Bowning Bookham Landcare’s Landcare on Farms group came together on a perfect autumn morning, with a clear focus: preparing for winter, sharing what’s working on-farm, and getting a head start on a biofertiliser culture for the upcoming Bugs & Brews Workshop.

Gathered around a warm fire, local landholders reconnected with familiar faces and welcomed new members into the fold. It quickly became clear that regardless of property size and individual operations, there are strong commonalities across the group, particularly in management goals, challenges, and a shared commitment to improving land health.

Conversations flowed easily, covering a wide range of seasonal observations and practical approaches. Landholders discussed livestock grazing patterns, noting shifts in what stock have been selectively grazing this year, particularly increased interest in species like dandelion. Dung beetle activity, pasture composition (including the dominance of phalaris), and the ongoing push to increase biodiversity were all key topics.

As always, winter planning was front of mind. Discussions around feed budgeting highlighted the different approaches being taken; what’s working, what’s being trialled, and what’s being reconsidered. Winter fodder crops were also part of the mix, alongside the inevitable but important conversations around markets, commodity prices and rainfall. Encouragingly, the outlook for grazing conditions was largely positive.

The group then headed out into the paddock to see firsthand what hosts Kylie and Oliver Kimpton have been implementing on their property. It was a valuable opportunity to observe groundcover levels and soil health at this critical time of year. Together, the group worked through simple methods to assess grazing days ahead and explored practical tools for better pasture management.

A quick demonstration of the Kiwi Tech electric fencing system was well received, showing how relatively simple, cost-effective solutions can be used to subdivide paddocks and improve grazing control.

The conversation then turned to biofertilisers and soil stimulants, with a focus on building a kefir-based culture in preparation for the upcoming workshop. Landholders shared their experiences and insights, reinforcing why these approaches are gaining traction, particularly in a time of rising input costs and a growing desire to work with natural systems to maximise productivity.

A strong theme throughout the day was that many on-farm challenges can be addressed through thoughtful grazing and soil health management. With the right approach, it’s possible to run highly productive and efficient systems that remain resilient across seasonal variability.

Beyond the technical knowledge, the day reinforced something just as important: the strength of community. Neighbours and fellow group members are a valuable source of knowledge, support and inspiration. Many left the day feeling re-energised and motivated by the shared experience.

The social side was not forgotten, with everyone enjoying a relaxed lunch catered by the local Barneys Café rounding out a day that was as much about connection as it was about learning.

The group is now looking ahead to the Bugs & Brews Workshop on the 15 May 2026, as well as the next Landcare on Farms meet-up on Friday 3 July in Bookham.

For more information or to get involved, contact Sarah, bblandcare@yan.org.au.

Written by Sarah McGrath, Bowning Bookham Lnadcare Coordinator

It was another misty, rainy morning when members of the Bowning Bookham Landcare Group gathered for a nursery morning tea, the kind of soft, steady rain that reminds us why we do what we do.

The seeds sown back in October (also in the rain!) are now up and thriving. Through summer’s heatwave conditions, our dedicated nursery manager Linda Thane kept them alive and flourishing. Thank you, Linda, we are so grateful for your care and commitment.

At this stage, the ‘climate-ready’ seedlings were carefully thinned to one strong plant per tube and thoroughly weeded. Volunteers made quick work of the task, chatting as they went and enjoying the simple satisfaction of working together.

As one of our littlest Landcarers wisely said while filling tubes with potting mix, “The whole point of Landcare is to get your hands dirty.” And that’s exactly what everyone did; muddy hands, big smiles, and a shared sense of purpose. Thank you to all our volunteers for helping grow these plants for the betterment of our district.

We’ve also sown a selection of autumn flowers and plants, which should be ready for distribution in the next couple of months.

Planning your autumn or winter planting?

We’ll soon be open for plant requests to help fill your revegetation needs — big or small. You can view the list of species available on the YAN Nurseries webpage and start planning your project now.

If you’re considering a larger project this year or next, Bowning Bookham Landcare is also supporting landholders with the cost of establishing revegetation areas, including free tubestock and assistance with fencing through our Habitat Hops project.

To find out more, visit the Habitat Hops page or get in touch with us at bblandcaregroup@yan.org.au — we’d love to help you bring your revegetation plans to life.

Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN Coordinator

There’s something special about a nursery morning in spring. Recently, volunteers of all ages gathered at the Bowning Bookham Landcare nursery to get their hands in the soil and kick off the next chapter of local revegetation. The day was all about sowing the seeds that will grow into thousands of young plants destined for our landscape next year.

This session followed on from our earlier gumboot morning tea, where pots and frames were cleaned and filled ready for action. With everything prepared, volunteers set to work filling trays with soil and sowing seed after seed. More than 40 species went in, ranging from tall eucalypts to tiny ground-covering favourites like Hardenbergia. The majority of these species were Climate Ready sown with seed from a mix of provenances designed to increase the genetic diversity in the plants we are growing for the district.  

Seed pretreatments were already taken care of, including pre-soaking the Acacias to give them the best chance of germinating well.

As always, the work was paired with good conversation and even better food. Volunteers shared cake and a cuppa, with clear favourites emerging in the form of the chocolate and the banana & wattle seed cakes.

By the end of the day, an impressive 4,300 tubes had been sown. Over the coming weeks these seeds will begin to sprout, and later in summer volunteers will return for a full day of thinning and transplanting that will transform these trays into many thousands of healthy young plants.

A large number of the seedlings grown this season will support our Habitat Hops project, which is working to create vegetation links between Burrinjuck and Bango reserves. If you’d like to learn more about Habitat Hops or are looking for plant supply for your own projects this coming autumn, we’d love to hear from you.

Written by Sarah McGrath, Local Coordinator YAN

In the lead-up to the Great Southern Bioblitz, Bowning Bookham Landcare gathered for a slow wander through the Bookham Cemetery and Reserve, taking a closer look at the biodiversity tucked into this little patch of Country. Spring had turned the place into a showcase. Wildflowers were out in full force, making it easy to spot the many orchids, daisies and tiny forbs sprinkled through the native grasses.

The reserve’s mix of microclimates put on a good display too. Damp pockets were carpeted with milkmaids and sundews, while fallen timber created shelter for smaller orchids and forbs to survive browsing pressure. It was a gentle reminder of how important it is to let some branches and logs lie, offering protection for the miniature worlds they support.

Bookham’s habitat trees were just as impressive. Mature eucalypts with hollows, platforms and broad limbs hosted a diverse community of birds, mammals, insects and bats. As the afternoon settled into evening, the group was lucky enough to watch a healthy echidna shuffling along on its nightly rounds.

Most of the species we encountered were photographed and uploaded to iNaturalist, creating a small but meaningful snapshot of the life flourishing in this reserve. These are glimpses of what once covered much of the region, and they show what’s still possible when patches of Country are cared for.

It’s heartening to see places like this thriving, reminding us just how much biodiversity remains when given the chance.

Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN Local Coordinator