Launch of 2019 Wheel Cactus season

Posted on 20 May, 2019 by Asha

The Tarrangower Cactus Control Group continues to ‘wage war on Wheel Cactus’. Here’s some information for the 2019 season launch:

We’re very pleased that our Mount Alexander Shire Tarrangower Ward Councillor, Stephen Gardner, will be ‘cutting the ribbon’ for the launch of our 2019 season of Community Field Days, on Sunday 26 May at 10.30 am.

Thanks to our sponsors and supporters, including Parks Victoria, Mount Alexander Shire Council and North Central Catchment Management Authority, we hold these field days on the last Sunday of every month from May to October, to demonstrate how best to destroy Wheel Cactus.

Please come and join us for a rewarding morning in the outdoors. We supply all the necessary equipment; all you need are sturdy shoes, long sleeves and pants and a hat.

The location for this field day is in Cairn Curran Rd. To get there, follow Watersons Rd to Cairn Curran Rd, turn left and follow the road around the reservoir and the property will be on the left opposite the reservoir; the route will be well signposted. The morning’s activities always end with a delicious BBQ lunch and friendly chat. These events are family friendly, but children must be accompanied by a parent at all times. If you have any queries please contact us via our website at www.cactuswarriors.org

Cactus Warrior volunteers at work on a Community Field Day (photo by Lee Mead)

Launch of 2019 season of Wheel Cactus season
When: Sunday 26 May 2019 at 10:30 am
Where: Cairn Curran Rd, Baringhup VIC (follow Watersons Rd to Cairn Curran Rd, turn left, continue around the reservoir and the property is on the left opposite the reservoir)
Bring: sturdy shoes, long sleeves and pants, and a hat
Further info: contact Tarrangower Cactus Control Group via their website at www.cactuswarriors.org

Nuggetty to Shelbourne railway walk – 19 May 2019

Posted on 16 May, 2019 by Asha

Join Nuggetty Land Protection Group for a walk from Nuggetty to Shelbourne along the old railway track this Sunday. A community bus will carry you to the start of the walk. The walk from there is approximately 13 kilometres to Shelbourne Railway Station. However the bus will meet walkers at the intersections of roads so you can have a lift back to your car if you need to.

When: Sunday 19 May 2019 at 9:30 am

Where to meet: Nuggetty Peace Monument, Nuggetty School Road, Nuggetty VIC. Parking is available.

What to bring: Lunch. Tea and coffee will be available at Bradford Siding. Wear walking shoes, hats and other weather-appropriate clothing.

Bookings and more information: Please make sure you book by contacting Jane Mitchell (0457 729 132) or Christine Fitzgerald (0419 347 408) from Nuggetty Land Protection Group.

The event will be cancelled if weather inclement.

Do stuff that matters with Intrepid Landcare

Posted on 15 May, 2019 by Asha

Intrepid Landcare will kick-start in the Mt Alexander region of central Victoria in August 2019 with a weekend retreat for passionate young people!

The retreat is open to anyone aged 16 – 35 years who is up for making a difference and having some good fun doing it.

Intrepid Landcare retreat

Where: Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park, Castlemaine, VIC

When: Friday 9 August to Sunday 11 August 2019

Further info: CLICK HERE to apply or for further information

To avoid disappointment, please submit your application as soon as possible!

The leadership retreat will be the perfect place to connect to other young like-minded people, hear from awesome inspiring speakers, get your hands dirty with an action-packed weekend of adventure, conservation, cultural immersion and discovering what opportunities exist across the Mt Alexander and Central Victoria regions with Landcare.

To make these opportunities accessible to as many young people as possible, successful applicants will be generously supported by North Central Catchment Management Authority and Connecting Country through funding from the Victorian Landcare Program. This support covers all catering, accommodation and a carefully packaged leadership development program tailored to meet the needs of young people passionate about the environment.

CLICK HERE to download the flier and share it with your friends!

