16 Oct 2015 – New watering point on the Goldfields Track
Posted on 5 October, 2015 by Connecting Country
The Goldfield’s Track stretches between Bendigo and Ballarat, and along its way passes through some amazing forests, woodlands and historic landscapes in the Mount Alexander shire and immediate surrounds.
The Great Dividing Trail Association (GDTA) has invited members and other supporters of Connecting Country to attend the launch of the FIRST watering point on the Leanganook Track section of the Goldfields Track (between Bendigo and Castlemaine). GDTA funded the new tank and in consultation with Coliban Water, the tank was recently assembled and installed on site. Coliban Water is GDTA’s partner in this initiative and they have announced that they will ‘host’ the tank for track users.
When is the launch: Friday 16 October 2015, from 11.00 am
Where: At the new tank in Mandurang South, which is located east of the Goldfields Track, next to the Coliban Channel and near the Parks Victoria dry campsite. Mandurang South Road is close by and Map 30 of the Goldfields Track Walking Guide refers to it. A map is also attached (CLICK HERE).
RSVP: For catering purposes by Friday 9 October 2015 to Alison Lanigan at gdtatrail@gmail.com
Refreshments will be provided after the launch.
It’s all happening in October….
Posted on 30 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
Hi everyone. As is often the case, our local area is full of activity over the coming month. Rather than sending out a stream of blogs over the next few days, we’ve done our best to package some of the main ones into a single extended blog. Hope you can make it through to some of them. There are also some grant applications and other items of interest below. Chris
Connecting Country Annual General Meeting – 27 Oct 2015
The Connecting Country AGM – with guest speaker – is to be held on the evening of Tuesday 27 October. Soup and yummy dipping breads to be provided as a light meal. It will be held at the Castlemaine Golf Course, on the Pyrenees Hwy (between Castlemaine and Newstead). Further details to follow soon.
Local Lives, Global Matters Conference – 16-18 Oct 2015
This international conference is being held in Castlemaine from Friday October 16th to Sunday October 18th. They have just introduced affordable day and session passes, to ensure that the conference is also accessible to locals. You can now buy a day ticket for $80 (waged) or $50 (unwaged). Sessional passes are $15 (waged) and $10 (unwaged). Three day tickets have been reduced to $240/$150. You can also join others at the ‘Low food miles’ dinner, with music, on Saturday night, prepared by Castlemaine’s own ‘Growing Abundance’ ($35/$30).
“Immerse yourself for a day or two or three. Join conversations around local economies, social and ecological justice, reclaiming democracy and revitalised spirituality. Listen to keynote speakers from around the world, and hear about innovations generated in our own central Victorian back yard via panels, workshops and site visits.”
Connecting Country are involved in a panel discussion as part of the conference on the Saturday afternoon. Connecting Country staff member Krista, Welshman’s Reef landholder Brian and Cactus-buster Ian will be talking about community efforts to improve landscape health. Check out their full program on the conference website to learn more and register (click here). And they also have a Facebook page (click here).
‘Listening to the Wild’ with Andrew Skeoch – 9 Oct 2015
The sounds of our natural environment are comprised of many voices; birdsong, frog choruses, seasonal insect choirs, mammal calls… How have all these varied animal repertoires evolved? And how can we appreciate and find meaning in listening to nature’s soundworld around us? Join the audience with naturalist and bioacoustic researcher, Andrew Skeoch, as he presents beautiful and fascinating recordings from wild places around the world, and inspires you to hear the world afresh.
Andrew is the guest speaker for the October meeting of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club. The evening starts formally at 7.30pm on Friday 9th October, but you are welcome to arrive earlier for a cup of tea and a chat beforehand. Members and visitors welcome – no entry fee. It will be held in the Fellowship Room, behind the Uniting Church on Lyttleton St, Castlemaine (next door to the Art Gallery and Museum).
Powerful Owls of Central Victoria – 15 Oct 2015
On Thursday 15 October, Newstead-based scientist Emmi Scherlies will be giving a community presentation on the Powerful Owls of central Victoria. Everyone is welcome to come along. It starts at 8pm at the Newstead Community Centre. It is a gold coin donation with all contributions going to the Newstead Landcare Group. In correspondence to CC, Emmi said, “Please pass on this invitation to anyone that you think might like to learn a bit about Powerful Owls. Hope to see you there!”
