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
FORUM: The resilience of our coastal and marine life
August 23 @ 2:00 pm - 4:30 pmWALK: Wildflower Wander, high & low trails, Tomaree National Park
August 26 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pmTomaree NP: Wildflower colour, curiosities & learning short walks
September 5 @ 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
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.
EcoNetwork Port Stephens presents: The resilience of our coastal and marine life
Sunday 23 Aug 2-4pm Tomaree Library
Join marine biologist Bob Creese and EcoNetwork Port Stephens for this FREE forum with leading local experts as they explore some of the biggest challenges facing our marine environment including coastal erosion, turtle mortalities, oyster reef restoration and freshwater impacts following heavy rainfall.
GOOD NEWS from Mambo Wetlands 🐨
Council has agreed NOT to build on Mambo’s Buffer zones. This includes the area to the west of Tomaree Library plus the area to the north of the Salamander Bay Shopping Centre.
Council will undertake to rezone the buffer from Commercial to C2 Environmental Conservation, protecting the buffer for the future.
We still need your help to ensure Mambo’s long-term protection. 👏🏼
Can you write to your Councillors and attend the 25 August Council meeting when the General Manager will deliver a report on developments near Mambo Wetlands?
H5 bird flu a major threat to wildlife
There have been confirmed detections of H5N1 – a serious and contagious strain of bird flu posing significant risks to wildlife, ecosystems and especially our threatened species – in wild birds across Australia and in NSW.
If you notice sick or dead marine birds, domestic birds, marine mammals or other wildlife showing signs of bird flu, you should NOT touch them or get too close. Record your location and report it to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on ☎️1800 675 888
Discover our wildflowers 🌼
Enjoy one of several easy, slow-paced walks over 2.5 km making them suitable for most people who want to learn about wildflowers, or a full day walk over Tomaree’s high and low trails to experience the park’s colourful tapestry.
Help stop Bobs Farm sand quarry
Koalas, powerful owls and flying foxes call this their home on Nelson Bay Road. 50 objections are needed before closing on 12 August
Our areas of focus
Our Network in Action
Good news for Mambo Wetlands – more to do
Port Stephens Council has made some concessions about building on the Mambo buffer zone. They have agreed NOT to build on the area west of Tomaree Library. We are still asking Council to stop development in ALL areas of remaining buffer zone around Mambo Wetlands. Council have agreed to investigate the reclassification of these areas so that the community is not continually fighting these battles to protect Mambo Wetlands. Read more
Swan Bay DA – a win for the environment
Swan Bay DA – a win for the environment and the Far Eastern Curlew In an important win for the environment, a proposed tourist accommodation park at 1107 Swan Bay … Read more
Mambo Wetlands still needs your urgent help to protect it into the future
Mambo Wetlands needs your urgent help NOW to ensure changes to the proposed Salamander Town Centre Development fully protect Mambo Wetlands TODAY and INTO THE FUTURE Read more
Mambo Wetlands Community Forum
Mambo Wetlands Community Forum – Presentation by Kathy Brown, Secretary Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group – May 2026 Read more
Planning integrity and the Mambo Wetlands buffer: what the Salamander Bay Place Plan really proposes
Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan Review Read more
EcoUpdate Highlights
Celebrate Landcare
Celebrate Landcare with stories of great groups around Port Stephens doing great things to improve our environment. Why not join up? Read more
EcoUpdate: August 2026
August has arrived, and Port Stephens is buzzing 🌿
From community action and environmental projects to events and stories worth sharing, there’s lots happening across our beautiful backyard. Dive into this month’s EcoUpdate to see what’s making waves. Read more
Forum: Local experts to tackle Port Stephens’ marine challenges
Port Stephens breathtaking underwater world is teeming with unique biodiversity. But beneath the surface, a rapidly changing climate is pushing these fragile habitats to their limits. How resilient is our local marine environment against these escalating threats? We explore answers with marine experts at out Forum. Read more
H5 bird flu is a major threat to wildlife
H5 bird flu poses significant risks to wildlife, ecosystems and especially our threatened species. Read more
Mambo Wetlands provides multiple services under many pressures
The Mambo-Wetlands – a provider of multiple services under a myriad of pressures. Read more
Sustainable Living
Culturally-informed Cool Burn Program
A recently released NSW Cultural Fire Strategy commits to removing barriers that hampered cultural burning across NSW. Read more
High Court hears bid to overturn block on 22-year Mount Pleasant coal mine extension
Wendy Wales and Tony Lonergan are fighting the largest coal mine expansion in the state all the way to the High Court. Read the ABC article. Read more
Coal faces reality in the high court!
Breaking news! Coal and climate go to Australia’s highest court, as a local couple, in a David and Goliath battle, fight for climate and our future generations. Read more
Newcastle waterway listed among the state’s microplastic hot spots
Newcastle waterway listed among the state’s microplastic hot spots By … Read more
Flood Risk Management ~ a potential policy for the future
Flood Risk Management ~ a potential policy for the future … Read more