On a sunny winter’s day, local landholders rolled up their sleeves and came together for a paddock tree guard making day – and the results were outstanding. In just one day, more than 250 new paddock tree guards were built, ready to head out into the landscape.

Each kit included a guard and a tree, meaning that across the Yass Valley we will soon see 250 new paddock trees taking root. These young trees are an investment in the health and resilience of our region’s farmlands and ecosystems.

Paddock trees are so much more than a splash of green in the landscape. They provide vital connectivity, creating stepping stones that allow small birds and other wildlife to safely traverse open country. They offer shelter and shade for stock and wildlife, and play a role in protecting and regenerating our soils. Importantly, they also support the aging giants still standing, ensuring we maintain this living legacy for future generations.

We’re excited to watch these trees grow and thrive, becoming the next generation of paddock trees that will enrich our landscapes for decades to come. A big thank you to everyone who joined in, lending time and energy to make this possible.

Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN Local Coordinator

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Funding from Yass Habitat Linkages project made round 6 of the paddock tree rollout possible.  The Yass Habitat Linkages project invested in direct seeding, tubestock plantings and protective fencing.  This project now includes a significant paddock tree planting across the Yass Valley region  

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

If you’ve passed by Sutton Reserve recently, you may have noticed some changes. Volunteers from Sutton Landcare and the Sutton and District Community Association (SDCA) have been hard at work improving the reserve so it can become a real asset for both the village and the wider region.

This work follows the Sutton Reserve Masterplan, adopted by both community organisations and supported by Crown Lands, which manages the reserve. The plan sets out a long-term vision for the area – but before new features like walking paths, yarning circles, and information signs can be created, we first need to tackle a major challenge: removing invasive trees, shrubs, and weeds.

Why remove pine trees and other non-natives?

Not all trees are good for the reserve. Some non-native species, such as radiata pines, Cootamundra wattles, sifton bush, and hawthorns, spread aggressively and outcompete the native plants and old eucalypts that should be thriving here. Large pines in particular “throttle” established gums, depriving them of water, nutrients, and space. Left unchecked, these species threaten the biodiversity of the reserve and reduce the habitat available for native birds, insects, and reptiles.

Over the past six months, volunteers have achieved a huge amount, removing:

• - 385 sifton bush
• - 10 Cootamundra wattles
• - 45 escapee grevilleas
• - 30 young pines
• - 45 briar roses
• - 25 hawthorns
• - 140 serrated tussocks
• - 150 St John’s Wort plants
• - Plus 5 x 50 L bags of litter

All cuttings without seed have been left on the ground, where they help create habitat for ground-dwelling insects, reptiles, and small birds.

Supported and collaborative work

This work is being done with environmental works permission from Crown Lands, with additional support from Yass Valley Council through targeted weed spraying. Looking ahead, there are plans (pending approvals) for:

• - Removing some larger pines impacting old eucalypts
• - Healing or cool burns
• - Further St John’s Wort control by professionals
• - A rabbit eradication program this summer with Local Land Services

Looking to the future

The long-term vision is for Sutton Reserve to become a welcoming, accessible space for the whole community. Future plans include:

• - Walking paths
• - Yarning circles
• - Information signs about local biodiversity
• - Improved fencing and access

Get involved

A huge thank you goes out to all the volunteers who have already given their time – their efforts have made a real dent in the weed problem. It's been great to meet some of the locals who are keen to lend a hand and get involved in the care and restoration of this wonderful community asset.

The next working bee will be held on Saturday 12 October at 9:30 am. These are gentle, social activities where people can do as much or as little as they feel comfortable with – even just coming along to learn about weeds and native plants is welcome. Membership of Landcare is optional and not required.

If you would like to know more about the upcoming working bee or to join in twith other Sutton Landcare activites email [email protected]

Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN Local Landcare Coordinator [email protected]

Tree hollows and fallen logs provide important homes for Australian wildlife, but they’re disappearing at an alarming rate. Trees are essential for native wildlife to find food, shelter and places to roost and nest. Hollow-bearing tees are especially important because many species use these hollows daily and seasonally to nest and raise their young.

In New South Wales, at least 174 animal species rely on tree hollows, including 46 mammals species, 81 bird species, 31 reptile species, 16 frog and countless invertebrates. Of these species, 40 are threatened and availability of hollow-bearing trees is crucial for their survival.

Tree hollows take hundreds of years to form but are quickly disappearing due to human activities like land clearing. They are not easily replaced. However we have the opportunity to act and make a difference.

Watch: ‘Home is where the Hollow is’

Let’s work together to protect the homes of the wildlife we love - how you can help;

• - Keep and protect all trees with hollows, even if they are dead.
• - Allow native vegetation to regrow and regenerate.
• - Leave fallen logs and debris on the ground.
• - Learn about the importance of tree hollows as homes and share this knowledge with your neighbours and community.
• - Consider installing nest boxes as a last resort if there are very few natural hollows.
• - Think twice about firewood collection. Make sure firewood is sustainably sourced.

Watch: 'landholders protecting tree hollows'

For more information see www.environment.nsw.gov.au/hollow-homes