Eucalypt Identification Workshops

Posted on 19 October, 2011 by Connecting Country

Greg Guy

Connecting Country is presenting half day Eucalypt Identification Workshops in four locations across the Mount Alexander region.

Each workshop aims to provide participants with the skills needed to identify some of the common eucalypt species to be found in the region. They will include a classroom-based discussion on the biology of our local eucalypts, with a special emphasis on our rare and endangered species and a ‘walk and talk’ session to identify some local eucalypts in their natural habitat.

Participants will be provided with an identification workbook and also a copy of Leon Costermans’ ‘Trees of Victoria and Adjoining Areas 6^th Edition Field Guide’.

Presenter:  Greg Guy, botanist and lecturer from Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE

When:
Sunday 6 November (Maldon)
Sunday 13 November (Castlemaine)
Saturday 26 November (Sutton Grange)
Sunday 27 November (Newstead)

Time:   1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Where:   Directions and a map will be emailed to participants prior to the workshop.

Cost:   $5 per person

Refreshments:   Light snacks and Tea/Coffee provided.

What to bring:  Bottle of water, Sun protection (sunscreen and hat), and appropriate shoes and clothing (long sleeves and trousers) for the field trip.

Bookings are essential as places are limited so be quick to reserve a spot! To reserve your place, contact info@connectingcountry.org.au or call 5472 1594.

Connecting Country has received support from the Bjarne K Dahl Trust to develop and implement these eucalyptus workshops (http://www.dahltrust.org.au/).

Farm Tree & Landcare Association

Posted on 18 October, 2011 by Connecting Country

The latest newsletter from the Farm Tree and Landcare Association is now available. It is packed with environmental information and can be viewed by clicking here.

Bjarne K Dahl Trust Grants Now Open

Posted on 18 October, 2011 by Connecting Country

The Bjarne K Dahl Trust Small Grants Program is currently calling for applications up to $15,000. The principal purpose of this program is the protection and enhancement of eucalypts as a significant aspect of the natural environment and the provision of information or education about eucalypts.

Through small grants, the Trust will provide support to the community for the undertaking of eucalyptus education, promotion, cultivation, establishment and conservation.

Grants are capped at $15,000 and are generally made for up to a 12-month period – timeframes may be flexible depending on grant seeker’s needs and the approval of the Board of Managing Trustees. Applications close 4 November 2011.

Further information can be found on their website or by contacting 03 8648 6510.

Chilean Needle Grass Workshop in Maldon

Posted on 18 October, 2011 by Connecting Country

Chilean Needle Grass. Photo by Karen Stewart.

The Tarrengower Cactus Control Committee is hosting a workshop to help people identify and control the Chilean Needle Grass weed on Sunday 30 October from 10.30am – 12.30pm.

 Chilean Needle Grass is one of Australia’s worst weeds.  It invades native grasslands, agricultural land, roadsides and urban parks, gardens and recreational reserves. It can displace palatable pasture species and can reduce agricultural productivity by up to 50 per cent over summer. Its seed readily attaches to stock, particularly sheep, and can cause injury by burrowing into the skin. Its presence in wool reduces quality and can be a major cause of downgrading.

It is often difficult to identify Chilean Needle Grass and without knowing what to look for. Farmers, landholders and other community members may not know they have the weed on their property. To help with identification, a healthy flowering weed contained in a sealed perspex box will be displayed. Participants will be able to compare it with native plants.

The organisers are inviting people to come along to enjoy the great outdoors and good company while helping to control a major threat to our natural environment. Dress for the occasion in warm clothes and sturdy footwear. Bring water and sunscreen.

The workshop will be held at the corner of Back Mount Road and Watersons Road, Maldon and finish with a free sausage sizzle and cuppa.

For further information contact Ian Grenda from the Tarrengower Cactus Control Committee on 0412 015 807 or email iangrenda@live.com.

16 October 2011 – Friends of Campbells Creek Community Day

Posted on 14 October, 2011 by Connecting Country

The Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group has invited its members and local residents to their annual Community Day which will take place in the Campbells Creek Park on 16 October between 10am and 2pm. The program includes activities such as planting of native grasses, painting of nest boxes and a family BBQ. For more information click here.

Community Workshops: Castlemaine and Wedderburn

Posted on 13 October, 2011 by Connecting Country

Landcare and community groups are invited to attend an enjoyable interactive workshop conducted by ‘change consultant’ Les Robinson. The workshops are about harnessing the power of reinvention to spark new zest and enthusiasm in your Landcare or community group. The workshops will include communication ideas for groups and give groups the opportunity to share their own ideas.

