” NO ONE WILL PROTECT WHAT THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT, AND NO ONE WILL CARE ABOUT WHAT THEY HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED.”
David Attenborough
President of Malmsbury Landcare John Walters and Rob Burdett at Kangaroo Creek, where their group has conducted extensive gorse control. “It’s a travesty to have this beautiful forest invaded by a rampant weed. It’s displacing native plants which degrades the biodiversity that has existed here for thousands of years.”said Rob, a long term member of Malmsbury and District Landcare ©Scheltema
Welcome to the Winter issue of our ENews. At the UCLN General meeting last week, it was fantastic to see so many groups present and hear about the wonderful work they are doing to protect the natural environment in their area. I hope you enjoy reading about our Citizen Science project to look for threatened species, and the inspiring work some of our member groups are doing.
- SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIES UPDATE
- MALMSBURY’S WAR ON GORSE
- PRISONERS HELP PHASCOGALES
- TARADALE LANDCARE JOINS THE UCLN
- NATIONAL TREE PLANTING DAY
- RIVER GUARDIANS
- EVENTS, RESOURCES AND GRANTS
SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIES UPDATE
A juvenile Greater Glider found recently on a spotlighting event, part of the UCLN Spotlight on Species Project. Pic Elizabeth Parsons
The UCLN Spotlight on Species Project is now six months underway and is getting great results. As a result of the remote camera trapping and evening spotlights we have now recorded 24 Phascogales, four Powerful Owls and thirteen Greater Gliders. This valuable data has been entered into the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas and will help protect the habitat of these precious species. 37 cameras have been deployed at 17 properties over 777 camera trap days with 33 species recorded.
Students from Candlebark school help UCLN Threatened Species Officer Brad Blake mark out a 1 km transect in preparation for a evening spotlight to look for greater gliders and powerful owls. ©Scheltema
25 – 1 km transects have been surveyed (based on existing VBA records) with 33 Spotlighting events conducted along them resulting in 25 species recorded in the VBA. Many people have attended the spotlights and got great joy out of seeing the iconic greater gliders for the first time.
If your Landcare group or members would like the UCLN Threatened Species Officer Brad Blake to install remote cameras to look for species such as phascogales please contact him on 0421823998 or brad@proconpest.com. You can see the dates of upcoming Spotlighting Events by clicking on Spotlight on Species and scrolling down to the monthly calender’s.
Young Rowan learns about remote sensing cameras with UCLN Threatened Species Officer Brad Blake. ©Scheltema
If you would like to learn more about this project click here to read an article in the latest Victorian Landcare Magazine.
MALMBURY AND DISTRICT LANDCARE’S WAR ON GORSE
Malmsbury and District Landcare group is continuing its tenacious War on Gorse.The Coliban River flats at Lauriston are badly overgrown by gorse, blackberry and willow which is negatively impacting upon the stream banks and water quality.
Malmsbury Landcare member Jan Taylor and President John Walters on the Coliban River. The group will be conducting extensive weed control to improve the health of the river. ©Scheltema
The Malmsbury group’s project RIVER RECOVERY – LINKING LAURISTON TO THE RESERVOIR aims to address the problem by removing the weeds -“for the benefit of all residents, whether human or wildlife.It is viewed by Malmsbury Landcare as a long term project” said President John Walters. The group received a Upper Coliban Landcare support grant of $30,000 from the NCCMA – designed to support the UCLN Coliban Connections Biolink Project- to undertake the important work. Tylden Landcare and the Friends Of Trentham Creeks and Reserves also received funds as part of this project to continue improving river health on the Coliban River and it’s tributaries.
President of Malmsbury and District Landcare John Walters (with members Jan Taylor, Sue Walter and Rob Burdett) said “We have been aware of this weed problem for many years, and wanted to address it as part of the Coliban Connections which is one of the UCLN biolink projects. It’s part of our long term vision to improve the health of the Coliban River between the Malmsbury Reservoir and Lauriston Reserve.” ©Scheltema
The group has also undertaken extensive weed control at Kangaroo Creek.“What we have here is a ecological vegetation class (EVC) creek line herb rich woodland classified as vulnerable.One of the things we are trying to protect in Biodiversity terms is the EVC .Weeds like gorse choke out the vegetation and create a fire risk.We have records of powerful owls and greater gliders here, we need to remove the gorse to remove threat of fire.Whatever we do to improve the biodiversity here will improve the habitat of the powerful owls and greater gliders.”
President of Malmsbury and District Landcare John Walter with Rob Burdett at Kangaroo Creek, which is a EVC herb rich woodland listed as vulnerable. The group is undertaking gorse control in the area to protect it. ©Scheltema
PRISONERS HELP PHASCOGALES
Phascogales in the Barfold area will soon be getting new homes thanks to inmates at Middleton Prison, Castlemaine. The inmates have been hard at work constructing 20 nest boxes for the Campaspe Valley Landcare group suitable for the phascogales, a threatened species found in Central Victoria.
The distinctive small creatures, known as ‘Duan’ by the Dja Dja Wurrung people tap their feet when alarmed, and wag their tails when excited. They were found recently near Barfold as a result of the UCLN Spotlight on Species Project.
President of Campaspe Valley Landcare Jan Elder finds a suitable spot to install a remote sensing camera with UCLN Threatened Species Officer Brad Blake. ©Scheltema
President of Campaspe Valley Landcare Jan Elder said “We were thrilled to find images of phascogales on the remote sensing cameras that the UCLN Threatened Species Officer Brad Blake installed. The woodlands and dry forests of Central Victoria were once a stronghold for these threatened species, but their numbers have declined over the last century mainly due to land clearing and cats and foxes.”
