Restoring landscapes across the Mount Alexander Region

13 March – Are environmental weeds causing a global ecological catastrophe?

Posted on 12 March, 2013 by Connecting Country

The Maldon Community Centre is the place to be tomorrow night (13 March, 6.30pm) to hear Geoff Carr – one of Australia’s most pre-eminent weed ecologists – talk about the threat that environmental weeds pose to biodiversity in Australia and around the world. As well as taking about what the important species are and why they are such a problem, Geoff will be giving his opinion on how we should be managing environmental weeds.

A member of the Tarrangower Cactus Control Committee injecting a large Wheel Cactus with specialised equipment.

A member of the Tarrangower Cactus Control Committee injecting poison into a large Wheel Cactus using the specialised injection tool.

He will be followed by Ian Grenda from the Tarrangower Cactus Control Committee, a group that has been tackling invasive Wheel Cactus in the Tarrangower district with considerable success. Members of the Cactus Control Group use special ‘cactus injectors’ to kill the plants and their determination to stop the march of Wheel Cactus across the countryside has made them real experts in the specialist field of ‘cactus killing’. Ian is sure to be an entertaining speaker.

This free event is part of Connecting Country’s 2013 Education Program. Funding for the program is has been provided through the North Central Catchment Management Authority by the Caring for our Country Initiative and the Natural Resource Investment Program.

Date: Wednesday 13th March
Time: Supper at 6:30pm, talks start at 7:00pm
Location: Maldon Community Centre , 3 Francis Street, Maldon (see map)

 

New Path Opens Up Lushington Hill Bushland Reserve

Posted on 8 March, 2013 by Connecting Country

More than 40 folks aged from 2 to 90+ recently gathered to celebrate the opening of a walking path at Lushington Bushland Reserve in Martin St Castlemaine.

McKenzie Hill Action & Landcare Group used a grant from Parks Victoria for the creation of the meandering path. It is anticipated it will allow more locals to appreciate the reserve and, judging by the attendance at the official opening, this may prove to be the case. Many agreed that the path, which meanders through the lower reaches of the reserve, has already made it much more accessible.

The path was opened by  local children cutting red ribbons at each end of the path. This was followed by a walk along the path; not everybody was content with a single circuit though – one 2 year old managed 6 laps and wanted more! A barbecue meal was then enjoyed at the new picnic tables.

In conjunction with Parks Victoria and the Shire of Mount Alexander, Landcare members have worked tirelessly under the leadership of president Jan Hall to transform what was once a heavily weed infested bit of bush into a beautiful and useable section of National Heritage Park.  The McKenzie Hill Action and Landcare Group began removing Spiny Rush, Gorse and Blackberry from the Reserve about 5 years ago. Many working bees, plantings and waterings have resulted in a really beautiful area with picnic tables, information boards and seats at a number of locations along the path. The path creation was part of Stage 1 and there are future plans to open up and promote the interesting geological features evident in the upper reaches of the reserve.

There is still much weeding and revegetation to be done and new members are most welcome to join in creating a beautiful bushland reserve and educative resource for the enjoyment of all – for now and for future generations. The group believes in enjoying their work with a vibrant, social aspect fostered. Contact Jan Hall for more information – 5470 5556.

A crowd of over 40 people gathered for the grand opening of the new path.

A crowd of over 40 people attended the grand opening of the new path.

 

Appointments to Victoria’s Catchment Management Authority Boards

Posted on 7 March, 2013 by Connecting Country

Expressions of interest are currently being sought for membership of Victoria’s 10 Catchment Management Authority (CMA) boards. The North Central CMA covers our local area. Each CMA is responsible for a region and its land, biodiversity and water resources.

Application forms and further information are available here on the DSE website.

 

Have Your Say about Animal Management

Posted on 7 March, 2013 by Connecting Country

The Mount Alexander Shire Council is currently developing its 2013-2017 Domestic Animal Management Plan. This Plan will address a wide range of issues related to pet ownership. The Council is encouraging community input through a survey and written submissions – and is keen to receive feedback from both pet owners and also those without pets. Click here to access the survey and further information about the Plan.

There is also an opportunity to speak with council representatives about the Plan on 13 March from 10am to 11.30am at the Buda Historic Homestead Garden Room. For further information call 5471-1764 and RSVP by 11 March.

