22 May 2011 – Nuggetty Planting Day
Posted on 2 May, 2011 by Connecting Country
This is an invitation to help plant 1000 indigenous seedlings on 22 May for a project funded by Connecting Country and supported by BRIT. For more details click here.
Progress with Nest Box Monitoring
Posted on 1 May, 2011 by Connecting Country
Project worker, Bryan McMullan, has been busy checking the nest boxes that Connecting Country installed across the Shire. He has been assisted by Fritz Hammersley, a BRIT work-experience student.
About 90 boxes have been checked so far. Brush-tailed Phascogales (Tuans) have been discovered in two boxes and two other boxes have contained nest material from Phascogales. It is important to bear in mind that Phascogales can use many nests on different nights in a home range.
Fritz inspecting the nest box in Walmer that contained 2 male phascogales. Photo: Bronwyn Silver, 19 April 2011.
As well, approximately 40 Sugar Gliders have been observed in boxes with some boxes containing 3-4 Gliders. Other animals and insects or evidence of them include a Peron’s Tree Frog, a Gecko, a pair of Owlet Nightjars, ants nests and spider webs.
Sugar Glider discovered in a nest box. Photo: Bryan McMullan, April 2011.
Thanks to those who have sent in observations from their dusk/night-time watches of nest boxes. Everyone else who has nest boxes is encouraged to undertake dusk viewings. Click here to download the Nest Box Monitoring Data Sheet which includes instructions.
April issue of Groundcover
Posted on 29 April, 2011 by Connecting Country
The April edition of Groundcover is now available. This informative newsletter includes local, state and national landcare information as well as North Central Catchment Management Authority news. It is published by the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
Of particular interest in this month’s issue is information on Landcare Awards and an Environment Best Management Practice Workshop in Woodend.
To download the newsletter, click here.
9 June 2011 – Biodiversity Across the Borders Conference
Posted on 25 April, 2011 by Connecting Country
The theme for the 2011 Biodiversity Across Borders Conference is “Vulnerability and Resilience of Ecosystems”. The conference will be held at the Mt. Helen campus of the University of Ballarat on 9 June 2011. Continue Reading »
Connecting Country Education Program 2011
Posted on 21 April, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Connecting Country Education Program for 2011 has now been finalised. There will be field days on Geology and Soils, Yellow Box Woodlands and Rivers and Streams and evening talks on Fungi, Fire and Cultural Heritage. A flyer about the program can be downloaded here and full details and an application form can be found here.
Report of 28 March Reference Group meeting
Posted on 6 April, 2011 by Connecting Country
On the 28 March, the first Connecting Country Reference Group Meeting for 2011 was a pleasurable and informative event. Representatives from a range of local groups and organisations were willing to contribute with their thoughts, ideas and suggestions to support the Connecting Country project team and Committee of Management in its efforts to connect people and landscapes through this area. Continue Reading »
Connecting Country’s new Project Coordinator
Posted on 4 April, 2011 by Connecting Country
Chris Timewell has recently joined Connecting Country in the role of full time Project Coordinator. Chris’ background is an ecologist with over 10 years experience from all parts of Victoria and elsewhere throughout Australia. From his previous professional career as an environmental consultant, he brings to Connecting Country his experience working as a manager and technical specialist on a range of projects for the private and public sector.
Chris also has a long history of involvement in not-for-profit community groups as a volunteer, and has been an enthusiastic and active member of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club since moving to the area about 3 years ago.
Chris Timewell, 4 April. Photo: Bronwyn Silver
Chris: “I’m very excited by my role with the Connecting Country team. It’s a great opportunity to be working in the local area on the Yellow Box Woodland Project alongside the project partners, the North Central Catchment Management Authority, and also with a range of land managers, community groups, NGOs, other volunteers and supporters, and the key support organisations such as the federal Caring for our Country initiative and the Victorian Government Natural Resources Investment Program”.
Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests Photo Show
Posted on 4 April, 2011 by Connecting Country
As part of the Castlemaine Festival, the Bold Cafe Gallery is hosting a exhibition of photos from the FOBIF photo gallery. The Cafe is open every day during the Festival (April 1–10) between 10 am and 4.30 pm. All photos are the work of local photographers in the Mount Alexander region and prints are for sale. The two photos below are from the show.
