A well placed fence can do wonders
Posted on 6 June, 2014 by Connecting Country
the ‘fence affect’ on jan’s grassy plot is pretty evident here!
It’s not quite on the scale of Mount Rothwell, but Jan Hall’s property at McKenzies Hill is making a difference at a local biodiversity level by ‘fencing in’ a raft of plants to protect them from the heavy grazing of rabbits, wallabies, kangaroos and sheep. Exclusion Fencing was the topic for our latest Workshop Session on Sunday June 1 2014 and Jan’s property, which has a number of types and sizes of exclusion plots, was a perfect setting for the session.
Peter Morison (ex DEPI and Land for Wildlife) shared his considerable expertise and experience, outlining the role of exclusion fences in conservation projects and the practicalities of building and maintaining them, including monitoring the results.
And if you want to completely ‘fence in’ or at least protect your block from future land use changes or development, then a Covenant could also be the way to go. Parts of Jan’s property are covered by a Conservation Covenant through Trust For Nature which means these areas will be protected and conserved for perpetuity under a legally binding agreement. This gives Jan confidence that all her work in excluding pest plants and animals and bringing back biodiversity won’t be in vain.
damp but undeterred; peter outlines fencing
To read more about the session, access resources on the topic and see photos from the (slightly damp) day, visit this page. You’ll also find workshop participant Kerrie Jennings’s views on the day.
For more info on the 2014 Workshop Program, email janet@connectingcountry.org.au.
All things great and small
Posted on 15 May, 2014 by Connecting Country
A gully at Baringhup, with remnant bulokes and other trees, provided us with shelter from the biting wind and a chilly autumn day for our second workshop session, “Biodiversity in the Paddock” on Sunday May 4th 2014. The spot also provided a more permanent home to an array of flora and fauna, all contributing to local biodiversity on the property.
Thanks to property holders Jacqui and Lachlan Brown for providing their farm as an ideal location to explore concepts around biodiversity, productivity and restoration.
Guided by Lachy, Jacqui and our expert ecologists we moved between scales; from the broader landscape, down to the property and paddock level and back, to identify what makes up ‘biodiversity’ and how we can improve and monitor the health of a landscape.
Cassia Read, Karl Just, Bonnie Humphreys and Chris Timewell led us through a hands-on foray for the obvious to the often overlooked – in this case plants, birds, mosses and lichens, ants.
Jim Radford takes us on a journey of species, genetics, processes
Karl, Bonnie, Cassia, Lachy, Jacqui and Chris
More information, photos and links from the session as well as Jules Walsh’s summary of the session, can be found here.
For more information: email (janet@connectingcountry.org.au) or call Janet on 5472 1594.
Registrations Open for Box-Ironbark Ecology Course 2014
Posted on 15 May, 2014 by Connecting Country
We have been informed by the organisers that registrations are open for the 17th Box-Ironbark Ecology Course. This five-day residential course in Nagambie commences on Monday 6th October and concludes on Friday 10th October, 2014.
The course is for those interested in gaining a general understanding of ecological processes and principles specific to Box-Ironbark Country, as is complementary to the workshops being run locally be Connecting Country.
The course involves five absorbing days of field studies and is taught by a number of expert ecologists including: Cathy Botta (soil), Andrea Canzano (insects), Garry Cheers (birds), Paul Foreman (plants), Lindy Lumsden (wildlife), David Meagher (mosses and liverworts) and Neville Rosengren (geology).
Have a look at their course flyer for more information on the location and topics. Note that this is not a Connecting Country event. Contact Kate Stothers (katelance1@gmail.com) if you are interested in attending.
This area of Box-Ironbark Forest has a Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) and Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus tricarpa) overstorey. Not all ‘Box-Ironbark’ forest contains these two eucalypt though.
Taking the Big Picture
Posted on 16 April, 2014 by Connecting Country
The past informs the future. The natural and social history – and their interconnections – of this region have had an important, and often negative, impact on our natural environment.
Understanding where you and your property fit within these contexts means you can be more informed to make positive decisions and actions to address declining biodiversity. This was the background to our first workshop session, “The Big Picture” (Sunday April 6th), held at Welshmans Reef.
Thanks to property holders Brian and Robin Rebbechi for providing an ideal location to interpret and discuss the history and potential future for this site.
Guided by Deirdre Slattery and Ian Higgins, we moved between scales; from the broader landscape, down to the property level, and back, exploring the landuse history and vegetation changes over time at Welshmans Reef.
