On a mild winter’s day in mid-August, members of our YAN Landcare community gathered with other groups from our region at the Gunning Bush Block yarning circle for a Landcare Mini Muster. The relaxed atmosphere and surrounds encouraged open conversation, the day brought together a diverse mix of Landcarers from across the district and beyond.

Attendees included people with backgrounds in ecology, farming, governance, nurseries, mapping, grant writing, and community engagement — an impressive range of skills, experiences, and perspectives all in one place. What stood out most was the generosity of the group: each person arrived not only with their own “needs” but also with offers of knowledge and support to share.

Needs & Offers – Sharing Across Our Networks

The group explored the “Needs & Offers” framework, a simple but powerful way to connect skills and resources across our networks. Offers ranged from governance templates, nursery and propagation expertise, and experience with revegetation projects, to help with grant writing, GIS mapping, and ecology training. Needs included more opportunities for collaboration, tools for building regional calendars, and ways to engage the changing demographics of landholders in our region.

This open sharing reminded us just how much capacity already exists within our community — and how much stronger we are when we pool our knowledge.

Topics Around the Circle

The discussion was wide-ranging and lively, covering some of the questions facing Landcare across the region:

• Webinars vs. face-to-face: While many valued in-person gatherings for building trust and relationships, others noted the accessibility of webinars, especially for those who can’t travel. A blended approach may be the key to reaching more people.
• Changing demographics: Shifts in land ownership, with more lifestyle blocks and new residents, were seen as both a challenge and an opportunity. There is real potential to bring newcomers into Landcare through training in property planning, soils, water, and native vegetation.
• Breaking down borders: Many noted that while Landcare groups often work within their own bubbles, the greatest opportunities lie in stepping across boundaries — whether district lines or cultural ones. More united regional projects can increase impact and strengthen our collective voice.

A Day of Connection

Perhaps the greatest takeaway from the day was the reassurance that we are not alone in the challenges we face. Whether it’s adapting to demographic change, navigating funding shifts, or simply finding the time to do the work, the Landcare community is full of people willing to help and share.

Participants valued the size and format of the Mini Muster, which allowed space for meaningful conversation. There was plenty of laughter, ideas exchanged, and gratitude expressed to Gunning District Landcare for hosting such a thoughtful and welcoming day.

As one participant noted, it is in gatherings like this — small enough for real connection but broad enough to bring in many voices — that Landcare’s true strength shines.

We look forward to future musters, more sharing, and perhaps even sandstone “warmers” for the yarning circle next time around.

Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN Local Coordinator

If you’ve passed by Sutton Reserve recently, you may have noticed some changes. Volunteers from Sutton Landcare and the Sutton and District Community Association (SDCA) have been hard at work improving the reserve so it can become a real asset for both the village and the wider region.

This work follows the Sutton Reserve Masterplan, adopted by both community organisations and supported by Crown Lands, which manages the reserve. The plan sets out a long-term vision for the area – but before new features like walking paths, yarning circles, and information signs can be created, we first need to tackle a major challenge: removing invasive trees, shrubs, and weeds.

Why remove pine trees and other non-natives?

Not all trees are good for the reserve. Some non-native species, such as radiata pines, Cootamundra wattles, sifton bush, and hawthorns, spread aggressively and outcompete the native plants and old eucalypts that should be thriving here. Large pines in particular “throttle” established gums, depriving them of water, nutrients, and space. Left unchecked, these species threaten the biodiversity of the reserve and reduce the habitat available for native birds, insects, and reptiles.

Over the past six months, volunteers have achieved a huge amount, removing:

• - 385 sifton bush
• - 10 Cootamundra wattles
• - 45 escapee grevilleas
• - 30 young pines
• - 45 briar roses
• - 25 hawthorns
• - 140 serrated tussocks
• - 150 St John’s Wort plants
• - Plus 5 x 50 L bags of litter

All cuttings without seed have been left on the ground, where they help create habitat for ground-dwelling insects, reptiles, and small birds.

Supported and collaborative work

This work is being done with environmental works permission from Crown Lands, with additional support from Yass Valley Council through targeted weed spraying. Looking ahead, there are plans (pending approvals) for:

• - Removing some larger pines impacting old eucalypts
• - Healing or cool burns
• - Further St John’s Wort control by professionals
• - A rabbit eradication program this summer with Local Land Services

Looking to the future

The long-term vision is for Sutton Reserve to become a welcoming, accessible space for the whole community. Future plans include:

• - Walking paths
• - Yarning circles
• - Information signs about local biodiversity
• - Improved fencing and access

Get involved

A huge thank you goes out to all the volunteers who have already given their time – their efforts have made a real dent in the weed problem. It's been great to meet some of the locals who are keen to lend a hand and get involved in the care and restoration of this wonderful community asset.

The next working bee will be held on Saturday 12 October at 9:30 am. These are gentle, social activities where people can do as much or as little as they feel comfortable with – even just coming along to learn about weeds and native plants is welcome. Membership of Landcare is optional and not required.