Oral History Training – 14-15 Oct 2015
The Nuggetty Land Protection Group (NLPG) is researching and writing of a landscape history of the Nuggetty district, which is an area about 5 kilometres north of Maldon. As part of the project, NLPG is collecting spoken and visual material from people living in, or having a connection with, the area. In order to collect stories about the Nuggetty district, environmental historian, Robyn Ballinger, will be conducting FREE training workshops in Maldon on how to undertake oral history interviews. The training is open to anyone and is completed in one 3-hour session. After the training is completed, it is hoped that each participant will conduct an audio oral history interview for the project using a supplied digital recorder. Training sessions will be held at the Maldon Neighbourhood Centre on Wed 14 October (6.30-9.30pm) and Thurs 15 October (2.30-5.30pm). Bookings are essential.
For further details, see the attached flyer (CLICK HERE), or contact Jane (janee@impulse.net.au 5475 2693) or Sue (sba56183@bigpond.net.au 0417 368 899).
The North Central Chat
The North Central CMA has just released the September 2015 issue of their ‘chat’ publication, which is filled with stories about Landcare and Watchwatch from the region (CLICK HERE). It also contains information about new phone apps for weeds and for pest animals, and lists the successful applicants for the National Landcare Programme component of the 2015-16 Community Grants Program- North Central Victoria. From the Mount Alexander Region, congratulations to Castlemaine Landcare, Golden Point Landcare and Malmsbury District Landcare. The recipients of the state-based Landcare grants are yet-to-be announced.
FRRR Small Grants For Rural Communities – Round 28
Not-for-profit community based organisations can apply for grants up to $5,000 to support projects and activities that offer clear public benefit for communities in small rural, regional and remote locations in Australia, contributing to their social and community welfare, economic, environmental, health, education or cultural development. Applications from communities with a population of 10,000 or less will receive priority. Closing Date: 5pm Monday 5th October 2015. For more information, either go to the FRR website (click here), freecall 1800 170 020 or email info@frrr.org.au.
Nominations open for the Victorian Rural Women’s Award
The government’s Rural Women’s Award honours the efforts of emerging leaders and creates opportunities for women to effect change in agricultural industries and rural communities. The Victorian finalists will be celebrated at a ceremony at Parliament House in March 2016, with the winner to receive a bursary of $10,000 to implement their project vision and participate in the RIRDC Australian Institute of Company Directors Course. Staff at the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources are available to help prospective nominees through the process (contact Jon Graftdyk on 03 5772 0225 or Jon.Graftdyk@ecodev.vic.gov.au). Applications for the award are open until 30 October 2015. For more information about the award and to obtain a nomination form, visit the RIRDC Rural Women’s Award website (click here).
Photographic exhibition – 10-24 Oct 2015
And don’t forget that the Newstead Railway Arts Hub is running an exhibition of the photos of Newstead-based naturalist, Curly Hartup – click here for our earlier blog about this event.
Alan ‘Curly’ Hartup – Newstead photographer and naturalist
Posted on 24 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
Via Geoff Park, Ken Hartup has made us aware of a wonderful exhibition of nature photographs by leading amateur photographer and long-time resident of Newstead, Alan Jesse Hartup (1915 –2004), which will be opened at the Newstead Railway Arts Hub on Saturday 10 October 2015 at 3pm. Viewings thereafter are by appointment through until the 24 October.
This exhibition is largely of bird life in Newstead and the surrounding districts, from Alan’s vast array of black and white photographs and colour slides. This selection of 20 works of black and white and prints from colour slides, span over 60 years of Alan’s impressive output. Beginning with his beloved 35m Voigtlander camera, he progressed to the brilliant level of work he achieved with his Mamiya and Rollieflex 2¼ square cameras and his great ability with dark room techniques.
Alan has been represented widely in amateur circles and has been a central figure in promoting, selecting and judging photography in Victoria and interstate. In preparing for this exhibition we have been reminded what a wonderful legacy Alan has left with images of the beauty and richness of our surroundings. He was a man at one with the natural world and one who took a vital interest in our environment and how to care for it. The exhibition was prompted by local field naturalists Geoff Park and Mrs. Joan Butler.
