26 April 2016 – Spiders of Castlemaine

Posted on 11 April, 2016 by Connecting Country

Local author, Lynne Kelly, published a very readable and enjoyable book in 2009 called ‘Spiders: Learning to Love Them‘.  Lynne will be making a presentation to the Castlemaine Garden Club about her knowledge of spiders and their behaviour from Castlemaine and beyond.  Lynne’s talk is on Tuesday 26 April.  Visitors are welcome, but RSVPs must be provided due to limited seating available (cdgardenclub@gmail.com).  A gold coin donation for entry is required to cover the costs of supper.  The meeting is 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start at The Wesley Hill Hall, Duke Street, Castlemaine.

Lynne’s previous local presentation on spiders was in 2013 to the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club, and was very popular (click here for details).

Leap Year Landcare Link-up 2016

Posted on 7 April, 2016 by Asha

Connecting Country’s first Landcare Link-Up for 2016 was very well attended on 29 February, with representatives from 15 local Landcare and Friends groups gathering at Campbells Creek Community Centre. Also present was Peter McRostie from North Central CMA to help with our mapping and Peter Barrow who is the crew leader from the local Green Army team.

Jarrod Coote kicked off the evening with a bit of info about Connecting Country’s on-ground works and also the Stewards for Woodland Birds program.  A new guide to revegetation in the local area was also launched. (A new blog post will be released about this new reveg guide soon).

Nicole Howie, our project officer for the Mount Alexander Schools Landcare Day, was our special guest speaker for the night. Nicole spoke about the vision for the Schools Landcare Day and the potential for both Landcare groups and schools to learn and build ongoing relationships. She gave examples of similar successful projects she has worked on in the past, and the kinds of activities we might have on the day. Some ideas suggested by Nicole and Landcarers/Friends at the Link-Up included guided walks, macro-invertebrate surveys, plant identification, soil analysis, bird watching, and a presentation from the Dja Dja Wurrung.

Nicole talking about the Mount Alexander Schools Landcare Day 2016

We also talked about activities that Landcare groups could run at schools in the lead-up to the day, to get kids excited and thinking about their local land. Nicole explained her idea of a mandala collage made from bits of nature, such as leaves and feathers.  It was fantastic to see everyone brainstorming great ideas for these activities, and how we can design them with a focus on each school’s local group/s. In the end it will be up to the Landcare groups to decide what they’d like to do, but Nicole and I will send out some guidelines and details of suggested activities soon. If your group would like to be involved in the Schools Landcare Day, it’s not too late to fill out an Expression of Interest!

Landcarers hard at work mapping group areas

Our second half of the evening was dedicated to looking at the boundaries of groups on our network maps. For some, this was relatively easy, but others needed quite a bit of work! Thanks to everyone for your enthusiasm and effort in working through the mapping. Once we have all of the boundaries sorted, they’ll be put into the ArcGIS online map that the CMA uses.

A big thank you to everyone who helped out on the night and made it a wonderful evening! Our next Link-Up will be sometime mid-year 2016.

Asha Bannon (asha@connectingcountry.org.au)
Mount Alexander Region Landcare Facilitator

Environmental Plans and Grants – A burst of activity at the state level

Posted on 7 April, 2016 by Connecting Country

As noted in an earlier blogs, since mid-March 2016 there has been a flurry of activity from the Victorian government on environmental matters.  They are seek feedback on new three policies related to environmental management.  They have also launched the second round of the Threatened Species Grants.  In summary:

• Water for Victoria – feedback due by 29 April (CLICK HERE)
• Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2036 – feedback due by 15 May (CLICK HERE)
• Review of the Native Vegetation Clearing Regulations – feedback due by 29 April (CLICK HERE)
• Threatened Species Protection Initiative Grants – standard applications due by 20 April and crowd-funding EOI applications due by 13 April (CLICK HERE)

For the ‘Biodiversity 2036’ plan, a series of 13 community consultation sessions are being held across the state.  The nearest to the Mount Alexander region is being held in Bendigo at The Capital on Thursday 14 April.  It will start with a presentation about the plan from 4.30pm, and then followed by a open discussion session from 6pm to 8pm.  For more details, and to register to attend the Bendigo session, follow this link (CLICK HERE).

