New Fish Field Guide
Posted on 11 December, 2012 by Connecting Country
The new North Central Waterwatch Fish Field Guide is now available. The Fish Field Guide is the second in a series of three field guides being developed by North Central Waterwatch to help the community identify aquatic fauna found in our local waterways. It can be viewed on the North Central CMA website by clicking here Be patient as this PDF document takes a while to open.
The Fish Field Guide provides descriptions of native species in north central Victoria, including their tail shape, fins positions, habitats, conservation, breeding cycles, diet. It also desribes the threats to native fish.
This new guide also highlights threatened species listed under state and/or national legislation, as well as information about fish that have been translocated into the North Central CMA region.
The Fish Field Guide follows the huge success of the North Central Waterwatch Frogs Field Guide which provides information on frogs, including their description, the sound of their calls, breeding times and their habitats.
Farm Tree and Landcare Association Newsletter
Posted on 6 December, 2012 by Connecting Country
The latest edition of the Farm Tree & Landcare Association newsletter is now available. It includes information on a wide range of Victorian grants, events and environmental items including how to recycle your mobile phone in order to save African gorillas.
11 Dec 2012 – Public Forum on Native Vegetation Laws
Posted on 30 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
The state government is considering making changes to the regulations for permitted native vegetation clearance. A few weeks ago, Connecting Country made a submission to the government in regard to a consultation paper about this (see previous blog). A number of organizations are concerned about the implications of the new rules upon areas of remnant native vegetation. For those that are interested, there is an upcoming public forum in Bendigo on the issue.
Draft Victorian Waterway Management Strategy – Call for comments
Posted on 30 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
DSE has recently made available the draft Victorian Waterway Strategy. This document describes the proposed policy for waterway management over the next eight years. It includes guidance on regional decision-making, investment, management issues, and roles and responsibilities of management agencies. An overview of the Strategy, the Strategy itself, and relevant media releases can be accessed here.
The DSE has invited submissions on the draft. The closing date is 7 December.
30 Nov – Indigenous Seed Collection Walk and Talk
Posted on 29 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
The Upper Loddon and Avoca Landcare Network and Seeding Victoria is holding an Indigenous Seed Collection Walk and Talk this Friday 30 November 2012.
The walk and talk is designed to introduce participants to the general aspects of collecting seed: collection, plant identification, seed collection and extraction, cleaning and storage of indigenous plant species.
Where and When: Friday 30 November 2012, 6.00 pm Paddys Ranges (exact location TBA).
For further information view the event flyer here. Or contact Chris Pollock on 03 54 632 563 / 0421 372 545 or email chrispollock7@gmail.com.
5 Dec 2012 – Celebrate International Volunteer Day
Posted on 29 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
Mount Alexander Volunteer Network has organised a Volunteer Expo at the Castlemaine Market Building on Wednesday 5th December 2012. The day will start at 11 am with an official launch followed by a celebration morning tea.
There will also be a Volunteer Thank You Dinner at the Castlemaine Town Hall from 7 pm where people can enjoy a delicious 2 course meal and live entertainment from Ghouls Gambit and acclaimed jazz diva Meg Corson. The dinner will be free of charge for volunteers and community workers. Bookings are needed by Monday 3 December.
Volunteers are vital for the success of Connecting Country and many other local organizations. This is a great local way in which people can be acknowledged for their contribution.
For bookings or enquiries please contact the Mount Alexander Volunteer Network by email to mavn@cch.org.au or telephone 0425 323 005.
New edition of ‘Chat’
Posted on 29 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
The latest edition of the North Central CMA newsletter North Central Chat is now available and can be downloaded here. The issue includes information on a new North Central Waterwatch Fish Field Guide, a new publication about Dung Beetles and a mystery photo from our landcare facilitator, Max Schlachter.
6 Dec 2012 – Future Farming Options Field Day
Posted on 23 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
The North Central CMA is holding a Future Farming Options Field Day in the Mystic Park area on Thursday 6th of December. The day promises to be full of thought-provoking information on locally adoptable farming options.
Topics to be discussed include:
- Grazing native pastures for long-term benefits: A local landowner story
- Future Farming Landscapes update: Kilter Pty Ltd
- Carbon Farming Initiative including trial site demonstrations
- Native vegetation for profit: Opportunities for landowners
Further information is contained in this flyer. RSVP is required as a free bbq will be on offer. To RSVP please call the North Central CMA on 03 5448 7124 or email info@nccma.vic.gov.au
1&2 Dec 2012 – Annual Bird Count Weekend – Helpers requested
Posted on 23 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
The Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club (CFNC) have been involved in the Annual Bird Count Weekend for more than a decade. Now organised by BirdLife Australia, the annual event involves birdwatchers from across Australia recording as many individual bird species and individuals as they can within a set period and within their defined area (for us, it’s within a 40km radius from central Castlemaine). This year’s event is being held on the weekend of the 1 and 2 December.
