- LANDCARE GROUPS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER REMNANT ROADSIDE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
- CREEPY CRAWLIES AT BALD HILL RESERVE
- CAMPASPE VALLEY LANDCARE TACKLES WEEDS
- COBAW CAMPASPE BIOLINK PROJECT BEGINS PLANNING PROCESS
- WOODEND LANDCARE
- LODDON PRISON LANDMATE PROJECT ASKING FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
- WOODEND SUSTAINABILITY FESTIVAL
- GLIDER SYMPOSIUM
- FEATHERED FIVE BIRD FESTIVAL
- FUTURE FARM EXPO
- MOTHS AT NEWHAM
- WEED 101 WORKSHOP
- GRANTS OPPORTUNITIES -ONE TREE PER CHILD,FRRR SMALL GRANTS
- CHEMICAL USERS WORKSHOP
- FUTURE FARM EXPO
- MRSC DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY OPEN FOR COMMENT
- NORTH CENTRAL CHAT
Summer rainbow over the Wombat State Forest. ©Scheltema
Welcome to the February edition of our ENews.The feel of autumn is in the air and many of you will soon be planning planting days, hopefully with the help of some rain.
At a recent visit to listen to Landcare groups concerns regarding the management of remnant roadside vegetation, the Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said “Since its inception the Landcare movement has made a profoundly important contribution to the well being of Central Victoria’s environment.”
As I continue to get an understanding of the work your groups do, I can certainly see that this is true, so congratulations to all of you who work so hard to help create a healthier local environment.
LANDCARE GROUPS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER REMNANT ROADSIDE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT.
Ecologist Karl Just explains to Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters, Landcare Member Alice Aird, and State member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas how areas of remnant roadside vegetation in the Newham area contain endangered vegetation communities and threatened species, some of which are protected under Federal Legislation.Landcare groups are concerned that it is not receiving adequate protection.©Scheltema
Newham Landcare recently invited the Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chester and the State Member for Macedon Mary Anne Thomas to view remnant roadside vegetation in the region and listen to their concerns regarding its management.They were joined by Woodend and Ashbourne Landcare and other Environmental groups operating in the Macedon Ranges.
In 2015 Newham Landcare spent $10 000 conducting flora surveys along 20 kms of significant roadside. Consultant ecologist Karl Just, who conducted the survey said “Roadsides often contain some of the last refuges for flora and fauna. They can serve as vital habitat links that enable flora and fauna to move across otherwise cleared landscapes. The Newham area contains some outstanding roadside remnants. These areas urgently require greater recognition, protection and management as they are major repositories for our local biodiversity.”
After viewing the area and listening to the Landcare members concerns MP Lisa Chesters said “Our native roads sides are a vital bio link and refuge for many endangered and rare native vegetation. I would like to congratulate the hard work and commitment of the Newham Landcare members who are actively working to ensure these spaces are restored and protected. Since its inception the Landcare movement has made a profoundly important contribution to the wellbeing of Central Victoria’s environment.”
“I recognize the crucial role that our local Landcare groups play in the environmental health of our Macedon Ranges Roadsides and I am committed to supporting their work. I call on the Macedon Ranges Shire Council to do the same.”
The Landcare groups are calling for better protection of the remnant roadside vegetation. The area holds important remnants of rare plant communities such as the Alpine Shaggy Pea and some protected under Federal Legislation such as the Flax Lily, as well as threatened animal species.
The Landcare groups are concerned that inappropriate mowing, slashing, weeds, dumping of waste material and planting exotics are destroying these ecological assets.
The President of Ashbourne Landcare Robin Allen said “I was delighted to hear MP Mary-Anne Thomas’s comments stating that she would ask MRSC to consult with Landcare groups on the conservation value of roadside vegetation prior to contractors conducting any work.”
The groups are calling for the completion and endorsement of the Macedon Ranges Roadside Management Strategy for council managed roads, with specific actions to protect high and medium quality roadside remnant vegetation from further damage from contractors and landowners.
http://www.elliottmidnews.com.au/story/3707441/vital-habitat-links-need-protection-say-landcarers/
CREEPY CRAWLIES AT BALD HILL
Austin and Oliver May learn about Southern Banjo Frogs (poddlebonks) at the Creepy Crawly Walk and Talk at Bald Hill Reserve ©Scheltema
The Friends of Bald Hill Reserve recently hosted a Creepy Crawlies Walk and Talk at the Bald Hill Reserve.
