Platypus in Newstead
Posted on 3 November, 2011 by Connecting Country
A quick reminder that a talk on platypus by the Australian Platypus Conservancy is being given in Newstead on the evening of 15 November, and at Glenlyon on the evening of 14 November. RSVP’s must be received by this Friday 4 November (either email info@nccma.vic.gov.au or telephone 03 5448 7124). For more information, click here and here (for Newstead) and here (for Glenlyon).
Forest Creek Draft Management Plan
Posted on 3 November, 2011 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country is pleased to announce that the DRAFT FOREST CREEK MANAGEMENT PLAN is now available for public comment.
This restoration plan has been produced by Connecting Country through consultation with local community groups who have an interest in restoring the ecological health of Forest Creek and the crown land adjacent to it. It has also been informed by consultation with government bodies responsible for managing the creek and the residents who live along it. The plan documents how the creek is valued, what threats there are to its health, and how it might look in the future. Information is also provided that will help local community groups who are involved with Forest Creek.
The plan covers Forest Creek from its confluence with Barkers Creek and Campbells Creek back upstream to the Expedition Pass Reservoir. Forest Creek is a special waterway with an interesting social and cultural history. It is also an important habitat for many local plant and animal species and a great recreation area.
Connecting Country would like to thank all those who have already contributed to the plan. Comment on the draft plan is now invited. The closing date is 15 November 2011. For enquires and feedback contact Connecting Country by email: info@connectingcountry.org.au or telephone: 5472 1594.
10 November 2011 – Chilean Needle Grass Working Group Meeting
Posted on 2 November, 2011 by Connecting Country
Chilean Needle Grass. Photo by Karen Stewart.
Chilean Needle Grass (CNG) is a noxious invader of grassy woodlands and pastures. It is listed Weed of National Significance, and disturbingly there are a growing number of infestations in the local area. Further information on identification, ecology, spread and eradication methods can be found here.
A locally-based CNG working group was established earlier this year to work towards a coordinated approach to reducing the impact and preventing further spread of Chilean Needle Grass and other stipoid grass weeds in Mount Alexander Shire.
The group’s next meeting is on Thursday 10 November 2011 at 4.30 p.m. at the meeting room at the Hub, corner Templeton/Barker Streets, Castlemaine. Everyone interested is invited to attend. Minutes of previous meetings can be found here. Contact Connecting Country on 5472 1594 for more details.
Agenda for CNG working group meeting
CNG Field Day report back: Ian Grenda
CNG CFOC application current status: Jarrod Coote
MAS Council’s roadside management (vegetation) plan: Amy McDonald
CNG Strategic Plan current status: Jarrod Coote
MAS Environment Community Grant 2010/2011: Marie Jones
Mapping of CNG infestations: Marie Jones (Tom Chippindall has offered the use of a GPS resource.)
DSE CNG Program: Claire Coulson
Where to now?
Other business
October edition of Groundcover
Posted on 2 November, 2011 by Connecting Country
The lastest edition of the North Central CMA publication Groundcover is now available and can be downloaded here.
2 November 2011 – Promises and Pitfalls of Large Landscape Conservation
Posted on 31 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
Victoria Naturally has invited interested people to a presentation entitled Promises and pitfalls of large landscape conservation: lessons from North America and Australia this Wednesday, 2 November. The speaker will be PhD student Carina Wyborn. The flyer below has the full details.
Volunteering, workshops and field days
Posted on 26 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
Re-monitoring the Box Ironbark Thinning Trials
A re-monitoring of the Parks Victoria Box Ironbark Thinning Trials that begun in 2005 is currently underway in four locations across the Box Ironbark estate, including Castlemaine. The company undertaking the monitoring, Australian Ecosystems, is in need of some volunteers to assist with the Castlemaine monitoring work as the re-growth due to the recent rains has been extraordinary.
The field work requires agile, fit and enthusiastic volunteers with a good sense of bush safety. No botanical skills are required although a field sheet will need to be filled in. The days may be long and the ability to read a compass will be an advantage. The surveys are to be undertaken between Monday 31 October though to 9 November 2011 and monitoring is expected to be undertaken in two stints of 3-5 days. The location is the Castlemaine Diggings National Historical Park.
