Get active: join a local bushcare group

Growing local native plants in your garden is a great way to help maintain local biodiversity and create habitat for indigenous fauna. It works even better if the bushland areas near your home are also in good condition and not dominated by weeds.

Joining your local bushcare group is one way to help restore and maintain remnant bushland. It's also a great way to find out more about local plant and animal species, to learn how to tell an indigenous plant from a weed (including invasive species from other parts of Australia), and to meet other people who are interested in and passionate about Illawarra natives.

Your own local bushland reserve or park - a great place to learn about local species. Image by Emma Rooksby.

There are over 50 bushcare groups in the Illawarra, that together put in many thousands of hours of volunteer work every year. Volunteers have the opportunity to take part in workshops and other events, as well as receiving 'on the job' training.