Victorian Landcare Program Review – Update

Posted on 7 April, 2016 by Connecting Country

Last year the Victorian Government undertook a review of the Landcare program. In late March 2016, the Victorian minister released an update and summary.  It noted that review found overall that the Victorian Landcare Program has been effective in supporting Landcare, and that the Landcare Facilitators and the Victorian Landcare Grants are the most valued components of the program. They are fundamentally important to the viability and operation of many groups and networks across the state. The review also identified a number of ways to help shape the Victorian Government’s future support for Landcare.

Click here to read the update on the Landcare Program review to which so many of you contributed.

Launch of our Reptile and Frog Monitoring Program

Posted on 6 April, 2016 by Asha

Connecting Country is thrilled to announce that we are commencing a new program to monitor native reptiles and frogs in the Mount Alexander region.  We aim to use these monitoring sites to assist the community in gaining some insight into the lives of our local reptile and frog populations, and understand which habitats different species prefer.

Garden Skink, Lampropholis guichenoti © Alison Pouliot Photography

During the next couple of months, we are seeking landholders who are interested in having me come out to their property to establish a small grid of artificial shelters (roof tiles), which are the main monitoring tool.  Landcare groups can also request a shelter grid on their project sites.  You will have input into where the shelters are placed. Each grid involves 10-20 roof tiles spread across an area of less than 50 metres by 50 metres.

A huge part of this project is involvement of local people, and we hope that you’ll be as excited about this as we are.  There will be opportunities for volunteers and landholders to be involved throughout.  After the shelters have been in place for 4-6 months, I’ll come back out to check them.  The shelters will then remain on the property as long as the landholders want them.  In the long run, we’ll provide support for volunteers, landholders and Landcare groups to continue monitor these sites themselves.

Another part of this program will be the development of a local guide to the identification of reptiles and frogs. This will focus on the species and habitats found in the Mount Alexander region.   More info to follow soon….

Expressions of Interest

If you’re potentially interested in having a reptile and frog monitoring site set up on your property, please fill out the form (CLICK HERE) and send it to asha@connectingcountry.org.au. If you have any questions, feel free to call me on 03 5472 1594 or email me at the address above.

If you are interested in getting involved in volunteering with the surveys, you can also fill out and return this form.

Asha Bannon
Reptile/Frog Monitoring Program Coordinator (and still also the Mount Alexander Region Landcare Facilitator!).

Connecting Country’s Reptile and Frog Monitoring Program is being undertaken with the support of the Ian Potter Foundation.

Rockhopping with Trace

Posted on 6 April, 2016 by Connecting Country

One of Connecting Country’s members and strong supporters is Trace Balla.  Trace is also author and illustrator of the highly acclaimed graphic novella ‘Rivertime’.  Her new companion to this book – Rockhopping – is to be launched in the Castlemaine library on Thursday 14 April 2016.

“Join Clancy and Uncle Egg on a rambling, rockhopping adventure in Gariwerd (the Grampians), to find the source of the Glenelg River. A story about little treasures, the vastness of landscape and time, following your flow, and the unexpected places you may go.”

Although the setting of this new novella is elsewhere in Victoria, there is a significant overlap with the Mount Alexander region in the plants, animals and other aspects of natural history that it covers.  The central premise of both books – engaging kids (and all ages) with their natural surrounds through exploration – is also a universal theme.

See the attached flyer for further details (CLICK HERE).

Trace Balla at work.

Sleepy Snakes of Central Victoria

Posted on 5 April, 2016 by Connecting Country

If you look on page 11 of this week’s Midland Express newspaper (5 April 2016), you’ll see the third in our monthly series of Nature News articles.  Local resident Benjamin Boxshall has written a terrific article – Neighbourhood (Bird)watch.

In March, the Nature News article in the Midland Express was written by local Castlemaine naturalist, Bernard Slattery. Bernard shared his experiences about an occasional sight in our bush during these warmer days – snakes. Here is the article in case you missed out.

