Local Land Services has developed an email series called 'Blockies Bootcamp' - a "101" on managing land for lifestyle, the environment and production. Join the free bootcamp email series HERE and start learning how you can get the best out of your land and lifestyle. 

African olive Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata is a tropical wild olive from east Africa. It was introduced to Australia in the mid 1800’s as a hedging plant and as root stock for edible olives. It is related to the edible European Olive, however the fruit is not edible and has no commercial value. African olive is now naturalised in much of NSW with the worst infestations in southwest Sydney and the Hunter Valley.  

African Olive produces thousands of seeds which are easily spread by birds and foxes. African Olive is a very long-lived tree and permanently changes the plant diversity and structure of bushland. White flowers appear in spring. Fruit is oval shaped, initially green maturing over autumn and winter to purple or black.

It is best to control African olive before they fruit. Successful control requires follow up after initial efforts. This means looking for and killing regrowth or new seedlings. Using a combination of control methods is usually more successful.

Click HERE for more information including how to control this weed.

Stay informed about upcoming events
If you would like to stay informed with Landcare events that are happening around the country please visit the Landcare NSW Gateway and the Landcare Australia's home page.

For upcoming Local Land Services events visit the LLS Events page and filter by region 

Top tips for writing grants
The Grants Hub have developed some basic grant writing tips to help you with your next grant application.
Click HERE for full details.

Environmental Education
The Environmental Trust Environmental Education program supports projects that develop, broaden and transform the community's knowledge, skills, and intrinsic motivation to undertake sustainable behaviour and encourage participation in protecting the environment. 
Applications close 3pm on 16 November
Click HERE for full details and to apply.

Environment Restoration Fund: Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation
The Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment is offering funding to support wildlife rehabilitators, including community groups, vets and animals shelters to rescue, treat and rehabilitate wildlife impacted by bushfires.
Applications close 29 November
Click HERE for full details and to apply.

Special Disaster Grants - extended till December
The NSW Rural Assistance Authority  is continuing to support bushfire affected communities with the extension of the Special Disaster bushfire funding program for eligible primary producers to 15 December 2020.
Click HERE for full details and to apply.

Supporting our neighbours - public land boundary fencing program 
The NSW Government is helping bushfire-affected landholders with the cost of rebuilding boundary fences adjoining public lands.
Grants can be issued retrospectively to cover costs already incurred.
Click HERE to apply or call 1300 778 080. 

Macpac Fund for Good 
Up to $10,000 for Environmental Projects. If you are part of a not-for-profit organisation working on environmental or social causes related to the outdoors, you may be eligible for a Macpac Fund for Good grant. Your activities need to be based in New Zealand or Australia, or their territories.
The current round is open from 1 August - 31 October.
Click HERE for more information.

Wettenhall Environment Trust's Small Environmental Grant Scheme
Providing support for people undertaking projects that will make a positive difference to the natural living environment, in land, sea or air, rural or urban. Supports grassroots organisations and individuals, and academics who are working with on-ground community groups. Includes four rounds every year. Grants are usually $10,000 and focus on flora and fauna conservation, or threatened mammal conservation. The next round opens in October 2020. Click HERE for more information.

The Sunrise Project Small Grants program - up to $5,000. It is an open application process for small grants (up to $5,000) for community groups working to hasten the transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy or to protect Australia’s ecosystems from the negative impacts of the coal and gas industries. Click HERE for more information.

The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal "Tackling the tough times together" grants are always open. These grants help communities access the resources they need to support one another through the ongoing effects of drought. Grants are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly. For more information click HERE.