CUMBERLAND STEPPING STONES Community Corridor Evaluation Greater Western Sydney

2017 © Western Sydney University 2017 AUTHORS Locked Bag 1797, Penrith 2751 NSW Australia Jen Dollin, Western Sydney University Brittany Hardiman, Western Sydney University With respect for Aboriginal cultural protocol Margaret Somerville, Western Sydney University and out of recognition that its campuses occupy their traditional lands, Western Sydney University ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: acknowledges the Darug, Gandangarra, Tharawal The research team acknowledges the volunteers, (also historically referred to as D’harawal) and Greening Australia and the Commonwealth Wiradjuri peoples and thanks them for their support Government’s 20 Million Trees Program. This project of its work in their lands (Greater Western Sydney is supported by Greening Australia, through funding and beyond). from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.

DISCLAIMER The authors of this report would like to acknowledge Findings and conclusions presented in this report that this research was conducted on Darug Lands reflect a summary of consultations with the and to pay our respects to elders past and present. communities in the target areas, and other key stakeholders, and are complemented by a review DESIGN of the literature. The views contained in this report Brittany Hardiman do not necessarily represent those of Western Sydney University and its entities. All reasonable PRINTING precaution has been taken by the report authors to Penrith, NSW, Australia verify the information contained in this publication. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or extracted This document is also available on the Internet. lessons expressed in this report are those of the authors. PREPARED FOR Greening Australia July 2017 CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 INTRODUCTION 8

Definitions and Key Terms 9 Cumberland Stepping Stones Project Overview 9 Study Aims and Limitations 10

METHODOLOGY AND METHODS 11

Primary Analysis and Meta Level Evaluation 11

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION: TARGET GROUPS 12

School Program 12 Corporate Events 18 Bush Care Groups 24 Private Landholders 29 CSS Meta Level Evaluation 35

APPENDICES 38

REFERENCES 45

3 CONNECTIVITY AND THE CUMBERLAND PLAIN If I could wave a magic wand

We would like to acknowledge the generosity and openness of all the “… This Cumberland Stepping Stones raises the profile volunteers we met who shared their of connectivity in a landscape that’s really fragmented stories, experiences and passion for and really struggling to retain biodiversity and fauna the Cumberland Plain Woodland and that’s what’s so important about it. So if one child across Western Sydney. The critical can take home the fact that they’ve planted a tree that and often invisible work of caring quietly for this country – along links in with the trees over at the next local high school creeks, reserves, under powerlines, in or in some council reserve or some such thing … It’s not school yards and on private property a concept that comes naturally to people these days – keeps this bushland alive not just because of the disturbed landscape we live in. for future generations but for those creatures and plants which share … There’s not a vision for conservation in Western these spaces with us now. We extend Sydney unfortunately. So [as] hard as we try, and we’ve our sincere thanks to Greening tried, so many years we’ve been trying and these key Australia team at Oxley Park for the opportunity to collaborate sites are so important … on this important evaluation and acknowledge the funding support of … If I could wave a magic wand at this really pivotal the Commonwealth Government’s 20 time in Western Sydney when we’re competing against Million Trees Program. road corridors, rail corridors, airports, immigration of 200,000 people, a bourgeoning industry – you name it, we’ve got it and it’s all happening here on this particular corridor called the Cumberland Conservation Corridor. There are a couple of links that aren’t protected and if I had a few million bucks and the government had the wherewithal you’d be acquiring those really key sites to make sure this Cumberland Conservation Corridor formed a permanent link. And it’s just – I can’t tell you – we need these links between these core biodiversity areas … We just need to make sure that those links right now are protected because five, ten years from now, they’ll be gone for sure …”

PRIVATE LANDHOLDER

4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Cumberland Plain Woodland planted across Western Sydney. This (CPW) communities are endemic study was asked to evaluate the to Western Sydney and have been Community Corridor CSS initiative reduced to less than 6% of their and address the following question: original extent due to extensive ‘Is community engagement and 4 clearing for agriculture and urban education an effective methodology key participant development. Remnant patches are for biodiversity conservation?’ groups involved present but are small and scattered, degraded by human disturbances EVALUATION METHODOLOGY AND and weed invasion. The Cumberland METHODS Conservation Corridor comprises three priority corridors in Western The concept of ‘place’ was used as a 6 Sydney and is supported by the conceptual framework for the study. local government Australian Government’s 20 Million Place links global concerns to local Trees initiative. Greening Australia issues and is attuned to the specifics areas covered was awarded a $2.889m grant to of people and their connection to across Western support the ongoing conservation their local environment. The research Sydney efforts across this corridor with team acknowledges that a clear the aim of enhancing ecological limitation of this study is the short connectivity. Recognising the timeframe in which to evaluate the importance of engaging people in impacts of this methodology for 43 active environmental restoration, biodiversity conservation. Ideally, Greening Australia included a strong this study should be longitudinal to community sites community engagement component explore outcomes over the long term. undertook planting – ‘the Community Corridor’ – in the The CSS project was implemented Cumberland Stepping Stones (CSS) and evaluated over 2016/17. project. The study was designed using a The Community Corridor targeted mixed-methods methodology and 3,000 four key participant groups – schools, gathered qualitative and some corporate volunteers, community quantitative data through online people engaged Bush Care groups and private surveys, individual interviews, focus during the program landholders – across 6 Western groups, oral place stories, and field Sydney Local Government Areas notes and observations. The study to undertake planting within the evaluation techniques employed Cumberland Conservation Corridor. a primary analysis for each target Over a 12 month period, close to group and a meta-analysis based 75,000 75,000 native tubestock were on a summative evaluation for native tubestock planted or provided as give-aways the entire program. The meta- planted analysis considered project process, across the 43 community sites. (including give-aways) The Community Corridor project efficiency, effectiveness, outcomes engaged more than 3,000 people, and learnings. the majority of whom were students. In the overarching CSS project, a For each targeted community group total of 421,300 plants have been the data was analysed according to

5 the data collection instrument. The early anecdotal evidence for these of the individual landholder can still schools survey data was collated in young plants creating their own be rewarding but may be isolating. charts and free text from the online microhabitats, with increased insect Similar issues can be seen with survey responses. The corporate and bird activity noted. A significant Bush Care groups and the sporadic events were analysed using an next step would be to support nature of the involvement of their inductive approach based on the schools to expand these programs volunteers. individual interview responses, outside their gates and into the local researcher visuals and field notes, bushland and waterways. Connecting WATERWAYS AND RIPARIAN ZONES with major themes identified and these efforts with local Bush Care ARE THE ONLY REMAINING CPW outliers noted. A similar process groups, councils, relevant corporate CONNECTORS was undertaken for the Bush Care events and other environmental focus groups. The private landholder networks would further strengthen Outside of protected areas, urban interviews were recorded onsite oral these linkages. development is squeezing and place stories and were analysed using restricting remnant Cumberland Plain a storyline analysis framework. The Community Corridor project Woodland (CPW) to low-lying areas hosted 10 corporate events with in Western Sydney – often located THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY some 300 volunteers and planted along the region’s riparian zones ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION 10,000 tubestock at the Oxley Park and flood prone. Moving forward, Ropes Creek site. This study attended a strategic priority should be to This study provides empirical 3 of these events and individually continue to focus on these sites as evidence from the target participants interviewed 16 volunteers. The core connectors, recognising their that outlines the challenges importance to these corporate crucial role in linking up with the and opportunities for long-term volunteers of ‘giving back to the larger intact stands of terrestrial biodiversity conservation at a very community’ and the pride associated Cumberland Plain Woodland local level. It is evident from the study with their work was evident. It was remnants. While it is outside the responses that ongoing commitment, clear that the volunteers enjoyed the scope of this study, the importance learning and observation are day and saw their contribution as a of a coherent policy and vision for essential for long-term biodiversity win-win-win for all involved. While protecting these areas, backed up by conservation. People need to learn the planting activity was successful, strategic funding and inter-agency what biodiversity is, how to recognise those interviewed suggested collaboration cannot be overstated. it, and what they can do in the long including more activities, such as Integral to this is support for ongoing term to enhance biodiversity beyond weeding, to make the most of the education, engagement and action increasing the quantity of plants or ‘free labour’ on offer. Many of the as an approach to maintaining a the number of species. Each group corporate volunteers’ responses functioning bushland. This CSS that Greening Australia targeted indicated a desire to revisit the site at Community Corridor project is a in this project has a part to play in some time in the future to ‘see their model framework for this work. the ongoing efforts of biodiversity plants’. conservation in Western Sydney. The KEY FINDINGS: performance of Greening Australia’s Focus groups with two local Bush staff in implementing the project Care groups were conducted, and ≥≥The Community Corridor should be considered central to the oral place stories were recorded project effectively engaged project’s success, particularly for the with two private landholders. It was with environmental action and school and corporate sectors. The evident that both these cohorts have education across the target provision of plants, logistics support, a deep and personal connection to groups and sites. The study risk assessments and, importantly, their local places that extends over found that each group is equally funding ensured that the project was time. Given the right support, their important and that the groups accessible and affordable. dedication makes them (and these complement each other as they sites) well situated for long-term bring different knowledges and Across the Community Corridor 40 ongoing action and one-off planting strengths to their local places. schools engaged with the project, events to improve connectivity in with an estimated 2,400 students, their local places. The CSS project ≥≥Local commitments need to teachers and parents participating. was another source of support for be supported by appropriate The online survey had a 47% these cohorts who take a long-term local, state and Commonwealth response rate and a total of 39,500 view of conservation work. A major strategies and plans that align seedlings were planted. Schools issue for the private landholders is with a long-term vision and engaged with the project for varying the interest or disinterest of adjoining strategy to further support local reasons and, encouragingly, 90% of neighbours. When owners of action. respondent schools indicated that adjacent properties are not engaged their students continued to visit and in or do not understand the reasons ≥≥In the short term, highly localised care for their plantings. There is some for environmental action, the work and site specific biodiversity

6 conservation outcomes are RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY and opportunities available for local evidenced by the extent of AND STRATEGY: community and private landholders new CSS plantings. However, but these are not simple to access and ongoing maintenance and weed 1. Continue to support policy are located across multiple agencies. Equally, there is a need to ensure management are required to initiatives and mechanisms for that local communities are educated support these initial efforts and the Cumberland Conservation concerning the impacts of noxious will need further evaluation. Corridor via large scale initiatives, weeds and land clearing and that such as the Cumberland Stepping requirements concerning these are ≥≥Effective biodiversity Stones, that recognise the clearly communicated and complied conservation requires a long- key role played by community with at a very local level. term commitment from the engagement and education. local community and needs RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER a combination of knowledge, 2. Recognise that enhancing ON-GROUND ACTIONS: observation, leadership, patience ecological connectivity for and action. Functioning Bush Care long-term conservation of the 1. Recognise the institutional groups and private landholders Cumberland Plain Woodland potential of schools as sites are community exemplars in requires an ongoing commitment for long-term biodiversity how this learning is enacted and for weed management, conservation which supports school sites have further potential. monitoring and maintenance as enhanced connectivity: Schools well as planting and education. should be supported with teachers’ professional development and given 3. Develop flexible funding further opportunities to extend their mechanisms attuned to on- conservation efforts into local areas, ground reality and to different beyond their school grounds, to which requirements over time and students can walk. These efforts should be coordinated with Bush Care in different places: Flexible and groups and local councils to undertake on-going funding mechanisms that environmental restoration for ongoing support weed management and maintenance are just as crucial for beneficial environmental outcomes. biodiversity outcomes as is the provision of plants. New funding 2. Upscale the promotion of arrangements could include more environmental volunteering flexibility in devolved funding opportunities and activities arrangements for on-ground within the corporate sector and organisations, as well as including expand these to Bush Care and the facility to fund more strategic private landholder networks: initiatives, to further targeted research, Consideration should be given to provide assistance for local leaders broadening corporate activities to and private landholders to develop include ground preparation, watering networks, and direct funding into on- and weeding. This would require ground priorities. further initial work and training but would provide additional and much 4. Consider the development of a needed intensive labour for dealing coherent framework for Western with weed infested areas. For large Sydney biodiversity conservation scale environmental restoration in and action, encompassing land areas with already established Bush and water systems, in order to Care groups and participating local leverage government priorities landholders there is an opportunity for corporate volunteers to significantly across a range of agencies to add value to this work. Networking achieve systemic environmental and organisation would be required at benefits and biodiversity the local level; exemplars already exist outcomes: Supporting a viable in Western Sydney. Cumberland Plain Woodland in Western Sydney requires facilitating the health of the waterways, as connectors with the larger terrestrial remnants of woodland, and liaising with private and public landholders. This will require a multi-stakeholder approach at all levels of government. For example, there is a scattered range of well developed resources

7 INTRODUCTION

From the middle of the twentieth groups and corporations – to Recognising these forces, Greening century, in the period now participate in activities that benefit Australia included a strong acknowledged as ‘The Great their local community (Australian community engagement initiative Acceleration’, global biodiversity Government Department of the in their ambitious and innovative losses have become more rapid and Environment and Energy, 2010). Cumberland Stepping Stones project severe and are directly attributable Non-government organisations (CSS). The CSS project was funded to human activities (Steffan et (NGOs) and government agencies by the Commonwealth Government al., 2004). In Australia, biological currently managing biologically and targeted 6 Local Government diversity loss follows this trend, significant and/or recreational areas Areas (LGAs) in Western Sydney with some 1,700 species and are expanding their use of volunteers to enhance ecological connectivity ecological communities currently in order to conserve biodiversity and across the Critically Endangered considered threatened and at risk of foster healthy environments and Cumberland Plain Woodland extinction (Australian Government attitudes – often this is necessary due Ecological Community (Map 1). Department of the Environment and to the lack of funding and resource Implemented in 2016 and 2017, the Energy, 2016). Examples of human support (Caissie and Halpenn, 2003; project targeted key community impact on Australian biodiversity Hamer et al., 2009). While volunteers groups – schools, private landholders, include: increasing urbanisation and can make significant contributions Bush Care groups and corporate development resulting in habitat where resources are limited, there are volunteers – to undertake large scale loss, degradation and fragmentation; concerns over their effectiveness and planting and environmental action. unsustainable use and management the reliability of the on-ground action This study is an evaluation of that of natural resources; changing fire they undertake (Hamer et al., 2009). initiative. regimes; changes to the aquatic environment and changing water flows; increasing number and spread of invasive species; and climate change (Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy, 2016).

