10 Nov 2012 – Field Day on Texas Needle Grass
Posted on 25 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
Would you know if there’s Texas Needle Grass on your place?
On the Saturday 10th November a new project will be launched in Malmsbury called ‘Needle Grass – A Community Response’. It aims to raise community awareness of the serious threat Texas Needle Grass poses to both private and public land in the Malmsbury/Langley/Taradale district. The grass, which looks almost identical to some native Spear Grasses, has been spreading in the area for many years and has recently increased rapidly with the wetter seasons. Some grazing land in the area has been rendered unusable by its presence.
Sea of Texas Needle Grass infesting a property on Post Office Road, Malmsbury. This is part of the project area. The photo is courtesy of John Walter.
This project is the first in the area to specifically tackle Texas Needle Grass. It will do so by raising community awareness of its presence, and the threat it poses, and also by mapping its occurrence on private land and roadsides so that future control work can be planned effectively.
A field day will be held near Malmsbury on Saturday 10th of November to launch the project and will include a demonstration of an EcoBlade – a brand new piece of technology (there is only a handful in Victoria) that can slash weeds and apply herbicide to cut stems at the same time. We’ll also be visiting some healthy Needle Grass infestations on the day. If you think there might be Needle Grass on your property or roadside, or you don’t know what to look for, then this event could be a real help. Click here to view more details of the event on the Connecting Country events calendar. Continue Reading »
28 Oct 2012 – Cactus Control Field Day
Posted on 23 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
The next Cactus Committee and Parks Victoria community field day will take place next Sunday 28th October at the “Cork Plantation” which is on Mount Back Road behind Mount Tarrengower. It will be well sign-posted from Watersons Road.
As usual, the field day will start about 10.30 am and finish with a sausage sizzle and cuppa.
21 Oct 2012 – Free Campbells Creek Event
Posted on 17 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group has organised a Free Community Event for Saturday 21 October.
This is a family day for people to relax and enjoy themselves with a variety of activities and a chance to see hidden parts of the creek and celebrate the progress that has been made.
For more information click here.
Upcoming Connecting Country Events – Places Available
Posted on 16 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
It’s a busy time of year, with lots of things to do. Below is a selection of activities that you can get involved with through Connecting Country.
A few weeks ago, Connecting Country was pleased to announce a series of Eucalypt Identification Workshops, funded through the Bjarne K Dahl Trust (see earlier webpost – click here). The first of these workshops was held last Friday in Maldon, and was very well received. There are four sessions still remaining (including this Sunday in Newstead), each with a few places available. To reserve your spot, contact michael@connectingcountry.org.au or call (03) 5472 1594.
We were also pleased to announce that a Bird Identification Workshop will be hosted by our resident bird specialist, Dr Kerryn Herman, at the Castlemaine Botanic Gardens from 10am to early afternoon on Sunday 28th October (click here for earlier webpost). There is no cost for attendance and a light lunch will be provided. RSVPs are requested for catering purposes to kerryn@connectingcountry.org.au or (03) 5472-1594.
Connecting Country is holding its Annual General Meeting on the evening of Tuesday 23 October (click here for earlier webpost). We are very happy to announce that the guest speaker will be Sam White of Sidonia (http://www.sidoniahills.com.au/) who will be talking about his family-owned pasture-grazed beef farm business, his vision for the 2000 acre property and a bit about the projects that he has been undertaking with the support of Connecting Country. Supper to be provided. The meeting commences from 7pm at the Garden Room of the Buda Historic Homestead, 42 Hunter St, Castlemaine. Members and non-members are welcome.
Participants at the Maldon 2012 Eucalypt Identification workshop.
28 October 2012 – Bird Identification Workshop
Posted on 7 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
As a part of Connecting Country’s Threatened Woodland Bird Programme, we are holding a workshop to introduce interested community members to the experience of “birding”.
Many people are passionate about the birds on their land, but either don’t have the confidence to identify them or don’t really know where to start to learn the skills needed for bird identification. This workshop designed to provide a starting point, beginning with the basics of equipment and recording techniques, followed with an overview on how to identify groups of species and some individual birds; in particular those of conservation significance in the Mount Alexander region.
It is hoped that the skills provided during the workshop will encourage and inspire participants to get involved with the community monitoring programme being developed by Connecting Country, as well as encourage participation in the Annual Bird Count, run by BirdLife Australia (previously BOCA) and locally coordinated by the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club in December.
