Bushcare is apart of the Community Greening Volunteer Programme and is supported by Newcastle City Council. It involves long-term goals with Council, local residents and Organisations to connect the community and to care for the pockets of remnant bushland in the Newcastle area.

These Bushcare groups play an important role by assisting with the conservation and enhancement of bushland reserves under the control of Newcastle City Council. Without the support of these local groups, many of the reserves and natural bushland areas would continue to degrade through weed infestation, increased nutrients by water run off, dumping, soil erosion etc.

The program focuses on encouraging participation of both individual residents and Community groups. As volunteers, these people are able make a substantial difference by reducing the deterioration occurring in local bushland areas, working with community and environmental like minded people.

Volunteers working in the program gain a sense of pride and accomplishment from their contribution and are able to develop stronger community commitment and spirit within their local area. They enjoy meeting new people and developing friendships amongst like minded people.

Our vision is to:

• Improve and restore urban bushland to a self-sustaining condition.
• Foster and increase community participation and awareness in local natural resource management.
• Community focused to become self sustainable for a future environment

We aim to:

• Preserve and protect the natural biodiversity of Newcastle's bushland reserves.
• Prevent further degradation and rehabilitate urban bushland.
• Increase awareness in the community of the environmental issues and management of these natural areas.
• Facilitate community participation and to encourage a volunteer spirit, a sense of achievement and satisfaction.
• Ensure volunteers undertaking Bushcare work are in a safe environment and are not endangering themselves or others.
• Increase volunteer skills and knowledge about regenerating our bushland areas

What is Bush Regeneration?

Bush regeneration aims are to create a natural system which can maintain itself in a stable condition with a minimum of human intervention. As well as removing weeds bush regenerators attempt to create an environment which favours the natural regeneration of endemic plant species.

The general philosophy of this method it to create as little disturbance as possible, while removing the weeds to the point necessary to minimise or reduce their regeneration, giving native plants a chance to fill the spaces.

When did Bush regeneration start?

Bush regeneration began with the National Trust movement in New South Wales in 1945 due to the dedicated efforts of Trust members who sought to protect the bushland, catchments and green belt areas and natural environment.

The Bradley sisters are generally credited with having pioneered Bush Regeneration and the National Trust has been the leader in the promotion of active bushland management practices since 1977.

Bush regeneration started in Newcastle City Council in early 1993, Newcastle City Council surveyed the community interest in bush regeneration and tree planting activities throughout the City. The survey showed that a large majority of people were interested in becoming involved.  In February 1993 in response to advertisements, approximately 100 people registered for community projects.  Council appointed a Community Projects Officer in April 1993. Today Bushcare has over 20 groups and has over 400 active volunteers.

What is remnant bushland?

Remnant bushland is patches of bush that are remnant to early settlement times and that have been undisturbed by land clearing, logging or development. These areas can still retain species which grew in the area more than 200 years ago. The areas can be rich with rare, endangered species because of the isolation. But with more development, weed feeding birds and water run off its only time before these areas can be degraded by weeds. At present Newcastle City Council has over 2,445 hectare of native vegetation which range from 1 ha to 210 ha in size. This comprises of 21 vegetation communities and has recorded 682 native plant species, recorded 4 threatened plant species and 32 threatened animals species by Newcastle Biodiversity report 2006.

Why is urban remnant bushland important?

The Trust defines urban bushland as, "land on or adjoining a city or town on which can be found elements of the natural landscape, of which indigenous vegetation is an essential component."

• Provides a habitat and corridor for our native birds and animals
• It provides urban dwellers with "green relief" and aesthetics
• It provides areas for recreation eg bird, frog or bug watching, bushwalking
• Many areas may be tourist attractions
• It is important in maintaining species diversity
• It reduces soil erosion and flooding

What are the threats Facing Urban Bushland?

• Every bushland site has its own particular problems, and while it is difficult to generalise, the most common threats to urban bushland are:
• Dumping green waste and lawn clippings
• Encroachment and extension of backyards into bushland
• Urban runoff and increased nutrient levels from stormwater drains
• Weed invasion and smothering out native plants
• Inappropriate use of bushland eg  construction of cubby houses and bike jumps
• Vandalism by removal of trees and vegetation

How to become involved?

• Join a Bushcare group in your local area
• Start your own Bushcare group or become an individual volunteer
• Make your backyard bush friendly by removing invasive plants that can grow into the bush
• Organise a corporate event for a weeding or planting project
• Sponsor a project or site, and or a community group

Who can volunteer?

• Residents can volunteer who are between the ages of 18 and 100
• Who can attend and adhere to Occupational health and safety
• Who can treat others with respect and equally in accordance with Equal Employment opportunities

What activities can I get involved in?

• Volunteers can become involved with a variety of activities such as:
• Regeneration, rehabilitation and restoration of remnant bushland areas
• Removal and controlling of  weeds
• Planting of indigenous plant species which are already growing on the site
• Record flora and fauna observations
• Collect & propagate seed of indigenous plants for their site
• Deliver flyers in residential mail boxes
• Apply for additional  funding through grants
• Participate in special events such as Clean up Australia Day, National tree day, and Planting projects

What are the benefits of being a volunteer or having a Bushcare group in my local area?

• Meet and socialise with local residents who are like minded about conserving bushland
• Learn new skills and plant identification
• Achieve and create a community spirit
• Receive a Free Community Greening Quarterly newsletter
• Free technical advice about plants or Council services in general
• Can increase visual appeal to severely degraded site and may increase land values
• Invitation to a thank you BBQ event each year
• Improve your employment prospects with onsite work experience

What does Bushcare provide?

• Approval to work on Council land
• A safe work environment
• Personal accident insurance and public lability insurance on approved Bushcare activities
• Resources such as hand tools, gloves, plants, mulch and signage
• Technical advice, educational material
• Training and workshops in safety, personal protection and plant identification.

Bushcare resources

Calender of events

Council policies and plans

Council’s state of environment report 5.6 mb pdf

“We have many Bushcare groups in the Newcastle area who are waiting for you to join them. “ The Bushcare volunteers have three things in common; a passion to conserve and protect bushland, love meeting new people and enjoy the company of their fellow volunteers and have a great sense of humour”.

“New volunteers are welcome to attend all events and to ensure your safety on site, please wear long sleeved shirt, long pants, sturdy covered shoes and a hat, bring a bottle of drinking water.” Rae Broadfoot

More information

If you live near bushland in the Newcastle City Council area and would like to find out more information or would like participate please contact: Rae Broadfoot Community Projects Officer on 49043308 or 0411722563