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.

What’s new?

Announcing the Speaker Program at our Sustainable Futures Festival.

In partnership with local community groups, sustainability entrepreneurs, small businesses and Council, the festival program showcases an outstanding line-up of speakers, displays, entertainment and activities to entice and excite us!

Save the date Sunday 11 September and join us at St Philip’s Christian College, Salamander Bay, Port Stephens.

Gold coin donation on entry then all speakers, workshops and tent talks are free! For more details and to register your interest see our Festival page.

NEWS FLASH

The Sustainable Futures Festival is excited to announce our special guest speaker, the 2022 NSW Australian of the Year – Professor Veena Sahajwalla.

International award-winning scientist, engineer and ‘Eco Alchemist’, Professor Sahajwalla has invented eco-friendly technologies for converting waste into products like steel and ceramics. We will hear about some of her ideas on how together we can reimagine our waste and shape circular economies in our own communities.

Our Network in Action

The Humpback Whale – a Marine Parks Association Project

A large model of a humpback whale will be used as an exhibit at the Sustainable Futures Festival on 11 September. After the Festival, The Whale will be as an educational tool, informing youngsters and adults around Port Stephens about our local marine environment. Read more

Get Involved: Benefits of collaboration

Look closely at the photos people dancing at the Sustainable Future Festival gala dinner launch and you will notice that many of the most energetic dancers happen to be members … Read more

Cool, calm and considered: a hazard reduction burn

Three such words are rarely associated with a burn off. Other words that came out of the mouths of Soldiers Point – Salamander Bay Landcare members included meditative, peaceful and … Read more

Voices of Woodville and Wallalong

Please support our members who are faced with rezoning proposals in the Williams River floodplain putting at risk livelihoods and threatened species. Even more farmland is being carved off into smaller lots – is Council going to support rezoning for housing development? Read more

Koala protection or mis-planned extinction?

Property developers, Ingenia, are seeking Council’s approval to change the previously approved ‘Boardwalk’ development. This plan would make it impossible for koalas to move across Tomaree Peninsula from east to west by creating a concrete jungle across this already narrow wildlife corridor. Help us stop the bulldozers! Read more

EcoUpdate highlights

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

Habitat relief for Squirrel Gliders

Squirrel glider populations in the Hunter are facing immense pressure from habitat loss. Read about the special project that is providing essential habitat and how you can get involved. Read more

Shorebirds: The Incredible Journey

Over 1,500 migratory shorebirds are present in Port Stephens over summer, making it the 2nd most important site in NSW. The longest continuous migration by a land bird was by a Bar-tailed Godwit called E7 whose total round trip was 28,500 km! Read more

The myths about Eucalypts – true or false?

Like any good myth, their origins often contain an element of truth. Eucalypts include some of the tallest trees in the world. Some eucalypts can shed branches. And koalas do eat eucalypts. But if you dig a little deeper, many eucalypt myths are based on gross generalisations, to the point of being quite misleading. Read more

Welcome