Tiger pear Opuntia aurantiaca is a native of South America and is believed to have been introduced as an ornamental garden plant during the early 1800’s. Tiger pear is arguably the worst variety of cactus – prickly pear – brought into Australia, and one of the most difficult to control. Tiger pear has been found in several locations in north west and south western Sydney and is extremely hardy and can thrive in a range of habitats. Large infestations can be controlled with the help of a biological control, while small isolated infestations can be controlled chemically.  

Visit HERE for more photos and more details including how to control this weed. Contact your local council Weeds Officer or call the NSW DPI Biosecurity helpline on 1800 680 244 if you see this weed.

Biosecurity bite - exotic plant species
We all play a role in looking out for new exotic pests arriving in Australia. 
Explore how we deal with exotic pests that may arrive in Australia. 
Visit HERE to check out this video.
Call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 to report a suspected exotic plant pest of disease.
Visit HERE for more details.

Online: Small Farms and Climate Change Forum 
5 September 9.30 am - 12.30 pm.
What are the issues small farmers need to adapt to climate change?Coordinated by the Small Farms Network Capital.
Registration and more information HERE.

Stay informed about upcoming events
If you would like to stay informed with Landcare events that are happening around NSW please visit the Landcare NSW Gateway

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.

Foundation Rural Scholarships
The Royal Agriculture Society of NSW is offering up to $6,000 for full time study or $3,000 for part-time study for those who demonstrate a passion for rural communities and a future career in rural regional NSW..
Applications close 7 September
Click HERE for full details and to apply.

Supplementary Volunteer Grants
The Centre for Volunteering is offering grants of $1000 - $5000 to volunteer organisations to help support the inclusion of vulnerable people through volunteering.
Applications close 20 September
Click HERE for full details and to apply.

Advancing Pest animal and weed control solutions
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is offering organisations including local councils, grants for the research and development of innovative solutions to improve the management of pest animals and plants.
Applications close 25 September.
Click HERE for full details and to apply.

Smart Farms Small Grants - Round 4
The National Landcare Program will support projects to increase farming, forestry and fishing communities' awareness knowledge, skills and capacity to adopt best practice sustainable agriculture.
Applications close 9 October
Click HERE for full details and to apply.

Bob Hawke Landcare Award - new closing date 12 October
The Bob Hawke Landcare Award, administered by Landcare Australia is a prestigious, national award that publicly recognises an individual involved in championing Landcare and who inspires others to take action on their own property or through a Landcare group.
The Bob Hawke Landcare Award will be presented at the National Landcare Awards gala dinner on Thursday 5 August, 2021 in Sydney.  
For more information and to submit a nomination click HERE.

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.