Greater Sydney Landcare

Corporate Teams for Nature

Greater Sydney’s natural areas are under increasing pressure due to urbanisation, through engaging corporate volunteers Greater Sydney Landcare has been able to make an impact on important Reserves.

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The issue

Greater Sydney’s natural areas are under increasing pressure from urban development, invasive species, and habitat loss. Endangered ecological communities like the Cumberland Plain Woodland are shrinking, and vital species such as the Powerful Owl are losing their habitats. Many corporate teams want to give back to the environment but lack the knowledge or meaningful, hands-on opportunities to do so.

The solution

Greater Sydney Landcare’s corporate volunteering program connects workplaces with local environmental projects, offering structured, impactful team days outdoors.

Greater Sydney Landcare offers a diverse range of volunteer activities that align with workplace CSR goals and make a real difference including tree planting with the Creating Canopies team, water quality monitoring with Streamwatch, Bushland Restoration and plastic waste clean up. These activities support habitat restoration and contribute to citizen science, empowering businesses to be part of long-term conservation action.Participants also enjoy site walks and talks to develop a deeper understanding for the sites they are working on. 

Events in May 2025 focused on areas of natural significance including Boronia Reserve and Nurragingy Nature Reserve. 

Boronia Park Reserve, located in Hunters Hill, is a significant bushland remnant that supports a variety of native plant communities and provides critical habitat for wildlife, including the Powerful Owl. The site contains areas of Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest, an endangered ecological community, and is a focal point for local conservation efforts. Corporate volunteers at Boronia Park have contributed to restoring this sensitive ecosystem by removing invasive species such as Lantana and Small-leaf privet. 

Nurragingy Reserve, situated in Doonside , is a large and diverse landscape encompassing native bushland, creeks, wetlands, and formal gardens. It serves as an important green refuge for both wildlife and the local community in a rapidly urbanising region. Volunteer efforts here have focused on weed control of Ballon vine and Small-leaf privet. 

The impact

Through these hands-on experiences, corporate teams have:

  • Removed large volumes of invasive weeds like Lantana and Privet, restoring space for native flora.

  • Planted hundreds of native seedlings to enhance local biodiversity.

  • Collected water quality data used by researchers and land managers via the Atlas of Living Australia.

  • Created a safe space for volunteers to learn about ecology and bushland restoration

Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the sense of fulfilment, improved team dynamics, and deeper understanding of conservation issues.

Author: Sabina Roe

Key facts

  • Greater Sydney Bushland is facing increasing pressure
  • Greater Syndey Landcare has adopted a corporate engagement program
  • Over 200 volunteers from corporate teams have taken part in recent events.
  • Threatened habitats, including Cumberland Plain Woodland, are targeted for restoration.
  • Streamwatch monitoring contributes data to national biodiversity records.
  • Events often include guided bushwalks and wildlife talks for educational engagement.