24 May 2015 – You’re invited to a bushwalk at Burns Hill
Posted on 21 May, 2015 by Connecting Country
The Golden Point Landcare group extend an invitation to the community to join them for a walk and weed-pull in through the historic goldfields bush on Sunday 24 May 2015. Its starts from 10am at the Monster Meeting site, and then heads up to the historic ruins at Burns Hill. A great opportunity to learn about both weed management and the early European history of this interesting locality.
Further details are provided in the attached flyer (CLICK HERE).
But, for those with young children, be warned. There are a number of uncapped mine shafts near the walking track.
Gold rush remnants at Burns Hill. Photos by John Ellis
The Night-breathing Cactus Must Never Fruit
Posted on 14 May, 2015 by Connecting Country
The Tarrangower Cactus Control Group know a thing or two about Wheel Cactus.
They know that it breathes at night so as not to expose any of its precious water molecules to the sun, and they know that it can be left in the pitch-black boot of a car for three years without killing it – without killing it!
They also know that Wheel Cactus is spreading like a Triffid in Central Victoria. Once upon a time it was confined to a hill near Maldon, then it started to appear on hills nearby, and then on the roadsides and farmers paddocks and in the forest. Now it’s starting to appear in Muckleford, Yandoit and Castlemaine, as well as towns to the north.
The group is so concerned about its rapid spread that they recently held a workshop to tell land management professionals from around the district about their experience killing cactus, and particularly about their newest weapon – Daconate.
Daconate is a ‘Group Z’ herbicide which can only be used under permit by an accredited person. The group will not be using it at their community field days but they have recently done experiments that demonstrate it can kill a Wheel Cactus faster and with much less effort than anything they’ve used before. For weed control professionals and accredited landholders, it could be an important new weapon in the fight against wheel cactus.
The Group’s president Ian Grenda has not changed his take home message however.
“Just don’t let them fruit”
“The plants take four years to mature and set their first fruits, so they’re basically harmless four the first four years”, says Ian.
“But as soon as they set fruit you’re in trouble. The crows eat the fruit and carry the seeds far and wide; foxes do the same. The seed can remain viable for 20 years.”
If you would like information on how to identify or control Wheel Cactus, go to the Tarrangower Cactus Control Group’s website – http://www.cactuswarriors.org or contact info@cactuswarriors.org.
Nature’s Stocktake – Set your goal, then ask your questions
Posted on 13 May, 2015 by Connecting Country
On 8 May 2015, Alex Pannelli kindly offered his bush block in Taradale to host the fourth and final workshop in our 2015 Autumn series -‘Nature’s Stocktake’. Participants visited four sites on his property, which is protected into perpetuity by a Conservation Covenant, to learn about how to measure the biodiversity changes that their restoration work would bring about.
Following Alex’s compelling introduction to the site, where participants learned about his family history on the property and stories of ‘the big tree’, they walked to a nest box where Connecting Country’s Tanya Loos gave an insight into our long-term monitoring programs across the shire for birds and arboreal marsupials. The approaches used in these monitoring programs were outlined as possible methods for participants to implement on their own properties.
Next, Paul Foreman of Blue Devil Consultancy provided participants with a nuanced view of what we know as landscape health, and also useful tips and tools for conducting a desktop study. Following a warming lunch, Terri Williams from Bendigo TAFE then took participants though the percentage cover method of vegetation surveys at two sites so that people could ‘get their eye in’ and experience the process of scientific rigour.
Thanks to Alex, Tanya, Paul and Terri for their contribution to an informative and practical workshop. Thanks also to Jules Walsh for her great help on the day and Alex and Ned from the Connecting Country works crew for their help with the marquee.
For further references and reading on various monitoring techniques are available on our webpage (click here).
A new monitoring topic has been established on the Discussion Forum so that the conversation and questions can continue. If you are not already a registered Forum user, you follow this step by step guide to join (click here). Or you can simply view the forum (click here).
This concludes our Autumn Biodiversity Workshop series for 2015. Preliminary information about our Spring Workshop series can be found here . More detailed information about the Spring series – including registration forms – will be available soon.
