An eco-friendly welcome
Welcome to EcoNetwork Port Stephens, a not-for-profit and 100% volunteer-run organisation dedicated to the interest of all who treasure and want to preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of our Port Stephens estuary, peninsulas and rural hinterland.
Featured Events
Port Stephens contains diverse landscapes including native forests, sand dunes, mangroves and wetlands as well as unique offshore reefs, islands and marine habitats. Our local community has the challenge to protect these natural assets from the ongoing pressures of unsustainable development, tourism and water-based activities.
EcoNetwork Port Stephens, in partnership with many local affiliated groups and businesses, is also closely involved with current statewide, national and global environmental emergencies such as habitat destruction, climate change and plastic pollution.
Join us and enjoy sharing your experiences, expanding your knowledge and contributing to the healthy and happy environment that is Port Stephens.
Our Network in Action
Affiliate profile: North Arm Cove Community Association
North Arm Cove Community Association started in 1967 and was one of the first affiliates to join EcoNetwork in 1993. They have over 120 members and encompass the North Arm Cove Village on the northern side of Port Stephens. Read more
Local Landcare groups lend a hand for Schools Tree Day 2024
On Schools Tree Day this year, local Landcare groups Mambo-Wanda Wetlands and Soldiers Point-Salamander Bay (SPSB), joined Tomaree High School in a joint weed-and-plant event. Read more
Garden Centres contribute to weed problem
Port Stephens bushcare groups keen to support any moves to regulate the garden industry to ensure they don’t sell either seeds or potted plants of many invasive varieties. Read more
Kings Hill Urban Release Area
The Kings Hill Urban Release Area (KHURA) is in the Port Stephens LGA, 8km north of Raymond Terrace. To give you an idea of scale, the map below spans an area between Six Mile Rd and Newline Rd and has a border with the Pacific Highway. Read more
Celebrating 40 years of Tomaree National Park | 2024
Imagine our landscape without Tomaree National Park Scenically, our treed hills and coastlines bring us so much enjoyment and aesthetic pleasure, not to mention their drawcard for tourism, and the … Read more
EcoUpdate Highlights
A Tale of Two Islands
For those of you who missed the excellent presentation by Dr Yuna Kim at this year’s Annual Bird Forum 2024, it featured a special seabird that breeds on Port Stephens’ … Read more
EcoUpdate: November 2024
Welcome to November’s EcoUpdate! There’s a bumper issue to get through this time, so get a cuppa, or something stronger, put your feet up and see what Port Stephens has been up to lately! Read more
Aboriginal Place for Mambo-Wanda
Aboriginal Place for Mambo-Wanda By Kathy Brown, Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group. In June this year I wrote an email on behalf of the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group to Port Stephens … Read more
Close Encounters of the Bird Kind!
How many people reading this have been swooped by a magpie at this time of year – late winter/early spring? Read more
Shorebirds and Seabirds on and off the Port Stephens Coastline
This year, EcoNetwork’s annual bird forum focussed on shorebirds and seabirds, and our local community had a rare opportunity to hear from experts and researchers who outlined their latest bird monitoring and recovery programs. Read more
Sustainable Living
Coming full circle with plastics
One good turn deserves another – please read this to … Read more
Rewiring Australia visits the Hunter
On July 25, international rockstar-engineer Dr Saul Griffith filled City … Read more
New energy projects – potential impacts on nature
In our effort to decarbonise our world to reduce climate impacts, a raft of new energy projects being rolled out create some concern as to how they may impact our natural environment and wildlife. This is what has been termed the Green vs Green dilemma. Read more
Environmental Impact Assessment Process for wind farms
There is some pushback on the development of offshore wind farms. Their environmental impact assessments/statements will have to be demonstrably independent and transparent so they cannot be accused of being biased or influenced by the proponents and therefore unacceptable to sectors of the community, Read more
Global Warnings!
A call for alliances to act on climate and social justice. The first EcoNetwork community forum of the year was held last month. Around 80 people packed the Tomaree Community Hall to hear Dr Mark Diesendorf call on communities to form alliances to combat the power of vested interests over government and institutions. Read more