The Committee of the Greater Sydney Landcare Network volunteer their time, expertise and experience to guide the successful implementation of projects that will benefit the Greater Sydney area for generations to come.
These are our committee members for 2019/ 2020. If you are interested in becoming a committee member please feel free to contact us.
Bev Debrincat, Chair
Bev Debrincat is a founding member of the Greater Sydney Landcare Network and is a representative for Greater Sydney on the NSW Landcare NSW Council and is on the Landcare NSW Executive.
Bev is also the Founder and Executive Director of International Environmental Weed Foundation (IEWF), runs the Habitat Network, and is co-founder and a coordinator of The Habitat community native plant nursery and food garden in Ryde.
Her education and experience encompasses systems development and management in the computer industry, marketing, bushland management (formerly an on-ground supervisor with the National Trust). Bev was responsible for starting the Volunteer Bush Regenerators’ Network in Ryde (Sydney).
As a landholder, in the Macleay Valley Coast (Northern Rivers NSW) has co-managed the regeneration and restoration of the 22.92 hectare property of which 22.8 hectares including Littoral Rainforest, Coastal Wetlands and Dunes are under a Voluntary Conservation Agreement under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974.
Bev is part of a world-wide network of scientists and practitioners interested in Restoring Natural Capital (RNC) and maintains the RNC Alliance website.
Bev and her various projects have been successful in winning and managing grants for coastal dune restoration, littoral rainforest restoration, urban bush regeneration, creek and corridor restoration and establishing The Habitat and education programs.
Suzie Wright, Vice Chair
Suzie Wright was the Regional Manager for Conservation Volunteers Australia, based in the Penrith Office. She grew up in Western Sydney, and has a degree in Health Science and Clinical Research.
Suzie has been a passionate environmentalist, as a volunteer and in Green politics since 2005. She represented Western Sydney University in a range of relationship liaison roles, working with Government, business and the community sector to deliver sustained and mutually beneficial outcomes.
Suzie has a good network across many sectors in Western Sydney and has a strong commitment to “connecting people with nature” which she sees as the best solution to most environmental challenges.
Suzie has been instrumental in a new project soon to be initiated by Greater Sydney Landcare Network, which will be facilitating the planting of 100,000 trees in hot spots across Sydney. This is part of the Million Trees Program, a collaboration between Department of Primary Industries and Environment and Landcare NSW.
Jeff Cottrell, Treasurer
Jeff Cottrell is a foundation member and Treasurer of Friends of the Colo from 2000 and a founding member of the Greater Sydney Landcare Network. Jeff is a whitewater paddler who got involved in Landcare and volunteering in National Parks in 2000 as a way of regaining access to places he goes paddling and to also protecting rivers from invasive introduced species. He combines his passion for paddling with landcare volunteering by:
- running and participating in Landscape scale weed control and river restoration programs through mapping, treating and ongoing monitoring activities.
- leading on-water activities for other landcare groups and bushcare networks in New South Wales
- leading paddles and Landcare Source to Sea Journeys to raise awareness of the work being done by Landcare groups, government agencies, private landowners and farmers to protect our waterways and allow volunteers to see their work and the work of others from the water
Jeff has a background in accounting and is a computer systems consultant. This understanding of computer systems means that he is an advocate for the role which accessible data can play to track and measure environmental work by both paid workers and volunteers.
Nicola Trulock
Nicola is interested in finding ways to apply the latest theories in Restoration Ecology to provide innovative solutions and ensure positive outcomes for the restoration of natural environments. Nicola also has a keen interest in the preservation of habitats as a means to conserve threatened flora and fauna and endangered ecological communities.
Nicola has a background in science and ecology with a particular interest in restoration ecology. She has Tafe qualifications in Natural Area Restoration and Conservation and Land Management, in addition to a Bachelor of Environmental Science majoring in Ecological Conservation.
Nicola has worked in the environmental sector for over 10 years, as a professional bush regenerator and as a botantist in environmental assessment. She now works as an environmental consultant for a private company.
Glenda Steain
Chris Noon
Sue Ellen Smith
Sue Burton
David King
Nicole Heta