An eastern brown found in Fryers Forest.
Photo: Bernard Slattery

Australians love horror stories about snakes. My favourite is this headline from the Sydney Daily Telegraph: ‘Deadly reptiles slither towards the urban sprawl.’ You’d think from this that your average snake is pretty keen to leap at your throat—right?

The funny thing is, that when you actually come across them, the main impressions you get are that they’re sleepy, or very shy and keen to get away. It’s a strange experience to be walking in the bush and to suddenly realise that the rustling sound you hear is a large snake sliding out of sight.

At Vaughan Springs last year I came within a few inches of standing on a Tiger Snake, curled up discreetly at the side of the track, and saw it only when it bolted at some speed down a steep slope. At moments like these you realise how strange our relationship to them is; they live at the margins of our perceptions and in our imagination, but are rarely willing to stay long in our company.

On my wanderings in this region the snake I’ve seen the most often is the Eastern Brown, which has enthusiastically adapted to modern living because of its taste for the rodents which hang around our settlements.

But the most intricately beautiful species for me is the Red-bellied Black.  The Australian Museum says of it: ‘This beautiful serpent shares our love of sunshine and water, and is a familiar sight to many outdoor adventurers … Attitudes towards these largely inoffensive snakes are slowly changing, however they are still often seen as a dangerous menace and unjustly persecuted.’

A red-bellied black on the Midland Highway. Photo: Bernard Slattery

Once, riding my bike on the Pyrenees Highway, I saw a splendid Black Snake basking in the early morning sun in the middle of the road. Not being an expert, I wasn’t keen to go too close, but tried to move it by ignorantly throwing small sticks at it. It sleepily disregarded my interference, and soon suffered the inevitable fate: five million reptiles are killed on our roads every year, many of them deliberately.

You have to be sensible about snakes. If you are, the chances of being hurt by one are seriously low. On average less than 3 people die from snake bite every year in this country, some while unwisely trying to manhandle the creature.  By contrast, around 3 people a day are killed by cars in Australia.

Check out Museum Victoria’s Field Guide To Fauna App if you’d like more information on these fascinating local species.

April 2016 edition – North Central CMA Chat

Posted on 5 April, 2016 by Connecting Country

The April 2016 edition of the North Central CMA publication ‘chat’ is now available (click here), covering Landcare and Waterwatch activities in the local area.

Some key activities and opportunities included in this edition include:

– Drought Employment Program Round 2 is open and Stock Containment funding available. All details are featured on the North Central CMA website
– 2016 Future Farming Expo, April 14
– Upcoming Local Landcare events
– The launch of the Campaspe Valley Landcare group’s “Ute Guide to Chilean and Texas Needle Grass Identification and Management” (email asha@connectingcountry.org.au if you’d like a copy of the guide)

Also of interest to many people is the 2014-15 Landcare report card produced by the North Central CMA (click here to download a copy).  One thing that caught our eye was the top 3 challenges identified by Landcare groups across the CMA area: (1) Lack of available funds for priority on-ground works, (2) Lack of time from volunteers, and (3) Lack of community interest.

Muckleford Creek photo exhibition

Posted on 5 April, 2016 by Connecting Country

Photo by Deanna Neville

Deanna Neville is a Walmer resident, and long-time supporter of Connecting Country.  She has been undertaking vegetation restoration works on her property for many years, and also has a set of nest boxes for Brush-tailed Phascogales and Sugar Gliders.

She has recently let us know that she is about to launch her collection of photographs, titled ‘A Camera and A Creek’.  Deanna writes, “Two years ago, I was a successful applicant of the Mount Alexander Shire Council ‘Strengthening Our Community’ Grants. I set out to pursue a particular photographic vision of my local creek and produced quite another. I was astonished at the difference a season, and another, of low or no rainfall could do not just to a creek, but to a community. I was particularly moved by the stories from landowners that these climatic events incited and enabled me to capture.”

The exhibition is to be launched on Saturday 9 April 2016 at 2pm at the Muckleford Community Centre, 364 Muckleford-Walmer Rd, Muckleford.  Then, from 12 to 29 April the collection will be on display at the Castlemaine Market Building, 44 Mostyn St, Castlemaine.

