Have Your Say about Animal Management
Posted on 7 March, 2013 by Connecting Country
The Mount Alexander Shire Council is currently developing its 2013-2017 Domestic Animal Management Plan. This Plan will address a wide range of issues related to pet ownership. The Council is encouraging community input through a survey and written submissions – and is keen to receive feedback from both pet owners and also those without pets. Click here to access the survey and further information about the Plan.
There is also an opportunity to speak with council representatives about the Plan on 13 March from 10am to 11.30am at the Buda Historic Homestead Garden Room. For further information call 5471-1764 and RSVP by 11 March.
Rural Land Study Underway
Posted on 7 March, 2013 by Connecting Country
The Mount Alexander Shire Council is currently undertaking a Rural Land Study to ‘find the balances between the planning needs of agriculture, tourism, lifestyle and biodiversity, building on the Shire’s strengths and recognising constraints’. The study will address the following types of issues:
- Should food and fibre be grown closer to urban areas?
- How big should a block of land be to create distance between houses and intensive agriculture like poultry farms and animal feed lots?
- Can haymaking, crop spraying, ploughing and truck movements and tourism co-exist?
- How to conserve biodiversity for future generations?
- Is Rural Land across the shire appropriately zoned?
Information sessions about the Study are being held on the following dates:
Thursday 14 March 2013
11am – 1pm – Baringhup Hall
4pm – 6pm – Metcalfe Hall
Wednesday 20 March 2013
11am – 1pm – Muckleford Community Centre
4pm – 6pm – Newstead Community Centre
You can find more about these sessions and the Study by clicking here. This site also has links to an Issues Paper and a Background Information Paper.
8 March 2013 – The Quest for the Kulawai
Posted on 4 March, 2013 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country’s Woodland Birds project officer, Dr Kerryn Herman, is the guest speaker this Friday 8 March at the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club meeting. Before joining Connecting Country, Kerryn was in Fiji for 3 months working with NGO Nature Fiji Mareqeti Vitiin in a search for the elusive Kulawai – a critically endangered lorikeet known only from a small number of locations on this island nation. Kerryn will speak about her time there, the people, the culture and the birds that she found.
The Castlemaine Field Naturalist Club meeting is to be held in the Uniting Church hall (at the back of the Uniting Church, in Lyttleton St, Castlemaine). The meeting commences at 7.30pm. Visitors are very welcome, and there is no entry fee for the evening.
Also on the Connecting Country website are recent posts about upcoming events on Future Farming and also Bugs and other invertebrates, plus the latest issue of the North Central Chat (click here)
Focus on Forest Soils
Posted on 1 March, 2013 by Connecting Country
The Goldfields of central Victoria have a reputation when it comes to soil – a reputation for not having any. And if you’ve ever planted out your garden with a ‘Castlemaine Shovel’ (otherwise known as a crow bar), then you’ll know it is often a well-deserved one. But, as participants in Connecting Country’s ‘Forest Soils’ workshop found out recently, a range of soils do still occur throughout the shire – albeit with less depth and fertility than would have occurred prior to the gold rush era.
The workshop was held over two consecutive Sundays in February. On the first weekend, Dr Lesley Hodgson from Latrobe University introduced participants to the geology of our region and the process by which soils are created over long periods of time. She also taught participants how to undertake field measurements of the texture, pH and colour of soil at different depths. Participants examined soil from an area of sedimentary country above Moonlight Flat and also from an area of granite-derived soils at near Faraday. The soils were found to be quite different in texture, and were surprisingly acidic at both locations.
The second day of the workshop initially investigated the relationship between soils and vegetation. Following a ridgeline near Glenluce, local ecologist Damien Cook led participants from the dry, shallow soils at the top of a hill down to the much deeper soils along the creek. Damien pointed out how the composition of plant species changed as the soil changed; short, spindly trees and lots of shrubs at the top to the hill and large straight trees with a grassy understorey occurring down the bottom. The type of soil, depth of soil, and associated availability of water were the most important factors driving which plants grew where in the forest.
Local resident Doug Ralph then lead us on a meandering walk along Fryers Creek (near Irishtown) and showed us a diverse array of sites which clearly illustrated the effects that gold mining and gravel extraction have had on our soil. Dreading and sluicing in the early 20th Century has left deep erosion gullies, and in many places the topsoil was completely removed or washed away – right down to the bedrock. On a brighter note, Doug also told us how he has witnessed the natural regeneration of much of this landscape since he was a boy. Large areas that were once completely devoid of vegetation are now covered in Wirilda and other acacias that have regenerated from the soil seed bank; fertile topsoils are being created again.