Conservation education recognises the central role people play in all conservation efforts and is intended to positively influence their awareness, attitudes, knowledges and behaviours toward natural resources, while increasing the capacity for social change and improvement (Patrick et al., 2007; In 788 Cumberland Plain Today less than 6% remains in Fien, Scott and Tilbury, 2001). Woodlands covered 107,000 small fragments scattered across Mainstreaming biodiversity hectares occupying approximately western suburbs of Sydney, challenges, however, involves 30% of the Sydney Basin totaling only 6,400 hectares more than just raising awareness of the importance of conservation issues. It is critical to encourage Map 1: Cumberland Plain Woodland loss in the Sydney Basin more Australians – individuals, (Courtesy Cumberland Land Conservancy)

8 KEY DEFINITIONS AND TERMS CUMBERLAND STEPPING STONES ≥≥expand the extent of vegetation PROJECT OVERVIEW on National Parks Estate; Community engagement refers to ≥≥deliver habitat condition “the process by which community “In the long term, that’s what the improvement in public reserves; organisations and/or individuals Cumberland Stepping Stones and build ongoing relationships program will achieve, is some kind of ≥≥engage the general, school for the purpose of applying a connectivity. And that’s what we’re all and corporate communities in collective vision for the benefit about is connecting up landscapes, practical environmental action. of a community, whether they providing opportunity for wildlife, are connected by geographic birds, things to move through.” The main on-ground activities of location, special interest, affiliation Private landholder the program are focused in national or identity to address issues parks and reserves, using innovative affecting their well-being/place” The Cumberland Plain Woodland direct seeding techniques, tubestock (Queensland Department of (CPW), found in the western part revegetation, habitat enhancement Emergency Services, 2001). of Sydney, has been reduced to less (designed to increase ecological than 6% of its original extent due function) targeting key identified Education is defined as “the act or to extensive clearing for agriculture fauna species, and wide scale process of imparting or acquiring and urban development (Map 1). Green Army deployment to support general knowledge, developing Remnant patches are present but site maintenance, weeding and the powers of reasoning and small, and more than two-thirds of watering and to establish long-term judgment, and generally of these remaining areas are degraded monitoring. The 3 targeted regional preparing oneself or others by human disturbances and weed corridors are as follows (Map 2): intellectually for mature life. invasion. The Cumberland Plain The specific aim of conservation Woodland is now recognised as an ≥≥Eastern Creek Corridor: education is to develop lifelong endangered ecological community The project aims to enhance knowledge and skills for under state and national legislation, connectivity within an important conservation action” (Patrick and i.e. the NSW Threatened Species corridor, using Eastern Creek Tunnicliffe, 2007 p. 22). Conservation Act 1995 and the as the spine linking high Commonwealth Environment quality remnant Cumberland Biodiversity refers to “the variety Protection and Biodiversity Plain Woodland at Cecil Park of all species on earth, also known Conservation Act 1999 (Wilkins, in the south with the Colebee as biological diversity. It is the Keith and Adam, 2003). The NSW Biobanking site and through to different plants, animals and Threatened Species Conservation Shanes Park in the north. micro-organisms, their genes, Act has several objectives, with ≥≥Ropes and South Creeks: and the terrestrial, marine and its primary objective being ‘to Providing one of the few relatively freshwater ecosystems of which conserve biological diversity and intact east–west corridors across they are a part. Biodiversity is promote ecologically sustainable the Cumberland Plain, the land both essential for our existence development’ (Auld and Tozer, along Ropes and South Creeks and intrinsically valuable in its own 2004). and their connection to Mulgoa right” (Australian Government Nature Reserve are a critical Department of the Environment The aim of the CSS program is to linkage between the Cumberland and Energy, 2016). enhance ecological connectivity by Plain Woodland and Greater Blue revegetating 267 hectares of cleared Mountains World Heritage Area Biodiversity conservation refers land in 3 regional corridors across ≥≥Scheyville to Wianamatta to “the action of preserving and the Cumberland Plain in Greater Corridor: This is a major zone protecting something, in this Western Sydney, focused on 6 LGAs: of geological and topographic case biological diversity. This is Blue Mountains, Penrith, Blacktown, transition. The project will support essential as mankind depends, Hawkesbury, Fairfield and Liverpool. the genetic connectivity of the directly and indirectly, on living The program forms part of the northern Cumberland Plain systems for health and well-being. Australian Government’s 20 Million Woodland through enhancing No matter how technologically Trees Cumberland Conservation linkages within the lowland advanced humans become we Corridor and is supported by areas around Agnes Banks and rely on food, fibre, materials a $2.889m Commonwealth Richmond and the sandstone and energy from nature for our Government investment. Through transition communities associated continuing existence” (Australian this program, Greening Australia with Scheyville National Park. Government Department of the planted a diverse mix of over 421,300 Environment and Energy, 2016). plants in order to: These corridors include the domains of all the major public landholders

9 with a stake in Cumberland Plain Woodland Conservation Corridor: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services, National Parks and State Reserves, Local Councils parks and reserves, Western Sydney Parklands Trust and Office of Strategic Lands.

The Community Corridor aspect of CSS project was developed to sit within the above corridors to extend the conservation effort into the urban and peri-urban matrix surrounding core conservation lands and corridors. As a ‘sub-project’, its intention was to enable community members to be involved in hands- on activities that help support the protection of the Cumberland Plain Woodland and Shale Gravel Transition Forest Ecological Community in a manner that is structured and co-ordinated by Greening Australia. The Community Corridor was designed to support the efforts of existing Landcare and Bush Care groups, integrate with National Tree Day and give-away events, extend the conservation program into schools, and deliver meaningful outcomes, via corporate Map 2: Cumberland Plain Woodland and Cumberland Stepping Stones volunteering, for the Ropes Creek regional corridor and project site locations across Western Sydney Creekline Restoration Plan. (Courtesy Greening Australia, 2016)

STUDY AIMS AND LIMITATIONS

This study aimed to investigate the research question: ‘Is community engagement and education Table 1: Summary of Target Groups for Evaluation and Data Collection Instruments an effective methodology for biodiversity conservation?’ Target Group Data Collection Method Response Rates Schools Online survey with 40 participating 19 completed (47%) The study was conducted during the schools delivery phase of the CSS project Corporate Events Representative sample from 10 16 recorded interviews from June 2016 to June 2017. There corporate events: 5 interviews in are clear limitations in terms of total – 5x3 minute audio recorded evaluating the long-term biodiversity interviews with participants at 3 conservation impacts and ideally separate corporate events a follow-up evaluation should be Bush Care Focus groups with x1 Bush Care 2 recorded focus groups conducted after 2, 5 and 10 years. group Within these stated limitations, the Private Landholders Individual oral place story with x6 2 recorded interviews * study collected and evaluated a participating landholders combination of quantitative and qualitative data from each target group. Data collection methods were * Only 2 private landholders were able to be recorded in the contract period – an extra Bush linked to the type of target group and Care focus group was conducted in lieu. included the use of online surveys, visual and field notes, individual structured interviews, focus groups, recorded oral place-based walks and talks, and desktop research (Table 1).

10 METHODOLOGY AND METHODS

“Place … foregrounds a narrative PRIMARY ANALYSIS AND META QUESTIONS FOR META LEVEL of local and regional politics that LEVEL EVALUATION EVALUATION is attuned to the particularities of where people actually live, and that This study delivers a primary 1. Process: is connected to global development analysis for each target community trends that impact local places.” group and a meta-analysis based ≥≥How was the CSS project (Gruenewald, 2003b, p. 3) on a summative evaluation for the designed and implemented from entire project. The primary analysis the perspective of participants? This evaluation uses ‘place’ as was conducted according to the (i.e. What is its quality?) a conceptual framework. Place data collection methods for each ≥≥What was the participants’ is productive as a framework target group. The schools survey experience of the process? because it creates a space between data were collated from the online the grounded physical reality of survey responses, using qualitative 2. Efficiency: landscapes or terrains and the and quantitative techniques. The metaphysical space of language, corporate events were analysed using ≥≥What is the relationship between stories and other representations an inductive approach based on the different methods of of place (Somerville, 2008). This the interview responses, researcher engagement? bridging of physical reality and visuals and field notes, with major ≥≥What is the benefit of each type representation has the potential themes identified and outliers noted. of approach? to bring positivist paradigms A similar process was undertaken from the physical sciences into for the Bush Care focus groups. 3. Effectiveness: conversation with post positivist The private landholder interviews, ≥≥To what extent did the research in arts and social sciences which were recorded onsite oral engagement methods encourage (Somerville, 2008). Place is thus place stories, will be analysed using a the target groups to take part in multi-dimensional and includes storylines analysis framework. the CSS? human beings in relationship with ≥≥How self-sustaining was the non-human others and the material The meta level analysis has been activity? terrain of the environment, and an done as a summative evaluation enlarged concept of place provides and is more outcome focused than 4. Outcomes: a link between local concerns process focused. It is important to distinguish outcome from output and global issues: it is a way to ≥≥Was there any significant change and it needs to be noted that a engage community members on to on-ground biodiversity/ summative evaluation is not about an emotional and spiritual level vegetation as a result of the CSS stating that there were a certain (Somerville et al., 2013). Such project? number of planting events held with connections are vital if we are to ≥≥How valuable to the participants a total of so many people attending co-develop new understandings for were the outcomes? more a sustainable future. (outputs), but rather about the result of these plantings in terms of 5. Learnings: conservation and education. While this analysis will consider the CSS ≥≥What worked and what did not? process of implementation it will also ≥≥What were the unintended focus on efficiencies, effectiveness, consequences/challenges? outcomes and learning – this ≥≥What are the future opportunities framework has been adapted from: for CPW biodiversity conservation Davidson and Wehipeihana (2010) in Western Sydney for these and Europe Aid Cooperation Office. methodologies?