Feathered Five Festival Success

Posted on 4 April, 2016 by Connecting Country

The Sunday morning walk was very well attended with nearly 60 people – many of them new to FOBIF walks!

The Mount Alexander region is set to be a little greener and local bird baths a little fuller after our delightful weekend of Feathered Five Festivities (19-20 March 2016). Over 30 participants have pledged to create more bird habitat on their properties and local area, especially along waterways, as a result of the inspiring talks at the Saturday evening forum.

“I’m inspired to improve and expand my birdbath arrangements and to plant lots of varied types and sizes of native trees and shrubs along nature strip and in garden” – Festival Participant

Andrew and Phil inspire the Saturday Evening Forum crowd

Festivals can be many things to many people. For us, it’s about a gathering of people with a shared interest. We are very pleased that the Feathered Five Festival brought together over 260 people who share an interest in the future of woodland birds in this region. Events included the Feathered Five Drive, the Evening Forum and the joint FOBIF and Connecting Country walk.

“My wife and I moved here 18 months ago and this festival weekend was the best weekend we have had since we moved up here! We met so many nice people” – Festival Participant

Thanks to everyone who joined us for a bird walk or the evening forum and for sharing your interest with us, and with each other. Whether you like painting them, spotting them, or creating homes for them – every bit you do makes a difference to helping our woodland birds to thrive.

Bonnie talks plants

We’d also like to especially thank:

• Our speakers – Dr Andrew Bennett and Phil Ingamells who shared with us the current research on how woodland birds are responding to climatic change, and provided some inspiring tips on what we can be doing to help. Check out VicNature 2050 for more information.
• Bonnie, Alex, Jarrod, Asha, Naomi and Tanya who set up some great displays and made themselves available for the evening forum to answer any land management questions from attendees.
• Asha, Kerrie, Jane, Andrew, Frances, Tanya and Kerri for being bird walk leaders (and able assistants).
• Growing Abundance for the tasty tucker.
• The Chat Warblers for the delightful bird-related songs – we especially loved their new ‘feathered five’ number which we will share soon with the Connecting Country community
• Judy and Alice Laycock for the delightful bird creations they undertook with the kids. A beautiful way to inspiring the next generation of nature conservationists.
• Dean McLaren, our new photographer and Facebook contributor.  You can view all of Dean’s photos from the weekend on our Facebook page.

Click here for more information about the festival and the bird lists from the walks.

You can get involved!

The best way to find out more about our local birds and how you can volunteer is via our website – the woodland bird pages includes a printable list of our local birds, data sheets and the Birdwatchers Monitoring Kit.  We encourage you to get out there now that the weather is cooler and have a go at some bird surveys! Support is also available to help create bird habitat on your property. Call us on 5472 1594 to find out if you’re eligible.

Now is the time for rabbit control…

Posted on 31 March, 2016 by Connecting Country

At Connecting Country, we are always meeting inspired people wanting to improve their properties and local landscapes. We love to help out, and direct people to useful resources to keep them going. We’ve been running workshops and making brochures to help people along, but this year, we’ve started something new: Instructional videos.

A lot of landholders have been commenting recently on the increases in numbers of Rabbits around their properties, and asking how to control them. Many of the techniques available need specialist contractors and equipment, but you can get started by yourself using Pindone oats with a bait station.

So, we welcome you to view Instructional Video #1: How to create and set up a Pindone Bait Station.  (Thanks to Alex and Mel).

The Make a Rabbit Bait Station’ video is also available to view from Connecting Country on Vimeo.

Click here for more information available about the control of rabbits and other pests.

If you have a suggestion for a future instructional video, let us know! Send us an email at info@connectingcountry.org.au

Our nest box program – 2016 surveys coming soon

Posted on 27 March, 2016 by Connecting Country

In 2009, Connecting Country launched its first major project which was to protect and enhance habitat for the threatened Brush-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa), an arboreal marsupial known to occur in the local area.  A significant undertaking during 2010 and 2011 as part of this was to install approximately 450 nest boxes at 150 locations, mostly on private landholdings throughout the Mount Alexander Region.  Many boxes were also installed at sites that had been restored by Landcare groups.

