- Successful Cobaw Campaspe Biolinks Field Day.
- Gorse Task Force Funding Available.
- Landcare Groups Unite to Protect Waterways.
- UCLN to work with Kyneton Secondary College Students.
- Weed and Rabbit Buster Workshops.
- New Victorian Minister for the Environment.
- Committees, Recruitment and Succession.
- Feathermap Project.
- Grant Opportunities and Events.
- North Central Chat.
Winter is here! ©Scheltema
Welcome to the July edition of the UCLN Newsletter. It is definitely winter, with snow ball fights on the trampoline and the dam slowly filling with the welcome rain.
For those groups who have done Autumn planting the rain will be a great help in getting trees and other vegetation established. I hope you enjoy our winter news from the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network. Remember to keep me informed of anything your group may be doing, and that you may need some help with.
Frosty winter morning. ©Scheltema
COBAW CAMPASPE BIOLINKS FIELD DAY A SUCCESS.
Ecologists and Landcare members planning the Cobaw Campaspe Field Day. The day gave participants an insight into the landscape and vegetation communities of the local region. It also provided a forum for the discussion of ecological restoration techniques and priorities and gave an indigenous perspective of the area. ©Scheltema
The Cobaw Campaspe Biolink Field Day was a great success with over 55 people attending. Participants toured the Campaspe River, Five Mile Creek, important remnant grassland sites, and ended the day overlooking the landscape at the top of the Jim Jims, near Hanging Rock.
People were delighted to hear Taungurung Elder and knowledge holder, Uncle Larry Walsh, tell stories about local indigenous plants and animals and how they related to the lifestyle of Central Victoria oldest inhabitants. Expert wetland and grassland ecologists Damien Cook and Paul Foreman gave a wonderful insight into the ecological values of the area.
Learning about the importance of remnant grasslands.Woodend Landcare member Kate Daniel said “Participants learnt a lot from the speakers and added to their own understanding of plants, biodiversity and landscape connectivity. I particularly enjoyed walking through the Woodend Grasslands, a spot that looks pretty modest from the outside but is a really significant remnant site.” ©Scheltema
This was a great example of the UCLN following on from the goals of its Strategic Plan with four member groups working together to build ecological knowledge and skills.To read more about the day go to Explore The Landscape and Looking After The Land
Taungurung Elder Uncle Larry Walsh talks about the Landscape from an Indigenous perspective at Marshes Court Ashbourne on the Cobaw Campaspe Field Day. ©Scheltema
GORSE TASK FORCE FUNDING AVAILABLE
Have a problem with gorse? Why not investigate funding opportunities from the Gorse Task Force. ©Scheltema
The Victorian Gorse Taskforce (VGT) with the support of the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources is seeking project proposals from community-based organisations. In 2016/2017 the VGT will consider projects under a Small Grants Program, up to $5,000 (GST exclusive). It is interested in funding community-led commitment to long term gorse control.
CLICK HERE to view application form and CLICK HERE for the guidelines/eligibility to apply.
Applications open Monday 20 June 2016
Applications close Friday 12 August 2016
LANDCARE GROUPS UNITE TO PROTECT WATERWAYS.
Trentham Landcare member Gael Elliott is seen here on the Coliban River. “The rivers are the lifeblood of our environment and we need to nurture them.We need to respect the rivers and Landcare can act as a conduit in this process.” said Gael. ©Scheltema
Three Landcare Groups (Trentham,Tylden and Malmsbury) that form part of the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network have joined forces to help protect important waterways. The project, called Coliban Connections, is about working together in a strategic way to restore the landscape.
Said Project Leader Sophie Bickford “The rivers are of the utmost importance. They are a lifeline for many species and provide natural connectivity in the landscape. We want to start by learning more about the area and how to effectively restore it.”
A free Field Day including lunch, will be held on the 24th July with expert grassland and wetland ecologists, Damien Cook and Paul Foreman, to visit the Coliban River, Kangaroo Creek and the Little Coliban River.
Come along to the Coliban Connections Field and learn about the treasures within our environment, such as this colorful mushroom amanita xanthocephala, seen near near Kangaroo Creek. ©Scheltema
After the Field Day a desktop study will be produced.“The Upper Campaspe Landcare Network will produce a detailed report setting out findings and recommendations for a biolink connecting all three waterways. This will provide a basis for the three Landcare groups to be able to work together on a landscape size project.” said John Walters, President of the Malmsbury and District Landcare Group.
To read more about this day go to Rivers the Life Blood
Bookings can be made via Eventbrite bookings
Presidents of Malmsbury District and Trentham District Landcare Groups John Walters and Patricia Scheltus meet to discuss working together on the Coiban Connections Project. ©Scheltema
UCLN TO WORK WITH KYNETON SECONDARY COLLEGE STUDENTS.