The attached flyer has further details (CLICK HERE).
Our majestic paddock trees
Posted on 23 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country Works Crew Member, Ned Brook, shares his love to our mighty paddock trees…
I noticed you out of the corner of my eye. I wasn’t supposed to be looking for you, we were meant to have our attentions on a malfunctioning drainage pipe, but I saw you all the same.
I saw you as we were driving over toward Maldon. The area surrounded on three sides with metamorphic mountains and a depression in between. This is where I found you.
I turned, after I caught a glimpse of you, and witnessed your full majesty. Standing there, tall and strong, healthy. A Yellow box. A beacon to birds and wildlife all around you. I was so taken back by you that I couldn’t concentrate on the pipe.
Big Yellow
I thought to myself, you stand there, tall and magnificent, providing invaluable services to all around you. To the farmer who relies on you to keep that troublesome water table down below. To the birds who you feed, in their thousands, that visit you every year. To the koalas, possums, phascogales who you protect. Not to mention the teeming insects that live within and use your trunk and bark as a home.
It impressed me how you stand and provide this service with little need or thanks. But you’re beyond that aren’t you, you’ve been here far longer than any of us.
But there is something you need, that we can help with. You have a few friends in the paddock with you, some equally aged and wise old things that I’m sure you converse with regularly. But what about the young ones? Where are your children? Who’s there to take up the reigns when you finally decide to take a final rest? What you need is a fence.
We’ve helped out some brothers and sisters of yours, in a special paddock over in Sutton Grange. We planted friends for them, young boisterous things that will settle down with age. And we fenced them in, to protect them from the wandering cattle and mischievous sheep. But we wouldn’t even need to do this for you. All you need is a fence, some room to grow, and you’d do the job yourself.
Conservation fencing – from end posts to curlews
Posted on 22 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
Alex introduces participants to the tools of the trade.
A warm spring day greeted participants and presenters at Connecting Country’s third spring workshop on Sunday 13th Septmeber 2015, this time at the stunning bush property of Beth and Rick Higgins in Yandoit .
Three exclusion plots on the property generated lots of discussion about setting goals, location, choosing the right type of fence, and the on-going management requirements.
Presenters Alex Schipperen (Connecting Country’s Works Crew Team Leader), Judy Crocker (Landcare Facilitator for the Mid-Loddon Landcare Network – and involved in a program using fences to protect Bush Stone Curlews), and Paul Foreman, (Ecologist with Blue Devil Consulting) had plenty to offer in terms of practical experience and observations about conservation fencing.
To read more about the session or to access our online resources, please click here.
Our fourth and final workshop for 2015, Back from the Brink, will be focusing on dealing with potential problem areas on your property – like weed control, waterway enhancement and erosion management. Registrations are now open for what is set to be another very insightful session. Click here to download a registration form.
The education program is supported by Connecting Country through funding from the Australian government.
27 Sept 2015 – Cactus Control Day
Posted on 21 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
The Tarrengower Cactus Control Group has let us know that their next Wheel Cactus Field Day will be on Sunday 27th September near the corner of Whitlocks and Greenhill Bridge Roads, just a few kilometres southwest of Maldon. To get there, leave Maldon along Parkins Reef Road, continue along South Parkins Reef Road and finally veer to the left along Whitlocks Road. The route will be well signposted. The morning’s activities will begin at 10:30 am and end at 12:30 pm with an enjoyable free BBQ and friendly chat. If you have any queries please contact Ian Grenda on 0412-015-807 or check out their website at www.cactuswarriors.org. A map is attached (CLICK HERE).
Enjoy Spring at Pilchers Bridge: a celebration of flora and fauna
Posted on 18 September, 2015 by Tanya Loos
Landholder Chris Kirwan has generously invited one and all to his magnificent Trust for Nature property on Saturday 26 September 2015.
Perched on the edge of the Pilchers Bridge Nature Conservation Reserve, Chris’s property protects Heathy Dry Forest and Box Ironbark Forest. The vegetation provides important habitat for the endangered Lace Monitor, the vulnerable Brush-tailed Phascogale and the Powerful Owl, and listed Victorian Temperate Woodland Bird Community species such as Speckled Warbler.