Castlemaine Workshop
When: Saturday 22 October 2011, 10.00 am to 3.00 pm (Lunch provided)
Where: Castlemaine Senior Citizens Rooms, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine, VIC 3450

Wedderburn Workshop
When: Sunday 23 October 2011, 10.00 am to 3.00 pm (Lunch provided)
Where: Wedderburn Community Centre, 24 Wilson Street, Wedderburn, VIC 3518

For further information please refer to the flyers on the North Central section of the Victorian Gateway Website.

Applications invited for Natural Resource Management Committee

Posted on 13 October, 2011 by Connecting Country

The North Central Catchment Management Authority is currently advertising for interested people to apply for its Natural Resource Management Committee.  There are advertisements in the Midland Express and Castlemaine Mail locally and details are also on the website www.nccma.vic.gov.au   Anyone interested has until 14 October to apply.

15 October 2011 – Frog Night

Posted on 12 October, 2011 by Connecting Country

The Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group is holding a Frog Night on 15 October between 6pm and 9pm.

There will be a presentation by Dr Graeme Watson, a twilight walk through a local wetland and a free BBQ.

To book and find out the venue details, contact Clare on 5423 4152 or email clare@knco.net Click here to view the flier.

Vacancies for Community Assessors

Posted on 12 October, 2011 by Connecting Country

The Australian Government is seeking applications from people interested in becoming community assessors.  Community assessors play a crucial role in environmental and sustainable natural resource management by representing community perspectives on a range of funding decisions. Assessors can be involved in assessing funding applications for government funding under the Caring for our Country initiative and the Action on the Ground element of the Securing a Clean Energy Future plan.

Relevant knowledge and experience includes:

• broad community knowledge and experience in managing natural resources
• knowledge of local natural resource management issues and opportunities
• knowledge of sustainable farming practices (including commercial fishing and aquaculture)
• knowledge and experience in practices and technologies that can reduce the emission of greenhouse gas from the agricultural sector and/or increase carbon stored in soil.

Applications close at 8am on 26 October 2011. More information about the positions and the application form can be found at www.daff.gov.au/communityassessors

16 October 2011 – Frogs Field Guide Launch

Posted on 10 October, 2011 by Connecting Country

The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Waterwatch and Landcare team is launching the Frogs Field Guide.

The guide is for anyone interested in learning more about the frogs that call the north central Victoria region home. It is a handy size, great to use in the field and contains lots of information that can assist with identifying a frog, its eggs or tadpoles.

All frog enthusiasts are encouraged to come to the launch where guest speaker, Ray Draper, will talk about the frogs found in the north central Victoria region. Ray has over 40 years of experience with frogs and has monitored Growling Grass Frogs (Litoria raniformis) throughout western Victoria for the last 35 years. Ray will also talk about a potential threat to frogs, the amphibian Chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium), which can cause a lethal disease in many frog species.

Date:                Sunday 16 October 2011
Time:                10:00am – 12:00 pm
Venue:             Andersons Mill, Creswick-Newstead Rd, Smeaton

Booking are essential. A picnic lunch will be provided. RSVP to reception@nccma.vic.gov.au or telephone 03 54487124 by Thursday 13 October.

14 October 2011 – CFNC meeting on Dianellas

Posted on 7 October, 2011 by Connecting Country

At the next Castlemaine Field Naturalist Club meeting on 14 October there will be a presentation by Geoff Carr on Dianellas: their biology, ecology and taxonomy.  The evening will begin at 7.30pm and the venue is the Uniting Church Hall. All are welcome.

Geoff Carr is a founding director of Ecology Australia and has been a botanical consultant for 30 years. He has an exceptional knowledge of the ecology, taxonomy, distribution, conservation status, horticulture, management and revegetation of the Australian flora, particularly that of south-eastern Australia. Geoff has published over 400 papers, reports and other publications.

There will be an excursion the next day, Saturday 15 October, led by Geoff Carr to sites in Harcourt area with a high diversity of Dianellas. The trip will be a hands-on tutorial focussing on the differences between species (and hybrids).  The excursion will begin at the Octopus building on Forest St (opposite motel), and depart at 1.30pm on the dot.

13 October 2011 – Innovative Farming Options Field Day

Posted on 4 October, 2011 by Connecting Country

An ‘Innovative Farming Options Field Day’ is scheduled for 13 October 2011. It will be held at Ko-Warra Native Grasses Nursery (537 Echuca-Mitiamo Road, Echuca) between 9.30am – 4.00pm.

