Hawkesbury Nepean Landcare Network will develop a curriculum linked school resource and a complimenting experience with a focus on the Blue Mountains Shale Capped Forest (EEC) for 60 students at Bilpin Public School to learn about the ecosystem and the natural environment, by April 2025, ready for engagement at school from April through to May 2025 (end of Term 1 and beginning of Term 2). This component is Linked to the Science and Technology K to 6 syllabus The curriculum linked component will be Stage 1, 2 & 3 – Living world.

Hawkesbury Nepean Landcare Network will host “Bilpin Environment Day” during the month of May, focused on connecting community with Blue Mountains Shale Capped Forest (EEC). This field day will be modelled on a pilot project that was successfully delivered in Blacktown and will include the presence of the Local Landcare Coordinator from HNLN, HRCC staff, specialist contractors who have worked on the BMSCF project (sharing the work completed during the project timeline), local experts (delivering talks/demonstrations tailored to educate the community on; identifying native plant species and how to determine what ecological community they belong too (BMSCF), understanding local provenance, succession, and resilience in native plant species) and other local groups holding stalls to promote their networks. Tom (from Hooked on Nature) will host an interactive session during the event, led by the curriculum linked resource created, for children in the Bilpin area, along with showcasing the Bilpin Public School students artworks created during the incursion/s,  gathering interested people from the community and supporting them to get involved in local groups/initiatives, showcasing the hard work and outcomes that the contactors/councils/groups/schools have achieved with this funding and promoting regeneration and conservation of vegetation communities in the area including BMSCF. HNLN will promote ticket registration by February 2025 and will host the Bilpin Environment Day during May 2025.

During the life of the project, a Landcare group has been formed in Bilpin. Hawkesbury Nepean Landcare Network will provide support and capacity building opportunities for the Mountains for Wildlife (MFW)– Blue Mountains group, who undertake conservation work in the Blue Mountains area where the Blue Mountains Shale Capped Forest (EEC) is present. This will include: 

-          MFW receives Remote First AID Training during February 2025. 

-          HNLN will purchase 4 Trail Cameras to bolster MFW’s efforts of monitoring local fauna.  

-          HNLN will purchase 1 Seed collection pole to assist MFW in managing hard to reach weeds (and capture exotic weed seed) that poses a threat to BMSCF EEC

-          HNLN will purchase 1 resource book “Monitoring Threatened Species and Ecological Communities”. The book presents practical advice to scientists and land managers to improve the quality of threatened biodiversity monitoring.

-          HNLN will purchase 6 bush regeneration tool pouches including a belt, hand saw, trowel, and secateurs to assist with on-ground weed control works/working bees.

HNLN contracted an environmental educator, Tom from Hooked on Nature (Hooked on Nature) to develop a curriculum linked school resource and a complimenting experience with a focus on the Blue Mountains Shale Capped Forest (BMSCF) EEC. On the 3rd and 4th of April this year, Bilpin Public School students were safely guided across the road by teachers, the local Landcare coordinator and Tom, to begin our BMSCF excursions at Bilpin Park Reserve. The students were brought down in two groups (group 1: years k – 2 and group 2: years 3-6).

The excursions went for 2 hours each, students participated in citizen science activities to better their understanding of the living world, particularly learning to observe the ecology of BMSCF EEC. Activities included sweep netting for insects in the nearby bush and grass, walking through the bush looking for basking lizards and changing soil types (reflecting BMSCF ecology), identifying habitat for fauna, looking at the importance of WaterBugs, conducting dip netting to catch macroinvertebrates and identifying water bugs.

On the 9th of April, Tom and the local Landcare Coordinator conducted an incursion to Bilpin Public School, to facilitate art sessions for students from years k – 2 and years 3 – 6.

On Saturday, May 10, 2025, the Bilpin Community Markets and Cafe was alive with the sights and sounds of nature as the Bilpin Environment Day brought together eco-enthusiasts, families, and community members for a day dedicated to conservation, education, and connection.

From 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM, attendees enjoyed a variety of activities. Children participated in hands-on environmental education activities, while local groups shared insights on biodiversity, bush regeneration, and water quality.

The event also featured wildlife displays, showcasing native animals who call Blue Mountains Shale Cap Forest their home, native plant giveaways, and eco-themed stalls, offering attendees opportunities to learn and connect with nature.

Guided walks added depth to the experience, with experts leading small tours focused on each topic:

Bird Walk: Led by Eric Finley, observing local bird life.

Weed Walk: Guided by Helen Bodill, focusing on invasive species.

Native Plants & Ecosystem Talk: Led by Elliot Robertson, highlighting local flora and their roles in the ecosystem.

The day concluded with an eco-raffle, celebrating the community's ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, the prizes consisted of necessary resources to be a botanical enthusiast!

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making the Bilpin Environment Day a success. Let's continue to work together to protect and celebrate our local environment!

This event was proudly funded by the NSW Government, through a partnership with the Saving Our Species program and the Environmental Trust.

Equipment Donations

Image context: Image below is the equipment donated to the Mountains for Wildlife group by HRCC and HNLN.

Trail camera images captured of fauna

The cameras were put up at a NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust property in Bilpin, with BMSCF present on site, this property has a stewardship agreement over the land, conserving wildlife habitat in perpetuity. The images were showcased at Bilpin Environment Day on May 10th.  Trail cameras allow users to automatically capture high-quality photos and videos of wildlife or, for security, trespassers, in remote locations without human presence. They enable non-invasive, 24/7 monitoring, allowing users to track animal movement, study behaviour, scout areas, and secure property.

Training opportunity

On the 21st of February, HNLN organised Remote First AID Training for MFW members. Remote first aid training equips you with the skills to manage medical emergencies in isolated locations where professional help is delayed, typically for hours or days. It teaches you to use limited, improvised resources for long-term patient care, manage serious injuries like fractures and snakebites, and coordinate evacuations.