New Newsletter on the Mosaic Burning Project
Posted on 17 December, 2013 by Connecting Country
The Box-Ironbark Experimental Mosaic Burning Project has published its 6th newsletter (click here). This issue includes information on their research methodology and the plant composition of their study plots. Future issues will contain detailed results of pre- and post-fire comparisons.
New edition of ‘chat’
Posted on 16 December, 2013 by Connecting Country
The November 2013 edition of the North Central CMA publication, ‘chat’, is now available. (Click here to download.) This month’s edition includes information on the South African Weed Orchid which is prevalent in our Shire this year, some terrific ‘snaps of the month’, and news about upcoming events, courses and resources.
Land Restoration Film in Progress
Posted on 4 December, 2013 by Connecting Country
The Ballarat Region Treegrowers (BRT) was formed in 1998 by a small group of farm forestry enthusiasts, and has since been promoting the benefits of integrating trees into the rural landscape for commercial and environmental benefits for landowners and the broader community. They are a local branch of Australian Forest Growers. The BRT has set up its own ‘biorich plantation’ based on the principles of integrating conservation and economic production (click here for more info).
The group is in the process of making a documentary film which will promote the return of native vegetation in rural areas through landholder-driven activities such as Landcare, agroforestry, biolinks and ‘sustainable’ farm management plans. They are interested in including Connecting Country as part of the doco, and we have been in discussions with them about this.
You can learn more about the film here. The site includes a video ‘promo’ featuring prominent environmental educator Rob Gell. They are also seeking donations to extend the length and quality of the film.
Find out about Mosaic Burning
Posted on 2 December, 2013 by Connecting Country
Deakin and LaTrobe Universities with support from DEPI and Parks Victoria are currently conducting a Box-Ironbark Mosaic Burning Project. In their fifth newsletter they describe the work being conducted to document forest structure and how it may change as a result of planned burns. The area focused on is the Heathcote-Rushworth Forest. For people interested issues related to planned burns this project and its documentation could be a valuable resource. Subscription details are included in the newsletter. Some comments on the project from a local perspective are featured in the Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests website.
New edition of ‘chat’
Posted on 23 November, 2013 by Connecting Country
The October 2013 edition of the North Central CMA publication, ‘chat’, is now available. (Click here to download.) This month’s edition includes articles on the spread of Bridal Creeper into the Kyneton Woodlands, the recent Landcare Camp Out on the Mount and the Cup Moth caterpillar.
2014 – BRIT Conservation and Land Management Course
Posted on 23 November, 2013 by Connecting Country
Do you want to make your passion your day job, and help the environment?
The Diploma in Conservation and Land Management provides students with the opportunity to undertake a blend of class room based study with participation in a range of industry projects and field trips as part of their training. Continue Reading »
24 Nov 2013 – Cactus Killing Field Day
Posted on 23 November, 2013 by Connecting Country
The next Wheel Cactus Community Field Day will be held next Sunday 24th November on a property near the corner of Watersons and Tarrengower School Roads, and will be well signposted from the corner of Watersons and Bridgewater-Maldon Roads.
The morning’s activities will begin at 10:30 am and end at approximately 12:30 pm with an enjoyable BBQ and friendly chat.
This is the last field day for the year and will be followed by the 2013 Tarrangower Cactus Control Group AGM. Everyone is welcome to stay for the meeting.
You can find out all about the Tarrangower Cactus Control Group Inc activities for this year on their website.
29 November 2013 – Landscape Restoration Bus Tour in Baynton
Posted on 14 November, 2013 by Connecting Country
On Friday 29th November, the Baynton Sidonia Landcare group and the Kyneton Woodland Project are offering a bus tour of three local properties to look at:
• indigenous vegetation restoration by direct seeding and tubestock planting
• how a little bit of fencing can make an enormous difference to what comes up once stock are removed
• plant ID (of indigenous vegetation)
• how to maintain areas of indigenous vegetation – dealing with weeds and the growth of grasses
They hope to hear from the landholders at each site about their motives in land restoration as well as from local vegetation guru Ian Higgins who is the Project Officer for the Kyneton Woodland Project.