Tanya Loos will be giving a short talk on the birds of the area – as Connecting Country has two monitoring sites very close to Chris’s property. She will be joined by “the moth-man”, ecologist Steve Williams who will give a short talk on moths and the understorey; Ian Higgins from North Central CMA, who will present on the local flora; Patrick Pigott, Ecologist, Federation University who will discuss a nearby tree thinning trial, as well as representatives from CFA, and Axe Creek Landcare. CLICK HERE to see the flyer.
Saturday 26th September 2015
10.00 am to 4.00 pm
at 178 Huddle Road, Myrtle Creek
Sponsored by the Axe Creek Landcare Group
Enquiries: Chris Kirwan Phone: 5439-6494 Email: cwkirwan@bigpond.com
A magnificent Lace Monitor – very rare these days and obviously quite at home!
When nature and culture meet
Posted on 16 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
Lauren Cogo in action fencing with the Connecting Country Works Crew
Working out in the field everyday gives Connecting Country’s Works Crew a unique opportunity to experience Mount Alexander Region’s nature at its best. Crew member, Lauren Cogo shares some of her recent discoveries…
“The cultural landscape we live in harbours natural secrets that have survived despite some tough and testing times. All of our developed infrastructure, our cleared lands and the creation of our homes have sadly displaced some native flora and fauna that call our region home. However, our native birds, reptiles and mammals often find way to coincide with our cultural influences on nature throughout time.
On a local scale, we can see changes that the native fauna is becoming adapting to these modifications to their home. As a works crew member I have witnessed these changes, throughout my time working with Connecting Country.
Trees and other flora are a highly valuable means to provide birds with shelter, a reliable food source for insects and hollows for mammals. But what happens when humans interfere, and use them for fence posts?
On one occasion I observed a nocturnal microbat using a timber log fence post as its very own roosting site, wedged in the folds of old hard bark, it flew out just as we were replacing the wire fence. It may have also been using this site for feeding on a range of insects that also live in the timber post, such as spiders, ants and moths. This repurposed timber is still useful in the landscape, despite it not standing proud and tall in its previous natural state.
An Eastern Bearded Dragon found under an old fence post on a Connecting Country works site.
An old fence post, knocked down to be replaced, created the perfect shelter for the Eastern Bearded Dragon, Pogona barbata, currently listed as vulnerable on the Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria. During late winter, it was in a relaxed hibernation mode, known as torpor, and utilized the old timber post for shelter on the ground. They can also be found using your old tiles to bask on, old corrugated iron sheets to relax under and your large hollow trees for shelter.
On another occasion I spotted an uncommon Yellow- Footed Antechinus, Antechinus flavipes, moving rapidly over fallen timber and leaf litter within the Muckleford Creek and acting as the unlikely hero as it thrives in its threatened Box Ironbark Forest habitat around Central Victoria. Unlike many other Australian mammals, the Antechinus is diurnal so they can be seen using tree hollows and logs for habitat; day or night. They can also use our buildings to nest in, so watch out, you may have some company.
This gives me hope that the changes we’ve made to the landscape won’t stop our native critters from ensuring they have safe habitat to live in and a food source to survive. So whether your out in the paddocks, sitting by a creek or at home, keep an eye out for one of natures secrets, they may just knock on your door.”
By crew member, Lauren Cogo.
Spring brings new opportunities with Connecting Country
Posted on 14 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
As winter comes to an end, so does the planting season for revegetation.
Jarrod Coote checking the growth at one of our direct seeding sites.
It’s been a busy few months for the Connecting Country team, who have been planting and direct seeding indigenous species on private lands around the Mount Alexander Shire. Our work aims to creating better links for wildlife movement between the existing important habitat areas.
This year brought a new team of crew members – Lauren, Ned and Jason. The crew, which turns over each year in order to make the opportunity available to as many local people as possible, have been focused on planting, weed and rabbit control and the installation of protective fencing – while also receiving formal and in-house training in a range of natural resource management techniques.
‘Often the diversity is there in the landscape ready and waiting – we just need to give the seeds a chance. Fenced off land allows not only the trees to establish and grow, but also those bushes and ground herbs and grasses that are such important wildlife habitat’ says Alex Schipperen, team leader of the works crew.
