In 1978, an area of bushland in South Turramurra was threatened with destruction by plans to build a netball complex. Residents were galvanised into action to try to save this natural area and so STEP was formed. That particular fight was lost, but from this small beginning STEP has grown to become a vital force in conservation in northern Sydney. Click here for more information on our history, aims and achievements.
STEP questions the conventional wisdom. Urban environmentalism is much more than fighting against loss of natural areas. It is essential to look many decades ahead and to educate and inspire the community to appreciate what we have if the battle against the unthinking and destroyers is to be won. Natural areas may be maintained by regeneration and maintenance but they can only be saved if they are not lost, piece by piece, to our ever increasing need for housing, schools, roads, playing fields, hospitals and all the other developments our governments are imposing upon us.
By joining STEP you will demonstrate that you are concerned about retaining the local environment for the future. We draw our members from far and wide but we are primarily concerned with Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby and surrounding suburbs. Each year we organise walks and talks, produce newsletters, make submissions and support environmental education. We've published books and maps of walking tracks.
Breaking News - May
Bushland threat in Hornsby Council - Beecroft/Cheltenham area for further details read more…
STEP has various summisions - 1) The Murray Darling basin [.pdf] and also 2) NSW planning [.pdf]
Whole interesting article about invasive species in NSW ( NPA magazine, Nature News, Winter 2011 pp 8-11) read more… - refer to lastest newsletter which was a shortened version.
Latest News
2012 - STEP Matters, Issue 164
Download a copy of our latest newsletter [.pdf]
STEP Walk
STEP 20th May 2012 to the Two Creeks Track read more…
STEP Talks
Talk in 1 May 2012 on Sydney fungi read more…
Bush walks
Dr John Martyn was featured online in January 2012 read more…and also in March 2012 read more…
Explore the unique bushland of the North Shore order your copy now!
The long awaited and extensively revised full colour Field Guide to the Bushland of the Lane Cove Valley by Dr John Martyn is now available for purchase. This is the first time this iconic publication has been revamped and updated. The contents have been reviewed by experts and augmented with many new entries, making it the most authoritative publication of its kind in the region. All profits will go to our environmental conservation and education efforts read more…
Current Issues
STEP against funding cuts to Lane Cove National Park in 2012
Letter to the Premier Mr Barry O'Farrell - read more ...
Marine Parks
Read about STEP's signed support for read more ...
Bushland Tracks and Trails
In response to the on-going community dabate about the construction of new tracks and trails in urban bushland, STEP has published a position paper read more ...