The forest soil workshop was part of Connecting Country’s 2013 Education Program. Upcoming events in the program include a free evening talk on ‘environmental weeds’ on the 13th March (by Geoff Carr and Ian Grenda) and a talk on designing wildlife corridors in Elphinstone on 10th April (by Dr Rodney van der Ree and representatives from the Superb Parrot Project). See the Education Program 2013 on the Connecting Country website for more details.
Participants in Day 1 of the forest soils workshop examine a soil profile near Faraday – heads down!
Doug guided us to this pebbly ridge near Irishtown which was once an ancient river bed. Much of it has been removed by mining activity.
1 March 2013 – Still places available for Kids Nature Discovery Afternoon
Posted on 26 February, 2013 by Connecting Country
Kids will be able to get up-close and personal with some of our native animals thanks to Tooko Wildlife displays. They may even find a new hat!
As part of the 2013 Education program Connecting Country is putting on a special event for kids!
The Nature Discovery Afternoon for Kids is taking place in the beautiful surrounds of Vaughan Springs Reserve (15 minutes from Castlemaine) on Friday 1st March and there are still some places available for kids aged 9 to 12 years.
The event will feature three different half-hour nature activities for kids to move between during the afternoon. They include: a session on freshwater invertebrates with a Parks Victoria Ranger; a session with highly regarded local ecologists and educators Elaine Bayes and Damien Cook; and a native wildlife display from Tooko. We’ll finish with a free barbecue dinner for the kids and their parents and siblings at the reserve.
This should be a really fun event with some very experienced and environmental educators running activities in a beautiful location.
Contact Max at Connecting Country to book – max@connectingcountry.org.au or 5472 1594
Where: Vaughan Springs Reserve, Vaughan
Date: Friday 1st March
Time: Starts at 4:30pm, dinner at about 6:30pm
The cost is just $10 per child and places are limited.
24 Feb 2013 – Indian Myna Information Evening
Posted on 18 February, 2013 by Connecting Country
An information evening to discuss the invasive Indian Myna has been organised by the Pipers Creek & District Landcare Group. The group is keen to involve local residents in an awareness/monitoring project with a view to establishing an integrated trapping program targeting established colonies.
Indian Myna. Image courtesy ABC
The Common or Indian Myna is an introduced pest bird. Distinguishing features are its yellow beak and eye patch, and brown body. They are sometimes confused with Noisy Miners which are native birds that are predominantly grey. More on the Indian Myna including distribution and the eradication campaign can be found here.
The information evening is relevant to residents of the Mount Alexander Shire region as Indian Myna numbers are increasing here. Continue Reading »
The Connecting Country Education Program Starts This Weekend!
Posted on 7 February, 2013 by Connecting Country
‘Local Reptiles: from the Backyard to the Bush’ is the title of the talk that Peter Johnson will be giving at the Ray Bradfield Room in Castlemaine this Sunday 10th February. It’s the first event in the 2013 Education Program. His talk will be preceded by a Welcome to Country from the Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Clans Corporation which will be a special start to whole the program.
Peter Johnson
Peter will be talking about local Box-Ironbark Forest reptiles and will introduce us to some scaly friends that we don’t often get to see or learn about. There will also be time for the inquisitive to ask questions, so don’t forget to bring along some good ones!
The talks will go from 2pm to 4pm and we’ll be finishing with afternoon tea provided by Castlemaine Abundance Kitchen Enterprise (CAKE).
This talk will be followed by the first Forest Soils: The Science Management & History of our Local Soils workshops on the following two Sundays – 17th February and 24th February. There are still a few places left for the workshops but places are limited so if you would like to attend please fill out a registration form (click here to dowload form). We have three great presenters for these workshops, which will introduce participants to the science, management and history of our non-agricultural soils. Continue Reading »
Rural Property Theft Awareness and Prevention Signage
Posted on 6 February, 2013 by Connecting Country
Nuggetty Land Protection Group will launch their Rural Property Theft Awareness and Prevention signage at a community morning tea in the Maldon Community Centre, 3 Francis Street, Maldon on Saturday 23rd February commencing at 9am. The launch will see the unveiling of signs developed in response to issues raised at a Livestock & farm theft meeting held by the group in Maldon in July 2012 and attended by community members from across the local area and surrounds. Continue Reading »
18 Feb – Local Flood Management Meeting
Posted on 5 February, 2013 by Connecting Country
Interested community members are invited to the first public meeting about the development the Castlemaine, Campbells Creek and Chewton Flood Management Plan. It will be held on Monday 18 February at 6.30 pm in the Castlemaine Town Hall. This will be an opportunity for local people to have their say about recent floods and future management measures.
