Nuggetty Land Protection Group book launch
Posted on 27 September, 2018 by Asha
Nuggetty Land Protection Group invites you to an afternoon celebrating the history of the area with the unveiling of a plaque marking the site of the Porcupine Flat School and the launch of ‘A History of Seventeen Central Victoria Schools’ followed by afternoon tea at ‘Crown Hill’.
Sunday 14 October 2018 from 2.30-4.30 pm
‘Crown Hill’, 186 Three Chain Road, Walmer, VIC 3463
(Vicroads RACV Country Directory: 44 C9; latitude 36.9604, longitude 144.1175)
- Parking available in Three Chain Road and at ‘Crown Hill’ – enter via the shearing shed gate
- Disabled parking also available
- Plaque unveiling at the adjacent Porcupine Flat School site
- Book launch to follow at ‘Crown Hill’
Enquiries: Jane Mitchell (0457 729 132 or jemitch517@gmail.com) or Sue Barnett (0417 368990 or sba56183@bigpond.net.au)
Those attending will have the opportunity to purchase a copy of ‘A History of Seventeen Central Victoria Schools: Baringhup, Baringhup East, Baringhup West, Bradford, Brokenback, Eastville, Gowar, Muckleford, Muckleford South, Neereman, Nuggetty, Porcupine Flat, Shelbourne, Shelbourne South, Tarrengower, Walmer, Walmer North’ by Ken James and Sue Barnett.
Please email Sue if you would like to reserve a copy of the book as it has a limited print run.
Image ‘Porcupine Flat School 1907’ courtesy of the Maldon Museum and Archives Association
National Waterbug Blitz Workshop
Posted on 27 September, 2018 by Asha
Help monitor the health of waterways in the Mt Alexander region!
North Central Waterwatch, Castlemaine Landcare Group and the Friends of Campbells Creek are working together to engage local community members in monitoring the health of Forest Creek, Barkers Creek and Campbells Creek in the Mt Alexander region. They will be providing an introduction to and training in water quality monitoring and waterbug assessments to those citizen scientists wishing to join the program.
Water quality monitoring looks at the temperature, turbidity, salinity, nutrient and pH levels of water, to helps us understand how conditions change over time. Waterbugs (or macroinvertebrates) are excellent indicators of river health and one way we can measure the success of remediation work over time.
Join these groups, together with John Gooderham (freshwater ecologist and co-author of ‘The Waterbug Book’) for this accredited workshop. You will learn the Agreed Level Taxonomy (ALT) macroinvertebrate method of identifying waterbugs and how to use water quality monitoring equipment. They will demonstrate how we can use this information to assess creek health, and show you how you can be a citizen scientist.
Each year North Central Waterwatch, in partnership with Castlemaine Landcare Group and the Friends of Campbells Creek, will release an Annual River Health Snapshot Report. The report will highlight changes in ecosystem health of these waterways using data collected by citizen scientists.
North Central Waterwatch is hosting a registration day and training session on Campbells Creek – please come along!
Campbells Creek – National Waterbug Blitz
When: Tuesday 16 October 2018 from 10.00 am – 2.30 pm
Where: Campbells Creek Swimming Pool Reserve, Midland Highway, Campbells Creek VIC (across the road from Beards Hardware). A map will be provided following registration.
Cost: Free event, lunch is provided.
To register: Click here or call 03 5448 7124
Bring: If you have them, bring gumboots or waders, waterbug ALT guide, magnifying glasses, camera and smart phone.
Download the Waterbug App from your App store prior to the event.
Threatened fauna forum and our AGM – 10 November 2018
Posted on 20 September, 2018 by Tanya Loos
A date for your diary! Join Connecting Country for an afternoon/evening of science, food and fun.
Hear from two leading scientists and share a yummy vegetarian meal, incorporating our (famously short) AGM.
All welcome!
Threatened fauna forum and AGM
Saturday 10 November 2018 from 4.00 to 7.00 pm
Campbells Creek Community Centre (45 Elizabeth St, Campbells Creek VIC)
Our presenters are both wonderful supporters of Connecting Country. Andrew helped design both of our long term monitoring programs (woodland birds and nest boxes). Jess has incorporated the Connecting Country nest box data into her PhD on Brush-tailed Phascogales. Jess also assisted enormously in our 2018 nest box check.
