Local community organisation GWYMAC (Gwydir and Macintyre Resources Management Committee) is preparing to host the 2025 New England and North West Landcare Adventure, on 7th & 8th March at Inverell.
The two-day event, themed, ‘Nurturing Nature – Cultivating Tomorrow’ is designed to inspire and connect landholders, environment enthusiasts, and community members to facilitate thriving, sustainable communities in the region.
The Adventure offers a dynamic program of expert talks, immersive tours, and opportunities to network with like-minded individuals.
Lee Thompson, Executive Officer at GWYMAC, is excited about the way the program is coming together.
“The event will kick off with a keynote address by Terry McCosker OAM, Resource Consulting Services (RCS), who has empowered thousands of producers across Australia since 1985,” Lee said.
“We have an outstanding lineup of expert speakers to follow including Dr. John Hunter, Walter Jehne, Phill Lee, Wendy Hawes, Alex Dudley, Dr. Paul McDonald, Liz Blair, and Russell Young.”
“Speakers will cover a wide range of ecological and agricultural topics including ecological diversity, soil-related solutions, nature and mental health, changing cropping practice, woodland birds, stone tools making and participants can also attend a breakout session with Jane O’Brien designed to help us listen better,’” Lee said.
To cap off Day One, “Danthonia” will host a special dinner featuring locally sourced produce from Bindaree Beef and the Danthonia community, accompanied by an address by Dr. Pran Yoganathan and followed by entertainment by Sydney’s best live bush band Swamp Dawkins.
On Day Two, participants can choose between two immersive field trips:
- The Rehydration and Regeneration Tour will explore on-site projects in the Swanbrook catchment led by Peter Hazel (Mulloon Institute), Andrew Walsh (NTLLS), and Sarah Fea (Soils for Life).
Participants will then learn about a regenerative farming journey on “Danthonia’’ with Rachel Lawrence (NTLLS) and Cameron Leckie (SQNNSW Drought Hub) and see a soil pit demonstration by Ned Skehan (Optisoil) and a compost tea extractor demonstration. - Our Environment Tour includes with a bird walk along Copeton Dam’s northern foreshore with Colin Ritchie and Rob Smith, a wildlife photography session with Rob, a fauna walks with Alex Dudley, native tree identification and eucalypt insights with Wendy Hawes and Dr. John Hunter, a presentation on native grain flours and bush tucker by Kerrie Saunders, and a native flower arranging demonstration by Kelly Paul.
“I’m really passionate about opening up people’s minds to different ways of doing things for their health and the health of the landscape we live and work in,” said Byron Norman, Landcare Coordinator with GWYMAC.
‘Creating interactive events such as Landcare Adventure, to provide opportunities for people to learn more about the nature in our region and to hear and see old approaches rethought and new approaches to solving some of the problems we face and at the same time helping us to prepare for future challenges together is immensely rewarding,’ Byron said.
The Landcare networks of the region have taken take turns since 2000 to host the New England North West Landcare Adventure annually or biennially and usually attracts between 100-150 farmers and community members.
Tickets are available at https://www.stickytickets.com.au/uyew6 More information is available at https://gwymaclandcare.com.au/.
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