Boots on Ground Day – Landscape Rehydration at Wongwibinda
Regional Drought Resilience Plan Project Activity 4
Capacity building - LEP23-024-4-15
The issue
Rural landscapes across the region are increasingly affected by drought, erosion, rapid water runoff, and declining landscape function. Many landholders face challenges managing active erosion sites and retaining water within the landscape, impacting long-term productivity and resilience. There is a strong need for practical, affordable, and achievable land management approaches that support improved water management and landscape restoration using locally available materials and techniques, particularly as the region moves into another dry period.
The solution
On 14 May 2026, Southern New England Landcare partnered with Mulloon Institute to deliver a Landscape Rehydration “Boots on Ground Day” at Wongwibinda. The event formed part of the Armidale Regional Council and Uralla Shire Council Regional Drought Resilience Plan. The workshop demonstrated practical landscape rehydration techniques through hands-on field activities, including rock and brush structures, gully head-cut stabilisation, and flow-through weir construction. Participants learned practical, low-cost methods to slow water movement, reduce erosion, and improve water retention using natural and locally available materials that could be realistically applied on their own properties.
The impact
The workshop brought together 26 participants, including 20 local landholders, for practical training focused on landscape rehydration, erosion control, and drought resilience. Participants improved their understanding of practical water management strategies and gained hands-on experience applying low-cost natural infrastructure techniques such as bush structures. Survey feedback showed strong appreciation for the practical demonstrations and achievable approaches using natural materials for erosion control. The program strengthened local knowledge, encouraged peer learning and networking, and supported landholders to adopt practical strategies to improve drought resilience and restore functional hydrology across rural landscapes in the region.
Key facts
- Practical hands-on training in landscape rehydration and erosion control
- Demonstrated low-cost natural infrastructure techniques using local materials
- Improved community knowledge of drought resilience and water management strategies