Collaboration for Shared Land Ecosystems

The University of Newcastle works with local communities, Traditional Owners, government agencies and environmental organisations to care for shared land ecosystems across the Hunter region. In 2025, these collaborations supported wetland and shorebird habitat restoration, koala habitat management and Indigenous-led care for Country.

2025 local collaboration

Working together helps connect University research and expertise with the knowledge, priorities and practical experience of the communities who share responsibility for local ecosystems.

Hunter Estuary Ramsar wetlands

The University of Newcastle is a key delivery partner in the Securing the Sanctuaries of Ramsar and Priority Wetlands for Migratory and Marine Species project led by Hunter Local Land Services. The partnership also includes Awabakal and Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Councils, Hunter Wetlands Centre Australia, BirdLife Australia, local community organisations and public and private land managers.

During 2024-25, the Hunter wetlands project included ecological surveys, weed management, shorebird habitat restoration, a Hunter Estuary Ramsar Forum and wetland-user education. The project is designed to improve habitat, reduce threats from weeds and feral animals, strengthen First Nations participation in wetland management and support community knowledge about threatened migratory shorebirds.

Protecting koala habitat in Port Stephens

In 2025, Port Stephens Council reported a series of koala-conservation projects delivered through collaboration between the University of Newcastle, Council, Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, Hunter Water, the Port Stephens Koala Hospital and other local organisations.

The Port Stephens koala partnership combined research and community knowledge to improve understanding of koala habitat and guide restoration. Work included a genetically informed koala feed-tree list, fine-scale vegetation mapping, thermal-drone and detection-dog survey methods, and a strategic habitat-restoration priority map. Traditional Owner knowledge-sharing was also used to support Indigenous-led caring-for-Country activities and improve koala habitat condition.

Revitalising Country at Onebygamba, Carrington

Associate Professor Sara Motta and Aunty Theresa Dargin of the Dates mob, Worimi peoples, have co-developed the Nurringil/Re-Spiriting of Onebygamba project in Carrington. The project brings University researchers together with Spiritual Water Ways and the local community to revitalise degraded land and waterways through Indigenous-led sustainability, cultural knowledge and community connection to Country.

The University's 2025 SDG reporting describes work mapping local wildlife, tides and bird movements into interactive soundscapes, alongside community-based learning and ongoing development of the Nurringil project. The collaboration connects ecological restoration with First Nations knowledge, reconciliation and long-term stewardship of the Carrington mangrove landscape.

2024 supporting context: Moata'a Living Lab, Samoa

The University also collaborates internationally with the Moata'a community in Samoa to conserve and regenerate a mangrove ecosystem that is central to local culture, livelihoods and resilience.

The Moata'a Living Lab is a community-led environmental education and eco-tourism demonstration site. University researchers and students work alongside the Moata'a Village Council, local community members, the National University of Samoa, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme and Samoa's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Community-led restoration has included mangrove monitoring and replanting, clean-up days and training through the Mangrove Masters program. More than 2,500 mangrove seedlings have been planted in recent years as part of efforts to restore the ecosystem.

This work forms part of the University's broader Pacific partnerships in environmental resilience and ecosystem protection.

Across these projects, collaboration is central to how shared ecosystems are cared for: combining community knowledge, Indigenous leadership, research and practical restoration to support healthier habitats and more resilient landscapes.

The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.