Alex explains his family connection to the site
Terri introduces the Braun Blanquet method
Paul talks geophysical
Thanks to Bronwyn Silver
Posted on 8 May, 2015 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country wishes Bronwyn Silver all the best as she has decided to step down from her role here to pursue other interests and opportunities. Bronwyn was prominent in the early development of Connecting Country and, as an employee over the past 4 years or so, has played a major role in coordinating the promotion of the organisation, managing our website, taking photos and developing most of the blogs that are sent out so regularly. She’s also been very generous with her time and assistance in helping out on a number of other CC events and activities.
Staff and a number of committee members and volunteers recently attended a thank-you lunch for her at one of our favourite local establishments.
All at Connecting Country thank her tremendously for the contributions that went well above and beyond expectations.
We’ll look forward to seeing her around though, as she is still very much involved with the Friends of the Box Ironbark Forests activities and other local projects. She’ll also have more time now to devote to expanding her artistic repertoire, some of which are on display at her current exhibition in Castlemaine (click here).
Thanks Bron.
Other events during May 2015
Posted on 8 May, 2015 by Connecting Country
The North Central CMA have made us aware of three events being held in the broader region during the second half of May 2015, which may be of interest to Connecting Country members and supporters. The details of these are provided below.
Bats: fascinating creatures of the night
What: Information session with Lindy Lumsden, Research Scientist, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Lindy will discussing how many species of insectivorous bats are found in the Paddy’s Ranges and how these bats can help with insect management on your property.
When: Friday 22 May 2015
Time: 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm
Where: Community Hub, Burns Street, Maryborough
RSVP: Belinda Pritchard, DEDJTR on 03 5461 1107, 0408 342 593 or email belinda.pritchard@ecodev.vic.gov.au. Alternatively, contact Chris Pollock, Upper Loddon and Avoca Landcare Network, on 03 5463 2563 or 0421 372 545.
Further info: follow this link (click here)
Farm Business Boot Camp
What: Workshop to improve business success for beef and sheep farmers under 35 years. Social networking dinner with guest speakers.
When: Wednesday 27 May 2015
Time: Workshop: 8.30 am to 5.00 pm, Dinner: 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm
Where: Foundary Hotel Complex, 366 High Street, Bendigo, VIC 3850
RSVP: Online by clicking the link below or calling Jon Graftdyk, DEDJTR on 03 5772 0225
Further info: follow this link (click here)
Saltwatch Week
What: This is a program that raises awareness about salinity issues in our region. Participants will actively take part in assessing the condition of waterways from across Victoria. You will have the opportunity to:
- Learn about the effects of salinity on water quality in your local catchment
- Collect and sample salinity from a waterway near you
- Contribute significant information on salinity to a state-wide database
The North Central Catchment Management Authority, in partnership with the Victorian Waterwatch Program, is encouraging community groups, landholders and volunteers to take part in this year’s snapshot monitoring event. The event is a great opportunity to contribute salinity information from our waterways to a statewide database.
When: 18 to 24th May 2015
RSVP: Register your interest with Cass Davis, the Regional Waterwatch Coordinator at the NCCMA by 14 May. Contact details on the attached flyer (click here).
Other
For further details about upcoming events across the region, including grant writing workshops and chemical users courses, check out the Victorian Landcare Gateway website (click here).
15 May 2015 – Help Tanya pull a swiftie!
Posted on 6 May, 2015 by Tanya Loos
It’s that time of year again – when bird enthusiasts across south-eastern Australia are seen staring intently into Yellow Gums searching for swifties and regents.
Swifties or Swift Parrots are very special visitors to the box ironbark forests from about April to September each year, flying across Bass Strait from their breeding grounds in Tasmania. The Mount Alexander Shire is one of the best-known swiftie hot-spots in Victoria. Visit Geoff Park’s blog Natural Newstead for an update on recent observations (click here). The last Regent Honeyeater stronghold is in NSW, but there is a glimmer of a chance they will visit this area again one day.
The Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club have participated in the annual Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater surveys for over twenty years, and will be taking part over the official survey weekend on May 16 and 17. However, surveys can be done up to a week either side of this weekend. These surveys provide critical long-term data on the movements, habitat use and population sizes of these two threatened species.
If you would like to join in a search for swifties, and visit a really special spot at the same time, why not join Connecting Country’s resident birdo Tanya on her survey outing on Friday 15 May 2015. She will be visiting Columbine Creek in the Fryers Range State Forest, south of Fryerstown. The survey will begin at 9am, and finish midday at the latest.
Please email or telephone Tanya for the details (03 5472 1594 or tanya@connectingcountry.org.au). Everyone from beginner to expert is very welcome to join in.
If you would like to do a Swiftie survey on another day, copies of the datasheet are available for downloading (WB-Swift_Parrot-Regent_Honeyeater_survey_sheet-May_2014 ). Even if you don’t see the target species during your searches, it is still worthwhile to send the information about your unsuccessful search into Birdlife Australia. It helps them to know where birds are not being found, as well as where they are present.
In 2014, Doug Ralph showed us the beauty and richness of the Columbine Creek bushland.
For more information on the Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater BirdLife survey results from 2014: Swift Parrot & Regent Honeyeater August update for 2015_FINAL
Mount Alexander Shire – draft Environment Strategy comments due 14 May
Posted on 5 May, 2015 by Connecting Country
Last week, Connecting Country staff and committee members attended two of the four community workshops/information sessions about the Mount Alexander Shire Council’s 10-year Environment Strategy. The strategy has been released as a draft, and is now open for comment (click here). The three main components of the ‘Environment’ that it covers are the Natural Environment, Sustainability and Waste Management. The last day to provide feedback is Thursday 14 May 2015.
This proposed new strategy follows on from the council’s 2011-2014 Environment Strategy, which is still available for viewing on their website, along with an accompanying State of the Environment Report (click here). By comparing the previous and proposed Environment Strategy documents for the shire, you will quickly see that a very different approach is being taken this time around. As stated in the Introduction chapter, the scope of the 2015-2025 strategy “is limited to the role of Council as a local government organisation.”.
You can make a submission by adding your feedback directly into the draft document, and then posting it to them (see details on council’s website – click here). Or, as Connecting Country is doing, you can provide your feedback to them within a separate letter.
How can the council best support community groups and individuals to undertake landscape restoration?
We encourage local residents and groups to seriously consider this draft strategy. Through its legislative powers, the local council has an important role in managing human impacts on the environment of the Mount Alexander region. With support and encouragement from the community, it can also be a driver of positive change leading to a healthier landscape for both people and biodiversity. Environment Strategies can significantly influence where councils and their staff direct their energies and efforts over many years, and can even establish a locality as a showcase of environmental management.
It can be difficult to know where to start when reviewing and providing feedback on a draft document such as this. In this instance, we have found it useful to think about an important local issue (e.g. the spread of Wheel Cactus; vegetation removal on private land), and then to test this issue against the draft Environment Strategy to see where and how it would be addressed. For other suggestions, the Friends of the Box Ironbark Forest has recently posted some information on their website (click here).
Our submission will commend the council for committing to develop a new Environment Strategy to replace the previous one that finished in 2014. It will also identify that the draft that has been proposed is a good start, but that we’d like to see some more clarity and specific commitments around how the council will protect and restore the shire’s valuable ecosystems.
8 May 2015 – Talk in Castlemaine by Shorebird Expert
Posted on 4 May, 2015 by Connecting Country
Pied Oystercatcher with eggs ©Brett Lane
We recently promoted a BirdLife Australia fundraising program for scientists wanting to learn more about a poorly known shorebird, the Grey Plover (click here). As a nice little accompaniment to this story, the guest speaker for the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club this month is giving a presentation about shorebirds.
