These resources that will help you understand how you can contribute to environmental restoration in the Illawarra. If there is information not here that would be useful, please let us know.
ILLAWARRA REMNANT BUSHLAND DATABASE (IRBD)
The current IRBD replaces the original Illawarra Remnant Bushland Database hosted by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation, which was discontinued years ago. You can search by sites or species.
It is a work in progress, and as a first step displays the data contained in the original Illawarra Remnant Bushland Database, with edits to reflect taxonomic changes. System implementation is by Julia Roso in a volunteer capacity on behalf of Landcare Illawarra.
The IRBD has undergone several resurrections and upgrades since the 1990’s and we thank the previous Working Groups involved who maintained the integrity of the database and its original aims over the years. It is hoped that the data will assist many people engaged in Landcare and Bush Regeneration activities in the Illawarra as a source of inspiration for future plantings appropriate to the area, and that students of Botany will find the additions of Family and Lifeform an added bonus to learning the flora.
The IRBD was originally prompted by the work of Anders Bofeldt, whose note books of species’ lists just had to be collated. Mark Robinson, Rob Corby, Mark Clegg and Carl Glaister brought the first edition to fruition, and along with Mark Robinson, Kevin Mills generously increased the volume of locations and species lists. It is autochthonous original Illawarra stuff, and the contributions of other authors show that the IRBD is respected and used by a large community of botanical enthusiasts and professionals. Print your lists, go visit the sites and enjoy the wonder of the Illawarra’s Remnant Bushlands.
GROWING ILLAWARRA NATIVES
The Growing Illawarra Natives (GIN) website promotes the cultivation and use of plants native to the Illawarra region. The website is 100% developed and maintained by volunteers. It was launched in March 2020, after five years of preparation.
You can browse or search the plant finder page with over 100 species listed
Or you can search by Collections such as Climbers Galore, Bee-attracting Plants or Wonderful Wattle.
The articles page has regular blogs with updates on topics like Bush regeneration, How to, Try growing, and Resources
The project was started by Leon Fuller and Emma Rooksby, and was brought to fruition with database and web design by Daniel Halldorsson. Hundreds of people shared their time, experience and images, with key contributions from Carl Glaister, Lyn Clark, and Garry Daly. The full list of acknowledgements is here.
INDIGENOUS PLANTS AND FOOD
PLANT ID AND FINDER WEBSITES
Trees Near Me NSW is an easy-to-use mobile and website app for maps and information about Plant Community Types anywhere in New South Wales.
The Australian Native Plants Society of NSW aims to inspire all Australians to love, grow and conserve our native plants. They have many resources on their website and the Illawarra group holds regular walks and events.
PlantNET Data are derived from the printed Flora of New South Wales series, published by the UNSW Press, augmented with data from electronic sources maintained by the National Herbarium of New South Wales. Search for a family, genus or species by scientific or common name
PlantFile A botanical database resource for students and researchers, with some information available to the community
Flora of Australia A synthesis of present taxonomic knowledge of the country’s flora
BIioNET is made up of a number of NSW Government data collections. These collections are mostly contained within 2 core applications:
Biodiversity information can also be accessed using:
- Trees Near Me NSW app and website.
- BioNet Web Services – an Open Application Programming Interface (API)
- SEED a whole-of-government environmental data portal
BUSH REGENERATION AND BIODIVERSITY
The Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR) promotes the study and practice of ecological restoration. The website provide excellent online resources including regenTV on YouTube.
We recommend the following books:
Restoring natural areas in Australia
Download the following manuals and guides:
Bush Regeneration Manual (pdf)
Illawarra Biodiversity Strategy Vol 1 (pdf)
Ilawarra Biodiversity Strategy Vols 2 (pdf)
Australian Government Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Biodiversity publications and resources including State of the Environment reporting.
WEEDS
A good resource on local weeds Common Coastal Weeds of the Illawarra (pdf)
Sydney Weeds Network Many of their resources are relevant to the Illawarra including weeds identification and weed management techniques including videos
NSW Weedwise contains over 300 weed profiles, describing:
• Profile
• Control (including registered herbicide options)
• Biosecurity duty (under the Biosecurity Act 2015)
You can search by common or scientific name, or plant characteristic and view priority weeds for a region. Available as an app as well.
New South Wales Weed Control Handbook: A guide to weed control in non-crop, aquatic and bushland situations, Department of Primary Industries, 2018
Look alikes
Many people find it hard to distinguish weeds from local natives species.
There are some good resources for look alikes from Hornsby Council and books from DPI
Native Plant or Weed 1 and Native Plant or Weed 2
Illawarra Weeds District Authority
The Illawarra District Weeds Authority (IWDA) was originally established by Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama Councils in 1993. The IDWA has delegated authority from these three councils to carry out local control authority functions under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
You can search for Local priority, State Priority and Regional Priority weeds in the area.
It includes links to documents like the The Southeast Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan (RSWMP) 2023-2027 which outlines strategic actions to guide collaborative weed management, resource allocation and investment in the South East region, providing a consistent basis for planning and delivery.
Weeds in Australia
The Weeds in Australia web site brings together all the information on weeds and weeds management at the national level. It includes a good summary of Weeds of National Significance (WONS), and access to Weedscan, powered by a CSIRO AI identification model trained on more than 120,000 weed images.
CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS AND APPS
There are a multitude of local Citizen Science projects we encourage Landcares to join. Let us know if there are local project we can add here.
AUSMAP (mircoplastics)
Australian Pollinators Week
Birds in Backyards Project
Bugs in my Backyard Week
FrogID
Bats in Backyards
NSW GOVT BOOKSHOP TOCAL COLLEGE
FERAL ANIMALS
Feral animal control is the responsibility of the NSW Local Land Services and Councils.
South East Local Land Services
FeralScan is a free resource that can you can use to record pest animal activity in your local area to protect farms, biodiversity and communities
It includes DeerScan a that has been designed to map and monitor deer in your local area by:
- Mapping sightings and evidence (e.g. photos & prints)
- Reporting damage (e.g. browsing of trees)
- Documenting control activities (e.g. ground shooting)
LOCAL COUNCIL POLICIES AND GUIDES
LOCAL GROUP RESOURCES AND FORMS
Forms and resources for our local group coordinators.
Landcare Illawarra activities casual participant registration sign-in form
Landcare Illawarra individual membership of a group 2025 (+Word version)
Landcare Illawarra annual volunteer group membership form (+Word version)
Landcare Illawarra Individual membership no group sign up form Jul 2025 (+Word version)
Landcare Illawarra Members’ Charter
Template Work Plan for xxx Landcare Group 2025
Landcare Illawarra – Roles and responsibilities of site coordinators – V1.4_Jun2025
Landcare Illawarra volunteer group risk assessment check list
Landcare Illawarra WHS policy updated July 2025
Landcare Illawarra Record of a Health or Safety Issue
Landcare Illawarra WHS Duty Holder Responsibilities
(All in one pdf)
Landcare Illawarra Strategic Plan 2024 -2027
Landcare Illawarra membership flyer