The plan is being developed by the North Central CMA in association with the Mount Alexander Shire Council. As well, water industry experts GHD have been engaged to assist in investigating and developing the Plan.
Click here to see full details.
A steering committee containing local community representatives has also been established. If you are unable to attend the public meeting but would like to have your view’s expressed, either contact the project manager at the North Central CMA (shaun.morgan@nccma.vic.gov.au) or let Connecting Country know and we will assist you in contacting one of the community representatives (info@connectingcountry.org.au).
PestSmart Toolkit Available
Posted on 4 February, 2013 by Connecting Country
The PestSmart Toolkit is an ongoing project which is being developed by the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (IACRC). Information is provided in various forms such as fact sheets, case-studies, technical manuals and scientific reports.
The toolkit now provides information and guidance on best-practice invasive animal management on several key vertebrate pest species including rabbits, wild dogs, foxes, feral pigs, feral cats, carp and tilapia. Information on other pests will be produced in future.
Community Landcare Grants Now Open
Posted on 4 February, 2013 by Connecting Country
Community Landcare Grants ranging between $5,000 and $50,000 are available to support local sustainable agriculture and community engagement projects, as part of the Australian Government’s $2.2 billion Caring for our Country initiative.
Community Landcare Grants aim to help:
- build a skilled and capable Landcare community
- encourage community participation and engagement in Landcare
- share information and learning’s in sustainable agricultural techniques
- reduce the spread of pest species
- encourage the adoption of improved sustainable land management practices
Organisations involved with Landcare, professional farming systems or Indigenous groups are encouraged to apply.
Applications close at 5pm (AEDT) on 20 March 2013. More information including application forms can be found here.
Education Program Update
Posted on 29 January, 2013 by Connecting Country
The 2013 Education Program has now been finalised.
New details added to the program include:
Dr Lesley Hodgeson, Damien Cook and Doug Ralph will present the Forest Soils Workshop.
Parks Victoria, Tooko Wildlife Displays and Elaine Bayes (along with Damien Cook) will run the three education session at the ‘Nature Discovery Afternoon for Kids’.
Dr Rodney Van Der Ree, from Melbourne University will be the keynote speaker at the ‘Designing a Wildlife Corridor: What Works & Why?’ evening talk.
Geoff Park will be joining us on the ‘Connecting Country Bus Tour: What Does Successful Landscape Restoration Look Like?’ to share his insights into what successful landscape restoration might look like.
A list of all events, including the full details of times, locations, speakers and a registration form, can be viewed on the ‘Education Program 2013’ page of the Connecting Country website.
Connecting Country Works Crew Positions
Posted on 24 January, 2013 by Connecting Country
We are seeking suitable people to form a Works Crew for Connecting Country’s new program – Connecting Landscapes across the Mount Alexander Region
Do you want to work outdoors? Do you want to make the natural world a better place? If yes, then this could be the job for you.
Connecting Country is seeking enthusiastic people to form its new environmental Works Crew. With funding from the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund, Connecting Country is implementing a long term program to protect and enhance native vegetation at a number of sites across the Mount Alexander shire and immediate surrounds in central Victoria.
For more information on the program, and also for a copy of the full position description and application details, click here. The role is a fixed term position, commencing in March and concluding in November 2013.
For more information regarding the project and the position, contact Jarrod Coote on (03) 5472-1594 or email jarrod@connectingcountry.org.au
Grassy Groundcover Gazette
Posted on 22 January, 2013 by Connecting Country
The Grassy Groundcover Gazette is an online newsletter about the conservation, restoration and management of grasslands and grassy woodlands in south-eastern Australia. When it first came out in May 2006, the primary purpose of the newsletter was to keep people in touch who were involved in the Grassy Groundcover Research Project. Since then it has reached a far wider audience.
