Rehabilitating Clinkers Hill
Posted on 15 August, 2011 by Connecting Country
On Sunday 10 July a group of enthusiastic locals spent two hours removing weeds from the Clinkers Hill Bushland Reserve. This 2.1 hectare Reserve is situated between the township of Castlemaine and the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. It consists of two adjacent parcels of land along Preshaw St, beyond the southern end of the sealed section of road.
Some of the working bee participants. Photo by Chris Timewell.
Victoria Gully's ephemeral waterway. Photo by Bronwyn Silver.
The working bee was organised by Victoria Gully Group which is being assisted by Connecting Country and Parks Victoria to rehabilitate this bushland. The current focus of the project is weed control and supplementary plantings of locally indigenous tube stock. The long-term aim is to rehabilitate the whole Victoria Gully thus improving the habitat linkage between the National Heritage Park and Forest Creek. The project is part of Connecting Country’s broader Yellow Box Woodland project.
Community education will be an important part of the project. The Group plans to erect a sign to explain the project and encourage local participation.
More than 56 native plant species have been identified including numerous trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, sedges and mistletoe. Unfortunately there are also many weed species which are prominent in the lower areas near the gully. More than 38 non-native flora species have already been identified. Weed control will include a mixture of hand pulling and chemical control and the focus will be on the most invasive exotic species including Tree Lucerne, Gorse, Hawthorn, Broom, Blackberry, Cootamundra Wattle and Briar Rose.
Working bees will take place regularly on the second Sunday of the month, beginning at 9.30 and ending at 11.30 followed by a cuppa. If you have any enquires about this project or would like to participate in future working bees, ring Julie Hurley on 54 725082.
The working bee in action. Photos by Chris Timewell.
Connecting Country Woodland Bird Monitoring
Posted on 12 August, 2011 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country’s Project Officer, Bryan McMullan, has written the following report on the progress of the Woodland Bird Monitoring project:
“Connecting Country’s monitoring focus has recently shifted from nest boxes to woodland birds as the winter bird community puts on a wonderful display of recovery following favourable environmental conditions. This focus allows the use of woodland bird community diversity and numbers as an indicator of landscape change, especially as a result of beneficial land management strategies that have been funded and facilitated by Connecting Country.
A total of 50 bird survey sites have been selected across the Mt Alexander Shire region in consultation with landholders, members of the management committee and other environmental agencies/stakeholders. To generate a meaningful dataset that will tell the story of landscape change over time, site categories were developed such as reference sites (intact vegetation and geomorphology), restoration sites (where land rehabilitation will occur/has occurred) and sites of conventional use (under grazing &/or cropping regimes). All sites were to receive an ‘am’ and ‘pm’ survey to ensure a comprehensive snapshot was achieved for each location/site condition.
Flora and fauna consultants Garry and Brenda Cheers were engaged to perform the bird surveys within a timeframe that suited the sampling plan developed in partnership with Deakin University. Recently I have had the pleasure of discussing with Garry some of the exciting aspects of observations made during the survey work undertaken. After completing more than 70 surveys Garry reported the following notable observations: large groups of Striated Pardalote’s around the Yandoit area, Speckled Warblers observed in the Maldon Historic Reserve (Nuggetty aspect), a significant increase in the numbers and range of Flame Robins and Superb Fairy-wrens and an early appearance of spring migrants such as the Fan-tailed Cuckoo and Rufous Songlarks.
