Amy St Lawrence holding a six-year-old Eastern long-necked turtle. (Photo: Will Goodwin)
Story by Julie Nance
Glenbrook Lagoon is like a retirement village for turtles, where the majority of the freshwater reptiles are senior citizens. With 95 out of 100 eggs eaten by foxes, the odds are against baby turtles entering the world. However, things are now looking up for the lagoon’s turtle population. The floating eco habitat Turtle Island is proving to be a safe haven, and a community-led nest protection strategy is also making a big difference.
Key Points:
Freshwater turtles lay 8 to 24 eggs at once, an attractive meal for foxes if nests are not protected.
Every individual, not just the experts, can help protect turtle nests with short online training.
Even a small act like moving a turtle off the road can help boost dwindling turtle populations.
On a rainy afternoon in late October Amy St Lawrence was at Glenbrook Lagoon, finishing up a full day of collecting water samples at sites across the Blue Mountains.
The Blue Mountains City Council Aquatic Systems Officer spotted two Eastern long-necked turtles digging nests nearby on the sandy lagoon bank. It was a rare sight, particularly as it was a little early for the November to January nesting season. “I was so excited; I’d never seen that before,” Amy says.
A rare find: one of three Eastern long-necked turtles spotted nesting at Glenbrook Lagoon in late 2023. (Photo: Amy St Lawrence)
Amy sent colleague Will Goodwin a photo of the turtles as he was preparing for a large school excursion the next day.
He recalls: “It was an amazing feeling getting that photo because we care so much about these animals and getting to see this valuable thing happening was such a privilege.
“It started this massive race against the clock, a panic to protect the nests before sunset.”
The two nesting Eastern long-necked turtles with a curious swamp hen. (Video: Amy St Lawrence / Julie Nance)
Amy watched one of the turtles move into the bush after being disturbed by nearby swamp hens. She reluctantly left the remaining turtle as she had to rush the time-sensitive water samples to a lab in Smithfield.
In the meantime, Will was busy getting supplies to protect the nests, drawing on training from the 1 Million Turtles Conservation Program website. He also made signs alerting the public to be careful.
When Amy got back to the site with her own supplies, a mother and young daughter, and a father and son, were keeping watch. They had witnessed the laying of seven eggs into the nest, which the turtle was now covering with dirt before returning to the lagoon.
Amy and Will set to work pinning mesh over the nests and putting up signs.
Amy laying protective mesh over a nest, using the method outlined on the 1 Million Turtles website. (Photo: Will Godwin)
Will also protecting a turtle nest. (Photo: Amy St Lawrence)
The father who had helped keep vigil told Amy and Will he had seen another nest close to his home on the other side of the lagoon. They went and protected that nest and left the family with materials and instructions on how to protect further nests.
Since that exciting day Amy has seen another turtle nesting at a different part of the lagoon while she was water sampling.
“I’d never seen it before and I ended up seeing three turtles nesting within a few weeks,” she says. “The father we helped was really interested in finding more nests and protecting them. It has been amazing seeing the response from the community.”
Freshwater turtles nationally are under threat and in decline due to fox predation, widespread drought, habitat loss and vehicle strike.
To help address their plight, a floating eco habitat, Turtle Island, was built in early 2020 at Glenbrook Lagoon, a few metres from the sandy bank where the two turtles were spotted nesting. A collaboration between the Glenbrook Lagoon Bushcare group, Blue Mountains City Council and Western Sydney University (WSU), the nesting place is proving to be successful for the small residents.
During the breeding season over the 2022/23 summer, two entire clutches (batches of eggs) successfully hatched on the island.
Will says a gamechanger for the survival of the turtles is the actions of community members. Glenbrook Lagoon Bushcare volunteers built the island and organised the plantings. Other locals and interested volunteers have joined as Citizen Scientists.
WSU Associate Professor Ricky Spencer, who was the innovator behind the island, pioneered the Citizen Science program 1 Million Turtles. To become a Citizen Scientist, you need to complete short online training to understand how to protect the nests correctly in an ethically responsible way while minimising any potential risk to yourself or any species.
Dr Spencer’s community-led turtle conservation work won him an Australian Eureka award last year for Innovation in Citizen Science. By downloading his TurtleSAT, the first fully integrated citizen science app focusing on monitoring turtles, you can enter nest protection and other data.
Turtle Island with nesting boxes and vegetation native to the lagoon. It has been placed far enough away from shore to deter foxes from swimming to it and eating the turtle eggs and occasional waterfowl hatchlings. Many species of birds are found on and around the island. (Video: Julie Nance)
Will says: “I view what is happening at Glenbrook Lagoon as a massive success story in the sense that things are looking up for the turtles. It is something where everyone can get involved and Turtle Island is one element of that.
“Turtles have had a rough trot but we’re now at the stage where things are starting to actually work. We’ve got nest protection that works, an island that works and we’ve got people who care.” – Will Godwin
Turtles play an important role in maintaining water quality by consuming dead and rotting carcasses from the water, reducing the risk of algal blooms.