Maldon ‘Living Treasures’ walk – 1 June 2019

Posted on 13 May, 2019 by Asha

Maldon Urban Landcare Group (MULGA) is holding a walk around some of Maldon’s ‘Living Treasures’ on Saturday 1 June 2019 at 9.30 am, starting at the rotunda in Maldon Shire Gardens in High St, Maldon VIC. This is your chance to discover some of Maldon’s very old trees, and also learn how to identify local indigenous eucalypts. It will be an easy walk to Bill Woodfull Reserve and Maldon Primary School, followed by morning tea. The walk will be cancelled if it’s raining.

CLICK HERE to learn more about MULGA’s work mapping and protecting Maldon’s ‘Living Treasures’.

For more information, contact MULGA Secretary Bev Phillips by phone (0407 770 350) or email (maldonurbanlandcare@gmail.com)

Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora) at Bill Woodfull Reserve, estimated age 530 years (photo by Bev Phillips)

Mother nature – plant a tree for Mum this Mother’s Day

Posted on 7 May, 2019 by Asha

Along Forest Creek, Castlemaine, a transformation is taking place. Two years ago, the state government removed a large area of poplar trees, just down from Patterson Bridge on Duke Street, to make way for native species and encourage wildlife back to the area. Last year, Castlemaine Landcare Group, with help from many fantastic volunteers, planted 1,500 plants – trees, shrubs, grasses and sedges. Despite dry weather, their growth has been dramatic.

This Mother’s Day, they want to plant more! A mammoth planting event is planned for Sunday 12 May at 9.30 am at the former poplars site, where Duke Street crosses Forest Creek. Anyone and everyone is invited to come down to plant, celebrate Mother’s Day, and share a cup of tea or coffee.

Castlemaine Landcare would love to see this area restored for the community to use and to increase local biodiversity. Come and see the difference a year makes and how you can help – bring your Mum, kids, family and friends!

Please wear stout footwear and gardening gloves. The ground is rough and there are some hazards like old blackberry brambles, tree stumps and roots. Morning tea will be provided.

Where: Forest Creek at Patterson Bridge on Duke Street (near Happy Valley Road intersection) Castlemaine VIC

When: 9:30 am to 12 noon on Sunday 12 May 2019

Parking: Limited parking is available on Happy Valley Road, or park on Duke Street (near Best Motors) and walk 200 m to the planting area

More information: Please email Christine at christinekilmartin01@gmail.com

Frankie Cook is looking forward to planting a tree for mum along Forest Creek (photo from Castlemaine Landcare)

BirdLife Castlemaine AGM – 4 May 2019

Posted on 18 April, 2019 by Ivan

BirdLife Castlemaine District Branch is holding their 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM). The meeting will follow the bird walk scheduled for Saturday 4 May at Muckleford Forest. Morning tea will be available from 11.00 am.

Owlet Nightjar at Moonlight Flat (photo by Frances Howe)

Birdlife Castlemaine District 2019 AGM
When: Saturday 4 May 2019 at 11.30 am
Where: 2356 Pyrenees Highway, Muckleford South VIC

Birdlife Castlemaine are keen for nominations for the committee. A nomination form for committee positions is can be obtained by emailing castlemaine@birdlife.org.au. The positions vacant are Convenor, Secretary, Treasurer and general committee members. A proxy voting form is also available via email or print.

Nomination forms and proxy voting forms should be emailed to castlemaine@birdlife.org.au, or posted to:
Secretary, BirdLife Castlemaine District Branch, 9 Tingay Drive, Campbells Creek, VIC 3451

Nominations will also be accepted on the day of the AGM.

Desperate plight of the Orange-bellied Parrot – 8 May 2019

Posted on 16 April, 2019 by Frances

Bendigo Field Naturalists Club and Snowgum Press Films are presenting a special screening of the documentary ‘The Desperate Plight of the Orange-bellied Parrot’, a film by David Neilson on Wednesday 8 May 2019 in Bendigo, Victoria

The Orange-bellied Parrot migrates between the Australian mainland and Tasmania, spending summer breeding in Tasmania and winter in coastal Victoria and South Australia. It is one of Australia’s most threatened species, with less than 50 parrots thought to exist in the wild. Like many of our local birds, threats include habitat loss and modification, predation by cats and foxes and weeds, as well as collisions with structures, and inbreeding.

