The quietly-spoken registered nurse, aged in her 60s, has gained strength from the success of an action group uniting individuals and families of all ages and backgrounds.

"A lot of people in Dubbo and the surrounding region are worried about the risk CSG drilling poses to the environment, water and prime agricultural land," Ms Forsstrom said.

"They are upset by plans to put hundreds of gas wells into the Pilliga Forest and anxious that the Goonoo Forest, near Dubbo, is the subject of gas field exploration.

"Concerns also extend to other mining projects in NSW, including proposals for a vast open cut coal operation on the Liverpool Plains that could potentially damage the Namoi Valley catchment and the Murray-Darling Basin.

"People are increasingly talking to each other and their elected representatives. They are writing letters, signing petitions and keeping the conversation going."

Ms Forsstrom said the Gasfield Free Dubbo group led to the formation of a local branch of Knitting Nannas Against Gas.

Drawing on a long history of knitting as a tool for non-violent activism, members sit in Dubbo's central business district each Wednesday.

Dressed in yellow and black and flanked by protest signs they hand out information, answer questions and urge people to be part of a conversation tree.

"Talking is the best way to spread the message that people need to stop and think about the negative impact of mining," Ms Forsstrom said.

"During the school term we mostly see young adults who are really passionate about protecting the environment and older people who are concerned about the future for the grandchildren.

"When it is school holidays we see a lot of families with their children.

"Gasfield Free and Knitting Nannas groups have been formed at many locations in NSW. They have created a wonderful communication network.

"Information is shared from person to person and via social media and email.

"Protest events are well attended and a lot of people have No Gas signs and badges."

Ms Forsstrom has always had a strong interest in the environment and human rights.

She grew up on sheep stations west of the Blue Mountains and gained an early understanding of biodiversity and the impact of drought and floods.

Her sister lives in Coonabarabran, where residents have been active campaigners against CSG.

Ms Forsstrom joined the Coonabarabran action group and in August 2011 led the Dubbo Field Naturalists on a camping trip to the Dandry Gorge Aboriginal heritage site in the Pilliga.

"We drove around the well signs then owned by Eastern Star Gas," she said.

"We could smell gas and as methane is odourless I hate to think what we were breathing in."

Ms Forsstrom was appointed convenor of the Dubbo CSG action group when a meeting was held on August 24 last year. The event received support from Lock the Gate north-west co-ordinator Megan Kuhn, Bore Water Users Association president Anne Kennedy and Jane Judd from Coonabarabran Residents Against Gas.

Gasfield Free Dubbo members were active in the lead-up to the last state election and plan to do even more at the next federal poll.

"We will be able to be more creative because we now have experience," Ms Forsstrom said.

"It is important to ask questions and stimulate conversation to get people thinking. Information awareness is the most effective thing we can do in the Dubbo region."

In the past year Gasfield Free Dubbo members have held meetings with Member for Dubbo Troy Grant, presented a GetUp! Petition with 107,000 signatures and taken part in protests, including creating a human sign at a day of action at Gunnedah organised by the North West Alliance.

"Submissions on mining and CSG strategies have been lodged with Dubbo City Council," Ms Forsstrom said.

"We are working on a new letter for council. The weekly Knitting Nannas information stand is very important and we are constantly amazed by the concerns expressed to us by local and regional residents and visitors to Dubbo.

"People are sharing posts and 'liking' the Gasfield Free Dubbo Facebook page. I started a Twitter account in January and have been re-tweeting CSG matters. A lot of people visit the lockthegate.org.au website.

"We are determined to keep developing strategies to keep the CSG conversation going. We won't stop being active until there is no coal seam gas in NSW."