Come along and learn all about bush tucker and local shorebirds as part of the latest free environmental event run by Lake Macquarie Landcare. The hands-on workshop at Osmond Reserve in Swansea will be held on Saturday 18 June and will introduce participants to the large range of bush foods and traditional medicines found in our local bushland environments. Local Landcarers, Garry Stewart and Don Roach, will lead a tour around the beautiful foreshore site, identifying and demonstrating the many uses of bush tucker plants, with samples of native jams available to taste. Lake Macquarie City Council’s Ecosystems Project Officer, Mandy McDonald, will also be present to talk about monthly shorebird surveys in the region. Lunch is provided for all participants. The workshop is part of the Super Saturday Sessions; a series of free monthly environmental workshops hosted by Lake Macquarie Landcare.

The next workshop in a series of Super Saturday Sessions run by Lake Macquarie Landcare, will be all about the wonderful world of butterflies and bugs. Co-author of 'Butterflies and Bushland - The illustrated guide to Ash Island Butterflies', Julia Brougham will be presenting and there will also be a screening of 'The Great Australian Fly', a fascinating documentary all about the national nuisance. Morning tea and lunch provided. RSVP at http://butterfliesandbugs.eventbrite.com.au

You can volunteer with Lake Macquarie Landcare in a variety of ways!

Intrepid Landcare is being launched in the Hunter Region! Intrepid Landcare is an adventure-based roving Landcare group for young people, combining environmental work with awesome adventure! Intrepid Landcare will be kick-started in the Hunter in late June with a free weekend retreat for passionate young people! The retreat is open to anyone aged 16 – 30 years, who are up for making a difference in the world and having fun. The retreat will be held at Glenrock Lagoon Scout Camp from Saturday 25th June – Sunday 26th June. You must be able to get there and attend the entire weekend. The retreat is jam packed with heaps of adventure and leadership training. It is perfect for young people who love the environment and are eager to do stuff that matters. There are limited spots. Register your interest by 12 June to attend the retreat! The retreat is being funded by Hunter Region Landcare Network, Hunter Local Land Services, National Landcare Programme, Landcare Australia, Lake Macquarie City Council, Lake Macquarie Youth Advisory Council and Greg Piper – Member for Lake Macquarie. For more information please see the Intrepid Landcare Facebook page or call 4921 0392.

Lake Macquarie Landcare invite all our volunteers to celebrate National Volunteer Week (8-14 May). The event will be held at the Landcare Resource Centre in Booragul on Wednesday 10 May, 9am-12.30pm.

Lake Macquarie Landcare’s final Super Saturday Session for 2014 is sure to be an exciting one for wildlife watchers, with a free bus tour to Pioneer Dairy Wetlands in Tuggerah. Pioneer Dairy is home to a variety of flora and fauna, in particular a diverse birdlife population. A number of threatened water bird species have been sighted at the wetlands including the Freckled Duck and Black-necked Stork, as well as migratory waders such as Marsh Sandpipers, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Whiskered Terns. Free bus transport to Pioneer Dairy is available, with pick up spots at the Landcare Resource Centre in Teralba and at Belmont. When: Saturday 8 November, 8am-3pm Where: Pioneer Dairy Wetlands, Tuggerah (free bus will pick up participants from Teralba and Belmont) RSVP: Wednesday 5 November to Landcare Resource Centre on 4921 0392 Morning tea and lunch will be provided. Bookings are essential.

Would you like to improve your plant identification skills and learn to spot the difference between native and weed look-alikes? Lake Macquarie Landcare invites you to attend a free workshop to learn tips and tricks for identifying native plant and weed species common to the Lake Macquarie region. Improve your native plant knowledge and practice your skills in this workshop presented by Landcare Nursery Officer, Alex Wilson. Each participant will receive a free copy of Ann Loughran’s field guide, Native Plant or Weed: Pick the Difference Vol. 2. The workshop is part of a series of environmental education sessions funded by Hunter Local Land Services. Places are limited. To RSVP please contact 4921 0392 or email lro@lakemac.nsw.gov.au Lunch is included.