This is a fundraising event for the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot. All funds raised go to support conservation efforts. Tickets are $15 (children free). Numbers are limited so register now to secure a seat. A special ‘meet the film-maker’ session and nature photography discussion is available prior to the screening ($20).

For further information please see the flyer – click here.

To book your seat contact Bendigo Field Naturalists Club via their website (http://www.bendigofieldnaturalists.asn.au) or email (info@bendigofieldnaturalsts.asn.au).

To find out what is being done to preserve the habitat and remaining populations of the Orange-bellied Parrot, please visit the Birdlife Australia website by clicking here

Male Orange-bellied Parrot . Photo: Birdlife Australia

Two male Orange-bellied Parrots. Photo: Birdlife Australia

Learning under the stars – Camp Out on the Mount 2019

Posted on 16 April, 2019 by Asha

Over 130 people attended the popular Camp Out on the Mount last weekend! Every year we invite people to gather for a fun night of camping and learning, to celebrate the beautiful Leanganook/Mount Alexander and the work that Landcare and Friends groups do all year round.

Saturday evening commenced at Leanganook Camping Ground with a beautiful Welcome to Country from Aunty Kerri Douglas representing Dja Dja Wurrung. She invited everyone to take off their shoes and connect to country around the campfire. Harcourt Lions Club prepared and served a delicious BBQ to the crowd. Once the coals in the campfire had settled in, the Mellick-Cooper family carried on tradition by setting up their damper-making table for all to share.

As the sun set, Mike Hayes from Parks Victoria gathered a group of about 50 together to set out on a spotlighting night walk through the bush. The group included all ages from babies to teenagers to adults. The group spotted two Brush-tailed Possums – a delight for everyone, but especially special for our visiting students from France!

On Sunday morning, campers were woken by a chorus of birds and a sunny morning. Things kicked off again with morning tea provided by Murnong Mummas, followed by a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony with Uncle Michael Bourke. With a further welcomes from Maree Edwards MP, Connecting Country, Little Habitat Heroes, and Harcourt Valley Landcare, local legend George Milford then facilitated a discussion between local experts, including Terri Williams (Bendigo TAFE), Michael Bourke (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation), Ian Braybrook and Marilyn Bennet (authors of ‘Sarah’s search – a silk odyssey’). They spoke about the values of the mount from the perspectives of the environment, culture, and heritage.

Local musician Eva Popov delighted us with her song, ‘Seeds that grow’, encouraging everyone to join the chorus around the campfire. The song is about the mount and the revegetation planting done by Little Habitat Heroes.

Little Habitat Heroes volunteers ran a lovely Bush Playgroup where kids could do things like play with clay and colour in pictures of wildlife while listening to the talks and singing.

Keen participants then joined a special activity to clean native Tree Violet seed ready for planting, kindly donated by Frances Cincotta from Newstead Natives. All were encouraged to take some seed home to grow their very own Tree Violet, which provides habitat for native birds and other wildlife.

To wrap up the weekend, everyone was invited to make their way down to the Old Silk Worm Farm site to see the heritage ruins and the amazing land restoration work done. Work so far includes pine removal at past Camp Out on the Mount events, and revegetation of 900 plants by Little Habitat Heroes with support from Connecting Country. Free ‘Camp Out on the Mount’ t-shirts, designed and printed by Big Tree T-shirts and funded by Mount Alexander Shire Council, were a great souvenir for people to take home.

This free annual event was organised by Connecting Country, Little Habitat Heroes and local Landcare groups, supported by funding from North Central Catchment Management Authority through the Victorian Landcare Program, and Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests. Connecting Country and Little Habitat Heroes would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped to make the weekend a success, including everyone who volunteered their time to make sure things ran smoothly.