Contact Damian Cook at 0402 127 933 to find out more information and/or to volunteer as a monitor.
Eucalypt ID Workshops
The Eucalypt Identification Workshops are now booked out for Castlemaine and Maldon but spaces are still available for Sutton Grange and Newstead. Click here for more details about the course and booking information.
Reminder about Chilean Needle Grass Workshop
The Tarrengower Cactus Control Committee is hosting a workshop to help people identify and control the Chilean Needle Grass weed this Sunday 30 October from 10.30am – 12.30pm. Click here for more information.
CACTUS KILLERS WANTED
Posted on 25 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Tarrangower Cactus Control Commitee will hold their next community field day on Sunday 30 October at the corner of Watersons Road and Mount Back Road. The starting time is 10.30am and the morning will finish with a sausage sizzle about 12.30.
The final field day for the year will be on Sunday 27 November. It will be held at a property in Waldons Lane, Baringhup. The Cactus Control Committee’s AGM and Christmas break up will be held on the same day.
For further enquiries, contact Tony Kane timkane@ozemail.com.au
Wheel Cactus from the Tarrengower area. (Photo curtesy of DPI.)
Connecting Country’s AGM minutes
Posted on 25 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
The minutes of Connecting Country’s AGM held on 26 September 2011 can be viewed by clicking here.
A Helping Hand for Vulnerable Phascolgales
Posted on 24 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
Local resident and volunteer Cathy McCallum wrote the following report about Bryan McMullan’s recent visit to Baringhup.
On Friday students and staff from Baringhup Primary School and Baringhup Landcare learnt a lot more about phascogales from Bryan McMullan. Bryan is the Nesting Box Monitoring Project officer for Connecting Country and he was happy to explain his role and the vulnerability of this delightful native marsupial at the same time as he managed to erect the specially designed nesting boxes into position three metres up the trunks of our magnificent red gums along the river.
Bryan was replacing two nesting boxes swept away when the Loddon River flooded in January 2011. He placed another six boxes in Baringhup properties, one of them rescued from Rob & Kerry Jennings property after the floods. Another box has completely disappeared. The students showed a keen interest in the phascogales’ plight with many questions asked and skillfully answered by Bryan. The boxes will house any adolescent phascolgales who move into our area after being ousted from their habitat by the dominant members of their family.
Phascogales forage over a very large area, the female 20 -70 ha and the male 100ha which means only small populations can exist in large areas of habitat. When the autumn check of the existing nesting boxes took place, Bryan was pleased to report the nesting box program had already provided habitat for an extra seven families of phascolgales. We are all hoping that one day these beautiful marsupials will find a home in a box in Baringhup.
Bryan explains the Nest Box Program to Baringhup Primary School students.
Communities for Nature Grants Now Open
Posted on 23 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Communities for Nature grants program was launched by the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) on Sunday Oct 9. The program is aimed at community organisations wanting to undertake practical on ground local environmental projects. The grants are open to almost any type of community organisation, not just environmental groups.
Applications are now open for a $20 million Communities for Nature grants program. The program will run for four years, with $4 million available in 2011.
Communities for Nature grants are for local community groups and organisations looking to improve their natural environment and conserve local biodiversity values. Activities that will be funded include biodiversity and habitat preservation, revegetation, cleaning up of waterways and control of pests and weeds.
This year, two streams of funding are being offered; small grants of up to $10,000 and large grants for $10,000 to $150,000.
Applications close on Monday 19 December 2011.
DSE is implementing this Victorian Government program. For more information on the assessment criteria and application process, visit their website or contact the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356.
Peter Johnson is the contact for the DSE North West region. He is available to assist applicants with the technical feasibility of their projects.
Bjarne K Dahl Trusts Small Grants Program
The Bjarne K Dahl Trusts Small Grants Program is currently calling for applications for up to $15,000. The grants program is focussed on the protection and enhancement of eucalypts. More information about these grants can be found here.