The day will start at the Baynton Hall at 10 am with a talk by Ian about the principles of revegetation and restoration of indigenous vegetation. Ian is an inspirational speaker and his knowledge of vegetation is encyclopaedic.
After the talk, there will be a short bus ride to the first site which is on the Burke and Wills Track. Then a return to the Hall for one of Heather’s (of the Burke and Wills Track winery) excellent lunches and then a visit to sites at Barfold and Green Hill before the bus returns to the Hall at 3:30 pm.
Regretfully, the tour is not suitable for people of limited mobility. Not only is there the climbing on and off the bus, but there will also be walks of several hundred metres at each site over uneven, and at one site, steep, rocky, ground.
This event is funded by the Kyneton Woodland Project, so there is no cost to participants. If you would like to secure your place on the bus tour, please contact Clare on 54 234 152 or clare@knco.net by 25th November.
Some events this weekend (8-10 Nov)
Posted on 7 November, 2013 by Connecting Country
A reminder that the Castlemaine Field Naturalists talk this Friday evening (8 Nov 2013) is about particular recent discoveries and debates in the story of human evolution. Ross Williams gives his talk entitled ‘Bones of Contention’. For details, click here. All welcome.
The next day (Sat 9 Nov), the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club Excursion will be to the Newstead Cemetery and the Rise and Shine Reserve. It will leave from the Octopus building in Castlemaine – opposite the Castle Motel on Duke St – at 1.30pm.
On Sunday 10 Nov, local ecologist Damien Cook is leading a Nature Walk around Bells Swamp (between Maldon and Bridgewater), from 10.30am until 12 midday. You will see the amazing response of plants and birds to the flooding of this wetland, including the nationally threatened and recently discovered Myriophyllum porcatum. The excursion will commence from the intersection of Brooms Lane and the Bridgewater-Maldon Rd (at the southern end of Bells Swamp).
Positions Available in Connecting Country’s Works Crew
Posted on 27 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
We are seeking suitable people to form the 2014 Works Crew for Connecting Country’s Connecting Landscapes program.
Do you want to work outdoors? Do you want to make the natural world a better place? If yes, then this could be the job for you.
Connecting Country is seeking enthusiastic people to form its 2014 Environmental Works Crew. With funding from the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund, Connecting Country is implementing a long term program to protect and enhance native vegetation at a number of sites across the Mount Alexander Shire and immediate surrounds in central Victoria.
For more information on the program, and also for a copy of the full position description, click here. The role is a fixed term position, commencing early January 2014 and concluding in August 2014.
To apply, send your curriculum vitae or resume to “Connecting Country, PO Box 437, Castlemaine, VIC, 3450 by 5pm Monday 18th November 2013 or by email to jarrod@connectingcountry.org.au
For more information regarding the project and the position, contact Jarrod Coote on (03) 5472-1594 or email jarrod@connectingcountry.org.au
8 Nov 2013 – CFNC Talk ‘Bones of Contention’
Posted on 25 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
In August 2003, on the Indonesian island of Flores, scientists found the bones of a little female adult who died 18,000 years ago. She had been a little over one metre tall with a brain barely one third the average size of ours. Nor was she alone. Remains of others of the same type were found later.
The scientists had discovered a previously unknown species, Homo floresiensis. Astoundingly, these tiny beings made stone tools, used fire to cook meat and vegetables, hunted and killed large animals, worked co-operatively in groups and probably spoke a language. That is, they developed a society with its own enduring culture. And they survived on Flores until about 12,000 years ago! The world’s media pounced on the news, and told us that “real, live hobbits” used to live in Indonesia. In scientific circles, meanwhile, the discovery ignited a dispute which, a decade later, is still hot.
Sadly, the real Homo floresiensis got lost along the way.
At the November meeting of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club, guest speaker Ross Williams, will talk about what the hard evidence shows about the species’ appearance, its abilities, its ecology and how it fits into our own evolutionary history.