Auntie Kerri Douglas giving Welcome to Country on Saturday evening (photo by Robyn Miller)

Maree Edwards MP saying a few words on Sunday morning (photo by Robyn Miller)

Jodi from Little Habitat Heroes (photo by Robyn Miller)

Uncle Mick Bourke on the Sunday panel (photo by Robyn Miller)

Smoking ceremony on Sunday morning (photo by Robyn Miller)

George Milford interviewing Terri Williams (Bendigo TAFE) and Uncle Mick Bourke (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation) (photo by Leonie van Eyk)

Gathered around the campfire on Saturday night (photo by Robyn Miller)

Eva Popoz singing her song ‘Seeds that grow’ (photo by Robyn Miller)

Exploring at the old Silk Worm Farm site (photo by Robyn Miller)

Harcourt Lions Club volunteers getting ready to serve a BBQ to a hungry crowd (photo by Robyn Miller)

Marilyn Bennet and Ian Braybrook speaking on the Sunday morning panel (photo by Robyn Miller)

Connecting Country staff cleaning Tree Violet seed (photo by Heather Barrett)

Sonny Willis from Harcourt Valley Landcare doing clay play with Little Habitat Heroes (photo by Leonie van Eyk)

Camp out on the Mount 2019 (photo by Leonie van Eyk)

Bonnie and Nina listening to panel of speakers (photo by Robyn Miller)

Jarrod Coote from Harcourt Valley Landcare talking about Landcare on the Sunday morning (photo by Robyn Miller)

You, me & biodiversity: revegetation talk with David Millsom

Posted on 4 April, 2019 by Jacqui

Wombat Forestcare is hosting an opportunity to learn about maximising revegetation success with David Millsom , an experienced revegetation practitioner.

When:    Saturday 27 April 2019 from 1.30 to 3.00 pm
Where:   Trentham Neighbourhood Centre, Cnr Market and High St, Trentham, Victoria
Cost:      Gold coin donation

For more information: contact info@wombatforestcare.org.au or see www.wombatforestcare.org.au

The talk will cover:

• Drivers for and development of large scale revegetation techniques.
• Site preparation for tubestock and direct seeding.
• Site selection.
• Species selection – what to plant and why.
• Provenance, origin of the term and what genetics are telling us.
• Seed treatments – overview of how to maximise germination, use of smoke, heat, cold and other methods.
• Research, development and application of live bacteria innoculant for native legumes.
• How to maximise chance of success in a drying and hotter climate.

Checking the health of our Key Biodiversity Areas: 12 April 2019

Posted on 2 April, 2019 by Ivan

BirdLife International has identified areas of conservation importance around the world as Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs). This includes KBAs right here in our region – the Bendigo Box Ironbark area. Our KBAs were designated especially for their importance for two special birds, Diamond Firetail and Swift Parrot, and cover both public and private land.

Our three KBAs in the Mount Alexander Shire (VIC) are:

• Clydesdale-Strangways.
• Sandon-Strathlea.
• Muckleford-Newstead.

Birdlife’s Easter health check takes an annual snapshot of the threat and conservation actions of the areas that matter most to birds. BirdLife compares results between KBAs across Australia and around the globe. The results are extremely valuable, especially for identifying species decline and targeting conservation work. For more information on the KBA and the Easter health check process click here.

BirdLife is looking for local people to complete a 2019 Easter health check for each KBA. To assist, Connecting Country is running a workshop on Friday 12 April 2019 in Newstead.  We’ve invited Greg Turner from BirdLife Victoria to take us through the process for our part of the Bendigo Box Ironbark area. Geoff Nevill from the Muckleford Forest Friends Group will also talk about his group’s work in the region.

This annual check is all about assessing habitat and its threats. Anyone with an interest in landscape restoration is most welcome to come along and get involved, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced birdwatcher.