Two Upcoming Events in Newstead
Posted on 21 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
23 October – Grasslands morning with Newstead Landcare
Victoria’s beautiful native grasslands were the ecosystems that attracted European settlement in the 1800s. Unfortunately, as a result, they are now one of our most diminished natural splendours and resources. But they still live in the area and can be seen and helped. Join Newstead Landcare for their October field day as Nathan Wong, PhD researcher into native grasslands and Grassy Ecosystem Co-ordinator for the Trust for Nature, introduces some rare treasures. Nathan will take people to native grassland remnants in 3 very different states of being, and describe the processes at work and what the grasslands provide. A rare opportunity indeed!
The field day will be this Sunday October 23rd, car pooling from Newstead Community Centre at 9.30 am and returning at about 12.15pm. All are welcome to attend (gold coin donations appreciated). Bring a mug for morning tea. A very brief AGM will be held during morning tea, before the return to Newstead.
15 November – Are there Platypus in your local creeks? Would you like to know more about them?
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) along with the Newstead Landcare Group invites you to join them at a Platypus information night.
The Australian Platypus Conservancy will present an illustrated talk about the amazing platypus and how you can help monitor them in the Loddon River system
Date: Tuesday 15th November 2011
Time: 6.30pm–8.00pm (including a light supper)
Venue: Newstead Community Centre
Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Don’t miss this great opportunity to come along and learn more about the habitat and biology of this unique animal.
RSVP by 5.00pm Friday 4 th November 2011 to info@nccma.vic.gov.au or telephone (03) 5448 7124, indicating that you wish to attend the Newstead Platypus information session and outline any dietary requirements.
This information night is presented as part of the North Central CMA’s Upper Loddon and Campaspe project, Victorian Landcare Program and North Central Waterwatch.
23 October 2011 – Maldon Urban Landcare Orchid Survey
Posted on 20 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Department of Sustainability and Environment’s Biodiversity staff together with Maldon Urban Landcare (MULGA) are conducting a search for an endangered orchid, Pterostylis sp. aff. bicolor (also known as the Sutton Grange Greenhood) in the Maldon Historic Area. It is only known to exist at a small number of sites in this part of central Victoria.
If you are interested in being part of this activity come along to the Beehive Chimney Car Park, Maldon at 10:00am on Sunday 23 October. Click here for map. The group will then travel to search areas. All are welcome.
MULGA will supply a sausage sizzle lunch.
For more information please contact Noel Muller, Northern Goldfields Parks Victoria, by phone (0429 854 522) or email nmuller@parks.vic.gov.au.
Sutton Grange Greenhood. Photo curtesy of Terri Williams, DSE
Eucalypt Identification Workshops
Posted on 19 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
Greg Guy
Connecting Country is presenting half day Eucalypt Identification Workshops in four locations across the Mount Alexander region.
Each workshop aims to provide participants with the skills needed to identify some of the common eucalypt species to be found in the region. They will include a classroom-based discussion on the biology of our local eucalypts, with a special emphasis on our rare and endangered species and a ‘walk and talk’ session to identify some local eucalypts in their natural habitat.
Participants will be provided with an identification workbook and also a copy of Leon Costermans’ ‘Trees of Victoria and Adjoining Areas 6th Edition Field Guide’.
Presenter: Greg Guy, botanist and lecturer from Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE
When:
Sunday 6 November (Maldon)
Sunday 13 November (Castlemaine)
Saturday 26 November (Sutton Grange)
Sunday 27 November (Newstead)
Time: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: Directions and a map will be emailed to participants prior to the workshop.
Cost: $5 per person
Refreshments: Light snacks and Tea/Coffee provided.
What to bring: Bottle of water, Sun protection (sunscreen and hat), and appropriate shoes and clothing (long sleeves and trousers) for the field trip.
Bookings are essential as places are limited so be quick to reserve a spot! To reserve your place, contact info@connectingcountry.org.au or call 5472 1594.
Connecting Country has received support from the Bjarne K Dahl Trust to develop and implement these eucalyptus workshops (http://www.dahltrust.org.au/).
