The grass is greener
How Identification Training is Transforming Tomaree
Capacity building - LEP028-002
The issue
The Friends of Tomaree National Park started in October 2020, established by the NSW National Parks Association, to improve the native biodiversity and resilience of the ecology within the park. They work with the support and direction of the National Parks and Wildlife Service(NPWS) NSW. The group conducts regular working bees for weed control, planting native plants, and bush regeneration with a healthy crew of volunteers. They have taken on several sites, spanning from the northern tip to the southern reaches of the national park. Each month they hold 8-9 bush regeneration sessions led by volunteers. Each site leader must make decisions in how best to approach the site and prioritise works throughout the seasons while leading others along the way. One of the trickiest vegetation types to positively identify are the grasses and without knowing what is on your site, the best decisions cannot be made.
The solution
HRLN organised and ran a bush regeneration workshop with Landcare staff presenting the concepts of understanding local vegetation communities, how to prioritising work and writing an Action plan) on the Tilligerry Peninsula in November 2025 which was open to all Lower Hunter Landcare groups. Some members of Friends of Tomaree were able to attend, and we laid the foundation for what was to come with an in depth grasses workshop at one of their sites. Utilising funding from the Landcare Leadership program, we were able to bring in Harry Rose, author of “Grasses of Coastal NSW’ to take the group leaders through a workshop tailored to understanding the understory species, primarily grasses.
The impact
The grasses workshop was very practical, informative and well received by all. Over five hours, they learned not only the names of several grass species on site were but how to use the book to positively identify any grass with fresh or remaining seed heads. And most importantly, they gained an understanding of why a certain species thrives in a location based on its environment and how or when to take action to either encourage or remove it from your site. The approach is repeatable and can be passed along to the other volunteers which they lead. This leads to stronger more confident volunteers making a big impact for nature.