The presenter is Brett Lane, who is the author of the book ‘Shorebirds in Australia’ and has worked for many years on the distribution, abundance and migration of shorebirds in Australia and Asia. Since then he has continued to work on shorebirds as a consultant to government and private clients, advising on the effects of development on these birds and their habitats and on practical mitigation and offset strategies. He established one of Victoria’s leading ecological consultancies, Brett Lane & Associates Pty Ltd in 2001 and is currently working on a number of shorebird impact assessment and offset planning projects in South Australia and Victoria.
Greenshank ©Brett Lane
Brett writes “[My] talk will be about a fascinating group of birds: the shorebirds. Over 60 species occur in Australia and they include some of the most accomplished long-distance migrants in the world. Millions of shorebirds migrate each spring and autumn from Siberia and Alaska to Australia and New Zealand. [I] will introduce this group of birds and discuss their distribution and abundance in Australia, as well as their habitats and feeding choices. [I] will also provide an overview of the current significant threats to shorebirds throughout the East Asia – Australasian Flyway and discuss the future for these now quite threatened birds.”
Ruddy Turnstone foraging ©Brett Lane
Details: Friday 8th May 2015. Arrive from 7pm for a coffee and chat, with the meeting commencing from 7.30pm.
Held in the Fellowship Room behind the Uniting Church, Lyttleton St, Castlemaine (next door to the Castlemaine Art Gallery and Museum)
No RSVP required. Members and Visitors welcome. Free.
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper foraging ©Brett Lane
North Central ‘chat’ newsletter – April 2015 edition
Posted on 4 May, 2015 by Connecting Country
The latest edition of the North Central CMA’s publication ‘chat’ is now available on the Victorian Landcare Gateway website (click here).
This month’s contents include:
- Continued funding for local Landcare Facilitators
- Community champions needed for rabbit leadership program
- Saltwatch Week is approaching
In other news, the North Central CMA has also noted that their Regional Landcare Coordinator Amelia Morris is leaving in early May 2015.
April 19th 2015 -To plant or not to plant, that’s the question – even when it’s really cold!
Posted on 29 April, 2015 by Connecting Country
Anthony Battersby, the farm manager at ‘Shadwell’ in Elphinstone, kindly hosted the third workshop in our Autumn Biodiversity Workshop series -‘To Plant or Not To Plant”. Hardy participants braved the cold and visited three sites on the property where habitat restoration work is being undertaken part of managing the Black Angus beef production on the property.
Anthony outlined the work he has overseen over the last fifteen years, talking about motivations, successes and challenges in planting indigenous tubestock for wind breaks. Many thanks to Anthony for his time and generosity in sharing his experiences and insights with the workshop participants throughout the day.
Our second presenter on the day, Marion Da Costa from Dunolly, drew on ample experience in restoration though her efforts in returning her bare paddock into a grassy woodland. Marion has written a book titled My Place: Bare Paddock to Bush and gave a presentation which covered the story of this experience. Marion highlighted the importance of observing, planning, working gradually, weed control and making observations.
Throughout the day Jarrod Coote, Connecting Country’s Connecting Landscapes co-ordinator, provided his insights about revegetation and other restoration techniques. He also gave a final presentation about direct seeding, planting equipment options and rabbit control techniques.
Thanks to Anthony, Marion and Jarrod for their contribution to an informative and practical workshop. Thanks also to Jules Walsh and Chris Timewell for driving the buses and Shane Carey for the fantastic photos and our work experience student Courtney Rosedale for her help on the day.
Anthony shares his knowledge
Two herds braving the cold!
Marion responds to questions
For further references and reading on various techniques for restoration please visit our webpage (click here).
A new revegetation topic has been established on the Discussion Forum so that the conversation and questions can continue. If you are not already a registered Forum user, you follow this step by step guide to join (click here). Or you can simply view the forum (click here).
8 May 2015 – What is the measure of your success? – Nature’s Stocktake
Posted on 28 April, 2015 by Connecting Country
There are still a small number places available for the final session in our Autumn 2015 workshop program which will cover how to monitor and measure the outcomes of your restoration project. Expert presenters Paul Foreman from Blue Devil Consulting and Terri Williams from Bendigo TAFE will provide participants with an understanding of vegetation structure and function and will include learning how to undertake practical, easy and repeatable methods for measuring the health of your patch.
