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
Supporting Rural Women. Strengthening Communities. Creating Local Solutions.
June 26 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pmPort Stephens marine creatures great and small
June 27 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pmWALK: Newcastle’s waterways & byways, Stockton to Islington
July 1 @ 9:30 am - 3:30 pmClimate facts, consequences & choices ahead
July 5 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 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.
NEWSFLASH from Mambo Wetlands
THANK YOU – for caring 🌱🐨🐸
Thank you to the >1700 people who have already signed the petition and all the businesses who collected them to help SAVE Mambo’s Buffer Zone.
The work doesn’t stop there.
We are calling on the Council to acknowledge the widespread community OUTRAGE and reconsider their decision at their 28 July meeting
Learn about our marine life 🐳🪸🦈🐬
Saturday 27 June
Visitors will hear from local marine expert Matt from Atlantis Port Stephens.
Dive into the underwater world of Port Stephens with an exciting display celebrating the incredible marine life found in our local waters.
From giant humpback whales to tiny nudibranchs, Port Stephens Marine Creatures – Great and Small, invites visitors of all ages to discover the fascinating creatures that call our coastline home.
Our areas of focus
Our Network in Action
Environmental primacy in Port Stephens planning
Environmental primacy means the environment is treated as a non-negotiable constraint within which development must be designed. Read more
Mambo Wetlands needs your urgent help NOW
Mambo Wetlands needs your urgent help NOW as the proposed Salamander Town Centre Development will detrimentally impact the wetlands and its inhabitants. Read more
Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan ~ Is history repeating itself?
Mambo Wetlands, and its endangered ecological communities, is again under threat, this time from development in the (draft) Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan. WE NEED TO ACT! Read more
Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan ~ nature endangered on the edge
Mambo Wetlands, and its endangered ecological communities, is again under threat, this time from development in the (draft) Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan. WE NEED TO ACT! Read more
Healthy Environments, Healthy People
Help create a healthy environment and a connected community. We are sp lucky to have our stunning Tomaree Coastal Walk on our doorstep. Habitat restoration and weed removal is ongoing. And you can participate! Read more
EcoUpdate Highlights
EcoUpdate: April/May 2026
In May we recognise the vital role our volunteers across our network play in building sustainable, inclusive communities ~ read their stories as we celebrate Volunteer Week and 2026 UN International Year for Sustainable Development Read more
EcoNetwork’s Marine Special Interest Group
We’re excited to announce the formation of a special interest group dedicated to protecting and understanding the incredible marine life in the Port Stephens Estuary and nearby coastal waters. Read more
‘Wings Over Wetlands’
‘Wings Over Wetlands’ By Liz Date-HuxtableHunter Bird Observers ClubApril 2026 We celebrated World Environment Day this year when several community groups came together with activities and displays, to launch ‘Wings … Read more
EcoUpdate: March 2026
EcoUpdate March 2026 brings stories of passionate people taking action for our environment — and with stories worth sharing. Enjoy! Read more
Community Forum puts decision-makers on notice
A great turn out to EcoNetwork’s Forum, Communities Creating Change and Defending the Environment, gathered to hear a cast of speakers on these far-reaching issues. Read more
Sustainable Living
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
Opportunity knocks in an energy crisis
This interesting historic perspective brings us to today’s energy crisis and questions what opportunities can we now seize that may not have been apparent or politically possible. Read more
Low cost renewable energy may save Tomago Smelter
Why Tomago Aluminium has been talking about shutting down, how energy costs matter so much for aluminium and possible solutions Read more