It’s been a big winter across the AABR network and this month’s update is packed with inspiring presentations, exciting milestones and fresh opportunities to get involved.
In this issue:
- We’re calling for speakers on shifting vegetation patterns and fire regimes
- Inviting input into AABR’s upcoming 40th anniversary celebrations
- Announcing our Annual General Meeting for 8 November and seeking webinar presenters on Vegetation shifts.
- Highlighting innovative restoration tools, cultural fire knowledge and resilience-based practices
- Celebrating a growing ERIK fundraising total
- Plus—job opportunities, upcoming events, and a fresh look at flora protections in Victoria
Grab a cuppa and catch up on AABR’s work regenerating community.
As always, if you have ideas, event tips or feedback, we’d love to hear from you.
Two newsletters, One Mission- keeping you in the loop
AABR now has two ways to keep you in the loop. Our new quarterly newsletter, The Bush Regenerator, dives deep into best practice and bushland stories, while this monthly e-news keeps things short, sharp and current. Got a name idea for this e-news? We’d love to hear it! More info
Save the date- AABR’s AGM – Saturday 8 November
AABR’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday 8 November, 10am–12pm AEDT, and all members are warmly invited. We’re also reviewing the AABR Constitution, so if you’ve got feedback or suggestions, please contact Suzanne by Friday 12 September. The details for the constitutional review and meeting links are here. Find out more
Be part of AABR’s 40th Anniversary celebrations_
AABR turns 40 in 2026, and we’re planning a year-long celebration! We’re calling for volunteers to help design a national calendar of field days, webinars and storytelling events. If you’ve got skills or just heaps of passion, we’d love to hear from you.m. Register your interest here. More information about the volunteer roles can be found here
Let’s work together to honour the past 40 years and set up the next 40.
Call for Event Ideas – Help Shape AABR’s 40th Anniversary Calendar!
Got a site to showcase or a tricky patch that could use fresh eyes? As part of our 2026 anniversary celebrations, we’re building a national calendar of events and we want your ideas. Field days, project spotlights, restoration workshops, if it champions bush regen, we’re keen to hear it. The Walks & Talks Working Group are coordinating a calendar. You’re invited to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) with details of your proposed event
Let’s make AABR’s 40th year a milestone to remember… together!
Webinar Presenters Wanted: Shifting Vegetation & Fire Regimes
Australia’s native vegetation is changing, and we want to talk about it. AABR is planning a webinar series on how climate, fire and other pressures are reshaping plant communities, and we’re calling for speakers from across regions and roles. Got insights, experience or ideas? Get in touch and help spark the conversation. More information.
WANTED: Apprenticeships for Bush Regenerators!
The bush regeneration industry is being sidelined—again. Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management (CEM) has been quietly removed from the national traineeship list, limiting the growth of our skilled workforce. The Federal Government is now reviewing apprenticeships—this is our moment to speak up.
More information and Discussion Papers . Submit your feedback by 17 October 2025
ERIK Fundraising Update – $3722 raised so far
We’re thrilled to share that $3,722 has already been raised to support the ERIK project, AABR’s new online hub for best-practice restoration knowledge. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far! Read more about the ERIK project or Donate here
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is a global call to action, an urgent reminder that we have until 2030 to restore degraded ecosystems and safeguard biodiversity, climate, and community wellbeing. Across Australia, bush regenerators are on the frontlines of this effort, using skilled, low-impact techniques to support nature’s own recovery. As an official Actor in the UN Decade, AABR plays a vital role in scaling up restoration by promoting a resilience-based approach, enhancing understanding of ecological processes, championing best practice, and equipping practitioners with the tools and networks to restore Country with care and integrity.The ERIK project will be a significant contribution to the UN Decade.
Innovation Driving Resilience in Restoration- RegenTV
The final videos from the 2024 Innovation in Conservation Symposium, co-hosted by TAFE NSW are now online. They highlighted bold new approaches to ecological restoration. The presentations showcased how new ideas and traditional knowledge are shaping the future of bush regeneration. From cultural fire as restoration (Den Barber) and adapting bush regeneration to a changing climate (expert panel), to innovative tools like the Hollow Hog (Matt Stephens) and targeted monitoring of the eastern pygmy possum (Chelsea Costello), each talk highlighted practical examples of resilience-based restoration in action. Together, they reflect AABR’s commitment to the SERA National Standards, strengthening best practice while engaging communities and practitioners in restoring ecosystems. Visit regenTV.
