Biodiversity is critical to the health of our ecosystems, yet it is under threat from habitat destruction, climate change, and unsustainable land practices. This month, Landcare groups are taking the opportunity to highlight these challenges and, more importantly, showcase the positive steps being taken by communities to protect and enhance the biodiversity of our region.

Biodiversity at the Heart of Our Riparian Ecosystems

At Watershed Landcare’s Creek Feast event, over 100 people gathered by Lawson Creek to learn about the importance of riparian ecosystems. Riparian zones—areas surrounding creeks, rivers, and wetlands—are vital to biodiversity, providing essential habitats for wildlife, supporting water quality, and preventing erosion.

Landholders can often feel overwhelmed by the challenges of managing riparian zones, which include erosion control, habitat conservation, and grazing management. With support from the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust, Creek Feast provided education, skill-building, and community connection, empowering landholders to take action. Attendees participated in workshops on native fish habitats, koala conservation, and Indigenous land management techniques, gaining insights into the crucial role riparian ecosystems play in supporting biodiversity.

The event also featured an exciting demonstration of environmental DNA (eDNA) testing, which helps detect species in waterways by analysing tiny fragments of DNA. Samples taken from the Cudgegong River and Lawson Creek revealed the presence of platypus in two locations—an exciting discovery that confirmed recent sightings in the area. The data also indicated the presence of Murray Cod and endangered River Blackfish, underscoring the health of our local waterways and the need for continued conservation efforts.

Empowering the Next Generation of Landcarers

Central Tablelands Local Landcare has been working to address another key challenge: the aging volunteer base in Landcare. Through partnerships with local schools, such as Blayney Public School, the group has been teaching students about the importance of biodiversity and environmental stewardship. Students are involved in tree planting projects, learning to care for the trees they plant and monitoring their growth. By engaging young people in Landcare activities, we are fostering a new generation of environmental stewards who are passionate about protecting our natural landscapes.

The Central Tablelands Local Landcare Nursery has also played a vital role in these efforts. Since its establishment in 2017, the nursery has grown over 60,000 tubestock, providing locally sourced plants for biodiversity projects across the region. The nursery, now equipped with its own water tank, has expanded its capacity and continues to supply high-quality native plants to councils, landholders, and community projects. These plants are crucial for restoring habitats and ensuring the survival of species that depend on native vegetation.

Citizen Science and the Power of Community

In Lithgow and Oberon, citizen scientists are taking an active role in biodiversity conservation through the Farmers Creek Frog Monitoring Project. Frogs are sensitive indicators of ecosystem health, and monitoring their populations can provide valuable insights into the state of our waterways and the success of riparian restoration efforts.

Volunteers, along with the Department of Planning, Industry, and Environment’s Save Our Species (SoS) Program, monitor frog populations by recording frog calls and sightings using the FrogID app. These efforts not only help track the health of the creek but also engage the local community in the importance of biodiversity conservation. The project has been instrumental in promoting multi-year riparian weed control and planting programs along Farmers Creek, which are helping to restore native vegetation and improve habitat for wildlife.

Protecting Native Birds and Their Habitats

Landcare groups across the region are also focusing on the protection of native bird species. At the recent Breakfast with the Birds event, hosted by Little River Landcare and Central Tablelands Local Landcare, attendees learned about the critical role that old hollow-bearing trees play in supporting native bird populations. Experts shared their knowledge about how to identify and protect these important habitats, which provide nesting sites for birds such as parrots, owls, and other hollow-dependent species.

The destruction of natural tree hollows is a significant threat to native wildlife, particularly on farmlands where land clearing has reduced the availability of mature trees. Landholders were encouraged to retain old trees on their properties, plant native species that will eventually form hollows, and protect vegetation along waterways and in remnant bushland. By creating and maintaining these habitats, we can help reverse the decline of native bird species and ensure their survival for future generations.

Mid-Lachlan Landcare looks at the Biodiversity Below

Mid-Lachlan Landcare has been at the forefront of exploring soil health as a crucial aspect of biodiversity. In a recent project spanning eight weeks, they sampled the microbiome of 28 unique sites, ranging from cemeteries and stock reserves to private cropping and grazing farms. The goal was to better understand the soil’s microbial diversity, which plays a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Using a tool called the microBIOMETER, Mid Lachlan Landcare was able to quickly assess the presence of bacteria and fungi in the soil, providing landholders with valuable insights into the health of their land. This low-cost testing method allows farmers, conservationists, and citizen scientists to make informed land management decisions based on real-time data about their soil’s microbiology.

The project’s results were shared at a field day in Cowra, where participants learned how soil microbes, much like the human gut microbiome, are essential for nutrient cycling and overall ecosystem health. Excitingly, some of the highest microbial counts were found in areas near mature gum trees and lightly grazed land, reinforcing the importance of maintaining native vegetation for soil biodiversity.

Through this initiative, Mid Lachlan Landcare is empowering local communities to take a microbiome-informed approach to land management, ensuring that both biodiversity and soil health are priorities for the region’s future.

Looking Ahead: Building a Resilient Future

As we celebrate Biodiversity Month, it’s important to recognise that addressing biodiversity loss requires long-term commitment and community collaboration. The efforts being undertaken by Landcare groups across the Central Tablelands are not only making a difference today but are laying the foundation for a more resilient future.

Biodiversity Month is packed with exciting events across the Central Tablelands, offering opportunities for everyone to get involved in celebrating and protecting our natural environment. Here are some of the highlights:

• Purple Copper Butterfly Field Day – 16th September, Rydal
  Celebrate Biodiversity Month and Threatened Species Day with a visit to a Travelling Stock Reserve, where you can learn about the endangered Purple Copper Butterfly and its short flying season.
• Great Southern BioBlitz – 20th–21st September, Lithgow and Orange
  Be part of this global citizen science event, where you can help document local biodiversity by observing and recording species in your area. Events in Lithgow and Orange will include wildlife spotlighting, guided walks, and more.
• Diversity Garden Planting Day – 19th September, Putta Bucca Wetlands
  Plant native species used by the Wiradjuri people for food, tools, and medicine, and learn about the cultural significance of these plants in First Nations heritage.

These are just a few of the many activities happening across the region. To find out more and register for events, visit our website and get involved in the action!

Biodiversity is one of the Central Tablelands’ most valuable assets, and with the continued dedication of our Landcare community, we can ensure that it thrives for generations to come.