Seeding Our Future: Seed Collection Workshop with Seeding Victoria

Posted on 19 December, 2024 by Hadley Cole

On Saturday 9 November Connecting Country teamed up with Seeding Victoria to deliver a Seed Collection Workshop focussed on techniques for local indigenous plants. This workshop is part of a series of engagement events Connecting Country is coordinating through the Seeding Our Future project. This project aims to build the populations, and therefore resilience, of local flora species by engaging community members in the collection and growing of local species to build seed banks across the region ensuring seed security for future revegetation.

Dan Frost and Robert Hall from Seeding Victoria presented the workshop covering topics from seed collection permits, common and uncommon species worth collecting in terms of the price fetched per gram of seed, future projection of seed required for revegetation projects across the state (eg. for restoration projects as part of Victorian government BushBank program) followed by more practical aspects including collection techniques for various plant types.

Dan Frost has been collecting seed for almost two decades and brought a wealth of knowledge to the workshop. He talked us through the useful seed collecting equipment and talked about the increasing importance of creating seed orchards for collecting seed as weather patterns change significantly with climate change.

The second part of the workshop involved heading outside so Dan could talk us through identification of local flora species as well as recognising the various life stages plants move through and the optimum timing for collecting seed. We looked at a diversity of lifeforms including local everlasting daisies, shrubs, wattles, eucalypts, grasses and sheoaks. Dan also talked through the OH&S issues that can arise when collecting from trees. The most important message of the day was to always leave seed behind for the bush – as well as meeting permit requirements (only collecting 10% of seed from each plant) it is also critical seed remains in the bush for future growth for habitat and food for the local fauna.

Participants reported they enjoyed excellent presentations for Seeding Victoria staff, and many expressed their interest in getting involved in future seed collection and/or conservation projects.

“Thank you for the wonderful workshop. Dan was an excellent presenter with a huge amount of knowledge communicated really well. Thank you all! “

The Connecting Country team are pleased to kick the Seeding Our Future project off so successfully. We look forward to the next workshop: Propagation with Newstead Natives in February 2025.

The Seeding Our Future project is funded by the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) through the 2024 Victorian Landcare Grants.

Weed of the month – Topped Lavender

Posted on 19 December, 2024 by Lori

Lavender is a well-known plant and is often found growing in our gardens and backyards, but did you know that these plants have the capacity to become weeds? One species, Topped Lavender (Lavendula stoechas) is even a declared noxious weed in Victoria. A number of other types of Lavender also have ‘weedy’ tendencies.

 Many Lavenders originated from the Mediterranean region but there are also species that have come from India and Africa. Originally there were only a handful of lavender species, however these have cross-bred and hybridized leaving us with somewhere between 28 and 48 different species in Australia. 

 Their ability to grow in hot, dry conditions, coupled with their ability to invade neglected sites, disturbed bushland and low-quality areas make it especially important to keep an eye out for this plant in our natural environment. Being first introduced to New South Wales in 1957, Lavender was considered naturalised in Victoria by 1893 and  declared a noxious weed by the 1920s.  Topped Lavender is listed as restricted within the North Central Catchment.  

A perennial shrub from the mint family, it is highly fragrant. It reproduces readily from seed but can also successfully reproduce through stem fragments.  It can be quite tricky to accurately identify the species as it has a number of common names and there is also a constant supply of new cultivars arising from the nurseries. This means it can be very tricky to keep up to date with the weedy potential of this plant and tracking who the parent plants are, can be quite confusing. Even if you have not identified the type of lavender you are growing, if you have plants in your garden that are successfully reproducing by themselves, it maybe worth considering not growing these plants anymore, especially if you live near bushland. 

 Lavender can be quite successfully controlled through manual removal, although larger infestations can be sprayed with herbicide when actively growing, or cultivated. Consider establishing a desirable competition plant to reduce re-infestation levels.   

For more information head to Castlemaine Flora website  – click here  and Weeds Australia – click here 

The Weed of Month article is a segment from Connecting Country’s ‘Partnerships Against Pests’ project funded by Agriculture Victoria in 2024-25. Through this program, Connecting Country is working closely with local community groups, such as Landcare, to raise awareness of local pest plant and animal issues, with the aim to empower community with the skills to address these threats.  The project includes seasonal awareness campaigns around key pest issues as well as workshops, and market stalls across the region. Keep an eye out for Connecting Country staff and Landcare volunteers holding weed information market stalls at Mount Alexander Shire markets over the coming months.  

Photo: Castlemaine Flora

Make Your Passion Your Day Job – study Conservation and Ecoystem Managment at Bendigo TAFE

Posted on 19 December, 2024 by Lori

Bendigo TAFE is currently recruiting students for their Conservation and Ecosystem Management courses in 2025.

The Certificate III Conservation and Ecosystem Management provides students with the opportunity to obtain various certificates used in gaining employment or furthering job positions in the environmental field. You will complete your Farm Chemical Users Certificate (first step in the ACUP process) and Operate and Maintain Chainsaws certification. You will gain skills in fencing, operate machinery, learn about local plants and their cultural uses, survey pest animals, conduct site inspections, implement vegetation works and propagation. You will also learn about geology and soils, sampling and testing water and identifying fauna. By completing the course and gaining the certificate, students are in a good position for employment with places like Project Fire Fighter (DEECA), Councils Parks and Gardens or with Bushland Contractors and many others.

