Unraveling the Mysterious Tuan
Posted on 10 April, 2014 by Connecting Country
Between mid-2009 and mid-2013, Connecting Country implemented a major project across the Mount Alexander Shire to increase the population of the endangered Brush-tailed Phascogale – also known as the Tuan. This was partially achieved through working with landholders to enhance the depleted Yellow Box Woodland habitat preferred by Tuans.
Four Sugar Gliders cosy and warm inside a nest box. This box was located in Sandon along a creek line (therefore a gully) and installed upon a very mature Yellow Box.
More than 400 nest boxes were also installed across the region (in clusters of three) to both provide additional Tuan nesting habitat, and to also allow long-term monitoring of their populations. These specially designed nest boxes were installed with landholders’ permission in both public and private land, and within large and small patches of native woodland and forest habitat.
In April and May of 2011 and 2012, Connecting Country staff undertook monitoring of a large sample of these boxes. April and May is the time of year that has the least disturbance upon the Tuan. We were supported in 2012 by an Honours student from Deakin University, Amy Monagle, who also analyzed the habitat features around each nest box location. Her findings were of considerable interest (click here for a summary). Connecting Country also prepared its own summary of the monitoring findings, which was published on its website (click here) and posted to the relevant landholders. Many Sugar Gliders were also found, in addition to the Tuans Continue Reading »
TCCG at Easter Fair & first 2014 Cactus Killing day
Posted on 10 April, 2014 by Connecting Country
The 2013 Easter Parade where TCCG members dressed in ‘warrior’ uniforms and marched as a united army against the ‘opposition’ weed.
The Tarrangower Cactus Control Group (TCCG) is entering the Maldon Easter Fair procession this year on Easter Monday, 21 April 2014. The theme will be “Pests of our Neighbourhood”.
They would like to invite everyone to come along. You can come along dressed as your favourite (or least favourite) pest, e.g. rabbit, feral cat or fox. Otherwise come in your “Cactus Killing” gear.
The group will meet in Hospital Street near the corner with Chapel Street North, (near the swimming pool) from 9.15 am. Entry will be judged from 10 am.
They hope to see you there. It will be a bit of fun.
Also the first of the 2014 TCCG Community Field Days will be on the last Sunday of this month, 27 April. These regular events focus on killing wheel cactus at a particular location. The site for the opening of the new season is a property in Watersons Road near the Tarrengower School Road corner. As usual the mornings activities will start at 10.30am.
11 April – Stories (and pictures) of Ice and Fire
Posted on 6 April, 2014 by Connecting Country
It seems like only a couple of weeks ago we were boiling through long arduous central Victorian heatwaves. When considering moving to cool places to escape the swelter, a country made of ice and snow seemed enticing. And now you can start considering that next trip in more detail, for the topic of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club’s April talk is Vikings, Volcanoes & Ice – the making of Iceland.
Carol Hall is the guest speaker at the general meeting of the CFNC on Friday 11 April 2014 (Uniting Church Hall, Lyttleton St, Castlemaine – from 7.30pm. No charge. All welcome.). After studying Geography at the University of Sheffield, UK, a sense of adventure brought Carol to Australia, teaching Field Studies to secondary students in the Snowy Mountains, and eventually moving to Ballarat Grammar School where she taught for 14 years. Her own photographs were always an integral part of her teaching material, and an interest in the glaciated regions of the world has been maintained since studying a specialist course as an undergraduate.
Carol writes, “In 2010 I was able to tour Iceland, much of it off the beaten track thanks to the adventurous driver of the mini-bus! We saw many of the special geological features in this young (only 20 million years old) country and gained an insight into its Viking heritage, as well as seeing how the population lives today. So the talk will be a mix of physical and human geography.”
Carol is a member of Ballarat Camera Club, The Field Naturalists’ Club of Ballarat and is currently President of The Victorian Nature Photography Group. She has given many illustrated talks to community groups.
April 2014: Going with the flow: Ecological photography by Damien Cook
Posted on 1 April, 2014 by Connecting Country
There will be an exhibition of Damien Cook’s photographs from 5 April till the end of the month at the CASPA art space in Castlemaine.
Damien is a local ecologist whose work includes monitoring environment health and the revegetation and restoration of degraded landscapes. He is also on Connecting Country’s Expert Advisory Panel. He writes that his series of photographs ‘celebrates the thread that draws the Australian landscape, its flora, fauna and people and the preciousness of water together’.
You can find out more about the Damien’s thoughts on ecology, gallery opening hours and the location of CASPA in this flyer.
