New issue of Groundcover
Posted on 30 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
The latest issue of North Central CMA publication formerly known as Groundcover can be downloaded here. The name, Groundcover, is being changed and there is a competition for a new title.
This issue contains a report on the recent successful frog forum in Newstead, the new State laws which make Councils responsible for controlling roadside weeds and pests such as rabbits, and information on the Blueprint for Australian Agriculture.
Nominations now open for Regional Awards
Posted on 30 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
Regional Achievement and Community Awards highlight, acknowledge and reward the contribution that businesses, individuals and community groups, organisations and clubs make in and for their local community. They are offered by a range of government and non-government organisations. Click here for more details.
Nominations are open for the following categories:
- Regional Development Victoria Business Achievement Award
- Parks Victoria Environment and Sustainability Award
- Regional Development Victoria Trade and Career Achievement Award
- Parks Victoria Regional Achiever Award
- BlueScope Distribution Leadership and Innovation Award
- Medibank Healthy Participation Award
- Prime Super Community Group of the Year Award
- Department of Sustainability and Environment Water Efficiency Improvements Award
Land restoration: is ‘local provenance’ enough?
Posted on 27 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
About 60 people turned up to Sutton Grange on Tuesday night to hear Melbourne University’s Ari Hoffman deliver a stimulating talk about how landcare groups might approach revegetation projects to cope with a rapidly changing climate. His talk was the third in the 2012 Connecting Country education program evening series.
Professor Hoffman’s absorbing talk was built on a number of propositions: the climate is changing rapidly—more rapidly than it ever has; the ability of plant communities to cope with change is directly related to genetic diversity; and that, therefore, we can enhance the ability of our vegetation communities to survive rapid change by increasing their genetic diversity.
Loddon River near Guildford, September 2010: Professor Hoffman used the example of River Red Gum to suggest that restoration works should use a proportion of plants sourced some distance from the work site, in order to enhance genetic diversity.
Professor Hoffman acknowledged that his argument potentially ran counter to the accepted thinking of Landcare groups and other land restoration practitioners: these currently operate on the belief that revegetation projects should be done with plants sourced from seeds collected locally: that plants having ‘local provenance’ will be best suited to local conditions. Ari Hoffman agreed that this is generally the case, but argued that in times of change, and in situations where plant and animal communities had been fragmented by land clearing and development, isolated populations can lack the degree of genetic diversity which could increase their resilience in the face of change. He suggested that future revegetation projects should use a provenance system roughly divided as follows: about sixty per cent ‘local’; thirty per cent sourced from a ‘medium’ distance away; and ten per cent from a significant distance away. A variety of approaches could be used, depending, for example, on whether a species used wind or birds to disperse seeds.
Professor Hoffman acknowledged that there were risks in this procedure, but noted that some natural hybridisation was common, and that experimental evidence had shown that isolated populations were strengthened by the introduction of new genetic material.
Discussion of this idea was lively, probing and constructive, and the audience stayed for a long time after the talk—encouraged by the presentation of outstanding supper desserts by Growing Abundance.
The above article was written by Bernard Slattery for the Friends of the Box-Ironbark website.
To listen to an audio version of Professor Hoffman’s presentation, click here.
Improving Weed Identification Skills
Posted on 24 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
The North Central CMA has free community Weed Identification Workshops planned for Avoca and Hepburn Springs during June 2012. Topics covered include: understanding weeds, key weed characteristics, weed growth stages, integrated weed management and chemical and non-chemical control options. These interactive workshops will include both presentations and hands on activities.
1. Avoca – Weed Identification Workshop
When: Wednesday 13 June 2012, 9 am to 4 pm (Lunch provided)
Where: Avoca Information Centre, 122 High St, Avoca VIC 3467
RSVP: By Friday 8 June 2012 on (03) 5448 7124 or email info@nccma.vic.gov.au.
2. Hepburn Springs – Weed Identification Workshop
When: Wednesday 27 June 2012, 9 am to 4 pm (Lunch provided)
Where: Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat, 124 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs
RSVP: By Friday 22 June 2012 (as above).