Certificate IV Conservation and Ecosystem Management provides students with industry experience gained on field trips and camps. Students are taken into the field to conduct real life surveys and monitoring with industry partnerships such as Bush Heritage, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and local Landcare Groups and Conservation Management Networks. You will get practical experience in areas like revegetation and pest control and learn to monitor biodiversity.  With the completion of Certificate IV CEM you will gain automatic entry into the Environmental Education course at La Trobe University as well as open up various employment opportunities.

Please email Terri Williams on twilliams@bendigotafe.edu.au or phone Terri Williams at Bendigo TAFE on 54341743 to discuss these opportunities further.

Connecting Country’s 2024 AGM: Growing our Future Together

Posted on 12 December, 2024 by Hadley Cole

On Saturday 23 November Connecting Country held it’s 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Campbells Creek Community Centre. The focus for this year was to provide an opportunity for Connecting Country members and the wider community to come together and think about what is important to our community in supporting local biodiversity and connection with nature. 

After 16 years of influencing positive environmental change on 500+ properties in the region, the time has come to look forward and consider the future of Connecting Country!  

Three local Connecting Country members, all from differing backgrounds, were invited to join a panel discussion facilitated by Castlemaine Institute’s Sharon Fraser. Brendan Sydes, Connecting Country Committee President and Australian Conservation Foundation’s Biodiversity Policy Advisor,  Ian Higgins, local natural resource management practitioner and founding member of Friends of Campbells Creek and Ann-Marie Monda, landowner (with Carla Meurs) from Wooroomook property in Sutton Grange who integrate environmental improvements within agricultural farmland, were invited to the panel to discuss what is important to them in local biodiversity conservation and how we can shape the future of Connecting Country to achieve this. 

Panel discussion with Brendan Sydes, Ian Higgins, Anne-Marie Monda interviewed by Sharon Fraser from Castlemaine Institute.

The panel discussed the current state of the environment at the broader scale of global, national and state levels and then moved on to the importance of action at the local level and how many of the actions we take locally have a direct impact on the ground. All three panel speakers spoke of the importance of Connecting Country as a network that brings the many Landcare, friends of and environmental groups together, providing a central point for people to come to share information and connect with others who have the same goals of protecting the natural environment.

AGM attendees were given the opportunity to break into groups and discuss local conservation actions they have been involved in throughout the last year and also think about what the role of Connecting Country has been for them as a Landcare, friends group member or a local Landholder over the previous 16 years. Small groups of participants recorded their visions for Connecting Country’s future that would provide financial security as well as meeting the most significant conservation needs of our local community. These ideas were recorded on gum leaves that were then displayed on branches of a beautiful tree painted by local artist Jane Rusden.

Sharon Fraser gracefully held the workshop with an open mind and sincerity and the Connecting Country committee and staff are very grateful for her input into the day. Contributions from participants on the day will be summarised and used by the Connecting Country Committee of Management in future planning.

The most important message that came out of the day is that Connecting Country remains widely respected within the community and holds a significant role in acting as a network of many branches, bringing together many local conservation groups and the broader visions for restoring and protecting the natural environment.

Grow Towards Zero – Cultivating community Carbon in Central Victoria

Posted on 3 December, 2024 by Lori

Grow Towards Zero supports habitat restoration in Central Victoria, enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience while meeting partners’ carbon offset needs.

The North Central Catchment Management Authority, together with the City of Greater Bendigo and the shire councils of Macedon Ranges, Hepburn, and Mount Alexander, are seeking local landholders looking to enjoy the benefits of large-scale revegetation works on their properties.

Undertaking large-scale revegetation on private property can be costly. This program helps address this. It uses councils’ carbon offset needs to cover costs for tubestock, seeds, and planting, including maintenance for two years.

Landholders will then be able to enjoy a multitude of benefits, including:

• Attracting diverse wildlife
• Improving the appearance of their property
• Reducing soil erosion
• Improving soil health
• Enhancing water quality.

Expressions of interest for this exciting program are now open!

They are looking for:

• Individual sites where the combined planting area is five hectares or more, or
• Neighbours looking to work together to create corridors of native vegetation across adjoining properties, provided the total area covers five hectares or more.

Round One is open until 31 March 2025.

Find out more!

For more information, including eligibility criteria:

Visit: www.nccma.vic.gov.au/grow-towards-zero

Email – GrowTowardsZero@nccma.vic.gov.au

Phone – (03) 5448 7124

This Christmas, support landscape restoration and habitat creation in Central Vic

Posted on 28 November, 2024 by Anna

In this season of giving, please consider donating to Connecting Country and help support our vision for landscape restoration across the Mount Alexander region of central Victoria.

We can’t wait for governments to act! We need to build resilience in our local landscape in the face of climate change.  As a local, not-for-profit, community-based organisation, we work at the grassroots to protect, restore and enhance biodiversity to help threatened species, like the Brush-tailed phascogale and our wonderful woodland bird community, to thrive.

