Latest edition of Innovative Farming available
Posted on 6 May, 2013 by Connecting Country
The fifth edition of the North Central CMA’s Innovative Farming newsletter is now available. This edition includes:
- An interview with Joel Salatin (Time Magazine recently labelled him ‘the world’s most innovative farmer’)
- Upcoming events for the Farming for Australian Conditions project
- An update on the Kilter Agroforestry venture
- A recap on the recent events that the Farming for Australian Conditions project has delivered throughout our region
You can download the newsletter here. This is a large file (8.6 MB) and may take a while to download on your computer depending on your internet connection. If you would prefer to have a hard copy, contact Joel Spry at the NCCMA (0407 835 973, joel.spry@nccma.vic.gov.au) to arrange to have the newsletter mailed to you.
Have you seen any sick wildlife?
Posted on 6 May, 2013 by Connecting Country
The Faculty of Veterinary Science at The University of Melbourne has been working on a Wildlife Health Surveillance project since July 2008. The aim of the project is to better understand baseline wildlife health and patterns of disease, detect changed patterns and investigate factors involved. Their website can be found here.
You can report sick or dead mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibian to Pam Whitely on 0400 119 301 or pamw@unimelb.edu.au. Further information is contained in this flyer.
Nest Box Installation at Pilchers Bridge Reserve
Posted on 6 May, 2013 by Connecting Country
Trust for Nature held a nest box installation workshop on Sunday, 21 April on a private property neighbouring Pilchers Bridge Nature Conservation Reserve (NCR), south-east of Bendigo.
The workshop is part of a larger project being run by the Trust, which provides nest boxes to 13 private properties that border Pilchers Bridge NCR. Four of these properties already have a Trust for Nature conservation covenant in place. The Trust is also placing nest boxes within Pilchers Bridge NCR itself, to help create better habitat for hollow-dependent wildlife. With more nest boxes on more properties, it is hoped that this combined effort will lead to more wildlife using the Box Ironbark forests of northern Victoria.
Miles Geldard from Wildlife Nestboxes, ran the workshop and taught 34 private landowners how to install the nest boxes and where best to place them. Each attendee received a number of nest boxes at the end of the session. Continue Reading »
26 May 2013 – Reversing the Decline in Woodland Birds
Posted on 3 May, 2013 by Connecting Country
Beginning at 10am on 26 May, Trust for Nature are hosting a Biodiversity field morning at Pigeon Hill, near Maldon. Landowner Jeanne Daly will talk about her conservation work over the last 20 years on her convenated property on ‘Pigeon Hill’ and Chris Tzaros from Birdlife Australia will speak about Woodland Bird conservation. Many of you will know of Chris Tzaros from his ‘Wildlife of the Box Ironbark Country’ book, and his recent evening talk at Newstead on Bird Photography. Find out all the details about this Trust for Nature event in this flyer.
4 May 2013 – Woody Weed Control Demonstration Day
Posted on 29 April, 2013 by Connecting Country
Do you want to know more about woody weeds and some of the most effective ways to manage them? Come along to the free Barkers Creek Landcare Network demonstration day and learn more!
See the revolutionary ecoBlade machine – which cuts and paints woody weeds such as blackberry and gorse at the same time!
Also included on the day:
- On-site demonstrations of other relevant woody weed control techniques
- Useful information on how to get the best weed control results
Drinks and a light lunch will be provided (no charge).
Midday – 2.00pm, Saturday 4th May 2013
End of Hagues Road, Barkers Creek – click here for map
Information about the Barkers Creek Clean-up Project: www.connectingcountry.org.au/barkers-ck/
email: michael@connectingcountry.org.au or call 5472 1594
The event is also supported by the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce and Victorian Gorse Taskforce.
Back to Cactus Killing
Posted on 22 April, 2013 by Connecting Country
The Tarrangower Cactus Control Committee and Parks Victoria will hold their first cactus-injecting field day for 2013 on Sunday 28th April. Field days will continue until November on the last Sunday of each month.
The venue for the first field day will be in Watersons Road near its intersection with Tarrengower School Road starting at 10.30 am. The site will be clearly signposted from the corner of the Bridgewater-Maldon and Watersons Roads.
