A determined and cheerful group of volunteers braved a chilly, damp morning in Binalong to get hundreds of native plants in the ground as part of the Bowning Bookham Landcare Group’s Habitat Hops project. The planting took place on Chris and Gina Grubb’s property, ‘Billabong’, where they are working to restore and reconnect habitat across the farm.

Volunteers came from far and wide—Bungendore, Canberra, Yass, Binalong, and of course, Bowning and Bookham—united by a shared vision for healthy landscapes and thriving biodiversity. Despite the weather, spirits were high, and the teamwork was inspiring.

Before picking up the pottiputkis and tree guards, the group gathered around a large map of the property as Chris and Gina shared their plans. This particular planting aimed to connect two remnant stands of Blakely’s Red Gum and link nearby farm dams with corridors of native vegetation. These habitat links are essential for birdlife, providing food, shelter, and nesting sites.

A diverse mix of plants was selected, tailored to the site’s lower slopes and flats. Flowering species like acacias and callistemons will provide rich foraging for birds and insects. Dense and spiky shrubs such as Acacia paradoxa and needle-leaf hakeas will offer shelter and nest protection. And a good selection of eucalypts and large trees all from the Climate Ready Revegetation nursery mix will add to the structure, genetic diversity and resilience to the landscape.

Part of the planting zone included salt-affected ground. Here, hardy species like saltbush and hopbush were planted to help stabilise the soil and kickstart recovery in this degraded patch.

Throughout the morning, volunteers worked efficiently—digging, planting, setting up guards, and ferrying materials. Morning tea was a highlight, with delicious cakes shared in the paddock. Younger helpers were thrilled to discover healthy earthworms and bugs in the soil, and many got right into the action with pottiputki planters and muddy hands.

There was a special satisfaction for volunteers who had previously spent time in the nursery growing the plants—they were now seeing the results of their efforts take root.

The skies opened just after lunch, giving the newly planted seedlings a perfect soak. The group gathered again in the afternoon for a guided tour with Chris and Gina, who showed off other revegetation work around the farm. One particularly promising site was a new planting along the Boorowa River—set to become a thriving haven in the years ahead.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined the planting, supported nursery work, or contributed to species selection through the Climate Ready Revegetation project. With each planting, we’re helping to realise the vision of vibrant, resilient farms that support both production and biodiversity.

Want to get involved?
Follow Bowning Bookham Landcare on Facebook and Instagram or subscribe to our newsletter. The group meets monthly to share ideas and a meal at the Bowning Pub—new faces are always welcome.

Written by Sarah McGrath, Coordinator, Bowning Bookham Landcare Group

As National Landcare Week drew to a close, our Bowning-Bookham Landcare group welcomed with a perfect sunny winter's day, ideal for our latest Habitat Hops landscape connectivity project. A enthusiastic group of volunteers, came together to plant nearly 1,000 plants across Glenview, part of our ongoing Habitat Hops landscape connectivity project.

The breeze picked up in the morning, but we were fortunate to be planting close to an adjoining area that had been direct-seeded nearly 20 years ago. This thickly vegetated section provided not only much-needed shelter but also was  powerful visual of what our newly planted seedlings will soon become. It served as a vivid reminder of the long-lasting impact our efforts will have on this landscape.

Children eagerly joined in, their hands busy digging, delivering tree guards, and helping in any way they could. The enthusiasm was infectious. Every volunteer had a role to play—whether it was planting, assembling tree guards, or ensuring the young plants were well-watered.

One of the first sections we planted was aimed at slowing water runoff into an area the owners fondly call the “Grand Canyon.” This effort will help reduce degradation and erosion in that part of the property. Other sections were planted with the goal of creating windbreaks, enhancing habitat, and improving soil health—key components of a resilient landscape.

As we wrapped up the day, there was a collective sense of accomplishment. We had done more than just plant trees and shrubs; we had sown the seeds for a healthier, more connected ecosystem.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated. Your hard work and dedication are what make projects like these possible. Keep an eye out for our next group activity in spring, where we’ll be sowing seeds for next season’s planting.

Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN & Bowning Bookham Landcare Local Coordinator

In recent months, the children at Bowning Public School have keenly observed a noticeable absence of birds in their playground, sparking a desire to invite these feathered friends back into their outdoor spaces. Their enthusiasm inspired the Bowning Bookham Landcare group to take action by planting a section of the school yard to create some playground habitat and encourage further biodiversity in the playground and beyond.

National Schools Tree Day: 26 July 2024

On 26 July 2024, the children at Bowning Public School took part in National Schools Tree Day by planting trees on their school grounds. Each student had the opportunity to plant their own tree, which they can watch grow over the years. The children also showcased their creativity by decorating their very own tree guards. These guards were adorned with wonderful artworks reflecting what inspires or is important to them.

The children were incredibly engaged and enthusiastic about the project. Their excitement was infectious as they planted their trees with care and decorated their tree guards with vibrant designs. As they grow, so will the trees they've planted, creating a lasting legacy for future students.

National Tree Day: 28 July 2024

Despite the chilly morning start, our spirits were warmed by the cheery and enthusiastic group of volunteers who joined us to plant at the school on National Tree Day, 28 July 2024. This wonderful group made short work of getting around 300 native and locally volunteer-grown plants in the ground, building on the planting the young students had already started.

One of our volunteers beautifully described the planting as the creation of a “bird super highway” leading into the school. This initiative aims to provide a welcoming environment for birds, fostering greater biodiversity not only in the school grounds but also in the surrounding area.

A big thank you to all the amazing individuals who joined us. Your hard work and commitment are helping create habitat in the playground and beyond. Together, we are making a positive impact on our environment and inspiring the next generation to care for our planet.

Looking Ahead

The Bowning Bookham Landcare group is dedicated to continuing efforts like these to enhance our local environment. The success of this planting event at Bowning Public School is just the beginning. We look forward to seeing the trees and plants grow, providing a haven for birds and other wildlife, and enriching the outdoor experience for the students.

A further Community Planting Day is planned for Landcare Week see below for details

Community Planting Day – Glenview Bookham | Sun 11 Aug

Writen by Sarah McGrath, Bowning Bookham Landcare Local Coordinator

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The Bowning Bookham Landcare Habitat Hops Project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.

A stellar group of volunteers got together to plant hundreds of plants across three sites in the hills above the Murrumbidgee River. 

These plants are a part of our habitat linkages project, Habitat Hops aiming to protect and create habitat linkages between the Burrinjuck and Bango reserves. This property,  which is adjoining Burrinjuck Reserve, is an important first hop providing areas of shelter for wildlife, insects and livestock. 

All of the plants that went in the ground were grown in our nurseries by volunteers using plants and seed from the our Climate Ready Revegetation project which aims aims to deliver plants which have the tolerances and genetic diversity to deal with future changes in climatic conditions expected in our district. 

A massive thank you to all of the volunteers that have contributed not only to planting on the day, but to the seed selection, growing, maintenance and monitoring of these plants. Your efforts are truly seen, recognised and making an impact.

Writen by Sarah McGrath, YAN & Bowning Bookham Landcare Local Coordinator

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The Bowning Bookham Landcare Habitat Hops Project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.