Over the past 15 years we have:

• Restored over 15,000 ha of habitat across the Mount Alexander region, which equates to around 8% of the shire.
• Delivered more than 245 successful community education events.
• Installed more than 480 nest boxes for the threatened Brush-tailed Phascogale
• Maintained a network of 50 long-term bird monitoring sites
• Secured funding to deliver more than 65 landscape restoration projects.
• Supported an incredible network of over 30 Landcare and Friends groups.

We should all be proud of what we’ve achieved. However, there’s much more to do.

You can be assured that any financial support from you will be well spent, with 100% invested into our core work of supporting and implementing landscape restoration in our local area. We run a lean operation and our small team of part-time staff attracts voluntary support that ensures every dollar goes a long way.

Donate here

The Bee Line Project: Victoria Gully Group’s pollinator corridor planting

Posted on 28 November, 2024 by Hadley Cole

In 2023, Connecting Country received funding through the Victorian Landcare Grants for the pollinator corridor project; The Bee Line Project. This project has involved partnering with four Landcare groups in the Mount Alexander Shire to coordinate the planting of 1600 pollinator-attracting plants with the aim of building diverse pollinator corridors throughout the region.

Research demonstrates a serious global decline in pollinators due to habitat loss, a lack of connectivity between isolated pockets of habitat and climate change. Pollinators are the bees, butterflies, flies, wasps, moths, birds and even bats that are critical to the successful reproduction and survival of many of Australia’s native plants and food crops. The Bee Line Project brings these often-undervalued species to the forefront of habitat restoration and biodiversity conservation efforts, providing a focus for local Landcare and Friends groups to work together with a common goal. 

Victoria Gully Group (VGG) are a local group comprising of residents who live close to Victoria Gully, which starts in the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park south of Castlemaine and meets Forest Creek at Greenhill Avenue, Castlemaine. Affectionately known by locals as the ‘gully’, Victoria Gully accommodates a range of recreation and aesthetic needs including children’s play, walking and bike riding. From the south the gully starts as a narrow, deeply-incised channel then widens to an open, grassed valley with a jumbled topography resulting from historical gold sluicing. This valley is home to a large mob of kangaroos and an intermittent unnamed creek runs along the east side.  

Pollinator plants added to existing Victoria Gully Landcare Group site. Photo by Victoria Gully Group.

This year, VGG planted 300 tube stock provided by Connecting Country through the Bee Line Project. The planting plan was developed by Bonnie Humphreys from Connecting County and VGG members following a site visit in November 2023.  

Victoria Gully Group members got together on 30 July and 2 August to plant the pollinator attracting plants across various sites in the “gully”. The planting included species such as Lemon Beauty-heads (Calocephalus citreus), Narrow-leaf Bitter-pea (Daviesia leptophylla), Dusty Miller (Spyridium parvifolium) and Austral Indigo (Indigofera australis) which all provide habitat and food for insect pollinators as well as having lovely showy flowers.

At the site there is an existing frog pond installed by VGG in 2017. The group decided to add further habitat value to this by adding in some pollinator attracting plant species. Group members dug out clumps of Phalaris grass to make space for the new plantings, replacing the weedy grass with indigenous plants. 

Victoria Gully Landcare Group’s pollinator planting sites were considered carefully for their biodiversity value and for opportunities to extend existing habitat and create corridors. As “the gully” sits adjacent to Castlemaine Diggings Heritage Park, restoration work across this area links up to existing bushland, extending habitat corridors.

Well done, Victoria Gully Group for harnessing your people power to restore habitat for local pollinators!

Elphinstone Land Management Association & Taradale Landcare pollinator planting

Posted on 21 November, 2024 by Hadley Cole

In 2023 Connecting Country received funding through the Victorian Landcare Grants for a pollinator corridor project; The Bee Line project. The project has involved working with five Landcare groups in the Mount Alexander region to coordinate the planting of 1600 pollinator attracting plants with the aim of further expanding pollinator corridors.

Research demonstrates a serious global decline in pollinators due to habitat loss, a lack of connectivity between isolated pockets of habitat and climate change. By ensuring restoration efforts include pollinator attracting plant species and are connected to existing bushland or restoration sites, we can help to build resilience across ecosystems at the landscape scale. Pollinators form the backbone of the natural environment and by increasing connected habitat for a diverse range of their life forms, we are encouraging populations to thrive which will have a flow on affect to all flora and fauna across the Mount Alexander Shire.

Photos above show the planting sites on private property in Taradale and along the roadside in the Elphinstone township. Photos by Lynette Hills.

Elphinstone Land Management Association (ELMA) partnered with neighbouring group Taradale Landcare to take part in Connecting Country’s Bee Line Project and planted 300 pollinator attracting plants species across sites between each group’s work areas. The groups worked with public and private landholders and targeted areas along or adjacent to the roadsides between the Taradale and Elphinstone townships. These planting sites were carefully selected as they add value to existing plantings that will enhance connectivity between Taradale cemetery which is home to precious indigenous flora.

The plantings aim to increase connectivity through corridors from Elphinstone to the Taradale Cemetery, through to Taradale township. These strategic plantings aim to allow pollinators to move through the landscape and hopefully lead to an increase in populations of local pollinators by providing additional food and habitat resources.

