Category: Autumn 2025

Nature Kids Autumn 2025

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Turn awe into action for our flora & fauna

When is bad news also good news?

In 2024, 21 animals, 20 plants and one ecological community were added to Australia’s list of threatened flora, fauna and ecological communities, which now totals 2,142.

Any listing is bad news, but official recognition of threatened flora and fauna species is hopefully a step towards better looking after them.

Learn about some of the newly listed threatened species like Pugh’s Frog, the New England Leaf-tailed Gecko and migratory birds such as the Black-tailed Godwit.

Ever seen a Kaputar slug?

This dazzling bright pink/red slug can grow up to 20cm long and 6cm wide!

But it is hard to spot because it is only found in one place: Mount Kaputar, an extinct volcano in a national park near Narrabri in northern NSW. Its habitat is listed as a threatened ecological community.

Bushfires in 2019 killed an estimated 90% of the Kaputar slug population. But thankfully numbers are recovering, as evidenced by the Slug Sleuth app where citizen scientists and park visitors can post sightings to help the National Parks and Wildlife Service monitor the slugs.

Check out some photos of the slug and find out more about the NPWS project to care for this unique animal.

Rock-wallabies move home by helicopter

In January 2025, 12 endangered Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies moved by helicopter within Warrumbungle National Park to a newly established feral cat-free and fox-free area. This translocation is part of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service’s threatened species conservation program and commitment to zero extinctions in NSW national parks.

See pictures of the rock-wallabies translocation and find out more about the NPWS conservation program.

Imagine …

reducing your contribution to landfill, and only putting your red household waste bin out for collection once in a whole year!

That’s what Ernie Harbott, the founder of Singleton Soil Sisters did in 2024. She maximised composting, recycling and reusing, as well as minimising purchase of packaged items. Sounds simple …

Find out more about how this sustainable living educator reduced her household waste and DO try this at home

Birds & Bees vs Rodents

Pollinators are living or non-living things – like animals or wind – that help plants reproduce by transferring pollen within or between flowers.

Most of us know that bees are pollinators, as well as birds such as the Regent Honeyeater. But did you know that rodents can also pollinate plants?

It’s only since 2023 that research has found both native and invasive rodents (rats & mice) can also play a key role in pollinating Banksia species.

Take a look at some pictures of rodent pollinators in action and learn more about ongoing research.

NPA Volunteer Awards – Autumn 2025

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The NPA Volunteer Awards are mostly announced at the Annual Dinner and reported in the Summer edition of Nature NSW. Exceptions are for Local Achievement Awards, that are often announced by the Branch at their own end of year events.

NPA is pleased to report on the following Local Achievement Award.

Local Achievement Award – for wide-ranging contribution to a Branch over a substantial period of time.

Pam McCann (Central Coast Branch)

Pam is an absolute cornerstone of NPA Central Coast Branch and an invaluable representative within the wider NPA NSW organisation. She has contributed way above and beyond in the role of Secretary of our Branch. Pam is an enthusiastic leader who is able to bring people together and use her knowledge and expertise to advance shared goals. Her love of, and tireless work to promote and protect, our natural environment is inspirational to all. 

  • Pam has been a diligent and enthusiastic member of the Central Coast chapter for 10 years. 
  • She has been Branch Secretary for the last 6 years and regional delegate as well. 
  • She has coordinated the quarterly meeting and AGM, sending out agendas, producing minutes and organising guest speakers. She also organised leader training days and grant applications. 
  • Her knowledge of the local Council has assisted with her ability to produce submissions to protect and enhance our Coastal Open Space System (COSS) lands and the local environment.
  • Pam initiated and co-ordinates a Conservation group within the branch, with a team of interested members who raise awareness of issues which affect our local natural environment and advocate for appropriate protections.