MC Annabelle Homer poses natural capital questions to a line-up of regeneration experts including Sarah Castine, Daniel Hanisch, Holly Crawford and James McGregor.

Hosted by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board for primary producers, the event featured government and industry leaders, including Minister Clare Scriven, Michelle Crosbie, Acting Executive General Manager, Clean Energy Regulator and Richard Heath from Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC.

Primary producers also heard from presenters practising what they preach, including Mark Inglis from TFI, Oli Madgett from FarmLab and The Madgetts Block and CSIRO scientist Dr Mark Farrell. Industry-specific breakout sessions featured speakers with carbon insights across cropping, livestock and viticulture. For those who missed the event or want a second look, recordings from the conference will be published on our website soon.

>> Read Buckleboo Station's carbon farming story

Friends of Hooded Plover volunteers on Yorke Peninsula were recipients of a Bite-sized Grant.

Northern and Yorke Landscape Board Acting General Manager Rebecca Howard said the grants ($200 up to $2,000) were perfect to help kick-start short-term environmental initiatives, and she urged any group fitting the criteria to apply.

“The aim of this funding is to help smaller projects that deliver positive environmental and landscape management outcomes, such as weed control, revegetation projects and pest animal management,” she said.

>> Read full story

>> Find out how to apply

The consultation period for the draft amended Barossa Water Allocation Plan has been extended the end of September to allow more time for review and feedback to ensure all voices are heard.

>> Learn more and have your say

Your input is important. Existing users with authorisations in the Greenock and Salt Water Creek areas will be included in the scope of the amended plan once licences are issued. Licences are created by the Department for Environment and Water through a separate process from the Water Allocation Plan.

A new online tool is now available. Zoom out to view the whole Barossa Prescribed Water Resources Area, or zoom right in to your local area, including your property. This lets you see which zone your property sits in, which monitoring sites are closest to you, and what parts of the Water Allocation Plan are most relevant.

>> View interactive map

Thanks to everyone who has already contributed feedback. Your input is shaping the future of water management in the Barossa. Consulation closes 30 September, 2025.

The Waterbug Bioblitz is back for another year, bringing together community members and scientists to monitor and explore the health of local waterways.

This citizen science initiative, led by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board, invites volunteers of all ages to work alongside ecologists and Board staff to collect, test, and analyse water samples in Clare and Barossa Valley waterways. Two Waterbug Bioblitz events are scheduled in the Northern and Yorke region, including in Clare on Friday, 26 September and in the Barossa on Friday, 31 October 2025.

>> Find out more and register now

>> Read full story

Nuriootpa High School teacher Ebony Deoliveira with students including Anastacia Gozdiff, Scarlett Porter, Charlize Linke and Hayley Marrett (in front); Connor Samain and Eli Forrester (at the back).

Waterwatch, a schools-based citizen science program that involves hands-on water quality testing, has officially begun with Nuriootpa High School students involved in the first monitoring session for the flow season.

Nuriootpa High School teacher Ebony Deoliveira said the hands-on learning opportunity helped children gain a clearer understanding of biodiversity and nature.

“The Waterwatch program has brought many benefits for our students including understanding the natural biodiversity and also building the scientific skills to monitor the health of these water bodies,” she said.

>> Read full story

>> Learn more about Waterwatch

Revegetation work in Gawler funded through a Grassroots Grant.

Northern and Yorke Landscape Board General Manager Tony Fox said the grants supported a diverse range of projects, including five First Nations-led initiatives.

“Now in its sixth year, the Grassroots Grants program is all about helping landholders, volunteers and community groups across the Northern and Yorke region bring their landscape management projects to life,” Mr Fox said.

>> Read full story

>> View list of Grassroots Grants 2025-2026 recipients

Northern and Yorke Landscape Board's Jared Palmer helped to plant iron-grass tussocks.

Things are looking up for the endangered pygmy blue-tongue lizard with 850 iron-grass shrubs planted across multiple properties in the Mid North recently.

This tiny lizard depends on native grasslands for shelter and survival – but sadly, much of its habitat has been lost or degraded. Many of the planting sites had only a few remaining iron-grass plants, so these new additions are a big step toward rebuilding healthier grassland ecosystems and a rise in the pygmy blue-tongue lizard population.

Iron-grass is not only essential to the lizard’s habitat – it also acts as a great soil stabiliser and supports biodiversity. Project lead Nick Modra hopes the plants will not only thrive but also contribute to a stronger seed bank for future generations. The Nature Foundation has since planted a further 140 plants, leaving one property and 100 plants to go. Now we’re hoping for a wet spring to help the plants along.

This project received grant funding from the Australian Government Saving Native Species Program.

Cultural educators Mel Agius and Violet Buckskin join Kapunda High School students in celebrating their efforts after planting nearly 800 native plants.

On Tuesday, 5 August, more than 200 students from Kapunda Kindergarten, Kapunda Primary School, Kapunda High School, and Eudunda Area School gathered for a powerful celebration of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day.

Held at Kapunda Town Square and the historic Kapunda Mine site, the event focused on the themes of culture, community and caring for Country. Students took part in cultural art and dance workshops, nature-based activities and animal ecology sessions, while also celebrating the achievements of First Nations students.

A highlight of the day was the planting of nearly 800 native seedlings, helping to restore habitat and promote biodiversity. This special event was made possible through a partnership between local schools, the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board, Light Regional Council and Ngadjuri representatives. Ngadjuri knowledge holders Mel Agius and Violet Buckskin shared stories and perspectives, creating a deep and meaningful connection to culture and Country.

Special thanks to Abby Walker-Schwartz from Kapunda Kindergarten, and Jordan Thorsteinsson and Andrew Philpott from Light Regional Council for their leadership and dedication. Together, the community came together to celebrate children, culture and the environment.

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'Dea 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.

SEP
6    | Native Orchid Society of SA Spring Show, 10am-4pm, Marion
8-12 | National NRM Knowledge Conference, Cairns
26+  | Nature Festival, 26 Sep to 12 Oct
27  | Barossa Bushgardens Spring Plant Sale Day and Propagation Workshop
28  | Rivers Meeting: Kadlitipari/Gawler River Immersive Walk, Gawler South
31+  | Yorke Peninsula Field Days, 31 Sep to 2 Oct

OCT
2   | Barossa Bushgardens Nature Play Festival
9   | Barossa Bushgardens Healing Country with Fire Information Session
18 | Gawler Repair Café, Gawler South
 

Bite-sized 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.

Landscape Compliance Coordinator Jessica Cavallo captured this shot in Para Woodlands Nature Reserve, a former farming property being restored to a functioning grassy woodland.

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 Sarah.