Other projects and initiatives

A person hiking through the rainforest.

Guide promotes biodiversity in backyards

The Local Native Garden Guide is a 40-page booklet created by Lismore City Council and Rous County Council, which provides tips and species recommendations for designing and planting a native garden in Lismore's main landscapes, including information on landscaping for water quality and protecting local koalas.

The guide is available for download or in hardcopy at the Lismore Library.

My Local Native Garden Guide – Lismore(PDF, 6MB)

Water education activities for schools

Students of all ages benefit from learning about ways in which we can all help improve the health of our drinking water catchment.

Teaching children the value of water as a precious resource helps get the message into more households and sets up good habits for life.

Phone (02) 6625 0500 to ask for support with water education.

Feel Blue Touch Green

The "Feel Blue Touch Green" initiative is a program that encourages people to spend time in nature to improve mental and physical health.

Research shows that nature can be a powerful healer, and that parks and bushland can play an important role in improving health for everyone, particularly vulnerable members of the community.

This program is being implemented in Lismore, and includes a brochure(PDF, 6MB) promoting urban green spaces and bushland areas as places for the community to access and enjoy.

The initiative also includes signs in the city centre with maps and information on 12 locations in Lismore and Goonellabah to visit, and free bush therapy events for Lismore residents referred by mental health peer workers.

3D water catchment model

The 3D Richmond and Brunswick Catchment Model is a free resource for community groups, schools, and educational events that teaches about catchment management and the impact of daily practices on land, water, and native plants and animals.

The model is interactive and can be brought to schools or events by a trained Council Education Officer. To book or for more information, contact (02) 6625 0500.

Catchment Model Brochure(PDF, 660KB)

Protecting our wildlife

North-east NSW is home to a rich and diverse wildlife population, including 45 species of non-flying mammals, 31 species of bats, 400 species of birds, 87 species of reptiles, 43 species of amphibians, and 48 species of freshwater fish.

If you find injured wildlife, contact Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers on the 24-hour rescue hotline (02) 6628 1866 or WIRES Northern Rivers emergency hotline (02) 6628 1898.

If you find a sick or injured koala, contact Friends of the Koala's 24-hour rescue hotline (02) 6622 1233.

Lismore City Council is involved in koala habitat conservation initiatives and works with Friends of the Koala to improve koala populations.