Special guest will be Councillor Sharon Telford who has agreed to launch the season.
As usual the day will finish with a free sausage sizzle and cuppa.
Do You Have a Rabbit Problem?
Posted on 19 April, 2013 by Connecting Country
How many offspring can Mr Rabbit and Mrs Rabbit potentially produce in 18 months? The answer is a staggering 180 bunnies! And that is one of the reasons why rabbits have such a big impact on both agricultural land and natural environments in our region.
While rabbit numbers are certainly nowhere near to what they were in the first half of the 20th Century – before Myxomatosis and Calicivirus decimated the population – they are still a serious problem. As immunity to these diseases increases, the rabbit population is growing again. Even one rabbit per hectare can stop regeneration of some native plant species.
Connecting Country’s Ute Guide to Rabbit Control is a simple and easy to understand guide to rabbit control options, and small enough to fit into the glove box of your ute (or any other car!). It covers how to tell if rabbits are present, the physical and chemical methods of control, and which options are most suited to the size of the infestation.
The guide has been produced as part of Connecting Country’s ‘Connecting Landscapes Project’. This five-year program will work with private landholders to create and enhance wildlife habitat connections between the large blocks of crown land forest that occur through the Mount Alexander Shire and immediate surrounds.
If you would like to receive a copy of the Ute Guide to Rabbit Control, contact Connecting Landscapes Project Coordinator Jarrod Coote on (03) 5472 1594 or jarrod@connectingcountry.org.au
Connecting Landscapes Project Coordinator Jarrod Coote displays the new Ute Guide Guide to Rabbit Control. But who’s behind the wheel?
Landcarers Link-up in The Creek
Posted on 17 April, 2013 by Connecting Country
Representatives from 15 Landcare groups got together for a ‘Landcare Link-up’ at the Campbells Creek Community Hall on Thursday last week. The absence of these kinds of meetings over the past few years meant that many people met each other for the first time and there were plenty of fresh ideas brought forward.
As a result of three open-ended questions that were the focus of the night, many topics arose for discussion including weed management techniques, the number of active members in groups, the challenge of engaging farmers and the pros and cons of having regular meetings. A constant theme on the night was ‘variety’ and the range of ways in which each group organises their working bees and meetings was a case in point.
Participants at the Link-up arrange themselves into order of how long they’ve been involved in Landcare. There was a wide range of experience amongst the group, from those that had been involved in Landcare for just a few months to veterans of over 20 years.
There was plenty of good feeling around the room, so it wasn’t surprising that the question of whether to have another Link-up later in the year was met with a resounding “Yes”. Look out for Link-up number two later this year.
Thank you to all those that attended and made it such an enjoyable night.
Landscape Connectivity – Be Strategic and Think Outside the Corridor
Posted on 17 April, 2013 by Connecting Country
Over 60 people recently attended a talk titled Designing a Wildlife Corridor: What Works & Why? at the Elphinstone Community Hall.
The first speaker, Dr Rodney van der Ree, wasted no time in subverting the title of the evening to reflect his thoughts on designing wildlife corridors – changing the title of his talk from ‘Designing a Wildlife Corridor…’ to Designing a Connected Landscape…’! Rodney’s point was that what we are aiming for when we create wildlife corridors is really ‘landscape connectivity’ – and wildlife corridors are only one part of this. Other landscape features such as patches of remnant vegetation, paddock trees, small clumps of vegetation, scattered trees and stags can all form part of a connected landscape.
His talk went on to detail many ways by which the effectiveness of a corridor can be maximised, including trying to incorporate established vegetation into a corridor; making use of linear landscape features such as roads and creeks; designing with a particular animal or group of animals in mind and planning strategically – look at a map! Continue Reading »
Bird Photography … with Chris Tzaros
Posted on 16 April, 2013 by Connecting Country
On Thursday 25th April, at 7.30pm at the Newstead Community Centre, Chris Tzaros from BirdLife Australia will deliver a talk entitled Bird Photography: Tips & Techniques. Chris is one of Australia’s best known bird photographers and author of the publication, Wildlife of Box-Ironbark Country. As well as providing some practical information on the topic, the presentation will showcase some of Chris’ breathtaking images. Gold coin donation to the Newstead Landcare Group. Everyone is welcome.