The important information
When: Sunday 28th October 2012, from 10am until early afternoon (though could go longer for those participants who wish to go further afield to test their new skills)
Where: The Old Tearooms, Castlemaine Botanical Gardens. A map of the location is available here.
Who: The workshop is being run by Dr Kerryn Herman, Connecting Country’s Woodland Bird Programme coordinator. All interested persons are encouraged to come and “get their bird on”, however content will be directed towards an adult audience. Bring your own binoculars if you have them, and wear shoes and clothes suitable for walking around parts of the botanic gardens (potentially including the woodland area on the other side of the waterway).
A light lunch will be provided, so please RSVP for catering purposes: kerryn@connectingcountry.org.au, (03) 5472-1594.
To download a flier about this event click here. This workshop is run to coincide with National Bird Week
Local Workshops for Volunteers and Community Groups
Posted on 3 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
Mount Alexander Shire Council has funded three workshops for volunteers and community groups. They are being organised by the Mount Alexander Volunteer Network and will be held in October and November this year. The three workshop topics are:
1. Working Together: Effective communication and good conflict resolution
Presenter: Sam Luxemburg
Sunday 14th October, 10 – 3pm, Ray Bradfield Room, Mostyn St, Castlemaine, $20 per session, light lunch provided.
2. Avoid Burn Out: from survive to thrive
Presenter: Clare Fountain
Monday 15th October, 6.30pm – 9pm, Senior Citizens Room, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine, $10 per session, light supper provided.
3. Good Communication: person-centred counselling skills
Presenter: Sam Luxemburg
Venue TBA, Castlemaine, 6 sessions Tuesday 9, 16, 23, 30 October, 13, 20 November, $60 for all sessions.
For more information and to a booking, phone the Mount Alexander Volunteer Network on 5472 4842 or email mavn@cch.org.au
20 October 2012 – Indigenous Plant Use
Posted on 1 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
Dr. Beth Gott of Monash University will share her research findings in a special presentation about the indigenous cultures that have managed this land for thousands of generations. This is an opportunity to learn about the plants indigenous people used and how they used them, from food and medicine to ornaments and glue.
The evening will be held at the Baynton Hall, Baynton, and is hosted by the Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group. All are welcome to a BBQ at 6.30 pm which will be followed by the presentation which starts at 7.30 pm. Bookings are essential with RSVP’s required by Wednesday 17 October. Please note any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
This event is presented by the Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group with financial assistance from the North Central Catchment Management Authority and the Commonwealth Government Bushfire Recovery fund.
For more information and to RSVP contact Clare from the Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group on 5423 4152.
10 October 2012 – Hear Don Watson reflect on “The Bush”
Posted on 25 September, 2012 by Connecting Country
Don Watson at his home in Woodend
Don Watson is currently completing a book on the Australian bush. He will be revealing some of his insights into the Australian landscape as a prelude to the Muckleford Catchment Landcare Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 10 October. Don’s presentation will commence at 6pm and will be accompanied with soup and refreshments.
This landmark event is being held at the Castlemaine Golf Club, Pyrenees Highway, Castlemaine. Members of the public are very welcome for the talk and soup prior to the AGM which will commence at 8.15pm.
To find out more about Don Watson click here.
For catering purposes Muckleford Landcare would appreciate a RSVP: mucklefordlandcare@gmail.com
Public Sessions on Invasive Species
Posted on 4 September, 2012 by Connecting Country
The Department of Primary Industries is inviting interested organisations and individuals to come along to one of several free information sessions about Victoria’s proposed invasive species legislation. The new legislation aims to modernise Victoria’a approach to the management of invasive species and provide greater flexibility to respond more effectively to biosecurity threats.
The information session in Bendigo will be held at the DPI Centre (Epsom), Midland Highway, Epsom on Wednesday 12 September, 10.30am–1.30pm.
To see the full DPI media release click here.
9 September 2012 – Afternoon Tea with Dinosaurs
Posted on 4 September, 2012 by Connecting Country
Dinosaurs don’t tend to crop up much in Landcare talks – especially in our area, where the sedimentary rocks are too old to contain the remains of anything that walked on land. But there have been dinosaur fossils discovered in Victoria, and some of them will be making their way to Newstead Community Centre during Landcare Week.
Renowned Australian palaeontologists Dr Tom Rich and his wife Professor Pat Vickers-Rich will be giving a talk on ‘Victoria’s Polar Dinosaurs’ at the Newstead Community Centre on the 9th of September, and they’ve promised to bring some ‘real dinosaurs’ with them.