Professor Andrew Bennett (La Trobe University & Arthur Rylah Institute): Connecting Country’s woodland bird data – trends and questions
PhD candidate Jess Lawton (La Trobe University): Results of Connecting Country’s Brush-tailed Phascogale monitoring
RSVP is essential if you wish to join us for dinner.
For more information and bookings email tanya@connectingcountry.org.au or phone 5472 1594.
To view our flyer for the event: click here
This threatened species forum is generously supported by the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust via our Habitat Health Check project.
Water workshop with Muckleford Catchment Landcare
Posted on 18 September, 2018 by Asha
Let the rain run in, not off – an introduction to landscape function on a farm in transition
Join Muckleford Catchment Landcare at a workshop on how water functions in our landscape, presented by Muckleford landowner and ecologist, Paul Foreman, and land planning consultant, David Griffith.
Do you have cleared paddocks and want them to be more healthy and productive from both farm and conservation perspectives? Have these experts answer your questions about how you want your property to work.
Date: Sunday 23 September 2018
Time: 10 am to 12 noon
Location: Paul’s property at 678 Lewis Road, Muckleford VIC
Parking behind the house. Morning tea provided.
Please RSVP to Beth via email or call on 0431 219 980.
Learn about landscape connectivity: science and practice
Posted on 18 September, 2018 by Asha
Newstead Landcare are hosting an interesting talk this Thursday.
Dr Jim Radford (Principal Research Fellow from the Research Centre for Future Landscapes, La Trobe University) will talk about the science and practice of connecting landscapes, what works and what we should be aiming for in landscape restoration projects.
Jim will focus on the benefits of revegetation in restoring rural landscapes, guiding principles for landscape restoration, and priorities and guidelines to improve landscape connectivity.
Landscape connectivity: science and practice
Venue: Newstead Community Centre, 9 Lyons Street Newstead VIC
Date: Thursday 20 Sept 2018
Time: 8 pm to 9 pm followed by supper
A gold coin donation would be appreciated to help cover costs.
Fabulous fauna photos required for FOBIF exhibition
Posted on 13 September, 2018 by Tanya Loos
The theme of the next Friends of Box Ironbark Forests (FOBIF) photo exhibition is Creatures, and they are seeking entries now.
TOGS Cafe in Castlemaine will host the exhibition in November 2018.
So if you have a favourite photo/s of wildlife in our region send them along to FOBIF (info@fobif.org.au). Get cracking and select your fave pics: the closing date for the submission of photos is 1 October 2018.
Bronwyn Silver has kindly supplied some beautiful photos of local fauna for some inspiration.
For more info and the submission guidelines, see the FOBIF website here.
Baringhup Birds on Farms workshop – a great partnership event
Posted on 13 September, 2018 by Tanya Loos
On 9 September 2018 about forty people gathered on a beautiful property in Baringhup to learn about Birds on Farms. The day was a joint workshop by Connecting Country and Baringhup Landcare, and the participants ranged from Connecting Country regular workshop enthusiasts, bird survey volunteers, farmers from in and around the Baringhup area and Landcare members.
Two bird surveys were conducted down on the bird survey area. Curiously each survey recorded 13 birds, though each time the species composition was different! The surveys may be seen here and here. A few new species were recorded on the day – including the Grey Fantail.
Many thanks to Roy and Caroline Lovel for being such wonderful hosts, and all the many helpers on the day, especially Jackie Brown who helped Roy wash up all the bowls and cups!
Attendee Liz Burns wrote this wonderful summary of the day. Thanks Liz!
Birds On Farms workshop
As a long-term attender of Connecting Country’s field days, it was a pleasure to take up Tanya’s request for someone to write up today’s events. In fact, I could write a book with all the detailed notes that I’ve taken over the years.
As usual, this one hit the mark and maintained the usual high standard.
