ABOUT US

How We Work | Members | Committee | Partners | Project Manager

How We Work

Bellingen Urban Landcare started work on our first site in 1995 on the banks of the creek that runs through Bellingen Park (where the monthly markets are held). Since then we’ve targeted nine more sites…all of which we continue to maintain.

We plant local species of grasses, shrubs and trees after first tagging and protecting any native seedlings and removing invasive weeds. We then continue to work intensively at each new site until a canopy is sufficiently established to protect smaller plants and to provide the shade that keeps the weeds at bay. This may take three to five years.

Until recently we avoided the use of herbicides, but with the dangers posed by weeds such as Madeira Vine, we currently have a restricted policy of herbicide use for selected weed species. These herbicides are not used at working bees.

Members

Since 1995 hundreds of Bellingen residents have worked on our sites. Enormous satisfaction has been gained from seeing these weeds and rubbish infested sites tranformed into native bushland and this keeps many of us coming back year after year. The value of our members work is reflected in the fact that volunteer labour inputs to date represent more than $200,000.

Committee

Administrative matters are taken care of by a small but dedicated committee, which meets monthly. As we have successfully applied for a number of government grants in support of our work over the years, the committee is vital to the proper planning and management of all of our activities.

Partners

Working in collaboration with other groups is central to our approach. In addition to partnerships with the Bellingen Shire Council, State and Federal governments we also work with a wide range of local groups and businesses. Bellingen Urban Landcare has also worked in association with Bellingen Primary and Bellingen High Schools, Bellingen Scout Group, Work for the Dole and Bellingen Lions Club.

Fundamental to the success of Bellingen Urband Landcare has been the contribution of a series of conservation work teams. Since 1995 there have been fifteen teams from Bellingen Enterprise Support Team, Enterprise and Training College, Work for the Dole and Green Corps. In particular Bellingen Urban Landcare sites have benefited from three recent six-month full-time Green Corps teams.

Project Manager

When funding permits we contract a part-time project manager who co-ordinates work behind the scenes, organises working bees and other matters. For many years Charlie Brennan was our project manager, contributing a massive amount of work to our group (which he continues to do). Carmen Muldoon has been PM since 2006 and can be contacted in relation to any Bellingen Urban Landcare matters on 0438 060 576.