‘The beauty of this program is that we have funding available to partner with landholders and create habitat solutions that suit the landholder, and have great outcomes for biodiversity. Bringing areas of native vegetation onto a property also increases productivity by providing shade and shelter for stock, and increased protection for crops, so it’s a win-win situation.’
With the winter rush over, the team are now starting to plan the next round of projects. Land owners across the region who would like to see if their property is well placed to become part of these projects are encouraged to get in touch with Jarrod, Bonnie or Mel at the Connecting Country office on 5472 1594 or send an email to jarrod@connectingcountry.org.au .
This project has been supported by Connecting Country, through funding from the Australian Government.
16 Sept 2015 – Rabbit-buster Roadshow
Posted on 11 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
The Rabbit-buster Roadshow is moving across north-central Victoria, with the nearest event to the Mount Alexander Shire occurring on the evening of Wednesday 16 Sept at the Belvoir Park Golf Club in Ravenswood. This event is being hosted by North Central CMA, who are pleased to bring Dr Tarnya Cox (Invasive Animals CRC) back to the region to present at this information session.
Information sessions will cover:
– Invasive Animals CRC Boost project (pathogenic calicivirus)
– Integrated rabbit management
– Landholder participation in the Boost project
– Case studies from local Landcare groups
– Where to next — the future release of a new strain of RHDV
– Rabbit Buster Month campaign.
For further information, see the attached flyer (CLICK HERE).
To RSVP to the North Central CMA (for catering purposes) – either call (03) 5448-7124 or email info@nccma.vic.gov.au.
Spring into Nature with TfN
Posted on 11 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
Each year, our good friends at Trust for Nature run a series of field days across the state which highlight some of the incredible biodiversity values that are being managed and protected on private land. On Sunday 4 October 2015, there will be a guided bushwalk walk from Mt Korong to Mt Kooyoora (near the Wedderburn-Inglewood area).
As part of Trust for Nature’s Spring into Nature event series, we open the gates to selected Victorian properties to demonstrate what can be achieved in the name of conservation. Come along to celebrate Victoria’s natural heritage, experience the diversity of our native plants and wildlife, and enjoy spring the way nature intended! Talk with landowners who have permanently protected their properties, enjoy guided walks while the wildflowers are on display, and learn from practical land management experiences that help our native plants and wildlife.
To see the full range of available events from across Victoria this spring – including the Mt Korong bushwalk – and also for RSVP details, follow this link to the TfN website (CLICK HERE).
Investigating biodiversity and its value across all scales
Posted on 7 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
Steve Williams introduces us to a moth “super-food” – Cassinia.
Did you know that Cassinia is a super-food for native moths? Or that lichens are actually the result of an algae and fungi working symbiotically? Twenty-four eager participants learnt this and so much more at Connecting Country’s Biodiversity in the Paddock workshop on Sunday 30th August 2015.
A huge thank you to landholders Peter Hansen and Sally Roadknight for inviting the Connecting Country team to their beautiful property at the foot of Mt Tarrengower to hear from presenters Cassia Read (on moss and lichens), Steve Williams (on moths) and Karl Just and Gordie Scott-Walker (on native flora). Geoff Park (from Natural Decisions and Natural Newstead) expertly kept the flow, whilst highlighting the stunning bird life to be found all around in the property.
A farm tour allowed participants to see for themselves the impressive impact of tubestock planting, natural regeneration through removing grazing, and the effects of erosion control on the creek which funnels run-off from Mt. Tarrengower through their property. Gordie provided us with a detailed list of the reptiles and amphibians, and the hundreds of birds and plant species that he has observed on his parents property, reminding everyone of the gains to be had from regenerating land.
The message of the day from all four presenters was the huge value of biodiversity in the paddock, from the mosses and lichens which hold soil together, to the beautiful variety of moths which feed from and live on all kinds of plants – never has Cassinia arcuata (‘coffee bush’) appeared such a fascinating and valuable plant in the landscape.
Click here for more information and resources from this session.
Also, there are a few places remaining for our next workshop on Sunday 13 September on Conservation Fencing – click here for more information.
The education program is supported by Connecting Country through funding from the Australian government.