“Our group hopes that by installing these nest boxes, kindly built for us by the Middleton Prison inmates, we will be helping to increase their chances of survival in our area.”
Acting Vocational Services Manager at Middleton Prison Peter Foti said “By building these boxes, as part of our recycling and environment program, inmates are being given a chance to contribute to society in a meaningful way, whilst being able to utilize existing or learn new skills. It is great to know that these boxes they have constructed will be helping local threatened species survive.” ©Scheltema
A recent genetic analysis of 435 phascogale tissue samples, four from the Kyneton area, concludes that fragmentation of populations is probably causing limited gene flow.This illustrates the need for better connections in the landscape which is why biolink projects such as those undertaken by the UCLN and its member groups are so important.
TARADALE LANDCARE JOINS THE UCLN
We are very pleased to welcome Taradale Landcare as the latest group to join the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network.
The UCLN is thrilled to have Taradale Landcare join the Network. Some of the group members are seen here at Back Creek, a tributary of the Coliban River, in an area they have been restoring. L -R Colleen Jones, Lyn Shill, Christine Henderson and Brian Bainbridge. ©Scheltema
The group is working along Back Creek, a tributary of the Coliban River. “Our primary goal has been to revisit Back Creek, which runs through the town, and rejuvenate the work of the earlier Landcare volunteers. We are removing woody weed regrowth and extending and diversifying planting. I just noticed we had a white-throated tree creeper feeding on a tree planted ten years ago. It takes that long for the tree to grow tall and wide enough to become suitable habitat for these birds.”
The group is hoping that by clearing and removing willows and other weeds the creek should flow again, and once again be a place for swimming and platypus as it was previously. Taradale Primary School is also regularly involved in planting days and uses the creek as an open classroom.
Taradale Landcare secretary Colleen Jones, seen here with member Brian Bainbridge, said “As well as restoring the health of the creek we’d like to inspire visitors and residents with the beauty and diversity of our local flora and fauna.” ©Scheltema
In addition the group is working on roadside weed removal with funds provided by Mt Alexander Shire Council. This work is being undertaken at three sites of high biodiversity values that are leading into the forest along the edges of Fryers Ridge Conservation Reserve.
Taradale Landcare members on the look out for weeds encroaching into the Fryers Ridge Conservation Reserve. ©Scheltema
NATIONAL TREE PLANTING DAY WITH CAMPASPE RIVER AND LAND MANAGEMENT GROUP
Why not join in with the CRLM group along the Campaspe River in Kyneton on National Tree Day Sunday 29th July to help revegetate the river?
Like to be involved in National Tree Day Sunday 29th July? Why not help CRLM group plant trees and shrubs such as the River Bottle Brush.
National Tree Day is Australia’s largest tree planting day. It started in 1996 and since then more than four million people have planted over 24 million trees and plants with the aim of caring for our land.
WHERE: The River end of Jennings St Kyneton (look for the CRLM trailer)
WHEN: 10 am – 12 pm Sunday 29th July
WHY: To help the CRLM group plant out trees and shrubs such as the River Bottle Brush.
Morning tea is provided.Wear gumboots, gloves and warm clothes. Tools and a delicious morning tea provided.
RIVER GUARDIANS
River Guardians on the Campaspe River at Carlsruhe ©Scheltema
Wild and windy weather didn’t deter prospective River Guardians from walking along the Campaspe River at Carlsruhe at a UCLN River Restoration Field Day in May. 32 people braved the elements to learn from 6 experts in the field how to restore river health. They were inspired by award winning river ecologists such as Damien Cook to protect the rivers and wetlands in their area and learnt some of the skills that would help them do so.
GRANTS
A preschooler learns about the endangered Hairy Anchor plant in Kyneton. ©Scheltema
EVENTS
2018 NATIONAL LANDCARE CONFERENCE AND AWARDS
The early bird catches the worm. The 2018 National Landcare Conference and Awards is your opportunity to contribute to, engage with, and learn from your community and peers. Over three days, you will have the opportunity to be inspired by keynote speakers and informative presentations, take part in fun social events, and experience educational field trips.
Early bird registration closes 31 July 2018. REGISTER HERE
RESOURCES
WINTER LANDCARE MAGAZINE
Among the stories in issue 72 are stories on: vegetation quality assessment by smart phone, citizen science, the social return on investment in Landcare projects, alternative fertiliser trials, and gorse and cactus bio control.
To read this issue of the magazine online (via Victorian Landcare Gateway) go to https://www.landcarevic.
To download the PDF version of this issue (and back issues) of the magazine and to access the magazine’s index go to https://www.landcarevic.
This issue features our Networks Spotlight on Species Project and is mentioned by the Minister in the introduction. Direct link to story here:
NORTH CENTRAL CHAT July 2018
Click here to read the North Central Chat: North Central Chat July 18
WOMBAT FORESTCARE NEWSLETTER JUNE 18
If you are interested in fungi you must read the latest beautiful newsletter from Wombat Forest Care.
SERRATED TUSSOCK SIGNS AVAILABLE FOR FREE
AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE HELP SHEET ON SHELTER BELTS.
ATO help sheet: Establishing shelterbelts on land used in a primary production business
https://www.ato.gov.au/law/view/view.htm?docid=AFS/ShelterBelts&PiT=99991231235958