11 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION: TARGET GROUPS School Program

The aim of the CSS Community instruction of Greening Australia’s Corridor school program was to staff members and as per the develop school-based habitat and school’s own safety policy; to engage primary and secondary ≥≥be responsible for photo release 40 students in environmental action. All formalities and emergency school sites across events were funded under the project management; Western Sydney and Greening Australia provided ≥≥ensure students wore appropriate participated all plants and facilitated hands-on clothing, including closed shoes, education. Each school was able to full-length trousers, full-sleeved hold up to 4 planting events and shirts and a hat during planting; was provided with a minimum of and 500 plants per event and 60 plants ≥≥take responsibility for the student as give-aways to the students for insurance requirements. 77 their own home gardens. Over the life of the CSS project 40 schools Greening Australia offered the planting events participated across Western Sydney, following: were held within with 77 planting events completed school grounds in total (Map 3). Some 39,000 ≥≥talks to the students about individual tubestock were planted – a Cumberland Plain Woodland of mixture of small to medium shrubs Western Sydney; and trees – with the average planting ≥≥ground preparation, with hole per school being 2,000. School digging by mechanical augers for participation ranged from childcare planting if required; 2,400 centres to primary and secondary ≥≥induction of students about schools across both the public and Safe Work Method Statements students, teachers private education sectors and the 6 (SWMS); and and families were targeted LGAs. An estimated 2,400 ≥≥provision of plants and involved in planting people (students, teachers and supervision of students’ planting families) took part in the project. In activities. terms of management and logistics for Greening Australia the schools The following is a list of inquiries/ events needed to be meticulous in requests from schools presented in planning and delivery. their communications with Greening Australia and indicates the level 39,000 The schools and school teachers of concerns, risks and issues that native tubestock were required to: schools face with regard to active were planted and engaged programs. Their ≥≥induct Greening Australia’s staff preference was for plants that DO members as per the school’s own NOT: safety management plan; ≥≥provide personal supervision of ≥≥produce flowers (they can attract students; bees); 2016 - 2017 ≥≥ensure students maintained Work ≥≥produce pollen (it can an trigger Health and Safety procedures allergic reaction); while planting, as per the ≥≥drop needles, e.g. Casuarina

12 fronds (they make the ground a mix of multiple choice and free messy); answers. The survey was emailed to ≥≥drop branches (a safety hazard participating schools by Greening for children); Australia. [It is attached in the ≥≥drop leaves, twigs or bark (the appendices.] The survey had a 47% school’s grounds assistant is response rate (19 surveys). Web- unable to clean); based online surveys are increasingly ≥≥drop fruits (they may attract rats, prevalent but traditionally suffer from followed by snakes); a lower response rate (10%–25%) for ≥≥grow branches (dangerous for detailed surveys than other modes students who may climb them); of surveys (Sauermann and Roach, ≥≥grow thorns (a safety issue for 2013). students); ≥≥grow fruits that may be poisonous (students could put them in their mouths); ≥≥need any water after the planting day (the school’s grounds assistant has no time to water them); or ≥≥have a strong root (which can break the garden edges or retention walls).

The data collected from the schools took the form of an online ‘Survey Monkey’ with 10 questions that were

Map 3: Participating CSS Schools: participating schools as indicated by the blue pins within the approximate Cumberland Plain Woodland area (green ring), noting also the location of the Greening Australia head office (red pin)

13 SCHOOL PROGRAM DATA

1. How many people participated in the planting? 1,974

Approximately 2,158 students participated in the CSS planting day, as well as 164 teachers and 74 parents or family members. A total of 2,396 were involved. Respondents were asked give a breakdown of the total number of students per year group, and include numbers of teachers and community. It should be noted that 3 surveys did not include figures, and that one school is a K–12 and did not indicate stage breakdown, so these 164 28 56 74 numbers could be higher.

PRE-SCHOOL PRIMARY SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS PARENTS/ FAMILY

Figure 1: Number of students, teachers and community involved in planting (Question 1)

2. How long was spent on the planting activity? 2.75hrs on average

3. Why did the school undertake the planting? HABITAT CONSTRUCTION Landscape vegetation (74% – 14 responses) and habitat 63% construction (63% – 12 responses) were the main

reasons that schools gave for undertaking the planting. GARDEN INFILL Secondary reasons included garden infill (47% - 9 47% responses), screen planting (32% - 6 responses) and shade trees (26% - 5 responses). Respondents were asked to tick as many boxes as were relevant. SHADING TREES 26%

SCREEN PLANTING 32%

LANDSCAPE VEGETATION 74%

Figure 2: Purpose of school undertaking planting (Question 3)

4. What did the students do on the planting day?

WATERING While the large majority of the activity time was spent 84% by students planting (90% – 17 responses) and watering (84% – 16 responses), to a lesser extent weeding was PLANTING also undertaken (21% – 4 responses). Other responses 47% reported students engaged in mulching, soil infill, cooking, arts, games, performances, garden tours,

and learning about sustainable agriculture and the WEEDING 21% importance of biodiversity of farms during the event. Respondents were asked to tick as many boxes as were relevant. Figure 3: Planting activities undertaken (Question 4)

14 5. Were students having conversations about the activity or the natural environment during or soon PLANTING ACTIVITY 100% after the planting activity?

All of the students conducted conversations about LOCAL FAUNA the planting activity and many linked this closely 63% with conversations about the environment (90% – 17 responses) and local fauna (63% – 12 responses).

Students’ conversations about their own gardens (68% THE ENVIRONMENT 90% – 13 responses) and future activities (58% – 11 responses) also featured strongly. Respondents were asked to tick as many boxes as were relevant. THEIR OWN GARDENS 68%

FUTURE ACTIVITIES 58%

Figure 4: Conversations during planting (Question 5)

6. Did the school include the planting as part of a curriculum program or was the planting extra- curricular? STUDENT CLUB - EXTRA-CURRICULAR 37% Extra-curricular activities such as student volunteering (58% – 11 responses) and student clubs (37% – 7 VOLUNTEERS - EXTRA-CURRICULAR responses) were two ways schools incorporated the 58% planting program, with a further 9 responses (47%) indicating that the program was implemented as a HABITAT CONSTRUCTION pedagogical tool. Respondents were asked to tick as CURRICULUM 63% many boxes as were relevant. 47%

GARDEN INFILL Of the schools (47%) that indicated the planting event Figure 5: Inclusion in schools (Question 6) 47% was incorporated as part of a curriculum program, responses from primary schools indicated the following types of class learning: SHADING TREES 26% ≥≥Yr 4 has completed a unit on National Parks that ≥≥K–6 Sustainability, Aboriginal History, Geography, included looking at habitats and threats. They have Science, English, Maths and Creative Arts SCREEN PLANTING explored ways to protect habitats (including) within ≥≥K–6 Language, Maths, Science and Environment 32% the school area.

LANDSCAPE VEGETATION 74%

7. Have the students continued to visit and be involved Figure 2: Purpose of school undertaking planting (Question 3) in the new garden?

A high percentage of students continued to visit the garden, with a majority indicating a continuing WATERING relationship with the site (90% – 17 responses). The 84% responses from the schools indicated the following 90% reasons: of participants continue to PLANTING visit their planting site at 47% ≥≥Performing ongoing maintenance ≥≥Cleaning up rubbish, watering, monitoring progress school

WEEDING ≥≥A daily outdoor activity 21% ≥≥Part of a science class unit ≥≥A showcase of the project as part of GOMAD 2016–17 creating a video about their planting and why they did Figure 3: Planting activities undertaken (Question 4) it Figure 6: Continuation of involvement (Question 7)

15 8. In your opinion what were the main outcomes for the students participating?

This was an open response with the following points: ≥≥Greater understanding of the importance of preserving our native species, especially considering ≥≥Developing a greater understanding of their local that our local environment is undergoing massive environment and the importance of planting plants urban development; a feel-good experience for many that are local to their environment of our students as they are able to make a positive ≥≥Developing a greater understanding of how the impact on our environment environments interact with each other; developing ≥≥Greater awareness of their school environment and of responsibility for looking after the garden; making issues concerning the area; participating in problem better connections between the unit of study and solving; awareness of community involvement and reality by the hands-on nature of the program, which how working together helps will benefit them in the long term as they watch the development that takes place ≥≥Improved self esteem, positive social interactions, greater understanding and appreciation of the natural environment ≥≥Connection to country for Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander students and increased awareness of change to local area fauna and flora ≥≥Increased knowledge of the local environment, the importance of biodiversity, teamwork and community mindedness

9. In your opinion does this program enhance the natural environment of the school?

While one respondent indicated that the plants died during a heatwave, almost all (95% – 18 responses) of the other respondents indicated that the CSS project enhanced the natural environment of the school. The 95% responses from the schools indicated the following of participants believe the reasons: plantings enhanced the natural environment ≥≥Increased bird life ≥≥Increased number of insects ≥≥Visually appealing ≥≥Positive comments of parents and guests ≥≥Raised awareness of reforestation ≥≥Adding to oxygen levels Figure 7: Enhancement of the natural environment (Question 9) ≥≥Promoting a sense of wellbeing ≥≥Natural area for students to explore and play in ≥≥Sense of pride in school ≥≥Welcoming entry to school ≥≥Increased biodiversity

10. How would you rate Greening Australia’s Their performance was rated at 91/100 (average of management and on-ground performance of the responses) with responses ranging from ratings of program? 70% to 100%.

16 SCHOOL PROGRAM FINDINGS RECOMMENDATIONS:

≥≥Schools engaged with the 1. Schools are well placed (with program for a number of reasons the right operational structures) and 90% of the schools continue to implement, support and, to care for their gardens either via most importantly, maintain student clubs and volunteers or small scale plantings for class learning activities. biodiversity conservation on their sites and should continue ≥≥School’s involvement in the to be a crucial target sector for planting activity ranged widely, biodiversity programs. from a ‘Green Club’ to the inclusion of the whole school and 2. Schools are important sites the parents of the students. for biodiversity conservation education and, although not all ≥≥Overall, there was a high level of schools participated equally, engagement and early results more investment in teachers’ indicate that surviving gardens professional development have started to create their own would generate further positive small ecosystems supporting outcomes on an ongoing basis. microhabitats, birds and insects. 3. If these methodologies for ≥≥Almost half of the schools biodiversity conservation are to embedded the planting activity be continued it is recommended as a pedagogical tool in the that consideration be given to school curriculum, indicating their supporting expansion of the intention to use this as a living schools programs into the local laboratory for education. community, to areas to which the students could walk.

Photo 1: Pitt Town Public School planting day event Image: Jen Dollin

17 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION: TARGET GROUPS Corporate Events

The CSS Community Corridor project The research team conducted 16 delivered 10 corporate events which individual face to face interviews engaged 300 participants in planting during these planting days at 3 activities located at the Greening separate events on 7 September 1 Australia Oxley Park site in the Ropes 2016, 5 December 2016 and 6 March site located in and South Creek Corridor. Oxley 2017. Interviews were conducted Western Sydney Park is located on Melbourne Street, after the morning briefing and as Oxley Park in the Penrith LGA and a break from the planting process is bordered by housing, sporting – responses to the questions were fields, the Great Western Highway recorded and transcribed for analysis. and Ropes Creek (a tributary to Participants nominated themselves South Creek connecting upstream to be recorded. Participants were at Llandilo). Greening Australia from the following organisations 10 occupies a site on Melbourne Street and all responses have been de- encompassing a small remnant patch identified: planting events of Cumberland Plain Woodland were held known as the Ropes Creek Green ≥≥Accenture Corridor (Map 4). The site was set ≥≥Allianz Insurance up for planting by qualified Greening ≥≥Extensia Australia staff, with site preparation ≥≥IKEA (weed control and hole digging) ≥≥NAB completed in advance. By the end ≥≥Teachers Mutual Bank of the corporate program 10,000 ≥≥Westpac 300 seedlings were planted with an overall survival rate of 80%. volunteers were involved in planting

10,000 native tubestock were planted

2016 - 2017

Map 4: Location of Ropes Creek, Oxley Park and corporate planting events

18 QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES The main forms of previous corporate volunteer activities listed by the The following is a primary analysis of participants were engagements the findings. with large charities and reputable not-for-profit organisations – the 1. Can you tell us about your large non-government organisations company and its involvement in Oz Harvest, RSPCA and Smith “We are a community volunteering events? Family were specifically mentioned. responsible company … they The types of activities previously Of the organisations participating, give us the opportunity to engaged in varied but had a strong 3 companies were global and have one day a year as an focus on social responsibility and 3 national in governance and employee to come out and do included assisting in soup kitchens, structures. All the organisations participating in community clean-up work within the community. involved supported at least one days and food drives and packing for I think it is pretty important employee volunteer day each year, homeless shelters and disadvantaged for companies to be socially with some encouraging their staff to groups. Free corporate volunteering do more in their personal time or also aware and corporate aware opportunities can also be difficult to providing an extra day. Many of the of not just the corporate access, with some organisations and participants described volunteering environment but other NGOs charging groups up to $100 under an overarching ‘corporate per person to come in and help: environments. A good social responsibility’ or ‘corporate company, a good cause and citizen activities’ banner and as “We have quite a large corporate happy we’re here.” part of their company’s strategy. citizen program … everyone is entitled The importance of corporates to a day a year where they can go and CORPORATE VOLUNTEER (Q1) ‘giving back to the community’ was do things. We have pretty big drives acknowledged as was the pride many along with things like food for the of the participants had in being able needy and packing boxes. There is a to be part of these events. good mix of things to do depending what you’re interested in.” The mechanisms and company structures for accessing and 2. How do you feel about your arranging participation in participation in today’s event? volunteering days varied with each “I think it’s great... People organisation. Some organisations All participants interviewed enjoyed want to get out and plant had formal engagement and the day and all but one were positive trees but they’re busy... It volunteers committees in place, about the CSS Corporate Planting helps the organisations that with opportunities broadcast via Day experience, seeing the day as a are trying to do these things internal intranet, and for others win-win-win for all involved. Many by giving them labour for volunteering days were arranged via could see the mutual benefits of small informal work groups (such as a contributing to the planting efforts of free.” graduate group) deciding collectively Greening Australia and giving back to what they wanted to do. There were the community while also using the CORPORATE VOLUNTEER (Q2) comments about the difficulty, for occasion as a team building exercise interested employers, of accessing and an opportunity to network with information about environmental other companies present on the day. volunteering. Event organisers who The preparation by the Greening were interviewed discussed finding Australia team was appreciated: out about the Greening Australia opportunity via internet searches, “I think it’s great. I think people who by contacting Planet Ark who especially work in corporate land personally referred them to Greening really need to have the opportunity Australia, searching environmental to incorporate what they want volunteering websites, and cold to do in their life in their working calling: environment. So the corporate partnerships are really important “I Googled tree planting volunteering because people want to volunteer. and it did not come up with Greening People want to get out and plant Q = Question number Australia. It came up with Planet Ark trees but they’re busy, because they and LandCare.” are stuck at their desks and often

