Documentary Screening Invitation - Saving One of Australia's Rarest Butterflies in Toowoomba on Friday 4 September.

Cats have a significant and devastating impact on our native wildlife. Summary of the current state of play with our local council, and what to do if you know of a feral cat in your neighbourhood.

Water security continues to be a critical issue for our Granite Belt community, and we're pleased to see it receiving renewed attention from the State Government.

Following on from a successful launch of the Friends of Broadwater State Forest, there was an induction morning held at the Sims Lane entrance to the forest in early June.

The Landholders along Accommodation Creek welcomed Senior Ecologist with the Quoll Society, Paul Revie and Ash to discuss their conservation aims in building the riparian wildlife corridor along their section of the creek.

Our next major fundraiser will be the screening of David Attenborough’s “Ocean” at the Ballandean Hall on Saturday 31 October 2026.

We are pleased that the SDRC Parks and Operations Team will support the GBSAN/Ballandean State School community planting day in early October by preparing the planting holes along the riparian zone of Accommodation Creek to enhance the habitat for the turtles.

We are excited to launch the BugSpace Gardeners Network in collaboration with Granite Belt IPM, Borders Landcare Organic Group (BLOG) and Granite Borders Landcare.

Plastic Free July is here again. Join millions of people around the world who have taken the challenge to reduce their plastic waste through simple, everyday choices.

We have some engaging activities planned over the next few months. Come along and hear the latest at our next Pubchat on 14 June at 2pm at the Granite Belt Brewery, Glen Lyon Drive, Stanthorpe.

Stage 1 of the Landscape Linkages Project along the riparian zone of Accommodation Creek at Wyberba and Lyra begins this month. We have also purchased a 20-foot storage container to house new tools for loan to GBSAN members.

Members of the GBSAN Bushcare Group combined with the SDRC (council) staff for a working bee at Heritage Park on Wednesday, 20th May. With the assistance of a chainsaw operator we managed to fill a large truckload of privet (large and small leaved species) branches, leaves and invasive vines from the popular site near the heart of Stanthorpe. Thank you to everyone involved.

During Term 2, Barb Benham continued working with students on nature journaling as a playful and engaging way to observe and record what is happening at the creek.

The Friends of Broadwater Group is GBSAN’s newest initiative, and it was launched with an enthusiastic response from more than 45 community members who value this natural landscape on the edge of Stanthorpe.

Our first field event will be held on 7 June, starting at 9:30 am at the Sims Lane entrance to the forest.

The Resource Recovery Team has been funded by GBSAN to purchase a Worm Farm which will be situated at the Farmers Market Precinct and which will serve to use organic inputs and to produce worm castings. Initially we will aim to learn how to operate the unit and will keep records of inputs and outputs so that we can fully evaluate the project.

Don’t forget to come along to the launch of our new project – setting up the Friends of Broadwater group on Sunday 24 May at 2pm at the Granite Belt Brewery.

We were successful in securing the Queensland State Government’s Grassroots Environ-mental Grant for the GBSAN Landscape Linkages project - Stage 1. We received funding for $44,579 for this 3 year project

Our Bushcare Group is now coordinated by Andrew Pengelly. Andrew has extensive knowledge and experience with plant identification, management of plantings and weed management as well as medicinal and food uses of native plants and weeds.

Our GBSAN Ballandean SS Bell’s Turtle project welcomed Senior Ecologist Dr Darren Fielder to speak to the school community and take the years 4 to 6 to Accommodation Creek to check the turtle traps.

You are invited to the launch of our Friends of Broadwater group. We have received funding from Friends of Parks Qld to set up this group. The project aims to establish and support a regular volunteer programme delivering ongoing conservation work in the Broadwater State Forest.