Across the weekend of 17โ18 October 2026, 18 volunteers joined Greater Sydney Landcare and Hornsby Shire Council for an overnight Landcare Youth Campout. From bushcare at Hornsby Quarry to kayaking on Berowra Creek, the weekend combined hands-on conservation, environmental learning and time in nature.
Helping restore Hornsby Quarry
To celebrate the reopening of Hornsby Quarry, volunteers had the privilege of helping launch bushcare activities at the site. Hornsby Shire Councilโs Bushcare Officer, Jean-Phillipe Kecman, led an exclusive tour of the quarry, sharing insights into the project and its history.
Volunteers removed 1,760 kg of weeds, including Tradescantia fluminensis, Ligustrum sinense, Ageratina adenophora and Hedera helix. They also prepared the ground for planting, built wallaby guards using wire and bamboo stakes, and planted 52 native shrubs from the critically endangered Blue Gum High Forest ecological community.
With approximately 4.5% of Blue Gum High Forest remaining, this ecological community is listed under the Saving our Species program. Despite past clearing for the quarry, Hornsby Quarry remains a highly significant site for its conservation.
All plants were of local provenance and grown at Councilโs Warada Ngurang Community Nursery. The species planted were:
- Acacia longifolia
- Indigofera australis
- Breynia oblongifolia
- Pittosporum revolutum
- Acacia myrtifolia
- Acacia linifolia
- Ceratopetalum gummiferum
- Dodonaea triquetra
While exploring the site, we spotted an echidna, a bowerbird and a yellow thornbill.
Hornsby Shire Councilโs Mayor Waddell also stopped by to see the volunteersโ work.
A Night at Crosslands Reserve
We headed to Crosslands Reserve to set up our tents for the overnight stay. With camp set up, we enjoyed a classic camping dinner: a sausage barbecue. After sunset, we explored the mangrove boardwalk in Berowra National Park in search of nocturnal wildlife, spotting brushtail possums, ringtail possums, giant water spider, Australian Owlet-Nightjar and wallabies.
Back at camp, we gathered around the campfire for hot chocolate and learnt a dance routine created by the volunteers.
Exploring the Bush and Creek
The next morning, after breakfast, we took our binoculars and bird guides onto the Great North Walk, accessible from the campsite. Along the way, we saw a remnant Eucalyptus pilularis, commonly known as blackbutt.
Volunteers then kayaked on Berowra Creek, taking in the mangroves and valley from the water. Wildlife sightings included a sacred kingfisher and a yellow-tailed black cockatoo.
Ana Rubio, Catchment Coordinator at Hornsby Shire Council, showed volunteers how water monitoring works across the land managed by Council and explained the indicators of a healthy water system.
By combining environmental education with outdoor recreation, the campout brought its central purpose to life: connecting communities with nature.
Thank you to our supporters
This initiative has been supported by the NSW Government through the Landcare Enabling Program Phase 3 Innovations and Partnerships Grant Program.
Thank you to Hornsby Shire Council for providing exclusive access to the quarry and hosting us at Crosslands Reserve.
If youโd like to contribute to environmental efforts in the Hornsby Shire Council, you can volunteer to become bushcarer and regenerate bushland. No experience is necessary as training is provided.