In general it appears that the numbers and diversity of small foraging birds are on the increase and that appearances this season of certain species and in these numbers may be quite unique in the landscape. This presents a wonderful opportunity for community groups and individuals alike to get out there and make some of their own observations and enjoy the festivity of calls and colours of our regions birdlife. For further information regarding this or other Connecting Country projects please contact the office on 5472 1594 or visit our website – www.connectingcountry.org.au “
Superb Fairy-wren (Geoff Park); Striated Pardalote (Patrick Kavanagh); Flame Robin (Geoff Park)
Volunteer Management Workshops
Posted on 11 August, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre are conducting free volunteer management workshops. These ‘hands on’ workshops will take place this month in Heathcote, Kyneton, Castlemaine and Maldon. They are suitable for community groups and Not-For- Profit organisations that rely on volunteers. The workshops will cover how to:
- Strengthen and support community groups
- Attract and retain new volunteers
- Develop new recruitment strategies
- Discover resources to assist with funding, marketing & managing organisations. Continue Reading »
Conservation and Land Management Course at BRIT
Posted on 11 August, 2011 by Connecting Country
There is an open day for the Certificate 1v/Diploma in Conservation and Land Management at Bendigo TAFE on Sunday 28 August (10am – 4pm). For more details click here.
How much fire is enough?
Posted on 10 August, 2011 by Connecting Country
In the second talk in its Education Program for 2011 the Connecting Country project is hosting a free information night on Thursday 25 August at Campbell’s Creek Community Centre. The management of Box-Ironbark forests through controlled fire will be the topic of conversation.
Fire can be used to reduce fuel hazard, and it can also be used to promote biodiversity. But what is the ‘natural’ fire regime in Box-Ironbark forests? How much fire can Box-Ironbark forests tolerate and how much burning should or could we be doing there?
Connecting Country project manager Chris Timewell said the night will be an opportunity for the community to hear and discuss the management of Box-Ironbark forests using fire.
Guest speaker, Dr Arn Tolsma, a senior scientist in Community Ecology at the Arthur Rylah Institute, has a particular knowledge of forests and woodlands in our region. In 2007 Arn co-authored a research paper for the North Central CMA on fire ecology and management .
“One of the main problems that natural resource managers face is balancing the needs or wishes for a controlled fire regime with the needs of our native plants and animals,’ he said this week. “If management burns are too frequent, there is a risk of long term decline in some native species, and deterioration of soil quality. On the other hand, there is also the risk of losing species if burns are not frequent enough.”
“We are starting to get a better understanding of the way Aborigines used fire in this region. Most Box-Ironbark species not to need fire to regenerate, but we still need to do more research into how much fire is appropriate.”
So how much fire is enough? To find out, turn up to the Campbell’s Creek Community Centre on Thursday August 25. A free light supper made from locally sourced produce will be served from 6.30pm, and the talk will go from 7 to 9 pm. Bookings can be made by contacting Chris on 5472 1594 or chris@connectingcountry.org.au. (Also keep the evening of 8 September free in your diary for the third and final talk in the 2011 Education program).
This free event is part of Connecting Country’s Yellow Box Woodland project. The project is being undertaken in partnership with the North Central CMA and is co-funded by the federal Caring for our Country program and the State Natural Resource Investment Program.
Correction of date for CFNC talk
Posted on 8 August, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Castlemaine Field Naturalist Club meeting will be held on Friday 12 August, not 13 August as stated in a previous email. Craig Grabham will be giving a presentation on bats in Victoria and around the Castlemaine area. Click here for more details.
Also a reminder that Megan Wong will be giving a presentation entitled ‘Untangling the soil food web’ this Thursday 11 August at the Newstead Community Centre. This will be a very intriguing journey into life in our soil. Click here for more details.
All about Bats
Posted on 7 August, 2011 by Connecting Country
At the next Castlemaine Field Naturalist Club meeting Craig Grabham will discuss what bats are, their ecology, and bat diversity in Victoria and around the Castlemaine area. The role of bats in the broader ecosystem and why they are important to us will then be covered followed by a summary of the various survey methods used to survey bats. To conclude the evening, people will be able to use the Anabat detector and other survey equipment.
The presentation will take place on 12 August at the Uniting Church Hall (enter from Lyttleton Street). Starting time is 7.30 pm. All welcome.
