Ecoportal

North East Regional Sustainability Alliance (NERSA) Bi-monthly meeting
2024-10-08 10:00 - 12:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | CSU Go TAFE Wangaratta Campus, Tone Road, Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia
The North East Regional Sustainability Alliance (NERSA) is a network of community sustainability groups which acts collaboratively with communities, agencies and organisations across the region. Meetings are held every two months. Anyone is welcome to attend.
This meeting will be held in the video-conference room at the GoTAFE/CSU campus in Wangaratta. You may join us face to face or zoom in. Please contact Jenny Davies for the zoom link. Email address: jdjbdavies@gmail.com

Albury Wodonga Sustainable Living Festival
2024-10-12 10:00 - 2024-10-13 15:00 | Hovell Tree Park, Hovell Tree Park, Hovell Tree Drive, Albury, 2640, Australia
The annual Albury Wodonga Sustainable Living Festival will be on October 12 and 13 at Hovell Tree Park, as part of Riverside Vibes.
There will be a variety of workshops across the two days on gardening, electric vehicles, efficient electric homes, induction cooktops, local threatened species, soft plastic recycling and how to compare energy retailers. The full program and times are available here.
There will also be a variety of stallholders to chat with, including suppliers and local community groups.

Spider Night Walk
2024-10-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Gordon Craig Park, Lawrence Street entrance, Wodonga, Victoria, Australia
Please note this event has booked out.
Join us for a spider-spotting night walk at Gordon Craig Park, Wodonga.
With huntsman specialist Eathan Douglas, this nocturnal adventure will include:
• Spotting spiders in their natural surrounds
• Expert insights into spider species, habits and homes
• Photography tips for capturing our eight-legged friends from photographer Craig Loechel
• How to share your own spider observations as nature records using iNaturalist
🚶‍♀️ What to expect:
• Slow-paced exploration, spider spotting and discussion
• We’ll be walking mostly on paths and some uneven surfaces off the path
• Enhanced appreciation for these fascinating creatures

⚠️ Note: This event is for spider admirers only. Arachnophobes, this is not one for you!
🎟️ Limited spots available! Please register at events.humanitix.com/spider-walk

🔦 Bring:
• A torch if you have one
• Camera/phone (optional)
• Wear: weather-appropriate clothing and closed shoes or boots

📍 Meeting Place:
The Lawrence Street entrance to Gordon Craig Park (park along Lawrence Street, please).
Google map: maps.app.goo.gl/psP8Pokbq8rrpoTe9

For further information contact Wodonga Landcare project officer, Karen Retra on 0428 629 099 or karen@wodongalandcare.org.au

🕸️✨ Don’t miss this chance to see spiders in a whole new light! 🕸️✨
Fabulous banner image on the booking page by Craig Loechel

John Paul Memorial Lecture - Deep nature connection: caring for nature in crisis
2024-10-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Online
‘We cannot protect something we do not love, we cannot love what we do not know, and we cannot know what we do not see. Or hear. Or sense’ – Louv.
Nature needs us more than ever – and we need nature. As we face the increasing biodiversity crisis fuelled by environmental destruction and climate change, deepening our connection with nature is vital. By deepening our understanding of nature, we can better protect it.
How do we encourage more people to connect with nature? How do we inspire people to care? And how does this relate to private land conservation and restoration efforts across Victoria and Australia more broadly?
On 17 October, 7pm AEST, join us for a free webinar on Zoom to hear from three experts whose work focuses on human-nature connection: Lily van Eeden, Claire Dunn and Fiona Murdoch.