19 they won’t have a chance to do this the mobility of native wildlife. So if outside of their working life because we can provide pathways for them, “You never really stop and of time pressures. It helps the fantastic, we need to do more of it.” organisations that are trying to do appreciate how diverse the these things by giving them labour 4. In your opinion do these country is, in terms of the for free.” corporate events enhance the species of plants and animals natural environment? that there actually are here There was one concern voiced that All those interviewed agreed that and the sorts of things that there were ‘lots of people and not enough work’ and one participant their volunteer work enhanced the they are under threat by as would have liked to have ‘done more’ natural environment. The majority well. Obviously urban growth and been more actively involved in of the participants expressed a wish is a huge factor but then just the ground preparation work: to come back in 5 to 15 years to see natural things like fire and how ‘their’ seedlings have grown and flood I just didn’t realise “You genuinely wonder how much what long-term impacts the work has you could get out of these people to had on the area: … you never really think to contribute and what you actually get put it in perspective that the out of them – it seems like there is “I think they really do. I think undergrowth needs a fire or a big imbalance. Like we could have sometimes people tend to sugar- flood to actually produce life.” covered that area over there and coat and white-glove the corporate that area over there and we are kind volunteers and yes we’re desk people CORPORATE VOLUNTEER (Q3) of planting on top of other people’s and there might be IT geeks but we plants at the moment.” actually want to do something. Put us to work properly. I think that more 3. What have you learnt about the could be done that way.” “Today alone … we came and bushland of Western Sydney? it was a blank canvas and There was some scepticism about the The educational component of planting activity, however: we’ve kind of already started the day was evident from all the filling it up. You need a lot of participants interviewed. Prior to “Yes I do, except it does feel like hands to make light work and participation in the event, knowledge we are planting over other people’s having a lot of people here all of Western Sydney’s bushland and plants. I see this block of land next pitching in … you’re helping the Western Sydney area in general to a building that isn’t moving and I’m wondering how many lots of the community by planting a was limited. Most of the participants cited facts they had learnt during volunteers have come in before us few trees and getting to know their morning orientation, including and planted the exact same stuff in new people … you’re also that there is only ‘5% left’ or ‘it’s the exact same spot and not achieved helping each other along the getting smaller’ when referring to anything.” way.” the Cumberland Plain Woodland. Many could link their new-found 5. Is there anything you would CORPORATE VOLUNTEER (Q4) knowledge back to the importance like to add about the program of restoration in a systemic way and today and how it has been spoke not just about planting native conducted? flora but about its importance for The feedback on the event logistics, “I think there’s an wildlife connectivity and mobility and management and organisation was the negative impacts of development opportunity to sort of grow very positive. There were numerous occurring rapidly across the region: it further. There’s obviously comments about the professionalism a lot that we can do here “I think roughly about 5% is left at and efficiency of Greening Australia, but it’s not advertised. I the moment. You can obviously see as well as compliments about the wouldn’t have heard about around you that there is a lot of urban friendliness and helpfulness of its this program unless we were and what not. So it’s important to try staff. For some, the issue of risk and rebuild some of this I guess.” for these types of events can be looking to do a volunteer a barrier for participation and the day. There is a potential for “I had a notion of lots of trees if you Greening Australia protocols and risk growing that noise.” come this far out… still horses and assessments assisted in navigating cows running around and there is this space. Many could see the CORPORATE VOLUNTEER (Q5) clearly not. I am really happy to be potential for further growth and a part of something that’s going further promotion of these activities to help something that’s critically to get more corporate groups from endangered. I’m passionate about their own companies and others

20 involved in supporting the restoration it provided a proper context to the in the paddock next door. The pre- efforts of the program: restoration work the volunteers were event preparation was significant. All there to undertake. For each event, the holes were pre-dug so as to make “It’s conducted really well … like small groups and individuals arrived, the day run as smoothly as possible. it’s quite enjoyable just to get out mostly by car, from across Sydney Greening Australia staff demonstrated and just to relax from the corporate and then loosely assembled in the how to plant and secure the seedling environment. I’m happy with it. It’s Oxley Park Nursery car park. There and explained the different type of good.” was an air of excitement and energy plants. The educational delivery by at the beginning of each of these the Greening Australia staff about “I am very impressed with the days. About a third of the participants the planting process was informative, participation. I wish we could get more wore corporate branded t-shirts and friendly and knowledgeable. While opportunities to do this sort of thing.” all were dressed in the required long instruction was provided on how to pants, appropriate footwear and an plant, the volunteers also learned FIELD STUDY NOTES AND assortment of hats. Knowledge about about how the Cumberland Plain OBSERVATIONS Greening Australia as an organisation Woodland was traditionally burnt The following are the observations and was minimal and there was little by Aboriginal firestick farming and field notes from the researchers on or no understanding about the how changing land practices, such site at the corporate planting events at endangered status and importance paddock slashing, encouraged weeds Oxley Park. The events had 3 distinct of the Cumberland Plain Woodland. to grow and proliferate, which is why phases: When asked what some risks may be the workers needed to install planting with planting, aside from snakes and guards and mats with the tubestock. 1. Arrival and Orientation spiders (with nervous laughter) one They also learnt how large the trees inner city volunteer was worried about would eventually grow and how far 2. Tuition the risk of ‘broken glass buried’. apart to plant the different varieties. In this session and throughout the 3. Planting 2. TUITION – ON SITE planting volunteers learned how the different sorts of soils of the 1. ARRIVAL AND ORIENTATION: “What’s wrong with blackberry?” Cumberland Plain Woodland produced OXLEY PARK NURSERY CAR PARK Corporate volunteer different plant ecologies and that the whole purpose of the planting was “Can I ask a dumb question?” … “I love “The idea isn’t to put all trees that are to establish corridors following the dumb questions” … “Which are the going to grow really big, or grasses lines of the creeks. These ecological trees?!” that are going to grow low. We want to concepts were later repeated by the make layers.” Greening Australia staff The introductory welcome and volunteers in the recorded interviews, reflecting their new learning. orientation given by Greening Australia Once the orientation was concluded staff was a critical part of the day as the groups walked to the planting site

Photo 2: A choreography of space and place in the Cumberland Plains. Image: Margaret Somerville

21 3. PLANTING – ON SITE site was a sea of planted tubestock CORPORATE EVENT FINDINGS: and tree guards. All the corporate “Plant heaps of trees while I’m gone!” events were held at the site (Photo ≥≥The CSS event planting had a Corporate volunteer walking off to 2 and Photo 4) which is a low-lying strong educational and social get a drink corridor along the Ropes Creek benefit for the volunteers and waterway. The creekline is beyond resulted in an immediate onsite The participants primarily undertook the power lines and the foreground is impact. planting with some watering on newly planted. the day. The weather was a major ≥≥Corporate volunteering events influence on the overall mood: at This stretch of Ropes Creek runs work well for large groups and the September and March events through the back of the Cobcroft substantial volumes of planting. participants were lively and talkative, family’s property in Melbourne However, with one-off events, mixing between companies and Street, close to the current Greening there are obvious limitations in working as small teams. However, Australia site (Photo 3). It is evident relation to ongoing weeding and during the very hot and humid event from the photo that widespread maintenance. in December, with temperatures clearing of undergrowth and river over 40 degrees Celsius, they were bank erosion have been part of the ≥≥While the planting activity noticeably quieter and worked in landscape for over 100 years. and the event as a whole were isolation. All of the groups were highly engaging for participants, very fast paced, with some friendly volunteers suggested extending competition between organisations the day to include more activities being promoted, to some extent, – which could include weeding at the orientation. Throughout the and site maintenance. day’s activity there was some natural uncertainty around the planting ≥≥Environmental volunteering exercise which was well supported and information about it are by Greening Australia advice – one not widely or easily accessible participant thought the blackberry for corporations and there are bush was ‘poison ivy’ and had a fear untapped opportunities in this of being ‘stung’. While the experience sector. was far removed from the city and the usual office environment there ≥≥Volunteers were very interested was an appearance of enjoyment and in the future of the site and camaraderie, with volunteers taking their particular planting efforts, lots of photos and ‘selfies’ of their expressing an interest in coming work. At the end of each session the back to the site at a later date.

Photo 3: Ropes Creek, Oxley Park circa 1935 (Courtesy Penrith City Library)

22 RECOMMENDATIONS: requirements for biodiversity conservation expands the 1. Acknowledging the issues of project’s reach beyond the risk management and funding, immediate funding period. This future program designs for also develops reciprocity and a corporate events could give small connection to place and to consideration to more than the bushland activity. planting and be expanded to weeding and site maintenance. A long-term plan for site monitoring, maintenance and weeding should be in place for sites which host corporate planting events.

2. Greening Australia could consider developing an advertising, promotional and social media campaign specifically targeting corporations, which would increase project accessibility.

3. Greening Australia (depending on resources) could follow up the planting day with details of the site’s progress and growth, and also outline further opportunities with participating corporates: This could be done very simply via an appropriate platform and include details of increasing biodiversity as the site grows. Creating soft linkages that highlight the importance of the long-term implications and

Photo 4: Oxley Park Greening Australia revegetation site Image: Brittany Hardiman

23 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION: TARGET GROUPS Bush Care Groups

EMU GREEN, RUSSELL STREET, EMU involved in planting native plants in PLAINS BUSH CARE the park behind their home. Two of the members interviewed became Bass Sydney Fishing Club were the involved because of their interest in 2 pioneers of bush regeneration and bush regeneration as well as fishing. sites located in inspired other clubs from the east One, a keen landscape gardener, Western Sydney coast of Australia to become involved wanted to combine his love of fishing in environmental volunteering. On with giving ‘something back to 14 June 2017, 5 members of the club, nature’. The other was specifically who were present at their regular seeking involvement in bush care bush regeneration morning at Emu when he saw a presentation by Bass Green on the Nepean River, Penrith Sydney Fishers, following a course LGA, were interviewed. While they he had undertaken, ‘fishers for fish 12 are beneficiaries of the CSS program habitat rehabilitation’. Three of in terms of plant give-aways, their the members are relatively recent planting events responses are about their bush migrants to Australia from Vietnam, were held regeneration activities in general Scotland and the Netherlands. The over their 6 years of operation bush regeneration activities offer and provide an insight into what them the additional bonus of learning contributes to a successful long-term more about Australia and joining Bush Care initiative. The following social networks around activities they is a de-identified summary of their believe in. responses to the 8 questions asked in 8 the interview. 2. Who participates in this program? volunteers were QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES The members of Bass Sydney Fishing involved in Club, who come from north, south, The following is a primary analysis of interviews east and west Sydney, take part in the findings. the bush care activities, joined by 2 members of the local community. 1. Can you tell us about your They reported that there are normally involvement with Bush Care? about 6 people who attend, with more on planting days, as planting All 5 interviewees had been involved tends to be a bit more interesting in the Bass Sydney Fishers bush 5,575 than pulling weeds. The sense was regeneration activities since 2011, that although they sometimes native tubestock when the club became involved think of the numbers as being low, were planted with the site at Russell Street, Emu they are actually in line with most Plains, on the Nepean River. The volunteer activities anywhere, reason for the club’s involvement with the numbers of volunteers in bush care was the desire to help that consistently turn up usually the native bass fish Macquaria( dropping to about 10% of the total novemaculeata) by improving their membership. With 30 members in 2016 - 2017 habitat. One member added that his the club, a regular attendance of wife is a keen gardener and they are 20% ‘should be applauded because