Photos by Craig Grabham
How Life in the Earth Supports Life on Earth
Posted on 5 August, 2011 by Connecting Country
Newstead Landcare Group’s August presentation ‘Untangling the soil food web’ will be a very intriguing journey into life in our soil. Megan Wong, researching for a PhD in soil ecology, will introduce soil microflora (bacteria and fungi) and microfauna (eg nematodes and springtails), which are important and fascinating creatures that go largely unnoticed. Microscopic creatures that make up the soil food web, and how they all work together to support life on earth will be discussed. Megan will touch briefly upon her current plant-microbe research in the Northern Plains Grasslands of Victoria.
The talk will be from 8-9 pm on Thursday 11 August at Newstead Community Centre. All are welcome to attend. Gold coin donations would be appreciated. The presentation will be followed by a brief business meeting.
Bridal Creeper
Posted on 5 August, 2011 by Connecting Country
Volunteers are out and about spraying Bridal Creeper in the Newstead area. If you need help dealing with this weed or know of some that needs some work, please call Patrick from Newstead Landcare Group on 5476 2755.
Bridal Creeper is a climbing weed with glossy bright green leaves. Its seeds are spread by birds and the weed is capable of growing in high quality native bush, smothering native vegetation and eventually killing it.
Infestation of Bridal Creeper. Photo: Bryan McMullan, April 2011
Innovative Farming Forum in Kerang
Posted on 5 August, 2011 by Connecting Country
The North Central CMA are inviting the community to attend the Innovative Farming Forum on 17 August 2011 at the Kerang Valley Resort. The Forum is designed for those farmers who are already, or are considering:
- irrigating less
- changing their land and water use, or
- unsure about their options with a variable climate and availability of water for irrigation.
The forum will provide an opportunity to:
- hear from farmers who have successfully changed their land use
- hear from key note speakers regarding sustainable land practice options on farming land where irrigation has been significantly reduced, or ceased completely
- network with farmers and others to share experiences, lessons and advice; and
- learn more about the Innovative Farming program and associated projects
For catering purposes please RSVP to North Central CMA on 5448 7124 or info@nccma.vic.gov.au by Friday 11 August
2011 Landcare Volunteering Survey
Posted on 3 August, 2011 by Connecting Country
Landcare Australia Limited is seeking to gain an understanding of the operating environment of the Landcare movement and its needs by surveying people who are actively involved in their local Landcare group. If you play an active role in the Landcare movement, you may like to complete the following survey which should take no more than 10-15 minutes.
Everyone who fully completes the survey will go into a draw to receive one of 20 grants worth $500 for their group.
The survey closes at 11.59pm (EST) on Sunday, August 7th 2011
The survey can be completed on the Landcare Australia web site: www.landcareonline.com.au or by clicking this link: http://www.landcareonline.com.au/news/archive/the-landcare-landscape-2011-landcare-volunteering-survey/Land
The survey results may be made public to help raise awareness of the Landcare movement and the vital role it plays in repairing and protecting Australia’s biodiversity and the uptake of sustainable production practices. However, your individual identity will remain anonymous.
July edition of Groundcover
Posted on 29 July, 2011 by Connecting Country
The latest edition of the North Central CMA publication Groundcover can be downloaded here.
Bridal Creeper Field Day Report
Posted on 20 July, 2011 by Connecting Country
‘Stop the spread’ was the catch cry at the Bridal Creeper Field day organized by Ian Grenda and the Nuggetty Landcare Group and held on Sunday 10 July. A Weed of National Significance (forever more known as a WONS!) Bridal Creeper is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its invasiveness, potential for spreading, and its environmental and economic impacts.
Ian, Janis and Jane took the troopers through an area where various control methods were being trialled and talked about how a site assessment was vital in choosing the most appropriate control method. The use of biological controls of rust fungus and leaf hoppers would help to weaken the plants and prevent flowering and seeding, and would suit areas that were difficult to access, had large infestations and perhaps difficult for the land managers to tackle. Hand weeding would be okay to stop the spread but when you see the prolific corms that all need to be treated this method would suit perhaps new plants or areas where native plants were present. Spraying methods were also discussed along with scrunching and gloving!