For further information and to view the flyers for each of these events please visit the Victorian Landcare Gateway Website
27 May – Cactus Killing Continues
Posted on 24 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
The first cactus control community field day for the year was held on Sunday 29 April. The day was launched by Maree Edwards, MP for Bendigo West. There was a big turnout and the event had a front page write up in the Tarrangower Times.
The next Field Day will be on 27 May starting at 10.30. It will be held at the same venue – off Waterson’s Road near Tarrengower School Road intersection and will be well signposted. Because of the Trial Bike World Championship competitions being held all weekend off Mount Back Road, the traffic along Waterson’s Road might be very busy. It may therefore be easier to access the site by going the long way around and entering Waterson’s Road from the Baringhup end.
See the attached notice for a map. Everyone is welcome.
Farm Tree and Landcare Association Newsletter
Posted on 22 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
The latest Farm-Tree and Landcare Association newsletter includes items on the National Landcare Conference in September and the impact of the State and Federal budgets on environmental funding. There are also the regular sections on Awards and Opportunities, Events, and News and Resources.
Click here to see the newsletter.
Who should pay for good private land management, and how?
Posted on 18 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country’s most recent field day (22 April) was held at Malcolm Fyffe’s grazing property at Sandon. Introducing the trip, Deirdre Slattery, CC Education Advisor, suggested that an historical perspective on private land use showed many changes have taken place in government and community attitudes to land, from wholesale clearing to protection. Malcolm Fyffe and the North Central CMA’s Geoff Park, illustrated the current difficulties and dilemmas involved in farming for a productive and healthy landscape: many of the issues they raised look rather different when seen from a farming or a nature conservation point of view.
Deirdre Slattery provides an introduction to the excursion by explaining issues surrounding historical and present day land use patterns.
The group visited a range of sites: erosion gullies, one active, another planted and fenced out and stable; grazing pastures of both improved and native species; a fenced out remnant of rather degraded bushland and a planned wildlife corridor. Finally Malcolm showed us a large block of land that he leases and runs under light stocking conditions. This site has been partially cleared, but also has partially recovering shrubby native vegetation on its steep slopes and rocky fragile soils. Continue Reading »
17 May 2012 – Reminder about three events on this Thursday
Posted on 16 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
There are three local events on Thursday 17 May. The details of the first two have already been included on the Connecting Country site (follow the links below):
Consultation on the North Central CMA draft Regional Catchment Strategy to be held in the Campbells Creek Community Hall.
Elphinstone AGM where Ern Perkins, local flora expert, will speak on native and non-native grasses.
The third event is is through the Newstead Landcare Group. It is a presentation by Hedley Thomson of Ballarat Environment Network and Goldfields Weed Management on the topic of ‘Sensitive Area Weed Management’. Hedley will talk about the best ways to manage weeds in sensitive areas and how the use of herbicides can be minimised. He will also help us to understand what natural systems can be enlisted in controlling weeds to get the safest results. This promises to be not only a very interesting but also very useful evening. Hedley is well known as a passionate and engaging presenter. The talk starts at 8 pm at Newstead Community Centre. All are welcome to attend and gold coin donations would be appreciated. A brief (and optional) business meeting will follow. Contact Patrick Kavanagh of Newstead Landcare 5476 2755 for more details.
25 May – Native Pasture Field Day
Posted on 15 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
There will be a field day on the benefits of native grasses in farming systems on Friday 25 May at the Yandoit Community Hall. This free event runs from 12pm to 4pm, with lunch provided, and is hosted by Connecting Country and the North Central CMA.
Graeme Hand, CEO of Stipa Native Grasses Association Incorporated, will give a presentation which will be followed by a bus trip to a local property. This visit will provide a backdrop for discussion about the production potential of native pastures, plant species selection for native pastures and establishing or regenerating grass communities for native pastures.