Volunteers Eleanor and Jenny surveying the Muckleford KBA (photo by Connecting Country)

Please come along to this workshop to learn how you can participate in the Easter Health Check for our local KBAs:

• Learn about the KBA’s in the Mount Alexander Shire.
• Find out about KBA Easter Health Check – what it is and how to do it.
• Meet other people working with KBAs.

Where: Newstead Community Centre Mechanics Hall, 9 Lyons St, Newstead VIC

When: Friday 12 April 2019: 9.00 to 11.30 am

Bookings: Please click here

This is a free event, with morning tea and refreshments provided.

If you have any questions, please contact Ivan Carter at Connecting Country on (03) 5472 1594 or ivan@connectingcountry.org.au.

This event is supported by funding from the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

Reminder to register: Camp Out on the Mount 2019

Posted on 21 March, 2019 by Ivan

Just a reminder to register for the Camp Out on the Mount 2019!

CLICK HERE to visit the booking website and register for this free event. This helps us to prepare for the right amount of people for each activity and create a fun environment for all (and provide plenty of food!). Updates will also be emailed to all who register closer to the weekend, with further information on activities and what to expect.

For more information, CLICK HERE to visit our web page about this year’s Camp Out.

When: Saturday 6 – Sunday 7 April 2019
Where: Leanganook Camping Ground, Joseph Young Drive, Mount Alexander Regional Park, Faraday VIC
What to bring: Camping gear and supplies, food for Sunday breakfast, gold coin donation or Saturday night BBQ, weather-appropriate clothes, sturdy shoes and sun protection.

If you have any questions, please call Asha on (03) 5472 1594 or email asha@connectingcountry.org.au

Linking up Landcare

Posted on 14 March, 2019 by Asha

So many stories, so little time! Thirteen of our local Landcare and Friends groups shared stories of their work with about forty other fellow Landcarers and other community members at the recent Landcare Link-up. It was great to see so many inspiring Landcarers in the same space, and hear about the great work being done in our community to care for the land.

Landcarers at the February 2019 Landcare Link-up – ‘Sharing Stories’

Amelia from McKenzie’s Hill Action & Landcare talking about cats and wildlife

Brian from Taradale Landcare talking about seed collection

With so many stories to share, we can’t fit them all into one blog post! So here is a small taste of what each group spoke about – if anything piques your interest, please go ahead and contact the group to chat more!

Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare – Proposed project for platypus monitoring using DNA sampling in Campbells Creek.

Nuggetty Land Protection Group – Launch of their most recent publication, the ‘A History of Seventeen Central Victoria Schools’, and their struggle with kangaroo population numbers.

Tarrangower Cactus Control Group – Using Cochineal beetles as biocontrol to support Wheel Cactus management.

Maldon Urban Landcare Group – Monitoring and protecting large old trees on public land in Maldon.

Elphinstone Land Management Association – Successful projects including an arboretum, winter solstice bonfire and nature walks.

Golden Point Landcare – Dealing with the challenges of climate change impacts, e.g., new weeds, lower revegetation survival rates.

McKenzies Hill Action and Landcare – Impacts of cats on wildlife and challenges of encouraging responsible pet ownership.

Muckleford Catchment Landcare – Keeping Landcare fun with activities such as bike rides, kid-friendly working bees and social gatherings.

Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group – Successes of their group, including holding meetings over morning tea at working bees, the ‘B-team’ works crew, and following up on-ground works with maintenance.

Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests – FOBIF’s 2019 walks program, which are held on the third Sunday of the month.

Guildford and Upper Loddon Landcare – Revegetation project on the Guildford Plateau to provide wildlife corridors and shelter belts.

Taradale Landcare – Collecting and propagating seed has created many learning and community engagement opportunities.

Post Office Hill Action Group – The history of Post Office Hill and information about a new map soon to be released.

For contact details and more information about the Landcare and Friends groups in the Mount Alexander region, CLICK HERE.