24 people have life going on so to make 4. How does this program help the with the question about enhancing those commitments and turn up local community? the natural environment, with the regularly is no easy feat’. positive impact on fish habitat and Although this was a difficult question the increase in the number of trees, 3. How does this program enhance for the interviewees because of insects and birds being part of the the natural environment? the lack of interest from the local whole ecological cycle. As fishers, community, they all agreed that their they noted the specifics of how fish All interviewees agreed that the bush care regeneration activities respond to the presence or absence main way that their activities helped improved the environment for the of shade: the natural environment was by members of the local community removing noxious weeds such as who use the area for recreation, such “They improve the habitat just by lantana, privet and balloon vine – as walking their dogs or riding bikes: making shade, and you know, bugs that are ‘choking the life out of our and so on, in the spring, and when riparian growth’ – and replacing “If you’re a botanist or you enjoy there’s hot weather, in the trees that them with native plants. Removing plants, you can now see native fall in the water and the fish benefit the weeds also allows native plants species. You can now see those little from that. When you’re fishing for to return through direct seeding. husks from the cicadas, lizards, little bass in the summer time and you’re The interviewees understand the colourful tree birds fly through. The using surface lures, you always limitations of ‘the little pocket that last time I was here at the water’s generally fish under the overhanging we’re working on’ but see this as edge there were kingfishers on my branches of trees. That’s because taking one step at a time as ‘it’s taken left, flying from a branch down into during the day the bass don’t like us two hundred years to get into the the water and pinging at fish and to be out in the sunny water, they problem we have. We’re not going flying back up. Another thing I saw always head for the shade, so that’s to fix it overnight, but you know, was a huge monitor lizard that had why we do it, it definitely does it’s like every journey, it starts with been drinking at the water and as I improve the habitat.” the first step’. While improving fish walked down it took off and climbed habitat is their main aim, this in itself up a tree. The place is more open, Another respondent explained in participates in ‘a whole little cycle’: you can feel the breeze, you can feel great detail the larger changes in the wind.” biodiversity he had experienced “Forty per cent of bass feed comes as a result of the group’s bush from insects falling into the water. The interviewees noted that ‘many regeneration work: So, with more native trees around, of the people we’ve spoken to over it attracts more insects, more birds, the last six years have been quite “I can still see a fantastic change. the birds attack the insects, they fall enthusiastic’, and remain ‘hopeful When balloon vine covers trees it in the water, it’s food for fish, so it’s a that some of that enthusiasm will rub blocks out the light and those lower win-win for us. It’s a whole little cycle, off on them and they might come branches get denied light, you don’t eh? It is, yes, and it’s not just for the and help’. They think ‘it’s really good get birds, you don’t get so much bass. If we have more trees planted for the children, just the younger folk insects, it’s almost nearly eerily quiet along the banks, it also helps the to come and see what’s happening and dead. When you just cut it all at habitat for platypus.” and what we’re trying to achieve’. head height and all that foliage dies They note with regret the ‘hoons’ that away and dies down and then falls One interviewee noted that the drive their 4 wheel drives through the down over time … and then we could plants have to be maintained until plantings but hope that eventually see more light coming through. We they get established, ‘by keeping the improved beauty of this site could see smaller birds from forests weeds away and in dry times will engage more of the community permeating and we could hear more watering them and trying to protect positively. Another interviewee birds, we could see the shells of them from vandalism, from other referred to the local community of cicadas whenever they come out animals like rabbits eating them... fishermen and the forces against and crawl up the tree, so we could we’ve got covers around the plants’. them. He feels that ‘doing these actually see that there was more So ‘the program enhances the natural little things not only helps the insect life. You could see lizards on environment because we’re limiting environment, helps our fishery, but the trees that weren’t there before the impact of invasive species, we’re also … I hope to increase our standing sunning themselves. We see more making space for native species, within the community’. butterflies coming through.” and by coming along every month for the last four years we’re able to 5. How does the program contribute The fishers group also believes get established native species and to biodiversity conservation? that its work contributes to larger prevent them being recolonised by biodiversity conservation by setting invasive species’. The larger question of biodiversity an example for other groups to conservation partially overlapped follow, and by the flow-on effect

25 of native plantings along the survival. Some also commented that waterways. they had learned a lot more about the relationship between the planting 6. How do you feel about your “Forty per cent of bass feed and fish – ‘... 40% of what the bass participation in this particular eat and the fishes eat in the river comes from insects falling program? comes from the trees that we planted into the water. So, with along the river’. Another interviewee more native trees around, it Bass Sydney Fishing Club is proud noted the motivation to learn more attracts more insects, more of its achievements in taking the – ‘the knowledge isn’t that you’ve lead for fishing groups in bush acquired absolute new knowledge, birds, the birds attack the regeneration. The club won a Fish insects, they fall in the water, it’s that you’ve acquired new Habitat Network Club of the Year knowledge that allows you to access it’s food for fish, so it’s a win- Participation Award for what it has more knowledge and appreciate it win for us. It’s a whole little done at the Emu Green site, and even if you don’t fully understand it’. cycle...” personally the members feel proud of their participation. They feel 8. Is there anything that you would BUSH CARE VOLUNTEER (Q3) satisfied when they remove noxious like to add about the program weeds and see native plantings and how it’s being conducted? thrive, and enjoy the socialising the work offers with a BBQ at the end The Bass Sydney Fishing Club noted of each bush regeneration day. They that they appreciate the support for “I can still see a fantastic particularly noted the satisfaction of their bush regeneration activities: change. We could see smaller seeing plants grow over time, with birds from forests permeating some trees in the planting now over “… We got some trees and some help and we could hear more birds, 10 metres tall. For those members from a professional organisation, they we could see the shells of who live in the city it provides them helped put them in and look after them. So, that has been really good, cicadas whenever they come with an opportunity to be in a natural environment: and I think, hopefully it will continue out and crawl up the tree, so or will go again, and I think more and we could actually see that “I’m from the Bankstown area. I more people, as I said, right across there was more insect life. would love to live around here. We Australia, are getting involved, and it You could see lizards on the don’t hear a thing, just a bit of the can only be a good thing.” trees that weren’t there before water at the background and the birds and the crickets and the cicadas And, finally, one interviewee spoke sunning themselves.” and stuff like that. So, yeah, it’s good about the significance of bringing his to be out and be here.” young daughter along and her early BUSH CARE VOLUNTEER (Q5) learning about fish habitat and bush One interviewee mentioned the regeneration: importance of acting on your beliefs and referred to the European Union “I can bring the family and they can Laws saying that countries had to muck in and pull some weeds or do “I’ve learnt a few new restore the rivers to original function some watering and my daughter likes things here that I didn’t and health. The activity of bush to do the watering with the watering know, like how deep to plant regeneration provides an opportunity can. I hold it and she just pours it or them, and you plant them to be ‘not just wishing for things to they can just come and do nothing 50mm below the surface, get better or adhering to more say, and then … but they get to spend a wee bit of time and see something so there’s a natural pool if healthier principles, but actually out here implementing them in practice’. else that’s not Sydney inner west. there’s rain and little things They get to see something that’s a like that, I think, which 7. Have you learnt anything from wee bit more country and hopefully help, you know.” this program? they pick up on the enjoyment.”

BUSH CARE VOLUNTEER (Q7) The interviewees said they had learned a lot about the different weeds and the different native plants and trees and how they function in particular environments. They noted the practicalities of how to plant the native plants for the best chance of

26 MELBOURNE STREET, OXLEY PARK, Park program was the connection ROPES CREEK BUSH CARE that environmental volunteering gave them to their surroundings – planting “Ropes Creek Bush Care is an trees is ‘good for the soul’. engagement and education program “I’ve been working with of Greening Australia to restore 2. Who participates in this program? Bush Care program for a this piece of state and nationally very long time, and still significant bushland and to create The number of volunteers that love Bush Care. This is a community awareness. The group’s participate in the Oxley Park program nice way to understand varies – ‘surprisingly sometimes overall activities include tree planting the ecosystem, understand and weed control to assist the we get seven or eight people’. regeneration of native bushland to Participants in the program come nature. I volunteer restore Ropes Creek Green Corridor.” mostly from outside Western Sydney especially at Bush Care as Greening Australia as these opportunities don’t exist one of the ways to get closer closer to their homes. to nature.” On 25 March 2017, a focus group was convened with Oxley Park 3. How does this program enhance BUSH CARE VOLUNTEER (Q1) Bush Care group – there was one the natural environment? volunteer along with two Greening Australia staff members who also The Bush Care program was participated in the activities. One identified as helping and enhancing of the staff members was the Bush both physically and socially. However “I feel confident that it’s Care supervisor for the day and it required ongoing funding and a part of something that’s the other was there as a volunteer. support: meaningful, it’s part of This is a new Bush Care group and “In a physical sense it enhances the something that’s connecting attendance at this site has been natural environment by introducing to activities that other inconsistent: some months no more native species into the volunteers turn up and other months people are doing and, as I environment, removing weeds there will be 8 to 10 participants. The said, it feels like it’s the last such as privet and noxious weeds. focus group’s responses are about buffer in Western Sydney So, in a physical sense it removes their bush regeneration activities in threats and promotes natives and almost. I quite like this general at the Oxley Park site and in a social sense, it encourages because it’s got a nice feel.” the CSS project. The following report an environmental mindset in the is a de-identified summary of their volunteers and the participants.” BUSH CARE VOLUNTEER (Q6) responses to the 8 questions asked in the interview. 4. How does this program help the local community? QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES It is the view of the focus group The following is a primary analysis of “In the Cumberland Plains participants that the local community the findings. … really harsh conditions is the ‘most important aspect of Bush … you have baking sun or Care’, not only for the physical labour 1. Can you tell us about your freezing winds, torrential involvement with Bush Care? that is required for carrying out a restoration program but because of downpours. So, it’s like, The 3 participants had differing the need to spread the message to we’re going to be cooked, levels of volunteer experience. One their families and the community. drowned, or flooded away.” volunteer was very new and had There is a pressing need to ‘recruit participated only twice before in more volunteers’ and for youth to BUSH CARE VOLUNTEER (Q7) the Oxley Park program, while the take up these kinds of activities. other two had been volunteering for many years on a range of Bush “Attracting volunteers, especially in Care programs, including this one. the Western Sydney area, it’s rather The new participant’s previous difficult.” experience with volunteering was 5. How does the program contribute more socially based, for example, to biodiversity conservation? participating in a soup kitchen or a scouts program. The driver for the “A self-sustaining bushland is what volunteers’ participation in this Oxley the goal is.”

27 The larger question of biodiversity “I’ve just been learning stuff about BUSH CARE FINDINGS: conservation partially overlapped certain plants not to plant under with the question about enhancing the powerlines because they’re just ≥≥Community Bush Care groups the natural environment. going to cause problems down the can have a deep and personal track. I look around and go, oh, the connection to their local places 6. How do you feel about your plants are all the same, but I think that extends over time. participation in this particular the most important thing I’ve got program? out of it is that the bush here has its ≥≥Functioning Bush Care groups are own look. It’s not like bush you’ll see well situated to offer both long- “I feel confident that it’s a part of somewhere else … we walked down term, ongoing action and one- something that’s meaningful, it’s part towards the creek this morning and off planting events to improve of something that’s connecting to he pointed out an area and said this connectivity in their local areas. activities that other people are doing is very typical of what it would have However, the commitment of and, as I said, it feels like it’s the last looked like a couple of hundred years volunteers can be sporadic and buffer in Western Sydney almost. I ago.” this sector can struggle with quite like this because it’s got a nice volunteer numbers over the feel.” “Sydney is going to doom a lot of long term, which limits their on- this and if you follow through these ground capabilities. One volunteer was more interested discussions about children being in the physical act of planting than in locked out of housing ... there needs ≥≥Bush Care groups offer learning the scientific background of to be more supply, I guess land … the general community an ‘how and why’. and this sort of land and other land opportunity for on-ground works around here is just going to … it’s at one site in their local place. “When I did the first day … he gave going to win.” me some really good publications ≥≥The participants have learnt a and – but I – look, I’ve put them to The resilience of the new broad range of new knowledge, the side and I really just concentrated seedlings and the existing stand including the importance on digging holes and sort of of Cumberland Plain Woodland of plants, differences planting.” was apparent, with ‘50%’ of the between natives and weeds new plants managing to survive It seems the satisfaction of and information about the even in the extremely hot summer participating in a program like environment more generally. conditions in Sydney across 2016/17. Bush Care is personal and does not One of the main benefits of the provide the ‘stories’ for when other program is its clearly evidenced “In the Cumberland Plains … really educational potential over a people ask, that participation in a harsh conditions … you have baking more overtly social program offers. long period of time – which is sun or freezing winds, torrential what is required for biodiversity downpours. So, it’s like, we’re going “When I was doing volunteering work conservation. to be cooked, drowned, or flooded in the soup kitchen, which was sort away.” of three times a week, I’d come home RECOMMENDATIONS: and you meet a lot of interesting 8. Is there anything that you would characters and people and things like to add about the program 1. Dedicated Bush Care volunteers and so there were stories to tell them and how it’s being conducted? every single night … whereas this is understand the long-term commitment required and need sort of once a month and they sort of The program is being seen as external support to enable say, what did you do and I said well, ‘creating connectivity’ across them to continue their efforts. planted some plants and whatever, the wide range of programs so, this is probably – does more for encompassed in the overarching 2. Upscale the promotion of me but it doesn’t do anything for Cumberland Stepping Stones environmental volunteering them sort of yet.” program. opportunities and activities 7. Have you learnt anything from with the corporate sector and this program? expand these networks.