As a full-time biological farmer who relies upon our native birds for pest control and even some pollination services, and a keen lifelong observer of all the complex relationships in nature, this is a subject dear to my heart. It was even more heartening to meet other like-minded farmers with the added bonus of passionate protectors of very old trees.
To read Liz’s detailed notes of the speakers’ presentations click Birds-On-Farms-Field-Day-write-up
After lunch we did separate farm and birds walks: Roy led a group up to the top of the property, and Tanya and Chris conducted a bird survey on a lower restoration area.
I would like to see the Connecting Country model rolled out across the State, as the best value for money blending of agriculture, environment and Indigenous history, especially as 70% of the State is in private hands and the State does not manage Crown Land very well (in my opinion). If farmers could be helped with managing their land, incorporating environmental and cultural values, we could maximise biodiversity and future food production with a three-way partnership with farmers, environmentalists and Traditional owners.
As usual, the catering, the company and weather was of the highest standard.
Grateful thanks must go to Connecting Country and all involved, but in particular Tanya Loos for yet another fascinating and informative day.
Liz Burns, Trewella Farm, Musk
Please scroll through the following gallery of photos from the day.
Biodiversity Response Planning: a new Connecting Country project
Posted on 13 September, 2018 by Tanya Loos
Biodiversity Response Planning projects announced
BRP planning – photo by DELWP
Over the six months, a diverse array of government, Traditional Owner and community organisations from across Victoria came together to participate in an intense Biodiversity Response Planning process. Connecting Country was one of these organisations!
After a lot of hard work, 89 new projects were just announced by the Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio MP, including 85 projects for on-ground biodiversity action worth $33.67 million. These projects are part of the government’s investment to implement Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037 and will be delivered by various stakeholders over the next three years.
Connecting Country is excited to announce that our proposed project was selected for funding.
For the full list of successful projects visit: https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/biodiversity/biodiversity-response-planning
Our project: Remnant rescue – restoring woodland bird habitat in central Victoria
Local landscape – photo by Bonnie Humphreys
We know that much of central Victoria’s native woodland has been heavily disturbed by a long history of mining, clearing, woodcutting, grazing, and changes in fire and water regimes. The Box-Ironbark landscape contains provides habitat for many threatened species including the threatened Temperate Woodland Bird Community. Scientific studies demonstrate an alarming acceleration in the decline of most species within this community over recent years. Habitat loss is the single greatest threat to woodland birds, and exacerbates other threats, such as predation by cats and foxes, and prolonged drought. Many of the remaining woodlands lack complexity and are missing the key understorey species that provide food, nesting sites and protection from predators for woodland birds and other animals.
Within the Mount Alexander region, large areas of remnant woodlands and priority habitat exist on private land. Through our work, Connecting Country has identified numerous private landholders with the interest, enthusiasm and capacity to protect and restore woodland habitat on their land, but require guidance and practical assistance.
This project restores habitat for the Temperate Woodland Bird Community by focusing on weeds and rabbit control to promote natural regeneration of native species. We’ll supplement this by strategic revegetation with key missing understorey plants to increase species diversity and community complexity. The project targets 60 ha of priority areas of potential habitat on private land, engaging landholders to develop appropriate management actions tailored for their properties. We’ll also implement weed and rabbit control on 40 ha of complementary areas of public land.
Diamond Firetail – photo by Geoff Park
Connecting Country is proud to oversee the project in collaboration with our project partners: local landholders, Dja Dja Wurrung, Trust for Nature, Parks Victoria and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
‘Future-proof your restoration’ seminars
Posted on 6 September, 2018 by Tanya Loos
The recent ‘Future-proof your restoration’ seminars brought the local community together with relevant experts to discuss and share the issues we face in landscape restoration, especially the challenge of our changing climate. Seminar one (Friday 24 August 2018) explored ‘Weeds to watch’. Seminar two (Friday 31 August 2018) addressed ‘Planting for the future’.
Our excellent guest speakers shared a wealth of knowledge and experience, and their expertise was warmly received by an enthusiastic audience at both events.
