Restoring landscapes across the Mount Alexander Region

Flora Identification Course

Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

The free flora identification course brought to you by McKenzies Hill Action & Landcare Group resumes this Sunday with a study of grasses.

Run by Paul Foreman, consultant Botanist and Bush Heritage Australia Ecologist, the course aims to give participants an introduction to the ecosystems and indigenous flora of the Castlemaine area.

Sunday November 8th – Common grasses.  At Castlemaine Botanic Gardens (Northern Cark Park off Downes Rd). 2 -4pm

Sunday November 15th – Tour of the shire.  Bus provided.  Meeting and returning to the car park opposite the Railway Hotel, Gingell St, Castlemaine. 10am – 4pm

Click here for full details.

For more information and to book contact Paul Foreman on 5472 4874 or 0429 134 592

 

Castlemaine Field Naturalists November meeting

Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

Join the Castlemaine Field Nats Club for a presentation by Dr Mary Cole on the importance of soil fungi known as mycorrhizae for environmental health.

All General Meetings are held at the Uniting Church Hall, enter from Lyttleton St, Castlemaine.

For more information contact President Natalie de Maccus on 5472 4499

 

Free field days and launch of the Central Victorian Compost Users Group

Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

Guest Speaker: Dr Dean Metcalf, expert on biological control using composts and compost teas.

Dean is a plant pathologist with wide experience in managing a variety of crop diseases and a particular interest in sustainable methods of crop disease control.

There are four events over three days:

WEDNESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER,   1-5PM HARCOURT – Meet at Harcourt Valley Estate Wines, followed by visit to Blackjack Wines and Harcourt Fruit Garden.

THURSDAY 12TH NOVEMBER

o    9-11 AM MURCHISON – Meet at Murchison & District Neighbourhood House followed by a site visit to Avonlea Flowers, 420 River Road, Murchison, looking at compost soil conditioners and teas for disease suppression and soil health.

o    2- 5 PM  HEATHCOTE/ COLBINABBIN – Meet at Heathcote RSL followed by a site visit to Hennings Wine/ Rathjen’s, Colbinabbin looking at composts in vineyards and tomatoes.

FRIDAY 13TH NOVEMBER – 9-12 AM BENDIGO – Meet at Balgownie Estate Wines, Hermitage Road Maiden Gully

Hear about how compost can:

  • Boost soil and plant health and plant productivity
  • Conserve moisture
  • Form part of a disease control program
  • Build long term soil carbon

Also hear about:

  • Compost Users Group – a free and independent information and discussion forum for landowners to learn more about sourcing, making and using compost, and to share their experiences in using these products.
  • Planning to use composts – what, where and how?

Numbers are limited and bookings are essential.

For more information and to register contact Bill Grant 0407 882 070  or billgrant@bigpond.com


 

Understanding Soil Biology Workshop

Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

Brought to you by the Lismore Land Protection Group, a workshop on understanding soil biology to be held in the Killara Centre, Camperdown.

Presenter: Damian Bougoure, Department of Primary Industries.

Topics

– Understand what soil biology is & recognise its contribution to soil health & why it is so important for environmental sustainability

– Understand what regulates soil biology & how soil biology can change

– Identify & select appropriate techniques to measure & monitor soil biology & understand how management affects it

– Understand how changes to management may improve soil biology.

Free Lunch provided. 

To register please contact to Karen on 5596 2384

 

Castlemaine Landcare Group November Working Bee and breakup BBQ

Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

This will be Castlemaine Landcare Group’s final working bee for the year.  Working bees are generally held somewhere along the stretch of Forest Creek that runs between Best Motors and Colles Road in Castlemaine.

For details of the location please contact Robyn Haylett on home: 5470 6630 or mobile: 0408 706 630

All members are invited to attend the breakup BBQ that will follow the working bee.

 

Friends of Campbells Creek November General Meeting

Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

November General Meeting of Friends of Campbells Creek.

Visitors are welcome.

Campbells Creek Primary School, Main Road, Campbells Creek.

MULTI PURPOSE ROOM at the back of the school.