Online tools for accessing and sharing biodiversity information – Friday 22 March 2019

Posted on 7 March, 2019 by Ivan

Connecting Country is excited to host an interactive workshop in conjunction with the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation on Friday 22 of March in Castlemaine.

Hooded Robins are a key species for our monitoring program (photo by Geoff Park)

This interactive workshop is part of Connecting Country’s Habitat Health Check project (click here for more information), funded by the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust over the next two years. This project aims to review our long-term monitoring programs, to shift to a monitoring model that empowers our community to conduct robust biodiversity monitoring, and, importantly, to ensure that the data we collect is being shared and used appropriately.

To meet this third goal, we are working with the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation (CeRDI) at Federation University Australia. CeRDI has developed many award-winning web-based spatial information and knowledge portals that provide public access to data sets that are often hidden from view. The team at CeRDI have great resources that are relevant to us at Connecting Country and are well worth checking out.

The interactive workshop will cover two important databases in detail:

• State Wide Integrated Flora and Fauna Teams (SWIFFT) – a knowledge sharing network for biodiversity conservation and threatened species
• Visualising Victoria’s Biodiversity (VVB) – a web portal containing spatial information on environmental values, conservation activities and research

At the workshop we will:

• Showcase projects run by community groups and researchers
• Participate in an interactive session about sharing and accessing biodiversity data
• Explore ways to improve knowledge sharing through online platforms
• Network with other biodiversity organisations and community groups in your region

Please come and join us at the lovely Garden Room within the grounds of Buda Historic Home and Garden for this free workshop. Workshop numbers are limited, so please book.

Workshop: Online tools for accessing and sharing biodiversity information
When: Friday 22 March 2019 from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm
Where: Buda Garden Room, 42 Hunter St, Castlemaine VIC
Bookings: to book online please click here

For further details please contact Ivan Carter at Connecting Country on 03 5472 1594 or email ivan@connectingcountry.org.au

Clean Up Australia Day – 3 March 2019

Posted on 26 February, 2019 by Asha

Join a Clean Up Australia Day working bee this weekend.

CLICK HERE to find an event near you, or see the map below.

Clean Up Australia Day 2019 working bees in the Mount Alexander region

Clean up Campbells Creek

Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare are also holding a Clean Up Australia Day working bee that isn’t on the map.

Date:               Sunday 3 March 2019 from 9.00 to 11.00 am, followed by morning tea

Meet:               Winters Flat Footbridge, Johnstone Street, (Midland Highway), Castlemaine VIC

Provided:        Collection bags, rubbish skip (courtesy of the Council), tea/coffee and biscuits

Please bring:  Hats, gloves, sturdy clothing, enclosed boots/shoes, sun protection, a rake if you have one, your own water, and a friend!

Visualising Victoria’s Biodiversity workshop

Posted on 21 February, 2019 by Tanya Loos

Connecting Country’s major monitoring project over the next two years is our Habitat Health Check (click here for more information), funded by the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust. This project aims to review our long-term monitoring programs, to shift to a monitoring model that empowers our community to conduct robust biodiversity monitoring, and, importantly, to ensure that the data we collect is being shared and used appropriately.

To meet this third goal, we will be working with Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation (CeRDI) at Federation University Australia. CeRDI has developed many award-winning web-based spatial information and knowledge portals that provide public access to data sets that are often hidden from view. The team at CeRDI have two great resources that are relevant to us at Connecting Country and are well worth checking out.

State Wide Integrated Flora and Fauna Teams

Firstly, The State Wide Integrated Flora and Fauna Teams (SWIFFT) is a network for knowledge sharing and information exchange that supports conservation and management of threatened species, biodiversity and the natural environment across Victoria. You can explore a map displaying the range projects that are part of the network (click here), or see a list of their projects (click here). As part of Habitat Health Check we will be making sure that Connecting Country has a presence on this fantastic website.

