Narungga IPA Ranger, Lenarha, and Marna Banggara Project Ecologist, Claire, were pleased to see more Yalgi during a recent monitoring site visit. Image by Leonie Valentine.

There are potentially 10 generations and more than 500 yalgiri calling southern Yorke Peninsula home, with monitoring showing 98% of females carrying pouch young, and the remaining females showing evidence of recent breeding. It's still early days, but seeing this species back on Country and breeding successfully is a powerful sign of what's possible when community and conservation come together.

>> Read more

As part of International Day of Women and Girls in Science day, we interviewed a couple of our team to get the low down on what on-ground science can look like. Meet Elly Pratt and Bri Guidera.

Both grew up with strong connections to the land. Elly spent her childhood on a farm with camping trips around Australia, while one of Bri's core memories is sitting on the skirting table watching her dad shear on the West Coast.

Neither took a straight path to get here. Elly went from studying bottlenose dolphins to climate adaptation. Bri swapped agronomic research for what she calls her "dream job" with the Landscape Board. What keeps them going? The variety, the people and the chance to keep learning.

Their advice for young women considering STEM? Jump on every opportunity and support the women working alongside you.

>> Read the full story

Jess Cavallo out in the field, chatting through what Water Affecting Activities mean for local landholders and explaining how smart decisions near waterways protect our landscapes.

That's why some works around watercourses are regulated under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019. Understanding what's covered helps protect water quality, prevent erosion and support the environment we all rely on.

In our new video, Compliance Officer Jess Cavallo explains what a Water Affecting Activity is, why it matters and when you might need a permit. Free advice and site visits are also available from your local Landscape Officer.
 

>> Watch full video

>> Read more
 

Hamish, Damian, Travis, Jennifer and Kumar at the 2024 Baroota water release. This year marks the final year of the successful Environmental and Cultural Flows project.

The project focused on three catchment areas across the region: Baroota Creek, Crystal Brook Creek (Beetaloo) and the Barossa. Working with Nukunu, Ngadjuri, Peramangk and Kaurna communities, we delivered managed water releases from reservoirs, monitored waterway health and supported cultural connections along our creek systems.

The project may be finished, but the story continues. We're planning future water releases with SA Water and the Department for Environment and Water, and progressing a draft framework for a Barossa Environmental Water Strategy. Thank you to everyone who opened their gate and supported this important work. We couldn't have done it without you.

>> Explore project outcomes

Working with your neighbours as part of a coordinated approach helps maximise results for both agriculture and the environment. To support this, we're supplying chemical control to landholders at a discounted rate through our Autumn Regional Coordinated Fox Control Program.

For further information and to speak with your local Landscape Officer please contact the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board on 8841 3444 or email ny.landscapeboard@sa.gov.au

Register to participate at one of the distribution points below. 
>> Learn more

Upcoming Fox Control Program dates.

Registrations are open for the 2026 Waterwise Field Day this March at the Melrose Showgrounds.

From 9 am to 2 pm, chat to retailers, check out the latest tech and hear from people who've made it work on their place. Shane and Paddy Rowe from Almerta Station are sharing their desalination journey, SARDI's talking about water quality and livestock, and there'll be a live desalination demo with Rowater. Bring a water sample (triple-rinsed bottle) for free pH and salinity testing on the spot.

>> Register now

The Formby Bay Environmental Action Group hosted this fantastic event, opened by Jamie Goldsmith and the Taikurtinna Dance Group with a powerful Welcome to Country. The group has been doing the hard yards for years, from revegetation and coastal rehab to feral pest control. It's all volunteer-led, with every dollar going straight back into protecting southern Yorke Peninsula.

Our Community Engagement Officer, Liz, along with Ben and Dylan from the Marna Banggara team, were there to share what's happening with the rewilding project on southern Yorke Peninsula.

Events like this are the lifeblood of coastal communities. They connect people to place and remind us why protecting it matters.

>> Learn more about Marna Banggara

Community Engagement Officer, Liz Ninnes, and Board member, Erika Lawley, join the Kapunda Reconciliation Working Group, with their Community Event of the Year award at the 2026 Light Regional Council Australia Day Awards. Image captured by The Leader.

This go-getter group organised an outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day event, bringing together over 300 people for cultural workshops, nature-based learning and the planting of nearly 800 native seedlings. Two years of community-led action, centring First Nations voices and connecting young people to culture and Country.

Our Community Engagement Officer, Liz Ninnes, has supported the group over the last year, assisting with communications and helping secure funding through our Nature Education Program to strengthen the project's cultural education and native planting components. Proud to be part of it.

Find the latest information and opportunities for people working in agriculture in the Northern and Yorke region, via our Sustainable Ag Update. Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator, Molly O'De,a keeps her finger on the pulse and updates this page regularly to help keep you informed.

>> Sign up to receive the Sustainable Ag Update to be the first in-the-know.

FEBRUARY
11 | Carbon Farming Workshop, 9:30am - 2:30pm, Urrbrae
13 | Drone Workshop, 9am - 4pm, Port Augusta 
17 | Drone Workshop, 9am - 4pm, Burra
17 | Carbon Farming Webinar, 11:30am - 12:30pm, Online
21 | Gawler Repair Café, 9:30am - 12pm, Gawler South
24 | Carbon Farming Webinar,  9am - 10am (TBC), Online
26 | Carbon Farming Webinar, 1pm - 2pm, Online

MARCH
03 | Trees & Shrubs for Business, 1pm - 8:30pm, Hawker
12 | Waterwise Field Day, 9am - 2pm, Melrose
18 | Carbon Farming for Women Workshop, 9:30am - 2:30pm, Kadina
26 | Soil Salinity Workshop with Chris McDonough, 1pm - 4pm, Southern YP 
27 | Soil Salinity Workhsop with Chris McDonough, 9am - 12pm, Eudunda

Bite Size Grants
The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board's Bite-sized Grants offer between $200 and $2,000 to community groups and not-for-profit organisations for small, short-term projects. The aim is to deliver positive environmental and landscape management outcomes, such as weed control, revegetation projects and pest animal management.

Algal bloom support packages
As the state battles with algal bloom along its coastlines, the South Australian and Australian governments have announced algal bloom support packages, including financial relief payments for impacted commercial fisheries, licenced aquaculture businesses and eligible marine industry businesses. Counselling and other resources are also available.

Aurora Australis lighting up the sky over Mount Horrocks. Captured by our very own John Peet.

Do you have a landscape or nature photo to share? If you've taken a striking photo somewhere in the Northern and Yorke region, we'd love to share it in an upcoming edition of the Yakka.

>> Email Anna with your images