The volunteers assist landholders with revegetation projects designed to create habitat for wildlife, provide stock shelter, improve water quality and rehabilitate areas affected by erosion and dryland salinity. Projects may be self funded or have partial funding from Greening Australia or Local Land Services. Tube stock plantings that would take individual farmers and their families' weeks to finish can be completed in only a few hours. Landholders are responsible for all fencing and site preparation, sourcing trees, assisting on site and feeding the volunteers.

NSBG celebrated their 15th Anniversary visit on September 12-14th.

A unique and long standing relationship between two environmental groups - one from the country (BCLG) and the other from the city (NSBG) - and their respective councils continues to grow. Since 2000 NSBG have planted in excess of 40,000 plants around Boorowa on local properties and reserves. NSBG is particularly interested in developing habitat for our beautiful and critically endangered Superb Parrot.

This year NSBG planted 1000 native trees and shrubs to connect existing plantings at 'Hawk Hill' hosted by Elizabeth and Peter Mason. Later in the afternoon they admired the view from the top of Hawk Hill. The next day, hosted by Michael Corkhill, they planted 1300 trees and shrubs at 'Gilray' to rehabilitate two gullies that flow into the Boorowa River. They were treated to billy tea, sponge cakes and a delicious campfire lunch, all prepared by Michael. Trees were watered in with the local fire truck.

A simple ceremony to celebrate the 15th anniversary was held at 'Heathfield' at sunset, hosted by Steve and Lydia Jarvis. The ceremony was attended by volunteers from BCLG, NSBG, North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson and Boorowa Mayor Wendy Tuckerman. Heathfield's extensive tree plantings created a perfect backdrop. An updated Memorandum of Understanding was signed by all parties and framed certificates were presented. A BBQ dinner followed, sponsored by Boorowa Council and prepared by BCLG volunteers.

During the weekend NSBG carried out bird surveys at 5 sites they had planted years earlier. A relaxing Sunday morning was spent in town, scouring the antique store and craft shops for bargains, stocking up on local jams, honey and other produce. Before heading home, the group visited Boorowa's first conservation reserve at 'Red Hill'.

NSBG has prepared a poster display in the old NRMA shop window and has produced a special anniversary newsletter. Paper copies have been distributed to Boorowa businesses. The special spring 2014 edition: '15 Years-Building Bridges to Boorowa' can be downloaded from http://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/Waste_Environment/Bushland_Wildlife/Bushcare/Newsletter_Recommended_Reading

The Tzu Chi Foundation celebrated their 5th Anniversary visit on September 19-21st.

The Tzu Chi Foundation is a Buddhist compassionate relief charity whose existence is reliant on donations and the volunteer efforts of their members. The foundation dedicates itself in the fields of medicine, education, environmental protection, international relief work and the establishment of the world's 3rd largest marrow donor registry. It also promotes humanistic values and community volunteerism. This group is particularly interested in helping to restore land degraded by dryland salinity.

The volunteers are mostly International Students on their term break, whilst attending university in Sydney.

Some live in Sydney but others call Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Korea home. They camp at the Boorowa Central School over the weekend.

This year Tzu Chi volunteers planted over 900 trees and shrubs on the Pudman Creek at 'Springfield' and on the Boorowa River at 'Suffolkvale'. Farm manager Alan Munns and his staff hosted the volunteers for the day. A delicious vegetarian lunch was prepared by 'Pantry on Pudman'. Alan thrilled the visitors with a working dog demonstration. His talented collie brought sheep right down to this big group some of whom had their first experience holding a tiny lamb!

A celebratory dinner was held at the Top Pub, sponsored by BCLG and a community grant from the Bendigo Bank Foundation. The same grant covered the cost of a coach for the weekend, driver accommodation and also bought tools for the planters to use. Bright city lights usually hide the night sky where these volunteers come from; they were amazed to be able to identify the Southern Cross and Scorpio before heading off to bed.

The next day the volunteers planted almost 2000 trees along the Boorowa River at 'Strathmore'. Daryl Quinlivan, his family and friends were the hosts and prepared a home cooked vegetarian feast for the volunteers. The site is clearly visible from the Rye Park road. A dedicated Tzu Chi 'documentation team' visited sites planted several years ago to record progress and report online, to an international audience.

Yet again, Boorowa was at its best for our urban visitors; a patchwork of yellow canola crops, lush green pasture, golden wattles and new born lambs, topped off with sightings of Superb Parrots.

Whilst there are always new volunteers; many familiar faces, now firm friends, return year after year. Volunteer planting events are very enjoyable weekends. Our urban volunteers value the opportunity to help address environmental issues in the Boorowa region and thoroughly enjoy the local hospitality. Our rural landholders greatly appreciate the efforts of the volunteers and look forward to seeing them again next year. BCLG would like to thank everybody involved, for their ongoing support.

BCLG is seeking landholder hosts for volunteer visits in 2015. Expressions of interest are now being taken. The document 'Tree Planting with Volunteers' is available to assist landholders with preparation. The Tzu Chi foundation usually visits Boorowa in April each year with up to 50 volunteers and a large coach. NSBG will be back early next September with 2 small buses and about 35 volunteers. We are also keen to hear from local businesses who may like to support these events. Boorowa Community Landcare Group can be contacted at the Landcare/LSS office in the Boorowa Council Building. Call 6385 1018, or contact us via email landcare@boorowa.net .

- Boorowa Community Landcare Group