An eco-friendly welcome

Welcome to EcoNetwork Port Stephens, a not-for-profit and 100% volunteer-run organisation dedicated to the interest of all who treasure and want to preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of our Port Stephens estuary, peninsulas and rural hinterland.

Port Stephens contains diverse landscapes including native forests, sand dunes, mangroves and wetlands as well as unique offshore reefs, islands and marine habitats. Our local community has the challenge to protect these natural assets from the ongoing pressures of unsustainable development, tourism and water-based activities.

EcoNetwork Port Stephens, in partnership with many local affiliated groups and businesses, is also closely involved with current statewide, national and global environmental emergencies such as habitat destruction, climate change and plastic pollution.

Join us and enjoy sharing your experiences, expanding your knowledge and contributing to the healthy and happy environment that is Port Stephens.

Our Network in Action

EcoNetwork founder Darrell Dawson wins Port Stephens Freeman Award

In 2023, EcoNetwork Port Stephens celebrates its 30 year anniversary. So this has been a most fitting moment to recognise the founder’s commitment and successes and to celebrate his efforts by awarding him the prestigious Freeman of Port Stephens. Read more

Mambo Walks – World Wetlands Day 2023

Join Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Group on one of their walks and talks at Mambo-Wanda wetlands to celebrate World Wetlands Day in February 2023 Read more

PSC Draft Development Control Plan 2014 – Amendments

Port Stephens Council is proposing ‘Housekeeping’ amendments to the DCP processes. These include substantive change to aspects such as tree management. Read the joint TRRA/EcoNetwork submission. Read more

An alliance for threatened species in a warming world

Coordinator of the Hunter Community Environment Centre, Jo Lynch, leads a coalition of groups, including EcoNetwork, planning to save threatened species in the Barrington to Hawkesbury Climate Corridors, Read more

Community to have their say on Tomaree Lodge

At long last the NSW Government is taking action to determine the future of the Tomaree Lodge site located at 4 Shoal Bay Road and has opened a community consultation process which runs until Friday 6 January 2023. Read more

EcoUpdate highlights

Coal faces reality

Protesters will not close the Hunter Valley’s Mount Pleasant coalmine.
In fact, they won’t close any coalmine.
Never have. Paul McGuire shares his opinion on why the Mount Pleasant Mine expansion at Muswellbrook should not go ahead. Read more

Four local marine species listed in Action Plan

Iain Watt describes the Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park as having the ‘rather ignominious honour’ of hosting 4 of a total of 8 marine species on the priority list in the recent ‘Threatened Species Action Plan.’ Read more

Gardens that can withstand holiday neglect!

Sometimes people say … ‘I can’t have a garden, it’s too much responsibility and I like to go away on holidays’. Little do they know, it is possible to have the best of both worlds! Read more

Shorebirds: can we do more to protect them?

The third and final article in Neil Fraser’s series on the shorebirds of Port Stephens looks at the international agreements for protecting shorebirds. The conservation status and some of the key threats are discussed. Read more

Wildlife heroes saving our Wombats

Did you know we have the only dedicated wombat hospital in Australia right here in the Hunter? Meet the special people who made it their mission to keep our wombats alive. Read more

Welcome