Have your say: Landcare in Victoria
Posted on 4 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
You may have already heard about the review of the Victorian Landcare Program happening currently, as announced by the Victorian Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville. Community input into the review is encouraged via an online survey available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VictorianLandcare
The Victorian Landcare Program includes:
- Victorian Landcare Grants delivered by each CMA,
- Regional Landcare Coordinators based in each CMA and state-wide support team,
- Aboriginal Landcare Facilitator,
- Victorian Landcare Gateway website,
- Victorian Landcare & Catchment Management Magazine,
- Victorian Landcare Awards
- Victorian Landcare Facilitators (68 facilitator positions – one of which Connecting Country has hosted for the Mount Alexander Region since early 2012 (Max Schlachter’s role))
The input provided during the consultation will be used to inform recommendations for the Victorian Government’s support for Landcare into the future. This is your opportunity to contribute, and any decisions made will only be as good as the information we provide! So don’t forget to write comments if you think the survey doesn’t ask all the questions you want to answer!
- If you value Landcare …
- If you believe Landcare contributes to your community and your local landscape …
- If there are aspects of the Landcare program you want to keep …
- Or if you think there should be changes …
- If you are or have been involved in Landcare …
- If you have an opinion about the future of Landcare …
Have your say!
13 Sept 2015 – Conservation Fencing Workshop
Posted on 3 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
‘Conservation Fencing’ will be the topic of Connecting Country’s third Spring 2015 Education workshop, to be held in the Yandoit area on Sunday 13 September. Registrations are open for what promises to be an educational and practical day!
This is the fence that Rick and Beth built. Guess which side is excluding grazers…
Property owners Beth and Rick Higgins manage a large tract of bush in Yandoit, and over the years have established four exclusion zones, and experimented with differing approaches to revegetation over these sites. This session will use their property as an example to introduce participants to the role of conservation fencing.
Renowned ecologist Paul Foreman, from Blue-devil Consulting, shall introduce us to conservation fencing and its role in improving biodiversity including ways to design, place and measure its impacts on regeneration. With his detailed knowledge of local flora, he will take us on a plot ramble to see what’s there and what’s not and why.
Alex Schipperen, Team Leader for Connecting Country’s Works Crew team, will talk about types of fencing and give a practical demonstration in erecting a small exclusion plot. Alex has over 40 kms of fencing under his belt so he knows what he’s talking about!
We will also be fortunate to have Judy Crocker, Landcare Facilitator for the Mid Loddon Conservation Management Network, inspire us with her successful Bush-stone Curlew project that is protecting current breeding pairs by creating five 4-8ha, predator proof nesting sites in woodland areas.
Further details for the day including transportation will be provided upon registration. The workshop costs $30 or $20 for Connecting Country members. Please contact Jules on jules@connectingcountry.org.au or call 5472 1594 to register. Click here for more information on the workshop series, and CLICK HERE to download a registration form. The program is supported by Connecting Country through funding from the Australian government.
11 Sept 2015 – Photographic Journey to the Last Frontier
Posted on 2 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
The Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica is a formidable plate of ice the size of France, uninhabited and deadly. The sheer cliffs of the Byrd Glacier tower above the sea ice and to early explorers formed the great barrier to their exploration endeavours. Ross Island is a home to polar-adapted wildlife such as the Weddell Seal which spends the entire year in Antarctica. As the summer approaches, the frozen surface of the Ross sea begins to fracture and dissolve. Above the colonies of seal, Adelie Penguin and marauding Killer Whale, the fractured and tortured ice tongue of the Mt. Erebus Glacier sweeps off the slopes of the planet’s most southerly active volcano, towering almost four thousand metres into the polar sky.
The guest speaker at the September General Meeting of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club is National Geographic’s award winning wildlife photographer and TV presenter Jason Edwards (see his bio and website HERE). His presentation will focus on the environment and the species that inhabit the Ross Ice Shelf and Ross Island, and the researchers who brave the harsh wilderness to study them.
The event formally starts formally at 7.30pm on Friday 11 September, but you are welcome to arrive from 7pm to have a cup of tea and a chat beforehand. Members and visitors are very welcome, including families – and there is no entry fee. As per usual, it will be held in the Fellowship Room, behind the Uniting Church on Lyttleton St, Castlemaine (next door to the Art Gallery and Museum).
