Flora Identification Course
Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country
The free flora identification course brought to you by McKenzies Hill Action & Landcare Group resumes this Sunday with a study of grasses.
Run by Paul Foreman, consultant Botanist and Bush Heritage Australia Ecologist, the course aims to give participants an introduction to the ecosystems and indigenous flora of the Castlemaine area.
Sunday November 8th – Common grasses. At Castlemaine Botanic Gardens (Northern Cark Park off Downes Rd). 2 -4pm
Sunday November 15th – Tour of the shire. Bus provided. Meeting and returning to the car park opposite the Railway Hotel, Gingell St, Castlemaine. 10am – 4pm
For more information and to book contact Paul Foreman on 5472 4874 or 0429 134 592
Castlemaine Field Naturalists November meeting
Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country
Join the Castlemaine Field Nats Club for a presentation by Dr Mary Cole on the importance of soil fungi known as mycorrhizae for environmental health.
All General Meetings are held at the Uniting Church Hall, enter from Lyttleton St, Castlemaine.
For more information contact President Natalie de Maccus on 5472 4499
Free field days and launch of the Central Victorian Compost Users Group
Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country
Guest Speaker: Dr Dean Metcalf, expert on biological control using composts and compost teas.
Dean is a plant pathologist with wide experience in managing a variety of crop diseases and a particular interest in sustainable methods of crop disease control.
There are four events over three days:
WEDNESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER, 1-5PM HARCOURT – Meet at Harcourt Valley Estate Wines, followed by visit to Blackjack Wines and Harcourt Fruit Garden.
THURSDAY 12TH NOVEMBER
o 9-11 AM MURCHISON – Meet at Murchison & District Neighbourhood House followed by a site visit to Avonlea Flowers, 420 River Road, Murchison, looking at compost soil conditioners and teas for disease suppression and soil health.
o 2- 5 PM HEATHCOTE/ COLBINABBIN – Meet at Heathcote RSL followed by a site visit to Hennings Wine/ Rathjen’s, Colbinabbin looking at composts in vineyards and tomatoes.
FRIDAY 13TH NOVEMBER – 9-12 AM BENDIGO – Meet at Balgownie Estate Wines, Hermitage Road Maiden Gully
Hear about how compost can:
- Boost soil and plant health and plant productivity
- Conserve moisture
- Form part of a disease control program
- Build long term soil carbon
Also hear about:
- Compost Users Group – a free and independent information and discussion forum for landowners to learn more about sourcing, making and using compost, and to share their experiences in using these products.
- Planning to use composts – what, where and how?
Numbers are limited and bookings are essential.
For more information and to register contact Bill Grant 0407 882 070 or billgrant@bigpond.com
Understanding Soil Biology Workshop
Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country
Brought to you by the Lismore Land Protection Group, a workshop on understanding soil biology to be held in the Killara Centre, Camperdown.
Presenter: Damian Bougoure, Department of Primary Industries.
Topics
– Understand what soil biology is & recognise its contribution to soil health & why it is so important for environmental sustainability
– Understand what regulates soil biology & how soil biology can change
– Identify & select appropriate techniques to measure & monitor soil biology & understand how management affects it
– Understand how changes to management may improve soil biology.
Free Lunch provided.
To register please contact to Karen on 5596 2384
Castlemaine Landcare Group November Working Bee and breakup BBQ
Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country
This will be Castlemaine Landcare Group’s final working bee for the year. Working bees are generally held somewhere along the stretch of Forest Creek that runs between Best Motors and Colles Road in Castlemaine.
For details of the location please contact Robyn Haylett on home: 5470 6630 or mobile: 0408 706 630
All members are invited to attend the breakup BBQ that will follow the working bee.
Friends of Campbells Creek November General Meeting
Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country
November General Meeting of Friends of Campbells Creek.
Visitors are welcome.
Campbells Creek Primary School, Main Road, Campbells Creek.
MULTI PURPOSE ROOM at the back of the school.
Maryborough Field Naturalists’ Club Forum
Posted on 30 October, 2009 by Connecting Country
Maryborough Field Naturalists’ Club invite all interested people to a community forum next Monday night, 2nd November, at which two specialists will speak.