One of many groups of Sugar Gliders seen during the 2014 surveys

With the landholders’ permission and support, we then undertook monitoring of the majority of these boxes in 2011, 2012 and 2014.  A report on the results of this monitoring program so far is provided in the following document (CLICK HERE).  In summary, we found Brush-tailed Phascogales at a relatively good proportion of the locations (~30% in both 2012 and 2014) and also an increasingly abundant Sugar Glider occurrence within the boxes (65%, 75% and then 85% across the three sequential survey periods).

In April and May 2016, we are undertaking our fourth set of nest box surveys.  Our aim this time – again with the permission of the landholders – is to survey ALL 450 boxes!  This will include many nest boxes that have not been formally checked since they were installed 5-6 years ago. [If you have one or more sets of nest boxes on your property, we’ll be in touch soon to seek permission to undertake a monitoring check of them].  These surveys will be undertaken by Connecting Country staff, with assistance from volunteers and Landcare representatives.

We are also very fortunate this year to have a scientist undertaking a portion of her field studies at our nest box locations.

“Hello – my name is Jess Lawton and I’m a PhD candidate at La Trobe University. For my project I’m focusing on the conservation biology and landscape ecology of the Brush-tailed Phascogale. There is strong evidence that this species is declining in Victoria. A number of processes are likely to have led to this decline, including habitat loss, reduction in the size of habitat patches, and increased patch isolation. For my project, I will investigate the relevance of these factors to the distribution of this species in the Mount Alexander region. My study will use two data sets; 1) existing data from ‘Connecting Country’ from nest box surveys that span from 2010-2016; and 2) a new data set to be obtained in 2016 by using remote cameras at a subset of these nest box sites. Using these two approaches will add depth to the study and also enable us to compare the use of these two methods as a monitoring tool for this species.

An example of the camera and bait survey setup. Photo by Jessica Lawton.

I will use remote cameras at 50 of Connecting Country’s existing nest box sites to survey for the Brush-tailed Phascogale. There will be two cameras at each site. These cameras will be set facing downwards (and will therefore have a small field of view), and attached to a tree 150 cm above the ground. Camera sites will be baited with a mix of tuna oil, peanut butter, vanilla essence and linseed oil. This lure will be enclosed in a PVC pipe, and secured to the ground with a tent peg. These surveys will be undertaken to coincide with Connecting Country’s nest box surveys in April and May 2016, a time of year when the species will be particularly active. I will use this data on occurrence of the Brush-tailed Phascogale to determine the factors that influence the distribution of this species, with particular attention given to habitat patch size and isolation. I will also carry out rapid vegetation assessments at each site to measure aspects of habitat structure, such as variation in tree sizes. I hypothesise that the Brush-tailed Phascogale will be more likely occur in larger forest patches, and more connected patches, than in patches that are smaller and more isolated. Results from this project will guide future restoration actions by Connecting Country and be useful to other groups with similar objectives. The study will improve conservation management of the Brush-tailed Phascogale through its range, and improve our understanding of patterns of species occurrence in modified landscapes more broadly.”

Please let us know if you are interested in assisting as a volunteer with the nest box checks and/or Jessica’s field studies (info@connectingcountry.org.au).  For volunteers, it doesn’t involve climbing trees or ladders, or handling animals.  It does involve some walking, data recording and assisting with carrying of equipment.  You’ll also get to see some interesting local landscapes, and learn a lot about our unique marsupial fauna species.

Further updates on the nest box monitoring program will be provided throughout April and May.  (For further info on our nest box program, see our previous blog on nest boxes – click here – and also the monitoring page of our website – click here).

Phascogale seen with wildlife camera. Photo by Jessica Lawton.

Open For Comment: Victorian Biodiversity Strategy and Native Vegetation Clearing Regulations

Posted on 24 March, 2016 by Connecting Country

The second major goal of the plan is “to ensure that Victoria’s natural environment is healthy”. Of interest here is the focus on the impact of a changing climate on our natural systems. They also talk of the use of “modern tools that will be used to identify the areas of the state where we can achieve the greatest biodiversity success”.  These products are to be released with the full plan, and will identify the best places to focus on, the most appropriate actions to undertake, and the species that will benefit. Unfortunately there is no indication in this draft report how these products will work or where these areas are thus making it difficult to comment on their use.