After a warming BBQ and lots of ideas, people headed off with bags containing rust spore or leaf hopper infested Bridal Creeper ready to spread the helpers and help stop the spread of this creepy plant. A great session and thanks to Nuggetty!
Click here to see the Project Brief and here for Field Notes on data and photo monitoring.
For further information, email Ian Grenda (iangrenda@live.com) or Janis Stewart (janisstewart@internode.on.net)
Connecting Country 5-year Planning – Further Feedback Sought
Posted on 14 July, 2011 by Connecting Country
On the 27 June 2011, 20 enthusiastic community members from all across the shire braved the cold conditions to join Connecting Country at our quarterly Reference Group meeting. After receiving an update on the progress of the current project, the attendees split into small groups to talk about possible answers to six important questions. Each question centred on the themes of how Connecting Country is going at the moment, and what we should be aiming to achieve over the next 2-5 years. Geoff Park and Krista Patterson-Majoor, our facilitators for the evening, helped keep the discussions focussed with a strictly enforced 6 minutes and 30 seconds per question! Conversations continued afterwards at a more leisurely pace over coffee, sandwiches, cakes and other goodies.
A summary of the responses to each question can be viewed by clicking here. The responses were insightful, wide-ranging and challenging. Importantly, there was a consensus that Connecting Country does have a valuable ongoing role in the local area. This meeting was an important first step in clarifying what that future role may be.
However, we are also very aware that the attendees represented a relatively small proportion of the overall community who has an interest in Connecting Country. Therefore, we’re opening up the discussion to other thoughts, ideas and suggestions. Or perhaps you may wish to elaborate, modify or challenge one or more of the responses already raised. We would welcome your feedback either directly through email: info@connectingcountry.org.au or by filling out the form attached . This form can then either be emailed or posted back to us here. If you could have your responses back by 31 July, this would be greatly appreciated. We look forward to hearing from you.
Expedition Pass
Grants to Voluntary Environment, Sustainability and Heritage Organisations
Posted on 13 July, 2011 by Connecting Country
Sustainability Victoria is currently providing grants under its program, Grants to Voluntary Environment, Sustainability and Heritage Organisations (GVESHO). Grants may be used to assist with salaries and salary on-costs for executive and administrative staff; office accommodation rental; electricity, gas, phone and other similar charges; essential office supplies and equipment; staff and volunteer training; photocopying and printing costs; and travel costs incurred on behalf of the organisation.
Grants are only for administration and equipment, not for specific programs, can be multi year (up to 3) and require a 50% cash or in kind contribution. More information can be found by clicking here or you can contact Janet Phillips from Sustainability Victoria on 0400 050 399 (mobile); (03) 5470 6525 (phone) or janet.phillips@sustainability.vic.gov.au
Three Fascinating Field Trips
Posted on 13 July, 2011 by Connecting Country
This year’s Connecting Country Education Program treated participants to three fascinating field trips around Mount Alexander Shire.
In May, Phil Dyson from the North Central Catchment Management (CMA) provided an insight to how landscapes are formed with his geology and soils tour. From the anticlinal fold in Lyttleton St in Castlemaine to the top of Mt Alexander, we learnt about the main rock types in the Mount Alexander Shire landscape and how these were formed. We observed how geology, soils and vegetation interact to produce differing impacts on land use.
Phil Dyson points out interesting landscape features from the top of Mt Alexander.
‘The bush is more than just bush’ was the theme of our Yellow Box Woodland tour with Paul Foreman (Bush Heritage) and Ian Higgins (North Central CMA) in June. At an idyllic woodland site tucked away in the Irishtown forest, we learnt how to recognize different vegetation communities and habitat characteristics. Ian and Paul highlighted that the disturbance history of local vegetation communities is different, which means some are more rare and more damaged than others.
Paul Foreman assists participants with completing a vegetation assessment.