To download a flyer with all the details click here. For more information and to RSVP please contact bryan@connectingcountry.org.au or call the Connecting Country office on 5472 1594.
20 May 2012 – Cultural Awareness Day
Posted on 14 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
A Campaspe Cultural Awareness Day is being held on 20 May. This is a joint initiative of the North Central CMA, the Campaspe Grassy Woodlands Project and the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DDWCAC). Participants will be able to meet member of the DDWAC and learn about Traditional Ecological Knowledge, cultural heritage management and links to Landcare.
Places are limited and people interested must reserve their place by Wednesday 16 May. Click here to download a flyer with all the details.
Report on panel discussion on “Can I get paid to farm nature?”
Posted on 13 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
The evening of Wednesday 18 April saw about 40 landholders from Mount Alexander Shire and more far flung districts gather to learn more on the topic “Can I get paid to farm nature?”
After a fine meal, attendees settled in to listen to a panel of speakers. First up was Chris Timewell from Connecting Country. Chris outlined Connecting Country’s Yellow Box Woodland project and the sorts of on-ground works and management actions funded through the program. Peter Johnson from DSE talked about the longstanding and successful Land for Wildlife program, which while voluntary in nature, often forms a stepping stone to covenanting or other actions. Continue Reading »
17 May 2012 – ELMA AGM
Posted on 9 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
The Elphinstone Land Management Association (ELMA) is holding it’s AGM on 17 May. Local flora expert, Ern Perkins, will give the keynote talk on native and non-native grasses and everyone attending will receive a free copy of his newly released CD on identifying grasses in the Mount Alexander Shire. This is the first talk Ern has given in the region on his new CD. Click here for more details.
Consultations on the North Central CMA draft Regional Catchment Strategy
Posted on 8 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is seeking input and feedback from the community on the draft 2012-2018 Regional Catchment Strategy. There will be ten community meetings in May and June to provide input and feedback on environmental priorities. In our region, the community feedback meeting will be held at Campbells Creek Community Centre on at 7 pm on Thursday 17 May. See this flyer for more details.
This is a wonderful opportunity to have input into the Regional Catchment Strategy – it is reviewed every 6 years or so and many things can change in that time. One of the most important assets in our area (after our rivers and creeks) is the natural environment and this is what we can highlight and promote with the North Central CMA. By including this in the bigger picture of the region’s assets it will encourage support for programs to protect, enhance and connect native fauna and flora – this could be through direct funding or through other resourcing.
What is needed now is detailed and accurate mapping of our natural biodiversity to ensure that everyone (local community, agencies, and levels of government) has an understanding of the value and importance of what we have here. There is also the continual need for community education and awareness raising especially as new people are choosing to settle here because of the natural environment and its attraction.
For a copy of the draft Regional Catchment Strategy or to have your say on-line, visit the North Central CMA website.
Our Tuan Work with Deakin Uni and a Call for Volunteers
Posted on 7 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
Dr Gregory Holland from Deakin University’s School of Life and Environmental Sciences was recently in the field with Connecting Country testing out some of his latest habitat monitoring and vegetation structure methodologies. Greg became involved with the Connecting Country nest box program in early 2011 after an introduction from Professor Andrew Bennett. Since then Greg has been working with Connecting Country on its monitoring program, in particular the measurement of habitat variables located at Tuan nest box sites. (Tuans are also known as Brush-tailed Phascogales)
Amy Monagle, a student at the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, has also recently commenced her honours project looking at various aspects of the nest box program. She is undertaking field research with Bryan McMullan of Connecting Country across the Mount Alexander Region as part of the autumn 2012 nest box program. We are seeking volunteers to help Bryan and Amy with the Tuan nest-box surveys and habitat assessments over the next 4-5 weeks (see below for more details).
Greg and Amy in the field
It is fantastic to have Greg and Amy onboard in Connecting Country’s Yellow-box Woodland monitoring project and we welcome them to our community. The partnership between Deakin University and Connecting Country is long-lived and their participation brings longevity to our data sets.