 

Rural Land Study Underway

Posted on 7 March, 2013 by Connecting Country

The Mount Alexander Shire Council is currently undertaking a Rural Land Study to ‘find the balances between the planning needs of agriculture, tourism, lifestyle and biodiversity, building on the Shire’s strengths and recognising constraints’. The study will address the following types of issues:

  • Should food and fibre be grown closer to urban areas?
  • How big should a block of land be to create distance between houses and intensive agriculture like poultry farms and animal feed lots?
  • Can haymaking, crop spraying, ploughing and truck movements and tourism co-exist?
  • How to conserve biodiversity for future generations?
  • Is Rural Land across the shire appropriately zoned?

Information sessions about the Study are being held on the following dates:

Thursday 14 March 2013
11am – 1pm – Baringhup Hall
4pm – 6pm – Metcalfe Hall

Wednesday 20 March 2013 
11am – 1pm – Muckleford Community Centre
4pm – 6pm – Newstead Community Centre

You can find more about these sessions and the Study by clicking here. This site also has links to an Issues Paper and a Background Information Paper.

 

8 March 2013 – The Quest for the Kulawai

Posted on 4 March, 2013 by Connecting Country

kulawai-picConnecting Country’s Woodland Birds project officer, Dr Kerryn Herman, is the guest speaker this Friday 8 March at the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club meeting.  Before joining Connecting Country, Kerryn was in Fiji for 3 months working with NGO Nature Fiji Mareqeti Vitiin in a search for the elusive Kulawai – a critically endangered lorikeet known only from a small number of locations on this island nation.  Kerryn will speak about her time there, the people, the culture and the birds that she found.

The Castlemaine Field Naturalist Club meeting is to be held in the Uniting Church hall (at the back of the Uniting Church, in Lyttleton St, Castlemaine).  The meeting commences at 7.30pm.  Visitors are very welcome, and there is no entry fee for the evening.

Also on the Connecting Country website are recent posts about upcoming events on Future Farming and also Bugs and other invertebrates, plus the latest issue of the North Central Chat (click here)

 

14 March 2013 – Future Farming Expo

Posted on 4 March, 2013 by Connecting Country

The North Central CMA is hosting a free 2013 Future Farming Expo at the Yarrawalla Hall, Yarrawalla South Road, Yarrawalla on Thursday 14 March between 9 am to 4 pm. Lunch will be provided.

At the Expo there will be a expert presentations on a large range of topics including Understanding the weather, Regenerative agriculture, Beneficial insects, Social medi, Carbon farming, Edible shrubs and Seasonal climate forecast, Accessing global markets and a No-dig garden demonstration.

Further information is available on the North Central CMA’s website.

 

14 & 15 March 2013 – The Benefits of Bugs

Posted on 4 March, 2013 by Connecting Country

North Central CMA, with local support from the Baynton-Sidonia Landcare Group and the Loddon Plains Landcare Network, is hosting a visit by Dr Saul Cunningham from the CSIRO. Dr Cunningham will be speaking on Bugs and biodiversity on the farm: Maximising the benefits on Thursday 14 March at the Baynton Hall (click here for details) and on Friday 15 March in Serpentine (click here for details).

In the same week on Wednesday 13 March, as part of the Connecting Country education program, an evening event on Environmental Weeds: Threatening Biodiversity from Maldon to Marrakesh will take place. Speakers will be Geoff Carr, founding director of Ecology Australia and Vice President on the board of the Invasive Species Council, and  Ian Grenda, local Wheel Cactus Warrior. You can find out more about this event by clicking here.

 

Latest edition of North Central chat

Posted on 4 March, 2013 by Connecting Country

web.chat

The February edition of the North Central CMA publication chat is now available and can be downloaded here.

 

Focus on Forest Soils

Posted on 1 March, 2013 by Connecting Country

The Goldfields of central Victoria have a reputation when it comes to soil – a reputation for not having any. And if you’ve ever planted out your garden with a ‘Castlemaine Shovel’ (otherwise known as a crow bar), then you’ll know it is often a well-deserved one. But, as participants in Connecting Country’s ‘Forest Soils’ workshop found out recently, a range of soils do still occur throughout the shire – albeit with less depth and fertility than would have occurred prior to the gold rush era.

The workshop was held over two consecutive Sundays in February. On the first weekend, Dr Lesley Hodgson from Latrobe University introduced participants to the geology of our region and the process by which soils are created over long periods of time. She also taught participants how to undertake field measurements of the texture, pH and colour of soil at different depths.  Participants examined soil from an area of sedimentary country above Moonlight Flat and also from an area of granite-derived soils at near Faraday. The soils were found to be quite different in texture, and were surprisingly acidic at both locations.