With the recent launch of Connecting Country’s Woodland Bird Programme, and following our recent bird identification training day, Connecting Country are hoping to put at least one or two teams together for one or both of these days (depending on interest) to help out the CFNC. Or you could join one of the CFNC teams on the Saturday morning. You don’t need to be an expert – each team will have at least one person experienced in bird identification. Birding novices are encouraged! It promises to be a lot of fun and a great way to learn more about birds of the local area. And also provides important knowledge about the health of the local bird community.
If you are interested or would like more information, contact Kerryn (kerryn@connectingcountry.org.au) or Chris (chris@connectingcountry.org.au) by Thursday 29 November.
25 Nov 2012 – Cactus Control Field day
Posted on 21 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
The last Cactus Control field day for 2012 will be held next Sunday 25th November at 55 Waldrons Lane off the Baringhup Road (look for the signs).
As usual the morning will start at 10.30 am and finish about 12.30 pm, and will be followed with a sausage sizzle. As this is the last field day there will be something special on the barbie and feel free to dress in a festive mood.
After the sausage sizzle, the AGM will take place. Everyone is invited to attend.
On behalf of the Committee, Tony Kane would like to thank everyone who has helped to make this a great year. Tony writes that ‘we pride ourselves on being a no pressure community-based group and it seems to be working’.
Calling Seed Collectors
Posted on 15 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country’s Connecting Landscapes programme will be looking to purchase locally-collected indigenous seed for our 2013 direct seeding program. Direct seeding is a method of establishing native vegetation by sowing seed directly into the soil. Most often a machine is used due to the scale of these plantings, but landholders can sow seed in small patches by hand. This method can be a cheaper and effective way to revegetate some properties. Connecting Country’s programme can also support funding for direct seeding for eligible landholders.
Connecting Country will need several kilograms of local provenance seed for its 2013 winter/spring sowing program. We would like to hear from Commercial Seed Collectors who can assist us fill this order. We are able purchase directly or through Seeding Victoria (formerly the Creswick Seedbank).
Acacia and Eucalypt seed ready for sowing
Currently we have projects at Muckleford, Walmer (sedimentary soil), Taradale and North Harcourt. Seed collectors are advised to speak to Jarrod Coote from Connecting Country closer to the picking time for further information on the types and provenances of seed we are after.
Enquires to jarrod@connectingcountry.org.au or 03 5472 1594 (Tuesday to Friday).
3 Dec 2012 – Myrtle Rust Information Session
Posted on 14 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
Myrtle rust was detected in Victoria for the first time in December 2011. It is a serious fungal disease affecting the plant family Myrtaceae, which includes eucalypts, lilly pilly, bottlebrush and many other Australian native species. The disease is of serious concern due to the ease in which it spreads.
The City of Greater Bendigo is hosting an information session on Myrtle rust, its characteristics, impacts and control measures.
Participants will learn more about:
- myrtle rust biology
- recognition of symptoms
- hosts
- treatment methods
- hygiene and
- minimisation of spread
The information session will take place on 3 December from 10 am to 12 pm at the Capital Theatre, 50 View Street, Bendigo. Further information on Myrtle Rust, future training sessions and resources is available from the Department of Primary Industries.
‘Communities for Nature’ Small Grants Now Open
Posted on 14 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
A Small Grants round of the DSE Communities for Nature programme opened on Saturday 10th November. It will close on Wednesday 19th December. Grants are up to $10,000.
Guidelines and the application form are available on the DSE website.
9 Nov 2012 – Learning about wetlands of Victoria’s volcanic plain
Posted on 7 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
Damien Cook will be the guest speaker at next Castlemaine Field Naturalist meeting on Friday 9 November. His presentation is entitled Wetlands of the Victorian Volcanic Plain.
Damien is a restoration ecologist with a keen interest in plant and frog taxonomy, wetland processes and geomorphology. He has studied natural history for over 25 years and has worked as an ecologist, project manager and environmental educator for the last 20 years. Damien is a member of Connecting Country’s Expert Advisory Group, and along with his partner Elaine Bayes, has led fascinating Connecting Country fields days in 2010 and 2011.
Under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, Seasonal Herbaceous wetlands of the Lowland Temperate Plains were recently recognized as a critically endangered ecological community. While the local Moolort Plains are some nearby examples of these type of wetlands, there are hundreds of others known about, particularly in the zone of western Victoria bounded by Colac, Warrnambool, Ararat, Ballarat and Hamilton. These wetlands predominantly occur on private land, and most have been significantly modified from their pre-European condition. Damien’s talk will cover these wetland systems in more detail, including aspects of their ecology, biota, distribution and formation. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. The meeting commences at 7.30pm, and is being held in the hall behind the Uniting Church in Lyttleton St, Castlemaine. Attendance is free.