The volunteers had a broad range of knowledge, including the importance of plant selection, the impacts of urban development and the distinctiveness of the Cumberland Plain Woodland.

28 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION: TARGET GROUPS Private Landholders

MULGOA CREEK CORRIDOR conservation outcomes on private property. Mulgoa Creek Corridor (MCC) is located in the Penrith LGA. It is NARRATIVE situated along private and public land encompassing 10km of Mulgoa Creek Fostering Connectivity Along ‘Our 2 and adjoins Mulgoa Nature Reserve. Precious Creek’ private Restoration and revegetation of MCC landholdings in commenced 20 years ago and has “… As a community we’ve heavily Western Sydney been an ongoing story of challenge, invested already in establishing collaboration and dedication. Twenty habitat and trying to improve the participating landholders have biodiversity of the vegetation on worked on the creek corridor itself Mulgoa Creek.” and have also worked to raise the Mulgoa Creek – ‘our precious creek’ profile of the creek corridor amongst – has itself generated a corridor 50 various government agencies. MCC opportunity as it remains one of the now appears on the New South native tubestock few places in the LGA with remnant Wales Government’s bio map, the vegetation that cannot be built on. were planted Biodiversity Incentives Offset map. The owner commented about this This has been good news for the MCC and is aware of the imbalance this because of the flow of funding for causes for the terrestrial communities weed management. of CPW through the current emphasis on riparian zone restoration: ““… As a community we’ve The work of the ongoing Bush heavily invested already Care group is supplemented by ‘terrestrial habitat is poorly opportunities externally funded by represented in conservation on the in establishing habitat a wide variety of organisations. On Cumberland Plain’. Concurrently, and trying to improve 22 February 2017, the research team she recognises that these undrained, the biodiversity of the flood prone areas exist only because walked over one of the properties vegetation...” with the owner (de-identified they cannot have a house, road or factory built upon them and that they here), who had lived there almost PRIVATE LANDHOLDER 1 her whole life. The following is a are therefore an opportunity for CPW storyline summary, highlighting restoration. She sees the value of what discourses the story employs the creek for landscape connectivity, to create a narrative about long- community engagement and as term biodiversity conservation a source of freshwater for the for this particular place. The story local wildlife during the long, hot demonstrates the importance of summers. Mulgoa Nature Reserve projects such as CSS Community is on the other side of her property Corridor feeding into the specific and she stresses the importance requirements of local places of corridors and connectivity in a and provides significant insights regenerating landscape: into how a concerted effort by “So we had a really big wildfire go local landholders, with the right 2016 - 2017 through in 2001 and you need an leadership, commitment and ingress and an egress for wildlife knowledge, can generate ongoing

29 to escape that fire and that’s why providing some degree of habitat – these connected corridor links are so shade for the native grasses coming important so that they can move out up underneath.” of these areas and then when there’s regrowth they can all move back in The MCC has 8 target weed species again.” which are the ‘real problem sort of ecosystem transforming type Predominantly, the restoration weeds’. These include woody weeds “... From where we stand here work along Mulgoa Creek has been such as privet, African olive and tree you wouldn’t have known weed management with some of heaven and vines such as bridal there was a creek. It was plantings, although there has been creeper and cat’s claw creeper. an emphasis on natural resilience The owner has taken a sustainable, literally dense – little ones, (Photo 5). The weeds are removed long-term approach in terms of big ones, and it required a and the native seed bank that is prioritising weed eradication in lot of chainsawing. There left in the soil will then be able to order to manage paddocks and wasn’t much in the way of germinate because of the changed livestock: native species. It was a bit of sunlight conditions. The objective “We’ve left those ones because it’s a labour of love and we have of the CSS Community Corridor is one that the owner sees as critical in shade for the horses and they’re in done plantings. Even these big raising awareness of the importance the paddock at the moment. But Eucs here, which are actually of connectivity in a fragmented and one day they will be gone as well an incorrect species but when struggling landscape. because they’re seed producing, we planted them they were very mature, old African olives. tiny and we didn’t realise Some – I think it was either National Parks or back in the day it was the we’d planted the wrong thing. Catchment Management Authority But still they’re performing – someone came out to my property a function of providing some for a different reason and said, ‘Gee, degree of habitat – shade for you’ve got really bad olive’. That was the native grasses coming up twenty years ago. I didn’t even know underneath.” what an olive was. I thought it was a native tree. I said, ‘You’re joking. Is that all weeds?’ PRIVATE LANDHOLDER 1 The owner has learnt, through ongoing action, about the crucial connections between weed eradication, ongoing management “... We have got and biodiversity conservation. She Photo 5: Mulgoa Creek running along predominantly native grasses has accepted that this endeavour private property is ‘a labour of love’ over time and ... a nice little macrofauna Image: Jen Dollin is not something ‘you could walk

lawn here – a marsupial lawn away from and take up knitting’. Tree-sized Weeds and Marsupial they call them I think – for These knowledges have emerged Lawns: Learning over time your little swampy (wallaby) and deepened with the seasons and that came hopping through.” “And from where we stand here you through years of working on and wouldn’t have known there was a with the MCC. They include a holistic PRIVATE LANDHOLDER 1 creek. It was literally dense – little understanding of the complex ones, big ones, and it required a lot interactions of an endangered of chainsawing. There wasn’t much ecological community that in the way of native species. It was comprises layers of grasses, shrubs a bit of a labour of love and we have and trees: done plantings. Even these big Eucs “So you can see through there that here, which are actually an incorrect it’s taken a long time, but we have species but when we planted them got predominantly native grasses. they were tiny and we didn’t realise Obviously we’ve got some annual we’d planted the wrong thing. But weeds coming back through, but a still they’re performing a function of nice little macrofauna lawn here – a

30 marsupial lawn they call them I think (Photo 6). The CSS Community – for your little swampy (wallaby) Corridor project supported Sydney that came hopping through.” Arbor Trees in installing a variety of artificial habitat hollows and, Creating Wildlife Corridors thereby, the Habitat Hollows program has provided the MCC “Because the beauty of it – and it’s with an important new focus on that old Aboriginal theory, it’s like restoration of habitat directly aimed you can’t take it with you. It’s not at mature old trees. yours. The land is not yours; it’s not yours to keep. You can just enjoy it while you’re here and while the opportunity presents itself. But you have to pass it on …”

The owner’s connection to the land and the wildlife moving through and living within it is a key inspiration for her work. She was very clear about her responsibility to, and relationship with, her environment and about her legacy in ensuring the ecological wellbeing of the property in the future. There was a deep understanding of the connectedness of this work and how, beyond her Photo 6: Trees over 100 years old vision for the immediate creekline, are increasingly hard to find on the this long-term dedication is part of Cumberland Plain Woodland. Stringy a larger, strategic connection for bark (Eucalyptus eugenioides )at the end Western Sydney biodiversity. of a row of old gum trees “It’s amazing, really, how well Image: Jen Dollin our wildlife have adapted

“It’s amazing, really, how well to such massive change in our wildlife have adapted to such massive change in Western Sydney. The owner was very concerned Western Sydney. And to And to think that we could still see about the issues associated with think that we could still see a a swamp wallaby this morning, mid- feral fox management and their swamp wallaby this morning, morning, it gives an indication that impact on native wildlife. She sees mid-morning, it gives an there’s quite a viable population still evidence of the impact of foxes indication that there’s quite a ‘everywhere’ – on her own and on and we just need to provide these viable population still and we core biodiversity [areas] … We see other properties. However, she does possums and we’ve seen the odd not hold much hope that there just need to provide these core wombat up my driveway. We’ve seen would be a targeted program in an biodiversity [areas] … We see echidnas. I would love, dearly love to urban location such as Mulgoa, given possums and we’ve seen the see platypus back in our creek. And the prioritising of areas that have odd wombat up my driveway. it’s not just about the stuff that we ‘bilbies and bettongs and things like We’ve seen echidnas. I that, which is fair enough’. She sees see – we’ve got goannas and all sorts would love, dearly love to see of stuff – but it’s about the stuff that foxes as creatures that are ‘not evil we can’t see or reptiles and birds or nasty’ but simply surviving in an platypus back in our creek that are carrying on their activities of ecology where they do not belong. ... that’s reward enough. It’s life that we don’t observe too often Given a choice between Western been a long-term project. It’s but we know that they’re there. So Sydney’s small mammals and native going to be a very long-term that’s reward enough. It’s been a species and foxes she believes project. We’re not finished long-term project. It’s going to be something needs to be done. yet.” a very long-term project. We’re not finished yet.” “… If the government tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘Here’s PRIVATE LANDHOLDER 1 On the property there has been a another quarter of a million bucks, loss of old trees providing hollows spend it,’ I would probably run a for possums, bats and parrots fox program on private properties

31 through here because – it was really Shale Cliffs: Am I making a better suddenly as well, so you’ve sad, the other day I was out at difference? just got to hang in there, keep another conservation property called doing what you’re doing, even if it’s Wallaroo and I saw three turtle nests The story and walk along Mulgoa just turning up once a month on a dug up and the eggs eaten. And I Creek finished at a new geological Saturday morning, and wait for your just thought this had got to stop. The formation – the Shale Cliffs. These moment.” other day, just over the weekend, last have recently been listed with the weekend I took – I’ve got a photo of New South Wales heritage register, it if you need it for your reporting as the only remaining example of – just where we parked our cars, a exposed shale cliffs in Western sugar glider tail. That’s all that was Sydney. The management of these, left.” for both Land Care and National Parks and Wildlife Services, has been Engaging Local Landholders difficult due to their instability. There is concern that the root systems “… It certainly is something nice for of the African Olive are possibly community to meet the neighbours supporting the cliff walls – when and have a common end-goal in a violent storm came through the terms of property management.” area the larger olives fell down and took ‘two huge chunks of this shale There are ‘at least a dozen’ active cliff with them’. Following a decision property owners involved in the MCC to deal with the issue, a team of and up to 20 who are supportive of ‘abseiling bush regenerators’ came the initiative but ‘don’t really want in: to get down and pull out weeds on their own property – too busy’. “It’s such a project. And then the This has been a process and project money runs out for five years so then that has been very slow both with I have to work out how we’re going building neighbourly connections to – and then we get some more and chipping away at the weeds. funding and we send the contractors back up the cliff and tell them to “People get quite suspicious of other kill a few more weeds. So it’s a bit people ringing them up and wanting sporadic but that’s the nature of to come onto their property and kill the beast, I’m afraid. There’s never weeds. They’re not quite sure … it enough money really…” takes many years and lots and lots of newsletters each month being The morning finished with the mailed out to people saying ‘come owner’s self-reflection on her work, and join in the fun and we can come achievements and failures over to your house and kill your weeds if the years, on the use of tax payers’ you want’.” money to support biodiversity conservation outcomes and on When properties change ownership, the question, ‘Am I making a as with the 100 acre historic holding difference?’. Her ongoing intentions across the road, new contacts were clear: have to be established and the process starts again. Among many “And you really can’t stop … So neighbours there has developed a there is that degree of responsibly great rapport and friendship, which to keep marching forward and know would otherwise not have happened. that if a government makes a really bad decision, and they do, that in “… That’s where we’re coming from – a couple of years’ time there’ll be a real sort of encouraging mentality another election, there’ll be new as opposed to a Big Brother type faces, and a new government and mentality where ‘no, no, you can’t people that will need convincing do that’. And you need to be that about what we’re doing. And so I’ve way because at the end of the day been around long enough to know property owners have rights, so you that things change for the worse, need to be encouraging as opposed but with a change of government to being a bully.” sometimes things change for the