An exciting new partnership is being formed with Environmental Science students from Kyneton Secondary College.The year 10 and 11 students will be working with the Campaspe River and Land Management Group on the Campaspe River in Kyneton and with the Friends of Bald Hill at the Bald Hill Reserve.
President of Friends of Bald Hill Carolyn Robb, said of the collaboration “The KSC Collaborative Environmental Project is a wonderful opportunity for the Environmental Science students and teachers to work with the Friends of Bald Hill Reserve who already work in close partnership with the MRSC Environmental team and the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network: all who have the common purpose and passion to preserve and enhance the rich ecological diversity at Bald Hill Reserve.”
Environmental Science students from Kyneton Secondary College will be working at Bald Hill Reserve with the Friends group to install and monitor nest boxes for animals such as phascogales and sugar gliders. ©Scheltema
The students will be involved in planting the threatened Hairy Anchor Plant along the banks of the Campaspe (with seed collected and propagated from the nearby Hairy Anchor nursery). One of the students from Kyneton Secondary College, 15 year old Estelle Winkerman, member of the Sustainability Group, said of the collaboration : “This is certainly an important thing to be involved in and support because we only have one earth, one environment and one chance to make it last. We have already negatively impacted the environment so if we continue on this path, we won’t be able to undo what we’ve done. It’s definitely important for youth and teenagers to think about their impact on the environment, we are the ones who have to live in the future.”
Peter Harding, President of the CRLMG said “The CR&LMG is always keen to engage with primary and high school students through their teaching staff to further the cause of restoring the Campaspe River to pre Crack Willow conditions. We urge all concerned members of our community to participate in our planting program either on Friday July 29 at 1pm for National Schools Tree Day or Sunday July 31 at 10am on National Tree day at the Campaspe River bank below Langley Street, Kyneton.”
National Tree Day is the country’s largest nature-care event and community tree planting event. Each year over 250,000 people and hundreds of environmental, community and youth organizations take part in Tree Day at over 3,000 sites across the country.
To register go to http://treeday.planetark.org/coords/.
To see a video of the CRLMG’s work in collaboration with NCCMA, staring Landcarers Don and Jessie Smith, who have worked tirelessly to protect the river for over 20 years, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggwxBqGjDUY
WEED AND RABBIT BUSTER WORKSHOPS.
RABBIT BUSTER WORKSHOP 22ND OCTOBER 2016
Are rabbits a problem on your property? Want to know more about how to control them? You might be interested in a Rabbit Buster Workshop, to be held on Sunday 22nd October at Malmsbury, followed by a practical demonstration with a contractor on a property in Drummond.
WEED CONTROL WORKSHOP 3RD DECEMBER 2016
Or if you need to know more about how to control weeds,put aside the date of 3rd December for a Weed Control Workshop to be held at Bald Hill Reserve. Contractor Pat Radi Mansbridge will be on hand to answer any questions on equipment,weed control techniques,what spray to use for what weed etc.Biosecurity officer Martin Deering from the Department of Agriculture will also be on hand to offer advice.
More information on both workshops closer to the date.
Want to know about weeds and how to effectively deal with them? Come to the UCLN Weed Control Workshop on the 3rd December ©Scheltema
WORKING WITH WEEDS GUIDE
The Weed’s Network has launched its Working with Weeds Guide, which aims to be a leading resource for learning about Bio-Holistic™ options for living with and working with weeds. For more information go to:Weeds Network
THE WEEDS NEWS
To read the current Weed’s News Digest regarding current weed research go to: Weeds News
INVASIVE ANIMAL REPORTS: CITIZEN ACTION & INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
Two reports have been released regarding institutional improvements to make it more feasible and attractive for citizens to take effective action on the management of invasive animals and plants. They are available at:
NEW VICTORIAN MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT
In the recent cabinet reshuffle, Lily D’Ambrosio, the member for Mill Park, has taken on the new portfolio of Energy, Environment and Climate Change, with a focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency and combatting the effects of climate change. Ms D’Ambrosio has a background in the Community Development portfolio. Lisa Neville is the new Minister for Police and remains Minister for Water.
©Scheltema
COMMITTEES, RECRUITMENT AND SUCCESSION
Thanks to Susie J Johnson from the FTLA for the information below which you may find useful for your groups:
Many groups are coming up to their AGMs and considering recruiting new people with fresh ideas onto committees. Continuity is important in a committee but so is some change which brings new energy. Ideally each year, some experienced members should remain on the committee and some new ones join. This allows for a balance of experience and new ideas to guide the committee for the following year.
