A Kings Langley Scout group, called the "Joey's" embarked on a nocturnal adventure throughout their local bushland with the engaging expert from Hooked on Nature, Tom Covell! This event, run by the Together in Nature program, was hosted by Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network and made possible by funding from the Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN). WSPHN is operated by WentWest Ltd.
On the 18th of November 2023, the LLC supported GSLN, Creating Canopies and Streamwatch to conduct “Platypus Landcare in the Hills” first event of the year. The event involved a riparian planting in a known platypus habitat area, an educational Streamwatch information session and meeting with the group on the water’s edge to discuss human impacts, pollutants, habitat and much more. Organised in collaboration with GSLN and THSC Environment Education Team. This event, run by the Connecting Outdoors program, was hosted by Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network and made possible by funding from the Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN). WSPHN is operated by WentWest Ltd.
On the 19th of January 2024, CHEN's project officer and HNLN’s LLC hosted a children's craft event called "Kids Native Shadow Drawing!", held at the Community Environment Centre in Annangrove. During the session we listened to a book about being kind and caring for all our special creatures. The children went on a guided walk around both the native and vegetable community gardens, collecting plants to use in the craft activity. The children’s artworks came to life after we sat down together to colour in the shadows casted by the plants we had picked. This was a great morning, we received very positive feedback from parents and children alike. This event, run by the Connecting Outdoors program, was hosted by Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network and made possible by funding from the Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN). WSPHN is operated by WentWest Ltd.
On the 17th of February HNLN and Hawkesbury River County Council (HRCC) were invited to host stalls at the “Lake Woodcroft Carp Annual Fish Out!” HNLN had a stall focusing on how individuals can connect with nature and better their mental health using fun interactive skills and activities to stimulate the mind. Cattai Hills Environment Network CHEN had their project officer Cailee attend on the day, hosting a children's craft stall called "craft a carp"! This kids craft was a hit, many children and parents gave us feedback on how they would like to see activities like this at future events. HRCC hosted a stall with a fascinating weed display, including before and after photos of the treatment of a problem aquatic weed, Salvinia which used to smother Lake Woodcroft. Thanks to the Weed Control team, it is no longer an issue at the lake. This event, run by the Together in Nature program, was hosted by Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network and made possible by funding from the Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN). WSPHN is operated by WentWest Ltd.
On the 9th of March 2024 HNLN collaborated with Blacktown City Council to deliver the nature-based event “Guided Nature Walk and Plant Identification”. The contractor prepared a plant key and native plant field guides were provided, the contractor took the group for a walk through Nurragingy Reserve, with a focus on slowing things down, being mindful and observing their surroundings. The expert on the day taught the attendees how to identify plants using a native plant field guide, the knowledge learnt on the day will remain a skill the attendees can use in the future to learn about the plants in their environment. This event, run by the Together in Nature program, was hosted by Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network and made possible by funding from the Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN). WSPHN is operated by WentWest Ltd.
16th of March – The LLC hosted an event with the Platypus Landcare in the Hills group, focusing on the theme, riverbank restoration. The weeding sessions began with some primary weed control works at a landholder's property in Dural focusing on lantana which was encroaching on the good bush. The attendees managed to remove a substantial amount in the short timeframe we were allowed due to the bad weather. After our weed control session, the LLC held a presentation explaining, what is a riparian corridor? Why are they so important? Why does platypus need a healthy riparian zone? What can we do to restore or repair our riparian zones? The attendees then got to take a bunch of endemic native plantings home (provided by Bidjiwong Community Nursery to plant in the riparian zones and surrounds, on their land. This event, run by the Connecting Outdoors program, was hosted by Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network and made possible by funding from the Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN). WSPHN is operated by WentWest Ltd.
The LLC worked in collaboration with Riverstone High School to build a yarning circle. The school is comprised of 800 students and 90 teachers with one Aboriginal Educational Coordinator. The school students began learning the Dhurag language in the beginning of 2024, along with incorporating other cultural traditions into the class schedule. The idea was proposed that the school construction class could design the circle themselves as a part of their major project. Below is an image of the mock up the class designed for the circle. This yarning circle construction and open day, run by the Together in Nature program, was organised by Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network, constructed by students and made possible by funding from the Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN). WSPHN is operated by WentWest Ltd.
On the 13th of April, the LLC organised a community wellbeing event called "Nature Drawing!", held at the Community Environment Centre in Annangrove. During the session the attendees were guided by an expert illustrator through the native gardens at the centre. This event, run by the Connecting Outdoors program, was hosted by Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network and made possible by funding from the Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN). WSPHN is operated by WentWest Ltd.
On the 27th of April the LLC collaborated with Lorien Novalis Steiner School to deliver the nature-based event “Connecting with the Land for Wellbeing”. In the nature-inspired art and nature play sessions, children embarked on a creative journey surrounded by the beauty of the outdoors. This was an opportunity for unstructured play outdoors. These sessions include bushwalking, storytelling, nature craft, This event, run by the Connecting Outdoors program, was hosted by Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network and made possible by funding from the Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN). WSPHN is operated by WentWest Ltd.unstructured nature play, exploration, and sensorial activities. Nature therapy involves guided immersions in natural environments whilst relaxing and enjoying nature. The school families were led through a series of research sensorial experiences, mindfulness techniques, conscious walking, and nature appreciation to promote overall health and well-being and a connection to self and nature.