Invertebrates of Nail Can Hill and Beyond – presentation
2024-11-13 17:30 - 18:30 | Albury Council Building, 553 Kiewa St, Albury, NSW
Join us for an enlightening talk with naturalist Peter Ewin as he discusses the fascinating invertebrates he’s encountered on Nail Can Hill and beyond, including critters from his own backyard.
With over thirty years of experience in biodiversity with the NSW Government, Peter has transformed his passion for nature into a rewarding career. A resident of Albury for nearly a decade, his enthusiasm for birds has blossomed into a deep appreciation for the world of invertebrates — think butterflies, dragonflies, and everything else that piques his curiosity!
Whether you’re a seasoned nature enthusiast or just curious about the little wonders of our ecosystem, this talk promises to inspire and inform.
Venue: Robert Brown Room, Albury Council, 553 Kiewa St, Albury.
Tickets: $5 – bookings essential here: events.humanitix.com/invertebrates-presentation
This event is hosted by Gardens 4 Wildlife Albury-Wodonga (a Wodonga Urban Landcare Network Program) and Friends of Nail Can Hill, with generous support from AlburyCity and West Hume Landcare.

Understanding the Private Lives of Backyard Birds
2025-02-27 18:00 - 19:00 | AlburyCity Council Office, 553 Kiewa Street, Albury, New South Wales, 2640, Australia
**FULLY BOOKED- WAITING LIST PROVIDED**
Join Wodonga Urban Landcare Network for the first Garden’s for Wildlife – Albury Wodonga event of the year!
We’re lucky to be joined by Associate Professor Melanie Massaro from Charles Sturt University, who will be presenting on ‘Understanding the Private Lives of Backyard Birds’. As a teacher of ornithology, conservation and ecology, Melanie has a wealth of knowledge and an incredible passion for all things birds.
Come along to learn about the beautiful birds in our backyards, why they do what they do and to ask any questions you might have.
Please note that tickets are free but limited to bookings, so please book your place as soon as possible.
Bookings: events.humanitix.com/backyardbirds
For further information contact WULN project officer, Rhiannon Khoury at rhiannon@wodongalandcare.org.au
Thank you to Albury City Council for supporting this initiative.

Information Evening – Landcare on Bears Hill
2025-03-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Felltimber Community Centre, 189 Melrose Drive (cnr Melrose Drive and Felltimber Creek Rd), West Wodonga, VIC, 3690, Australia
Are you passionate about protecting the natural values and beauty of the Bears Hill Reserve in Wodonga?
Would you like to create a positive impact in your local community?
Come along to our information night to learn more about
– the WREN (Wodonga Retained Environment Network) from Andrew Griffiths – Team Leader, Parks and Natural Resources, Wodonga Council.
– WULN (Wodonga Urban Landcare Network) from Facilitator – Jo Vincent
– and meet our motivated group coordinator, Sharon and consider joining our new group ‘Friends of the WREN – Bears Hill’.
Why get involved?

Help protect and enhance the local reserve near our homes.
Connect with neighbours and make a difference in the environment
Collaborate with Wodonga Council on conservation efforts.

What We’ll Do
🌱 Plant native trees and shrubs to restore habitats.
🌿 Remove invasive weeds to promote healthy ecosystems.
🤝 Volunteer together once a month or fortnight – flexible schedules for everyone!

All community members welcome! No experience needed – just a love for nature and our local environment.

Come along to find out more. Please register here.

Kremur Street Lagoons Walk, West Albury
2025-03-09 09:00 - 13:00 | Kremur Street Lagoons
Join the Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for a walk at Kremur Street Lagoons. We will explore the fauna and flora in this area of the West Albury Wetlands, adjacent to the Murray River
Meet at Kremur Street boat ramp at 9am, Sunday, March 9, 2025
Pets are not permitted on AWFN field excursions
For further information about the outing Telephone: 0490 497 032

Mt. Buffalo National Park walk
2025-03-22 09:30 - 15:00 | Mt Buffalo National Park, Mount Buffalo Rd, Mt Buffalo, Victoria, 3740, Australia
Join the Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for a walk in the Mt. Buffalo National Park. We will explore the flora and fauna in this National Park
Meet at the Porepunkah Public Toilet Block carpark near the Ovens River at 9.30am on Saturday 22 March 2025.
Pets are not permitted on AWFN field excursions
For further information about the excursion Telephone: 0428 235 964