Visualising Victoria’s Biodiversity

Secondly, CeRDI has developed the Visualising Victoria’s Biodiversity (VVB) tool (click here). VVB consolidates access to spatial environmental datasets and information – created and managed by government agencies, organisations, community groups and individuals – into a user friendly and interactive platform. You could use this platform to view, for example, records of mammals or birds near your property. CeRDI is one of many places for sharing and visualising nature data in Victoria – you can see a wonderful infographic on how these interact by clicking here.

Want to know more?  We’ll be running a workshop with CeRDI (Date to be confirmed) to learn about the power of the Visualising Victoria’s Biodiversity tool.

More information to come soon – watch this space!

Camp Out on the Mount 2019

Posted on 14 February, 2019 by Asha

It’s that time of year again! Details of the sixth Camp Out on the Mount are now available and registrations are open. Please join Connecting Country, Little Habitat Heroes and local Landcare groups to celebrate the beautiful Leanganook (Mount Alexander) and the fabulous work that Landcare and Friends groups do all year round.

This free event is supported by funding from the North Central Catchment Management Authority through the Victorian Landcare Program, as well as Mount Alexander Shire Council, Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests, and Little Habitat Heroes. We will have guest presenters from Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, Parks Victoria and Bendigo TAFE, along with local authors and artists. Yummy food will also be provided by the Harcourt Lions Club, Murnong Mummas, and the Camp Out Damper Team.

Camp Out on the Mount 2018 (photo by Tegan Benham-Bannon)

CLICK HERE to visit the booking website

CLICK HERE to download the flier

When: Saturday 6 – Sunday 7 April 2019
Where: Leanganook Camping Ground, Joseph Young Drive, Mount Alexander Regional Park, Faraday VIC
What to bring: Camping gear and supplies, food for Sunday breakfast, gold coin donation or Saturday night BBQ, weather-appropriate clothes, sturdy shoes and sun protection.

Below is a run-down of the Camp Out on the Mount 2019 program. You are more than welcome to attend some or all of the activities. Please let us know through the booking website which activities you plan to attend, as this will help us in planning how many people to cater for.

If you have any questions, please call Asha on (03) 5472 1594 or email asha@connectingcountry.org.au

Please note: activities will be cancelled in the case of severe weather.

SATURDAY 6 APRIL

5:30 pm  Welcome to Country

6:00 pm  Lions Club BBQ and damper (gold coin donation)

7:30 pm  Night walk with Parks Victoria ranger

OVERNIGHT CAMP OUT (BYO camping gear and supplies)

SUNDAY 7 APRIL

9:30 am   Bus down to Old Silk Worm Farm site

10:00 am Welcome and morning tea

10:30 am  Panel of local experts talk about the Mount, including Rebecca Phillips (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation), Terri Williams (Bendigo TAFE), and Ian Braybrook and Marilyn Bennet (authors of ‘Sarah’s search – A silk odyssey’), facilitated by George Milford

11:30 am  ‘Seeds that grow’ song performed by Eva Popov

11:45 am  ‘Make you own native seed balls’ activity

12:30 pm  Bus back to camp site

Gathered around the fire at the 2018 Camp Out on the Mount (photo by Asha Bannon)

The Wombat Forest’s Owls and Gliders – 8 February 2019

Posted on 6 February, 2019 by Tanya Loos

Greater Glider (photo by Gayle Osborne)

The first speaker for the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club in 2019 is Gayle Osborne.

Gayle has been involved with Wombat Forestcare for many years and will present a talk titled ‘Fauna surveys in the Wombat Forest’. Gayle will describe the group’s motion-sensing camera projects, searches for Powerful Owls and spotlighting for Greater Gliders. She will explain why entering data on the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas is essential for conservation. Gayle will also mention the new fungi app and who to contact for more information.

For a preview of the Wombat Forest Greater Gliders, read the latest issue of the Wombat Forestcare newsletter here.