Well done ELMA and Taradale Landcare for teaming up, pooling resources and working successfully together to continue conservation efforts in the region!

This project is funding by North Central Catchment Management Authority through the 2023 Victorian Landcare Grants.

Bird of the Month: Cockatiel

Posted on 21 November, 2024 by Anna

Welcome to Bird of the Month, a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we’re taking a close look at one local bird species. We’re excited to join forces to deliver you a different bird each month, seasonally adjusted, and welcome suggestions from the community. This article was written by Damian Kelly from BirdLife Castlemaine District, accompanied by photos from Ash Vigus.

Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)

A popular bird, often kept as a pet that breeds easily in captivity. It can be found all over the world in aviaries. Due to its popularity, sightings of this bird out of its usual range need to be checked carefully as many are likely escapees. Having said that, they do sometimes pop up in unusual places. Recently Ash Vigus has recorded them on the Moolort Plains in some numbers (see photos). Unusual for this region but perhaps a sign of changing times.

In spite of its size the Cockatiel is closely related to the much larger cockatoos. Researching these articles sometimes leads us down strange paths: what are the similarities with cockatoos? Well, like cockatoos, Cockatiels have gall bladders. Most parrots along with birds as diverse as Humming Birds and Peregrine Falcons do not. How about that for a weird fact? In case you wanted to know, the gall bladder is a little sac that collects bile from the liver and delivers it as needed into the small intestine to aid in the breakdown of fat. Anyway, enough of digressions!

Cockatiels are very adaptable birds and can be found over wide areas of the dry inland of Australia. It is a nomadic species that moves around depending on climatic conditions and food availability. It favours tree-lined water courses and the edge of timbered areas and favours open, lightly wooded areas. Food sources include the seeds of grasses and trees along with fruit and berries. It has also adapted to new food sources such sorghum, soybeans and other grain crops. The Cockatiel flock on the Moorlort Plains were feeding in a wheat crop. At times they can be found in urban parks and gardens in the drier zones.

They are a monogamous bird, probably pairing for life. Generally they move about in groups of varying sizes and often roost communally. Breeding can be seasonal favouring spring, but in suitable conditions they have been known to breed at any suitable time when food and water are available. Nests are generally in hollows with clutch sizes normally 4-5 eggs. Incubation and feeding of young involves both parents.

Cockatiel flock on the Moolort Plains. Photo by Ash Vigus

Male Cockatiel, with his bright orange cheek. Photo by Ash Vigus

The Bee Line Project: Barkers Creek Landcare & Wildlife Group Pollinator Planting

Posted on 11 November, 2024 by Hadley Cole

In 2023 Connecting Country received funding through the Victorian Landcare Grants for a pollinator corridor project; The Bee Line project. The project has involved working with five Landcare groups in the Mount Alexander region to coordinate the planting of 1600 pollinator attracting plants with the aim of further expanding pollinator corridors throughout the region.

Research demonstrates a serious global decline in pollinators due to habitat loss, a lack of connectivity between isolated pockets of habitat and climate change. By ensuring restoration efforts include pollinator attracting plant species and are connected to existing bushland or restoration sites, we can help to build resilience across ecosystems at the landscape scale.  By increasing connected habitat for a diverse range of life forms, we are encouraging pollinator populations to thrive which will have a flow on affect to all flora and fauna across the Mount Alexander region.  

Barkers Creek Landcare & Wildlife Group (BCL & WG) took part in the Bee Line Project and added 400 pollinator attracting plants to a site they have been working on for approximately 6 years, ‘The Old Tip site’. The site is adjacent to the Barkers Creek Bushland Reserve which is a 35 hectare bushland reserve that the group plan to restore as a long term project. The planting of the pollinator attracting species close to the bushland site provide extended habitat for pollinators to move across the landscape, increasing pollination services and encouraging healthy and robust flora that will be better equipped to cope with the effects of climate change.

Barkers Creek Landcare & Wildlife Group and Harcourt Valley Landcare Group team up for National Tree Day. Photo by BCL&WG.

BCL& WG group members provided the following report on their participation in The Bee Line project. 

The site is an old tip site and is supported by a ‘Partnership Agreement’ with Mt Alexander Shire Council. The main focus of the works on the site has been to create pods of grasses (200 per year) that have been planted across the clay cap of the Old Tip, plus, a few extra trees and shrubs have been added each year.

From April to August 2024 BCL & WG prepared the site and planted out the 400 pollinator attracting plants as well as a further 200 grass species provided by the Mount Alexander Shire Council.

“Our participation in the Pollinator Project will help transform the site to be more in keeping with the Bushland Reserve that it neighbours.”

On National Tree Day, Sunday July 28, BCL & WG teamed up with Harcourt Valley Landcare Group for a planting day. The day was well attended by 21 volunteers which resulted in 250 shrubs and grasses planted across the site.

The preparation work for the plantings took up a great deal of time. The group found that there were a few members who couldn’t make the work bees on the weekends but were available on weekdays so they decided to form a “B team” which involved a small group of volunteers who attended weekday work bees to help prepare the site for planting. This proved a wonderful success with the weekday preparations resulting in the holes being dug for the weekend planting work bees.

