The issue
To successfully get work in any career you need knowledge in the field and hands on practical
experience. Many people achieve this by attending TAFE. Conservation and Land
Management students attending Wauchope TAFE were keen to get their hands dirty and
make an impact locally while learning new skills. They needed some sites that could help
them achieve this goal.
The solution
There are a number of Landcare Groups across the Hastings Region that are dedicated to
restoring local natural bushland. With a bit of coordination TAFE students had the opportunity
to visit sites and get a guided tour. Some sites have been worked on and maintained for over
thirty years and others new sites. The sites were both coastal and rural locations including
dunes, rainforest, woodland, grassland and riparian. It was a great opportunity for Landcare
guides to share their local experience.
The students gained hands-on experience while helping the Landcare groups out. They
carried out plant identification, weed control, planting, watering, fencing, propagating and
more. The students were an asset and really helped the groups get ahead. Their work has
made a big difference to the condition of local bushland. The Landcare Groups were very
impressed by what was achieved and welcomes them back anytime.
The impact
• Student hands on learning
• Boost to work on Landcare sites
• Fences erected
• Koala trees planted
• Weeds controlled
• Riparian trees planted
• Valuable Landcare experience passed on to others in the community
Key facts
• Groups involved - Hastings Landcare,
Port Macqaurie Landcare Group,
Rollands Plains Landcare, Dunbogan
Bushcare, Lake Cathie Landcare,
Wauchope Landcare, e & private
landholders.