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) Photo: Mike Grinter, Chewton, Summer 2010
Sticky Everlasting (Xerochrysum viscosum) with Hoverfly and Milky Flower Spider (Diaea sp.) Photo: Noel Young, North Castlemaine, November 2010
Nest Box Monitoring Workshop, 8 March 2011
Posted on 15 March, 2011 by Connecting Country
Sixty people including a sizable contingent of children attended the Connecting Country’s Nest Box Monitoring Workshop in Campbells Creek on 8th March. The evening was a great success with lots of audience participation during the formal sessions and animated conversation during supper and after the workshop had finished.
Audience at nest box workshop. Photo: Bronwyn Silver
The workshop began with a talk by Peter Johnson, Senior Biodiversity Office, DSE, who has been monitoring phascogales around Bendigo, Ballarat and Kinglake Ranges for 10 years. Continue Reading »
Connecting Country 2009-2010 Final Report
Posted on 7 March, 2011 by Connecting Country
For an organisation only just laying its founding roots, Connecting Country is very proud of its achievements in 2009-2010. Thanks to funding received through the North Central CMA from the Federal and State Government, we can report that our 09/10 outputs for the project have been completed. This reports celebrates some of these achievements. Click here to read full report.
Autumn Fungi Workshops
Posted on 6 March, 2011 by Connecting Country
Ecologist and environmental photographer, Alison Pouliot, is running the Central Victorian Fungal Ecology Workshop series again this autumn. Whether you’re interested in identifying, photographing, learning about which ones you can safely consume, or just enjoying an autumn forest stroll to discover this extraordinary kingdom, you might like to attend a workshop.
Alison in the field.
Workshops run from 11am – 5pm and include an extensive display of local fungi species, an illustrated and interactive seminar, and an exciting foray deep into our local forests. Given the amazing winter rains we can expect a bumper display of fungi this season.
Workshops will also run from Daylesford, Trentham, Creswick, Woodend and Wedderburn. Cost: $70.
For full workshops details visit www.alisonpouliot.com or contact Alison directly at alison@alisonpouliot.com
Launch of Swift Parrot DVD
Posted on 24 February, 2011 by Connecting Country
Over 80 people attended the launch of Debbie Worland’s Swift Parrots of Muckleford DVD at the Castlemaine Market Building today. Chris Tzaros from Birds Australia officially launched the DVD and Debbie detailed the 5 year process of making it. The DVD was produced by Bill Irwin, pictured below, and John Flaus provided the narration.
Debbie Worland, Bill Irwin, Beth Mellick and Chris Tzaros. Photo: Bronwyn Silver, 24 February 2011
If you would like to find out more about the DVD or purchase a copy click here.
Working bees tackle blackberries and gorse
Posted on 18 February, 2011 by Connecting Country
Inspired by the recent Landcare Weed Identification Workshop, Chewton Bushlands Residents Association held a working bee for the removal of blackberries on GoldSpeck Gully Road /Rankins Road last Sunday. ‘The team of seven was soon working like clockwork and it was inspiring to see the huge bushes cut away from the road’ (Antoinette Birkenbeil).
Glen Harrison about to remove a feral pine and Steve Charman and Cate Freeman tackling the blackberries. Photos: Antoinette Birkenbeil, 13 February 2011
Another working bee tackled gorse during the week at Kalimna Park. There are regular working bees in the Park and at present they take place fortnightly. If you would like to participate ring Geoff Hannon from Friends of Kalimna Park on 5472 5343.
Enthusiastic gorse removers, Geoff Hannon and Bernard Slattery at Kalimna Park. Photos: Bernard Slattery and Bronwyn Silver, 18 February 2011
Muckleford Landcare’s New Blog
Posted on 15 February, 2011 by Connecting Country
Two weeks ago Muckleford Catchment Landcare Group launched a blog to document ‘news, events, activities and images for the Group, and hopefully a place for members of the Muckleford region to share stories and information’.
The first posts provide detailed documentation of two recent projects: the 2009/10 Creasy’s Road revegetation project and the nest box project in Walmer. Click here to view the site.
Installing a nest box at Walmer South Conservation Reserve. Photo curtesy of Muckleford Landcare.
If other Landcare groups would like help in setting up a similar blog, contact Bronwyn Silver on 5475 1089.