What an enormous effort by Barkers Creek Landcare & Wildlife Group. Congratulations and Thank you for your contributions to The Bee Line Project.

This project was funded by the 2023 Victorian Landcare Grants through the North Central Catchment Management Authority.

Maldon Urban Landcare Group AGM & special event: Living with our Wild Neighbours with Tanya Loos

Posted on 11 November, 2024 by Hadley Cole

Maldon Urban Landcare Group (MULGA) is celebrating their Annual General Meeting (AGM) with special guest Tanya Loos who will be speaking about her most recent book ‘Living with Wildlife’ on Saturday 30 November 2024.

MULGA have provided the following information and details about this wonderful event.

Everyone is welcome to come along to this very interesting talk ‘Living with Wildlife’ – possums in the roof, an echidna in the garden, or perhaps a bird attacking your windows? Join Tanya Loos, author of Living with Wildlife: A Guide for Our Homes and Backyards, published by CSIRO Publishing, as she provides information, advice and solutions to encounters with wildlife, based on current guidance from wildlife rescue organisations and the latest research. Tanya loves drawing from ecological science to educate and inspire people to care about wildlife and wildlife habitat.

When: Saturday 30 November at 2.15pm

Where: Maldon Neighbourhood Centre, 1 Church St, Maldon VIC

Refreshments will be provided. Booking not required.

For further information, contact Bev Phillips, ph. 0407 770 350, email: maldonurbanlandcare@gmail.com

Connecting Country AGM: Growing our Future Together

Posted on 1 November, 2024 by Lori

After 16 years of influencing positive environmental change on 500+ properties in the region, it’s time to look forward and help shape the future of Connecting Country!  

We want to hear from you – our members, supporters and the wider community – about what is important to you in supporting local biodiversity and connection with nature. 

Following brief AGM formalities, we will delve into an informative and interactive plenary discussion with a diverse panel: 

• Brendan Sydes – ACF Biodiversity Policy Advisor and Connecting Country President. 

• Ian Higgins – local ecologist and founding member of Friends of Campbells Creek. 

• Ann-Marie Monda – landowner (with Carla Meurs) from Wooroomook property in Sutton Grange integrating environmental improvements within agricultural farmland. 

Chaired by Sharon Fraser from the Castlemaine Institute, the panel will discuss the current state of the environment and why conservation is so important – from the grassroots level upwards – now more than ever. 

You will be invited to contribute your ideas and help shape the future direction of Connecting Country, its advocacy and support for grassroots conservation in our region. We will celebrate some of the local achievements to date and consider future opportunities for continuing positive environmental change, under changing financial, environmental and climate conditions.

Please join us for this special event on Saturday 23rd November 2024: 

Campbell’s Creek Community Centre
60 Elizabeth St, Campbells Creek VIC 345 VIC 3450

1:15pm – lunch and sharing of ideas 

2-2:20 pm – AGM formalities including a summary of 2023-24 achievements, review of the years financials, and election of office bearers 

2:20-4pm – plenary session, discussion and workshop 

For catering and logistical purposes, please register your attendance – click here

AGM formalities 

View Connecting Country’s 2023-24 Annual report – click here

View Connecting Country’s Financial audit 2023-24 – click here

 Connecting Country constitution 

Consumer Affairs made changes to the model rules for Constitutions and recommended organisations review their own constitutions in light of these changes.  

As such, Connecting Country’s Constitution has been updated in alignment with the model rules including:

• Updated language to support the flexible use of technology  (Rule 9, 35 and 62). 

• New processes for disciplinary appeals where members have been suspended or expelled by a disciplinary subcommittee (Rule 23). 

• Changes to grievance procedures regarding mediation (Rule 27 and 28). 

• Stronger disclosure requirements for a conflict of interest (Rule 65). 

See attached (with track changes) draft for review/endorsement. 

 These changes are required to be voted on and adopted by the organisations membership at the AGM as a special resolution.  To view a DRAFT updated Connecting Country Constitution (with track changes) – click here 

 Nominate for the Committee of Management

Want to be more involved with Connecting Country? Why not consider becoming a committee member.  We are actively looking for new committee members to broaden the skills of our Committee.  The positions require 2 hours per month to attend committee meeting plus small amounts of reading or work time as required to keep the organisation rolling.  If this sounds like you, please complete a nomination form or contact our office to discuss via info@connectingcountry.org.au.

Seed Collection Workshops in Castlemaine this November

Posted on 29 October, 2024 by Hadley Cole

This November there are two wonderful seed collection workshops on offer in Castlemaine! If you’re not sure which one to attend, please read further details of each event below.

The first workshop is hosted by Connecting Country and Seeding Victoria on Saturday 9 November 2024. This is a full day workshop that will include time in the classroom and in the field. Leading native seed supplier for Western Victoria, Seeding Victoria, will deliver the workshop and cover a range of topics that will set you up with the basic know how, timing collection for success, an overview of obligations required for collection and local flora species identification.