Farm Tree & Landcare Association
Posted on 18 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
The latest newsletter from the Farm Tree and Landcare Association is now available. It is packed with environmental information and can be viewed by clicking here.
Bjarne K Dahl Trust Grants Now Open
Posted on 18 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Bjarne K Dahl Trust Small Grants Program is currently calling for applications up to $15,000. The principal purpose of this program is the protection and enhancement of eucalypts as a significant aspect of the natural environment and the provision of information or education about eucalypts.
Through small grants, the Trust will provide support to the community for the undertaking of eucalyptus education, promotion, cultivation, establishment and conservation.
Grants are capped at $15,000 and are generally made for up to a 12-month period – timeframes may be flexible depending on grant seeker’s needs and the approval of the Board of Managing Trustees. Applications close 4 November 2011.
Further information can be found on their website or by contacting 03 8648 6510.
Chilean Needle Grass Workshop in Maldon
Posted on 18 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
Chilean Needle Grass. Photo by Karen Stewart.
The Tarrengower Cactus Control Committee is hosting a workshop to help people identify and control the Chilean Needle Grass weed on Sunday 30 October from 10.30am – 12.30pm.
Chilean Needle Grass is one of Australia’s worst weeds. It invades native grasslands, agricultural land, roadsides and urban parks, gardens and recreational reserves. It can displace palatable pasture species and can reduce agricultural productivity by up to 50 per cent over summer. Its seed readily attaches to stock, particularly sheep, and can cause injury by burrowing into the skin. Its presence in wool reduces quality and can be a major cause of downgrading.
It is often difficult to identify Chilean Needle Grass and without knowing what to look for. Farmers, landholders and other community members may not know they have the weed on their property. To help with identification, a healthy flowering weed contained in a sealed perspex box will be displayed. Participants will be able to compare it with native plants.
The organisers are inviting people to come along to enjoy the great outdoors and good company while helping to control a major threat to our natural environment. Dress for the occasion in warm clothes and sturdy footwear. Bring water and sunscreen.
The workshop will be held at the corner of Back Mount Road and Watersons Road, Maldon and finish with a free sausage sizzle and cuppa.
For further information contact Ian Grenda from the Tarrengower Cactus Control Committee on 0412 015 807 or email iangrenda@live.com.
16 October 2011 – Friends of Campbells Creek Community Day
Posted on 14 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group has invited its members and local residents to their annual Community Day which will take place in the Campbells Creek Park on 16 October between 10am and 2pm. The program includes activities such as planting of native grasses, painting of nest boxes and a family BBQ. For more information click here.
Community Workshops: Castlemaine and Wedderburn
Posted on 13 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
Landcare and community groups are invited to attend an enjoyable interactive workshop conducted by ‘change consultant’ Les Robinson. The workshops are about harnessing the power of reinvention to spark new zest and enthusiasm in your Landcare or community group. The workshops will include communication ideas for groups and give groups the opportunity to share their own ideas.
Castlemaine Workshop
When: Saturday 22 October 2011, 10.00 am to 3.00 pm (Lunch provided)
Where: Castlemaine Senior Citizens Rooms, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine, VIC 3450
Wedderburn Workshop
When: Sunday 23 October 2011, 10.00 am to 3.00 pm (Lunch provided)
Where: Wedderburn Community Centre, 24 Wilson Street, Wedderburn, VIC 3518
For further information please refer to the flyers on the North Central section of the Victorian Gateway Website.
Applications invited for Natural Resource Management Committee
Posted on 13 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
The North Central Catchment Management Authority is currently advertising for interested people to apply for its Natural Resource Management Committee. There are advertisements in the Midland Express and Castlemaine Mail locally and details are also on the website www.nccma.vic.gov.au Anyone interested has until 14 October to apply.
15 October 2011 – Frog Night
Posted on 12 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group is holding a Frog Night on 15 October between 6pm and 9pm.
There will be a presentation by Dr Graeme Watson, a twilight walk through a local wetland and a free BBQ.
To book and find out the venue details, contact Clare on 5423 4152 or email clare@knco.net Click here to view the flier.