Chris and Geoff Park will also be leading a field workshop on 27 April but that is already booked out. It is likely that similar workshops will be held later this year.
Time to Check Nest Boxes
Posted on 15 April, 2013 by Connecting Country
If you have a Connecting Country nest box on your property (or one near-by on public land), Autumn is the time of year to check your boxes for Brush-tailed Phascogale or Sugar Glider activity.
The best technique for landholders to monitor the boxes on their property involves observing, counting and identifying the Sugar gliders or Brush-tailed Phascogales that climb out of the opening of each nest box on dusk. Please do NOT climb up with a ladder and physically check inside the box (due to the danger to you, and also the potential disturbance to the animal). We have further information on this ‘dusk observation’ technique (click here) and also the results from the past two years of nest box surveys (click here and here).
A standardised data sheet is available to record observations (PDF and Word versions). Results can be sent to us via email or post. Even if you see nothing come out of the box, please let us know, as this is still important information.
If you are unable to observe the nest boxes on your property at dusk – but would like to know what it using them – please let us know. We may be able to arrange for a volunteer team to come and observe them on dusk instead.
Phascogales captured on camera at Jan Hall’s property in MacKenzie’s Hill.
Community Environment Grants Now Available
Posted on 15 April, 2013 by Connecting Country
Community Environment Grants of between $5000 and $50 000 are now available from the Australian Government to community groups working to achieve an environment that is healthier, better protected, well managed and resilient.
Funding is available to established and emerging groups currently operating in the environmental sector, including Indigenous organisations. Continue Reading »
Celebrating the Loddon
Posted on 13 April, 2013 by Connecting Country
The North Central CMA’s Loddon Stressed River project is inviting people to a celebration with lots of activities including a guest speaker, local farm visit, short river walk and a buffet dinner. There will be two events, one in Newbridge and one in Kerang. To find out more, download this flyer.
Landcare Awards
Posted on 13 April, 2013 by Connecting Country
Nominees or applicants are now invited to apply for this year’s State and Territory Landcare Awards. The purpose of the awards is to recognise ‘the achievements of those dedicated people who give up their time to care for our precious land and water resources.’ More information about the awards and the entry form can be found here and here.
20 & 23 April – Muckleford Landcare Events
Posted on 13 April, 2013 by Connecting Country
Muckleford Catchment Landcare has two upcoming events this month that will be of interest to people living locally – including both Landcare members and the general public. The first is the Roadside Awareness Mapping Project which will conclude with reporting day on 20 April at the Muckleford Community Centre. The second is a community meeting on 23 April about Sustainable Soils for Muckleford. Speakers at this meeting will be Judy Crocker, Facilitator of the Mid-Loddon Landcare Network, and Phil Dyson, North Central CMA, and manager of the Farming for Sustainable Soils Program.
To find out more about these events, download this Muckleford Landcare PDF document. The Muckleford Catchment Landcare site can be viewed here.
12 April 2013 – Tales from a mothylated spirit!
Posted on 10 April, 2013 by Connecting Country
This Friday 12 April, the guest speaker at the monthly general meeting of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club is Steve Williams of the Entomological Society of Victoria (ESV). He will be speaking about the moths of the Box-Ironbark Forests in his talk titled “Things that go bump in the night….Tales of a Mothylated Spirit“.
Steve’s passion is raising native moths through their whole life cycle, from adult to egg to caterpillar to cocoon, and then back to adult again. He has made incredible contributions to the understanding of this process for Victorian moth species – most of which had not been documented previously. His amazing photos of the various life stages are a highlight of the recently released Moths of Victoria Volume 4 (published by ESV).
If the weather is favourable, Steve is also planning to set up some lights and other equipment outside the hall to attract some moths over the course of the night’s talk to view afterwards.
Attendance at the talk is free and open to everyone; members and non-members. It will start from 7.30pm at the Fellowship Hall behind the Uniting Church on Lyttleton St (just up the hill beside the Art Gallery and Museum).
Bus Seats Available for Wildlife Corridor Talk This Wednesday
Posted on 8 April, 2013 by Connecting Country
A reminder for any people planning to attend the Designing a Wildlife Corridor: What Works Why? talk in Elphinstone this Wednesday.