Rutherglen Bird Photography Weekend
2025-03-29 - 2025-03-30 | Rutherglen, Australia
Love birds and nature? Want to improve your photography?
This relaxed bird photography workshop is a great opportunity to spend a weekend in nature, photographing birds, learning about photography and sampling delicious local food with likeminded people.
This event is designed for beginners, hosted on the property of Ian Congdon and Courtney Young from Woodstock Flour, guided by Canberra bird photographer, Olivia Congdon. The focus will be on having fun and providing you with everything you need to know when delving into bird photography as a hobby.
No level of experience is required (with birdwatching or photography), but it’s recommended that you have a DSLR camera with a zoom/telephoto lens of 200mm or longer. A shorter lens is okay – but you’ll get more out of it with a longer lens.
Register and more info

Off-Grid Living Festival 2025
2025-04-12 - 2025-04-13 | Chiltern Race Course, Racecourse Road, Chiltern, 3683
A Weekend to Celebrate & Investigate Sustainable Living
10 Festival Areas – 8 Talks Stages – Over 150 Workshops – Live Entertainment – Great Food & Drinks – Waste Free and Loads of Family Fun!
At the Off-Grid Living Festival we seek to inspire people to take new step towards becoming more sustainable each year. We don’t just talk about the problems at this event, we offer great solutions, and we make it fun and attainable to all with a great mix of education and entertainment throughout the festival.
The decision to go off-grid or live more sustainably might be for personal freedom, fun and adventure, a desire to live closer to nature, reduce bills, or it might come from a deeper feeling of guilt about your impacts on the earth. For us, it’s all of these things and more, and when we focus on the specific areas we can improve – taking one step at a time, it’s easy to feel the progress and be proud.
We invite you to come to next years festival with an intention. Think about which areas you’re going to focus on improving. How many steps can you take, and where are you willing to invest your time, money and efforts?
Find out more and book your tickets: www.offgridevent.com.au

Charles Sturt University Wetlands walk, Thurgoona
2025-04-13 09:00 - 15:00 | Charles Sturt University Wetlands, Thurgoona
Join the Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for a walk at the CSU Wetlands, Thurgoona. We will explore the fauna and flora in the area.
Meet at the CSU carpark, Milawa Drive, Thurgoona, at 9am on Sunday, 13 April, 2025
Pets are not permitted on AWFN field excursions
For further information about the outing Telephone: 0490 497 032

Sandy Creek and Lockhart’s Gap Rd. walk, Victoria
2025-04-26 10:00 - 15:00 | Sandy Creek, Victoria
Join the Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for a walk at Sandy Creek and Lockhart’s Gap Rd. We will explore the flora and fauna in these areas.
Meet at the Sandy Creek CFA Fire Station at 10 am on Saturday, 26 April, 2025,
Pets are not permitted on AWFN field excursions
For further information about the outing telephone: 0409 954 476

Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park
2025-05-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Check the event listing for venue details, Australia
Monthly field day Saturday 3rd May, meeting at 9am at Chiltern Post Office. a mix of activities, weeding, nestbox monitoring, and a Chiltern Bakery morning tea.

Eldorado, Victoria, walk
2025-05-10 10:00 - 15:00 | Eldorado, Victoria
Join Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for a walk at Eldorada in Victoria to explore the fauna and flora of the region.
Meet at the Eldorado Toilet Block carpark. at 10am on Saturday, 10 May, 2025.
Pets are not permitted on AWFN field excursions
For further information about the outing Telephone: 0418 384 303

Bright area, Victoria, walk
2025-05-24 10:00 - 15:00 | Bright area
Join the Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for a walk in the Bright area to explore the fauna and flora of the region.
Meet at the Porepunkah Public Toilet carpark at 10am on Saturday, 24 May, 2025.
Pets are not permitted on AWFN field excursions
For further information about the outing Telephone: 0429 446 383

