Over the past few months, Greater Sydney Landcare has been buzzing with corporate activity, with multiple volunteer teams rolling up their sleeves to help restore and protect some of our regionโs most important bushland areas.
Through our Corporate Bushland Restoration and Streamwatch programs, volunteers have been making a tangible impactโremoving invasive species, planting native vegetation, and testing water quality to help regenerate landscapes across the Sydney Basin. These hands-on days arenโt just about conservationโthey’re also a chance to connect with nature, and sometimes, to meet the incredible wildlife that calls these areas home.
Our sites are teeming with life, and many of our corporate volunteers have been lucky enough to witness some of our more elusive or iconic species while working alongside our coordinators.
At Boronia Reserve in Hunters Hill, the Powerful OwlโAustraliaโs largest owlโcan occasionally be seen roosting in the dense canopy. This majestic predator relies on mature, undisturbed bushland and the preservation of its habitat is critical to its survival. Our teams have been hard at work removing invasive woody weeds like privet and camphor laurel, which compete with native trees and degrade the structure of the forest. By clearing these invaders, weโre helping restore the layered vegetation and hollow-bearing trees that Powerful Owls need for roosting and nesting. Also spotted at Boronia is the Red Triangle Slug, a striking, leaf-litter-dwelling mollusc found only in moist, sheltered bushโa wonderful reminder of the small, strange, and important creatures often overlooked.
In Nurragingy Reserve, our work around wetland edges and open woodland has supported waterbird habitat, with volunteers treated to sightings of the elegant Royal Spoonbill. These long-legged waders sweep their spoon-shaped bills through shallow waters in search of prey, and their presence is a sign of a healthy wetland ecosystem. If you’re lucky (and a little quiet), you might also catch a glimpse of the Red-bellied Black Snake, a striking and non-aggressive species that plays an important role in balancing local ecosystems by preying on frogs and small mammals. These snakes have even been seen making use of habitat pilesโheaps of invasive woody weeds like privet and lantana that our corporate volunteers have removed and stacked, offering shelter and basking spots for reptiles and small fauna. Itโs a great example of how even weed removal can have cascading benefits for local wildlife.
Down at Mulgoa Creek, our Streamwatch team and corporate volunteers have helped uncover tiny Glass Shrimpโtransparent freshwater invertebrates that are indicators of good water quality. These shrimp arenโt just a sign of healthy waterwaysโtheyโre also a key food source for platypus, which are known to inhabit creeks like these across western Sydney. While we havenโt spotted one yet, the restoration work our volunteers are doing is helping to protect and enhance the riparian habitats that platypus rely on for survival. By removing invasive weeds and improving the health of the creek banks, corporate groups are playing a vital role in maintaining the clean, flowing water conditions that both shrimp and platypus depend on.
Corporate volunteering days are not only about giving back to natureโthey’re about learning, connecting, and making a real difference in local ecosystems. We’re grateful to all the teams who have joined us recently and look forward to welcoming more groups ready to get their hands dirty and experience the wild side of Sydney.
Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare
Ready to make a difference for nature in Sydney while strengthening your team bonds and improving wellbeing? Greater Sydney Landcare’s corporate volunteering programs offer meaningful experiences that benefit both the environment and your organisation. Download our Corporate Volunteering Info Pack to discover how your team can get involved in caring for the beautiful landscapes where we live and work.
