It must be the mid-spring productivity boost that’s in the air, the AABR hive is definitely alive with end of year activity; National and a Victorian AGMs, events across two states, a weekend wetland camp at Wiira-lo, two new information sheets and our plans coalescing for 2026 which includes forums, webinars and an AABRfest…exciting times ahead.
National
AABR Annual General Meeting
Saturday 8 November 2025 | 10am–12pm (AEDT) | Online via Zoom
Join us for a morning not to be missed — with insightful presentations and a constitutional refresh on the agenda. The AGM is your chance to hear the latest on AABR’s work, connect with fellow members, and help shape our future under a more streamlined constitution.
Our special presentation, Understanding Vegetation Shifts: Managing Vegetation Change under Current and Future Conditions, features Prof. Steve Hopper and Mark Schuster, facilitated by Tein McDonald. Together they’ll unpack how ancient landscapes and shifting fire regimes shape vegetation resilience and restoration across Australia.
Find presentation details, proposed constitutional changes and the full agenda here.
Accreditation Accolades
Congratulations -Damon Bassett, Joshua Shorrock, Matthew Kent and Remy Devaux
on attaining AABR Accreditation – Bush Regeneration Practitioner.
Assessors wanted (paid or volunteer)
The rate of applications for accreditation from businesses in the Sydney area is increasing! In anticipation of this continuing, we are putting out a call for Accredited bush regenerators who live in the Sydney area to consider whether they would like to train to join AABR’s Assessor workforce (either as a paid or volunteer assessor) . Email Tein McDonald
Our relatively new Customer Relationship Management system is showing that 50% of our members have not renewed this year. This could be because the email ended up in the spam/promotion folder.Research says use only 1 link/125 words to avoid the spam/promotion capture…maybe we used too many links and you missed the renewal notice.
We wanted to check that everyone who wants to be a member gets an option to renew, or if circumstances have changed to let us know, so here is a renewal (or not) option.
National Landcare Conference – Delegates’ reflections
AABR made a strong mark at the 2025 National Landcare Conference — sparking new conversations and spruiking bush regeneration on the national stage. The Next Gen Forum has inspired plans for youth-led Walks & Talks, webinars and a Youth Rep Program, all up for discussion. You can read the about the highlights from the delegates here
Got an idea for 2026?
The Walks & Talks team coordinate guided walks, site visits, and yarns that showcase ecological restoration in action, with a special focus on natural-assisted regeneration (bush regeneration. Fill in the future fun form to suggest an event.
In 2026, AABR turns 40. This milestone year deserves a big celebration and we want our members and friends to help shape it. Want to join the coordinating crew? Get in touch.
AABR Vic AGM
At the Victorian Branch AGM on 10 November, 7–8:30pm, Patrick Deasey and Mark Adams from the Chemicals in the Management of Biodiversity Working Group will launch two new information sheets: Alternatives to Glyphosate and Safe Use of Chemicals for Bush Regeneration Practitioners. They’ll share their insights and practical guidance for on-ground work that inspired them to create these resources.
Of course, no AGM is complete without reflections on the year past, plans for the year ahead, and the election of the 2026 Committee. All details and the nomination form are available here.
One Week Out from Wirra-lo… egads!
With the Melbourne Cup long weekend just a hop, skip and a trot away, now’s the time to lock in your plans, especially if you’re eyeing a weekend under the stars at the Wetland Revival Trust’s site at Murrabit West, Wirra-lo. It’s an affordable mini-break with maximum reward: camping with fellow bush regenerators, seeing firsthand how restored flows transform wetlands, and as a training weekend, it may even have tax-time perks!
We’ll be confirming numbers by Tuesday, so don’t delay. All the details are here.
Only two spots left for the final Vic Walk,Talk & Gawk (WTG) for the year
Save the date, mate… Vic Forum returns!
It’s on again, the AABR Vic Forum returns to Fitzroy Town Hall on May 8, 2026. Next year’s theme is grasslands, and we’re thrilled to be co-hosting with the Grassy Plains Network (part of the Victorian National Parks Association).
We’re calling for helping hands to assist with planning, organising and on-the-day magic. The first planning meeting is in early November, if you can help, contact admin@aabr.org.au or Suzanne on 0407 002 921.
Our forum co-hosts, the Grassy Plains Network have an abundance of grassland tours coming up
- Sunday, 2 November | 11:00 am – 1:30 pm Grassland tour – Illabarook Grassland Flora Reserve
- Thursday, 6 November | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Grassland tour – the Jollys’ Parwan Grasslands #2
- Saturday, 8 November | 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Grassland tour – Mccorkells Road
- Thursday, 13 November | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Grassland tour – Iramoo Wildflower Grassland Reserve
- Saturday, 15 November | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Grassland tour – Maidstone Street, Doreen’s, and Ajax Road North
This Sunday is the Great Southern Bioblitz at Lane Cove
and there are 5 spots left.
Saturday 15 November | Shortland NSW | Morning tea included.
Join AABR, the Hunter Wetlands Centre and ReCER for a morning in the field exploring how science and practice come together to combat Myrtle Rust. Hear from researcher Karina Guo on her work with Melaleuca quinquenervia (Broad-leaved Paperbark) and see experimental plantings that reveal early signs of resistance. The morning continues with a guided tour of the Wetlands’ impressive 45-hectare restoration—once a dumping ground, now an ecosystem of international significance.
Help shape the future of nature restoration in NSW
A message from Dr Paul Gibson-Roy
The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water are currently working to improve restoration capacity and outcomes in NSW – but we need your help to do this.
The NSW Plan for Nature aims to halt and reverse the decline in nature, with restoration and protection as key priorities. But right now, we don’t have a clear picture of who’s doing this critical restoration work.
That’s why we’re asking you to participate in this survey – to help us better understand the NSW restoration sector: who’s involved, how people are connected, what roles they play, and what challenges and opportunities they see.
Whether you’re a landholder, practitioner, researcher, community member, educator, or advocate — whatever your role, your input will be invaluable to us.
Participate in the Restoration Survey
- Landscape South Australia – Hills and Fleurieu lots of events that help landholders and the community care for land, water and nature.
- Restoration Decade Alliance
- Conservation Council South Australia
- Environment Victoria
- Conservation Council ACT Region
- Nature Conservation Council of NSW –
- Queensland Conservation Council
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