Manning Landcare Volunteer News
29th September 2026
Rainforest ID Workshop on Sept 24th
We had a fantastic turnout of 18 people coming along to our Rainforest Trees and Plants ID Workshop hosted by Pieta Laing on Sept 24th in Wingham!
Pieta took us through how to identify different local rainforest species via their leaf types from simple to compound leaves through her new book “A Leaf-Based Key to Rainforest Trees and Shrubs”. She demonstrated how her system helps us to work out those notoriously hard species that look so similar in a way that is easy to understand and follow beyond the traditional botany books and scientific terms. Attendees then went out to Wingham Brush to test out their new skills.
Thanks to all who attended and Pieta for sharing her extensive knowledge on our region's rainforest species. A big shoutout to the new venue Figtree Workspaces in Wingham for having us!
Progress happening at Hannam Vale Reserve
A few of our local Landcare volunteers in Hannam Vale have been steadily working on removing large monoculture patches of lantana, privet and camphor at Hannam Vale Recreation Reserve. This is freeing up a lovely rainforest patch and ephemeral creek that hosts an abundance of native plant species and wildlife, as well as the reserve serving as an important community hub in the region. Once more is cleared, Hannam Vale Public School will be participating in a planting day in October to fill in the gaps and boost diversity. Great job so far team!
World Rivers Day Celebration in Stewarts River
Stewarts River Catchment Group celebrated World Rivers Day on Sunday 27th of Sept by hosting an Aquatic Weeds & River Ecology workshop in partnership with MidCoast Council and OzFish. We had a great group of volunteers attend to learn all about local weed issues and management methods, as well as witness a biological control release for Salvinia in a dam. We then went to learn about River Ecology and waterway conservation methods from OzFish and Professor Scott Johnson from Clarence River Guardians and Sal Stutsel from Mid Coast Council discussing the River Revival Program.
A big thank you to our volunteers coming along to learn and discuss conservation of our local waterways, MidCoast Council and OzFish for providing lunch and such engaging guest speakers!