It’s Play Outside Day On Sunday 4 May

On Sunday 4 May, it’s our Play Outside Day. Put on some comfortable shoes and be part of something big!

Many of us don’t get out into nature much. We’re too busy, plugged in to screens and rushing through our busy lives. But nature is crucial to our health and wellbeing — and to the health of our planet.

Nature is our life support system. It underpins our communities, our economy and our livelihoods. We all need clean air and healthy rivers, yet our politicians seem determined to exploit and damage the environment. But when nature is diminished, so are we.

That’s why on Sunday 4 May, we're holding Play Outside Day. Let’s reclaim nature and grow our connection with each other and the places we love!

Come along, explore and enjoy some of the best bits of bushland along the peninsula on 4^th May 10am-1.30pm. Meeting at the gates to the Hunter Water land off Whitelock St. More information about the day can be found here

Experienced naturalists will be on hand to pass on the passion, there’ll be a treasure hunt for the young at heart and an opportunity to connect with like minded local folk.

Guardian Groups around Neighbourhood Nodes

On Sunday 6th April a Guardian Group event will be held around West Ridge East Neighbourhood Node between 10am -1.30pm meeting on the ridge behind the School. There is a map and more details on the blog.

This event is an opportunity to learn from experienced bush regenerators about the beauty and the beasts within the bush. Answers to the following questions and more will be provided.

• What natives are lurking under the lantana? 
• Will a nest box or a Spotted Gum help the Squirrel Gliders stay put or encourage the Regent Honeyeaters to stop by? 
• How do you control Asparagus Fern?

A morning tea will start the session and determine if you and your neighbours can benefit from the resources available from the project. For more information about the Guardians Gathering please contact Suzanne Pritchard at cppa.tsls@gmail.com or ph 0438 596 741.

Threatened Species Last Stand On the Coal Point Peninsula Update

In 2014, as part of the Threatened Species Last Stand on the Coal Point Peninsula project, there will be lots of support on offer and opportunities to learn about the local bushland, locate the treasures that are hidden amongst the shrubbery, identify the worrisome weeds that need constant control and befriend the wildlife that share the Coal Point – Carey Bay area.

Every Thursday there is landcaring on the public reserves along the Coal Point peninsula. On the 1^st Thursday of the month there is an extra landcare session at Threlkeld Reserve. There are experts on hand to share skills and knowledge. You can pop in for any amount of time you want to. The Coal Point Progress Association’s blog has a calendar of local landcaring events, information and links to resources about the project.

Over the past year several ‘neighbourhood nodes’ of interest have been identified where locals have been keen to get additional support to look after their ‘bigger backyard’. This year these nodes will be used a starting point to connect the interested locals as a guardians group for their patch. The ‘neighbourhood nodes’ have been called Carey Bay, West Ridge and Stansfield. The dates when landcaring activities and Sunday support will be happening in these areas is available on the blog.

On the first Sunday of the month from 10am-1.30pm a Guardians Group field day will be held for local landholders who live adjacent to public reserves. Two bush regenerators will be on hand to share their knowledge and skills.

At the field day you can

· Discover and photograph the beauty in the bush on a guided walk.

· Learn about the unique local native plants at your back fence

· Identify the weeds in the local bush and learn how to control and remove them

· Enjoy a morning tea with your neighbours who share the bigger backyard bushland

· Find out about local landcaring activities

· Participate in a landcaring session

· Sign up for the Backyard Habitat for Wildlife program

· Have an environmental property assessment undertaken as part of the Land for Wildlife program

· Register for a National Tree Day planting

· Purchase or order

o  native plants

o  nest boxes and

o  bush regeneration services

Come along on the 2^nd of March for the West Ridge-West gathering or 6^th of April for the West Ridge-East event. You’ll meet your neighbours, learn new skills and find out about the wonderful bushland we share. Contact Suzanne Pritchard for more information, to RSVP and for meeting place directions on 0438 596 741 or cppa.tsls@gmail.com.

The meeting spot for the West Ridge West gathering on March 2^nd is at the top of Whitelock Street near the Hunter Water gates.