Connecting Country staff will also a give an overview our nest-box monitoring and annual bird surveys, for those with an interest in the animal aspect of bush restoration.
As this workshop will be undertaken on a beautiful bush block in Taradale (which is protected in perpetuity by a Conservation Covenant), attendees will be able to see and feel what might be regarded as an intact reference area for works on their property. The day runs from 10am to 3.30pm (Fri 8 May), with lunch provided by local food legends CAKE. Travel by bus from Castlemaine to the site is included if required.
So snuggly! Monitoring nest boxes can be rewarding and part of measuring the success of your restoration project
If you’d like to come along, please contact Naomi on 03 5472 1594 or email naomi@connectingcountry.org.au.
Connecting Country’s Online Discussion Forum
Posted on 24 April, 2015 by Connecting Country
With the upgrade of Connecting Country’s website in the second half of 2014, the opportunity to include a Discussion Forum within it was too good to pass up.
The main aim of our Forum is to provide a space where members, staff and other supporters of Connecting Country can share ideas about different aspects of Landscape Restoration at the local scale, and also national and international ideas and events. 
It was originally planned as a place where participants in our Education Program could continue their conversations after the completion of a field day – but it has been expanded to include all aspects of Connecting Country’s activities (e.g., education and engagement; flora and fauna monitoring; Landcare; on-ground habitat restoration; plus anything else relevant to Landscape Restoration in the Mount Alexander Region and beyond). Our resident ornithologist Tanya is already excited about the possibilities it has for discussing the latest sightings and surveys for the Feathered Five.
A link to the Forum can be found on the Home page of our website, or by following this link (http://connectingcountry.org.au/forums/). We encourage our members, blog subscribers and other interested people to register as contributors to the Forum. Or, if you’re wary of registering, you can also go to the Forum at anytime to see what others are discussing.
Unfortunately, there are a couple of steps to follow to become a registered user (click here for a step-by-step instruction guide with diagrams), but once you’ve got through this initial process then the Forum is yours to explore. Add to an existing topic of conversation or start a new topic – which doesn’t have to be about Connecting Country. All discussions are effectively un-moderated, but Connecting Country staff will intervene if there are personal attacks or other unsavoury comments made.
Feel free to pose a question or comment within the Forum. And remember, there are no stupid questions – except, possibly, the one that is not asked!
If you have any suggestions about how the Forum might be improved, please let us know. (Many thanks to the Norman Wettenhall Foundation for supporting the upgrade to the Connecting Country website, including the Discussion Forum).
Could we have a local winner for the 2015 Landcare Awards?
Posted on 23 April, 2015 by Connecting Country
There are many amazing Landcare groups individual contributors across the Mount Alexander Shire and surrounds. The work they are undertaking is not just making the local environment a healthier place to live, work and play, but they are making a significant contribution a healthier environment across the region and Victoria.
Through until the 21 June 2015, nominations are being sought for the Victorian Landcare Awards. There are a range of different categories.
If you know of a group, an individual or some other Landcare contributor that you believe is a worthy recipient – why not nominate them?
For more information, see the Landcare Awards website (click here).
Unlocking the Secrets of the Grey Plover
Posted on 23 April, 2015 by Connecting Country
The Mount Alexander Shire and surrounds in is not usually considered a hot-spot for migratory wading birds. Those who follow the Natural Newstead blog will know that Cairn Curran has a restricted range of sandpipers, plovers and other Spring-Summer visitors from the northern hemisphere. And, before there was a change in treatment practices 10 or more years ago, the sewerage settling ponds in Castlemaine also used to be a regular wader haunt at the right time of year. However, one species that has probably not ever visited the local area is the Grey Plover. This migratory wader likes coastal-zone habitats.
Relatively little is known about the movement patterns of this tiny species. But, somewhat incredibly, effectively only female birds every migrate to Australia each year from their Siberian and Alaskan breeding grounds. No-one is really sure why the vast majority of male Grey Plovers do not migrate here as well, nor do they know where they go instead!
