Wheeny Creek Landcare Year 5 Project
Three days. One breathtaking creek. A group of passionate young adventurers. This wasn’t your run-of-the-mill environmental retreat — it was a bold and muddy hands-on experience in conservation, outdoor learning, and river restoration, all set against the stunning backdrop of Wheeny Creek in the Hawkesbury Region.
Volunteers included everyone from keen fishers to first-time conservationists, united by a shared mission and some seriously hot weather. Across the retreat, they left with sun-soaked skin, muddy hands, and a renewed drive to protect our waterways.
Getting Our Hands Dirty for Conservation
From March 14–16, 2025, volunteers planted 300 native trees, grasses, and shrubs across 15 species to help restore the endangered Sydney Creek flat Swamp Mahogany–Paperbark Forest. The strategic plantings are already helping to stabilise the creek banks, reduce erosion, and create habitat for native wildlife, particularly the platypus population known to live upstream.
Despite the 37-degree heat, spirits stayed high. Volunteers took frequent dips in the creek to cool down and had the chance to learn erosion control and bank stabilisation techniques based on how plant structures and species placement hold the soil long-term.
The weekend also included a sustainable fishing workshop, where attendees learned responsible fish handling, gear selection, fish ID, and techniques designed to support the health of native fish species.
Immersed in Nature
From sunrise yoga by the creek to campfire storytelling and waterway health awareness sessions, the retreat was designed to foster a deep, personal connection with the environment. Participants explored the area through bushcraft training and nature journaling while learning how healthy riparian zones support thriving fish and other wildlife ecosystems.
These quiet moments were just as powerful as the planting sessions. A reminder that conservation isn’t just about work. It’s about paying attention, being present, and understanding why these landscapes matter.
Restoring and Protecting Our Waterways
At its heart, this retreat took real action to protect Wheeny Creek — stabilising its banks, improving water quality, and restoring habitat for species like the Australian bass and the elusive platypus.
“This retreat is about practical action—restoring habitats, learning sustainable fishing practices, and understanding the challenges our waterways face,” says Lucas Kas, OzFish Senior Project Officer.
“There’s a lot of work to be done to restore our rivers, but when we do it together, it becomes both rewarding and enjoyable. We may not have caused the damage, but it’s on us to fix it. That’s what this weekend is about – building a culture where taking care of our waterways is just something we do.”
A Community-Driven Effort
Nestled in the freshwater beauty of Wheeny Creek, this retreat proved what can happen when like-minded people come together to protect something they love. Whether it was their first time planting or their tenth, everyone left with the same message: this is what stewardship looks like.
By blending conservation with connection, the Wheeny Creek Landcare Year 5 Project has set a new benchmark for community engagement, sustainable fishing education, and riparian restoration.
Project Partners & Funding
This project is proudly delivered by OzFish in partnership with the Greater Sydney Landcare Wildventure Program and the Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network.
A huge thank you to our funding partners. Your support makes it possible for us to protect and restore our waterways for future generations!