Lowland Wetland Ecology Course 2014
Posted on 1 April, 2014 by Connecting Country
This five day course is being run by Rakali Ecological Consulting and will be held in Kilcunda, South Gippsland from Monday 17th to Friday 21st November 2014.
The course is aimed at people working in the conservation and natural resource management industry and will include presentations and field trips. Three of the seven course presenters, Damien Cook, Chris Tzaros and Elaine Baynes, are on Connecting Country’s Expert Advisory Group. If you would like more information on the course, download this flyer.
New edition of ‘chat’
Posted on 1 April, 2014 by Connecting Country
The March 2014 edition of the North Central CMA publication ‘North Central chat‘ is now available and can be downloaded here. This issue has an interesting article on a new free app from the Museum Victoria, Field Guide to Victorian Fauna. The app lets you explore information about a vast array of Victorian animal species including information on their identification, biology, distribution, diet, habitat, scientific classification and conservation status. The issue of the North Central chat also has information on events, courses and funding opportunities in the region.
Mount Alexander Region Landcare E-news – March 2014
Posted on 21 March, 2014 by Connecting Country
The March 2014 edition of the Mount Alexander Landcare E-news is available. Click on the banner below to download the newsletter.
The Landcare E-news is short monthly update on Landcare-related news, information and events for the Mount Alexander Shire and surrounds. Previous editions of E-news are available from the Landcare page of the Connecting Country website (click here).
The newsletter is sent out by Connecting Country’s Local Landcare Facilitator, Max Schlachter. If you would like to be put on the recipient list, send Max an email: max@connectingcountry.org.au.
Have you seen this secretive moth of central Victoria?
Posted on 21 March, 2014 by Connecting Country
The unusual green and white patterned Cymatoplex sp. moth is known from only a dozen sightings – EVER. It has not yet been scientifically described or even formally named. Half of the known observations are from the Eppalock bushland property of Steve Williams. Another one is from Fryerstown. Last year (2013) at a Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club meeting, Steve presented a fascinating talk on his hobby to document the life history cycles of hundreds of moth species of central Victoria. Yet this little known charismatic species has held a special fascination for him.
Photo: Steve Williams
Steve has discovered that the larvae feed exclusively on the native Drooping Cassinia (Cassinia arcuata). Yes, the common local plant also known as Coffee Bush or Chinese Scrub. The eggs are laid on the plant, and over the next 11 ½ months, that individuals goes from egg to larvae to pupa all on the same plant specimen.
The adults emerge and fly for only a few days, during which time they mate and lay their eggs. Adult moths have only ever been recorded during the last week of March and the first week of April, and the other life stages have never been seen in the wild. If you have Drooping Cassinia on or near your property, now is the time to be on the look-out for this colourful moth! If you see one flying about at night, or resting on a window, please let us know as it would provide valuable scientific and conservation knowledge (with a photo if possible, and also the date and location).
With the permission of the Entomological Society of Victoria, we are fortunate to be able to provide access to an easy-to-read paper that Steve recently wrote for the Victorian Entomologist journal (click here), which gives more information about the life history of this species and some good identifying photos.
(Blog reproduced with permission from the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club).
23 and 30 March 2014 – Youth and Family Forest Walks
Posted on 20 March, 2014 by Connecting Country
For over a decade FOBIF has organised monthly bush walks in our local area. This year the program has been expanded to include 2 family walks and 2 youth walks. Everyone is welcome on these walks, not just young people and children.
The first of the family walks will take place on 23 March in Kalimna Park. To find out more, click on the green box below.
The first youth walk will be on 30 March. To find out more, click on the image below.
This consent authority form must be completed by the parents/carers of unaccompanied young people before the youth walk. If you would like to volunteer to help on the day with this walk, contact 54724609.
Ian Lunt Wrap
Posted on 18 March, 2014 by Connecting Country
Or should that be rapt? A large and attentive audience attended Ian’s presentation and the launch of the 2014 Connecting Country Workshop Program. Connecting Country Workshop Steering Group member Jules Walsh has put together a summary of Ian’s talk here, along with some more photos, and Bernard Slattery has posted his version on the FOBIF website which you can also read. No doubt there were many more interpretations amongst the audience and this provided a great catalyst for discussion over the BBQ afterwards.
We thank Ian, Rebecca Phillips from the Dja Dja Warrung Clans, the Newstead Mens’ Shed for barbeque prowess, the Newstead Community Centre, Community Garden and Landcare Group and all those who helped to set up, pitch in and pack up for the event. A great start to the Workshop Program.