Victoria’s Polar Dinosaurs roamed the earth over 100 million years ago when Australia was still linked to Antarctica. Much of this southern continent lay inside the Antarctic Circle and the animals that lived there were highly adapted to the extreme climate. Pat and Tom will talk about the “mega- and microfauna” of the time, and discuss possible causes for their demise.
Much of what we know about the animals that lived in ‘Polar Australia’ comes from the work of this industrious couple, especially at Dinosaur Cove on the Otway coast, where they tunnelled for fossils using mining equipment and explosives. Their work over the past 40 years has been recognised internationally and they are also award-winning authors of numerous books about Australia’s dinosaurs. The talk is free and afternoon tea will be provided. Please RSVP to Max by the 5th September.
When: Sunday 9th September
Where: Newstead Community Centre
Time: 3:30pm
8 September 2012 – Landcare Bushdance
Posted on 3 September, 2012 by Connecting Country
As part of National Landcare Week, the Mount Alexander Landcare Bushdance will be held on Saturday the 8th September at the Castlemaine Town Hall.
The Bushdance will be a chance to celebrate Landcare in the Mount Alexander Shire and to thank all of the volunteers who contribute countless hours to enhance our natural environment. The Bushdance isn’t just for Landcare members – everybody is welcome to come along and have a fun night. With Jane Thompson, James Rigby & Friends providing the music, this should be an excellent night.
The Bushdance has been kindly supported by a North Central Catchment Management Authority ‘25th Anniversary of Landcare’ grant.
Supper will be provided, as will tea, coffee and cordial; BYO alcoholic beverages. The night will be free for Landcare members and $5 for non-members. Kids are welcome. For catering purposes, please RSVP to Max Schlachter by 5th September (max@connectingcountry.org.au or 5472 1594).
When: Saturday 8th September
Where: Castlemaine Town Hall
Time: 6pm – 10pm
7 September 2012 – Campaspe Grassy Woodlands Field Day
Posted on 22 August, 2012 by Connecting Country
The North Central CMA is hosting the Campaspe Grassy Woodlands Field Day, which will be held on 7 September near Toolleen. This is on National Threatened Species Day and the week also coincides with National Landcare week.
On the day, ecologist Garry Cheers will take people on a walk to discover woodland birds and identify calls and habitat and Ian Higgins, North Central CMA’s botanist, will explore the vegetation found in the threatened grassy woodlands and highlight the importance of native grasses.
A free breakfast and morning tea will be provided. More details about the field day are in this flyer.
16 August 2012 – Restoring the Moolort Wetlands
Posted on 14 August, 2012 by Connecting Country
Nick Layne from North Central CMA will be giving a presentation on Restoring the Moolort Wetlands at a Newstead Landcare Group meeting this Thursday. These wetlands are west of Newstead and adorned with numerous stunning Red Gum swamps which, when full, become home to countless waterbirds, including Brolgas. This is a chance to learn about these magnificent swamps and their wildlife as well as the exciting new project to restore them to their full glory.
The meeting will be held at the Newstead Community Centre at 8 pm on Thursday 16 August. A gold coin donation will be appreciated. For further information contact Patrick 5476 2755.
10 August 2012 – Long-term Flora and Fauna Monitoring
Posted on 7 August, 2012 by Connecting Country
Ern Perkins with Chris Timewell at last month's launch of Ern's Central Victoria Grasses Identification Guide CD.
Local naturalist Ern Perkins will be the guest speaker at the Castlemaine Field Naturalist Club meeting this Friday 10 August. His subject will be Long-term Flora and Fauna Monitoring.
The talk will address a topic of special interest to Connecting Country. Long-term monitoring of flora and fauna has been an important component of the Yellow Box Woodlands project and will continue to be important in the organisation’s two new projects, Connecting Landscapes and Woodland Birds.
The meeting will be held at the Uniting Church Hall in Lyttleton St, Castlemaine (the building behind the church), and will commence from 7.30pm. All are welcome and encouraged to attend– both members and non-members. There is no cost for attendance.
13 August – FOBIF’s AGM
Posted on 2 August, 2012 by Connecting Country
Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forest’s AGM will take place at Castlemaine Continuing Education Centre at 7.30 pm on Monday August 13.
The formal part of the meeting will be followed by a short talk by Damian Kelly on the challenges and rewards of bird photography. Readers of the FOBIF website will be familiar with Damian’s brilliant photos of local bird life, and he will illustrate his talk with some recent examples.