More information, photos and links from the session as well as Jules Walsh’s summary of the session can be found here.
Ian Higgins discusses vegetation classes for the property
Deirdre Slattery guides participants through the complex history of the property
For more information: janet@connectingcountry.or.au or 5472 1594.
2014 Workshop Program Launch this Weekend
Posted on 24 February, 2014 by Connecting Country
A reminder that Connecting Country will be launching it’s Improve Biodiversity on Your Property Workshop Program 2014 at the Newstead Community Centre this Sunday (2 March) with a talk by popular ecologist and author Ian Lunt.
This will be social event with a free BBQ dinner after the talk and it would be great to see as many Connecting Country members & friends there as possible.
Ian will be presenting a talk titled “Natural regeneration in central Victoria: the biggest positive change for conservation in south-east Australia”. Have a look at our previous post for more information.
The talk will begin at 4pm and dinner will be at 6pm. RSVPs are not essential, but are greatly preferred for catering purposes – max@connectingcountry.org.au, or phone 5472 1594
Please note, if you are planning on attending Vocal Nosh with Fay White in the adjacent Mechanics Hall that evening you can do both! Ian Lunt’s talk will finish just as Vocal Nosh is getting started.
Natural regeneration of Drooping Cassinia and Eucalyptus in a lightly stocked paddock near Metcalfe.
10 & 11 April – Carbon Farming Field Trip
Posted on 26 March, 2013 by Connecting Country
A two-day Carbon Farming Field Trip to western Victoria open to farmers and Landcare members has been organised by the North Central CMA and funded as part of the Carbon Farming Initiative Communications Program. It will take place on 10 and 11 April. There is sponsorship available to cover the cost of bus travel from Bendigo or Maryborough as well as accommodation and all meals. To find out more about the field trip, download this flyer. An Expression of Interest form is also available. Places are limited and EOI forms need to be submitted by 2 April.
29 Nov 2012 – Secrets to Successful Groups
Posted on 17 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
A training session on ‘Secrets to Successful Groups’ will be held in Bendigo on 29 November. The session is organised by the Farm Tree and Landcare Association and is free for all Landcare members. For a list of modules that will be covered and booking and location details see the flyer here.
Back by popular demand – Eucalypt Identification Workshops
Posted on 26 September, 2012 by Connecting Country
Participants at a 2011 Eucalypt Identification workshop in the Botanical Gardens, Castlemaine
Following on from our booked out 2011 sessions, Connecting Country are pleased to announce another series of Eucalypt Identification Workshops, funded through the Bjarne K Dahl Trust.
In October and November 2012, Connecting Country shall be running workshops in five locations across the Mount Alexander Shire. The sessions aim to provide participants with the skills needed to identify some of the common eucalypt species to be found in the region, and to provide them with a greater understanding of the life history of this group of iconic Australian trees.
Presented by Greg Guy, a botanist and lecturer from Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE, there will be a classroom-based discussion on the biology and ecology of our local eucalypts, with a special emphasis on our rare and endangered species. This will be followed by a ‘walk and talk’ session to identify some local eucalypts in their natural habitat, and will conclude with a fun classroom-based session where all participants will learn to identify eucalypts on their own. Participants will be provided with a resource CD and also a copy of Leon Costermans ‘Trees of Victoria and Adjoining Areas’ – an excellent field guide containing descriptions and illustrations of the vast majority of eucalypt species found in south-eastern Australia.
The workshops are being held from midday to 4pm in Maldon (Friday 12th October), Newstead (Sunday 21st October), Chewton (Sunday 28th October), Harcourt (Sunday 11th November), and Taradale (Sunday 18th November). The cost for attending the workshop is $15 per person ($10 for members of Connecting Country) and afternoon tea will be provided. The field session of the Maldon workshop has the added bonus of having guidance from Leon Costerman’s himself.
For more information click here. Bookings are essential as places are limited. To reserve your place, contact michael@connectingcountry.org.au or call 5472 1594. If you were on the waiting list from last year, we have your details and you will be contacted shortly.
Conservation and Land Management Pathway Program
Posted on 19 July, 2012 by Connecting Country
The BRIT TAFE Conservation and Land Management Pathways program is designed for people who:
- are interested in the conservation and land management industry
- would you like to learn more about the opportunities that are available in this field
- are thinking about trying a short course to see what might be involved,
- have good field skills but would like to learn about putting this knowledge into reports
- considering applying for the Conservation and Land Management Certificate IV Program in 2013 but would like to try some units and get support in the application process
- need some assistance with the computer skills and report writing to help with your study and/or employment in this field?
