In this edition:

• UCLN NETWORK NEWS
• BLACK HILL RESERVE REOPENING
• LANDMATE PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING WITH LANDCARE
• INFORMATION SESSION ON EXOTIC STIPOID GRASSES
•  TRENTHAM  LANDCARE TO BEGIN WORKS AT ENDERS BRIDGE
• MALMSBURY AND DISTRICT LANDCARE RECEIVE FUNDING TO CONTINUE WORKS AT COMMON
• NATIONAL BIRD WEEK
• BRAEMAR STUDENTS HELP NEWHAM LANDCARE
• CHICKS IN THE STICKS
• NEED HELP TO TACKLE WEEDS IN YOUR LANDCARE AREA?
• NORTH CENTRAL CHAT – NEW RABBIT CONTROL METHODS
• INTERESTING EVENTS IN OUR AREA

 

 

 

Welcome to our spring ENews for a roundup of what’s been happening in our Network. After a cold and unusually dry winter, spring is upon us, surprising many of us with early hot dry conditions. Spring has brought the wonderful sounds of the poddlebonks and growls of the growling grass frogs to my dam, which is much lower than is usual for this time of the year.

Our thoughts go out to those Landcarers affected by the control burn that got out of control, burning four houses and 4000 hectares. It must be especially difficult for those in the north of our Network who were affected by fires earlier this year.

Let’s hope that as happened recently with the Friends of Black Hill and Langley Landcare, the Network can be of assistance in helping repair damage to Landcare projects.

 

For those Landcarers affected by the recent fires please see the link below which has a range of NRM information for Landholders recovering from fire.

 

http://www.landcarevic.net.au/resources/for-land-managers/fire-recovery-resources-for-landholders/resources

There is also a fencing day demo near Kilmore which may be useful to those who lost fences. (See flyer at bottom of ENews.)

 

 

 

UCLN NETWORK NEWS

 

 

Several months ago the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network was hard at work applying for a Network Grant of $15,000 to help us achieve some of our objectives as outlined in our recently completed Strategic Plan (see https://www.uppercampaspelandcare.org.au/wp-content/uploads/UCLN-strategic-plan3.pdf ).

After much valuable consultation between groups we formed two “cluster groups”.

One group consists of members from Ashbourne, Tylden, Trentham and Malmsbury Landcare Groups to work on achieving greater ecological outcomes in “The Upper Coliban Corridor” (incorporating the Coliban River from Trentham Falls to Malmsbury Reservoir, Kangaroo Creek and the Little Coliban River).

The other group consists of members from Newham, Woodend and Carlsruhe Landcare Groups to work on the “Cobaw – Macedon Ranges to Campaspe Connections”.

If successful (and it is looking likely!) we intend to hold a series of action planning workshops that bring together expert ecological and community knowledge in each area. The workshops will involve walking stretches of the rivers identifying and documenting existing values, threats and conservation opportunities.

They will be led by ecologists and local indigenous representatives. Planning sessions will be incorporated into the field workshops.

The workshops will be supported with mapping and other information on conservation and land use issues.

This exciting project will benefit Landcare groups within our Network by building ecological knowledge and skills. It also has an important social component, helping to strengthen bonds and knowledge banks between groups.

A special thankyou to all our committee members, especially Sophie Bickford who worked so tirelessly on this project.

If you would like to read about this project in more detail please go to the link below.

Network_Grant_Application_Form_UCLN_FINAL (1)

 

 

TACKLING GORSE

The Network has recently been successful in a grant application for $4000.00 from the Gorse Taskforce to tackle the endless gorse problem in our region. Thank You Brendan Smith for your work on this issue.

AGM

The AGM for the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network will be held on Tuesday 10th November.We will be walking along the stretch of the Campaspe River that runs through the Botanic Gardens in Kyneton, to celebrate the excellent work done by the Campaspe River and Land Management Group in removing willows and revegetating. The AGM will be held over lunch at a nearby cafe. All welcome. More details soon.

NEW PROJECTOR AND SCREEN

The Network was recently successful in applying for a grant from Macedon Ranges Shire Council to purchase a data projector and screen. This is available for the Presidents of Landcare Groups within our Network to use. Please contact me if interested.

NEED HELP WITH MAPPING?