The talk will be held on Friday 8 November from 7pm in the hall behind the Uniting Church on Lyttleton St, Castlemaine (approx. midway between Kennedy St and Barker St). Entry is free. Both members and visitors are welcome to attend. The excursion the next day will be to the Newstead cemetery and the Rise and Shine Reserve. Contact the club for further details if needed (castlemainefnc@hotmail.com).
Mount Alexander Region Landcare E-news – October Edition
Posted on 25 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
The October 2013 edition of the Mount Alexander Landcare E-news is available. Click on the banner below to download the newsletter.
The Landcare E-news is short monthly update on Landcare-related news, information and events for the Mount Alexander Shire and surrounds. Previous editions of E-news are available from the Landcare page of the Connecting Country website (click here).
The newsletter is sent out by Connecting Country’s Local Landcare Facilitator, Max Schlachter. If you would like to be put on the recipient list, send Max an email: max@connectingcountry.org.au.
27 Oct 2013 – Cactus Killers Wanted!
Posted on 24 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
The next Wheel Cactus Community Field Day will be on Sunday 27th October at a property on the Baringhup Road opposite its intersection with Hayes Road. Click here to view map. This is being held by the Tarrengower Cactus Control Committee and Parks Victoria.
The morning’s activities will begin at 10:30 am and end at approximately 12:30 pm with an enjoyable BBQ and friendly chat. Everyone is welcome.
27th October 2013 – Weaving Workshop with Castlemaine Landcare
Posted on 22 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
On Sunday 27th October 2013 the Castlemaine Landcare Group are holding a free workshop on weaving with indigenous plants.
The workshop will be taken by Julie McHale who is a descendent of the Trawlwool Way People of the Devonport area in Tasmania, and an adopted elder on Dja Dja Wurrung country. Julie will demonstrate traditional weaving practices using local cumbungi grass and other materials. Participants will be encouraged to try their hand at this special craft.
This will be a great morning for families and anyone interested in discovering how the original people of the area worked with materials at hand.
As well as the indigenous weaving workshop, the Castlemaine Landcare group will be doing some maintenance on their National Tree day planting so bring your garden gloves, a hammer for staking plants and a spade or planting tool if you’d like to help.
It’s lovely and lush in Happy Valley at the moment so it will be a nice time to be working down by the creek.
Part of the Castlemaine Landcare Group’s 2013 National Tree Day Planting near Moonlight Creek.
When: Sunday 27 October
Time: 10- 12noon (morning tea provided)
Where: Meet at Moonlight Creek, the site worked on for National Tree Planting Day. To get there: travel along Colles Road, turn first left after you pass Pennyweight cemetery and continue until you see the Landcare group’s sign on the left.
Enquires: Robin Haylett – 5470-6340
24 October 2013 – Carbon Farming Talk, Baynton
Posted on 18 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
On Thursday 24th October the Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group is inviting landholders to attend an information session and discussion on the Carbon Farming Initiative.
The Carbon Farming Initiative, which began in 2012, offers opportunities for landholders to create Carbon Credits and to secure funds for land restoration projects.
The Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group have a well-deserved reputation for putting on interesting and well-organised talks, seminars and field days. No doubt this will be another one. Dinner will be provided.
Registration essential by phoning Clare on 5423 4152 or clare@knco.net by Tuesday 22nd October.
This event is free and funded by the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
When: Thursday 24th October, 6:30pm
Where: Baynton Hall, Darlington Road, Baynton
Click here to see the Connecting Country events calendar which includes a Google map of the event location.
19 October 2013 – Texas Needle Grass Field Day, Barfold
Posted on 16 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
Landowners and other interested people are invited to a field day on Saturday 19th October to help stop the spread of Texas Needle Grass (TNG) in the Barfold, Mia Mia, Metcalfe, Emburton and Redesdale district.
Texas Needle Grass (Nassella leucotricha) is a highly invasive introduced species that has already caused considerable damage to farmland in the eastern part of the Mount Alexander Shire. The sharp, pointed seeds are a hazard to animals and can contaminate produce. TNG also poses a significant risk to native grasslands.
While TNG is already known to occur in the area, the true extent of its spread has not been recorded. Members of Campaspe Valley Landcare Group and Metcalfe Landcare Group are coming together, with the support of the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network (UCLN) and Connecting Country to map the current extent of TNG in the district. These groups are building upon a similar project undertaken by the Malmsbury and Langley Landcare groups in 2012.