32 REGENTVILLE LANDHOLDER first grant was around $10,000 and $5,500 of that money was spent on “You know my personal opinion is chipping olive and privet: that a lot of money gets spent on policies and no money gets spent “And we took all the wood out on actions, and it’s actions that ourselves and, of course we could are the only thing that will make a pull it all up from the creek with difference, and following through our tractor. And we would have – “… This is one of our and taking land owners, making day after day we would have the comments, is that how them carry out the regulations that paddock just laid out with privet and governments target funding, are in place, and that’s just not done that, and olive that we’d taken out.” it’s ‘Here’s some plants’, and because it’s too difficult.” we say, ‘Well what about the The owners have found that the The second private property visited grants are ‘very prescriptive and ongoing maintenance, what comprised of 5 acres in Regentville do not respond to the needs of the about the spraying, what in the Penrith LGA. The owners have localised place’. about the preparation …” been working along the creekline that borders the property for close The work at Regentville is done PRIVATE LANDHOLDER 2 to 20 years. They received their first without ongoing action from external grant 16 years ago. They neighbouring property owners, so have long and deep connections there is little opportunity to create a to the area, dating from the 1960s connected corridor. One neighbour and have a farming background and has been open to them working “… They [neighbours] don’t extensive Land Care experience. The across the creek on his property: property hosts a colony of wombats, do anything about it. We and is a corridor for wallabies and “This neighbour, he knows we do all had a talk to them the other a rich variety of birds, reptiles and this, so we clear all of this because day and they started to do this used to all be blackberry, and frogs. The owners’ primary focus something, and that’s all they agreed we could put a gate has been on weed eradication, weed they need to do to keep the management and flood mitigation. in the fence, when it was a proper authorities happy – they don’t They have just been introduced to fence, and we’d just bring the tractor the CSS project and have planted through with the slasher on it and have to get rid of it, they just their first lot of 50 tubestock. The slash. And then we’d come through have to be deemed to be doing interview took place on 22 May 2017 periodically and try and take out something about it.” and provides other insights into the more of the privet, and I’ve been coming through and spraying across challenges landholders face over PRIVATE LANDHOLDER 2 time in conserving CPW and their those neighbours’ fence …” difficulties when owners of adjoining It is the owners’ view that peri-urban properties are not interested in landholders have little knowledge restoration and conservation. about or incentive to manage their “If the landholders could be NARRATIVE weeds and that farmers ‘try and control what’s not good for their put in a position where they Assistance for Weeds and property, whereas all these city had to clear the privet and the Neighbouring Properties slicker owners couldn’t care less’. olive and the cestrum... ” For example, there is a 7 acre lot “… This is one of our comments, that backs onto the interviewees’ PRIVATE LANDHOLDER 2 is that how governments target property that is infested with green funding, it’s ‘Here’s some plants’, cestrum: and we say, ‘Well what about the ongoing maintenance, what about “… It is probably five acres of the spraying, what about the cestrum, they don’t do anything preparation …” about it. We had a talk to them the other day and they started to do As the owners ‘got older and we something, and that’s all they need got a little bit more time’ they to do to keep the authorities happy began to look for assistance with – they don’t have to get rid of it, they their property and found out that just have to be deemed to be doing there were grants available. Their something about it.”

33 Lucky Stones and Localised The owners’ knowledge of, and ≥≥The case study of MCC Flooding interest in, the local wildlife is similar demonstrates what is possible to that of the landholder in the first on private property when there The interviewees’ property is case study – a reflection of learning is a dedicated vision and local downstream from Glenmore Park, and observation over time. They leadership – the CSS project where a new housing development have an intimate knowledge of the feeds into and supports this commenced in the late 1970s. rhythm of the seasons, the birdlife work. The development has altered and the local fauna. They have downstream catchment flows and noticed in the last 12 months that ≥≥Private landholders, like Bush has had a significant impact on the deer have started to come through Care groups, have a deep and Regentville property. This small their holding. The site has been set connected understanding of creek system is impacted when up with biodiversity cameras and is the long term requirements heavy rains occur and the overflow monitored by Local Land Services for conservation gains and of from the Glenmore Park water (LLS). One of the local wombats had the importance of committing retention basins sends a rush of an infestation of mange and had patience and time to achieving water downstream, resulting in creek to be put down, but LLS provided their objectives. bank erosion and localised flooding. medication to assist the others. One of the ways the owners have While the owners appreciate swamp ≥≥In attempting to form a tried to mitigate these impacts is wallabies now coming into the area successful collaboration by shoring up the creek beds with they acknowledge the give and network, private landholders ‘lucky stones’ and logs. Lucky stones take that is associated with planting are dependent on the interest are round river rocks that have been restoration: of adjoining neighbours. When polished smooth by grinding over owners of adjacent properties other stones in the water over many “We have problems with young are not engaged in the project, years and they occur naturally at plantings – wallabies, swamp or do not understand the reasons this site. The owners add to these wallabies – they keep eating them, for environmental action, by locating free river stones on especially some of the particular the conservation work of the the ‘Gumtree’ classifieds website species that – I just can’t get it to individual landholder can be and collecting and installing them grow. And I can’t get a cover around isolating. (Photo 7). The logs have not been it high enough to stop them sticking successful – despite being wired their heads over the top and still RECOMMENDATIONS: and staked down, ‘by the time we’d eating it. See, when we first started, had a couple of flushes of water … the wallabies never came into this 1. Dedicated private landholders the flow’s been too great for them’. area …” understand the long term Erosion continues to be ‘the biggest commitment necessary to problem at this stage’. The owners were not very familiar the task of conservation and with the objectives of the CSS require devolved and flexible project. They expressed a desire funding that is responsive to to do more planting, however they their needs. require a lot more clearing before they can do so. Their one wish with 2. The promotion of regards to CPW restoration would environmental volunteering be: opportunities for, and activities, with the corporate “If the landholders could be put in a sector should be upscaled and position where they had to clear the these networks expanded. privet and the olive and the cestrum – cestrum first then the others.”

PRIVATE LANDHOLDER FINDINGS: Photo 7: Stone wall on creek bed Image: Margaret Somerville Wombat Hollow and Wildlife Habitat

“… I’ve lived in this area since 1960 and I’ve seen platypus and I know where they live, and it’s just fortunate that this one had come upstream for a while and then has gone back downstream.” Photo 8: Regentville property Image: Margaret Somerville

34 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION CSS Meta Level Evaluation

This section contains an initial meta 0%–100% on which to rate Greening and enhancement of the Cumberland level evaluation of the program Australia’s ‘management and on- Plain Woodland, crucially, these to answer the overarching study ground performance’. The average activities need to involve more than question: ‘Is community engagement rating for all the responses compiled just plantings within school grounds. and education an effective was 91%, with responses ranging The benefit of targeting schools for methodology for biodiversity from a low of 70% to a high of 100%. CSS is in the existing (and obvious) conservation?’. Key thematics The interviews conducted during educational approach to biodiversity considered in this framework corporate events concluded with conservation. Targeting the corporate included a consideration of the a general question asking, ‘Is there sector for one-off events fits within CSS process in terms of participant anything you would like to add the corporate social responsibility experience and design, efficiencies about the program or how it’s been and volunteering framework and with regards to different methods conducted today?’ Responses to is beneficial for single one day of engagement, effectiveness of this question indicated a generally large scale planting events. The the engagement method uptake, positive participant experience, with participant feedback indicated that and outcomes regarding on-ground 50% of respondents commenting on there is an opportunity for further impacts and learnings, including the professional management of the leveraging to be undertaken with this future opportunities. This framework project and the thorough knowledge sector, which has potential to grow has been adapted for CSS from and friendliness of the staff. These significantly with a targeted strategy Davidson and Wehipeihana (2010) responses are backed up by the for engagement and education. and the Europe Aid Cooperation research team’s field notes and Both the Bush Care and private Office. It is important to understand observations. In relation to the Bush landholder sites are places where that while initial comments can be Care groups and landholder activities the participants have made a long- made about overall aspects of the it is important to note that the CCS term commitment to biodiversity CSS program, the delivery and design program was integrated into their conservation. It is critical to recognise of the different group activities ongoing activities and so supported these ongoing commitments across means that direct comparisons are their long-term conservation work in local places and to continue to not relevant. critical ways. support these activities with larger initiatives such as the CSS project. 1. PROCESS: 2. EFFICIENCY: The main benefits are to shore up local activities and link them to the ≥≥How was the CSS project ≥≥What is the relationship between larger vision of connectivity and designed and implemented from the different methods of connections. the perspective of participants? engagement? (i.e. What was its quality?) ≥≥What is the benefit of each type 3. EFFECTIVENESS: ≥≥What was the participants’ of approach? experience of the process? ≥≥To what extent did the The CSS project demonstrated that engagement methods encourage It is possible to make comments there is a complementary relationship the target groups to take part in about the program process in between one-off engagement the CSS? relation to schools and corporate activities and ongoing long-term ≥≥How self-sustaining was the groups as a one-off activity on the actions and how, when thoughtfully activity? day, but it is difficult to distinguish implemented, they can supplement comments about the process of each other. The schools sector The answer to this question is the CSS program from the ongoing can offer both long-term ongoing different for each of the groups and activities of landholders and Bush action and one-off planting events. to a certain extent overlaps with Care groups. The online survey for However, for this to be significant in the findings above. For schools, schools offered a sliding scale of terms of biodiversity conservation it seems that where the program

35 is integrated into the curriculum 4. OUTCOMES: of the evaluation. All the target it has better long-term prospects sectors embraced the program for of ongoing engagement, but this ≥≥Was there any significant change different but equally valid reasons. is not clear-cut either, as student to on-ground biodiversity/ The performance of Greening clubs and so on might be just as vegetation as a result of the CSS Australia’s staff in implementing the significant: this effectiveness should project? project should be considered central be further explored. By targeting ≥≥How valuable were the outcomes to the project’s success with the schools, the CSS project was able to the participants? school and corporate sectors. The to tap into a long-term institutional provision of plants, logistics support, presence in local communities, As a result of the CSS project, risk assessments and, importantly, supported by an in-situ stream of there was an immediate output of funding ensured that the project was young environmental volunteers 75,000 seedlings planted across the accessible and affordable. and dedicated grounds staff. The target areas. How significant this prospects for self-sustaining activity will be to long-term biodiversity This study provides empirical in the school sector are strong for conservation remains to be seen. evidence, from a wide range of this reason, with opportunities to Again, the value of the outcomes respondents, that supports the extend beyond the school gates into for participants varies with the literature outlining the many the wider community. groups because of the questions challenges for long-term biodiversity concerning the one-off versus long- conservation outside of protected For corporates, the engagement term engagement distinction. For areas and reserves in Western methods were highly effective, with schools, the high level of continued Sydney. Urban development the important dimension here being student engagement (90%) and restricts the viability of large tracts to ‘convert the unengaged’, which high response by the teachers to of Cumberland Plain Woodland to they seemed, to some extent, to the question of whether this project low-lying areas that are sometimes do on the planting day. Information enhanced their natural environment flood prone and are usually located on the number of corporate (95%) indicate that the participants along the region’s riparian zones participants who follow up the day perceived a valuable outcome. and creeklines. All the community with ongoing environmental action Likewise, the corporate volunteers’ interviews were conducted on site and volunteering is not available, responses and researchers’ field along creeklines and/or rivers. but it would be good to know. The study notes indicated that they long-term viability of these events had experienced a valuable and The nature of each sector’s learning needs to be assessed over time and meaningful day. The Bass Fishers which is directly attributable to the is directly linked to site capacity Bush Care and the private landholder CSS project is difficult to determine. for ongoing weed maintenance participants witness substantial long- For schools and corporates this is and monitoring. For landowners, term changes in biodiversity because because of the one-off nature of the engagement methods depend of their close involvement with the their engagement with the planting on support and commitment over land over a long period of time – the and the limitation of the study a long period of time, but mostly, CSS project is a contributor but not a in terms of timing and gathering and crucially, on the involvement of driver for these groups. data. Learning gained is equally adjoining property owners, as the difficult to determine with regard to lack of involvement and cooperation 5. LEARNINGS: landholders, as they already know by neighbours means the task so much, and for Bush Care groups, becomes difficult or impossible. ≥≥What worked and what did not? as it is impossible to distinguish This factor is really obvious in the ≥≥What were unintended new learning from their ongoing comparison between Landholders consequences/challenges? learning. It is evident from these 1 and 2. For Bush Care groups the ≥≥What are future opportunities groups that ongoing learning and level of engagement depends on a for CPW biodiversity observation is essential for long-term number of personal and individual conservation in Western Sydney biodiversity conservation. People factors, such as time available, other for these methodologies? need to learn what biodiversity is, commitments, demographics, and how to recognise it, and what they social needs. However, support for The CSS Community Corridor can do in the long term to enhance the group, to enable them to sense project was successful in its aims of biodiversity, beyond just the addition the ongoing progress of their work, engaging the general, school and of more plants or more species of is crucial. corporate communities in practical plants. In conclusion, education and and immediate environmental action. observation, supported by strong Due to time constraints the long- networks of multi-sector alliances term impacts of this engagement aligned with strategic policy are key are yet to be understood and this to conserving biological diversity. has been acknowledged at the Agencies need to understand the beginning of the study as a limitation nature of ongoing learning over

