hearing most is: “Do I need a licence to repair it?”

Landcare Learning recap - Eyes in the Sky for Koala Conservation

A recent Landcare Learnings event shone a spotlight on the innovative WildSeek Koala Project, a national collaboration between Landcare Australia, WIRES, and QUT, with Tamworth Regional Landcare (TRLA) one of just five community hubs involved across the country.

Managing natural assets on farm – Enhancing Farm Dams

Wayne & Nell Chaffey, Susan Wilson and Nicky Chirlian joined many LLS staff from across the NorthWest and New England on an excellent  workshop on 28th & 29th July at the  Department of Primary Industries Tamworth Agricultural Institute.

Gunnible Landcare Working with Community

Gunnible Landcare members, working with Gunnedah SES,  have been proactive in providing local residents with flood warnings.

 

PLCs in Action: PLC Matters Wraps Up for Another Year!

We’re excited to share the official wrap‑up article from the BCT about the PLC Matters program and its impact on private land conservation across New South Wales: PLC Matters inspires private land conservation across NSW.

Since launching in June 2023, BCT and Landcare NSW have teamed up through PLC Matters to develop a thriving network of landholders committed to safeguarding biodiversity. By June 2025, they had delivered 143 events across the state, engaging nearly 2,200 participants in field days, workshops, and storytelling sessions. plcm.landcarensw.net.au+5bct.nsw.gov.au+5bct.nsw.gov.au+5

The program’s impact is clear:

  • ✅ 90 % of participants reported high satisfaction and felt inspired to take conservation action
  • ✅ 85 % said they could directly apply what they learned to their own land
  • ✅ Knowledge increased from an average of 41 to 58 on a 100‑point scale
  • ✅ Over 30 partner organisations are now collaborating with BCT and Landcare NSW bct.nsw.gov.au


From practical learning and community building to empowering landholders to protect threatened species and landscapes, PLC Matters is making a real difference for conservation on private land.

Want to be part of this community? Read the full article above and explore the PLC Matters Toolkit via Landcare NSW to find upcoming events and resources in your region.

Come Work With Us!

Come Work With Us!

Our native plant nursery is on the lookout for a Casual Horticulturist to join our team!

If you’re passionate about native plants, love getting your hands dirty, and have experience in propagation or nursery work, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply or if you have any enquiries please contact Jacqui on 0401717015 or jacqui@trla.org.au

TRLA stands with the Home is where the hollow is campaign

Here at TRLA, we’re passionate about the wellbeing of our natural ecosystem and recognise the responsibility we have to protect the environment and biodiversity.

Tree hollows and fallen logs provide important homes for Australian wildlife, but they’re disappearing at an alarming rate.

Trees provide critical habitat for native wildlife to forage, shelter, roost and nest. Hollow bearing trees are particularly important, as many species use hollows on a daily and seasonal basis to nest and raise their young.

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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.

LEARN MORE LEARN MORE

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.

APPLY NOW APPLY NOW