Information/ enrolment session: Tuesday 28th August 4.30pm
Location: Arrival centre seminar room Charleston Road Campus, BRIT
Course Commencement: Tuesday 11th September
Delivery will be on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays for 6 weeks.
For more information contact Tony Mission on 03 5434 1759 or email tmisson@bendigotafe.edu.au
Register Now for Volunteer Training
Posted on 11 July, 2012 by Connecting Country
Mount Alexander Volunteer Network is conducting a six month program of volunteer training to support community groups and NFP organisations throughout our Shire.
The training will include first aid qualifications, governance training, effective communication, food safety training, conflict resolution and how to avoid burn-out as a volunteer. The training will be subsidised by the Mount Alexander Shire Council and the cost to individuals will be only $10.
If you would like to register or find out more, contact the Mount Alexander Volunteer Network on 0425 323 005 or emailmavn@cch.org.au.
Farm Chemical and 1080 Pest Control Training
Posted on 24 April, 2012 by Connecting Country
BRIT TAFE is offering Farm Chemical and 1080 Pest Control training this month. There may be some positions available and people interested should contact Tony Misson, Coordinator, Primary Industries, Bendigo TAFE, on 03 5434 1759, or email tmisson@bendigotafe.edu.au
Farm Chemical Users Course (23, 24 and 25 April)
Course cost $375.00
Participants will receive training in the basic skills and knowledge to select, purchase, transport, store, record and use agricultural and veterinary chemicals responsibly. Completion of this course is required before participants can be issued with an Agricultural Chemical Users Permit (ACUP) from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI)
1080 Pest Control Course (27 April)
Course cost $200.00
This course aims to provide 1080 pest animal bait users with the knowledge, skills and competency to use 1080 pest animal bait products in a manner which is both safe for themselves and the environment. The course also aims to ensure bait end users understand that the use of 1080 pest animal bait products is only one element of an integrated pest animal management strategy. The course is designed for individuals and for persons operating within an integrated pest management plan eg. landcare groups.
Upon successful completion of this course (and prior completion of the Farm Chemical User Course), you will be eligible to obtain a 1080 endorsement to your ACUP issued under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use Act) 1992. This will qualify you as an “authorised person” and permit you to purchase and use 1080 pest animal bait products in Victoria from 1 January 2008.
18 April – Can I get paid to farm nature?
Posted on 11 April, 2012 by Connecting Country
On the evening of Wednesday 18 April at the Campbells Creek Community Centre, Connecting Country will host a facilitated panel discussion on the topic of ‘Can I get paid to farm nature?’. Participants will hear local industry experts present and debate the pros, cons and economic opportunities of managing biodiversity values on private land.
Peter Johnson from Land for Wildlife and Tim Read from Trust for Nature will discuss the benefits of land covenants. Chris Timewell from Connecting Country and Nick Lewis from ES Link Services will outline incentives available to land managers to include biodiversity in their business activity. Paul Dettmann from Greenhouse Balanced will discuss ways in which land managers can make the most of the emerging markets in biodiversity and carbon offsets. After the presentations, community members are encouraged to pose their own questions to the panel.
The free evening talk, the second of Connecting Country’s 2012 Education Program, commences at 6.30pm with a pre-talk supper. The event is fully catered by CAKE (Castlemaine Abundance Kitchen Enterprise) and the food will be sourced from locally grown ingredients – gold coin donations to the local Landcare group are welcomed.
Following this interactive evening, a field excursion will be held on Sunday 22 April where we will explore a farmer’s and a conservationist’s points of view within the context of an operational farm business. Geoff Park, North Central Catchment Management Authority’s (CMA) Knowledge Broker and operator of the Natural Newstead blog, together with Malcolm Fyffe, a Sandon sheep farmer, will discuss the ecological and agricultural values of soils, waterways, pastures and native vegetation. They will also explore notions of social equity, climate change and land-use planning. There are still places available for the field trip so register now to guarantee your place.
For more information and to RSVP please contact bryan@connectingcountry.org.au or call the Connecting Country office on 5472 1594. Full details of the education program and a registration form can be found here.