The field day will provide landholders and community members with the opportunity to:

• hear from key note speakers regarding sustainable land practice options on farming land where irrigation has been significantly reduced, or ceased completely,
• see on-farm trials and demonstrations of native grasses, agroforestry, sandalwood and  revegetation,
• network with farmers and others to share experiences, lessons and advice.

The field day is delivered under the North Central CMA’s Regional Landcare Facilitator and Adopting Sustainable Farming Practices projects, and is supported by the Commonwealth Government’s Caring for our Country initiative and the Shire of Campaspe. This is a free event with lunch provided.

To register your interest in the field day (and for catering purposes) please RSVP to the North Central CMA by 5 pm Tuesday 11 October 2011 on (03) 5448 7124 or info@nccma.vic.gov.au.

6 October 2011 – The fascinating world of seed propagation

Posted on 4 October, 2011 by Connecting Country

Malmsbury District Landcare Group is holding their next general meeting on 6 October 2011. The evening will include a special presentation, ‘Selecting, collecting and preparing indigenous seed for propagation’ by guest speakers John Walter and Bob Newton. Everyone is welcome.

The start time is 7.30 and the venue is Laureston Community Hall, Lauriston. For further information, contact Bill Mudford from Malmsbury District Landcare Group, wmudford@bigpond.net.au.

Green Drinks Night

Posted on 4 October, 2011 by Connecting Country

A Green Drinks night was recently organised by the Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Healthy Environments team. The gathering took place on Friday 9  September in the Public Inn, Castlemaine. It was an opportunity for the MAS Council’s Healthy Environments team and sustainability, environment and friends groups to find out what each was doing and how they might work together. As well, information was provided about the MAS Community Grants Scheme.

Marie Jones, president of Connecting Country, commented that it was “a wonderful initative that was appreciated by all who attended – as was indicated by the noise level of the animated conversations! It was great to see fresh faces both old and new and it certainly showed the need for these types of events to happen.”

If you would like to find out more about the Shire’s Community Grants Scheme, check the MAS website and watch the local newspapers. Information about Community Grant information sessions can also be found here.

13 October 2011 – Presentation on Direct Seeding

Posted on 4 October, 2011 by Connecting Country

The Friends of Campbells Creek and Connecting Country are pleased to announce the first in a series of evening presentations on different vegetation management techniques.

David Millsom, a direct seeding specialist, will present the first evening seminar from 7.30 pm on Thursday 13 October in the Campbell’s Creek Community Centre. The evening will comprise of two sessions.  The first session will cover the technical aspects of seed collection, genetics, seed propagation methods and the development of direct seeding. The second session will cover application of these methods with several case studies illustrating what is happening elsewhere in the region. Refreshments will be available between sessions.

David farmed near Pyramid Hill for 30 years and converted 1,000 acres of his farm to native vegetation. He is a board member of Seeding Victoria, responsible for technical issues, and has worked for Greening Australia for almost ten years as a project facilitator and technical development officer for direct seeding. David’s latest project is the development of the change in delivery method for Wattle Grow inoculant and the subsequent reduction in costs.

David says, “based on 20 years experience, some of the science research and case studies that I will present contradict some people’s myths and established ideas”.  David’s objective for the evening is to help people choose and use the most technically appropriate/cost effective methods of revegetation.

Please join us for what will be an interesting and informative evening. For more information and to RSVP please contact krista@connectingcountry.org.au or call Connecting Country on 5472 1594.

2011 Connecting Country AGM

Posted on 3 October, 2011 by Connecting Country

Ann-Marie Monda and Carla Meurs at the 2011 Connecting Country AGM

Can you farm in a different way? Is farmland degraded land? These are two of the questions Ann-Marie Monda and Carla Meurs from Sutton Grange Organic Farm addressed in their inspiring and informative presentation to Connecting Country’s AGM on 26 September 2011.

Their farm is organically certified and consists of 205 acres of granitic sandy loam. Rainfall is between 400 ml and 1000 ml rainfall a year. They run 75 goats and produce the award winning Holy Goat organic cheese which they sell at Farmers’ Markets and through a distributor who supplies outlets in regional Victoria, Melbourne and  Sydney.

Bushland with Hedge Wattle in foreground.

Twenty-nine percent of the farm is bushland and two percent is infrastructure. The benefits of protecting this extensive bushland include the maintenance of seed banks, the protection of pasture provided by birds, insects and windbreaks and the beauty of this land which they believe benefits the goats and people.

