Across the Yass region, large old trees quietly provide some of our most important wildlife habitat. Hollows formed over decades, more over centuries, are essential nesting and shelter sites for birds, bats and mammals. As part of the HumeLink East transmission line project, some of these habitat trees need to be removed where they fall within the transmission line footprint.

 

To reduce the impact of this unavoidable loss, a comprehensive like-for-like hollow replacement program is underway, ensuring that wildlife continues to have safe places to live, breed and shelter.

 

Replacing Hollows, Like for Like

Under the guidance and supervision of project ecologists, hollow creation is occurring at a minimum one-to-one replacement, targeting the same species that previously relied on the removed trees. Importantly, at this site 30% of hollows are being installed or created ahead of tree removal, allowing animals the opportunity to relocate immediately rather than waiting until works are complete.

 

This proactive approach is particularly important for species that are highly dependent on specific hollow sizes and locations.

 

Recycling Natural Hollows

Large natural hollows removed from habitat trees are being carefully recycled and reinstalled in nearby suitable locations once works commence. This is especially critical for species such as cockatoos and owls, which have very specific nesting requirements that are difficult to replicate artificially.

 

In some partially cleared areas, trees containing hollows are being retained by removing only the tops of hollow-bearing trees. Where there is no conflict with the transmission lines, this allows valuable habitat to remain in place.

 

     

 

Nest Boxes for a Range of Species

A diverse mix of nest boxes has been installed to support the wide range of wildlife found in this landscape. These include:

• - Tiny microbat homes
• - Nest boxes for small birds
• - Glider and possum boxes
• - Large, over metre-long cockatoo boxes

Each nest box includes starter material, encouraging animals to bring in additional nesting material and establish their new homes more quickly.

 

      

 

Creating Hollows in Living Trees: The Hollow Hog Method

Where suitable large trees already exist nearby, hollows are being created directly into living trees using the Hollow Hog method. This involves carving an internal cavity and installing an appropriately sized entrance. Over time, the living tree naturally grows around the hollow, creating a long-lasting and natural habitat feature.

 

To be suitable for this method, trees must have a minimum diameter of 400 mm at installation height. Entry sizes vary depending on the target species, ranging from tiny microbat entrances to larger openings suitable for possums and cockatoos, using timber entry face plates.

 

         

 

Thoughtful Placement and Long-Term Monitoring

All hollows and nest boxes are installed with careful consideration of placement, including avoiding north-west to south-facing aspects to reduce heat stress and exposure. An that the number, aspect and location of entrances are well considered for the wildlife intended to use them.

 

These new homes will be monitored over several years, tracking which species use them and assessing the long-term success of the installations. This monitoring will help inform future habitat replacement projects across the region.

 

Supporting Wildlife Into the Future

In this area, hollow creation is catering for cockatoos, owls, gliders, bats, small birds, possums and other small marsupials, helping ensure that the region’s wildlife continues to thrive despite necessary infrastructure development.

 

We look forward to hearing how this major relocation of birds and animals unfolds over the coming years, and to sharing updates as monitoring results emerge.

 

A day of learning, connection, and inspiration at Scholfield’s TSR

 

Many Landcarers and community members turned out for the popular Below Our Knees: Exploring Our Native Grasslands workshop, held at Scholfield’s Travelling Stock Reserve (TSR) near Bywong. Jointly hosted by the Yass Area Network of Landcare Groups (YAN) and the Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council, the workshop brought together experts, local Landcarers, and curious community members to learn more about managing and restoring our native grasslands.

 

    

 

Understanding the value of native grasslands

 

The day began with Friends of Grasslands (FOG) ecologist Sue McIntyre, who introduced the group to the ecology, value, and management needs of native grasslands. Sue emphasised one crucial rule: don’t fertilise. Native grasslands thrive in low-nutrient environments, and where past fertiliser use or pasture improvement has occurred, it can take decades for nutrient levels to drop enough for native species to return.

But the long wait is worth it—many native grassland plants are hardy perennials that offer year-round groundcover, productive grazing, rich biodiversity, and habitat for insects, birds, and a wider ecosystem, all while requiring very little intervention.

 

      

 

Sue also explained how weeds often invade grasslands via runoff lines, where both nutrients and seeds accumulate. While small-scale erosion can create opportunities for native species to establish, more severe erosion tends to favour exotic annual weeds. Maintaining groundcover and slowing water movement, using logs or other small interventions can make a significant difference.

 

Restoring native grasslands, Sue reminded everyone, is a long game requiring patience, consistency, and strategic weed management. Allowing native species to spread naturally, or assisting them through targeted planting, can slowly shift degraded areas back toward ecological resilience.

 

   

 

Exploring the reserve

 

The group then toured the reserve with FOG members Margaret Ning, David Johnson, and Sue, who pointed out species of interest and shared insights into native–exotic look-alikes (including plantain). Participants enjoyed hands-on plant identification and lively discussion among the grasses.

 

      

 

   

 

Weed identification and management

 

Local Land Services officers Bella Hart and Alicia Kaylock then led a practical session on weed identification and control within grassland ecosystems. They covered key strategies for managing blackberry; choosing the right herbicide, timing treatments, and considering factors such as residual effects on nearby plants and what is practical to achieve with consistent effort.