Have Your Say: The draft plan and consultation questions can be found at DELWP’s consultation website at http://haveyoursay.delwp.vic.gov.au/biodiversity-plan. Local community forums are also planned and we will let you know if there is to be one in this area.

Comments and submissions on the draft plan will close on Sunday 15 May 2016 at 5.00pm AEST. The finalised Biodiversity Plan is scheduled for release later this year

Review of Native Vegetation Clearing Regulations

The “Review of the native vegetation clearing regulations – Consultation Paper” has also been released which sets out proposed changes to Victoria’s native vegetation clearing regulations.

Threatened Species Protection Grants – now open

Posted on 23 March, 2016 by Connecting Country

We have been informed by the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) that the submission period for Round 2 of the Threatened Species Protection Initiative – Community Volunteer Action Grants and crowd funding is open. DELWP is encouraging the following types of groups to apply:

• Landcare, Bushcare, Coastcare, Rivercare, Parkcare and Friends of groups/networks
• Conservation Management Networks
• Naturalist groups
• Public land committees of management
• Indigenous Associations and Aboriginal groups
• Schools and educational groups
• Youth and senior citizen clubs
• Local service and recreational groups
• Not for profit organisations such as cemetery trusts and scientific associations

The grant application process is open until 20 April 2016, and the EOI period for the crowd-funding program is open until 13 April 2016.

There is abundant further information on this grant program available on the following DELWP website (CLICK HERE).

Feathered Five Inspire Art, Song and Research

Posted on 10 March, 2016 by Connecting Country

Hooded Robins by Hannah Vellacott

The Feathered Five inspire many people – and our Feathered Five Festival showcases some of the resulting work ranging from artists, singing groups and scientists.

For local artist Hannah Vellacott, they have inspired a series of paintings titled ‘Diamond In The Woods”. These paintings will be on show during the Feathered Five Festival at the Corner Store Merchants (220 Barker St Castlemaine) from the 12 March until 9 April 2016.

Hannah describes her work: “In these paintings I aim to capture the beauty and fragility of the feathered five, through detail and the gentle wash of colour that is unique to watercolour painting. The use of white space is inspired by traditional Japanese ink paintings. I like the way the objects appear to float on the paper and your eye is drawn to the details in the bird or flowers.”

For local singing group, the Chat Warblers, they have inspired a new song! Written by Judith Tregear and mixed by Jane Thompson, the song will debut at our evening forum on Saturday the 19th of March. We cannot wait to hear it!

For world renowned ecologist, Andrew Bennett,  woodland birds have inspired his long-standing research interests in landscape ecology and conservation biology, with a particular focus on understanding how human land-use and landscape change affect native wildlife and ecological processes. At the evening forum, Andrew will share the results from his recent research into woodland birds in Central Victoria and lead a topical discussion about “Drought then flooding rains: how do woodland birds respond to climatic change?”

Spots are still available for the evening forum, but are filling fast. CLICK HERE for more information and to make a booking. Bookings close on the 17th of March 2016.

20 March 2016 – Bush Stone Curlew excursion

Posted on 10 March, 2016 by Connecting Country

Connecting Country’s Feathered Five Festival is less than 10 sleeps’ away.  There are a small number of spaces still available for the morning walk and evening forum on Saturday 19 March (CLICK HERE for more details and to book).  However, the Sunday morning FOBIF walk in Strangways is fully booked out.

But, bird-lovers, never fear!  We have just learnt of an additional Sunday event – not too far away – which also has a feathery-theme.  The Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association have an excursion to Bush Stone Curlew captive breeding sites in Lockwood (just south of Bendigo), also on Sunday 20 March – from 11am to 2pm.  This cryptic species was once widespread in the Box Ironbark region of central Victoria, but is now of the verge of localised extinction.

Details of the IFFA excursion are in the attached flyer (CLICK HERE) and on their Facebook page (CLICK HERE).  Non-members are also welcome to attend.   Local Landcare Facilitator, Judy Crocker of the Mid-Loddon Sub-Catchment Management Group, will be guiding the walk.