To find out more about Connecting Country’s monitoring program, click here.
Volunteers Needed
Over the coming month Connecting Country is performing habitat and vegetation structure assessments at over 100 nest box sites and would like to invite skilled people to volunteer for assistance with these tasks.
Please contact the Connecting Country office to register your interest 03 5472 1594 or bryan@connectingcountry.org.au
Farm Tree and Landcare Association Newsletter
Posted on 7 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
The latest Farm-Tree and Landcare Association newsletter includes items on a Landcare and Primary Producers Survey and Carbon Farming Initiative Methodologies and Initiative Events. There are also the regular sections on Awards and Opportunities, Events, and News and Resources.
Click here to see the newsletter.
10 May 2012 – Talk by Paul Foreman on Southern Shepherd’s Purse
Posted on 4 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
Southern Shepherd's Purse (Ballantinia antipoda) by Norm Stimson (Enviro Images).
On 10 May there will be a presentation by Paul Forman on Southern Shepherd’s Purse Ballantinia antipoda at 7.30 at the ANA Hall in Harcourt. The Harcourt Valley Landcare Group who have organised this event are actively involved in the recovery of this endangered herb. Information on the National Recovery Plan for Ballantinia antipoda can be found here.
For further information, contact Robyn Miller on 0467 670 271.
Listen to Denis Saunder’s talk
Posted on 2 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
Denis Saunders
At the Connecting Country evening event on 20th March Dr Denis Saunders gave an interesting and informative talk about biodiversity and why it is important. Dr Saunders is a Research Fellow CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences and member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists. For a summary of the talk, click here.
For those who missed the talk or would like to hear it again, click here for a audio version.
8 May 2012 – Revegetating the Future
Posted on 2 May, 2012 by Connecting Country
Professor Ary Hoffmann - Director of Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research, Department of Genetics and Zoology
The final evening talk in the Connecting Country Education Program for 2012 will be held at Sutton Grange Community Hall on Tuesday 8 May from 6.30pm. In the face of environmental degradation, Professor Ary Hoffman from the University of Melbourne Bio21 Institute, will discuss the concept of building evolutionary resilience in vegetation and how it can be included in conservation and landscape planning strategies.
This event will be useful to the industry practitioner and the active Landcare group member alike, as well as all other community members. It will get you thinking in more depth about aspects of revegetation such as tube stock provenance, parent tree selection, seed collection and species selection. Considerable time will be available for the audience to discuss these concepts with Professor Hoffmann, Connecting Country staff and members of the Sutton Grange Landcare group. Additional information for further reading will also be available on the night to take home.
The free evening event commences at 6.30pm with a pre-talk supper. The event is fully catered by CAKE (Castlemaine Abundance Kitchen Enterprise) with food sourced from locally grown ingredients – the food and drinks are free, but gold coin donations to the Sutton Grange Landcare group are encouraged.
For more information and to RSVP please contact bryan@connectingcountry.org.au or call the Connecting Country office on 5472 1594. RSVPs are not essential but are preferred for catering purposes. Full details of the program and a registration form can be found at the Connecting Country website: www.connectingcountry.org.au/2012-education-program.
3 May 2012 – New Opportunities in Carbon Farming
Posted on 30 April, 2012 by Connecting Country
Are you interested in getting paid to farm carbon? Considering alternative incomes on your property?
Ben Keogh, Managing Director of Australian Carbon Traders, will discuss the practicalities and realities of carbon farming at a free evening forum in Castlemaine on 3 May. This flyer has more information about the event that is being hosted by the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
April Issue of Groundcover
Posted on 30 April, 2012 by Connecting Country
The latest issue of the North Central CMA publication Groundcover is now available and can be downloaded here. This issue includes information on North Central CMA licenses for works on waterways, the Blueprint for Australian Agriculture and a May forum in Yandoit on native grases in farming systems. Although not specified in the article, the Yandoit field day is also being co-hosted by Connecting Country – and is the final event in our 2012 education program (click here for details).