For those who’d prefer not to drive, a free community bus has been booked to transport people from Castlemaine to the Elphinstone Community Hall for the event, and back. The bus will be departing from the Ray Bradfield Room (next to Victory Park) at 6pm and will return to Castlemaine about 15 minutes after the conclusion of the talks.
RSVPs for the bus are essential, as space will be limited. Contact Chris at Connecting Country to book a seat – E: info@connectingcountry.org.au, P: (03) 5472 1594.
The evening will begin with supper at 6:30pm. Talks start at 7pm.
27 April – Property Planning and Management Talk
Posted on 3 April, 2013 by Connecting Country
The Mount Alexander Shire is inviting new residents to a free afternoon talk on property Planning and Management on Saturday 27 April in the Ray Bradfield Room. Download this flyer for further information.
Don’t take a shotgun to the cactus, even if it is annoying you
Posted on 22 March, 2013 by Connecting Country
Attendees at a Connecting Country education event at the Maldon Community Centre on March 13 heard two dramatically different perspectives on the grisly subject of environmental weeds.
Ecologist Geoff Carr gave a general rundown on the weed problem, which is serious. He quoted the 2007 Census of the Vascular Plants of Victoria publication, which listed all the self sustaining plants in our state [that is, plants not kept alive by gardeners or special care]. Of the 5793 species and subspecies recorded within Victoria, 1496 are exotics, the numbers of which are increasing rapidly and alarmingly.
It was clear from Geoff’s talk that ‘weed’ in this discussion isn’t just a plant you don’t like: it’s a plant which, if let go, will obliterate any competition, and render other plants in the area locally extinct. Not only that: weeds have the capacity to radically alter water catchments and affect food production. The example he gave, ironically, was from South Africa (from which a good number of our weeds originate): the Cape Town water catchment’s capacity to store water has been reduced by 30% by water guzzling Acacia weeds imported from…Australia! The problem is global.
Seventy per cent of environmental weeds started their life in Australia as garden ornamentals. Geoff posed a good question: why do we have strict control over importation of exotic animals into the country, but appear to have almost none at all over plants which could cost millions in lost production and biodiversity?
Geoff Carr’s talk was not focused on remedies, but Ian Grenda more than made up for that with a wonderfully entertaining account of his efforts at cactus control, laced with a good dose of black humour. Ian is convenor of the Tarrengower Cactus Control committee. His attacks on Wheel Cactus (Opuntia robusta) – a listed Weed of National Significance – have involved experiments with axes and shotguns (details withheld here, to protect the innocent), and the invention of a variety of deadly cactus attack weapons. The most effective weapon he highlighted, however, was community support: every month about 35 local people rock up to cactus control work parties in the Tarrengower/Nuggety area. Positive social interaction and clear practical progress keep morale high. Ian’s conclusion: ‘We’re going to beat it, using the biggest weapon in the world. That’s us—we can kill anything!’
Both speakers, interestingly, spoke admiringly of the weed enemy: attacks on weeds are motivated not by hatred for any particular plant, but by a desire to protect the variety and health of the rich native plant system we have now. Both also emphasised the need to understand how plants work, and what they do in the environment. And both made it clear that that persistence and follow up work are vital.
Mount Alexander Shire – Connecting Country MOU signed
Posted on 21 March, 2013 by Connecting Country
As you may have read in the local paper over the past week, the Mount Alexander Shire Council and Connecting Country formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday 12 March.
Cr Michael Redden, Mayor of Mount Alexander Shire and Marie Jones, President of Connecting Country signing the MoU. Standing are Amy McDonald, Manager Healthy Environments, MAS and Chris Timewell, CC Director.
Cr Michael Redden, Mayor of Mount Alexander Shire and Marie Jones, President of Connecting Country formalised the commitment to shared goals and collaboration with the signing of the documentation.
“I am delighted to be signing this document because it is another positive way that the community can work together to provide a healthier environment,” said Marie.
The MoU outlines how the two organisations will work together over the next five years, including the provision of support and advice to each other on projects that they have in common.
“This MoU is important for Council, reflecting the sentiment of our Environment Strategy – to work with our partner organisations to make a positive change for sustainability and the environment,” said Cr Redden.