Firstly, Ms Eloise Seymour, a researcher from Charles Sturt University will present her results of a recent survey regarding the Moolort Wetlands. Following Ms Seymour, Dr Lindy Lumsden, Principal Research Scientist from the Arthur Rylah Institute, who specializes in the study of bats, will inform us about the various bat species found within our local Box ironbark forests.
The Forum will be held in the Field Naturalists’ Club rooms, Dundas Road, Maryborough (adjacent to the 80 km sign). Supper will follow.
For more information please contact Lorraine O’Dal on 0417 142 489 or Brian Johns on 5461 2755
The Norman Wettenhall Foundation Annual Lecture
Posted on 26 October, 2009 by Connecting Country
The Norman Wettenhall Foundation
Annual Memorial Lecture 2009
Thursday 19th November, 5pm, Museum, Age Theatre
Tickets are $25 and bookings are essential.
Click here for an invitation
Taking the Long View – vision and transformation in an age of change
Speakers: Leon Costermans, Professor John Wiseman, Robyn Edwards
From space, our planet is a symphony of blue and green amidst swirling clouds. We often forget that the earth’s land and oceans have not always been so benign. Life on earth has faced huge challenges in the past, from volcanism and ice ages to the sudden death following a meteor impact. Leon Costermans, well known environmental author and botanist, is about to publish a new book on geology and landscapes. Continue Reading »
Volunteer Action Training
Posted on 16 October, 2009 by Connecting Country
Where: DPI/DSE, 89 Sydney Road, Room 2, Benalla
The Department of Sustainability and Environments’ Landcare Volunteer Recruitment Initiative (VRI) is sponsoring training across the state in October and November. The training is intended to provide Landcare members and support staff with some new tips and a better understanding of attracting and retaining volunteers in the current environment.
Continue Reading »
Friends of Box Ironbark Forests October bushwalk
Posted on 16 October, 2009 by Connecting Country
This walk will start in Chewton and follow Forest Creek through Expedition Pass Reservoir using the Forest Creek Track and boardwalks allowing all year access.
Meet at 9.30am outside Continuing Ed, 30 Templeton St, Castlemaine and carpool to the start of the walk. Walks normally finish mid afternoon.
Bring water, morning tea and lunch. The walk is a 9km circuit.
There is no cost and non-members are welcome.
Fore more information call Marie Jones 5472 2892
‘Revive the Loddon’ – River Expo in Baringhup
Posted on 14 October, 2009 by Connecting Country
Visit the Loddon River in Baringhup this Friday for a family day full of activities for the kids.
Click here for full details. Some of the workshops will include;
• Water Watch Van • Basket Weaving • Frog Workshop • Historical Re-enactment • Musical Performance’s • Indigenous Workshop • Bird Watching • Native Plant Workshop • What Makes A River? • Announcement of Winners of Photographic Competition
Rabbit Control Field Day
Posted on 14 October, 2009 by Connecting Country
If you have problems with rabbits on your property then come along to this very informative Field Day.
Join Regional Vic Farm Services as they discuss the dynamics of rabbit populations and control measures required for successful eradication.
Demonstrations will include oat and cut carrot baiting (Pindonne and 1080), smoking and fumigation with Phostoxin, and eradication using a ‘Rotenator’.
Where: 406 Gooch’s Land, Pastoria East
Malmsbury Landcare Group wildflower walk
Posted on 14 October, 2009 by Connecting Country
The Malmsbury Landcare Group invite you on a wildflower walk in the Lauriston Nature Reserve.
Where: Kyneton- Drummond Road, just west of the Lauriston Village.
Following the success of last year’s event, group secretary John Walter will lead you on amazing walk where you will learn of the abundance of wildflowers he has discovered in the reserve.
A sausage sizzle lunch will be provided at the Lauriston Hall following the walk. Please bring your own drinks, salads etc. Parking will be available in the cutting or on Portwines Rd opposite the Nature Reserve.
Friends of Campbells Creek Community Day and BBQ
Posted on 14 October, 2009 by Connecting Country
Enjoy a short walk or bike ride along the Creek, followed by a free BBQ. Everyone welcome.
Please come and join us for a short walk or ride along the proposed creek-side pedestrian/ bike path. See the good work done by the local community and school children on our tree planting days, or just enjoy a morning out along the creek.
Where: Campbells Creek Park (opposite Primary School), Main Road, Campbells Creek.