The second day of the workshop initially investigated the relationship between soils and vegetation. Following a ridgeline near Glenluce, local ecologist Damien Cook led participants from the dry, shallow soils at the top of a hill down to the much deeper soils along the creek. Damien pointed out how the composition of plant species changed as the soil changed; short, spindly trees and lots of shrubs at the top to the hill and large straight trees with a grassy understorey occurring down the bottom. The type of soil, depth of soil, and associated availability of water were the most important factors driving which plants grew where in the forest.

Local resident Doug Ralph then lead us on a meandering walk along Fryers Creek (near Irishtown) and showed us a diverse array of sites which clearly illustrated the effects that gold mining and gravel extraction have had on our soil. Dreading and sluicing in the early 20th Century has left deep erosion gullies, and in many places the topsoil was completely removed or washed away – right down to the bedrock. On a brighter note, Doug also told us how he has witnessed the natural regeneration of much of this landscape since he was a boy. Large areas that were once completely devoid of vegetation are now covered in Wirilda and other acacias that have regenerated from the soil seed bank; fertile topsoils are being created again.

The forest soil workshop was part of Connecting Country’s 2013 Education Program. Upcoming events in the program include a free evening talk on ‘environmental weeds’ on the 13th March (by Geoff Carr and Ian Grenda) and a talk on designing wildlife corridors in Elphinstone on 10th April (by Dr Rodney van der Ree and representatives from the Superb Parrot Project). See the Education Program 2013 on the Connecting Country website for more details.

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Participants in Day 1 of the forest soils workshop examine a soil profile near Faraday – heads down!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Doug guided us to this pebbly ridge near Irishtown which was once an ancient river bed. Much of it has been removed by mining activity.

 

 

1 March 2013 – Still places available for Kids Nature Discovery Afternoon

Posted on 26 February, 2013 by Connecting Country

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Kids will be able to get up-close and personal with some of our native animals thanks to Tooko Wildlife displays. They may even find a new hat!

As part of the 2013 Education program Connecting Country is putting on a special event for kids!

The Nature Discovery Afternoon for Kids is taking place in the beautiful surrounds of Vaughan Springs Reserve (15 minutes from Castlemaine) on Friday 1st March and there are still some places available for kids aged 9 to 12 years.

The event will feature three different half-hour nature activities for kids to move between during the afternoon. They include: a session on freshwater invertebrates with a Parks Victoria Ranger; a session with highly regarded local ecologists and educators Elaine Bayes and Damien Cook; and a native wildlife display from Tooko. We’ll finish with a free barbecue dinner for the kids and their parents and siblings at the reserve.

This should be a really fun event with some very experienced and environmental educators running activities in a beautiful location.

Contact Max at Connecting Country to book – max@connectingcountry.org.au or 5472 1594

Where: Vaughan Springs Reserve, Vaughan
Date: Friday 1st March
Time: Starts at 4:30pm, dinner at about 6:30pm

The cost is just $10 per child and places are limited.

 

14, 15 & 16 March – Farm Chemical Users Course

Posted on 24 February, 2013 by Connecting Country

North Central CMA is subsidising 10 places in a Farm Chemical Users Course at Bendigo TAFE on 14, 15 and 16 March. The subsidy is only available to Landcare members. Click here to download the flyer which contains information on the course and a Expression of Interest form.

 

24 Feb 2013 – Indian Myna Information Evening

Posted on 18 February, 2013 by Connecting Country

An information evening to discuss the invasive Indian Myna has been organised by the Pipers Creek & District Landcare Group. The group is keen to involve local residents in an awareness/monitoring project with a view to establishing an integrated trapping program targeting established colonies.

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Indian Myna. Image courtesy ABC

The Common or Indian Myna is an introduced pest bird. Distinguishing features are its yellow beak and eye patch, and brown body. They are sometimes confused with Noisy Miners which are native birds that are predominantly grey. More on the Indian Myna including distribution and the eradication campaign can be found here.

The information evening is relevant to residents of the Mount Alexander Shire region as Indian Myna numbers are increasing here. Continue Reading »

 

February & March – Events in Bendigo, Talbot & Yarrawalla

Posted on 18 February, 2013 by Connecting Country

1.   Joel Salatin in Bendigo

World-renowned farmers Joel and Daniel Salatin of Polyface Farms, Virginia, USA  will be presenting at a number of events in central Victoria later this month.

Click here for further information.

2.   Carbon Farming Information Session

The Upper Loddon and Avoca Landcare Network, in partnership with the North Central CMA, is hosting a free carbon farming information session in Talbot on 27 February 2013.