Included in the day:

• Learn the tools of the trade: species identification, what permits you need to obtain for collecting seed, collection techniques, extraction and storage.
• A local field trip covering observations of what’s flowering now and anticipate what will be ready to collect in the coming months.
• There will be an opportunity to order seed-collecting equipment on the day.
• Learn how the Natural Resources Conservation Trust’s Seed Bank Revolving Fund works and how to obtain a discount for seed-collecting equipment.
• Hear about the BushBank Program and how to get involved in collecting seed for the $30M Government program and access funding to undertake biodiversity planting on your property.

When: Saturday 9 November 2024, 9.30am – 3.30pm

Where: Castlemaine Botanical Gardens Tea Rooms, Downes Rd. Castlemaine

Cost: $30.

For more information and bookings – click here

This workshop has received funding support from the 2024 Victorian Landcare Grants through the North Central Catchment Management Authority, Cassinia Environmental, Natural Resources Conservation Trust and the Victorian Government BushBank program.

A second Seed Collection workshop hosted by Castlemaine Landcare Group (CLG) is on Sunday 10 November 2024 and will be led by CLG group member Mark Walker. Mark is a knowledgeable and vibrant communicator, having worked as a seed collector and as a professional educator.  This free workshop will cover collection techniques for different species, tools of the trade, timing your seed collection efforts, the ethics of seed collection, and a little about direct sowing. We will explore native grasses, wattles, shrubs with woody capsules and eucalypts.  The workshop will be an hour and half of walk and talk plus some hands-on activities.

When: Saturday 10 November 2024, 10.00am – 11.30am

Where: Meet at the footbridge over Forest Creek along the Leanganook Track, Castlemaine

Cost: Free

Still can’t decide which workshop to attend? Go to both! You can enjoy a full weekend of seed collection activities!

BirdLife Castlemaine’s Mid-Week Bird Walk – Wednesday 20th November 2024 – Garfield Water Wheel, Chewton

Posted on 28 October, 2024 by Anna

Our friends at BirdLife Castlemaine District are holding their next mid-week bird walk on Wednesday 20th November at the Garfield Mine Water Wheel site in the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park (Northern section), Chewton.

ALL WELCOME!

Recent species seen in the area include Painted Buttonquail, Olive-backed Oriole, Scarlet and Yellow Robin, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Fan-tailed, and Shining-Bronze Cuckoo, Rufous Whistler and in previous years at this time, Pacific Koel and Square-tailed Kite. Other species likely to be seen include a variety of Honeyeaters, Thornbills and Pardalotes. Your walk leader is Bob Dawson.

Shining Bronze-cuckoo Photo by Geoff Park

Where: We will meet at the Garfield Water Wheel car park, Chewton. From the Hargraves St roundabout Castlemaine, take the Pyrenees Hwy (B180) toward Chewton. Drive 3.8k and turn left at North St. Drive 800mtrs along North St and you will see the turn off to the Water Wheel. There is no street sign but there is a large sign saying “Garfield Wheel Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park”. Turn right and the carpark is about 300mtrs along this road. GPS: -37.07279, 144.25929.

When: Meet at the Garfield Water Wheel carpark at 9:00am.

Bring: Water, snacks, binoculars, sunscreen, hat, and we also strongly recommend that you wear long trousers and closed-in sturdy shoes.

More info: Bob Dawson, 0417 621 691. Note, there are toilets at the site.

Birdlife Castlemaine acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where we are holding our walk, the Dja Dja Wurrung people and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We recognise and are grateful for the immense contribution of Indigenous people to the knowledge and conservation of Australia’s birds.

Please note that walks will be cancelled if severe weather warnings are in place, persistent rain is forecast, the temperature is forecast to be 35°C or above during the walk period, and/or a Total Fire Ban is declared. Please check the BirdLife Castlemaine Facebook page the day before the event in case there is a cancellation.

Weed of the month: Boneseed

Posted on 24 October, 2024 by Lori

As Spring is well and truly underway, you will no doubt notice many of the local weeds in full flower. This October, keep an eye out for the invasive Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera), which is a Weed of National Significance (WONS) and a ‘Regionally Prohibited’ weed in the North Central Catchment – meaning landholders have a legal responsibility to control it. 

Introduced from South Africa to Australia as an ornamental garden plant around the 1850s, Boneseed has become an invasive weed across southern Australia through Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. Within Mount Alexander Shire, plants have been recorded at McKenzie’s Hill, Campbells Creek, Tarrengower, Chewton, Castlemaine and Kalimna. 

It is a woody shrub (to 2-3 metres high) from the daisy family and produces typical ‘daisy-like’ bright yellow flowers in late winter to spring. Round hard fruit are produced during summer and spread by animals such as birds and foxes, as well as through water, garden refuse and soil movement. A single plant can produce up to 50,000 seeds a year. Seeds can germinate at any time of year, but most prolifically in Autumn after rains. They can remain viable for up to 10 years. Fire and physical disturbance can also trigger germination. 

When controlling, an integrated management approach will give the best results. Manual control involves pulling out small and isolated plants at any time of the year. Herbicide control of larger individual plants using cutting and painting can be effective. In certain situations, spraying or burning may also be applicable. Only use herbicides in accordance with the label and only when plants are actively growing.

For more information on Boneseed, download a copy of the Boneseed Management Manual or visit the Agriculture Victoria website.

Landcare Groups are also a great source of information on local weeds in your area.  You can find your nearest group here.

