EcoUpdate: August 2026
August has arrived, and Port Stephens is buzzing 🌿
From community action and environmental projects to events and stories worth sharing, there’s lots happening across our beautiful backyard. Dive into this month’s EcoUpdate to see what’s making waves. 🌊
We invite you to join us for a FREE marine forum on Sunday 23 August at Tomaree Library, with local experts to tackle our marine challenges, and examine just how resilient our coastal and marine environment is to these escalating threats.
You can take action for conservation to save Link Road Forest, support the PolyGone Project and we need your help in objecting to the Bobs Farm Sand Quarry. 📝✍️
Recent NSW incidences of H5 bird flu among Greater Terns is very concerning. We bring you the latest on what’s happening and what’s at stake at Port Stephens. Although the current risk of bird flu to people is low, it is a major threat to wildlife. Please remember if you see sick or dead marine birds, domestic birds or marine mammals to AVOID, RECORD and REPORT on ☎️ 1800 675 888.
It might feel a tad cold at the moment but spring 🌺 is around the corner. In this EcoUpdate, we’ll explore some inspiring ways to make the most of the end of winter like joining one of numerous wildflower walks (but be quick as there are limited places left), and we have plenty of bird updates.
Liz Wynn & Sue Olsson
Co-editors
Feel free to send any suggestions to ecoupdate@econetworkps.org.au
Next issue, submit stories by Sunday 30 August to ecoupdate@econetworkps.org.au
EcoNetwork Port Stephens presents: The resilience of our coastal and marine life 🐢 🦪 🌊 🪸
Sunday 23 August 2 – 4pm Tomaree Library
Celebrate Landcare — some of the Port’s great groups 🌱 🚶🏼♀️➡️🚶♂️➡️👏🏼
Birding is booming 🦜 🪶 👀
Discover Tomaree in bloom late winter, early spring – limited spots available 🪷 🌸 🌼
Across the Tomaree Peninsula our extraordinary wildflowers are bursting into colour. Enjoy one of several short walks, a day walk, or download the pamphlet and explore on your own or with a friend.
Mighty magpie duets 🎶 🐦⬛ 🎵
EcoNetworks’ founder Darrell Dawson dedicates his recent experience of a beautiful magpie duet in honour of the Raymond Terrace NRL magpies.
Take ACTION for conservation 📣 📣
Proposed Bobs Farm Sand Quarry – your support is needed by 12 August
This land is habitat for several threatened species, koalas, powerful owls, bats and squirrel gliders, and a critical link in the north-south corridor. 50 unique objections are needed for this development to be considered before the Independent Planning Commission. Can you help write a brief objection in your own words?
Save Link Road Forest – sign the ePetition by 13 August 📝
Help protect one of the Hunter region’s most important remaining natural areas — a large and largely-intact native forest spanning approximately 574 hectares across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie which is home to two endangered ecological communities and at least 17 threatened species, including koalas and squirrel gliders.
PolyGone Project needs your help 🌱 🪻
A pretty purple pea, Polygala myrtifolia, has escaped from gardens to invade the Shoal Bay west dunes, Tomaree Headland, Zenith Beach and coastal patches around to WA, replacing the native vegetation. Friends of Tomaree National Park diligently remove it from the park, one day it may have a biological control. Find out about the PolyGone Project and how you can help with just a simple signature.
EcoNetwork Port Stephens submissions to government agencies championing our environment and sustainability are here.
Story updates
Mambo update: people power, reason prevailed ✅ ✅
Our voices were heard. 👏🏼 THANKS to the community and Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group, Port Stephens Council has committed NOT to build on the wetlands buffer zone near the Salamander Bay Town Centre.
We CALL ON COUNCIL to now PROTECT ALL the buffer for the FUTURE, to confirm rezoning to Environmental Conservation ~ then these battles do not reoccur.
H5 bird flu a major threat to wildlife across Australia 😷 ☎️
Bird flu in NSW is now confirmed from four mortalities in two Greater Petrels nearby at Hawks Nest, and two Giant Crested Terns on the South Coast. In Port Stephens, land and island managers jumped into action.
Do you know what’s happening and what’s at stake for our Port Stephens wildlife?
Eco-extras 📢 📢
- Varroa mite breakthrough with ABC July 2026
- Bird curiosities – How birds sleep on branches and How birds make large sounds
- Submissions close 1 September for Port Stephens Council Community Support Fund (Round 1) with funding up to $6,000 per application
- Submissions open 1-30 September for Port Stephens Council Environmental Projects Fund with funding available between $1,000 – $5,000 per application
Community calendar
AUGUST
Wed 12 August WALK: Spion Top, Kariong Brisbane Waters National Park 🚶🏼♀️➡️ 🚶♂️➡️ 🌳
Wed 12 August REMINDER to make a submission, due TODAY, to help stop the Bobs Farm sand quarry 📣 📝
Wed 12 August Mambo & Soldiers Point Council Landcare Activities 🌱
Thu 13 August REMINDER to sign the ePetition to protect Link Road Forest 📧 📢
Sat 15 August In Stream Convergence: Poetry and science in response to art 🧑🏼🎨🖌️
Sat 15 August Friends of Tomaree NP at Fingal South 🐬 😎
Sat 15 August deFashion Dungog celebrating eco + sustainable wearable artworks / outfits 🤠 💜
Sun 16 August WALK Tomaree NP: Wildflower colour, curiosities & learning short walk 🌺 🌼
Mon 17 August Friends of Tomaree NP in Boat Harbour vicinity 🧑🤝🧑🌳
Wed 19 August Mambo & Soldiers Point Council Landcare Activities 🌱
Thu 20 August Friends of Tomaree NP at a beach in North Tomaree 😎 🐚 🌱
Fri 21 August Friends of Tomaree NP at Fingal South 🐬 😎
Sun 23 August FORUM: EcoNetwork Port Stephens presents: The resilience of our coastal and marine life 🐢 🌊 🦪 🪸
Tue 25 August Port Stephens Council meeting discussing Mambo Wetlands – we need you there
Wed 12, 19, 26 August Mambo & Soldiers Point Council Landcare Activities 🌱
Wed 26 August WALK: Wildflower Wander, high & low trails, full day, Tomaree National Park 🌼🚶🏼♂️➡️🌸
Fri 28 August Friends of Tomaree NP at Fingal South 🪴
Mon 31 August Tomaree NP: Wildflower colour, curiosities & learning short walk 🚶🏼➡️🪷
September
1 to 30 September Submissions open for Port Stephens Council Environmental Projects Fund 💰
Wed 2, Sat 5 September Mambo & Soldiers Point Council Landcare Activities 🌱
Sat 5 September Tomaree NP: Wildflower colour, curiosities & learning short walk 🚶🏼♀️➡️ 🌺
Sat 5 September Friends of Tomaree NP at a beach in North Tomaree 🐬
Sun 6 September Friends of Tomaree NP at South Tomaree 🪴
Promote your environmental events on our community calendar
We welcome submissions to include your environmental or sustainability event for promotion within our Community Events Calendar and regular EcoUpdates.
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EcoNetwork Port Stephens
Our Vision: Ecologically sustainable communities existing in harmony with the natural environment.
Our Purpose: To support our members and to educate and advocate on environmental issues that impact Port Stephens communities.
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