If you would like to know more about the upcoming working bee or to join in twith other Sutton Landcare activites email [email protected]

Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN Local Landcare Coordinator [email protected]

Tree hollows and fallen logs provide important homes for Australian wildlife, but they’re disappearing at an alarming rate. Trees are essential for native wildlife to find food, shelter and places to roost and nest. Hollow-bearing tees are especially important because many species use these hollows daily and seasonally to nest and raise their young.

In New South Wales, at least 174 animal species rely on tree hollows, including 46 mammals species, 81 bird species, 31 reptile species, 16 frog and countless invertebrates. Of these species, 40 are threatened and availability of hollow-bearing trees is crucial for their survival.

Tree hollows take hundreds of years to form but are quickly disappearing due to human activities like land clearing. They are not easily replaced. However we have the opportunity to act and make a difference.

Watch: ‘Home is where the Hollow is’

Let’s work together to protect the homes of the wildlife we love - how you can help;

• - Keep and protect all trees with hollows, even if they are dead.
• - Allow native vegetation to regrow and regenerate.
• - Leave fallen logs and debris on the ground.
• - Learn about the importance of tree hollows as homes and share this knowledge with your neighbours and community.
• - Consider installing nest boxes as a last resort if there are very few natural hollows.
• - Think twice about firewood collection. Make sure firewood is sustainably sourced.

Watch: 'landholders protecting tree hollows'

For more information see www.environment.nsw.gov.au/hollow-homes

Murrumbateman Landcare Group’s recent July Q&A session drew a large and engaged audience – including a strong contingent from the Bowning Bookham Landcare group. With questions submitted ahead of time and a great panel of local experts – Jacqui Stol, Sue McIntyre, and Dave Jarrett (Weeds Officer with Yass Valley Council) – the event sparked a lively and informative conversation that stretched well beyond the scheduled time.

After the formal session, participants stayed on to mingle over drinks and nibbles, sharing ideas and swapping stories. It was clear that the appetite for practical knowledge and peer-to-peer learning remains strong across our region.

The session tackled eight wide-ranging questions – each deserving of a full workshop in itself – covering everything from ecosystems and weeds, to revegetation and the effects of climate change. Here are just a few highlights:

Ecosystem Types in the Southern Tablelands

The Q&A began with an overview of the region’s ecosystems, highlighting the critical conservation value of what remains. Less than 30% of the original Box Gum Grassy Woodlands still exist in the Southern Tablelands – a nationally significant figure given that just 5% remains intact across Australia. Meanwhile, about 50% of the original dry sclerophyll forest is still present, although the ground layer is now heavily modified.

One key takeaway: areas where forest and woodland species mix – the ecotones – tend to be particularly species-rich and are ideal for conservation efforts. Maintaining structural diversity, including patches of bare ground, is also important for supporting different plant species, although this may sometimes conflict with weed control or erosion management.

Designing Effective Windbreaks

Another practical discussion revolved around shelterbelt design. Rather than blocking wind entirely, the goal should be to slow it down by creating windbreaks with plants at varying heights. This helps avoid the creation of wind tunnels and reduces stress on pastures and stock.

Importantly, the panel advised against planting exotic conifers like Leyland Cypress, which can become problematic. Instead, landholders were encouraged to consult resources like Sustainable Farms’ Shelterbelt Guide and consider native alternatives, such as Callitris (native cypress pine).

Weed Management – What’s Changed?

Dave Jarrett provided valuable updates on weed legislation and local priorities. The term “noxious weed” is no longer used, and there is now a focus on “priority weeds”, with different levels of management required depending on their risk.

At the state level, weeds like Parthenium (sometimes found in organic chicken feed) must be eradicated immediately. Regional priority weeds, such as Hawkweed, are also targeted early. At the local level, problem plants include:

• - Serrated Tussock – seeds remain viable for up to 15 years; effective spraying requires treating the whole plant, not just the edge. Think of it as “a bunch of spring onions” – with many individual shoots bundled together.
• - Coolatai Grass, Sticky Nightshade, African Lovegrass, St John’s Wort, and Chilean Needle Grass were also flagged.

Protecting Native Forbs from Grazing

A question about protecting small native plants from grazing prompted some creative strategies. Jacqui shared that she sometimes chases kangaroos away at dusk to give recovering areas a break from pressure – though more systematic approaches were also discussed like maintaining fallen timber and rocks, ecological burns and grazing managment .

Climate Resilience in Revegetation

Finally, the panel tackled one of the biggest questions of all: how can we prepare for projected climate change when planning revegetation?

Key points included:

• - Use Climate Ready plants from local YAN nurseries
• - Choose sites carefully, considering soil fertility and grazing pressure
• - In some cases, soil scalping may be useful to suppress exotic competition
• - And remember: revegetation outcomes are always shaped by climate, grazing, and site conditions

Dive Deeper

This blog only scratches the surface. If you’re keen to read more – including full details of each question and the thoughtful responses from the panel – you can view the complete session notes here:

MLG Q&A July 2025 – Landcare Meeting Summary (PDF)

A big thank you to Murrumbateman Landcare Group for hosting such a valuable event, and to all those who contributed questions, insights and energy on the night. Events like these remind us of the power of community-based learning and the wealth of experience we have within our Landcare networks.

Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN Coordinator