To begin the project, a field day has been organised for Saturday Saturday 19th October in Barfold, beginning at the Barfold Hall (Kyneton Redesdale Rd, Barfold) at 10am. The field day will feature needle grass identification training followed by a barbecue lunch, and conclude with a site visit to a nearby paddock containing TNG. Participants in the field day will have an opportunity to use their ID skills to contribute to the mapping project.
The data collected via this mapping project will assist local governments with their roadside management programs and help stop the spread of Texas Needle Grass.
If you would like to be involved in the project, or just want to learn more about identifying and managing Texas Needle Grass on your place, come along to the field day or contact Philip Don from the Campaspe Valley Landcare Group on (03) 5423-4182 or by email at mrdon@westnet.com.au.
Texas Needle Grass will be flowering in October and November. Photo: John Walter
20 Oct 2013 – Friends of Campbells Creek Community Day
Posted on 14 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
Everyone is welcome to come along to the Friends of Campbells Creek Community Day.
It is being held on Sunday October 20 between 10am to 3pm at Campbells Creek Park. The event will be celebrating over ten years of volunteers weeding and planting along the Creek from the junction of Forest and Barkers Creeks down to Cemetery Road Bridge.
During the day, a range of activities will be held including planting native grasses, family activities and games for children. Bus tours will be available so you can hop on board and be driven to interesting places of natural significance and sites where restoration is fully under way. A fully catered BBQ will be provided with vegetarian and gluten free options, and there will be a free raffle for attendees.
For more information please contact Shona on 0408-724-699
Volunteers at overlooking Campbells Creek
There are also another two new posts on the Connecting Country website about National Bird Week events (click here) and an acoustic celebration of Box-Ironbark Country (click here).
3 Nov 2013 – Acoustic Celebration of Box-Ironbark Country
Posted on 14 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
The premiere of a new radiophonic work, Jaara Jaara Seasons, will take place in Fryerstown on Sunday 3rd November.
Internationally renowned Sound Artist, Ros Bandt, has been immersed recording the sounds of box-ironbark over a 12 month period, with the kind permission of Uncle Brien Nelson, Jaara Jaara Elder. Her radiophonic work will be spread through the bush and include sound recordings from underwater, in the air and the sounds of multi-cultural musicians.
Performers include Rick Nelson (Jaara Jaara voice), Kinja – Ron Murray (didgeridoo/stories) and Sarah James (violin/voice), Mary Doumany (harp/voice), Le Tuan Hung (dan tranh), Wang Zheng Ting (sheng), and Ros Bandt (tarhu, psaltery/slide whistles/recorders).
To attend this free public event, meet at the Fryerstown School, 5 Camp Street, by 3:30pm to walk to the bush site for a 4:00 pm start. No bookings are necessary. The performance is 50 minutes duration and participants may bring a campstool if needed.
To find out more about the project click here.
19–25 October – Celebrate National Bird Week
Posted on 14 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
As part of National Bird Week, BirdLife Australia is holding an online vote to determine which is Australia’s favourite bird. A list of 52 species have been shortlisted – all are species that people readily encounter.
Already over 2000 people have voted and so far the Australian Magpie and Superb Fairy-wren are neck and neck in the national poll while other birds are ahead of the flock on a state by state basis.
To see all the candidates and to vote, click here. (There are lots of special birds that occur in the Mount Alexander Region amongst the candidates – the Swift Parrot got my vote. Go Swifty! Chris from Connecting Country).
Appointment to NRMC – Last days to submit an EOI
Posted on 7 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is seeking Expressions of Interest from community members for appointment to its Natural Resource Management Committee (NRMC). EOI for NRMC close this Friday 11 October 2013.
The CMA notes that the NRMC is ‘an integral part of the Authority that provides a community and local perspective to the work of the North Central CMA in the regional community. The NRMC also supports the organisation and provides advice to the Board on both project activity and community engagement at the strategic and operational level, as well as participating in local natural resource management activities.’ Continue Reading »