To book your place for the excursion, contact: Karen McGregor of the IFFA on 9386 3102 or via activities@iffa.org.au.

11 March 2016 – Local eucalypts talk

Posted on 9 March, 2016 by Connecting Country

The guest speaker at the March 2016 meeting of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club is Bernard Slattery.  His presentation is cheekily titled ‘Drab Green and Desolate Grey?  Learning to look at our eucalypts‘.

Bernard is a local resident and is actively involved with the Friends of the Box Ironbark Forests (FOBIF).  He is a co-author of the locally produced Mosses of Dry Forests of South-eastern Australia.  His new area of interest is the local eucalypt species, and he will talk about some of the things he has discovered and learnt over the past couple of years.  This talk matches nicely with the current photographic exhibition on trees being held at TOGS café in Castlemaine (CLICK HERE for details), and soon to be at the Newstead Arts Hub.

Details of Bernard’s talk:
When – Friday 11 March 2016, from 7.30pm
Where – The Fellowship Room, behind the Uniting Church on Lyttleton St, Castlemaine (next door to the Castlemaine Art Gallery and Museum)
Who – Members and visitors are all welcome.  All ages.  No cost for entry.

Fungi and Photography workshops

Posted on 8 March, 2016 by Connecting Country

Mycena sp. MYC0080 © Alison Pouliot

The Mid Loddon Landcare Network covers localities such as Baringhup, the Nuggettys, Lockwood, Eddington.  They have coordinated many fascinating events, activities and workshops over recent months and years, all aimed at providing rural landholders and Landcarers with a better understanding of the local landscape and its management.

Their local Landcare Facilitator Judy Crocker has made us aware of two new upcoming activities, which will be undoubtedly of interest to many readers of this blog:

• Sunday 24 April 2016 – An all-day nature photography workshop.  This is being held in Lockwood.
• Monday 2 May 2016 – An evening seminar on the fungi of Eddington Forest and Bells Swamp. This is being held in Baringhup.

Both events are being presented by well-known local ecologist Alison Pouliot, and have a gold coin donation for entry.  For further information and booking details, see the attached flyers for this photography workshop (Click here) and evening seminar (click here).

© Alison Pouliot

North Central CMA Chat – March 2016 edition

Posted on 8 March, 2016 by Connecting Country

Regional Landcare Coordinator Tess Grieves has just let us know that the latest edition of the monthly North Central CMA publication ‘Chat’ is now available (CLICK HERE).

Tess says “This month features some exciting Waterwatch program updates and articles from local Landcare groups doing wonderful work within their local communities.”  Tess is also interested in receiving articles from Landcare groups to include in future newsletters (contact the NCCMA Landcare team via landcare@nccma.vic.gov.au if you are interested).

Tess has also let us know about the upcoming Future Farming Expo being held in Swan Hill on Thursday 14 April 2016.  Further details are available in the flyer (CLICK HERE).

Supporting businesses in central Victoria

Posted on 3 March, 2016 by Connecting Country

Connecting Country implements significant on-ground conservation works throughout the year. We fence off bushland and creeklines, eradicate weeds and rabbits, plant trees and shrubs – all to create a healthier environment across the Mount Alexander region. For many activities we employ our own Works Crew, but we also engage local contractors to provide particular services like herbicide spraying.

For particular regularly procured Goods and Services, Connecting Country is establishing an Endorsed Suppliers List for internal use only. Businesses can apply to be included on the Endorsed Suppliers List to provide one or more of the following Goods and Services to Connecting Country:

• Red-legged Earth Mite spraying

• Herbicide boom spraying with a Glyphosate product

• Supply and delivery of farm fencing materials

• Supply of locally indigenous tubestock  plants

For further information and a copy of the application form, CLICK HERE. You can also contact Alex or Chris by phone during business hours on 03 5472-1594 or email info@connectingcountry.org.au.  Applications are to be submitted by close of business Monday 21 March 2016.  All data collected will be maintained and used by Connecting Country with strict confidentiality controls.

Works Crew members walking out fencing wire – Image Shane Carey