Sustainable North West Sub Committee


TRLA was a founding partner with the Namoi CMA in the first Sustainability Expo in 2009. Since then, the concept has grown into the annual Sustainable North West Program with events held across North West NSW. In 2015, more than 2,000 people attended 100 mile food nights, sustainable morning teas, sustainable open house days, mini expo at Tamworth Show, Envirorace and a schools competition.

For more information, visit www.sustainablenorthwest.com.au











Latest News



Community Tree Planting for the Whole Family

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 17 May 2025 between 9:00am and 12:00


Financial Literacy and Investing in Natural Capital Sessions – Build Financial and Natural Wealth for Your Farm

North West Local Land Services in partnership with Principal Economist Janine Powell from AgEcon invite you to gain a deeper understanding of the financial advantages of managing natural capital on your farm at workshops located in Tamworth (20 May) and Narrabri (27 May).

The sessions will explore:

• monitoring your farm’s financial and enterprise performance

• understanding the link between natural assets and financial outcomes

• local farm case studies on assessing natural capital

• an update on natural capital markets

• Local Land Services natural capital service


This workshop will equip you with practical tools and insights to strengthen your farm’s financial resilience while enhancing its environmental sustainability.


Landcare Learning - A prickly problem

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!


Carbon Farm Field Day

Interested in Carbon Projects but have been waiting to see what it looks like on farm?  Now's your chance.  Atlas Carbon in partnership with NSW Government and Wilmot Cattle Co will be holding an on farm field day in Nundle on 17th June.  Bookings now open!


North West Local Land Services May 2025

Stay up to date with the latest events, make sure you check out the North West Local Land Services website, newsletter and socials. Other events pop up that are not currently listed so it is a great way to stay up to date with following links listed below.

Where have the Bogong Moths gone?

Where have the Bogong Moths gone?

Bogong Moths usually migrate in spring each year, especially from southern Queensland, central NSW and western Victoria to the Australian Alps, and then back again in autumn. Recent research suggests they may also be in South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, but more data is needed - including via Moth Tracker.

Bogong Moths are facing a number of threats, including extreme weather events, drought and climate change, light pollution on their migration routes, changed wide-scale agricultural practices and insecticides, predation by introduced species and habitat loss. Following an estimated 99.5% collapse, Bogong Moths were added to the IUCN Endangered Species list in December 2021. Scientists are currently working hard to understand more about the decline of Bogong Moths and how to protect the species, so with Moth Tracker, we can all do our bit to help!

During the Bogong Moth’s spring to summer migration in 2023, we received 594 moth sightings on Moth Tracker, with 291 of those confirmed to be Endangered Bogong Moths. To all the Moth Trackers out there, thank you for your support!

A map of Victoria, Australia showing the Bogong Moths' annual migration route from NS and SA down to Victoria's alpine region

Have you seen a Bogong Moth? Submit your sighting on Moth Tracker https://mothtracker.swifft.net.au/

 And please turn off your outside lights so they can keep flying!!!

Photo by By Donald Hobern from Canberra, Australia - Agrotis infusa, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4936674


Upcoming events in the North West


Check out these upcoming events in the North West.

Bendemeer Students Join the TreeTroff Biodiversity Project

Bendemeer Students Join the TreeTroff Biodiversity Project

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.

Help achieve more sustainable and resilient rural landscapes

Help achieve more sustainable and resilient rural landscapes

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.



If you have any queries about this study, please contact e.sumner@westernsydney.edu.au or call 0497 784 310. This study is funded by the National Environmental Science Program and the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water


Explore the Heart of the Macdonald River – Past, Present & Future

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! 🌿

🌿 Our friends at Nemingha Community Garden are hosting a fantastic Open Day on Friday, May 10—and you're invited! 🌿

🌿 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:

  • A talk on permaculture by John Simpson from the Tamworth Community Organic Gardening Group
  • A demo on building Wicking Beds—and a chance to make your own mini one to take home!
  • Free food and drinks
  • Plant and seed sales/swaps (cash only)
  • A raffle with great prizes


It’s the perfect chance to connect with other gardeners, learn something new, and enjoy a great day out. Spread the word and show your support for this amazing community initiative!

📍 Nemingha Community Garden, Nemingha
🗓️ Friday, May 10 | From 10 AM


🌿 Biodiversity & Productivity – Tamworth Workshop | 15 May 🌿

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

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