Further information is available on the North Central CMA’s website.

3.  2013 Future Farming Expo 

The North Central CMA is hosting a free 2013 Future Farming Expo at the Yarrawalla Hall on Thursday 14 March.

Further information will be available shortly on the North Central CMA’s website.

 

2013 Fungi Events with Alison Pouliot

Posted on 13 February, 2013 by Connecting Country

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Alison Pouliot

Fungi expert Alison Pouliot is once again running various seminars, workshops, forays and feasts between April and May this year.

Alison was a speaker at an evening session during Connecting Country’s Education series in 2011. On the night she entertained and educated the 60 people who came to learn more about these little known and understood organisms.

The details of her 2013 program can be found here.

 

The Connecting Country Education Program Starts This Weekend!

Posted on 7 February, 2013 by Connecting Country

‘Local Reptiles: from the Backyard to the Bush’ is the title of the talk that Peter Johnson will be giving at the Ray Bradfield Room in Castlemaine this Sunday 10th February. It’s the first event in the 2013 Education Program. His talk will be preceded by a Welcome to Country from the Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Clans Corporation which will be a special start to whole the program.

Peter Johnson

Peter Johnson

Peter will be talking about local Box-Ironbark Forest reptiles and will introduce us to some scaly friends that we don’t often get to see or learn about. There will also be time for the inquisitive to ask questions, so don’t forget to bring along some good ones!

The talks will go from 2pm to 4pm and we’ll be finishing with afternoon tea provided by Castlemaine Abundance Kitchen Enterprise (CAKE).

This talk will be followed by the first Forest Soils: The Science Management & History of our Local Soils workshops on the following two Sundays – 17th February and 24th February. There are still a few places left for the workshops but places are limited so if you would like to attend please fill out a registration form (click here to dowload form). We have three great presenters for these workshops, which will introduce participants to the science, management and history of our non-agricultural soils. Continue Reading »

 

Rural Property Theft Awareness and Prevention Signage

Posted on 6 February, 2013 by Connecting Country

Nuggetty Land Protection Group will launch their Rural Property Theft Awareness and Prevention signage at a community morning tea in the Maldon Community Centre, 3 Francis Street, Maldon on Saturday 23rd February commencing at 9am.  The launch will see the unveiling of signs developed in response to issues raised at a Livestock & farm theft meeting held by the group in Maldon in July 2012 and attended by community members from across the local area and surrounds. Continue Reading »

 

18 Feb – Local Flood Management Meeting

Posted on 5 February, 2013 by Connecting Country

Interested community members are invited to the first public meeting about the development the Castlemaine, Campbells Creek and Chewton Flood Management Plan. It will be held on Monday 18 February at 6.30 pm in the Castlemaine Town Hall.  This will be an opportunity for local people to have their say about recent floods and future management measures.

The plan is being developed by the North Central CMA in association with the Mount Alexander Shire Council. As well, water industry experts GHD have been engaged to assist in investigating and developing the Plan.

Click here to see full details.

A steering committee containing local community representatives has also been established.  If you are unable to attend the public meeting but would like to have your view’s expressed, either contact the project manager at the North Central CMA (shaun.morgan@nccma.vic.gov.au) or let Connecting Country know and we will assist you in contacting one of the community representatives (info@connectingcountry.org.au).

 

PestSmart Toolkit Available

Posted on 4 February, 2013 by Connecting Country

The PestSmart Toolkit is an ongoing project which is being developed by the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (IACRC). Information is provided in various forms such as fact sheets, case-studies, technical manuals and scientific reports.

The toolkit now  provides information and guidance on best-practice invasive animal management on several key vertebrate pest species including rabbits, wild dogs, foxes, feral pigs, feral cats, carp and tilapia. Information on other pests will be produced in future.

 

Community Landcare Grants Now Open

Posted on 4 February, 2013 by Connecting Country

Community Landcare Grants ranging between $5,000 and $50,000 are available to support local sustainable agriculture and community engagement projects, as part of the Australian Government’s $2.2 billion Caring for our Country initiative.

Community Landcare Grants aim to help:

  • build a skilled and capable Landcare community
  • encourage community participation and engagement in Landcare
  •  share information and learning’s in sustainable agricultural techniques
  • reduce the spread of pest species
  • encourage the adoption of improved sustainable land management practices

Organisations involved with Landcare, professional farming systems or Indigenous groups are encouraged to apply.

Applications close at 5pm (AEDT) on 20 March 2013.  More information including application forms can be found here.