If any groups need help with mapping, (especially in acquitting their Victorian Landcare Grants from the last financial year), I have organised a session with the NCCMA’s mapping expert in Kyneton on Tuesday 20th October at 11.00am at the Piper St Food Store. Please contact me on 0408722997 or uclandcare@gmail.com if you are interested in coming.

BLACKHILL REOPENING

 

 

About 60 people gathered at Black Hill Reserve recently to celebrate its reopening after the completion of extensive works to repair damage done by the fires.

A welcome to Country was performed by Taungurung Elder, Lawrence Moser, who thanked the Friends Group for their hard work and dedication in caring for the Reserve.

The Network is proud to have been involved in the collaboration between the Friends Group, Macedon Ranges Shire Council and The Loddon Prison Landmate program to help repair damage done by the fires and once again make the Reserve a special place to visit. As Friends member Anita Leslie said “This is a special resource right here on our doorstep and it was nearly lost. I come here to listen to the silence, it’s settling for the soul.”

For media on the reopening go to http://www.elliottmidnews.com.au/story/3347545/life-returns-to-black-hill/

 

 

 

 

LANDMATE PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING WITH LANDCARE.

As some of you know I have been involved in linking the Loddon Landmate project with Landcare projects. I am delighted to report that this collaboration has successfully begun.

Carlsruhe Landcare benefited from having the prisoners plant roughly 800 trees on their Bio link Project.  Here’s what Hanne, President of Carlsruhe Landcare had to say “We had the Loddon Prisoners from Castlemaine last Wednesday and Thursday and 700 trees were planted.  The weather was perfect and they did a fantastic job. Bill and I feel that it was worth every cent spent. Highly recommended for future projects.”

Langley Landcare were also pleased to have their plantings which were damaged by the fires replaced free of charge by the Prisoners. Langley Landcare member Rob Pearse said –“In January 2015 the 5Ks of Jim Poulter Creek that Langley Landcare had revegetated over 4 years was destroyed in a grassfire. As part of the regeneration planting after the fire prisoners from Loddon Prison, ably lead by Prison officer Tony Pritchard, planted approximately 2000 trees. This was fantastic effort and huge thanks to them for their work and the positive attitude they bought to the project.”

The prisoners also helped Newham Landcare with some works at Hanging Rock.

If any groups are interested in having the Landmate project provide some labour for their Landcare projects please let me know and I can help coordinate it.

The cost is $400 /day –for that you get a team of roughly 8 to 12 hardworking blokes with a fully qualified (fencing, weed control, planting) supervisor. All equipment and certification is provided.

 

INFORMATION SESSION ON EXOTIC STIPOID GRASSES

 

An information session on identifying Needle Grasses will take place on Saturday 17th October, from 10.30 am at Barfold Hall, 1909 Kyneton-Redesdale Rd, Barfold. All are welcome and there is no need to RSVP.

The session will be presented by Martin Deering, biosecurity officer for Loddon Mallee Region.

The session’s focus on identification and control methods will be extremely helpful for landholders wishing to protect their property from invasion by these plants, and for those who already have a problem and would like to know what their control options are.

Texas Needle Grass is fairly widespread in the upper Campaspe River catchment, between Kyneton and Lake Eppalock. In some places whole paddocks have been made unusable for grazing by an invasion of this perennial tussock-forming grass.

Chilean Needle Grass and Serrated Tussock are not well-established in the region but have the potential to be a serious threat to agriculture and the environment across the Mount Alexander Shire.

One of the big challenges for land managers concerned about Needle Grass is identifying the plant. Needle Grasses can look almost identical to native Spear Grasses, and as with many grasses, they are difficult to identify when not in flower.

This event is part of the Campaspe Valley Landcare Group’s ‘Stopping Stipoids in The Upper Campaspe’ project, funded by a Victorian Landcare Grant from the North Central Catchment Management Authority.

 

 

ENDERS BRIDGE TRENTHAM

Congratulations to Trentham Landcare for receiving a $7, 500.00 grant from Hepburn Shire Council to tackle willow removal at Enders Bridge Trentham.

This will have a wonderful impact on improving the flow of the Coliban River as it approaches the iconic Trentham Falls. Well done to all those who took the time to make this project happen.

 

MALMSBURY AND DISTRICT LANDCARE

As usual Malmsbury District Landcare group have been very busy with many projects. One of these projects is the Malmsbury Common .The Malmsbury group was recently successful in obtaining a $4100.00 Victorian Landcare grant to continue weed control and  native revegetation works at the Common. The Malmsbury Youth Justice centre will be involved in the Weed Removal.

