Yass Landcare Network of Landcare Groups (YAN) is delighted to announce that Gary and Hansie Armour, ‘Te Kooti’, Bookham are this year’s winners of the JCH Betts Memorial Landcare Award.

Nan and Mary-Jane Betts recently presented the award on behalf of YAN and congratulated Gary and Hansie Armour for their amazing achievements, and role modelling sustaining agriculture with protecting and value adding to the environment.

Mary-Jane said; “We are thrilled to present the John Betts memorial Landcare award to Gary and Hansie. Gary’s amazing results over many years of enhancing Te-Kooti with his handy ability to repurpose old tools! Seeing Gary demonstrate his homemade tree seeder and achieving many kilometres of tree lines is fantastic.”

“There is nothing more satisfying seeing tree lines establish returning multiple benefits and diversity back into our landscape.” Mary-Jane continued.      

Nan added: “John (Betts) would have loved seeing Gary and Hansie’s property today, he was a great advocate for protecting our environment, land, and water; Gary will no doubt, inspire others for what is achievable.”

This award recognition celebrates Gary and Hansie's unwavering dedication spanning over two decades toward the rejuvenation and transformation of their property, 'Te Kooti'.

Upon taking over the land from Gary’s father in 2001 during a dry spell, they encountered a stark, treeless landscape due to previous land clearing practices.

Their commitment to environmental restoration was evident as they actively engaged with local organisations advocating for landscape revegetation. Notably, their participation in projects like 'Webs of Burrinjuck' encouraged landowners to establish tree lanes connecting Childowla Road with existing habitat pockets on their properties. They both completed a Holistic Management Course, enhancing their grazing practices and decision-making capabilities.

Inspired by mentors Leon Garry and John Betts, Gary initiated trials in direct seeding of trees and shrubs. The efficiency and impact of this method became evident as Gary, using a converted plough, accomplished a monumental feat, sowing a one kilometre stretch across five rows of trees in just a day. This monumental achievement, a stark contrast to the labour-intensive tube stock method, solidified their conviction that direct seeding across their expansive 1000 Ha property was the optimal approach.

Gary estimates that he has completed 20 kilometres of multi row tree lanes since he started. The tree lanes run along existing fencing lines and mostly in a north south direction to cut across the prevailing westerly winds.

Upon receiving the award Gary said he was humbled to receive this award,

“John Bett was such a role model for me, and I like nothing more than watching my soils improve and native grasses return as the years roll by”

Hansie said, “It has been wonderful to see the results achieved by Gary’s dedication. In our business model the soil comes first by using our sheep as a tool in the process, birds and wildlife return. The cream on the cake for us is that it also improves our bottom line."

Gary and Hansie remain committed to their journey of environmental restoration and sustainable agricultural practices. They are active members of the Bowning Bookham Landcare group regularly attending the groups Landcare Farming grazing days and recently hosted a field day on their property showcasing the method of direct seeding which has been used to revegetate their property.

The Yass Landcare Network proudly honours Gary and Hansie Armour for their visionary stewardship, innovative practices, and unparalleled commitment to environmental sustainability.

Writen by Sarah McGrath, YAN Local Coordinator

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About the JCH Betts Memorial Landcare Award

The JCH Betts Landcare Award commemorates the memory of John Betts, a foundation member of YAN, who made a major contribution over many years to Landcare in the Yass region. The award is made to a person who has made an outstanding and long-term contribution to Landcare. The winner is chosen by the YAN committee.

Murrumbateman & Bowning Bookham Landcare groups enjoyed a guided field walk on Sue McIntyre’s property “Gang Gang” to see first hand how this conservation area is being managed.

After mindfully taking in the landscape, the group headed off on a walk to take a closer look at the many and diverse range of species and plant communities that are growing there. From the open grassy areas, through areas of dry sclerophyll forest and back through saline affected areas that had been restored.

The group continued to inspect more carefully the numerous native grassland plants that were being cultivated in the garden. Identifying them and discussing their habits and place within the landscape.

During the morning Sue highlighted the different techniques employed to manage this area in line with her conservation goals. These included;

• Weeding, of both noxious weeds and undesirable plants or those plants whose populations are out of balance.
• Thinning, by either manually removal or herbicides
• Protection from herbivores (mainly macropods) – which included fences, cages, sticks, and maintaining other plants that provide protection
• Seed dispersal
• Planting particular species to increase biodiversity
• Mowing
• Zero/ minimal nutrient input
• Allowing bare ground as an area for plants to germinate.

Discussion also focused on the various methods of fire damage mitigation such as

• Mowing
• Watering summer active native grasses to keep them green
• 50m exclusion zones around buildings
• Consideration as to where to plant green zones; and
• Water infrastructure design, placement and protection.

An inspiring, informative morning for everyone involved!

Writen by Sarah McGrath, YAN Local Coordinator

The Bowning Bookham & Yass Landcare group enjoyed a lovely spring day taking a guided walk by Alison Elvin to see the wildflowers that show themselves at this time of the year.

From the tiny Fairy Aprons (Tricularia dichotoma), rare Yass River Daisy (Ammobium craspedioides), delicate Fringe Lillies (Thysanotus tuberosus) and cheerful Milk Maid (Urchardia umbellata) there was plenty to see on this short walk.

After an explore along the Washpen Creek the group had a picnic lunch to also celebrate Nature NSW Picnic for Nature day. Alison insights into the abundance of native plants, grasses and forbs is always a highlight on these days and this walk was no exception.

Some of what the group took away from the day

• Identifying many unique plants
• Ways to manage this type of vegetation to encourage the proliferation of desirable plants and minimise weeds
• Great discussion around what is special about these areas
• How you can start or manage a revegetation project on your own place through our Habitat Hops project.

A great day to be out to enjoy this special area.

Writen by Sarah McGrath, YAN Local Coordinator

Recently a large group of Sutton residents set off on a walk around the Sutton Reserve, led by Alison Elvin, the ecologist from Wildscapes Rural in Yass. 

The Sutton Reserve is in dire need of rehabilitation.  Alison has produced a Management Plan outlining the key issues to be addressed in managing the rescue of the Reserve.  Key to proceeding further is the need for Sutton Landcare and others to establish a legal entity that would serve as the Crown Land Manager – this process is proceeding (albeit slowly).

Alison’s Management Plan covers many aspects – including:

• the need to establish a close working relationship with the local Ngambri and Ngunnawal Aboriginal Land Council.
• identifying biodiversity hotspots within the Reserve,
• creating an invasive weeds map, and an Integrated Weed Management Strategy to control priority weed species.
• strategies for dealing with feral animals,
• revegetation strategies including the use of climate-ready species and creation of a much-needed middle story layer,
• planning for public amenities (marked entry points, walking trails, logs as resting places),
• educational opportunities such as interpretive signs
• projects that can be undertaken by students from Sutton school.

The Plan also includes specific infrastructure recommendations such as replacing gates with bollards (to allow free pedestrian access but only authorised vehicular access) and continuous perimeter fencing.

Finally, fire management is a key consideration – cool burns to reduce excessive ground cover, removal of some undesirable species, reducing the overall fuel load (a fire safety measure for the village), and use of fire to re-invigorate some desirable species such as kangaroo grass, thus creating space for orchids and other forbs to re-emerge.

Alison pointed out that of the whole 12 Ha Reserve site, the 2-3 Ha closest to the school are the “Crown Jewels”, a rare example of box-gum grassy woodland containing more than 100 identified species of native plants, and many mature trees with nesting hollows, a veritable “Hilton Hotel for native birds” (Alison’s description).

If you wish to know more, please contact Sutton Landcare at [email protected]