A group of Grey Plovers in breeding plumage. (Image from BirdLife Australia and Australian Wader Study Group’s Pozzible page)
Our friends at BirdLife Australia, in conjunction with the Australian Wader Study Group, have launched a fundraising campaign so that scientists can learn more about their migratory pathways. The funds raised will allow satellite-tracking devices to be purchased and then attached to a small sample of Grey Plovers. If their crucial habitats and stop-over locations can be identified, then the chances that this declining species can be better protected will improve.
Donations can be made to the project at their Pozzible fund-raising website (click here), with all donations over $2 being tax deductible. And, like other Pozzible campaigns, you can get some nice rewards and gifts depending on the size of the donation. This website link also has much more information about the biology of the Grey Plover and the broader campaign to help this species.
11-13 May 2015 – Grant Writing Workshops in northern Victoria
Posted on 23 April, 2015 by Connecting Country
The North Central CMA is coordinating a series of free one-day workshops. The first half of each day covers Strategic Grant Writing and Grant Seeking for community groups (particularly Landcare groups). The second half of each day explores ideas about how groups can be re-energised.
These workshops are to be held at the following locations and times:
– 11 May in Echuca
– 12 May in Huntly
– 13 May in St Arnaud
For further information, see the attached flyer (click here).
RSVPs are required as places are limited. Contact the North Central CMA by 6 May 2015 at info@nccma.vic.gov.au or call 03 5448-7124.
26 April 2015 – Mayor to launch the resumption of Cactus battle
Posted on 23 April, 2015 by Connecting Country
The Tarrangower Cactus Control Group and Parks Victoria will open their Cactus Killing season this Sunday 26th April 2015. As usual they will start at 10.30 am. The venue for the opening field day is in Watersons Road near the corner of Tarrengower School Road. Follow the signs from the Watersons Road turn off on the Bridgewater-Maldon Road.
Everyone is welcome to join in.
The special guest this Sunday will be Cr Christine Henderson, the Mayor of Mount Alexander Shire, who has agreed to launch the 2015 season.
The cactus injecting will be followed by a free cuppa and BBQ. Further details are in the attached flyer (click here).
For more details about the menace posed to the local area by Wheel Cactus, and the work that the Tarrangower Cactus Control Group is doing to control it, can be found on the Cactus Warriors website (click here).
Nest boxes, Phascogales and Gliders
Posted on 21 April, 2015 by Connecting Country
One of Connecting Country’s main activities is to monitor biodiversity across the Mount Alexander region. From 2009 to 2011, clusters of three nest boxes were installed at approximately 150 locations as a tool to monitor the distribution and health of the Brush-tailed Phascogale (also commonly known as the Tuan). These specially designed nest boxes were installed in both public and private land, and within large and small patches of native woodland and forest habitat.
The nest box entrance has been chewed to widen it – possibly by a parrot or possum.
In April and May of 2011, 2012 and 2014 with landholders’ permission, Connecting Country staff undertook monitoring of a large sample of these boxes. April and May is the time of year that has the least disturbance upon the Tuan. In late 2014, a short report of the overall findings, and the specific results for their properties, was sent to the landholders involved. A copy of this report is available (click here).
In summary from the 2014 surveys, about 30% of sites have Tuans present (which is the same as for 2012) and about 85% of sites have Sugar Gliders present (up from 75% in 2012). We think this is a pretty good result, and indicates a relatively healthy and stable population of both species.
We undertake a comprehensive survey of boxes every second year – so 2016 will be another big one. In the intervening years (including 2015), we encourage landholders to observe their boxes on dusk during April and May, and to let us know which animals come out of them, if any. An instructional guide which describes how to passively monitor nest boxes was produced by Connecting Country in 2013 (click here) – and a recording sheet can also be downloaded (click here). If time allows, we hope to visit a small number of boxes during autumn 2015, particularly those that have not been checked in previous years.
A local landholder in the Yandoit area has a remote surveillance camera set up to watch his nest boxes. The short videos he has recorded provide interesting (and often amusing) insights. (NB: We have found that these videos work on most, but not all, computers. Apologies in advance if they don’t all work on your computer!).
