Field trips
Head out beyond the conference venue into the landscapes and communities that Landcare and Local Land Service support.
As part of the 2026 Conference, field trips will run on two separate days from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm:
28th October - Innovation field trips
29th October - Grounding field trips
Going forward, field trips are selected at the time of ticket purchase, are strictly limited, and are expected to book out quickly, so early registration is strongly encouraged.
Innovation Field Trips - 28 Oct
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Visit two sites that offer a deeper understanding of the region’s cultural heritage. At the first site, learn about a recent cultural burn led by the Bangerang community and how this practice supports caring for Country. At the second site, explore cultural significance to the Bangerang people and discover how COVRAM helps First Nations groups, Landcare, and land managers assess landscape condition, apply cultural knowledge, and identify areas that need healing.
Field trip notes: includes walking through bushland and bus travel.
Field trip partners: Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Education, COVRAM, Murray Landcare Collective, Murray LLS
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Visit the Riverine Plains SCOUT site at Rennie to see a range of innovative agronomic trials in action. Learn about canola seed enhancement using First Nations knowledge and modern bioelectrics, the microbial 'olympics' and many other unique and interesting trials all in the same place! You'll also learn about some of the incredible opportunities and work Riverine Plains are involved in across our region.
Field trip notes: includes walking in paddocks and bus travel.
Field trip partners: Riverine Plains, Firestick, Murray LLS ag team
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Learn how native seed supports large-scale revegetation across the region. Discover how seed production areas are established and managed, explore the process of collecting, processing, and banking native seed, and gain insight into how local seed supplies are used to restore landscapes, enhance biodiversity, and support future revegetation projects. Hear from experts about the importance of provenance, seed quality, and building resilient ecosystems through strategic seed collection and storage.
Field trip notes: includes walking through bushland and bus travel.
Field trip partners: Murray LLS Seed Services
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In this hands-on workshop, participants will create small artworks on watercolour postcards inspired by the local environment. Guided by artist Sophie Chauncy, attendees will explore techniques such as watercolour, inks, and nature stencilling using natural materials. Each participant will leave with a few unique postcards, some to keep as personal reflections and others to share or give away as creative connections to place.
Field trip notes: this is an accessible field trip located on site at the venue.
Field Trip partners: Rice Growers Association, Holbrook Landcare Network
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Join the field trip to Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre, an award-winning community-led restoration site on a former stock reserve and public watering place. Explore restored wetlands, native gardens and Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands while learning how volunteers transformed the 4 ha site into a thriving biodiversity and education hub. Visit the groundcover-focused Seed Production Area, Climate Resilience Garden and 8 ha Grassy Woodlands restoration trial site. Discover the innovative Squirrel Glider LAMP project and learn about hands-on school and community education programs.
Field trips notes: includes walking in bushland and bus travel.
Field Trip partners: West Hume Landcare, Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre
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Discover the story of sustainable rice growing in the Riverina. Visit a working rice farm and explore the unique relationship between rice production, wetlands, and biodiversity. Learn how rice growers are supporting wildlife, including the endangered Australasian Bittern, while managing water efficiently through innovative irrigation and farming practices. Gain insight into the challenges and opportunities of balancing food production with environmental stewardship in one of Australia's most important agricultural regions.
Field trip notes: this tour is dependent on seasonal and site conditions. It includes walking in paddocks and bus travel.
Field trip partners: Rice Growers Association
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Find out about local threatened species conservation through collaboration. Learn how conservation efforts are protecting and restoring native grasslands for the critically endangered plains-wanderer, an enigmatic ground-dwelling bird, through habitat management, monitoring, and landholder partnerships. Learn about the Wild Orchids Project and the consortium of committed agencies and community groups that are working to ensure the long-term survival of three endangered orchid species: Oaklands Donkey Orchid, Sandhill Spider Orchid, and Crimson Spider Orchid.
Field trip notes: includes walking in paddocks and bus travel.