Freshwater turtles can live for more than 100 years. Will says turtle surveys at Glenbrook Lagoon indicate most of the turtle inhabitants are old. However, it was a promising sign when Dr Spencer and students caught and then released a six-year-old Eastern long-necked turtle in Autumn 2022.
Turtles are cold blooded animals, so they need to be able to get their body temperature up to go about their business including feeding and breeding. A turtle basking platform has also been erected near Turtle Island, designed to help adult turtles vulnerable to predators including dogs.
“Their shell is made out of keratin which is the exact same stuff that goat horns, and other treats we give our dogs, are made out of,” Will says. “Unfortunately, if dogs are off leash and they’re not controlled, the turtles end up being a chew toy. The basking platform helps the turtles but also allows anyone to get up close and study them, entering important information into the TurtleSAT app.”
Will says having individuals out there looking for turtles, recording their observations, and protecting the nests is what will make the biggest impact.
“Hopefully we will have cute little baby turtles taking their first swim at Glenbrook Lagoon within a few months. It’s an exciting time.”
An eight-week-old Eastern long-necked turtle. Will says: “This is the goal; we’re all working towards seeing more little guys like this cruising around.” (Photo: Will Goodwin)
Look out for turtles and their nests. Log information, including any turtle injuries, into TurtleSAT.
Blue Mountains residents who have done the 1 Million Turtles training can be supported with free materials. Email Will at wgoodwin@bmcc.nsw.gov.au with proof of completion of the training.
If you see a turtle crossing the road and it is safe to do so, carefully pick it up and immediately put it down on the other side of the road in the direction it was heading. That one little act could mean decades more years of breeding for that turtle.
Learn about the amazing work of Valley Heights resident Shane Davies: The Turtle Saviour.
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
We`re thrilled that EarthRising Mushroom Farm will be at the Blue Mountains Food Security Fair this Sat 18 Oct with their fabulous fresh mushrooms, mushroom grow kits and other mushroom products. Alex can help you get started on mushroom growing and let you know more about the mushroom compost you can pick up from the Farm in Lawson. View the full program for the day here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nOSJle The Fair is at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre: 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba (former Katoomba Golf Course)
Such an amazing program for the Food Security Fair at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on Sat 18 Oct: from the renowned Holly Davis, co-founder of Iku, and author of Ferment, giving a hands on demonstration of how to preserve and increase the health and deliciousness of food through fermentation, to Dr Milena Bojovic from UTS on the Future of Food! Dr Teya Brooks Pribac from Plant Inspired will demonstrate innovative plant based cooking techniques, Michael from Good Fat Pastry will share baking innovations, Marnee Fox from Forage to Feast will share how to use Wild Edibles, seed saver extraordinaire Lloyd Sharp from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers will share his amazing expertise and launch the Upper Blue Mountains Seed Savers and Gardening Group, Manu Prigioni from Farm it Forward will discuss equity and nutrition security and Farm it Forward’s response to the National Food Security Strategy document, Erin Hall will provide a hands-on Weaving with Weeds workshop, and Nev Sweeney will share how to build and use a solar food dehydrator. Places are limited so bookings essential here (link in profile @bluemountainsplanetaryhealth : https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or... This event has been supported by an Australian Association for Environmental Education sEEd grant.
Social enterprise @farmitforward is working to increase local food security one backyard after another, and with young people at Katoomba High School. At the Food Security Fair on Sat 18 Oct, co-founder Manu Prigioni will speak about Incorporating equity and nutrition security in discussions on food security: Farm It Forward’s response to the National Food Security Strategy document. Reserve your spot for her presentation here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nOSJle Read more about Manu and Farm it Forward in Katoomba Area Local News here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/46PTAfF
Join seed saver extraordinaire Lloyd Sharp, from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers, as we launch the Upper Blue Mountains Seed Saving and Gardening group at the Food Security Fair on Sat 18 October. Lloyd will share some of his extensive seed saving experience, and there will be an opportunity to purchase and share local seeds and plants. Huge thanks to Happy Valley Seeds for donating heirloom seeds and discount cards, and to @thediggersclub for generously donating Vegetable and Flower Sowing Guides and their 2025/2026 Heirloom Seed Annual. There will be one for every attendee! The Food Security Fair is being held at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba and the Seed Saving presentation is at 10.20am. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
Nev Sweeney, renowned permaculture teacher and practitioner, from Under the Choko Tree, will be leading a workshop on how to build and use a solar food dehydrator at the Blue Mountains Food Security Fair on Saturday 18 Oct. Nev will talk about why food dehydration is a good idea, some techniques that can be used to dry food, pretreat or not to pretreat, general tips and considerations about food drying, drying fruit and veg, testing for dryness and using dried produce. He will explain how he made a simple direct solar food dryer and a more complex indirect solar food dryer. Reserve your spot here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
Planetary Health volunteer, American permaculture teacher Susan Krings, has been helping to organise the inaugural Blue Mountains Food Security Fair. If you`d like to learn more about volunteering at the Centre email planetaryhealth@bmcc.nsw.gov.au or ring 0407 437 553
You can purchase tickets for the Food Security Fair in Katoomba on Saturday 18 October here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-sec...