Sweet Grass Wetland in the creator of Mt Anakie
The excursion the next day will be to an interesting area of diverse forest near Blackwood, departing from the Octopus building on Duke St (opposite the Castle Motel) at 10am.
For those who would also like to visit some of the Moolort Plains wetlands, the North Central CMA is hosting an excursion on the 2 December. More details are available by clicking here.
Connecting Country’s 2011-12 Annual Report and AGM
Posted on 29 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
On Tuesday 23 October 2012, Connecting Country held its Annual General Meeting at the Buda Homestead in Castlemaine. Staff, committee members, land management groups and volunteers were acknowledged and thanked for their superb contributions to the organization during the preceding year. There were eight nominations for the eight positions on the Committee of Management, with all nominees therefore elected unopposed for the year ahead. Attendees were also treated to inspirational talks at either end of the formal AGM proceedings, with Kane Weeks speaking about the new Dja Dja Wurrung Enterprise and Sam White talking about the environmentally sustainable practices that he’s implementing at his family farm in Sidonia. The minutes from the AGM are available by clicking here.
The other exciting aspect of the evening was the launch of Connecting Country’s inaugral Annual Report. An electronic PDF copy of this Annual Report, which covers our acheivements for the 2011-12 year and introduces our aspirations for the year ahead, is available by clicking here (2.2 MB). Please let us know if you have any problems downloading it, or if you’d like to discuss any aspect of its contents.
Changes to Native Vegetation Clearing Regulations – our submission
Posted on 27 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
The Victorian Government was requesting feedback on the Review of Victoria’s Native Vegetation Permitted Clearing Regulations (click here for earlier Connecting Country web post). On the DSE website, the stated aim of the review is to ensure the permitted clearing regulations are contributing to achieving Victoria’s biodiversity objectives efficiently and effectively.
Connecting Country prepared and submitted a letter in response to this Consultation Paper. This letter can be viewed by clicking here. As always, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments about this post or our submitted letter (chris@connectingcountry.org.au).
10 Nov 2012 – Field Day on Texas Needle Grass
Posted on 25 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
Would you know if there’s Texas Needle Grass on your place?
On the Saturday 10th November a new project will be launched in Malmsbury called ‘Needle Grass – A Community Response’. It aims to raise community awareness of the serious threat Texas Needle Grass poses to both private and public land in the Malmsbury/Langley/Taradale district. The grass, which looks almost identical to some native Spear Grasses, has been spreading in the area for many years and has recently increased rapidly with the wetter seasons. Some grazing land in the area has been rendered unusable by its presence.
Sea of Texas Needle Grass infesting a property on Post Office Road, Malmsbury. This is part of the project area. The photo is courtesy of John Walter.
This project is the first in the area to specifically tackle Texas Needle Grass. It will do so by raising community awareness of its presence, and the threat it poses, and also by mapping its occurrence on private land and roadsides so that future control work can be planned effectively.
A field day will be held near Malmsbury on Saturday 10th of November to launch the project and will include a demonstration of an EcoBlade – a brand new piece of technology (there is only a handful in Victoria) that can slash weeds and apply herbicide to cut stems at the same time. We’ll also be visiting some healthy Needle Grass infestations on the day. If you think there might be Needle Grass on your property or roadside, or you don’t know what to look for, then this event could be a real help. Click here to view more details of the event on the Connecting Country events calendar. Continue Reading »
28 Oct 2012 – Cactus Control Field Day
Posted on 23 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
The next Cactus Committee and Parks Victoria community field day will take place next Sunday 28th October at the “Cork Plantation” which is on Mount Back Road behind Mount Tarrengower. It will be well sign-posted from Watersons Road.
As usual, the field day will start about 10.30 am and finish with a sausage sizzle and cuppa.
25 Oct 2012 – How to Identify Chilean Needle Grass
Posted on 18 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
Chilean Needle Grass is a Weed of National Significance. It can degrade farmland, harm sheep and lower the value of their wool. It can also invade and damage natural ecosystems. It is one of a range of exotic needle grasses that have been of concern to a local working group (click here for more information on this group).
You are invited to attend a free workshop that is being held to learn how to identify Chilean Needle Grass and what to do about it on Thursday 25th October at 5pm at the location between 11 & 13 at McEwan Street, Castlemaine (entrance to the land behind).
Matt Sheehan – National Weed Spread Prevention Coordinator will facilitate the workshop which will include identification and removal of Chilean Needle Grass. BYO weeding tools (e.g. kitchen knife), gloves and insect repellent.
More information is available from McKenzie Hill Landcare & Action Group (ph. 5470 5556).
This workshop is part of an eradication and control program funded by Victorian Landcare Grants Program.
29 Nov 2012 – Secrets to Successful Groups
Posted on 17 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
A training session on ‘Secrets to Successful Groups’ will be held in Bendigo on 29 November. The session is organised by the Farm Tree and Landcare Association and is free for all Landcare members. For a list of modules that will be covered and booking and location details see the flyer here.