The Dirty Hands newsletter March 2025

In this month's issue, we share stories from our train-the-trainer and field days, we welcome a new team member, and much more.

 

Celebrating the positive impacts of a healthy farm dam

We were thrilled with the turn-out at our series of train-the-trainer workshops and field days across Tasmania in the Leven, Meander, and Coal River catchments.

The train-the-trainer sessions equipped participants with practical knowledge on farm dam improvements, highlighting their benefits for productivity, biodiversity, and drought resilience. 

Field days were designed for farmers, property owners and Landcare members interested in improving farm dams.

Participants visited two farm dams at different stages of enhancement. While there, they heard from the property owners, speakers on animal health and how water quality impacts stock, as well as the important role water bugs play in farm water systems.

Photo credit: Karen Brown photography.

Read more

Keen Native Bee Guardians found in Bicheno

Our pilot Native Bee Guardian project was a great success!

Students at Bicheno Primary School were enthusiastic about the workshop and had lots to say about their experience. Here are a couple of snippets heard during the workshops:

"I think native bees are very interesting and I never really knew that there were so many different types of native bees in Tasmania!"

"The flies that camouflage themselves to look like bees are very clever. Now I know how to tell the difference - it's easy!"

"I like the masked bees - they look like Batman!"

Read the blog post

The Tasmanian Community Landcare Conference returns in 2026!

To all our Landcare groups and members—don’t worry, you haven’t missed out! The Tasmanian Community Landcare Conference isn’t happening in 2025; it’s scheduled for early 2026. We can’t wait to bring everyone together again, and we’ll be sharing the date and details soon.

To our valued sponsors and supporters we will be in touch soon with the best options to support your local Landcarers and help us make this the best conference so far!

Thank you for being part of Landcare in Tasmania!


See you at Agfest!

We're delighted to be heading to Agfest again this year and would love to see you there.

Have questions about Landcare? Our team will be on hand to chat about everything from sustainable land management to getting involved with your local Landcare group and how to get some help for your projects.

Guest talks at 11am daily – A range of topics on Landcare activities across Tasmania.

Need a break from the Agfest buzz? Pick up one of our flyers and take a peaceful walk through the Black Peppermint woodland of the Quercus Park Nature Trail.

Keep an eye out for our Tasmanian devil! They'll be hidden somewhere at our stall - warning: they're talkative!

Call for volunteers - We're looking for friendly faces to help out at our stall. If you'd like to lend a hand, please sign up to volunteer on our website and select 'event volunteer'. 

You can find us at Site M108b on Main Street, at the East Car Park side, near the dog trails and the Nature Trail.

Photo above: Education coordinator Bianca Burford having fun at last year's Agfest.


Coming soon!
Catchment Action Planning

Landcare Tasmania is holding interactive workshops for local community members, landholders, and stakeholders to help communities to plan the next practical steps to improve catchment health in three key areas across the State. 

With a focus on water quality, habitat restoration, and biodiversity protection, we will bring together local Landcare networks and learn from their amazing work and what we can do for the future.

  • 17 May - Catchment Action Planning Day - Leven Catchment (Middle Leven) - Gunns Plains Hall 
  • 24 May - Catchment Action Planning Day - Meander Catchment (Lower Meander) - Selbourne Memorial Hall 
  • 14 June - Catchment Action Planning Day - Coal River Valley Catchment (Lower Coal)
We hope to have more action planning sessions in other catchments soon.
Are you a landholder, Landcare member or have an interest in land management in these catchments? Reach out to us on [email protected] or sign up here
Find out more

Welcome Sarah!

Sarah is our new Northern Network Coordinator, helping groups in the north.

Sarah studied Biological Sciences with honours in botany ecology, then completed a Masters in Science Communication at ANU.

She has worked in engagement and outreach with science organisations like CSIRO and Questacon, and spent 15 years of (mostly) science and nature-flavoured storytelling for media broadcasters like the ABC.

Keep an eye out for Sarah as she will be working closely with Landcare groups and schools, and helping us to develop and deliver the best programs supporting Landcare across the top of the State.


News & events

National Volunteer Week 

This year's theme is Connecting Communities.

Why not send a free e-card certificate of appreciation or thank you card directly to your volunteer’s email? Follow the steps via the link below. 

Head to the Volunteering Australia's website to find the e-cards and other resources for National Volunteer Week, held in May.


National Landcare Network

The National Landcare Network is the peak representative body for all State and Territory Organisations across the country, collectively representing over 160,000 Landcare members.

Check out their website for interesting stories and resources on a wide range of topics relating to Landcare.  


Foxglove a declared weed

In exciting news, in February, the Tasmanian Government officially declared foxglove a pest, to reduce its impact on Tasmania’s environmental values and agricultural productivity.

Foxglove has been grown as an ornamental plant in Tasmanian gardens for generations and it has since become a widespread environmental weed. All parts of the plant can also be toxic to both humans and animals.

Read more about the foxglove here. 


North West ecofest

Ecofest 2025 is fast approaching and we're excited to once again host a stall at this important festival for sustainable living!

It's taking place on 5-6 April at Camp Clayton, Ulverstone, and the theme this year is Random Acts of gREen.

Come say hello to us and some of the local Landcare groups at our Landcare Tasmania stall!

Find out more here. 


Join a local Landcare group!

Keen to get involved? Don't forget to check out our directory of groups and the upcoming working bees/events happening all over the state!

Find a working bee / event near you