Understanding Victoria’s Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act
Recent changes to Victoria’s FFG Act are reshaping how protected flora is managed on ground. Ecologist Matt Hall breaks down what’s changed, what’s weakened, and what practitioners need to know when working with threatened species and ecological communities. A must-read for anyone restoring bushland in Victoria.
NSW/ACT Branch Meeting Recap – 2 September 2025
From regional outreach and signage to 40th anniversary plans and insurance headaches, there’s plenty happening in the NSW/ACT Branch. Read the full update to see what’s brewing.
Bush Jobs
- Teaching opportunity: Part-time CLM Teacher Role at TAFE NSW (Ryde)- Got teaching experience in conservation and land management? Or know someone who does?
- Muru Mittigar: Conservation Supervisor
- Big Scrub Regeneration Pty. Ltd.: Supervisor – Bush Regenerator
- Dragonfly Environmental Pty Ltd: Site Supervisor
- BARRC: Bush Regeneration Team Members Sydney / Central Coast Team & Mid Coast Team
Upcoming Events
Hosted By AABR
- Bush Regen Pub Trivia Night – Friday 5/9/25, from 5:30pm Yorkshire Stingose Hotel, Abbotsford, Vic
- Rethinking Habitat Management for Threatened Reptiles and Frogs east of Melbourne – Saturday 13/9/25, Vic
- Wetland Vegetation Restoration Techniques – Wirra-lo Camp – 1-3/11/25, Vic
- AABR’s Annual General Meeting – Saturday 8/11/25, Online
- Cultural Fire & Landholder Stories: The Christmas Hills Landcare Experience – Sunday 16/11/25, Vic
Supported by AABR
Treasure Hunt with Tech – Saturday 13 Sept, 10am-12:30, Landsdowne Reserve, Bass Hill, NSW
Hosted by e-ngos
Victoria
Big amphibians in the Kimberley: Magnificent Tree Frogs and Cane Toads, presented by Stephanie Deering University of Canberra (Frogs Victoria)
Wednesday 3rd September 2025 – The Elgin Inn, Hawthorn
From 6:30 pm – Talk starts 7:30 pm
Birrarung River Fest:Saturday 6 September to Sunday 28 September .For more information and a list of events https://www.riverfest.org.au/ .Presented by the Yarra Riverkeeper, get involved to celebrate the life force of our Yarra, Birrarung river at the 2025 Birrarung Riverfest. Book now for one of 65+ events being hosted over three weeks ending on Sunday 28 September which is World Rivers Day.
Fun with Frogs Victoria – 11am-1pm, Sunday 21st September – (Frogs Victoria) Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary RSVP HERE
Victorian Weeds Conference 2025
Wed, 22 Oct, 8:30am – 5pm AEDT
Hotel Bellinzona, Hepburn Springs VIC, Australia
https://events.humanitix.com/victorian-weeds-conference-2025
The conference will cover a variety of topics related to weed management, including the latest research and best practices for controlling weeds in Victorian landscapes. You’ll have the opportunity to hear from industry experts and network with other professionals in the field.
Western Australia
Dieback Working Group’s annual DIG Conference –
23–25 September 2025 | Murdoch University, Boorloo (Perth)
Attend in person or online Book your tickets are more info here: https://www.dwg.org.au/dig-2025/
A leading national event that brings together researchers, land managers, Traditional Owners, policymakers, and community members to tackle environmental biosecurity challenges head-on.
This year’s theme, “Strength in Our Roots,” highlights the importance of grassroots leadership and community-driven action in protecting our natural ecosystems. Through collaboration and knowledge-sharing, we can build stronger foundations to address threats like Phytophthora Dieback and other plant diseases and pests.
Conservation Connections
AABR is a member of several state-based conservation groups. The following are links to their activities
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