Bowning Bookham Landcare, in partnership with Local Land Services, recently hosted a hands-on Small Scale Erosion Control Workshop in Bowning. The workshop attracted local landholders keen to learn more about managing and slowing erosion on their properties using practical, low-cost methods.

Throughout the day, participants gained a better understanding of the different types of erosion and the land management practices that can contribute to it. Discussions covered ways to minimise erosion, such as strategic fencing, grazing, and establishing or managing vegetation to protect soil and water resources.

 

   

 

   

 

    

The workshop also showcased a range of erosion control structures, from hay bales, jute mesh and coir logs used to slow runoff or redirect water, through to small rock ramps and how to build them effectively. These simple, affordable techniques were demonstrated on-site, offering participants a clear sense of what’s possible with the right tools and planning.

 

   

 

 

   

 

    

 

A key focus was on assessing a site to determine why erosion is occurring, what sort of interventions might work, and where they should be placed. The use of swales—either above or below problem areas—was explored as a practical design feature to help manage water flow and reduce soil loss.

By the end of the session, participants walked away with greater confidence and a suite of ideas they could apply on their own properties to address small-scale erosion concerns.

 

    

 

 

 

More useful information can be found information in the Local Land Services Gully Erosion Assessment and Control Guide

 

Want to learn more? Bowning Bookham Landcare’s Landcare on Farms group continues to support landholders with practical knowledge and peer learning opportunities. Get in touch with the group’s coordinator at [email protected] to find out more and get involved. 

 

Written by Sarah McGrath, Local Landcare Coordinator

 

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Landcare Enabling Program

This initiative is made possible by the NSW Landcare Enabling Program. A collaboration of Local Land Services and Landcare NSW supported by the NSW Government.

It was a beautiful Sunday morning when 9 people gathered at the Sutton Reserve behind the school. Recognised as a valuable original native box gum woodland It Is under attack by weeds, and we are trying to improve it for the first time in 30 years or so.

 

The Sutton Landcare Group now has permission from Crown Lands to start work like weeding and cleaning up. It was a very successful morning: in one and a half hours we removed:  

130 serrated tussock

30 Briar rose

20 Cotoneasters

10 Scotch Thistles

A red myrtle

50 St Johns Worts

200 Sifton bushes

20 Hawthorn

25 small Grevilleas (these grevilleas are garden escapees. The larger ones will be left for small birds, but we will try to stop them from spreading too much and taking over from other natives)

and 3 large bags of litter (Thank you, Dave O’Sullivan for taking care of those).

The rest of the serrated tussock and the large blackberries will be tackled later (too much to remove by hand).  

 

 

 

It was amazing to see how much can be done by an enthusiastic group of people.  We all learnt from each other: recognising weeds, ways to manage them, freeing up native plants etc.

 

If you live near the Reserve, or you would like to help Sutton Landcare to make the Reserve a true community asset, with paths and seating, please roll up your sleeves and join us the next time!

 

Written by Arnold Dekker, Coordinator, Sutton Landcare Group

Sourcing seed from a wide range of provenances is a core part of YAN’s Climate Ready Revegetation project. Through our partnership with the Botanic Gardens Sydney, we now have the opportunity to assess whether seed from diverse provenances is delivering the genetic diversity we aim to achieve.

 

Over the next three years, we will sample three plant species grown from our carefully sourced Climate Ready seed, starting with Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora).

 

On Thursday, 27 March, YAN’s Climate Ready Team welcomed special visitors Marlien van der Merwe and Tricia Hogbin from the Botanic Gardens of Sydney’s Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience, along with Michelle Dawson from AdaptNSW, to the Murrumbateman Landcare Nursery.

 

    

 

We presented Marlien and Tricia with 12 seed collections of Eucalyptus melliodora, which their team will germinate and sample for genetic analysis. Marlien and Tricia then showed us how to take leaf samples from our nursery plants before heading out to two of our Climate Ready trial sites. There, we collected additional leaf samples from planted-out Yellow Box, as well as some beautiful old remnant trees.

 

      

 

        

Photo Credit: Tricia Hogbin

 

We were grateful to catch up again with Michelle, as she and her AdaptNSW team have provided invaluable support and advice to our project over the last seven years.

 

    

Photo Credit: Tricia Hogbin

 

To top off the science, we enjoyed a shared meal, featuring delicious home-grown produce from some of our wonderful trial hosts.

 

We can’t wait to learn about the results from the genetic testing!

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This project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust. Landcare Australia Michael King grants enable us to purchase seed from diverse provenances.

 

Written by Sonya Duus, Climate Ready Revegetation Project Officer

 

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>> Local vs Non Local Seed: What Our Trial is Revealing

>> Where does YAN's Climate Ready Seed Come From?