- Ecologist Ian Lunt ‘mapping’ the state of local regeneration, using … the locals
- Ian Lunt with Max, Brendan and Marie
2014 Communities for Nature Small Grants Funding
Posted on 16 March, 2014 by Connecting Country
The Victorian Government has launched the 2014 Communities for Nature Small Grants Funding Opportunity.
These grants aim to support practical action by community groups, schools, and volunteer organisations to deliver measurable environmental outcomes through on-ground works.
The funding is for community groups seeking one year grants for small grants up to $10,000 (GST inclusive). Projects that will be completed by 30 June 2015 are eligible for funding.
Applications can now be submitted online. The closing date is 4.00pm Friday 11th April 2014.
More information including Guidelines, Frequently Asked Questions and the application form can be found here. You can also contact the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356 between 8.30am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday.
20 March 2014 – Talk on Indigenous fish traps
Posted on 14 March, 2014 by Connecting Country
Every year Newstead Landcare is fortunate to have some remarkable people present on an amazing array of topics and 2014 promises to be another such year. Their first presentation will be “Combining Ecology and Archaeology – researching Indigenous fish traps to learn more about river changes over time” by Castlemaine archaeologist Damian Kelly. Damian’s research on fish traps along the Murray is truly fascinating, with very local implications for those of us on the Loddon. For those familiar with the road between Strangways and Guildford, do you know where the name “Bough Yards” may have come from?
The presentation will be on Thursday 20th March at Newstead Community Centre, starting at 8pm. It will be followed by a light supper and Newstead Landcare’s first business meeting for 2014. All are welcome to come along for either the presentation or the meeting or both of course. Gold coin donations would be appreciated.
New MAS Urban Bushland Workshops
Posted on 12 March, 2014 by Connecting Country
In a new initiative, the Mount Alexander Shire has organised a series of workshops around the theme of ‘Our Urban Bushlands‘. The events are free and child friendly.
The first workshop will be on Saturday 22 March between 10.30am and 12.30 pm along the Campbells Creek Walking and Cycling path. If you would like to take part, have a look at this flyer.
Feedback sought by CMA on Draft Waterway Strategy
Posted on 12 March, 2014 by Connecting Country
The North Central CMA has produced a Draft Regional Waterways Strategy (2014-2022) which is currently open for public comment, through until 10 April 2014. The Waterway Strategy sets priorities and outlines an action plan for the region’s rivers and wetlands for the next 8 years. Five regional community forums have been organised to seek feedback from interested community members. The local one will take place at the Campbells Creek Community Centre at 7.30pm on 18 March 2014. You can view all the details about the forums in this flyer and the Draft Waterways Strategy can be accessed here.
New “Securing Woodland Birds’ project and exciting employment opportunity
Posted on 11 March, 2014 by Bonnie Humphreys
In 2012-13 Connecting Country undertook a preliminary Woodland Birds program. The success of this program and its high level of community support led us to invest in the development of a large, scientifically-rigorous program to restore woodland bird habitat across the Mount Alexander Shire and immediate surrounds.
This new program was described by Geoff Park at Connecting Country’s AGM in September 2013, and involves undertaking woodland restoration activities in 11 priority zones that are considered to be critical habitat for 5 ground-foraging bird species (Diamond Firetail, Hooded Robin, Brown Treecreeper, Painted Button-quail, Jacky Winter). A range of training events, bird monitoring activities and other bird-related activities are also to be undertaken as part of this program, which anyone and everyone can become involved in.
A couple of weeks ago, Connecting Country was informed that it had successfully secured funding to implement the first stage of this large project through the Victorian Government’s Communities for Nature initiative. More information on the “Securing Threatened Woodland Birds in the Mount Alexander Shire – Stage 1” project is available here.
Connecting Country is now seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Woodland Birds Project Officer to coordinate the implementation of this funded project. This person would also have a leading role in implementing Connecting Country’s existing biodiversity monitoring activities.
For a copy of the full position description and key selection criteria, click here. The part or full time (0.8-1 FTE) role is a 2-year fixed term position, commencing in April 2014.
Applications including a CV and addressing the key selection criteria to be submitted by 9am Thursday 27 March 2014 to chris@connectingcountry.org.au or mailed to Connecting Country, PO Box 437, Castlemaine, VIC, 3450.
For more information regarding the project and the position, contact Chris on (03) 5472-1594 or email chris@connectingcountry.org.au.
Latest edition of ‘chat’
Posted on 5 March, 2014 by Connecting Country
The February 2014 edition of the North Central CMA publication, ‘chat’, is now available. (Click here to download.) This edition includes articles on Serrated Tussock and a report on the economic benefits of native shelter belts, as well as information on funding opportunities, courses and resources.