Fungi kingdom presentation
2025-05-25 11:00 - 13:00 | Thurgoona Community Centre, 10 Kosciuszko Road, Thurgoona, NSW, Australia
Join fungi enthusiast Tracie MacVean for this illustrated seminar on the diversity and curiosities of the fungi kingdom.
Topics include:
* The major fungal groups
* Roles in nature
* Fungi anatomy and identification
* Common edible and poisonous mushrooms
* Legality of collecting
* How to create spore prints
* Basic mushroom cultivation
* Common and uncommon fungi local to region
Accompanying this seminar is an array of fresh fungi collected from the region (depending on availability) and photographs by Tracie.
You will also have the opportunity to buy framed spore prints and other mushroom stuff.
This event is not suitable for young children

10/10 Leadership - Youth Climate & Resilience
2025-05-28 09:15 - 16:30 | Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre, 33-37 Ford Street, Wangaratta, 3677
A FREE one-day leadership program for 15-25 year-old changemakers in Wangaratta and surrounding rural townships!
👉Care about the environment? Want change? Think things can be better!?
👉Ready to step up, make a difference & turn ideas into action?
Join the 10/10 Leadership – Youth Climate & Resilience program!
This 1-day intensive is designed to help you build skills, connect with others & take real action on the issues you care about. If you’re 15-25 and ready to make an impact, this is for you!
✅ Hands-on Leadership Workshop – Learn how to take action on issues you care about
✅ Your Ideas → Your Impact – Develop your passion into real projects
✅ Like-Minded Crew – Connect & collaborate with other young leaders
✅ Practical Support – Tools, resources & expert guidance to help you succeed
✅ Completely FREE

WHEN & WHERE:
Wednesday 28th May, 9.15am – 4.30pm
Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre
👉You don’t need to have a big idea or a plan to participate! This program will help you discover what matters to you & explore ways to take action
👉Spots are limited!

Register your interest now

Need more info? Contact Zaylee Saint-James Turner | environment@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

Fungi and tree foray Mount Bogong
2025-06-01 11:00 - 13:30, 2025-06-05 11:00 - 13:30 | Check the event listing for venue details, Australia
Join fungi enthusiast Tracie MacVean and arborist Tristan Black on a walk to learn about the diversity and curiosities of trees and the fungi kingdom.
Learn about the anatomy of mushrooms and their relationships with plants and walk away with the basics of how to identify mushrooms in the field. Discover how to contribute to our understanding of native fungi by becoming a citizen scientist and sharing your observance on platforms such as iNaturalist.
This walk will take place in the native wet sclerophyll forest, within 20 minutes from Tawonga. Exact location will be disclosed within two days before the event.

Fungi and tree foray Yackandandah
2025-06-02 11:00 - 13:30 | Check the event listing for venue details, Australia
Join fungi enthusiast Tracie MacVean and arborist Tristan Black on a walk to learn about the diversity and curiosities of trees and the fungi kingdom.
Learn about the anatomy of mushrooms and their relationships with plants and walk away with the basics of how to identify mushrooms in the field. Discover how to contribute to our understanding of native fungi by becoming a citizen scientist and sharing your observance on platforms such as iNaturalist.
This walk will take place in the native wet sclerophyll forest, within 10 minutes from Yackandandah.
Roughly 2 and a half hours each walk.
Public toilets will be nearby.
This event is not suitable for young children.
Limited numbers available, please contact if you would like to book a group.

Albury City World Environment Day - Bat Night
2025-06-05 16:30 - 18:00 | Kremur Street Boat Ramp, 419 Kremur St, West Albury, 2640
To celebrate World Environment Day, join our environment team for a walk & talk along the river to learn about the Grey-headed Flying-fox and other local wildlife that call Albury home.
Come take a closer look at Australians largest bat the Grey-headed Flying Fox, learn about their home at Leaney’s Bend and watch the ‘fly-out’ spectacle as thousands of bats take off for a night of foraging.
We will walk along the shared path, where there is a slight incline to get to the viewing platform overlooking the camp. Participants will walk back in the dark spotlighting for animals as we walk back to our meeting location.
It is important to note that this event will return after dusk and all children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The event may be cancelled if poor weather is forecast.
Please sign up via the Albury City event page.
Meeting Point: Kremur Street Boat Ramp https://goo.gl/maps/CkuV8zpx1LGoj7u47
What to Bring: Warm clothes/Beanie and a headlamp or torch.
If you have any questions, please contact us 02 6023 8111.

