Restoring Littoral Rainforest and skills on the Evans River
A special stretch of littoral rainforest along the Evans River is getting the care it deserves, thanks to a powerful weekend partnership between OzFish Unlimited, the Border Ranges – Richmond Valley Landcare Network (BRRVLN), and Evans Head Ecowarrior Landcare Group.
Volunteers rolled up their sleeves to tackle weeds, clear litter, and plant native species, enhancing half a hectare of important riparian habitat.
The restoration effort was part of a weekend experience that combined hands-on fish habitat work with practical education, helping to build healthier ecosystems while building the capability of local volunteers.
Bringing life back to the riverbanks
Littoral rainforest may sound like a technical term, but for the Evans River, it refers to a lush green buffer that supports birds, bugs, and fish by stabilising banks, filtering water, and providing food and shelter for a host of species. These coastal rainforests are increasingly rare, and every bit of restored ground counts.
Volunteers from OzFish and Evans Head Ecowarrior Landcare Group worked side by side to remove weeds and clean up rubbish, as well as replanting the nearby area with native vegetation. The goal? To protect what’s left, help it grow, and ensure it continues to provide habitat for generations to come.
Upskilling the custodians of tomorrow
While the boots-on-ground action was in full swing, the project also offered something a little different: a Landcare-led workshop designed to help volunteers build the skills they need to keep delivering meaningful restoration outcomes in the future.
The session given by BRRVLN, focused on community custodianship, which taught participants how to design impactful projects, plan restoration sites, and navigate the resources available to them.
Partnerships that make an impact
This project was part of a wider Landcare NSW and OzFish Unlimited initiative that supports grassroots habitat restoration and volunteer empowerment across New South Wales. By blending educational workshops with meaningful action, these events are helping to strengthen both the environment and the communities that care for it.
With strong support from groups like BRRVLN and a growing community of passionate volunteers, the future of fish habitat on the Evans River is looking brighter than ever.
Want to be part of the next one? Find your local OzFish chapter at ozfish.org.au and see how you can help make a difference.