– Click here to see a video of two young gliders gliding off from the top of the box
– Click here to see a video of a female Tuan entering the box with a young one clinging to her back
– Click here to see interactions between a glider and a Tuan
Many thanks for these great videos.
Watch this website over the coming weeks for more information about the Tuan. And if you do see a Tuan anywhere across the region, please send us the details to add to our database (info@connectingcountry.org.au).
(If we checked the boxes on your property last year, and you haven’t yet received your individual results – I apologise. We are missing some contact details for landholders. Please let us know, and we’ll send your update through straight away).
Have Your Say on The Next 10 Years…
Posted on 20 April, 2015 by Connecting Country
The Mount Alexander Shire Council is about to release a draft of of its much anticipated ‘Environment Strategy 2015 – 2025’.
The strategy will outline the Shire’s eight environmental priority areas for the next ten years. All residents of the Shire are invited to provide feedback on the strategy.
Photo courtesy of the Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests.
How to provide feedback?
The draft strategy will be available online via the Your Input section of Council’s website from Thursday 23 April until Thursday 14 May 2015. Comments can be made via email to info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or in person at the workshops.
Workshops will be held:
- Tuesday 28 April from 6.30pm until 8.00pm, Newstead Community Centre
- Wednesday 29 April from 6.30pm until 8.00pm, Leisure Centre, Harcourt
- Thursday 30 April from 1.00pm until 2.30pm, Town Hall, Castlemaine
- Thursday 30 April from 6.30pm until 8.00pm, Town Hall, Castlemaine
To attend please register with Dallas Giles, Healthy Environments Administration Officer with the shire, on 5471 1768 or via email d.giles@mountalexander.vic.gov.au .
Click here to download an invitation to the workshops.
Mount Alexander Landcare Forum – 19 June 2015
Posted on 17 April, 2015 by Connecting Country
If you’ve ever wanted to grow your own timber, learn more about using fire to manage pastures, save a plant from local extinction, organise a successful festival or meet a whole lot of Landcare members then the Mount Alexander Landcare Forum is the place to do it!
The forum will include a series of presentations on topics including: Agroforestry & Landcare (Ben Boxshall), Applying Indigenous Fire Knowledge to Pasture Management (Brendon Kennedy & Paul Foreman), Saving the Silver Banksias of Baynton Sidonia (Clare Claydon) and a dinner presentation on the Lake Bolac Eel Festival and Healing Walk (Una Allendar & Brett Clark).
As well as the talks there will be a social dinner and music from forum presenter and Gunditjmara man Brett Clarke.
The Forum is for Landcare and Friends group members, NRM professionals and anyone with an interest in the topics or Landcare volunteering in the Mount Alexander Region. The Forum is free for Landcare members and $10 for non-members.
Click Here for more information about the forum presenters and their topics.
Date: Friday 19th June 2015
Time: Starts at 3pm (Click here to view flyer with program)
Location: Campbells Creek Community Hall, Elizabeth St, Campbells Creek (map here)
RSVP: To Max Schlachter by Friday 12th June to max@connectingcountry.org.au or 5472 1594
The Mount Alexander Landcare Forum is being organised by Connecting Country’s Local Landcare Facilitator with funding from the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
Places available for Revegetation Workshop – 19 April 2015
Posted on 15 April, 2015 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country’s community planting day in Elphinstone 2014
We’ve received a little bit of rain this week. So, is it time to start planting?
We have less than ten spots left for this Sunday 19th of April workshop titled ‘To Plant or not to Plant”. On a working farm in Elphinstone, our three excellent presenters will take you through different methods available for actively restoring the bush. See our earlier blog for more details (click here).
We’ll have a delicious lunch and afternoon tea by the local organisation CAKE.
The day runs form 10am-3.30pm and there is a courtesy bus departing from Castlemaine going to and from the site . If you’d like to come along, please contact Naomi on 03 5472 1594 or email naomi@connectingcountry.org.au.