Save Our Waterways Now

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Save Our Waterways Now SOWN is a community-based environmental organisation working to restore the habitats of waterways in the Enoggera catchment.

SOWN is supported by the Brisbane City Council through its Habitat Brisbane Program and Water Resources. The project promotes an integrated catchment management approach to priority areas identified in the Brisbane City Council's Waterways Strategy, in association with communities and local authorities. While some of the creek system is being rehabilitated, a great deal of work will be needed to extend the area to join current sites, and to maintain the rehabilitated areas to prevent their re-infestation with weeds. The Creeks draining this part of the valley are over 23 kilometres in length and feed into Breakfast Creek.

🌿 Biodiversity Puzzle & Community Planting MorningHow well do you know the nature around you? Come along for a fun, fami...
15/10/2026

🌿 Biodiversity Puzzle & Community Planting Morning

How well do you know the nature around you? Come along for a fun, family friendly morning exploring biodiversity and why it matters.

🧩 Start with a biodiversity puzzle
A hands on, science-based game that explores what biodiversity is, the benefits it provides, and what happens when we lose it. Perfect for adults and children 10 years and over.

🌱 Then get planting!
Put your new knowledge into action with a community planting session led by SOWN and the Yoorala Street Bushcare Group. Help create habitat for local wildlife and strengthen our local environment.

📍 A great morning to learn something new, meet your community and do something positive for nature.

Families welcome | Children 10+ | No experience needed | Link to tickets in first comment

Come along and get involved!

🌿 SOWN Social is happening tonight!Fancy a relaxed evening with some of the people who make SOWN what it is? Join us for...
14/10/2026

🌿 SOWN Social is happening tonight!

Fancy a relaxed evening with some of the people who make SOWN what it is? Join us for our first SOWN Social at The Gap Tavern.

📅 TONIGHT - Wednesday 14 October
⏰ 6pm to 8pm
📍 The Gap Tavern

Come along for a chat and a chance to connect with the SOWN community. We’ll be talking bushcare, local wildlife, the nursery and all things SOWN.

Whether you’ve been volunteering with us for years, recently joined a bushcare group or are simply curious about what we do, you’re very welcome.

We’d love to see you there!

Register via the link below or find the event on Humanitix.

🌿 Have you spotted Dyschoriste?Dyschoriste nagchana is one of the 12 worst weeds in the Enoggera catchment. It can sprea...
13/10/2026

🌿 Have you spotted Dyschoriste?

Dyschoriste nagchana is one of the 12 worst weeds in the Enoggera catchment. It can spread quickly, forming thick patches that smother other plants.

🔎 Look for: purple or pale lilac tube-shaped flowers, opposite egg-shaped leaves, and spiky flower buds and seed pods.

📸 Think you’ve found it? Take a photo and send it to us or post it in the comments.

🌱 Have you already dealt with Dyschoriste?
We really want to hear what you did — what worked, what didn't, and what would you recommend to others?

Share your photos, sightings and experiences below or get in touch with SOWN at [email protected].

Photos: Sheldon Navie

🌿 Introducing "The Stones!"It was a productive morning at Barnett Road Bushcare on Saturday 5 September, with volunteers...
12/10/2026

🌿 Introducing "The Stones!"

It was a productive morning at Barnett Road Bushcare on Saturday 5 September, with volunteers planting around 90 native habitat plants beside Ithaca Creek.

Afterwards, everyone gathered at the new sandstone seating area for morning tea and to officially welcome their new gathering place, now known locally as “The Stones”.

Local residents have already commented on how great the new seating looks and how the sandstone and bollards have made the bend in the road feel safer.

The seating was made possible through the Suburban Enhancement Fund for Paddington Ward. A big thank you to Brisbane City Council and Cr Chong Wah! 🌿

A Hard Quandong (Elaeocarpus obovatus) was also planted beside The Stones, with a few more Lomandra added to the mulched slope below.

The Stones are already becoming a welcoming place for volunteers, local residents and passers-by to stop, enjoy Ithaca Creek and connect with the community.

We’re looking forward to seeing this little gathering place grow!

Photo credit: Alan Chenoweth

11/10/2026

💙 A flash of blue along Enoggera Creek!

Sometimes we get so busy with bushcare, we forget to stop and enjoy the beauty around us.

SOWN President Ed Bennett spotted this stunning Azure Kingfisher and managed to capture it on camera. A little reminder that amongst all the weeds, planting and hard work, there’s some pretty incredible wildlife to enjoy too.

Have you spotted an Azure Kingfisher along Enoggera Creek? We’d love to hear where! 💙

🌿 SOWN Social is happening in October!Fancy a relaxed evening with some of the people who make SOWN what it is? Join us ...
10/10/2026

🌿 SOWN Social is happening in October!

Fancy a relaxed evening with some of the people who make SOWN what it is? Join us for our first SOWN Social at The Gap Tavern.

📅 Wednesday 14 October
⏰ 6pm to 8pm
📍 The Gap Tavern

Come along for a chat and a chance to connect with the SOWN community. We’ll be talking bushcare, local wildlife, the nursery and all things SOWN.

Whether you’ve been volunteering with us for years, recently joined a bushcare group or are simply curious about what we do, you’re very welcome.

We’d love to see you there!

Register via the link below or find the event on Humanitix.

🌿 HAVE YOU SEEN THIS TREE?SOWN needs your help to find Hard Quandong (Elaeocarpus obovatus) across the Enoggera Creek ca...
07/10/2026

🌿 HAVE YOU SEEN THIS TREE?

SOWN needs your help to find Hard Quandong (Elaeocarpus obovatus) across the Enoggera Creek catchment. This beautiful native tree is known from Nicholas Park. Could there be another one growing near you?

🔎 WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Flowers: Small white, bell-shaped flowers with fringed petals, usually September–November.

Fruit: Small blue fruits, January–April.

Leaves: Glossy green, oval-shaped with shallow toothed edges.

📸 THINK YOU’VE FOUND ONE?
Take a photo and send it to us! A photo of the whole tree, plus close-ups of the leaves, flowers or fruit, is ideal. Please also tell us where you found it.

Not sure? Send it anyway as we can help with identification.

📧 [email protected]

Your sighting could help us locate trees for future seed collection and propagation at the SOWN Nursery. 🌱

SEE IT. SNAP IT. SEND IT! 🌿📸

Photos: Robert Whyte and John Abbott.

🌿 Young environmental leaders learning about our waterwaysOn Monday 31 August, 42 student leaders from nine local school...
05/10/2026

🌿 Young environmental leaders learning about our waterways

On Monday 31 August, 42 student leaders from nine local schools came together at Payne Road State School for Environmental Leaders Day 2026, with this year's focus on water.

SOWN was proud to be part of a day filled with practical learning, discussion and ideas for taking action.

Students rotated through three workshops:

🌿 Protecting Critically Endangered Rainforest with Daniel Mitchell from SOWN
💧 Freshwater Friends with aquatic expert and author Stephen Baines
📖 Water Stories with Loretta Leary from Earthwatch's Mizuiku Water Program

Students explored local creeks and rainforest, learnt about the plants and animals that depend on healthy waterways, and discussed threats including weeds, rubbish, pollution and erosion.

They also came up with their own ideas for making a difference, from planting more trees and cleaning up creeks to reducing waste and advocating for healthy waterways.

A big thank you to Payne Road State School, its P&C, the students, teachers and everyone who contributed to such a great day of environmental learning and leadership. 🌱

Address

57 Paten Road, The Gap
Brisbane, QLD
4061

Opening Hours

Wednesday 9am - 12:30pm
Saturday 9am - 11am

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