A day in the life of the Connecting Landscapes work crew
Posted on 27 February, 2014 by Connecting Country
Dianna attacking a gorse plant.
The Connecting Landscapes work crew is funded to undertake environmental works on properties in priority zones within the Mount Alexander shire. The crew is ably led by Alex Schipperen. The current crew was recruited earlier this year and is made up of locals Dianna Manser, Kim Peric, Matt Stahl and Matthew Sundblom.
This article describes a typical February day’s work by the crew. They began the day by cutting and painting regrowth Gorse on a property in Harcourt. The Gorse had been sprayed months ago, but Gorse is a tough plant to kill and a small number of plants had survived the initial spraying.
They then travelled to Taradale to fumigate rabbit warrens and set up rabbit bait stations on a farming property.
Kim and Matthew with one of the rabbit bait stations
Matthew showing a scat.
At the next destination, Sutton Grange, they collected scats. Why, you may ask? Because once all the scats have been removed from a sheep and kangaroo exclusion plot it is possible to determine whether or not the plot is actually sheep or kangaroo proofed. Kim laughingly says “this is not one of the more glamorous tasks we get to do, but one I found surprisingly satisfying, and not really dirty!”
This is part of a grazing trial designed to examine the effects of kangaroo and sheep grazing on native pastures. As Jarrod, the program coordinator, explains ‘we want to understand what happens when sheep are removed from native pasture. Is there an improvement in biodiversity values or do the weeds take over instead? Do kangaroos simply eat the grass that the sheep were previously eating? ‘
Other common jobs the work crew undertakes are the building of stock exclusion fences, the removal of woody weed trees and shrubs such as Pines, Willows and Hawthorn, and supplementary plantings of locally indigenous flora.
If you are potentially interested in including parts of your property as part of the Connecting Landscapes program, contact Jarrod Coote or Bonnie Humphreys at Connecting Country on 5472 1594 or email: jarrod@connectingcountry.org.au. They will be able to arrange a visit your property if it meets the criteria and occurs in right zone. And to find out more about the program, click here.
18 Feb 2014 – Aboriginal People on the Goldfields
Posted on 17 February, 2014 by Connecting Country
Dr Fred Cahir is giving a talk on Aborigines on the Goldfields of Victoria at the Castlemaine Market Building on 18 February. The talk begins at 7.30pm and entry is free.
Fred is a Senior Lecturer and Aboriginal Studies Program Coordinator in the School of Education and Arts at Federation University, Australia. He has written extensively on local Victorian Aboriginal history. In 2013 he published a Black Gold: Aboriginal People on the Goldfields of Victoria, 1850-1870. The book offers new insights into how Aboriginal people often figured significantly, both in the search for gold and in other goldfield related enterprises; he also reveals the devastating social impact of gold mining on Aboriginal communities.
Regional Sustainable Agriculture Steering Committee
Posted on 7 February, 2014 by Connecting Country
Ashley Bevan, Regional Landcare Facilitator with the North Central CMA, is seeking expressions of interest from Landcare members involved in the agricultural industry to join the North Central CMA’s Regional Sustainable Agriculture Steering Committee.
This new committee will assist Ashley and the other project staff in setting the direction of the North Central CMA’s Regional Landcare Facilitator project and the Regional Sustainable Agriculture project. Steering committee members will provide advice on strategic aspects of the projects and a community/industry perspective on the appropriateness of the project activities. Continue Reading »
Helping our Blue Devils
Posted on 6 February, 2014 by Connecting Country
The Connecting Country Work Crew recently came across a few patches of Blue Devil (Eryngium ovinum) during their field assessments. This hardy herb grows mostly in grassland and grassy woodland communities and can be found in most Australian states and territories.
Blue Devil (Eryngium ovinum) photographed at Barkers Creek
The prickly plant is a rosette-forming perennial which grows from late winter, flowering in summer and then dies down around autumn, after seeding . It has a fleshy tap-root that stores energy while dormant. These plants belong to the same plant family as Carrots and Fennel, but please don’t eat them!
Three members of the works crew with a Blue Devil.
Blue Devils are now uncommon in our region. The crew has only found them in a small number of grassy woodlands and de-stocked paddocks. Jarrod and the rest of the team would love to know about Blue Devil populations or other rare or unusual animal and plant species on your property. Through the Connecting Landscapes project, we may be able to improve their habitats by building protective fences or undertaking pest and weed control.
You can find out more about the Connecting Landscapes project here.