| Dear HEN Members and Supporters, Welcome to HEN in 2021. We hope it will be a better year than the last one and that we can achieve some wins for our precious Hawkesbury Environment. There is a lot happening so far this year. The HEN Committee continues to work on the Communities Grant targetted at improving and restoring vegetation at Pugh’s Lagoon. We are also working closely with Katherine Clare from Local Land Services (working out of Hawkesbury River County Council) on another Commonwealth grant to record water quality, vegetation and wildlife at 30 Hawkesbury wetlands. We have visited some beautiful wetlands over the last year which host many waterbirds and provide habitat for varied aquatic animals and plant species. Many of these wetlands are on private land and it’s good to see that most of the owners value and take good care of their wetlands. World Wetlands Day HEN members celebrated World Wetlands Day on Tuesday the 2nd February at Pugh’s Lagoon, Smith Park, the location of HEN’s current project restoring the lagoon margins. Melissa Medo from Ecotune spoke about the importance of wetlands and Chad Beranek told us about his PhD work entitled “Restoration Ecology of the Green and Golden Bell Frog”. Both talks were very informative and interesting, highlighting the complexity of wetland ecosystems. A group of wonderful volunteers helped out by weeding around the new sedges and shrubs planted last year. The wet summer has resulted in plenty of healthy new growth. You are invited to join us on Tuesday March 2nd for our next planting Day at Pugh’s Lagoon. Just contact Jocelyn on 0407 254415 if you would like to participate. Clean-up Australia Day 2021 will be held on Sunday 7th March at Pugh’s Lagoon. Please come along if you are Covid-safe. Hawkesbury City Council Draft Zero Emissions and Water Efficiency Strategy HEN supports HCC’s strategy to reduce energy and water costs across the region. Implementing more efficient technologies that will lower our emissions and save water will benefit both rate payers and the environment. Given that Hawkesbury’s households generate nearly 60% more emissions than the average household in Greater Sydney this is a strategy we can all support.The consultation period closes on Monday 15th, February so if you have not already responded please consider providing feedback on this important draft strategy. HEN’s next Committee meeting will be held on Monday 15th February in the Windsor Library Tebbutt Room at 6.30 pm. Paid-up members of HEN are welcome to come along to hear about our plans for 2021. Please let us know if you plan to come via info@hen.org.au As a not-for -profit organisation we depend on membership and donations to fund our on-going operating expenses. Funds are needed to maintain the website, our PO Box and other minor admin costs such as printing flyers for events. You are receiving this newsletter because at some time you have joined HEN or shown your support. We are most appreciative of those members who renew their membership annually (it’s only $15 and easy via the website). Please visit HEN Facebook where many events show up: Please Like us! Keep in touch and encourage your friends to join up and be part of our campaigns! We are really keen to attract new paying members to HEN. |
| Kind Regards, Jocelyn Howden, Vice Chair Christine Watson, Secretary |
