For more than 15 years, the Hawkesbury Environment Network (HEN) has been at the heart of conservation in their local area, protecting one of NSW’s most bushland-rich regions. What began as an alliance of groups has grown into a vibrant member organisation with deep community roots.
89% of the Hawkesbury LGA is covered in bushland and includes nationally significant koala corridors and one of the most genetically diverse koala populations in Australia. However, the region is under pressure from urban sprawl and major developments.
HEN’s approach to conservation is hands-on and community-centred. They’ve run Bushcare for high school students, started a “Bush Kindy” program for preschoolers, hosted the Hawkesbury Eco Hour radio show, and coordinated Streamwatch monitoring. They’re even the Land for Wildlife coordinator for the Hawkesbury.
On top of this is their advocacy – from submissions and petitions to full-scale campaigns, HEN works hard to ensure the community has a voice in all local planning and environmental decisions.
Although the stakes are high, HEN endeavours to make their activities fun. Whether it’s adding in birding to their usual Bushcare sessions, or trivia and a talent quest to a fundraiser, their activities are designed to build community.
As one HEN representative put it, “It’s key that the work is enjoyable, it keeps people coming back. It’s not just getting results, it’s the process that’s important… When people feel part of it, they’re much more confident to step up when the bigger issues come along.”
By making it social and supporting members to step up and take the lead on projects HEN has grown quite rapidly, from a handful of volunteers to a group of around 20 active organisers backed by a much wider network of locals.
A recent highlight and win came through their Virtual Fencing campaign. After years of unsuccessful lobbying and grant applications, HEN decided to take matters into their own hands and launched a community fundraiser to install virtual fencing to reduce kangaroo collisions in a common collision spot near Richmond. Within two weeks they had raised enough for one kilometre of fencing and secured unanimous council support for the project. They attribute the success of their campaign to the strength of the community, and a strong team effort in pulling together an energetic and creative campaign.
To keep up with HEN’s work and get involved, you can sign up to their newsletter or follow them on Facebook and Instagram, where they regularly post action alerts, upcoming events and local campaign updates.
Images (top to bottom): Testing the water at Currency Creek as part of Streamwatch training, Hawkesbury Eco Hour with Councillor Danielle Wheeler, morning tea and good company at HEN Bushcare