Fauna surveys in the Wombat Forest – talk by Gayle Osborne
When: Friday 8 February 2019 at 7.30 pm
Where: Fellowship Room behind the Uniting Church Hall on Lyttleton St, Castlemaine VIC (next door to the Castlemaine Art Museum)

Members and visitors are all welcome and there is no cost for entry.

Everyone is also welcome to attend an excursion on the following day (Saturday 9 February 2019).  Meet at the Octopus building on Duke St, Castlemaine VIC (opposite the Castle Motel) ready for a 1.30 pm departure. Please bring afternoon tea. Car-pooling will be available.

Snake and reptile workshop success

Posted on 24 January, 2019 by Tanya Loos

The weather was kind to us at our snake workshop on Saturday 19 January 2019 – sunny but not too hot. Over fifty participants were able to give the presenter and his reptiles their full attention. The event was run by Connecting Country in partnership with Muckleford Catchment Landcare, and supported by funding from North Central Catchment Management Authority.

Stu from Snakehandler gave us a fascinating full hour presentation, including plenty of myth busting, introduction to different snake species and their ecology, and hints on snake safety and snake bite first aid. We all learned so much from Stu! Stu has many years of experience and a great love for snakes and other reptiles. He helped us understand the importance of snakes to our local ecosystems, why snakes behave the way they do, and how we can all live safely with snakes. Frances took notes during Stu’s talk, which are well worth a read here.

After the presentation, Stu introduced us to some real live reptiles! Those who wished were able to hold a very sweet Eastern Bearded Dragon, a Common Blue-tongue Lizard and a large Murray Darling Carpet Python, and also see some local venomous snakes housed in special terrariums. All species were native to central or northern Victoria. All the animals used for the presentations are selected for their temperament and ability to handle stress, and will be rested for weeks before being used again, as Stu and his team have plenty of reptiles.

Many thanks to Stu from Snakehandler, Jacqui for organising this wonderful event, and to all those that assisted with set-up and pack-up. Special thanks to the Mellick-Cooper family who hosted the event on their beautiful property, and to Muckleford Catchment Landcare for the delicious morning tea. We hope all participants enjoyed the workshop as much as we did!

Please enjoy this gallery of photos from the day – scroll through by hovering your mouse on the right of the picture.

Breakfast with the Birds – Saturday 2 February 2019

Posted on 22 January, 2019 by Tanya Loos

Enjoy a picnic brekky with Brown Treecreepers, Eastern Yellow Robins and maybe even a Diamond Firetail or two. And some nice friendly humans of course, with BirdLife Castlemaine District Branch friends and members.

The beautiful Loddon River, with great bird habitat lining the banks

BYO picnic breakfast followed by a bird walk
When: Saturday 2 February 2019 at 8.30 am
Where: Warburtons Bridge picnic ground, on the Loddon River, Drummond-Vaughan Rd, Glenluce VIC
Bring: Food to share, your own drinks, Thermos, cutlery, etc. Binoculars, hat, sunscreen and sturdy shoes.

Long pants are also recommended during snake season.

Meet at Warburtons Bridge picnic ground at  8.15 am, or to carpool from Castlemaine: meet outside 30 Templeton St, Castlemaine VIC at 8.00 am.

All welcome! Please contact Jane Rusden of Birdlife Castlemaine District (ph: 0448 900 896) for further information about this event.

Please note walks will be cancelled if the temperature is forecast to be 35 degrees or more during the walk period and/or if the day has been declared a Total Fire Ban day.

Pizza party in the park – Intrepid Landcare

Posted on 14 January, 2019 by Asha

Are you a young person? Do you want to help care for our land and the environment?
Do you like pizza???

Come along and chat about starting an Intrepid Landcare group for people aged 18-35 years. Pizza and music provided, BYO drinks. Call or text 0418 428 721 for more information.

When: Saturday 9 February 2019 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Where: Castlemaine Botanical Gardens (near the rotunda), Castlemaine VIC

CLICK HERE to download the flier, and please feel free to share!