GREATER SYDNEY LANDCARE
Greater Sydney Landcare (GSL) is a membership-based community organisation that aims to support individuals, groups or organisations who are working to protect, restore and improve the natural environment of Greater Sydney.
We work with and welcome new members to build a large network of likeminded people with a focus on natural resource management and sustainable agriculture.
Our region includes metropolitan Sydney, greater western Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and south, to Wingecarribee.
WHO ARE WE?
We are a team of two part time Local Landcare Coordinators, One Project Manager and two Project Coordinators (Creating Canopies project) and one casual Project officer (Streamwatch Program).
We are governed and guided by a Steering Committee made up of passionate volunteers who contribute through experience, skills and local knowledge. We are always looking for more Committee members, so if you would like to get involved please email … chair@greatersydneylandcare.org
We are employed through grants and partnerships and, would welcome your contribution to the Network by becoming a financial member (find out more here).
INCENTIVES for becoming a financial member?
- Grant administration
- Training – FREE or subsidised
- FREE attendance at GSLN Science Seminars or similar
- Access to regular (atleast monthly) on-ground environmental events across Greater Sydney
- eNewsletters (monthly)
- Large scale/ collaborative environmental project participation
- Promotion of member news and events
- Advisory for individuals, groups and organisations regarding
- grant availability
- connecting you to the right volunteer group
- restoring your land
- supporting your environmental concerns or issues
- assisting in accessing equipment and materials for on-ground works
WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF GREATER SYDNEY LANDCARE?
Promotion We want to promote to the wider community the values of Landcare and Bushcare.
We want to increase understanding, recognition and support of the work of private landholders, volunteers, professional bush regenerators and related organisations undertake in Greater Sydney.
We want to promote GSLN member’s news and events.
We promote our own news and events.
Information Sharing We share natural resource management and sustainable agriculture news, information and resources with members and the wider community through the GSLN website, social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and e-newsletters.
Representation The Greater Sydney Landcare Network aims to be the regional umbrella organisation for landcare, bushcare and other ‘care’ groups and individuals in Greater Sydney.
This means we can be a regional VOICE, representing our member’s interests at the State and National level.
We do this by hearing your concerns, via regular member consultations or you contact us (details below) about an issue you have. Once we collect your issues or concerns we can send it up through the Landcare Network to a State Landcare Council where a regional representative can voice your concerns, and our state level representatives can pass it on to additional state – level decision makers or politicians.
Additionally there are annual events where Landcare representatives can mingle with politicians with the Parliamentary Friends of Landcare Group. If you would like to attend one of these events, please register your interest with Bronwyn or Xuela.
Partnerships We aim to develop partnerships with members and other individuals, groups or organisations so that we can support each other in environmental protection, restoration and enhancement. We can do this by joining forces in applying for grants, improving our chances of gaining the funding required to undertake regionally significant environmental projects.
Networking We provide networking opportunities for members through meetings, events and other activities. Events we organise include on-ground restoration works, network meetings, science seminars, training sessions and workshops.
We like to provide a bridge between professional and non-professional organisations working for environmental outcomes and, between anyone else (individual, group or organisation) who would benefit from being in contact with the same – assuming goals and objectives are the same.
Assistance & Support We support member’s Landcare and Bushcare activities and events through sponsorship.
We will receive and assist with management of project funds on behalf of member groups. We can do that as we are incorporated and are not subject to end of financial year obligations to spend money ie. we can roll over funds from one financial year to the next, assuming the grant timeframe allows for this.
We can help you source a suitable grant, and even provide assistance in applying for it.
We may even have a funded project that can help you with your project requirements. For example, our Creating Canopies project has FREE trees available to many parts of Greater Sydney (minimum 100).
WHAT IS OUR STRATEGIC PLAN?
WHO ARE OUR MEMBERS?
Our members are individuals, groups and organisations engaged in protecting and caring for the natural environment of our region, including volunteers and professionals.
Membership applications can be made online.
Current project partners include:
Landcare NSW
Greater Sydney Local Land Services
National Parks & Wildlife Service
Department of Planning, Industry & Environment
Environmental Trust
Intrepid Landcare
Firesticks Alliance
Conservation Volunteers Australia
Various local councils
Many Landcare and Bushcare groups
Other…
WHAT ARE SOME OF OUR MAJOR PROJECTS?
Streamwatch The Streamwatch Program has been operational for 30 years this year (2020)! It used to be housed with the Australian Museum, but now is coordinated from Greater Sydney Landcare Network.
To find out more about Streamwatch across Greater Sydney please contact our Streamwatch Project Officer Jess at email: jessica.lumbroso@greatersydneylandcare.org
Creating Canopies The Creating Canopies project is a partnership with Landcare NSW, and funded by Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. It is part of a State election promise, aimed at ‘cooling’ parts of western Sydney with low canopy cover. The Creating Canopies project will facilitate the planting of 100,000 trees over the next 2.5 years (until the end of 2022). If you are interested in learning more about the Creating Canopies project (like receiving FREE trees for your property or Landcare/ Bushcare group) please contact trees@greatersydneylandcare.org
Cumberland Plain Restoration Program The Cumberland Plain Restoration Program (CPRP) is a Saving our Species project that aims to restore eight sites across western Sydney on National Parks and Council reserves and, one private property. The CPRP will have as its main method of restoration ecological and cultural burning activities. This project is a seven year project and will continue until 2025. If you would like to learn more about the CPRP, contact Xuela at email: xuela.sledge@greatersydneylandcare.org
Get Your Hands Dirty is a program GSLN offers for young adults to get involved with on-ground activities across Greater Sydney. This has followed on from the formation of a number of Intrepid Landcare groups and, is funded by local MPs and the Community Environment Programs grants. For more information on GYHD contact Bronwyn at bronwyn.hall@greatersydneylandcare.org
Sustainable Agriculture Workshops GSLN offers regular sustainable agricultural workshops when we have funding to facilitate them. The topics of these workshops include ‘poisonous plants for lifestock’, ‘soil health’ and others depending on demand.
Lake Parramatta Bushcare Kayaking true partnership in Landcare – this project has produced great results for the community and brought together a range of partners.
It is one of the programs we have carried out that includes ‘adventure’ conservation. We have other activities centred around litter control on kayaks in Sydney Harbour. These activities are also funding depending.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
You might like to download or read our flyer (PDF).
Or GSLN Constitution V7.2 2020-0811 read our constitution (PDF)
CONTACT US:
Use the email form to contact us.
Email: info@greatersydneylandcare.org
Or, contact one of our Local Landcare Coordinators directly.
Chris McMillan
T (02) 4724 2141 | E chris.mcmillan@greatersydneylandcare.org
Jessica Lumbroso
Alternatively, our postal address:
C/- Greater Sydney Local Land Services
PO BOX 4515
Penrith NSW 2750