Those remnant trees in the back paddock may bring in some extra farm income – attend the Connecting Country panel discussion to find out how.
FarmPlan21: Develop a Whole Farm Plan
Posted on 2 April, 2012 by Connecting Country
FarmPlan 21 is seeking interest within the North Central Region from landholders who would like to attend an accredited training course at DPI Bendigo on developing a whole farm plan. The course is free, runs for six evening sessions and commences on 12 April.
For more details click here.
2012 Autumn Fungi Workshops
Posted on 24 February, 2012 by Connecting Country
Photo: Alison Pouliot
The Central Victorian Fungi Ecology Workshop Series is running again this coming autumn. If you would like to know more about this curious kingdom, workshops include interactive displays, illustrated seminars and exciting forest forays deep into our local forests. Full details are listed at www.alisonpouliot.com Workshops book up fast so perhaps don’t delay making a reservation if you’d like to attend.
2012 Connecting Country Education Program
Posted on 9 February, 2012 by Connecting Country
The 2012 Education Program explores the idea that efficient production and care for nature go hand in hand. It includes workshops, lectures, discussions and field trips, and will throw some interesting questions at participants: Can farmers get paid to look after nature? How can conservation measures help long term farm efficiency? Does revegetation really make farmland more resilient?
Commencing on Monday the 27th of February, the program will first travel to Maldon, Chewton, Sutton Grange and Guildford to present a nest box watch workshop series. This will be followed by a lecture on the benefits of biodiversity in agriculture with Dr Dennis Saunders (Research Fellow CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences) on Tuesday 20th of March. Other sessions will cover practicalities like identifying native vegetation using Victorian Standards with Paul Foreman (Bush Heritage Australia) and Ian Higgins (North Central Catchment Management Authority) on Saturday 25th of March, followed by Establishing goals for revegetation initiatives by Prof Ary Hoffman (Bio21 Institute – University of Melbourne) on Tuesday 8th of May, and finish with Using native grasses and shrubs for pasture, presented by Graeme Hand (STIPA Native Grasses Association) on Friday 25th of May. A panel discussion on the economic opportunities related to farming for nature will also be held on Wednesday 18th April where the public can quiz some of the active local organisations such as Australian Carbon Traders, Trust for Nature, Connecting Country, Bush Broker and Land for Wildlife.
The program is open to all members of the public. Evening sessions are free, however the first two field days are $10 per person to cover transportation. For more information and to RSVP please contact bryan@connectingcountry.org.au or call the Connecting Country office on 5472 1594. Full details of the program and a registration form can be found here.
Want to Develop a Whole Farm Plan?
Posted on 10 December, 2011 by Connecting Country
DPI’s FarmPlan21 team are holding a FREE accredited training course (six four-hour sessions) for interested landholders.
Topics covered include SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats); Soils and Land Classing; Weed Identification and Management; Biodiversity; Development of Action Plans; Review Whole Farm Plan; and Computerised Mapping.
Date: 8 February to 14 March 2012
Venue: Maldon Community Centre, Francis Street, Maldon
RSVP: 11 January 2012
A light supper will be provided.
Visit this site for an expression of interest form.
For further information, please contact Kevin Moschetti, Project Officer – Whole Farm Planning, FarmPlan21; telephone: 03 5430 4804, mobile: 0409 351 286 or email: kevin.moschetti@dpi.vic.gov.au
Volunteering, workshops and field days
Posted on 26 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
Re-monitoring the Box Ironbark Thinning Trials
A re-monitoring of the Parks Victoria Box Ironbark Thinning Trials that begun in 2005 is currently underway in four locations across the Box Ironbark estate, including Castlemaine. The company undertaking the monitoring, Australian Ecosystems, is in need of some volunteers to assist with the Castlemaine monitoring work as the re-growth due to the recent rains has been extraordinary.
The field work requires agile, fit and enthusiastic volunteers with a good sense of bush safety. No botanical skills are required although a field sheet will need to be filled in. The days may be long and the ability to read a compass will be an advantage. The surveys are to be undertaken between Monday 31 October though to 9 November 2011 and monitoring is expected to be undertaken in two stints of 3-5 days. The location is the Castlemaine Diggings National Historical Park.
Contact Damian Cook at 0402 127 933 to find out more information and/or to volunteer as a monitor.
Eucalypt ID Workshops
The Eucalypt Identification Workshops are now booked out for Castlemaine and Maldon but spaces are still available for Sutton Grange and Newstead. Click here for more details about the course and booking information.