Field trip partners: Murray LLS NRM team, Corowa District Landcare, Oaklands CWA
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Join us on-farm to explore a real-life environmental plantings carbon project. Planted three years ago for biodiversity and conservation, carbon credits will allow a direct financial return from the tree plantings. Hear the farmer’s insights, understand their decision making process and get practical tips on revegetation for both carbon and biodiversity. Learn the basic carbon project requirements and how to tell if this stacks up on your farm.
Field trip notes: includes walking in paddocks and bus travel.
Field trip partners: Biodiversity Conservation Trust, Murray LLS ag and NRM team
Grounding Field Trips - 29 Oct
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Walk through Boat Rock Reserve at Savernake, meandering through the granite outcrop and climbing to the top for sweeping views. Along the way, learn about First Nations history, alongside recent history of the area to present day. Take time to reflect by writing a simple nature-inspired Haiku poem, then capture your experience through nature journalling or green sketching on a postcard. A relaxed, hands-on tour designed to connect with place, story and creativity.
Field trip notes: includes walking through bushland and bus travel.
Field trip partners: Rice Growers Association, Western Murray Land Improvement Group, Murray LLS
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Come along for a fun 2-hour kayak trip down the Murray River. Starting from Police Paddocks Road, we'll paddle downstream to the Federation Bridge (or into Corowa depending on time) with Ben Humphries from BirdLife Australia providing guided commentary on the bird species we see along the way.
Field trip notes: includes kayaking on the Murray River in a medium current. Participants should be reasonably confident and competent in the water and using kayaks.
Field trip partners: BirdLife Australia, Landcare NSW, Murray LLS ag team
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Join us for a leisurely bike through the region (e-bikes to assist) and along rail trails, visiting two wineries with sustainable wine growing practices. Learn how these practices have changed their businesses and enjoy some fresh air, fun with other participants and perhaps even a sip or two of sustainable wine.
Field trips notes: includes bike hire and will involve riding on roads and gravel paths.
Field Trip partners: Landcare NSW, Murray LLS
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Take a 1.5 hour cruise around Lake Mulwala on a restored paddle steamer.
Field trip notes: There is an extra $30 cost to join this field trip. This is an accessible field trip but includes bus travel.
Field trip partners: Holbrook Landcare Network, Murray LLS
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In this super active, hands on session join David Hardwick as we explore all things measuring and assessing soil health using the Soil HASH Tool, a practical approach to managing soil health in the paddock developed for Australian landholders.
Field trip notes: this is an accessible field trip located on site at the venue.
Field Trip partners: Soil Land Food
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Join us for an inspiring wetland restoration field trip showcasing community conservation in action. Visit the scenic River Street Wetlands and hear from volunteers from Corowa District Landcare and Friends of River Street Wetlands about their restoration work and management strategies. Enjoy a guided walk through the rejuvenated habitat, with opportunities to spot native plant species and potentially frogs, fish, and waterbirds. The afternoon will conclude with a relaxing riverside cuppa, afternoon tea, and an informal book club-style session featuring brochures and booklets to grow your knowledge of native wildlife in the Corowa region.
Field trip notes: this tour includes bus travel and a very small amount of walking
Field trip partners: Corowa District Landcare, Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group, Murray LLS NRM team
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Step into the cutting-edge world of agriculture in Corowa. Visit Derek and Murk Schoen’s 7,000 acre mixed farming property near Corowa, where over the past 25 years they have strategically revegetated the farm with mixed-species shelterbelt plantings. The tour will also include a visit to the JBS biogas project, an innovative system capturing methane from effluent ponds at one of Australia’s largest abattoir and piggery operations. The site’s biogas system is currently capturing and treating 60% of the effluent from around 130,000 pigs, generating more than 50% of the electricity needed to power the site, and reducing CO2 emissions by 60%.
Field trip notes: includes walking in paddocks and bus travel.
Field trip partners: