Across the Yass Valley, a dedicated group of volunteers regularly gather to test water quality at key sites—keeping a close eye on the health of our local waterways. These citizen science efforts are part of the Waterwatch program, supported by Ginninderra Catchment Group, and they play a vital role in helping us understand and protect our rivers.

Among the most exciting aspects of this work are the regular waterbug surveys, which involve taking a closer look at the small creatures that live in our creeks and rivers. Recently, Yolandi Vermaak, Waterwatch Coordinator from Ginninderra Catchment Group, pulled on her waders and headed out to Hattons Corner on the Yass River, one of our regularly monitored sites, to do just that.

Sampling involves collecting waterbugs from a range of habitats—riverbanks, sandy bottoms, and rocky areas—to get a diverse and representative mix. The bugs are rinsed into a bucket, then poured into flat trays for close inspection. Each tray is carefully combed through to identify and count the different types of water-dwelling invertebrates.

Why waterbugs? Because they’re excellent indicators of river health. Some species, like mayfly nymphs, are particularly sensitive to pollution and other environmental changes. Their presence in good numbers during this latest survey was a promising sign. Other species found included dragonfly nymphs, water boatmen, water skaters, and freshwater molluscs like basket shells—all contributing to a rich and balanced aquatic ecosystem. There were a few pests there too like the introduced gambusia (mosquito fish) which affects native fish and frogs.

Together with the regular water testing done by our wonderful local volunteers, these waterbug surveys help paint a clearer picture of the condition of our rivers and streams. It’s encouraging to see such signs of health in the Yass River, but ongoing monitoring remains essential.

Want to get involved? Whether you're interested in testing water quality or exploring the world of waterbugs, we’d love your help! Contact our YAN Coordinator, coordinator@yan.org.au or Yolandi Vermaak, Waterwatch Coordinator, waterwatch@ginninderralandcare.org.au to learn more about becoming part of this grassroots science effort. It’s a hands-on way to care for our environment—and a great excuse to get your feet wet for a good cause.

Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN Coordinator & Waterwatch Volunteer

A small group was at it again this week — collecting leaf samples from Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora) for genetic testing. This time, the focus was on remnant paddock trees — the beautiful giants scattered across our landscape. A 5-metre-long homemade device was needed just to reach some of the lowest branches!

The leaves have now been mailed to our geneticist friends at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, who will analyse the genetic makeup of each tree. This work will help us better understand the genetic diversity already present in our landscapes — and how much we're enhancing that diversity through the Climate Ready Revegetation project.

Genetic diversity gives plants (and animals) the capacity to adapt to change over generations. That’s why increasing genetic diversity in the tubestock grown at our local Landcare nurseries is a key focus of YAN’s Climate Ready Revegetation project. As the climate gets hotter, we want to give our revegetated areas the best chance to survive and thrive. To increase genetic diversity, we source seed from a wide range of provenances. But the only way to be sure we’re achieving that diversity is through genetic testing. We started sampling back in March, and are excited to learn the results later in the year!

The latest Practioner Updates from the Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience (ReCER) at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney gives a great overview of the relevance of genetic research to conservation and restoration. 

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The Climate Ready Revegetation 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.

On a recent autumn evening in Murrumbateman, the Yass Area Network of Landcare Groups (YAN) gathered to celebrate the incredible spirit of volunteerism that drives our Landcare community. At the heart of the event was the presentation of the the groups John Betts Landcare Award, this year awarded to Sue McIntyre in recognition of her outstanding and long-term contribution to Landcare in our region.

The award was presented by Mrs Nanette Betts, on behalf of the Betts family, to honour the legacy of her late husband John Betts—a foundation member of YAN and a tireless contributor to Landcare in the Yass region. The John Betts Award recognises an individual whose efforts have left a lasting impact on Landcare, and Sue’s leadership, dedication, and deep ecological knowledge make her a worthy recipient.

