Partnering with Council for bush regeneration of nature reserves
Clarence Landcare volunteer groups are supported by the Council Bush Regeneration staff, who are in turn supported (and mentored) by the volunteers.
Self sustenance - LP23_036
The issue
The Clarence Valley Council (CVC) bush regen team has been consistently under-resourced, typically operating with only two staff. The team has experienced funding shortfalls and high staff turnover at times- new staff members were appointed in early 2025. The team cares for more than 19 key nature reserves and many other smaller rehabilitation sites in the Clarence Valley. Meanwhile, the consistent, committed Landcare volunteers, a wealth of knowledge and experience, become distressed when they see their local reserves damaged by weather events or overrun with weeds, but they lack the time and energy, and sometimes the equipment, to keep the reserves in good ecological and recreational order.
The solution
Fourteen Clarence Valley Council managed reserves are cared for by Landcare volunteer groups. They are publicly accessible sites adjacent to villages and visited by 1000s of visitors every year. Many of these reserves have been cared for by volunteers for 20-30 years. Through collaboration, the CVC bush regen team gives a site a blitz and the Landcare volunteers do the follow up work. The volunteers sometimes work together with the CVC staff, which builds camaraderie and a shared understanding of the site’s Management Plan, as well as an opportunity to learn from one another.
The impact
The limited Council budget is expanded by well over 2,000 volunteer hours (in a quiet year), equivalent to approx. $80,000 in Nature Reserve management. The CVC staff are inspired by the passion of the volunteers and it provides Council with a positive community engagement opportunity. Additionally, the staff and volunteers share wildlife discoveries and hacks in seed collection, chemical use, tools etc.
Volunteers live in the villages and experience the nature reserves in their daily lives. They accumulate ecological knowledge and bush regeneration experience.
Council staff have attended Landcare led seed collection workshops to contribute to their Professional Development.
Key facts
- Clarence Valley Council is responsible for managing over 10,000ha of open space, including beaches, bushland and riparian areas.
- Eight Clarence Landcare volunteer groups help manage Council managed crown reserves with volunteer hours and decades of experience and local knowledge.
- Precious biodiversity in coastal Endangered Ecological Communities is protected and cared for together by Landcare volunteers and the Council.