Your group should decide what works best for you. It is not ideal for one person to stay in the same position for more than three or four years because it can prevent the emergence of fresh ideas from new people and may also lead to the incumbent person suffering from ‘burn out’. However, there are key people whose knowledge and experience is invaluable that the group won’t want to lose: one solution is to rotate the positions, or to create mentor positions to allow new officers to access the wisdom of experienced committee members.
Need some ideas on revamping and refreshing your committee?
There are a number of resources around to help you – contact the FTLA for the latest Landcare Governance Kit, access the Community Sector Governance Capability Framework (See below), try a volunteer matching service such as Community Directors
or https://govolunteer.com.au or probono.
There is even a Mentor the Treasurer program: Mentor the Treasurer
COMMUNITY SECTOR GOVERNANCE CAPABILITY FRAMEWORK
The Community Sector Governance Capability Framework describes the broad capabilities required by people on Boards or Committees of Management in community sector organisations. It can assist Not for Profit organisations understand the knowledge and skills that are critical for the stewardship of an organisation, including the additional capabilities needed for the Office Bearer roles of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. For more information go to: click here
A winter visitor to the woodpile. ©Scheltema
FEATHER MAP PROJECT
The Feather Map of Australia project aims to collect waterbird feathers from wetlands around Australia. These feathers will be analysed using nuclear techniques, such as mass spectrometry and high resolution X-ray fluorescence, to identify stable isotopes and minerals that are incorporated into feathers through the ingestion of food.
These analyses will identify the differences in feathers from diverse parts of Australia, creating a Feather Map.This is a joint project of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and University of New South Wales (UNSW) and it’s so easy to get involved.
Visit the ANSTO website at: Feather Map Website or search for Feather Map on social media.
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
NORMAN WETTENHALL SMALL ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT SCHEME
The Small Environmental Grant Scheme provides support for groups or individuals undertaking biodiversity conservation projects in Australia. Projects of up to $10,000 can be about one or more of the following: monitoring, recording and sharing data, delivering community education, providing community capacity building (training), research and science, or landscape restoration and education (Victoria only). Opening date: 28 June 2016 (the round will be closed when the maximum number of applications has been reached.) For more information or to apply, visit: http://nwf.org.au/grants/small-environmental-grants/
THE R. E. ROSS TRUST GRANTS – VIC
The grants work around 4 impact areas. For Landcare groups the most relevant area is impact area D; the protection and preservation of Australian Flora and Fauna. Organisations must first submit an expression of interest for consideration by the Trustees and May then be invited to submit a full application. Applications are considered all year round. For more information go to:
http://www.rosstrust.org.au/grants/apply-for-a-grant/
©Scheltema
CANON ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS
Applications close on Friday 5 August 2016 Canon Oceania is now appealing for applicants for its annual environmental in-kind grants program. Grants are available to Australian and New Zealand schools, community groups and not-for-profit organisations making a positive impact on their environment and community. Recipients will be will be given their choice of $5,000 (retail value) of Canon equipment for use in their project. For more information go to : Canon Environmental Grants
2016-17 NORTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM
application period will commence in early July.
NEED SOME IDEAS APPLYING FOR GRANTS? THE INFO BELOW MAY BE USEFUL TO YOUR GROUP
FRRR FUNDRAISING WEBINARS. FRRR has teamed up with Our Community to host three webinars specifically designed to help rural, regional and remote community groups access more funding. In a panel discussion format, these webinars aim to demystify some of the funding options beyond grants, and to share knowledge and practical tools to help you get started. • Planned Giving and Bequests 101 – 1pm AEST on Thursday, 14 July • Sponsorship 101 – 1pm AEST on Wednesday, 27 July • Crowd-funding 101 – 1pm AEST on Wednesday, 10 August Registrations for the webinars are now open at click here
TREK FOR AUSSIE FARMERS
Landcare Australia is searching for adventurers keen to join in the 2017 trek for Aussie Farmers on the east coast of Tasmania, February 25 to March 3. Explore Tasmania’s East Coast & Port Arthur, visit some of Australia’s founding farms and learn about their sustainable farming practices, and help raise valuable funds to help Landcare Australia support Aussie farmers. All the details are on the Landcare Australia website: click here
NORTH CENTRAL CMA CHAT
The July 2016 edition of the North Central Chat can be downloaded (CLICK HERE – 4MB), and includes:
* Update on the upcoming release of the 2016-17 Community Grants program
* Launch of the north central Victoria Soil Health Guide
* National Landcare Conference details and sponsorship opportunity