This information has been shared as part of Connecting Country’s ‘Partnerships Against Pests’ project funded by Agriculture Victoria in 2024-25.  Through this program, Connecting Country will work closely with local community groups, such as Landcare, to raise awareness of local pest plant and animal issues, with the aim to empower community with the skills to address these threats. The project includes seasonal awareness campaigns around key pest issues in the region.   See our news page for more information.

Seeding Our Future: Seed Collection Workshop

Posted on 23 October, 2024 by Hadley Cole

Connecting Country is pleased to announce an exciting new project; Seeding Our Future which is funded by the 2024 Victorian Landcare Grants. The Seeding Our Future project focuses on building the populations and connectivity of local flora species through community engagement and educational workshops. 

One of the key threats to local flora populations is seed security, particularly those species occurring in low numbers and fragmented populations that lack genetic diversity. Local plant populations are already highly fragmented and isolated. With this we are witnessing the reduction of genetic diversity across populations which will be exacerbated by severe weather patterns and could eventually lead to the extinction of rare indigenous plant species. This will have enormous repercussions for many local vertebrates and invertebrates who rely on specific plant species for habitat and food sources. 

To protect biodiversity from extinction, the Seeding Our Future project offers local community the opportunity to take direct action to increase flora populations across the region. Through the collection of seed and growing of indigenous plant species, particularly those that are rare, we can increase genetic diversity and population of local indigenous flora, creating resilient ecosystems and seed banks for our future.

To kick the project off we are hosting a Seed Collection workshop with Seeding Victoria, in Castlemaine on Saturday 9 November 2024. This workshop has also received funding support from Cassinia Environmental, Natural Resources Conservation Trust and the Victorian Government BushBank program.

The day will involve;

• The nuts and bolts to seed collecting: You will learn species identification, what permits you need to obtain for collecting seed, OH&S, collection techniques, extraction and storage.

• Field Trip: We will have a look at the OH&S components of seed collecting, observing what’s flowering and what will be ready to collect in the coming months.

• There will be an opportunity to order seed-collecting equipment on the day.

• Learn about how the NRCT Seed Bank Revolving Fund works and how to obtain a discount for seed-collecting equipment.
• Introduction to the BushBank Program: How to get involved in collecting seed for the $30M Government program and access funding to undertake biodiversity planting on your property.

When: Saturday 9 November 2024, 9.30am – 3.30pm

Where: Castlemaine Botanical Gardens Tea Rooms, Downes Rd. Castlemaine

Cost: $30.

For more information and bookings – click here

The Seeding Our Future project is funded by the North Central Catchment Management Authority through the 2024 Victorian Landcare Grants.

The Seed Collection Workshop with Seeding Victoria has received further support from, Cassinia Environmental, Victorian State Government BushBank program and the Natural Resource Conservation Trust.  

Looking for landholders: Habitat trees for Phascogales

Posted on 22 October, 2024 by Lori

Do you have trees but not many hollows on your property? Are you in the Mount Alexander region? Do you want to increase habitat for local fauna?

Connecting Country has been successful in securing additional funding for our project ‘Habitat Trees for Phascogales’. Working with private landholders, we are offering property visits, ecological advice and installation of Phascogale nest boxes to increase habitat for this species in the region. 

A Phascogale resting in a Connecting Country nest box. Photo Connecting Country

The Mount Alexander Shire is home to many threatened species that survive in the fragmented woodlands across our region. Large old trees and the hollows they provide are vital habitat for many of these species. One of these is the Brush-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa), also known as the Tuan. The Phascogale is a small, nocturnal, carnivorous marsupial, a little larger than a black rat and with a very distinctive bushy black tail.

In Victoria, the Brush-tailed Phascogale was once widespread, but now has a fragmented distribution. It is a threatened species listed under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and considered Vulnerable in Victoria. One of its strongholds is in Central Victoria and the Mount Alexander region. 

Looking for local landholders 

We are looking for landholders in the Mount Alexander Shire area who are interested in participating.

Appropriate candidates will have:

Large old trees are important habitat for Phascogales. Photo Connecting Country

• Eucalyptus trees with reasonably large trunks for installation of nest boxes.
• A willingness to retain fallen limbs, leaf litter and areas of intact habitat. 
• A commitment to ongoing low-level maintenance of nest boxes, weed and pest animal control.

If your property is suitable for the project, we will: 

•  Conduct a site assessment to identify potential Phascogale habitat.  
• Provide and install Phascogale nest boxes using a qualified contractor. 
• Provide additional advice and support as required. 

Priority will be given to properties that contain, or are connected to, the most suitable Phascogale habitat. 

The iconic Brush-tailed Phascogale, rarely seen but never forgotten. Photo by Geoff Park

Landholder expressions of interest

If you meet the criteria above and are keen to protect and restore Phascogale habitat on your land, please complete our expression of interest form –EOI Click Here 

Return it to Connecting Country via email (bonnie@connectingcountry.org.au)

Expressions of interest close on 25 November 2024. 

To learn more about the Brush-tailed Phascogale, click here

The Habitat Trees for Phascogales project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Nature Fund and the Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation. 