Three examples of items in the latest issue are the 14ha reconstructed wildlflower grasslands on land that had previously been used for cropping on the western outskirts of Geelong; the restored grassland area at the Werribee Open Range Zoo; and the seeded grassland demonstration plots at Inverleigh, Lake Bolac and Dunkeld.
The restoration of grasslands and grassy woodlands in the Mount Alexander Shire and surrounds faces similar challenges to those described in this Gazette. The information is therefore likely to be of value to people working to restore habitats here. To view the Gazette click here.
National Biodiversity Investment Prospectus Released
Posted on 22 January, 2013 by Connecting Country
Environment Minister Tony Burke has recently released the Australian Government’s first national biodiversity investment prospectus: One Land – Many Stories: Prospectus of Investment 2013-14.
The prospectus sets out the vision for the next phase of Caring for our Country from July 2013. It also sets out the context for future investment under the Biodiversity Fund, the Regional Natural Resource Management Planning for Climate Change Fund, and the Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund.
More information on the prospectus is available at www.environment.gov.au/prospectus and it is our understanding that application guidelines for programs under the prospectus will be released over the coming months.
Local Flood Management Plan: Call for Nominations
Posted on 4 January, 2013 by Connecting Country
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA), in partnership with the Mount Alexander Shire Council, is seeking expressions of interest from community members for appointment to a Planning Steering Committee. The committee will help guide the development of the Castlemaine, Campbells Creek & Chewton Flood Management Plan. Community members on the committee could include representatives of Landcare groups that occur along one or more of these waterways.
The committee will oversee the plan’s development from a community perspective, ensure the plan aligns with governance requirements and provide important advice to the North Central CMA and Mount Alexander Shire Council on its communication and engagement activities.
The period for community nominations has been open since before Christmas, and there is a period of 1-2 weeks from early January when the CMA is still able to receive them for consideration. An Expression of Interest/Application Form for nominees can be downloaded here.
The Connecting Country Education Program is on Again!
Posted on 21 December, 2012 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country Education Program will be on once again from February to April next year. The 2013 program has the theme ‘learning from experience & learning from each other’. As such, each event will include a local perspective on the issue at hand as well as presentations by experts.
It’s shaping up to be a diverse and interesting program and that we hope you’ll find enjoyable, inspiring, and of course – educational.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL PROGRAM
The program will include the following events: Continue Reading »
Draft Waterway Management Strategy – Our Submission
Posted on 19 December, 2012 by Connecting Country
The Victorian Government was requesting feedback on the draft Victorian Waterway Management Strategy (click here for earlier Connecting Country web post). The DSE website states that the …draft Strategy describes the proposed policy for waterway management over the next eight years (and)…includes guidance on regional decision-making, investment, management issues, and roles and responsibilities of management agencies.
Connecting Country prepared and submitted a letter in response to this draft Strategy. This letter can be viewed by clicking here. As always, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments about this post or our submitted letter (chris@connectingcountry.org.au).
Annual Bird Count Weekend in the Mt Alexander region
Posted on 12 December, 2012 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country provided two teams of keen birders to help with the Annual Bird Count weekend on December 1/2. Local participation was organised by the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club who have been involved in the Annual Bird Count Weekend for more than a decade.
Kerryn Herman, Connecting Country’s Woodland Bird Coordinator, commented that by ‘the end of the weekend … we had recorded over 100 species, covering woodland, wetland and pasture habitats and (hopefully) a few more volunteers with a little more confidence in their birding ability’. Click here to read Kerryn’s full report.
New Fish Field Guide
Posted on 11 December, 2012 by Connecting Country
The new North Central Waterwatch Fish Field Guide is now available. The Fish Field Guide is the second in a series of three field guides being developed by North Central Waterwatch to help the community identify aquatic fauna found in our local waterways. It can be viewed on the North Central CMA website by clicking here Be patient as this PDF document takes a while to open.
The Fish Field Guide provides descriptions of native species in north central Victoria, including their tail shape, fins positions, habitats, conservation, breeding cycles, diet. It also desribes the threats to native fish.
This new guide also highlights threatened species listed under state and/or national legislation, as well as information about fish that have been translocated into the North Central CMA region.
The Fish Field Guide follows the huge success of the North Central Waterwatch Frogs Field Guide which provides information on frogs, including their description, the sound of their calls, breeding times and their habitats.