The solution

The Macleay Landcare Network has focused on sourcing funds to support landholders to undertake on-ground works including bush regeneration, weed control, plant propagation, tree planting, and hosting nest boxes. Landcare is also engaging with the community by integrating educational workshops with these programs to build landholder interest and capacity to undertake these activities on their properties.

Providing small but significant investments can make a real difference for landholders undertaking restoration works on their properties. “The knowledge and support of Landcare is helping me to improve my property’s condition now and into the future”, said Dondingalong landholder Sue. 

In the 2020-2021 financial year Macleay Landcare has delivered 14 recovery-related workshops on topics including wildlife recovery, habitat restoration, tree planting, and plant identification. Delivering a combination of evening ‘talk-the-talk’ sessions in community halls, and daytime ‘walk-the-walk” property visits provides the opportunity to cover ‘best practice’ advice, whilst offering flexibility in delivery times and methods for participants. 

These workshops are integrated with program delivery by facilitating support for attendees to undertake works on their property. For example, attendees to the 2020 Tree Planting for Success workshops received 2000 trees that were planted by 65 landholders, with another 1250 trees to be planted by 42 landholders following the 2021 workshops.

Additional revegetation funding has supported the planting of 500 trees in fire or flood-affected locations. At Bellbrook, the Thunggutti Land Council’s Bush Regeneration team planted 250 locally grown native seedlings to build community confidence in the new “Caring for Country” program.