 

Bird of the Month: Yellow-faced Honeyeater

Posted on 21 October, 2024 by Anna

Welcome to Bird of the Month, a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we’re taking a close look at one special local bird species. We’re excited to join forces to deliver you a different bird each month, seasonally adjusted, and welcome suggestions from the community. We are blessed to have the brilliant Damian Kelly and Jane Rusden from BirdLife Castlemaine District writing about our next bird of the month, accompanied by their stunning photos.

Photo by Damian Kelly

Whilst doing quiet activities in the bush, like walking or bird surveys, it’s often possible to hear and maybe see, Yellow-faced Honeyeaters. Anecdotally, I often associate them with Fuscous Honeyeaters because they visit the bird bath together, but they are frequently to be found on their own or in twos and threes as well. You may find their call is quite familiar.

The Yellow-faced Honeyeater is possibly one of the most widespread of the honeyeaters. It ranges from far north Queensland along the east coast across to South Australia. There have also been occasional records in Tasmania and even vagrants on Lord Howe Island and in New Zealand. This species is partly migratory with significant movement northward in autumn and returning southwards in spring. Migration has been observed in daytime with both small and large flocks on the move. This migration does not include all birds, with some remaining resident and sedentary in parts of their range. They can be found all year in our local bush.

Long term studies of migration have not shed a lot of light on overall patterns. Banding studies have proved inconclusive and we still know little about their movements. This is interesting given that are a relatively common bird. You’d think we’d know more about them!

An active and noisy bird, they can be seen in local gardens feeding on pollen, nectar, fruit, seeds, manna and insects along with lerp. They occupy a wide range of habitats ranging from woodlands to heath, mangroves, parks and home gardens. In short a very adaptable species. Locally they can be seen in any of the Box-Ironbark forests and in gardens.

A Yellow-faced Honeyeater as it decides if the bird bath is safe to have a drink. Photo by Jane Rusden

Nesting usually occurs in spring-summer with 2-3 eggs being laid in a nest composed of bark and grass fibre held together with spider web. Generally this nest in placed in the fork of a tree. Young are fed by both parents.

Find our more about Yellow-faced honeyeater, including their call:

https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Lichenostomus-chrysops

The bright yellow gape of a young Yellow-faced Honeyeater begging for food from a parent. Photo by Damian Kelly

Talking weeds in Taradale – Weed ID and Control Workshop

Posted on 17 October, 2024 by Lori

On Sunday 13 October, Connecting Country partnered with North Central Catchment Management Authority, to host a Weed ID and Control Workshop in Taradale.

Connecting Country’s Bonnie Humphreys teamed up with natural resource management expert, former Connecting Country staff and local farmer Jarrod Coote, to bring a suite of information on some of our local weeds. Specimens of noxious and environmental weeds were on display and participants were invited to delve into the biology of weeds in order to understand the best timeframe and course of action for management. When thinking about controlling a particular species, participants were encouraged to research:

• When is the active growth cycle?
• When does it seed?
• How are the seeds distributed?
• How does the plant reproduce (i.e. does it regrow from stems, does it have bulbs, or a tap root)?

An understanding of the biology of a weedy plant will help participants to undertake control methods more effectively and efficiently.

The workshop also covered legislation around noxious weeds, and responsibilities for landholders, weed control techniques and planning for weed control. Participants also had the opportunity to see a practical demonstration of an Eco Blade destroying gorse!

                 Photos by Carmen Bunting

“…I know I expressed my appreciation on the day, but this is just to reinforce how much the weeds day at Taradale was appreciated.  It was well organised.  The speakers were realistic, informed & practical in their presentations and contributions.  The field component was accessible and, again, very practical – thoroughly worthwhile day…” (David Cheal)

More information on local weed control is available in Connecting Country’s Healthy Landscape Guide which is available electronically on the website or in hard copy for $15 through the Connecting Country office or at Stall #625 at The Mill.

This workshop was the first in a series of events that is part of Connecting Country’s new Partnerships Against Pests project funded by Agriculture Victoria in 2024-25, and was also supported by the North Central Catchment Management Authority.

Farewell Ivan and thanks for all the words

Posted on 15 October, 2024 by Anna

We recently said goodbye to our colleague and friend, Ivan Carter, who has been the Engagement Coordinator at Connecting Country for almost six years. Ivan managed all aspects of communication with a deft hand, a way with words and a pure form of enthusiasm for conservation and community engagement in a uniquely Ivan way.

Over the years he has been instrumental in getting the Connecting Country message out to the community, promoting and running our many engagement and educational events, with innumerable blog and social media posts, radio interviews, and live streams. He also created an online mapping portal for our precious local, large old trees which is still open for contributions -click here 

Of special note was Ivan’s ability to navigate the task of community engagement during the COVID years, where he was able to pivot and create engaging online and socially distanced events that were extra important for social cohesion and connection during these challenging times. This included events such as the woodland bird walks through Kalimna Park, Castlemaine and Wildflower Drive, Greater Bendigo National Park, where Ivan drew on his broad knowledge of technology to coordinate a walk both in person and online via Facebook.

We already miss Ivan’s kind, thoughtful and quirky nature in the office and at our events. We wish him all the very best in his next exciting phase of connecting community and conservation.

Photos from the Connecting Country archives.