Wonga Wetlands walk cancelled
2025-06-08 10:00 - 15:00 | Wonga Wetlands, 2377 Riverina Hwy, Splitters Creek, NSW, 2640, Australia
The Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists walk at Wonga Wetlands is cancelled due to a weather forecast for wintery rain showers, wind gusts, and possible thunderstorms on Sunday 8th June 2025.
For further information about the outing Telephone: 0400 141 181

Fungi and tree foray - Clover Arboretum
2025-06-11 11:00 - 13:30 | Check the event listing for venue details, Australia
Join fungi enthusiast Tracie MacVean and arborist Tristan Black on a walk to learn about the diversity and curiosities of trees and the fungi kingdom.
Learn about the anatomy of mushrooms and their relationships with plants and walk away with the basics of how to identify mushrooms in the field. Discover how to contribute to our understanding of native fungi by becoming a citizen scientist and sharing your observations on platforms such as iNaturalist.
This walk will take place at Clover Arboretum, which offers a collection of exotic trees and is surrounded by wet native forest. There are also plenty of fungi to be discovered.
Roughly 2 and a half hours each walk.
There are no toilet at this site.
This event is not suitable for young children.
Limited numbers available, please contact if you would like to book a group.

Beechworth area walk
2025-06-28 10:00 - 15:00 | Beechworth, Victoria
Join the Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for a walk in the Beechworth area, to explore the fauna and flora in the area
Meet at the Beechworth Court House, Ford Street, Beechworth at 10am on Saturday, 28 June, 2025.
Pets are not permitted on AWFN field excursions
For further information about the outing Telephone: 0490 497 032

Fungi & Tree Tour – Woomargama – Morning
2025-06-29 11:00 - 13:30 | Check the event listing for venue details, Australia
Join fungi enthusiast Tracie MacVean and arborist Tristan Black on a walk to learn about the diversity and curiosities of trees and the fungi kingdom.
Learn about the anatomy of mushrooms and their relationships with plants and walk away with the basics of how to identify mushrooms in the field. Discover how to contribute to our understanding of native fungi by becoming a citizen scientist and sharing your observance on platforms such as iNaturalist.
This walk will take place in Woomargama National Park, which is the largest protected area of forest west of the Great Dividing Range.
Roughly 2 and a half hours each walk.
This event is not suitable for young children.
The GPS coordinates for the meeting location is 35.89838° S, 147.33619° E
Please note there is not much reception for this area. Please be prepared for winter weather conditions.
25% off for return attendees, please contact for a discount code.

Fungi & Tree Tour – Woomargama – Afternoon
2025-06-29 14:00 - 16:30 | Check the event listing for venue details, Australia

Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park, Field Day (morning)
2025-07-05 09:00 - 12:00 | Check the event listing for venue details, Australia
Monthly field day : Saturday 5th July . Meet at 9am at Chiltern Post Office.
Activities: Removing olives at Mt Ochtertyre Scenic Reserve. Bring a mattock, gloves, sturdy shoes, warm clothes. ‘Friends’ will provide morning tea, BYO beverage.

Birdlife Ovens and Murray July outing: Warbys-Ovens NP
2025-07-06 09:00 - 14:00 | Warby Ranges
A birding adventure in the Killawarra section of the Warby-Ovens NP with the potential to head up onto the Warby Range section. Led by Darcy Creece from the Birdlife Southern NSW Birds on Farms team.

Date: Sunday 6th July
Time: 9am - to at least lunchtime between 1-2pm
Meeting point: The Forest Camp in the Killawarra section of the Warby-Ovens NP.
Bring: binoculars, clothing suitable for the weather, good walking shoes/boots, morning tea and lunch,
a chair

NB: There is no obligation to stay for the duration of the outing: you can stay as long as you like and
leave when it suits you. Just let someone know you are leaving

Please contact ovensmurray@birdlife.org.au
