From November 28th to December 1st 2024, Greater Sydney Landcare’s Wildventure joined the Subsonic Music Festival at Riverwood Downs inΒ Monkerai, NSW, for an unforgettable weekend of music, connection, and environmental action. With over 5,000 attendees, this event perfectly blended the high-energy festival atmosphere with meaningful conservation efforts, all in the name of giving back to the land that hosted such a magical event.
A Landcare Collaboration for Conservation
This event wouldnβt have been possible without MidCoast2Tops Landcare, who organized the planting and invited us to join this inspiring initiative. A massive shoutout to their incredible Inland Coordinator, Jonno Quaken, whose vision and collaboration with Subsonic Music Festival brought this idea to life. His dedication made it all happen, and we couldnβt be more grateful for his leadership and passion.
Together with volunteers from Greater Sydney Landcare, MidCoast2Tops Landcare, North Coast Landcare, and the Hunter Regional Landcare Network, we planted 500 native trees, shrubs, and grasses along the Karuah River. This was about more than just treesβit was about stabilizing riverbanks, enhancing water quality, and creating vital habitat for the local platypus population. Special thanks to MidCoast Council for generously supplying the plants that made this project possible.
Spreading Love Through Action
What truly set this event apart was the joyful and heartfelt energy of the festival-goers. Over 400 attendees joined us in planting, and for most, it was their first time ever planting a tree. The enthusiasm and curiosity they brought were contagious. Many shared how they looked forward to returning next year to see how their trees had grownβa powerful testament to the connection created between people and nature.
The atmosphere was electric and overflowing with love. Attendees expressed heartfelt gratitude with hugs, high-fives, and even free offerings like drinks and gifts as thanks for organizing the tree planting. The βdoof spiritβ of unity and positivity shone brightly, making the entire experience uplifting for everyone involved.
Subsonic Nights: Lights, Beats, and Creative Delights
As the sun set over Riverwood Downs each night, Subsonic came alive with vibrant lights and electrifying music. From hypnotic electronic beats to soulful live performances, every stage brought something unforgettable.
The festival wasnβt just about musicβit was a hub of creativity and culture. Yoga sessions, art workshops, and dazzling light displays filled the days and nights, while stunning art installations from local and international artists added magic around every corner.
Food lovers rejoiced with global cuisines, from spicy curries to vegan treats, fueling festival-goers as they danced under the stars. Subsonicβs unique blend of music, art, and community made it a truly unforgettable experienceβand for many, planting a tree became a highlight of their weekend.
A Creative and Restful Retreat
Our stall became a hotspot for festival-goers seeking a break from the festivities. We offered:
A collaborative Landcare map where attendees marked their hometowns, showcasing the reach and diversity of the Subsonic community.
Tree guard painting and drawing sessions, where people created colorful patterns, Indigenous-inspired art, and heartfelt messages of hope and growth. These decorated tree guards are now part of the planted trees, adding a personal and artistic touch to the restoration.
Meaningful conversations about Landcare, the importance of giving back to nature, and how to get involved in local conservation efforts.
These moments of creativity and connection added another layer of meaning to the weekend. Attendees left not only with memories of an amazing festival but also with a sense of pride in having contributed to something larger than themselves.
Why Subsonic Matters
Volunteerism among young adults is evolving, and festivals like Subsonic offer a powerful opportunity to engage a new generation of environmental advocates. By meeting people in a space they already cherish, we introduced Landcare to hundreds who had never encountered it before. Subsonic demonstrated that conservation can be fun, creative, and deeply fulfilling, transforming environmental action into something vibrant and memorable.
The festivalβs unique energy created the perfect environment for meaningful connections. Through tree planting, painting tree guards, and heartfelt conversations, attendees experienced conservation as a shared, uplifting endeavor. Events like Subsonic highlight how small, tangible actions can inspire a deeper connection to nature, leaving participants with lasting memories and a newfound investment in protecting the landscapes they love. By blending culture with conservation, weβre building a movement that resonates with young people and their passion for making a difference.
Looking Ahead: Landcare Party Planters Crew!
This yearβs success has us counting the days until 2025. We canβt wait to return with our Landcare Party Planters Crew to continue building on this incredible experience. Together, weβre showing that conservation can be fun, creative, and deeply fulfilling.
To everyone who planted a tree, decorated a guard, or simply stopped by for a chatβthank you for making this weekend so special. Your enthusiasm, creativity, and love for the land have left a lasting impact on the Karuah River and our hearts.
And finally, a massive thank you to Subsonic Music Festival for allowing us to bring conservation into the mix and share this message with over 5,000 attendees. Your support shows that festivals can be a force for good, connecting people to nature and inspiring change.
Hereβs to growing something extraordinaryβtogether.
#Wildventure #SubsonicFestival #LandcareLove #DoofAndDoGood #PlatypusProtection #PartyWithPurpose #YoungEnvironmentalists
This initiative is made possible by the NSW Landcare Program. A collaboration of Local Land Services and Landcare NSW supported by the NSW Government.
