Introduction to Landscape Rehydration Field Day
Regional Drought Resilience Plan Project Activity 1
Capacity building - LEP23-024-4-012
The issue
Rural landholders across the region are experiencing increasing challenges associated with drought, erosion, water runoff, and declining hydrological health. While interest in landscape rehydration is growing, many landholders require foundational knowledge and practical examples to better understand how water moves through landscapes and how targeted interventions can improve long-term landscape resilience.
The solution
Southern New England Landcare partnered with Mulloon Institute to deliver a Landscape Rehydration Field Day at Kentucky on 19 February 2026 as part of the Armidale Regional Council and Uralla Shire Council Regional Drought Resilience Plan. The field day combined classroom presentations with practical, on-ground learning activities to introduce participants to landscape rehydration principles and water cycle management. Participants learned how to read rural landscapes, assess hydrological health, and identify practical rehydration opportunities through field walks along Kentucky Creek and visits to the “Wilhelmshohe” property, where creek restoration and chain-of-ponds systems demonstrated methods to reduce erosion and improve water retention.
The impact
More than 30 landholders attended the workshop to learn practical approaches to improving water cycling, landscape function, and drought resilience. Attendees gained valuable skills in assessing landscape function and identifying opportunities to improve water retention and hydrological health on their own properties. The event generated strong engagement and interest from landholders across the region, highlighting the growing demand for practical drought resilience and landscape restoration programs. The field day also encouraged continued participation in follow-up bootcamp, mentoring, and on-ground implementation activities.
Key facts
- More than 30 landholders attended the field day
- Delivered in partnership with Mulloon Institute
- Focused on water cycling, erosion control, and landscape resilience