36 a period of time and to develop RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY For example, there is a scattered strategies and action plans which AND STRATEGY: range of well developed resources align with this and include longer- and opportunities available for local term thinking and support for 1. Continue to support policy community and private landholders but these are not simple to access and ongoing maintenance and care. initiatives and mechanisms for are located across multiple agencies. the Cumberland Conservation KEY FINDINGS: Equally, there is a need to ensure Corridor via large scale that local communities are educated initiatives, such as the concerning the impacts of noxious ≥≥The Community Corridor Cumberland Stepping Stones, weeds and land clearing and that project effectively engaged that recognise the key role played requirements concerning these are with environmental action and by community engagement and clearly communicated and complied education across the target education. with at a very local level. groups and sites. The study found that each action group is 2. Recognise that enhancing RECOMMENDATIONS FOR equally important and that the ecological connectivity for FURTHER ON-GROUND ACTIONS: groups are complementary to long-term conservation of the each other as they bring different Cumberland Plain Woodland 1. Recognise the institutional knowledges and strengths to requires an ongoing commitment potential of schools as sites their local places. for weed management, for long-term biodiversity monitoring and maintenance as conservation which supports ≥≥Local commitments need to well as planting and education. enhanced connectivity: Schools be supported by appropriate should be supported with teachers’ local, state and Commonwealth 3. Develop flexible funding professional development and given strategies and plans that align mechanisms attuned to on- further opportunities to extend their with a long-term vision and ground reality and to different conservation efforts into local areas, beyond their school grounds, to which strategy for continued and requirements over time and students can walk. These efforts effective local action. Flexible and in different places: should be coordinated with Bush Care on-going funding mechanisms that groups and local councils to undertake support weed management and ≥≥Short-term, highly localised environmental restoration for ongoing maintenance are just as crucial for and site specific biodiversity beneficial environmental outcomes. conservation outcomes are biodiversity outcomes as is the provision of plants. New funding evidenced by the extent of 2. Upscale the promotion of arrangements could include more new CSS plantings. However, flexibility in devolved funding environmental volunteering ongoing maintenance and weed arrangements for on-ground opportunities and activities management is required to organisations, as well as including within the corporate sector and support these initial efforts and the facility to fund more strategic expand these to Bush Care and will need further evaluation. initiatives, to further targeted private landholder networks: research, provide assistance for local Consideration should be given to ≥≥Effective biodiversity leaders and private landholders to broadening corporate activities to conservation requires a long- develop networks, and direct funding include ground preparation, watering term commitment from the local into on-ground priorities. and weeding. This would require community and a combination further initial work and training but of knowledge, observation, 4. Consider the development of a would provide additional and much needed intensive labour for dealing leadership, patience and action. coherent framework for Western Sydney biodiversity conservation with weed infested areas. For large Functioning Bush Care groups scale environmental restoration and private landholders are and action, encompassing land and water systems, in order to in areas with already established community exemplars of how this Bush Care groups and participating leverage government priorities learning is enacted and school local landholders there is an sites have further potential. across a range of agencies to opportunity for corporate volunteers achieve systemic environmental to significantly add value to this benefits and biodiversity work. Networking and organisation outcomes: Supporting a viable would be required at the local level; Cumberland Plain Woodland in exemplars already exist in Western Western Sydney requires facilitating Sydney. the health of the waterways, as connectors with the larger terrestrial remnants of woodland, and liaising with private and public landholders. This will require a multi-stakeholder approach at all levels of government.

37 APPENDICES

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

≥≥Blackheath Public School ≥≥Blacktown Boys High School ≥≥Blacktown North Public School ≥≥Blacktown South Public School ≥≥Bringelly Public School ≥≥Cambridge Park High School ≥≥Casula Public School ≥≥Claremont Medows Public School ≥≥Dalmeny Public School ≥≥Emmaus Catholic School ≥≥Evans High School ≥≥Fairfield High School ≥≥Fairvale Public School ≥≥Glenbrook Public School ≥≥James Erskine Public School ≥≥Jamison High School ≥≥Katoomba High School ≥≥Kingswood High School ≥≥Kurambee Special School ≥≥Les Powell Special School ≥≥Lethbridge Park Public School ≥≥Mary Immaculate Primary School ≥≥Nagle College ≥≥Oxley Park Public School ≥≥Penrith Public School ≥≥Pitt Town Public School ≥≥Springwood High School ≥≥St Francis of Assisi Catholic School ≥≥St Marys South Public School ≥≥St Pauls Grammar School ≥≥The Lakes Christian College ≥≥Teddy’s Little Treasures ≥≥Verona School ≥≥Villawood North Public School ≥≥Wattle Glen Childcare ≥≥William Dean Public School ≥≥Wilmott Public School ≥≥Xavier College ≥≥Yennora Public School

Photo 9: CSS School Program invitation (Courtesy Greening Australia)

38 SURVEY MONKEY

Thank you for participating in the Cumberland Stepping Stones program. This short survey will take no longer than 10 minutes and allow us to evaluate the effectiveness of this program for biodiversity conservation. The research has been approved by the Human Ethics Officer (Application H11830).

39 40 Photo 10: CSS Corporate Program invitation (Courtesy Greening Australia) 41 CUMBERLAND STEPPING STONES CONSENT FORM:

Human Research Ethics Committee Office of Research Services Office of Sustainability Locked Bag 1797 Penrith NSW 2751 Australia Telephone: 02 45 70 1001 Email: [email protected]

Participant Information Sheet

Project Title: Focus Group Cumberland Stepping Stones Community Engagement and Education

Project Summary: Western Sydney University invites you to contribute in providing details of your experience in participating in the Cumberland Stepping Stones planting project conducted by Greening Australia. The project forms part of Australian Government’s 20 Million Trees Cumberland Conservation Corridor which aims to enhance ecological connectivity by revegetating 267 HA of cleared land in 3 regional corridors across the Cumberland Plain in Great- er Western Sydney. The research uses a place based methodology in seeking to understand the answers to the research question of “Is community engagement and education an effective methodology for biodiversity conser- vation?” The research study Principal Investigator is Ms Jen Dollin, Manager Office of Sustainability, Office of Pro Vice Chancellor (Education).

Who can participate in the Cumberland Stepping Stones Community Engagement and Education Project? Individuals who have participated in a Greening Australia Cumberland Stepping Stone Corporate Volunteering planting event.

What will participants do? You will be invited to participate in semi-structured interviews that will cover your involvement in the Cumberland Stepping Stones program. You will be asked about details of your experience with the planting program and to provide opinions on aspects of the project.

How is the study being paid for? The study is being sponsored by the Australian Government’s 20 Million Trees Cumberland Conservation Corridor project being implemented by Greening Australia.

How much of my time will I need to give? The interviews will range in time and take no longer than 5 minutes.

What benefits will I, and / or the broader community, receive for participating? The results will inform future projects and policy options for native revegetation of a critically endangered ecolog- ical community.

Will the study involve any discomfort or risk for me? If so, what will you do to rectify it? No there is no discomfort or risk involved. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw from the study at any time.

How do you intend to publish the results? The report will be presented to the Greening Australia and the Australian Commonwealth and be publicly avail- able. Approval can be sought from the funding body to use findings from the research for further publications. Please be assured that only the researchers will have access to the raw data you provide.

42 *Please note that the minimum retention period for data collection is five years.

Can I withdraw from the study? Participation is entirely voluntary and you are not obliged to be involved. If you do participate, you can withdraw at any time without giving a reason. If you do choose to withdraw, any information that you have supplied will only be used with your informed consent.

Can I tell other people about the study? Yes, you can tell other people about the study by providing them with the chief investigator’s contact details.

Data storage There are a number of government initiatives in place to centrally store research data and to make it available for further research. For more information, see http://www.ands.org.au/ and http://www.rdsi.uq.edu.au/about. Regardless of whether the information you supply or about you is stored centrally or not, it will be stored securely and it will be de-identified before it is made to available to any other researcher.

What if I require further information? Please contact Ms Jen Dollin should you wish to discuss the research further before deciding whether or not to participate.

Ms Jen Dollin Manager of Sustainability, Office of Pro Vice Chancellor (Education) Office of Sustainability 02 45 70 1001

What if I have a complaint? This study has been approved by the Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee. The Approv- al number is H11830.

If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this research, you may contact the Ethics Committee through the Office of Research Services on Tel +61 2 4736 0229 Fax +61 2 4736 0905 or email human- [email protected].

Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated fully, and you will be informed of the outcome. If you agree to participate in this study, you may be asked to sign the Participant Consent Form.

43 PARTICIPANT CONSENT FORM

Human Research Ethics Committee Office of Research Services

This is a project specific consent form. It restricts the use of the data collected to the named project by the named investigators.

Project Title: Cumberland Stepping Stones Community Engagement and Education

I, ______[name of participant] consent to participate in the research project titled Cumberland Stepping Stones Community Engagement and Education I acknowledge that:

I have read the participant information sheet [or where appropriate, ‘have had read to me’] and have been given the opportunity to discuss the information and my involvement in the project with the researcher/s. The procedures required for the project and the time involved have been explained to me, and any questions I have about the project have been answered to my satisfaction.

I consent to be (please tick) Recorded Interviewed

I would like a preview of the final report

This can be sent to: ______

I understand that my involvement is confidential and that the information gained during the study may be pub- lished but no information about me will be used in any way that reveals my identity.

I understand that I can withdraw from the study at any time, without affecting my relationship with the re- searcher/s now or in the future.

Signed:

Name: Date:

Return Address: Penrith (Kingswood) Campus: Building J, Level 1, Room: J.1. 18 Locked Bag 1797, Penrith NSW 2751 This study has been approved by the Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee. The Approval number is H11830.

If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this research, you may contact the Ethics Committee through the Office of Research Services on Tel +61 2 4736 0229

Fax +61 2 4736 0905 or email [email protected]. Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated fully, and you will be informed of the outcome.

44 REFERENCES

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Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy (2016) Biodiversity conservation. http://www. environment.gov.au/biodiversity/conservation

Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy (2010) Australia’s biodiversity conservation strategy. http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/publications/australias-biodiversity-conservation-strategy- summary

Cumberland Land Conservancy. 2016. http://www.cumberlandlc.org.au/under-negotiation.html

Caissie, L., Halpenn, E. (2003) Volunteering for nature: Motivations for participating in a biodiversity conservation volunteer program. World Leisure Journal, 45, 2, pp. 38–50. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/04419057.2 003.9674315

Fien, J., Scott, W., Tilbury, D. (2001) Education and conservation: Lessons from an evaluation. Environmental Education Research, 7, 4, pp. 379–395. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13504620120081269

European Aid Cooperation Office (2017), Evaluation questions by focus area. Viewed 30 April. http:// evaluationtoolbox.net.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20&Itemid=159

Greening Australia (2016) Cumberland Stepping Stones. Unpublished Proposal 2016, Greening Australia. Viewed 12 April 2017. https://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/project/the-cumberland-plain

Gruenewald, David. 2003. “The Best of Both Worlds: A Critical Pedagogy of Place”. Educational Researcher, Vol. 32, No. 4. 3-12.

Hamer, M., Lovell, S., Slotow, R. (2009) An assessment of the use of volunteers for terrestrial invertebrate biodiversity surveys. Biodiversity and Conservation, 18, 12, p. 3295. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10531-009-9642-2

Patrick, P., Matthews, C., Ayers, D., Tunnicliffe, S. (2007) Conservation and education: Prominent themes in zoo mission statements. Journal of Environmental Education, 38, 3, pp. 53–60. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.3200/ JOEE.38.3.53-60

Steffen, W., Sanderson, A., Tyson, P.D., Jäger, J., Matson, P.A., Moore III, B., Oldfield, F., Richardson, K., Schellnhuber, H.J., Turner, B.L., Wasson, R.J. (2004) Global change and the Earth system. http://www.igbp.net/ download/18.1b8ae20512db692f2a680007761/1376383137895/IGBP_ExecSummary_eng.pdf [This publication is an executive summary of the book: Global change and the Earth system: A planet under pressure (2004). Published by Springer-Verlag.]

Sauermann, H., Roach, M. (2013) Increasing web survey response rates in innovation research: An experimental study of static and dynamic contact design features. Research Policy, 42, 1(February), pp. 273–286. https://ssrn.com/ abstract=1618295

Somerville, Margaret. (2008). “A Place Pedagogy for ‘Global Contemporaneity”. Educational Philosophy and Theory 42(3), pp. 326 - 344

Sweeney, D and Pritchard, M. (2010). Evaluation Toolbox. Viewed 30 April. http://evaluationtoolbox.net.au/index. php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20&Itemid=159

Queensland Department of Emergency Services (2001) Charter for community engagement. Community Engagement Unit, Strategic and Executive Services, Queensland Department of Emergency Services.

Wilkins, S., Keith, D., Adam, P. (2003) Measuring success: Evaluating the restoration of a grassy eucalypt woodland on the Cumberland Plain, Sydney, Australia. Restoration Ecology, 11, 4, pp. 489–503. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ doi/10.1046/j.1526-100X.2003.rec0244.x/full

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