Thank you to everyone who helped make these seminars successful, including our presenters, the Landcare Steering Group, and volunteers who helped behind the scenes. The seminars were funded by the North Central Catchment Management Authority, through the Victorian Landcare Program, and organised by Asha Bannon, Connecting Country’s Landcare Facilitator.
Everyone gathered to listen to our guests speak about ‘Weeds to watch’
Read on for short summaries of each event, and click on the presentation titles to download a copy of the slides. Keep an eye out for another blog post coming soon, with links to copies of the resources we had available at the events.
Weeds to watch
David started us off by talking about the ecology of weeds, and how they affect us and the environment. He gave useful advice about the most strategic ways to manage weeds effectively. David encouraged us to look at ‘absences’ of weeds on our properties and project areas, to learn to appreciate what we have achieved rather than be overwhelmed by the weeds we have yet to control. John then shared information about grassy weeds – those that are a problem now, and those that are likely to become a bigger issue with climate change. He stressed the importance of early detection and eradication of new and emerging weeds, plus better practices to reduce their spread in the first place. For details see:
- David Cheal – ‘Weed attack strategies and plans’
- John Morgan (LaTrobe University) – ‘Perennial grass weeds that will threaten nature’
Planting for the future
The three presentations were very different and complemented each other beautifully! Jeroen spoke passionately about the urgent need for large-scale landscape restoration, based on his work on Bush Heritage properties in the Wedderburn and St Arnaud area – particularly the Nardoo Hills. Sacha clearly outlined a practical way to approach revegetation that buffers the changing climate, and uses scientific monitoring to guide us in that approach. Brian took us down to the square metre level as he recounted the tale of the restoration of an urban waterway, and the return of bush birds such as Brown Thornbills to the Merri Creek. Brian also talked about the struggle many of us face when it comes to accepting and adapting to the new approaches needed to future-proof our restoration.
From left to right: Chris from Connecting Country, Jeroen, Sacha, Brian and Asha.
For details see:
- Jeroen VanVeen (Bush Heritage) – ‘Woodland stress: signs of times to come?’
- Sacha Jellinek (Greening Australia) – ‘Developing guidelines for Climate Future Plots in Victoria’
- Brian Bainbridge (Merri Creek Management Committee) – ‘Taking actions from modelling to reality’
Welcome to our new project officer: Jacqui Slingo
Posted on 6 September, 2018 by Frances
It is with great pleasure that Connecting Country announces Jacqui Slingo has joined Connecting Country as a project officer managing our on-ground works program. Welcome Jacqui!
Jacqui is thrilled to be working alongside and supporting a community dedicated to improving and enhancing native vegetation in the Mount Alexander region. She officially started with the team this week after a handover from our botanist Bonnie Humphreys, who is on maternity leave.
Jacqui has previously worked in the Mount Alexander region supporting private land conservation. Her experience includes numerous vegetation and wildlife monitoring projects throughout south-eastern Australia.
Jacqui is excited to return to the region with a view to live here long-term. She enjoys cooking from her garden when she can, yoga and appreciating new places to enjoy in the bush.
Please get in touch with Jacqui if you need advice on managing your property or have any questions about our current on-ground works projects. Jacqui is available from Monday to Thursday and her email address is jacqui@connectingcountry.org.au
Jacqui takes in the Baringhup landscape scenery from a granite rock at the recent Birds on Farms workshop (photo by Frances Howe).
Nature play service for Castlemaine area
Posted on 5 September, 2018 by Tanya Loos
Tiffany Inglis has been in touch with Connecting Country and asked if we could share information about a project that will benefit the young children of the area and encourage the next generation of environmental protectors!
Kids at play in nature, by Tiffany Inglis
‘Nature-play service for Castlemaine and surrounds’ is a finalist in the state government’s ‘Pick My Project’ funding program.
It relies on local people to vote online for projects they would like to see in their local community. If successful, the Nature-play service will help schools, kindergartens and childcare centres to spend more time learning and playing in the bush.
Jump online and register for your favourite projects, and please consider the Nature-play service as one.
Click here to visit the website and register.
Voting ends 17 September 2018.