Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu

04/11/2026

Major investment in healthier rivers and waterways

We were excited to welcome the Hon. Emily Bourke - Labor MLC, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water to launch the State Government's $5 million Clean Rivers and Waterways Program last weekend.

This three-year initiative will deliver on-ground restoration in priority catchments while developing a statewide framework to guide future river restoration and investment across South Australia.

Bringing together communities, landholders, First Nations organisations, councils, researchers, industry and government, the program will improve the health of waterways from catchments to coasts.

It was fitting to launch the program alongside Biodiversity McLaren Vale volunteers, whose ongoing work demonstrates the vital role local communities play in restoring and caring for our waterways.

Through the program, landscape boards will work with community groups and landholders to deliver restoration activities in priority catchments flowing into Gulf St Vincent, including Bungala River, Carrickalinga, Pedler and Maslin Creeks, as well as northern Kangaroo Island catchments.

Read more about the launch: https://bit.ly/4BFctPx

Funded by the South Australian Government, the Clean Rivers and Waterways Program is being delivered by the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, Green Adelaide, the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board, Water Sensitive SA, Adelaide University Environment Institute, partners and community.

Biodiversity McLaren Vale Emily Bourke - Labor MLC Kangaroo Island Landscape Board Green Adelaide The Environment Institute Water Sensitive SA

Photos: Biodiversity McLaren Vale

01/11/2026

Make a plan to control rabbits this summer 📅

Wild rabbit numbers remain high across the region and their impacts are being felt on farms, in gardens and across the environment. As the landscape dries and feed becomes harder to find, rabbits will increasingly turn to irrigated crops and gardens.

There are several methods that can help get numbers under control. Options can include exclusion fencing, warren fumigation and collapse, shelter removal and baiting where appropriate.

Baiting needs careful planning to minimise risks to wildlife and pets. That's why we require landholders purchasing pindone-treated carrots through our distribution days to complete annual training in safe and responsible use.

Combining methods to suit your surrounds and situation and working with neighbours or adjoining landholders remains the most reliable and effective management approach.

Visit our webpage for advice and resources to help you plan your rabbit control program 🔗 https://hf.landscape.sa.gov.au/rabbits

29/10/2026

We're so grateful to volunteers who contribute to healthy landscapes and biodiversity in our Hills and Fleurieu region. 💚

Several of their stories have been shared below, from caring for our coasts to protecting the little penguins on Granite Island/Kaiki.

A dedicated team of volunteers help bring the Botanic Gardens and S...

29/10/2026

Now is a good time to consider which w**ds may become a fire hazard over summer. 🌞

Managing vegetation on your property is an important part of bushfire preparedness. Trimming vegetation along tracks and fence lines, removing fallen tree limbs and piles of debris close to the home, and keeping grass mown can all help reduce fire risk and improve your property's resilience if threatened by a bushfire.

Grass w**ds like pampas grass and African lovegrass can displace native species and, in some cases, create serious fire risks, producing dense biomass when unmanaged, resulting in significant fuel loads and the ability to burn while still green.

Dense infestations of woody w**ds also pose a fire risk. Olive trees, gorse and blackberry are all examples of w**ds that can present significant fire hazards. Their ability to outcompete other vegetation, form monocultures and accumulate large amounts of highly flammable biomass can increase the intensity and severity of a fire.

If you're keen to learn more about woody w**d control for late spring, sign up to our Bushfire Preparedness: Woody W**d Control Workshop on 18 Nov here 🔗 bit.ly/4B6dwrL

Learn more about bushfire preparedness on the CFS website: https://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/plan-prepare/before-a-fire-be-prepared/preparing-your-home-property/

27/10/2026

NEW EVENT | Beneath the Surface: Know Your Soil with Lucy Porter and Bonnie Armour 🌱

This National Agriculture Day, join soil specialists Lucy Porter (SA Drought Hub) and Bonnie Armour (Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu), along with Adam Krahnert from Coopers Mt Pleasant, for a hands-on workshop exploring the key to productive, resilient pastures: healthy soils.

🔎 Bring a soil sample from your property and learn how to test and interpret:
✅ soil texture
✅ pH
✅ slaking and dispersion
✅ soil test results

Then head into the paddock to explore a local soil trial comparing synthetic and biological management approaches in multi-species pastures. The results might surprise you!

Whether you're a seasoned producer or just starting your soil health journey, you'll leave with fresh ideas for your farm.

📍Mt Pleasant
📅 Friday 20 November
⏰ 10am-1pm

Learn more and sign up here 👉 bit.ly/4jvoxfO

Join soil specialists Lucy Porter and Bonnie Armour as they dig deep on all things soil health, including in-paddock demonstrations and soil testing.

26/10/2026

Keen on getting the kids out in nature on your weekends? Check out Nature Play SA latest spring offerings! 🌿

26/10/2026

Growing demand, variable rainfall and competing needs are placing increasing pressure on water resources across the Mount Lofty Ranges.

The Our Water Future Summit will bring together diverse voices from across the region to share knowledge, experiences and perspectives. These insights will help shape priorities for fair and sustainable water management, now and for future generations.

Register your interest for the opportunity to take part and have your say. You don’t need to know about water management, you just need to care about the future of our region - https://hf.landscape.sa.gov.au/ourwaterfuturesummit

Community members who attend are eligible for a $110 payment to support participation and travel ($220 for people aged 18-30).

The 'Our Water Future Summit' is being delivered by The Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, with support from Watertrust Australia and DemocracyCo.

Alexandrina Council
City of Victor Harbor
Mount Barker District Council
Adelaide Hills Council
District Council of Yankalilla
City of Onkaparinga

22/10/2026

NEW EVENT | Regenerative Grazing in Practice with Judi Earl 🌿

Whether you manage a commercial livestock enterprise or a small rural property, this workshop will provide practical strategies to help you make informed grazing decisions and get the most from your land.

Drawing on years of industry experience, Judi Earl will cover the fundamentals of how grass grows, livestock grazing behaviour and the link between soil health, pasture performance and stocking decisions. Participants will gain a better understanding of grazing strategies, feed budgeting, carrying capacity and pasture monitoring, with a focus on realistic applications for the Hills and Fleurieu region.

📍Deep Creek
📅 Wednesday 18 November
⏰2:45pm-7pm

Learn more and sign up here 👉 bit.ly/4eng6Qe

Discover practical grazing management for healthy soils, productive pastures and resilient landscapes.

20/10/2026

What can waterbugs tell us about the health of our waterways?

Quite a lot, actually.

With the upcoming Waterbug Bioblitzes fast approaching, now's the time to grab your free ticket before spots disappear!

Join Second Nature Conservancy Inc. - formerly GWLAP for a hands-on citizen science experience to search local waterways for freshwater macroinvertebrates, test water quality and uncover the hidden clues these tiny creatures provide about ecosystem health.

Whether you're a nature lover, curious beginner or seasoned citizen scientist, everyone is welcome.

✅ Free event
✅ Lunch included
✅ No experience necessary

📍 Bremer Bioblitz | 6 November
🎟️ https://events.humanitix.com/bremer-waterbug-bioblitz-2026

📍 Angas Finniss Bioblitz | 13 November
🎟️ https://events.humanitix.com/angas-finniss-waterbug-bioblitz-2026

The Waterbug Bioblitz program is delivered by the Hills and Fleurieu, Northern and Yorke and Murraylands and Riverland landscape boards and partners, with funding from the landscape levy and the South Australian Government’s Citizen Science Grants Program.