Federal and State Grant Programs now open
Posted on 2 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
There are at least 3 government grant/support programs open at the moment (as at 2 Sept 2015) for community groups (e.g. Landcare, Friends of) to receive support to implement their environmental restoration projects. We have summarised these below, but please follow the links to their websites for full details and descriptions.
Green Army: Round 4 – Applications close: 2 pm AEST (Canberra time) Wednesday 16 September 2015
The Federal Government’s Green Army is a 6-month programme for 17-24 year olds to train and work in the environment or heritage conservation. Community organisations, Landcare groups, environment groups, Indigenous organisations, natural resource management organisations, local councils and others have been encouraged to apply for projects in their region. The local groups receive a Green Army team to work on their projects, but only receive limited or no funding support for the project itself.
Projects must also contribute to Australia’s national and international environmental priorities and obligations.
Round Four of the Programme has two streams. Stream 1 is for Heritage Projects which may commence from 1 January 2016. Stream 2 is for all eligible (non-Heritage) Projects which may commence from 1 July 2016. All Projects approved under Round Four must be completed by 30 June 2017. Applicants who were unsuccessful through previous rounds may re-apply under this round. For further details, see the Green Army website (CLICK HERE).
20 Million Trees Competitive Grants Round 2 – Applications close: 2.00pm AEST (Canberra time) 16 September 2015
The Federal Government is seeking applications from eligible groups or individuals interested in undertaking a tree planting project as part of the 20 Million Trees Programme. Applications are invited for projects seeking funding between $20,000 and $100,000 (GST exclusive). This is primarily a programme to plant indigenous trees and shrubs that grow over 2 metres in height, although some understorey plantings, weed control and site preparation can also be undertaken with the funds. The funds cannot be used to build fences or collect seeds. However, as part of this same application, eligible groups and individuals can also concurrently apply to have a Green Army team undertake the plantings, site preparation and associated activities (which can include fence building and seed collection). Projects up to $60,000 must be completed by 30 June 2017, while projects from $60,000 to $100,000 have until 30 June 2018 for completion.
For further details, see the 20 Million Trees website (CLICK HERE).
Threatened Species Protection Initiative – There are two streams of these new Victorian Government grants.
Community Volunteer Action grants – $2 million dollars is available to support small-scale, local threatened species projects that build community connections to the local environment. Projects must be between $2000 to $20,000. Applications are due by 22 September 2015, and projects must be completed by November 2016.
Strategic Action and Critical Partnerships grants – $3 million dollars is available to environmental agencies and organisations, as experts in threatened species management, to undertake work that reduces threats and secures important sites for threatened species. Applications are due by 8 September 2015, and projects must be completed by June 2016.
For more information on both sets of Threatened Species Protective Initiative grants – CLICK HERE.
Our Crew: Working towards the bigger picture
Posted on 2 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
2015 Works Crew from left: Team Leader Alex Schipperen, Lauren Cogo, Jason Burgoyne and Ned Brook
In April, Connecting Country’s 2015 Works Crew commenced. Our team leader, Alex Schipperen has been mentoring three new crew members; Lauren Cogo, Ned Brook and Jason Burgoyne in developing skills in conservation and land management. These skills have seen the crew complete some 730 hectares of work including 20 kilometres of fencing, 5,000 tubestock plantings and 319 hectares of pests and weeds treated across eleven properties in the Mount Alexander Region. We’ve asked Jason to share some of his experiences from his time with the Works Crew…
“While working, the crew loves to talk and our chats brought up the importance of biodiversity. It got me thinking about how the work we have accomplished will contribute to biodiversity in the Mt. Alexander region in the longer term.
Our projects have included fencing off remnant vegetation and creek lines to exclude stock allowing these areas to natural regenerate. The 5,000 indigenous trees and shrubs we’ve planted will provide a framework for other flora and fauna to establish in the future. Finally, through removing rabbits and weeds we are reducing the competition allowing native plants to establish.
Ned and Lauren adjust an end assembly for a fence line
The properties where we’ve worked are carefully selected with the aim of reconnecting the landscape; they link neighbouring properties and other existing vegetation in the surrounding area. This provides corridors and stepping-stones to allow flora and fauna to move throughout the landscape.