Reminder about Chilean Needle Grass Workshop
The Tarrengower Cactus Control Committee is hosting a workshop to help people identify and control the Chilean Needle Grass weed this Sunday 30 October from 10.30am – 12.30pm. Click here for more information.
Eucalypt Identification Workshops
Posted on 19 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
Greg Guy
Connecting Country is presenting half day Eucalypt Identification Workshops in four locations across the Mount Alexander region.
Each workshop aims to provide participants with the skills needed to identify some of the common eucalypt species to be found in the region. They will include a classroom-based discussion on the biology of our local eucalypts, with a special emphasis on our rare and endangered species and a ‘walk and talk’ session to identify some local eucalypts in their natural habitat.
Participants will be provided with an identification workbook and also a copy of Leon Costermans’ ‘Trees of Victoria and Adjoining Areas 6th Edition Field Guide’.
Presenter: Greg Guy, botanist and lecturer from Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE
When:
Sunday 6 November (Maldon)
Sunday 13 November (Castlemaine)
Saturday 26 November (Sutton Grange)
Sunday 27 November (Newstead)
Time: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: Directions and a map will be emailed to participants prior to the workshop.
Cost: $5 per person
Refreshments: Light snacks and Tea/Coffee provided.
What to bring: Bottle of water, Sun protection (sunscreen and hat), and appropriate shoes and clothing (long sleeves and trousers) for the field trip.
Bookings are essential as places are limited so be quick to reserve a spot! To reserve your place, contact info@connectingcountry.org.au or call 5472 1594.
Connecting Country has received support from the Bjarne K Dahl Trust to develop and implement these eucalyptus workshops (http://www.dahltrust.org.au/).
Community Workshops: Castlemaine and Wedderburn
Posted on 13 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
Landcare and community groups are invited to attend an enjoyable interactive workshop conducted by ‘change consultant’ Les Robinson. The workshops are about harnessing the power of reinvention to spark new zest and enthusiasm in your Landcare or community group. The workshops will include communication ideas for groups and give groups the opportunity to share their own ideas.
Castlemaine Workshop
When: Saturday 22 October 2011, 10.00 am to 3.00 pm (Lunch provided)
Where: Castlemaine Senior Citizens Rooms, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine, VIC 3450
Wedderburn Workshop
When: Sunday 23 October 2011, 10.00 am to 3.00 pm (Lunch provided)
Where: Wedderburn Community Centre, 24 Wilson Street, Wedderburn, VIC 3518
For further information please refer to the flyers on the North Central section of the Victorian Gateway Website.
Researching Forest Creek
Posted on 19 September, 2011 by Connecting Country
Historian, Robin Ballinger, at Campbells Creek Community Hall
Sixty-five people turned out at Robin Ballinger’s talk on the environmental history of Forest Creek on 8 September. Robin used many early documents and maps to demonstrate the interaction between the indigenous people, squatters, goldminers and the local environment.
She outlined the early geological history of the Forest Creek and the relationship between the Aboriginal people, the Dja Dja Wrung, and the land prior to white settlement. Robin then described the impact on the landscape and the Jarra people of the mass influx of squatters which followed the 1838 publication of Major Mitchell’s diaries.
This pastoral development was followed by the gold rushes and the devastation of Aboriginal life continued. Gold mining had an enormous impact on the landscape in a very short time. However, while in 1852 there were 25,000 people, by 1854 Forest Creek was virtually deserted. The easily-obtained gold had all but gone.
From the 1850s onwards, the actual course of Forest Creek was changed. The creek was straightened to facilitate mining operations and reduce flooding in the town. The emphasis continued to be on controlling the creek, not controlling mining. An 1871 report emphasised this utilitarian approach to the environment. Revegetation was advocated to address the forest devastation noted in this report but only because future mining operations would need timber.
Robin also drew attention to the conservation efforts that began in the 1930s and continue to this day. She concluded by raising the question of what exactly are we trying to preserve given that we cannot hope to restore Forest Creek to its original state.
The talk was the last of the three formal Connecting Country educational talks for 2011, although details are soon to be published on a revegetation evening to be held on 13 October and a series of Eucalyptus identification workshops in Oct/Nov. However, Connecting Country is now also planning its 2012 educational program. If you have any comments on this years’ program or suggestions for next year, let us know by calling Chris or Krista on 5472 1594.