Wild Action presenter, and a Friends of Bald Hill member, Daniel Hunt, gave an entertaining presentation on the reptiles, amphibians and insects that live at the reserve. Accompanied by Limpy the blotched blue tongue Lizard, Sally the python, Bob the southern banjo frog, and Lizzie the eastern blue tongue lizard, participants learnt about the reptiles, amphibians and insects that live within the Bald Hill Reserve.
Daniel grew up nearby Bald Hill and spent his childhood years exploring the reserve. “As a kid I ventured all over Bald Hill looking for creepy crawlies. It’s a special place that needs to be conserved for the next generation to enjoy as well. Bald Hill has some unique species and ecosystems found nowhere else in the world. To this day we are still discovering new animals that live here such as the Bougainville Skink and the Endangered Brown toadlet, which is really exciting!”
“It’s great for children to get outdoors and engage with these amazing creatures that live so close to them. It’s important not only for the young but the old to get an understanding of the importance of a place like Bald Hill as species and ecosystems vanish all over the world. After all its biodiversity that keeps us all alive.” said Daniel.
After the walk participants walked to the top of Bald Hill searching for creepy crawlies. Scorpions, spiders, centipedes and beetles were discovered in their hiding spots, a wallaby was spotted up close, and a beautiful flowering Magenta’s Stork’s-Bill seen nestling in some rock formations.
President of the Friends Of Bald Hill, Carolyn Robb said “All of us, children and adults, went home with a number of new facts learnt about our local creepy crawlies, and the knowledge that there are many more creepy crawlies yet to be discovered and identified in our unique and very significant Reserve. It is also a reminder that we all need to continue to protect this beautiful place in order to preserve its flora, fauna and history. ”
Looking for scorpians at the Creepy Crawly Walk and Talk at Bald Hill Reserve.©Scheltema
CAMPASPE VALLEY LANDCARE GROUP TACKLES WEEDS.
Jan Elder and Barbara James from Campaspe Valley Landcare have been hard at work producing a booklet which aims to educate landowners on how to identify and eradicate texas needle grass.They are seen here at a trial site to control the weed near Baynton.©Scheltema
Jan Elder and Barbara James from Campaspe Valley Landcare successfully controlled and stopped the spread of a large infestation of gorse along Back creek through the Good Neighbourhood Program at DELWP ©Scheltema
COBAW CAMPASPE BIOLINK PROJECT BEGINS PLANNING
Rare, threatened and vulnerable species such as the Powerful Owl, seen here, are some of the flora and fauna the Cobaw Campaspe Biolink Project will be aiming
to identify and develop measures to protect. The work is being undertaken by the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network in conjunction with Ashbourne, Woodend,
Carlsruhe and Newham Landcare Groups .©Scheltema
This map shows the approximate area of the Cobaw Campaspe Biolink Project.
WOODEND LANDCARE
The new President of Woodend Landcare Krista Patterson-Majoor seen here with former President Peter Yates examining some plantings along Five Mile Creek Woodend.©Scheltema
Taking a break after helping out at a working bee to control weeds. ©Scheltema
LODDON PRISON LANDMATE PROJECT
Would your group benefit from having a Landmate Crew work in your area?
Supervised,qualified and experienced teams of 8 to 10 prisoners are available for $400.00 day.
We have had good feedback about the work that has been done by these teams within our Network.
If you are interested please let me know before the 3rd March .uclandcare@gmail.com
WOODEND SUSTAINABILITY FESTIVAL SATURDAY 27TH FEBRUARY
UCLN, Woodend, Newham, Ashbourne and the Campaspe River and Land Management Group will be on display at the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Festival at the Woodend Community Garden and Hub site. The festival runs from 10 am till 4 pm on Saturday the 27th February. Please come along to check out our local biolink plans and learn about what Landcare and other environmental groups in our region are doing. There will also be forums on Nature and Climate Change, Sustainable Food and Mobilising Communities for Change.
More info at: http://slf.mrsgonline.org.
GLIDER SYMPOSIUM SEYMOUR 18TH MARCH
FEATHERED FIVE BIRD FESTIVAL 19TH – 20 MARCH
Come and learn about the Feathered Five, such as this Diamond Firetail, at the Feathered Five Festival on March 19-20th. Pic Geoff Parks
Connecting Country is holding its inaugural Feathered Five Festival. It is a celebration of woodland birds and their habitat with two days of birdwatching, activities and talks over the weekend of 19-20 March. There is also a free Saturday Evening Forum on the 19th of March in Campbells Creek.See poster below for more info.