The day will include stalls, talks and demos about growing, sourcing, cooking, preserving and enjoying plant based food and protecting habitat for wildlife. The event is part of a series celebrating the centenary of World Animal Day.
The fabulous line up of speakers and workshop tutors includes Dr Milena Bojovic on the Future of Food; Holly Davis, co-founder of Iku and author of `Ferment`; Michael from Good Fat Pastry; Nev Sweeney from Under the Choko Tree on how to build a Solar Powered Food Dehydrator; Lloyd Sharp from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers; Marnee Fox from Forage to Feast; Teya Brooks Pribac from Plant Inspired; and Erin Hall on Weaving with Weeds and Manu Prigioni from Farm it Forward.
Stalls will include EarthRising Mushroom Farm, Bibi`s Kitchen, edible native plants, the Planetary Health Cafe and more.
Each session needs to be booked individually as numbers are strictly limited.
This event is being supported by a sEEd grant from the Australian Association for Environmental Education.
At the Food Security Fair on Sat 18th October the inspiring Teya Brooks Pribac, author of ‘Not Just Another Vegan Cookbook’ and founder of Plant Inspired, will be sharing innovative but very simple culinary techniques that can help you make delicious icecream, ‘egg` sandwiches and a wide range of cheeses without any eggs or dairy. Food that’s healthier for you and the planet. You no longer need to worry if the supermarket shelves suddenly don’t have eggs, or if you can’t afford them! There are so many cooking techniques that can help us create our favourite foods, without requiring animal products! The session will end with one of Teya’s fabulous cheese tastings. Bookings essential for this fascinating workshop here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
This event is one of a series celebrating the centenary of @worldanimalday @ph_alliance
In Marnee Fox’s session on Wild Edibles at the Blue Mountains Food Security Fair on Sat 18 October, she’ll share how to incorporate wild ingredients into your every day diet AND make it delicious. Marnee Fox is a sustainable interior decorator, stylist, foodie and weed convert. She`s also one half of Forage to Feast Australia with husband, renowned environmental educator Diego Bonetto. Building on Diego`s much-loved weed foraging workshops, Marnee takes the food found on the foraging tour to the table. Bookings essential (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
If you haven`t yet tried the deliciousness of Good Fat Pastry you`ll be in for a treat at the Food Security Fair on Sat 18 October! Join Michael, the creative baker producing these mouthwatering plant based (and mostly gluten free) treats for breakfast, where he will inspire you to rethink everything you know about baking:
"Baking is both borne and constrained by convention—as are our expectations. Since Ancient Egypt and Rome, eggs, dairy, and cereals have been used in baked goods for flavour and functionality. The enormity of cakes, pastries, biscuits, and desserts we know and love—and the countless we have no awareness of—have been discovered and created through spontaneity and experimentation. Almost always resting on the magical transformations of these key ingredients under heat and energy.
Yet as the realm of food is one of creativity and sensory inquisitiveness there are inherent possibilities for alternatives—in replicating the familiar as well as creating novelty. This path can follow the complexities of molecular gastronomy or the simple pragmatism of substituting with what`s on hand. Find whatever works for you."
Spaces are limited so bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
One of the highlights of our Food Security Fair on Sat 18th October is our Weaving with Weeds workshop at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. In this relaxing and enjoyable workshop Erin Hall will help you identify common invasive weeds that are ideal for basket making, and teach you the basic skills to weave a range of different objects. At the same time you`ll be removing and repurposing weeds that are destroying habitat for our wildlife! Places are limited so bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
We’re thrilled to announce that tickets are now available for Ferment the Season with Holly Davis at the Blue Mountains Food Security Fair on Saturday 18th October at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Holly will demonstrate how to ferment the season to create more nutrient rich and digestible food. She is the co-founder of Sydney’s Iku Wholefoods and author of ‘Ferment - A Guide to the Ancient Art of Culturing Food’ and ’Nourish: Sustenance for Body and Soul”. Learn the foundational principles and several techniques for fermenting seasonally abundant produce. Fermentation increases nutrition and eating a little ferment with every meal has unlimited benefits for our overall wellbeing and the planet! Places are limited so book early here (Food Security Fair link in profile for tickets): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
Thank you to everyone who so generously contributed to our celebration of the centenary of World Animal Day, and our tribute to the life of artist, poet, author, Animal Liberation founder, and animal rights activist, Christine Townend, at the Planetary Health Centre yesterday. At a packed event we feasted on delicious plant-based food, inspiring art and poetry, and memorable conversations, as we shared our love and respect for the extraordinary world of animals of which we are a part. Join us for further celebrations at our Food Security Fair on Saturday 18 October. Register here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
Julie Nance is a community storyteller with the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative. In her coverage of the Lower Mountains area, she brings 30 years’ experience in communications, publishing and journalism.
After specialising in health and social issues as a journalist, Julie led creative teams in the government and not-for-profit sectors including the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, YMCA NSW, Cancer Council NSW and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Julie is passionate about empowering people with quality information to help them make informed choices.
During COVID lockdowns, Merryl Watkins posted a new bird photo on social media every day. The Blaxland resident wanted to remind people there was still beauty in the world and joy to be found if you stop, look and listen.
