Carwoola Landcare was once an active group, and still remains somewhat active to date, but not as much as in previous years. Past activity can be attributed to monthly meetings which brought in guest speakers. This activity has now subsided.

Carwoola now holds 1 or 2 Weeds Days every year. Like Burra Landcare, these events aim to help local landholders beat the weeds notices, whilst increasing their capacity to address a locally problematic issue. Queanbeyan and Palerang Council Weeds Officers facilitate much of the technical component of these events, presenting on what there is to know about local weeds, the really problematic ones and, how best to treat them.

Carwoola also hold Wildflower Walks which offer a social wilderness experience for Landcare members and anyone else interested. The Landcare group also has a very active email network which often provides surprising responses. This is thought to be a good vehicle for promotion of any environmental initiative, and could be better utilised for CMA (or similar) stewardship/ incentives programs.

Currently working with Palerang Council and Murrumbidgee CMA on willow control on the Molonglo River at Molonglo River Park.

Opportunities:

The area covered by the Carwoola Landcare Group is mostly rural residential. At present, there is a great lack in information resources for landholders, particularly to do with sustainable land management practices when keeping horses on small acreages.

Carwoola Secretary, Lynton Bond, would like to see a partnership program between the CMA and the ACT Government, with help from UMCCC, to develop something for use to this audience type.

Contacts: Lynton Bond ldbond@tpg.com.au 6238 2368