More information about the festival is available at: http://connectingcountry.org.au/featheredfivefestival/ or call Connecting Country on 5472 1594.
MOTHS MARCH 18TH
WEED WORKSHOP MARCH 5TH NEWHAM
FOUNDATION FOR RURAL AND REGIONAL RENEWAL SMALL GRANTS
The Small Grants for Rural Communities is the longest running and broadest program Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal offers, opening twice per year.
Grants of up to $5,000 are available for projects and activities that offer clear public benefit for communities in rural, regional or remote Australia. Priority is given to communities of 10,000 or fewer.
Applicants must be not-for-profit community organisations with an ABN or incorporation certificate.
For more information visit: http://www.frrr.org.au/grants/
Round 29 is now open and applications close 5pm Thursday 24th March 2015.
ONE TREE PER CHILD FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
One Tree Per Child is part of the Australian Government’s 20 Million Tree Program. ©Scheltema
The One Tree Per Child program is an opportunity for Landcare groups/networks and Councils to receive funds ($2.50 per tree/shrub) for planting projects this coming planting season. The funding for the program is from the Australian Government’s 20 Million Trees program.
Who can apply: the guidelines and application form only mention councils as possible applicants. However, applications are also welcome from Landcare groups/networks and any other organisations that can deliver planting projects this planting season.
Applications close: there is no closing date, but One Tree Per Child would like applications to be submitted very soon, or at least to have had some firm discussions in the next couple of weeks about projects that can be undertaken this planting season.
Where: projects can be across more than one site. Note – each planting site must be at least 0.2 hectares.
Plant species: tree/shrub species that reach two (2) metres at maturity. Note – projects of 4,000+ plants will be prioritised.
When: projects that can proceed this winter planting season.
Who: where possible, projects will involve local primary school children in the planting activity. Alternatively, schools could deliver curriculum activities at a planting site, or there could be an “open” invitation to the community to participate in a planting.
Funding: $2.50 (ex GST) per tree/shrub.
Project outcomes: projects that improve the extent, condition and connectivity of indigenous vegetation by planting tree and shrubs .
More information: contact Siobhan Lapthorne, Campaign Administrator, One Tree Per Child, via email: admin@onetreeperchild.com or mob: 0420 403 677 or go to http://www.onetreeperchild.
CHEMICAL USERS COURSE 15TH MARCH
THE FUTURE FARM EXPO 2016
Thursday 14 April (10.00am-5.00pm)
North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) in conjunction with the Swan Hill Rural City Council is pleased to organise and host a regional Future Farming Expo on Thursday 14 of April at the Swan Hill Town Hall. The all-day event will feature renowned guest speakers, site visits, a networking lunch and workshops on a variety of topics. Attendees will hear about farming succession, farming in a variable climate, farm insurance, breaking into new Chinese markets, Free Trade Agreements and much more. Full program details will be on North Central CMA website shortly for this innovative free event.
Early registrations are open now, please contact North Central CMA on (03) 5448 7124.
MACEDON RANGES SHIRE COUNCIL DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY OPEN FOR COMMENT
The draft environment strategy will guide how Council and the community can work together to protect and enhance the Macedon Ranges and there are a number of ways you can have your say until Thursday 24 March.
It provides high level guidance to Council for improving environmental outcomes across its range of activities, and for working with the community towards a better environmental future.
It sets objectives, policy statements, and high level actions for the key themes of climate change, biodiversity, catchment management, and resource efficiency.
Following the close of the exhibition period on 24 March, the draft strategy will be updated to a final version, accounting for community feedback and discussions. The final strategy will be presented to Council for adoption in June 2016.
Your input and time is greatly appreciated and we look forward to your feedback.
YOU CAN HAVE YOUR SAY BY GOING TO THIS LINK
MARCH EDITION OF NORTH CENTRAL CHAT
The March edition of the North Central Chat is out now: click here
This month features some exciting Waterwatch program updates and articles from local Landcare groups doing wonderful work within their local communities.
If you have an article to submit in the monthly newsletter NCCMA would love to hear from you, contact the Landcare team via landcare@nccma.vic.gov.au