NATIONAL BIRD WEEK

 

 

 

Celebrate National Bird Week 2015 by taking part in the biggest citizen science project to hit Aussie shores!  From 19-25 October, thousands of people from across the country are heading out into their backyards, local parks, or favourite outdoor spaces to take part in the second annual AUSSIE BACKYARD BIRD COUNT!   This is an initiative of Bird Life Australia.

To get involved in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count, all you need is 20 minutes, your outdoor space of choice, and some keen eyesight (or binoculars).  It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or an expert.  Simply record the birds you know and look up those you don’t on Bird Life’s new Aussie Bird Count app or our through their website (www.aussiebirdcount.org.au).  You’ll instantly see live statistics and information on how many people are taking part near you and the number of birds and species counted across your neighbourhood and the whole of Australia.

 

Not only will you get to know your feathered neighbours, but you’ll be contributing to a vital pool of information from across the nation that will help us see how Australian birds are faring.  Last year volunteers counted 800,000 birds from across Australia, this year Birdlife Australia hopes to make it to at least one million. Get your friends and family together, head into the great outdoors and start counting!

For more information head to www.aussiebirdcount.org.au (Thanks to Tanya Loos for this info)

 

 

 

BIRD WALK ALONG THE CAMPASPE RIVER

 

Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group is hosting a Bird Walk at Glenhope on the Campaspe River on Monday 19 October from 9am to 1pm. Experienced local birdwatchers Cathy Newing and Mark Buckby from Woodend Bird Observers Club will be present to assist with identification.

The walk down to the river is about two kilometres of occasionally rocky and steep terrain. Participants will need to be moderately fit and agile and wear appropriate clothing. To secure a place, please contact Clare on 5423 4152 or email clare@knco.net by Friday 16 October.

 

 

BRAEMAR STUDENTS HELP NEWHAM LANDCARE WITH NEST BOXES

 

Year nine Braemar Students are taking part in a project with Newham Landcare to paint and install Nest Boxes made by the Woodend Mens Shed at Hanging Rock. Student Bea Bragaglia said “I think people need to become more aware of how many animals are becoming extinct and what we can do to stop that.We need to help keep the natural environment safe for them.”

Another student involved in the project, Catherine Ott,said “Its important that we help sustain the environment for future generations to come. The nesting boxes are important to create a home for animals which are struggling to find one.”

NEED TO TACKLE WEEDS IN YOUR LANDCARE AREA?

If you are in the Macedon Shire and need help with weed control this may be useful to you:

The Community Weed Partnership Program

The new Community Weed Partnership Program has been released to members of local Landcare and Friends Groups. This funding is for groups to undertake weed control works on Council-managed land, including bushland reserves and roadside areas.

Groups can apply for up to $1,500 for weed control works. Please contact Michelle Patrick via mpatrick@mrsc.vic.gov.au for more information. Please note that this funding is in addition to Council’s $800 Landcare and Friends Group Grant which will be available early next year.

 

 

 

CHICKS IN THE STICKS

The North Central CMA has announced the upcoming 2015 Chicks in the Sticks Rural Womens’ event on Saturday 28th November.

“Now in its third year, the annual rural women’s event has become one of the most successful platforms in our region to network, learn from and collaborate with like-minded women who are passionate about environmental action and sustainable agriculture.

“This year’s event will take place along the Campaspe River at Carlsruhe with keynote speaker Katie Finlay- RIDRC Rural Woman of the Year; Victorian award winner.

All the event details are on the flyer (CLICK HERE) and RSVPs to the North Central CMA are essential (Phone 03 5448 7124). Last year they booked out quickly, with 120 women registering in just two weeks.  This year has the capacity to host 150 women, so if you are interested it’d be best to book your place sooner rather than later.

 

NORTH CENTRAL CHAT

The latest issue of the NCCMA’s North Central Chat is now out. For those of you with a rabbit problem there is some useful information on the release of the new strain of Calicivirus which may be helpful to you. http://www.nccma.vic.gov.au//library/scripts/objectifyMedia.aspx?file=KMSMedia/pdf/137/69.pdf&fileName=North%20Central%20Chat-%20September%202015.pdf

 

INTERESTING EVENTS IN OUR AREA YOU MAY WISH TO ATTEND: