We’re thrilled to share some wonderful news for the Yass Landcare Nursery and the broader Yass community. After many years relying solely on limited tank water, the Yass Landcare Nursery has now been granted access to town water, with water bills waived, thanks to the recent support of Yass Valley Council.

This change marks a huge step forward for the nursery, which produces 3,000–4,000 native plants each year for revegetation projects across the district. Until now, the dedicated team of volunteers who run the nursery have had to make do with rainwater collected from tanks. During dry periods, this often wasn’t enough to keep plants alive and healthy, limiting the nursery’s ability to meet demand and support local environmental restoration efforts.

Access to town water—used only when absolutely essential, means that our volunteers can continue growing a healthy and diverse range of native plants year-round, even in times of drought. This ensures we can keep supporting revegetation, habitat restoration, and other projects both big and small across the Yass Valley.

The announcement was celebrated this week with a visit to the nursery by The Hon. Ron Hoenig MP Minister for Local Govenrment,  The Hon. Wendy Tuckerman MP Member for Goulburn, and Mayor Jasmin Jones. The visit was a valuable opportunity to showcase the nursery’s role in the community and discuss the infrastructure and support needed to keep this special place thriving. One practical issue identified during the visit was the need to repair the community centre guttering, which will improve the efficiency of rainwater collection for the tanks.

The recent Council decision to waive water bills and allow essential use of town water can be found in the July 24 Council meeting agenda (Item 8.6), a strong demonstration of Council’s support for grassroots environmental community groups.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to all of our incredible volunteers, whose ongoing care, advocacy, and commitment have made this possible. Your hard work and persistence are helping to grow a greener, healthier Yass Valley—literally.

Want to get involved?

We’re always looking for more hands to help. Join us for our regular nursery working bees on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, or come along to our National Tree Day celebration on Saturday 26 July, where we’ll be planting around the nursery grounds.

For more information about Yass Landcare and how you can get involved, visit our YAN website or follow us on Facebook.

Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN Local Coordinator

We had an inspiring visit from the enthusiastic students of Murrumburrah High School at the Yass Landcare nursery recently. The students showcased remarkable efficiency and teamwork, managing to sow 700 pots of eucalyptus and poa and fill numerous trays. Kate and Jan, our dedicated nursery volunteers, provided excellent guidance, and the students’ eagerness to learn and help was truly commendable.

The students shared their exciting projects at school, including propagating plants and managing a hydroponics system. They aim to start their own plant sales soon and are planning to undertake revegetation projects in their local area. Their passion for environmental sustainability and hands-on learning is truly inspiring.

Join Us at Yass Landcare Nursery

Our work at the nursery is a testament to the power of community and collaboration. We are always looking for more volunteers to join our team. Whether you have a green thumb or just a passion for helping out, your contribution can make a significant impact.

How You Can Help

-  Volunteering: Spend a few hours a week at the nursery, helping with planting, potting, and maintaining our green space.

- Donations: Contribute to our cause to help us buy seeds, pots, and other essential materials.

- Spread the Word: Tell your friends and family about our work and encourage them to get involved.

Volunteering at Yass Landcare nursery is a rewarding experience, offering a chance to learn new skills, meet like-minded people, and contribute to environmental conservation. Together, we can make a difference in our community and beyond.

For more information on how you can get involved, please email Sarah [email protected]

Writen by Lyn Walker, Yass Landcare volunteer & Sarah McGrath, YAN Local Coordinator

Thanks to everyone who joined us at the Wattle Valley nursery to help thin, weed and keep thousands of plants steaming ahead until they are planted out across the district later this year. A wonderful effort and it was lovely seeing your friendly and enthusiastic faces.

See the Video of the days activities here Bowning Bookham Landcare Growing & Thriving

Click Below for the video;

 Writen by Sarah McGrath, Bowning Bookham Landcare Local Coordinator