We will be supplying a BBQ and salad along with refreshments.
For those who wish, we will also have available a plant for you to adopt and take home.
Bring your bike or walking shoes, a hat and some water.
We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information contact Stephen Ellis on 5472 3678
21st birthday party for Harcourt North/Sedgwick Landcare Group
Posted on 14 October, 2009 by Connecting Country
Come and help the North Harcourt/Sedgwick Landcare Group celebrate their 21st anniversary!
Where: Sedgwick Community Hall
Time: Finger food at 6pm, followed by two course dinner.
Followed by a bush dance with the fabulous Emu Creek Bush Band.
Cost: $10 members, $20 for non-members, $10 for children under 12 years.
Group or individual bookings available.
For tickets contact John Halleday on 5439 6282
Castlemaine Landcare Group October working bee
Posted on 13 October, 2009 by Connecting Country
The working bee will involve a return to Happy Valley to check out the maintenance required at the new waterhole. For those who haven’t seen it yet, it’s at the top end of the Walking Track on Happy Valley Road.
Please bring weeding tools, brushcutters and buckets.
Start time is 10am and morning tea will again be provided courtesy of the Wesley Hill Bakehouse and Matthew Brownrigg. Please RSVP for catering to Robyn Haylett on 0408 7066 630 or 5470 6630
Community Grants workshop at Campbells Creek
Posted on 17 September, 2009 by Connecting Country
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is holding an information session to encourage environmental groups in the region to apply for 2009-10 Second Generation Community Landcare Grants.
The grants are open until 23rd October 2009 and are available to incorporated community groups that want to improve the condition of their local environment.
To attend the community meeting, RSVP to the North Central CMA on (03) 5448 7124 by 5pm, Tuesday 22nd September
A walk to search for the Satinwood shrub
Posted on 16 September, 2009 by Connecting Country
Meet on the Leonard’s Hill/Barkstead Road.
From Daylesford travel along the Ballan Road to Leonard’s Hill and a road to the west goes to Barkstead. (Take left road at T-intersection) and travel 5k to White Point Track.
The picnic will be held past White Point Track on the Leonard Hill/Barkstead Road and an exact location has not been chosen but we will be on the road so you will not miss us.
Please wear study shoes.
Please bring your lunch. BBQ facilities available and tea and coffee provided.
Should it be raining heavily or be dangerously windy we will have to cancel.
For more information contact Gayle Osborne. Phone 5348 7558 or email gayle.osborne@bigpond.com
Box Ironbark Ecology Course
Posted on 15 September, 2009 by Connecting Country
Ngambie, Central Victoria
The course brings together leading researchers and experts to share up to date knowledge and thinking about this landscape in change.
It is field based and participants will work in small groups. It emphasises ecological understanding and relationships and techniques that improve observation and data collection skills which can then be applied to other areas.
Participants will gain:
- a better understanding of the distribution, natural values and ecological processes of Box Ironbark landscapes, past and present;
- an understanding of the impact of human use on the ecosystem, past and present;
- practical skills in observation, description, survey, analysis, interpretation, map reading and ecosystem monitoring of flora, fauna, geomorphology and soils;
- opportunity to apply new skills and to collate and communicate information collected from the field;
- resources to help plan for enhanced ecologically sustainable management outcomes for Box Ironbark remnants on private and public land.
Cost of the course is $1200.
Applications close 18th September 2009.
Contact Kate Stothers for a brochure and application form. Phone 03 5761 1611
New Roles for Landcare forum
Posted on 15 September, 2009 by Connecting Country
To be held at Fitzroy Town Hall
201 Napier St, Fitzroy, Melbourne
New Roles for Landcare Forum
Landcare started as local action on local problems. But as we face a time of accelerating change in our landscapes, it is time to look beyond the latest NRM funding criteria to the new roles Landcare Networks are taking on. This Forum brings together Networks and other organisations working with Landcare to share what they’re doing and what opportunities they see for Landcare.
Featuring an introduction from Andrew Campbell (Triple Helix Consulting) and covering the topics of markets & ecosystem services, agriculture & adapting to climate change, policy and alliances with corporates, philanthropists & industry.
Click here for the full program.
To register for this event: Contact Clare Millen, Landcare and Community Engagement Unit, DSE, (03) 9637 9824, clare.millen@dse.vic.gov.au.