Read more about Sue McIntyre’s award here

The evening also gave us the chance to recognise the immense contributions of volunteers involved in our Climate Ready Revegetation (CRR) Project. These individuals and groups have collectively contributed up to 4,500 hours in a single year—supporting everything from nursery operations and seed sourcing to ecological advice and monitoring trial plantings.

At our Winter Feast in Yass last year, we began distributing certificates of gratitude to many CRR volunteers. This recent event allowed us to complete that process, with special thanks and certificates going to:

Outstanding Individual Contributions:

• • Ann Milligan – for outstanding effort and dedication to seed sourcing
  • Elizabeth Goodfellow, Kath McGuirk, Gill Hall, Sue McIntyre – for significant and ongoing contributions to the CRR Project
  • Jacqui Stol – for expert advice in ecology, species selection, grant applications, project management and more
  • Nola Hancock, AdaptNSW's Climate Adaptation Team, and Alison Elvin – for their expert guidance and support

Nursery Teams:

• • Lee Auriac & the AMC Nursery Team – for expertise and outstanding effort in growing plants for the CRR Project
  • MLG, Yass Landcare, Bango, and Wattle Valley Nursery Teams – for their commitment and care in growing healthy plants

Hosts of Trial Plantings:

• • Kath & Richard McGuirk
  • Sheridan Roberts & Geoff McFarlane
  • Jan Grubb
  • Gill Hall
  • Janette Hannan
  • Ro McFarlane
  • John & Michelle Storey
  • Linda Thane

Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN 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.

Hopefully, by the time you read this, the ground will be damp, the dams full and a tinge of green will be gracing the landscape. Meanwhile, I am finding it hard to walk about this parched landscape without feeling down about the dead shrubs and the crunching, desiccated plant life underfoot. Half-empty dams are a sad sight, empty ones are horrible.

Since the huge dump of rain in later spring/early summer when we got about three months of rain in two weeks, we have had a third of the rainfall that we would expect in an average year. The rain we did have, fell in dribs and drabs, evaporating in the heat, and not wetting the profile.

The not very uplifting view of Lake Kevin in April 2025. The large sedge perched on the log was happily sitting just above the water for years. It is now suspended nearly a metre above the water, gaining sustenance from the drying mud. Will it outlive the dry spell?

Leaving rainfall deficits to one side, a more telling indication of the state of things is the grazing pressure. Our macropod numbers are up, owing to the good conditions from 2020-23, providing ample food to raise young. While we fence and net our vegetable garden from their depredations, the culinary herbs have been unprotected for 16 years, and never touched. Until this month. But now I know the palatability of all our herbs by the order in which they have been progressively defoliated by roos and wallabies. They like mint best, then tarragon, sage, oregano, marjoram, and have yet to demolish the thyme. I am hoping they do not develop a taste for these and will leave them alone when their normal forage returns.

On the positive side, our landscape is still vaguely green, owing to the unpalatable, stress-tolerant ground covers – Lomandra spp., Dianella, Carex appressa. Together with the hayed-off perennial grasses, these plants have continued to provide good cover, and will protect the soil when the next deluge arrives.

Even cheerier, are the shrub species, which are happily pushing out modest numbers of flowers, against all odds. The Urn Heath (Melichrus urceolatus) is the commonest of this group in our area, much loved by honeyeaters and rosellas.

Although it purportedly likes damp soil, the Small-fruited Hakea, (Hakea microcarpa) is flowering now.

Other local species that are currently attracting Eastern Spinebills and White-eared Honeyeaters on Gang Gang are Hakea microcarpa, Grevillea lanigera and Banksia marginata. Some of you may also have Peach Heath (Lissanthe strigosa). Not only do these plants provide a nectar source for birds, flowering also benefits insects, and the birds that feed on insects.

While the death of the pea shrubs seems ominous, I am confident that these short-lived low-growing shrubs (e.g. Pultenaea, Dillwynia, Bossiaea, and Daviesia) will regenerate well from seed when suitable rainfall arrives. Some decent falls will revive humans and nature alike.

Written by Sue McIntyre

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