Winter TINformation

National Tree Day

National Tree Day on Sunday July 27^th between 9am and noon this year will be bigger than ever... the plants have grown. We will be planting 4000 frog friendly flora, expanding the existing planting area that has seen over 10,000 plants put on the site.

 he National Tree Day site is just around the corner and in the gully of King Edward Park below the flower garden. This year is the third visit to the historic hillside to revegetate what were once barren slopes with a variety of vegetation so frogs can frolic and lizards lounge. Last year over 150 people participated so come early and plant often.

 o get the most out of the planting wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen. Gloves and planting tools are provided, but you can bring your own if you want.

  lunchtime BBQ to celebrate the success will be on offer as well as whale watching. We are trying to arrange a special visit by our cetacean cousins, so bring your binoculars.

Well Done TIN Volunteers at Glenrock SCA

National Parks and Wildlife Service recently presented TIN with a certificate of appreciation for voluntary service provided to the NSW NPWS-Hunter Region. TIN ‘adopted'   Glenrock SCA a couple of years ago to fulfil the aspiration of having a longterm landcare project for a landless landcare group. The ongoing landcaring at Burwood Beach and throughout the reserve has been slowly making a difference and it is a credit to the enthusiasm of the volunteers and expertise of the bush regeneration supervisors that the outcomes are being recognised.

We're on a mission for a mission statement, tagline and celebration ideas

 TIN turns twenty next year and the planning has already begun. We're out to describe what we do, why we do it and how to celebrate it.

We've included a bit of a survey in this TINfo, it is also available electronically Click to go to Survey  . If you complete the survey and bring in your membership card, you can pick up a free plant for your effort. 

  Congrats Cara!

Congratulations to Cara-Jane Lloyd, who has been selected as the Aboriginal & Torres Straight Islander Student of the Year for 2008 -Conservation & Land Management Certificate II,  NSW DET Training Awards.

Cara has been TIN’s trainee for over a year and is a huge asset to the TIN organisation. She has developed a breadth and depth of nursery knowledge that has made us all very proud of her achievement; we greatly appreciate her dedication and enthusiasm and feel very fortunate to have her with us.

 Committee Comments

Since the AGM last December there has been a huge flurry of activity and interest in developing processes and policies to strengthen TIN's foundation for the future. This direction was set by Justin McKee who has now moved on. Justin's enthusiasm and ability to get things moving was truly appreciated.

The Presidential position has since  been filled by Adrian Hill and a reshuffle of committee positions has occurred. The Executive now consists of Vice President, Cath Eather, Secretary, Mim Bucchorn, Treasurer Andrew Griffiths, Committee members include Tasman Willis, Barb Nanshe, Sharryn Ryan-Hancock and Jenny Robinson.

 Project Updates

TIN is much more than a nursery, it is also a bush regeneration provider and volunteer & Education Centre. Over the past few years TIN has been undertaking some significant projects that are all now wrapped up.

The NPWS Service contract saw the Bush Regeneration team travelling to Broughton and Cabbage Tree Island off the Hunter coast, enjoying the local landscape at Awabakal Nature Reserve  and venturing to Jerusalem Creek and Copeland Tops in the in the Barrington Tops World Heritage Area. The expertise and dedication of the TIN Bush regen team makes them highly sought after for these very special areas and TIN would not be where it is today without their efforts.

The Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Authority through the Natural Heritage Trust Fund supported two education projects that have also been completed.

The Enabling Eco-Actions, Nursery Know How project provided the opportunity to gather the goings-on of Barb's brain (Nursery Manager) and develop a workshop that can assist community groups to set up their own community nursery as well as delving into Carl's consciousness (Vegetation Officer)  to develop some new TIN Topics to educate and inform about the role of native vegetation in making our local area a better place to live for our fauna and flora.

Building on TIN's long running, highly successful, integrated landcare in schools program (Biodiversity In Schools), The Green Space Green Place project was a catchment based school centered artistic extravaganza involving  The Junction and Merewether Heights Public Schools, St Josephs-The Junction and Holy Family-Merewether.

Murals were created around the theme of "The best place to live" and the learning experiences integrated into the curriculum and supported with excursions to Glenrock SCA. Tours of the participating schools to their peer's projects provided the chance to share their caring as well as all the schools undertaking a combined planting project at Bar Beach.