Dusky Woodswallow. Loddon River at Newstead. Photo by Damian Kelly, April 2012
8 August 2012 – Celebrating 25 Years of Landcare
Posted on 2 August, 2012 by Connecting Country
Twenty-five years ago the Landcare movement was officially launched at Winjallok and next week the Winjallok Landcare group will be celebrating this event with a planting session. The day will begin at 9 am at the Paradise Hall, St Arnaud-Navarre Road, Paradise. Further details are in this flier.
29 July 2012 – Next Cactus Control Field Day
Posted on 25 July, 2012 by Connecting Country
The next Cactus Control field day with Parks Victoria is this Sunday 29th July. It will be held on a property near the corner of the Bridgewater-Maldon Road and Sandhills Lane. This is about one kilometre north of the intersection of the Bridgewater and Baringhup Roads. As usual it will be well signposted.
The starting time is 10.30 am and the day will wind up with the usual cuppa and sausage sizzle at lunchtime.
Green Thumbs Wanted for National Tree Day
Posted on 19 July, 2012 by Connecting Country
Sunday 29 July is National Tree Day and a number of planting events and barbeques have been organised by Landcare groups and other organisations across the Mount Alexander shire and immediate surrounds.
With so much of our local forests cleared or degraded, putting something back is a great thing to do – and every little plant helps. All sorts of plants will get put in the ground on National Tree Day – not just trees.
If you would like to participate in National Tree Day this year, click here to find out where a planting is taking place near you. Or contact Max Schlachter (Mount Alexander area Landcare Facilitator) for more information on 5472 1594.
Future Management of Barkers Creek
Posted on 10 July, 2012 by Connecting Country
Over 40 members of the Barkers Creek, Harcourt and North Harcourt communities met in the Harcourt ANA Hall on June 28. The purpose of the meeting was to find out what is important to the local community about Barkers Creek and discuss the future management of the creek.
The evening started with delicious soup, bread and muffins provided by CAKE (Castlemaine Abundance Kitchen Enterprise). A short presentation about Barkers Creek outlined some of the assets and the threats impacting on the creek, and then attendees were split into three groups to identify what they thought was important along their stretch of the creek
Barkers Creek Project Officer Michael Luke says “We were thrilled at the big turnout for the community workshop. It was a fantastic evening and we ended up with around 25 ideas which will be used in the development of the Barkers Creek Local Action Plan”.
The Local Action Plan will help to plan the three local Landcare groups’ activities into the future, and also to assist in applying for grants and future funding opportunities.
For more information about the project, email michael@connectingcountry.org.au or call 5472 1594. If you are a landholder along the creek and have not contacted us – please get in touch.
13 July 2012: Special Event
Posted on 3 July, 2012 by Connecting Country
On the evening of the 13 July, there will be a launch of Ern Perkin’s new Central Victoria Grasses Identification Guide CD followed by a presentation by Geoff Park on the Moolort Wetlands.
Local naturalist Ern Perkins was the 2008 recipient of the Australian Natural History Medallion which is a nation-wide award awarded to one person per year judged to have made the most meritorious contribution to the understanding of Australian Natural History. His new CD covers all native and non-native grasses known to occur in Mt Alexander Shire. Ern will give a short talk and presentation on the CD and all attendees will receive a free copy (one per household).
The CD has been published with the joint support of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club and Connecting Country.
After the CD launch, Geoff Park will talk on the beautiful wetlands of the Moolort Plains. Geoff is Knowledge Broker at the North Central CMA, on the committee of Connecting Country and also convenor and chief contributor to the Natural Newstead blog. The following text is an excerpt from his blog about the Moorlort Plains:
The Moolort Plains are a very different environment to the goldfields landscapes closer to Newstead. The plains country is part of the Victorian Volcanic Plains bioregion, once dominated by native grasslands and largely untimbered. Silver Banksia, Tree-Violet and Bursaria were some of the predominant shrubs in this verdant landscape, prior to European settlement. A feature of the Moolort Plains are its wetlands and swamps, many of which have been actively managed for conservation values by local farmers.
Long Swamp, Moolort Plains. Photo by Geoff Park, 7 September 2010
The launch and the talk will be held on evening of Friday 13 July at the Uniting Church Hall in Lyttleton St, Castlemaine (building behind the church), and will commence from 7.30pm. The event is part of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club July meeting, but all are welcome and encouraged to attend– both members and non-members. There is no cost for attendance, although a gold coin donation towards the supper afterwards would be appreciated.