Weed Identification Workshop
Posted on 14 February, 2011 by Connecting Country
Eighteen people attended an informative Weed Identification Workshop at Chinamans Point Road, Chewton on 6th February. The organiser, Fritz Hammersley from Golden Point Landcare, brought along a selection of local weeds to show the group and discussed manual and chemical weed control strategies. Fritz also offered to visit local landholders to help work out the most appropriate weed control strategies for their land. He can be contacted on 5472 1029.
Fritz with the weed, Salsify. Photo: Bronwyn Silver, 6 February 2011.
Pat Radi Mansbridge from Nativfocus also addressed the group. He described the work done over the last 10 years to control gorse and blackberries along Forest Creek between Expedition Pass Reservoir and the Pyrenees Highway. Without this weed control, the area would probably now be 80-90% gorse and blackberries.
The group then walked to an area south of Chinamans Point Road where a DSE fuel reduction burn had taken place last year. As you can see from the photo, at this stage mainly thistles have emerged. More gorse regrowth is anticipated in the coming months.
Weed growth after fuel reduction burn. Photo: Bronwyn Silver, 6 February 2011.
A Shag-Pile Carpet Can Ruin Even a Feral Bee’s Day
Posted on 11 February, 2011 by Connecting Country
The unique climatic conditions we have been experiencing lately have led to some unwelcome environmental consequences. One example is that populations of feral bees are doing well. The competition for hollows has intensified and the timeframe at which a bee colony can occupy a hollow is significantly shorter than that of a phascogale.
The Connecting Country network has been receiving reports of feral bees colonising nest boxes and we are now developing a strategy to remove them. We are looking at coaxing the colony into a more suitable home such as a beehive containing a small offering of food. Once the bees have jumped ship, the nest boxes can be removed, thoroughly cleaned and retro-fitted with shag-pile carpet on the ceiling of the box. The reason for using shag-pile carpet is that bees cannot attach beeswax to it. The nest boxes will then be re-installed in their original location and for their original purpose.
Nest Box colonised by feral bees. Thanks to Denis Gibson for this photo.
We are very interested in hearing from you about nest boxes that have been colonised with bees. If you would like to report a nest box bee colony, please send an email containing your full name and physical address to info@connectingcountry.org.au so that we can follow up with the bee removal program.
One slight difficulty in implementing our removal strategy has arisen from changed carpet fashions! Carpet suppliers have informed us that shag-pile carpet is being discontinued. If you could donate some shag-pile carpet or know of where we could source some, please let us know at the email address above or ring Connecting Country on (03) 5472 1594.
Yellow Box in Flower
Posted on 27 January, 2011 by Connecting Country
Yellow Box in Flower, Rise and Shine Bushland Reserve, 26 January 2011
The photo below shows some mature Yellow Box in the Reserve.
Yellow Box, Rise and Shine Bushland Reserve, 26 January 2011
Victorian Landcare Employment Toolkit has been revised
Posted on 23 February, 2010 by Connecting Country
The Employment Guidelines and Toolkit is a practical guide to assist with the employment and management of Landcare Support Persons in Victoria.
The toolkit includes guidelines and a framework for employment, and templates and examples such as position description, work plan, employment agreement, performance review, draft OH & S code of practice.
The content of the kit has recently been updated to better suit current employment conditions. The templates are now available indvidually in MS word format to make them easier to access, adapt to your groups situation and use.
You can find the toolkit by clicking here.
Farm Biosecurity Website Launched
Posted on 9 February, 2010 by Connecting Country
Whether you are a livestock producer, a plant producer, or both, farm biosecurity is important.
The Farm Biosecurity website is part of the Farm Biosecurity campaign, a joint initiative of Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia. The Farm Biosecurity website has a range of information on people, product and equipment movement as well as manuals and other materials.
Click here to visit the Farm Biosecurity website.
Australian Landcare Council reinstated
Posted on 22 December, 2009 by Connecting Country
The Rudd Government has reinforced its commitment to the Landcare movement by reactivating the Australian Landcare Council and appointing former Western Australia Agriculture Minister Kim Chance as Chair of the Council.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said Landcare plays a vital role in natural resource management across Australia and has more than 100,000 volunteers in around 4,500 groups.