The Murrumbateman Village Reserve came alive with the spirit of connection and learning during the Murrumbateman Landcare Native Plant Use, Traditional Tools, and Indigenous Culture Workshop. Hosted in the beautiful grassy woodlands of the reserve, the event featured Aaron Chatfield from Dreamtime Connections, a Gamilaroi man deeply connected to Ngunnawal people and Country.

Aaron’s passion and vast knowledge captivated participants as he led a walk through the reserve highlighting the native plants and wildlife, offering fascinating insights and practical demonstrations. From showcasing traditional tools like boomerangs, bull roarers, emu callers, and digging sticks to sharing the flavours of bush tea, wattleseed biscuits, and native tomato with pepper, the workshop was a feast for the senses and the mind.

It was fascinating to discover so many different facts, including how red-headed meat ant nests can signal seasonal changes, how blackwood wattle leaves make an excellent natural soap, and how cassinia shrub leaves can be used as a band-aid.

The event brought together a diverse group of participants, including local and visiting Ngunawal community members, Murrumbateman locals, and members of Murrumbateman Landcare. It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and learn from the rich cultural heritage of the First Nations people while deepening our connection to the local landscape.

Murrumbateman Landcare is excited to continue working closely with the Ngunawal community to manage and care for the Murrumbateman Village Reserve, ensuring this beautiful place thrives for generations to come.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this day so special. We look forward to hosting more events that celebrate the wisdom of Indigenous culture and the wonders of our natural environment.

Stay tuned for updates on future workshops and activities with Murrumbateman Landcare and the Yass Area Network of Landcare Groups.

Written by Jacqui Stol, Murrumbateman Landcare

As summer approaches, it’s natural to wonder how hot it might get this year—and how much hotter future summers could be as the climate changes. Questions about how native plantings, livestock, and crops will cope are becoming increasingly urgent.

My Climate View is an invaluable online tool that allows us to explore past climate data and future projections with remarkable detail—down to approximately 5x5 km. It offers insights into a range of variables related to temperature, rainfall, and potential evapotranspiration.

For example, a search for “Yass” reveals that under a high-emissions scenario, the average maximum temperature is projected to rise by about 3℃ by the 2070s. This adds to the warming already observed over the past 60 years. We can also expect more hot days (≥35℃) and shifts in rainfall seasonality. With just a click, the tool shows how curtailing global emissions to a ‘medium’ rather than ‘high’ scenario could shape outcomes in our local area.

Developed by the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology, My Climate View equips land managers with the information they need to adapt their practices to a changing climate. It provides tailored data relevant to a wide range of agricultural sectors.

We highly recommend this tool based on first-hand experience; YAN’s Climate Ready Revegetation Project team uses projections from My Climate View to evaluate which native species are most likely to survive under future conditions.

Written by Sonya Duus, Climate Ready Revegetation Project Officer

You may also like to read . . . 

>> Climate Ready Reveegetation Team: Preparing for a Changing Future

_______________________________

The Climate Ready Revegetation Project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust. Landcare Australia Michael King grants enable us to purchase seed from diverse provenances.

YAN’s Climate Ready team was delighted to discuss the Climate Ready Revegetation (CRR) Project with Local Land Services (LLS) staff, as well as some of their partners and contractors this week.

Local Land Services regularly engage with landholders about land management and revegetation, and there was interest in learning about YAN’s work to give local plantings the best chance of thriving under future environmental conditions.

Project Officer Sonya delivered an online presentation about YAN’s CRR project, while team member Gill was in the LLS office with the participants. After lunch, Sonya and Gill guided everyone through practical activities, introducing them to several valuable publicly available online tools for exploring downscaled climate projections, identifying future climate analogue areas, and examining species distributions. 

We thank LLS for inviting us to share and for the opportunity to discuss the concepts and practices involved in Climate Ready Revegetation. We greatly appreciated everyone’s enthusiasm and engagement! 

Written by Sonya Duus, Climate Ready Revegetation Project Officer.

________________

This project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust. Landcare Australia Michael King grants enable us to purchase seed from diverse provenances.

The 2024 Murrumbateman Field Days showcased  biodiversity, colour, and curiosity as the Murrumbateman Landcare Group brought to life the theme “Insects in the Web of Life.” Designed to draw attention to the vital roles insects play in our ecosystems, the display captured the imagination of visitors of all ages.

At the heart of this year’s event was a stunning artwork by Landcare member and artist Janette Hannan. Janette’s creation depicted a fascinating local landscape alive with insects and other animals, each species intricately interwoven in a tapestry of life and predation. This remarkable piece brought into focus the complexity and beauty of our local ecosystems, from predators to pollinators. Adding depth to the display, Janette also shared information and images of the endangered Key’s Matchstick grasshopper, found at Murrumbateman’s Crown Reserve. Alongside this rare and remarkable grasshopper, her vibrant illustrations of butterflies, moths, and lady beetles created a colourful backdrop, drawing visitors into a world often overlooked.

Field Days are always an opportunity for hands-on learning, and this year was no exception. Over 120 children took part in the Insect Hunt activity, scouring the display to find images of twelve different types of insects hidden throughout the tent. The excitement was contagious, and every child who completed the hunt took home a special sticker featuring Janette’s beetle and butterfly artworks. Many children, and adults alike, enjoyed examining insect samples under magnification, marvelling at the details of tiny creatures up close. A yabby in pond water was a particular crowd-pleaser, sparking questions and interest in aquatic habitats.

Landcare’s collaboration with ACT for Bees brought a fresh perspective on Sunday, as Julie Armstrong delivered an engaging talk on the importance of planting for pollinators. Her insights highlighted how both farms and home gardens can become havens for pollinating insects, supporting biodiversity and enhancing productivity. It was an inspiring reminder of the power of planting and planning to make a difference in our ecosystems.

Like each year the tent was fileld with plants from the Landcare nursery, which were freely shared with visitors eager to introduce native plants into their own landscapes. Throughout the day, discussions sprang up about the role of Landcare, habitat restoration, and how individuals can contribute to conservation.

The Field Days also hosted a range of complementary displays, with representatives from Local Land Services (providing the tent), Birds Australia, and organisations addressing the challenges of feral animals and weeds. The message was clear: Landcare is about collaboration, education, and community action.

We extend heartfelt thanks to the many volunteers who made the day possible, the speakers, and, of course, everyone who came along. It was a pleasure to see so many enthusiastic faces and to feel the energy of a community united by its passion for the land and all its inhabitants.

Written by Sarah McGrath, Local Coordinator