Looking back to April, I can visualise how the properties piece together on a localised and regional scale. For example, one property has a reserve of remnant vegetation at the rear, we fenced off three areas on the property and planted 400 natives linking the reserve to the roadside corridor. Scarlet and Flame Robins have already been seen using the tree guards as a perch to find their next meal! Proof that it doesn’t take a long to see the positive effects in the landscape.”
By crew member, Jason Burgoyne
Connecting Country currently has opportunities available to provide subsidised support for projects like these on new properties. If you’re a local landholder and are interested in learning if your property is eligible, contact Jarrod Coote on 03 5472 1594 or jarrod@connectingcountry.org.au to discuss further. Also please forward this onto any neighbours, friends or others you think might be interested received help from the Connecting Country Works Crew on a restoration project on their properties.
19 Sept 2015 – Protecting Threatened Wildlife Forum
Posted on 28 August, 2015 by Connecting Country
Our neighbours down south, the Macedon Ranges Shire Council, will host a lively and topical forum on local wildlife facing extinction on Saturday 19 September 2015.
“Protecting Threatened Wildlife” will combine stimulating thought and discussion from two of Australia’s leading ecologists; Dr Peter Menkhorst (Arthur Rylah Institute) and Dr Dan Harley (Zoos Victoria). It will take place from 2pm–4.30pm at the Newham Mechanics Institute, 1292 Rochford Road, Newham.
Held during National Threatened Species Month, the afternoon will see speakers cover a range of topics, including:
- species in the Macedon Ranges that are most at risk from extinction
- what we’ve lost as a result of extensive clearing of native vegetation
- effective strategies being employed to prevent the loss of native animals.
29 Aug 2015 – Landscape Inspired Newstead Artists
Posted on 27 August, 2015 by Connecting Country
This Saturday 29 August 2015 from 3pm to 5pm is the Grand Opening of the Newstead Arts Hub. To celebrate this opening of the Arts Hub at the refurbished Newstead Railway Station, local artists were invited to submit two or three pieces of work for the inaugural exhibition. Of interest is that almost all the works (paintings, photos and sculpture) take inspiration from the natural landscape, which is one of the reasons we thought Connecting Country members and supporters may be interested in attending either on the opening weekend, or one of the two subsequent weekends. (Further details are provided in the flyer).
Wetland Plants Identification Course with Damian Cook
Posted on 25 August, 2015 by Connecting Country
The Mount Alexander Shire is indeed fortunate to have so many specialists in natural history in its midst. Two of the best are Damian Cook and Elaine Bayes, and Connecting Country is lucky to have them on our Expert Advisory Group.
Through their business – Rakali Consulting – they are running three one-day courses in the identification of wetlands plants. Elaine and Damian have told us, “This course is aimed at anyone interested in wetland plant identification and ecology. The course will run over 3 days and each day will focus on a different wetland habitat (water’s edge, deep marsh and mudflat) and be timed so as to follow the wetting and drying of the stunning Reedy Lagoon at Gunbower Island. Participants can elect to do 1, 2 or all 3 days. ….. [Each] day will be divided between being outside observing plants in their natural habitat and collecting specimens and class time using field guides, keys and microscopes. There will also be discussion and presentation time. Notes and identification keys will be provided. Lunch, morning and afternoon tea provided.”
| Day 1 | Wed 11 November 2015 (Spring) | Water edge/shallow marsh – identifying grasses, sedges and rushes (gum boot depth) |
| Day 2 | Wed 24 February 2016 (Summer) | Deep Marsh/Floating and submerged aquatics (waders) |
| Day 3 | Wed 20 April 2016 (Autumn) | Mud flat specialists (gum boot depth) |
The course is being held at Treetops, Spencer’s Bridge Road (off Cohuna-Koondrook Rd), Cohuna, Victoria which is located on the banks of Gunbower Creek. Field work will be conducted at Reedy Lagoon and timed to follow environmental water delivery to ensure wetland plants are at their peak. The cost per day is $319 (inc. GST) or $880 (inc GST) for all three days.
More information on the course, and details on how to register, are available on the Rakali Consulting website (click here).