 

   

 

Weed ID and control methods were also discussed for serrated tussock, African lovegrass, and St John’s wort. The message was clear: consistency is the key, and even simple tools can be powerful—nothing beats a good old-fashioned hoe.

 

Learning the history of the reserve

 

David McDonald from the local Geary’s Gap/Wamboin Landcare Group shared some of the history of the TSR, including the origins of the Scholfield name and how the reserve once formed part of a much larger protected area.

 

        

 

Collaboration and community: tackling weeds together

 

The group then moved to the Bywong Community Hall to hear from Dr Sonia Graham from the University of Wollongong. Sonia presented her research on how Landcare groups work together to tackle weed issues across landscapes.

She highlighted approaches that lead to success:

• - Defining a clear geographic focus
• - Setting achievable goals
• - Assigning tasks based on people’s strengths
• - Involving the whole community—from landholders to government agencies
•  

Beyond the environmental outcomes, Sonia also spoke about the powerful social benefits: reducing isolation, building emotional support, and forging new friendships among neighbours.

 

   

 

Local connections and next steps

 

After Sonia’s presentation, participants broke into smaller, geographic-specific groups to introduce themselves, discuss issues important to their local area, and share ideas. Conversations continued over lunch, strengthening connections and sparking enthusiasm for future collaborations.

As a follow-on from the workshop, YAN and our partners hope to support interested groups to connect and work together on issues and activities they care about. If you’d like to get involved—or simply learn more—please reach out to your local Landcare group or coordinator.

 

   

 

   

 

Get in touch

 

Gearys Gap / Wamboin Landcare
ggw.landcare@gmail.com

Yass Area Network of Landcare Groups
coordinator@yan.org.au

Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council
upper.shoalhaven@gmail.com

 

Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN Local Coordinator

 

Local native pea expert, Tim Hayes, led an enjoyable and informative workshop for our dedicated nursery volunteers on October 4th. Native peas are ecologically important but notoriously difficult to grow in our nurseries, so we invited Tim to share his insights.

 

   

 

Using small pieces of fine mesh weighted with a stone, our volunteers dipped the seed into freshly boiled water for 30 seconds, followed immediately by icy cold water for 30 seconds. Under Tim’s guidance, they then placed the seed into pots, covered it with sieved soil, and watered with a fine mist. Tim advised to keep the pots in a warm location and watered with a spray bottle several times a day. We are all eager to see the results!

   

 

   

Tim’s enthusiasm for native peas was infectious. He explained that they are often overlooked in favour of plants with bigger, showier flowers, but they really do deserve our attention. In his local searches for native peas, Tim even discovered a new species.

 

   

 

We are very grateful to Tim for generously sharing his knowledge and propagation tricks.

 

By Sonya Duus

 

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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 mild winter’s day in mid-August, members of our YAN Landcare community gathered with other groups from our region at the Gunning Bush Block yarning circle for a Landcare Mini Muster. The relaxed atmosphere and surrounds encouraged open conversation, the day brought together a diverse mix of Landcarers from across the district and beyond.

 

 

Attendees included people with backgrounds in ecology, farming, governance, nurseries, mapping, grant writing, and community engagement — an impressive range of skills, experiences, and perspectives all in one place. What stood out most was the generosity of the group: each person arrived not only with their own “needs” but also with offers of knowledge and support to share.

 

Needs & Offers – Sharing Across Our Networks

The group explored the “Needs & Offers” framework, a simple but powerful way to connect skills and resources across our networks. Offers ranged from governance templates, nursery and propagation expertise, and experience with revegetation projects, to help with grant writing, GIS mapping, and ecology training. Needs included more opportunities for collaboration, tools for building regional calendars, and ways to engage the changing demographics of landholders in our region.

 

This open sharing reminded us just how much capacity already exists within our community — and how much stronger we are when we pool our knowledge.

 

    

 

Topics Around the Circle

The discussion was wide-ranging and lively, covering some of the questions facing Landcare across the region:

• Webinars vs. face-to-face: While many valued in-person gatherings for building trust and relationships, others noted the accessibility of webinars, especially for those who can’t travel. A blended approach may be the key to reaching more people.
• Changing demographics: Shifts in land ownership, with more lifestyle blocks and new residents, were seen as both a challenge and an opportunity. There is real potential to bring newcomers into Landcare through training in property planning, soils, water, and native vegetation.
• Breaking down borders: Many noted that while Landcare groups often work within their own bubbles, the greatest opportunities lie in stepping across boundaries — whether district lines or cultural ones. More united regional projects can increase impact and strengthen our collective voice.

 

    

 

A Day of Connection

Perhaps the greatest takeaway from the day was the reassurance that we are not alone in the challenges we face. Whether it’s adapting to demographic change, navigating funding shifts, or simply finding the time to do the work, the Landcare community is full of people willing to help and share.

 

    

 

Participants valued the size and format of the Mini Muster, which allowed space for meaningful conversation. There was plenty of laughter, ideas exchanged, and gratitude expressed to Gunning District Landcare for hosting such a thoughtful and welcoming day.

As one participant noted, it is in gatherings like this — small enough for real connection but broad enough to bring in many voices — that Landcare’s true strength shines.

 

We look forward to future musters, more sharing, and perhaps even sandstone “warmers” for the yarning circle next time around.

 

Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN Local Coordinator