The farmland zone is sixty-nine percent of the total land and supports substantial stands of native grasses which are deep-rooted, perennial and drought tolerant. Kangaroo grass and Wallaby grass are particularly beneficial in providing vital minerals and fibre for the goats. They described their successful efforts in increasing levels of phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, iron and PH levels in the soil. They have also recently trialled an innovative method for controlling Capeweed.

Ann-Marie with some of this year's kids. 21 September 2011

Ann-Marie and Carla concluded their talk by explaining their vision for the farm. They distance themselves from the conventional idea that growth means more goats and producing more cheese which could eventually be exported. Instead they view the growth of their farm in terms of sustainability, quality and generosity for their goats, the land, people and the soil.

Other news from the AGM

1. Connecting Country Coordinator, Chris Timewell, gave a comprehensive report on progress over the last 12 months. The vast majority (90%) of the years annual project targets were achieved, and often significantly exceeded.  Twenty separate on-ground works projects were developed with landholders, and many others are in progress.  Over 400 nest boxes have been installed. 260 of the boxes have been monitored, with many found to support tuans or Sugar Gliders.  Three field days were all booked out, and more than 200 community members attended evening talks on a range of topics.  Planning for another successful year ahead is already well underway.         

2. All members of the Management Committee were re-elected and retained their current roles.  Click here to view a list of members with short biographical details.

3. Jodie Odgers, North Central CMA, updated us with the latest Landcare news and announced the recipients of the Victorian Landcare Grants. Information about these grants will be posted on this website when a complete list is available.

4. Two Connecting Country members, Damian Kelly and Robin Feary, won the random membership renewal prizes. If you are interested in becoming a member of Connecting Country, click on the links below:

• Individual membership form (which can be posted or emailed back)
• Group membership form (which can be posted or emailed back)

Family Fun Day is a Great Success

Posted on 29 September, 2011 by Connecting Country

A huge crowd of over 700 people gathered at Victory Park in Castlemaine on Sunday 25 September to celebrate nature in our backyards.

Children enjoyed the huge range of activities including face painting, jumping castle, badge making, butterfly wing creating and water watch. They filled out nature passports, danced with Swifty the Parrot and Tilly the Platypus and collected nature cards from the Connies.  The biggest hit of the day was the live native animal display by Tooko which included Dingos, a Cape Barren Goose, Possums, Turtles and a 2m long Python.

The nature information stalls gave away a huge amount of information about local environment groups including Trust for Nature, Parks Victoria, Connecting Country and local Landcare Groups.

Connecting Country would like to thank Victoria Naturally, Trust for Nature, the Norman Wettenhall Foundation, MECU, IGA, Bakers Delight and KR Castlemaine for helping to sponsor the event as well as the many volunteers who helped to make the day such a success.

Close encounters at the Family Nature Day, September 2011

Reporting sick or dead wildlife

Posted on 28 September, 2011 by Connecting Country

Wildlife Health Surveillance Victoria investigates reports of sick and dead wildlife from free ranging populations in Victoria to understand baseline health, detect changes and identify risk factors. The organsation is based at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Werribee. For more information, including contact details if you see sick, dead or dying wildlife, click here.

Good News for Landcare

Posted on 28 September, 2011 by Connecting Country

Connecting Country is preparing an expression of interest for a Local Landcare Facilitator through the just announced DSE’s Victorian Local Landcare Facilitators Initiative. This expression of interest would be made on behalf of the Landcare, Friends and environmental groups in our area.

We’d love to hear the thoughts of local landcare members about this ASAP – Is it a good idea? Would your group support our application? How would it be managed? What other questions do you have?

To discuss this opportunity you can email or call the numbers below. Also, keep an eye out for a planning meeting so that we can get ourselves organized.

Marie: 5472 2892, goldenpoint@aanet.com.au
Chris: 5472 1594, chris@connectingcountry.org.au
Krista: 5427 1594, krista@connectingcountry.org.au

Details on the Initiative

This program is a fixed grant of up to $50,000 p.a. for up to four years.  The funding is available for the salary and operating costs of a part-time Landcare Facilitator.

Under the guidelines a new Landcare Facilitator would be based within the local communities they support and would

• support on-ground NRM delivery;
• build local community capacity to enable groups to be self sustaining;
• undertake community engagement and build partnerships;
• assist with planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting; and
• secure project grants and other funding.

More information can be found on  http://www.landcarevic.net.au/

September edition of Groundcover

Posted on 27 September, 2011 by Connecting Country