The Yass Area Network of Landcare Groups (YAN) is proud to announce that Sue McIntyre, a local landowner and Vice-President of Murrumbateman Landcare Group (MLG), has been awarded the 2025 John Betts Landcare Award. This honour recognises her outstanding and long-term dedication to Landcare, her invaluable contributions to the local landscape, and her unwavering commitment to ecological conservation.

The John Betts Landcare Award commemorates the memory of John Betts, a founding member of YAN, who made an exceptional contribution to Landcare in the Yass region. Each year, the YAN committee selects a recipient who embodies this same spirit of dedication and leadership in Landcare. This year, we are delighted to recognise Sue’s remarkable work.

 

 

A Lifelong Commitment to Landcare

Sue McIntyre’s contribution to Landcare in the Yass Valley has been invaluable. Her deep passion for grassland conservation, professional ecological expertise, and generosity in sharing her knowledge have inspired and educated many. As fellow team members Sonya Duus and Gill Hall note, 'Sue’s contribution to Landcare in the Yass Valley has been invaluable; her passion for caring for grassland environments, her professional ecological expertise and her willingness to share her knowledge have inspired many.' She has been a driving force in Landcare across YAN groups, offering her time to answer questions, engage in discussions, attend meetings, host field days, present at public forums, write articles, provide feedback on written pieces, and organise guest speakers. Her dedication and insight are widely admired.

 

     

 

   

 

A Key Contributor to the Climate Ready Revegetation Project

Sue has played an integral role in the Climate Ready Revegetation (CRR) project since its inception in 2018. She has been a strong advocate for increasing genetic diversity in grassland species, helping Landcare embrace this innovative approach. Her expertise has shaped and guided the project, ensuring that decisions—both large and small—are informed by sound ecological principles. Sue’s ability to filter complex scientific information and keep the team focused on practical, achievable goals has been critical to the project’s success. Her leadership, mentorship, and sharp analytical mind have strengthened the CRR team and the broader Landcare community.

 

    

 

 

A Trusted Mentor and Friend

Colleagues describe Sue as a grounded, no-nonsense, and straight-talking mentor who is also warm-hearted and generous. As Elizabeth Goodfellow from the CRR team shares, “Sue’s approach is practical and direct, yet open and generous with her deep expertise. Time spent with Sue always leaves you with a sense of having learned something—not just about ecosystems, but about the resilience of nature and humanity’s role within it.”

 

MLG president Jacqui Stol was especially delighted: “When my CSIRO colleague Sue McIntyre bought a property with her husband Jon Lewis in our district 17 years ago, I knew this was a great opportunity to ask one of Australia’s most renowned ecologists to join Landcare. I am just so thrilled to see Sue’s tremendous contributions, and the many Landcare projects that have so significantly benefited from her expertise over the years, be recognised in this award.”

 

Sue’s scientific work and personal commitment to conservation are reflected in her property, Gang Gang. Alongside her husband Jon, she has applied rigorous ecological management techniques, including controlled burning, grazing exclusions, and meticulous weed control. Their efforts have created a landscape nearly indistinguishable from its natural state before settlement, and their property is now permanently protected under a NSW Biological Conservation Trust covenant.

 

       

 

A Lasting Legacy

Sue’s dedication extends beyond her own property. She has shared her knowledge widely through Landcare talks, field days, and natural history columns in the Gundaroo Gazette. She has encouraged others to embrace conservation practices, hosting events such as a Weeding Masterclass and providing plant identification assistance to local landholders. Her research, published in multiple scientific journals, continues to inform and inspire conservation efforts across Australia.

     

YAN is deeply grateful for Sue’s tireless contributions to Landcare and the broader environmental community. Her work has made a lasting impact on local conservation efforts, and this award is a well-deserved recognition of her extraordinary commitment.

 

Congratulations, Sue, on receiving the 2025 John Betts Landcare Award! Your passion, expertise, and generosity have enriched the Yass Area Network and will continue to inspire Landcarers for generations to come.

 

 

Award Presentation Event

Sue will be presented with the award on Thursday, 24 April at the Murrumbateman Landcare Group’s evening event. The evening will commence with dinner at 6:00 pm at the Murrumbateman Pub, followed by the award presentation and a butterfly talk by Dr Suzi Bond at 7:00 pm at the Murrumbateman Recreation Hall. We invite all members of the Landcare community to join us in celebrating Sue’s achievements and contributions.

 

About the JCH Betts Memorial Landcare Award

The JCH Betts Landcare Award commemorates the memory of John Betts, a foundation member of YAN, who made a major contribution over many years to Landcare in the Yass region. The award is made to a person who has made an outstanding and long-term contribution to Landcare. The winner is chosen by the YAN committee.

 

Writen by Sarah McGrath, YAN Local Coordinator

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