Elaine Bayes (BRIT TAFE and Department of Sustainability and Environment) and Damien Cook (Australian Ecosystems) inspired all participants by their knowledge of, and passion for, waterways and wetlands, our final field trip. We followed the Loddon River from Glenluce to Newstead learning how to assess waterways and observing how land use changes as you move downstream. At the Moolort Wetlands we saw the abundance of birds, and other aquatic plants and animals, that have been thriving over the past few months after these areas filled with water for the first time in over a decade.
Damien Cook highlights the wetting and drying cycle at the Moolort Wetlands.
Connecting Country would like to send a huge thanks to all participants, our wonderful presenters, and, especially, to Deirdre Slattery who developed the program.
This year’s education program is not over! We have two more free evening talks on the bill. Arn Tolsma from the Arthur Rylah Institute will talk about the role of fire in Box Ironbark Forests on the 25th of August. The history of Forest Creek and its impact on the landscape will be explored by Robyn Ballinger on the 8th of September. These events will be held at the Campbell’s Creek Community Centre and kick off at 6.30pm with soup provided by the Growing Abundance Project. Click here for further information.
‘Vital Signs’: Training in Communication and Group Skills
Posted on 13 July, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Mount Alexander Sustainability Group (MASG) is conducting a communication and group skills program, Vital Signs, in July and August. The program aims to ‘support community workers and volunteers by increasing their communication and interpersonal skills and providing mentoring and support to assist them in their work within the community’. Click here for more information.
2011 Landcare Awards
Posted on 8 July, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Long Service Honour Roll has been set up by Victorian Landcare to mark the 25th anniversary of Landcare. If you wish to nominate someone for the Long Service Honour Roll there is now a short form that allows groups and networks to bypass the official 2011 Landcare Awards form. A word version of the form has been set up for electronic completion (the preferred option). A pdf version is also available.
A few things to remember about the Long Service Honour Roll are:
- there are no second chances! – the honour roll provides a once only opportunity for groups and networks to acknowledge the work of their longest serving and most committed members
- to nominate someone for the Honour Roll, groups should fill in the nomination form above. This form is for nominations for the Victorian Honour Roll ONLY. The form is also on the Landcare Awards website
- all nominations for the Long Service Award will be included on the 2011 Victorian Landcare Long Service Honour Roll
- nominations for all 2011 Victorian Landcare Awards and the honour roll will be accepted until Friday 22 July 2011.
This is a great opportunity and it is easy to nominate! Connecting Country support this initiative, and consider it to be a great way of acknowledging those dedicated locals who have made outstanding contributions to Landcare in the local area. We hope that all local Landcare groups will consider nominating those members who meet the criteria to the listed on the roll.
Nominations for 2011 Landcare Awards have been extended until 22 July 2011. State winners will become nominees in the biennial national Landcare awards 2012. For more information visit www.landcarevic.net.au and/or view this media release.
10 July – Planting on the Loddon River
Posted on 5 July, 2011 by Connecting Country
Newstead Landcare Group’s second planting for 2011 will be by the Loddon River at Newstead. It will take place this Sunday 10 July at 9.30 am. The group is planning to put in more shrubs and sedges on “the Island” about 600m upstream from the bridge. As the road may be boggy and rough, you may want to park in Layard Street near the ford and walk downstream. Bring some gloves and a mug for morning tea. Buckets, hammers and digging implements would also be useful.
If you would like more information, contact Patrick Kavanagh on 54 762 755. All are welcome.
Funding for Gorse Control
Posted on 5 July, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Victorian Gorse Taskforce 2011/12 Community Support Grants Project is now open for business. The VGT is now accepting project proposals from community-based organisations with a view to providing funds where these help to implement the Victorian Gorse Control Strategy, align to project guidelines and demonstrate a commitment to achieving long-term gorse control.
All of the required information can be found here.
Proposals will be accepted by the VGT up until the 5th of August 2011.