- UCLN WORKSHOPS -SOIL HEALTH,WEED BUSTERS
- LANDCARE 30TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS AT NEWHAM AND PARLIAMENT HOUSE
- VISIT TO BALD HILL RESERVE BY KYNETON SECONDARY COLLEGE STUDENTS
- FRIENDS OF TRENTHAM CREEKS AND RESERVES JOINS UCLN
- UCLN AT KYNETON SHOW
- NEWS AND EVENTS
- GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
What a busy couple of months it has been, with so many events ranging from wildflower walks to rabbit buster workshops to 30th Landcare birthday celebrations. The last of the UCLN workshops for the year are happening in December, so come along if you are interested in Soil Health or the latest on how to deal with weeds.
“The history of every nation is eventually written in the way in which it cares for its soil. The nation which destroys its soil destroys itself.” Franklin Roosevelt US President 1933 -1945
UCLN Workshops – Soil Heath and Weed Busters in November
Anyone interested in learning how to get a better understanding of the health of their soil will benefit from attending a free Soil Health Workshop being run by the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network, Department of Agriculture and Langley Landcare in Edgecombe on December 13th. The workshop will teach participants how to evaluate the condition of their soil and use good practice management techniques to improve its health.
Langley Landcare member Rob Pearse said “After nine years on the property I have learnt about soil health and how critical it is – not only for my olives but for the health of my grazing animals. This workshop is a fantastic opportunity for small or large landowners to learn how to improve the health of their soil.”
Attendees will be asked to bring in a soil sample from their properties and will be taught how to identify possible soil health issues using nine simple visual tests. They will also learn how to use a Soil Health Score Card to provide information on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of their soil. Understanding soil types, applying the appropriate management practices and monitoring soil quality are all important steps towards protecting and improving soil health.
Martin Hamilton from the Department of Agriculture will be leading the workshop utilizing the latest Soil Health Guide produced for North Central Victoria.“Soil is the key to all health and knowing about your soil empowers you to manage it more sustainably. Attendees will go home knowing more about their soil and what to do to maintain good soil.” said Martin.
There will be a 45 minute presentation on soil science then participants will get their hands dirty on the beautiful olive farm at Edgecombe where the workshop is being held. A free lunch will be provided.
The ancient Greek philosopher Xenophon said around 400 B.C – “To be a successful farmer one must first know the nature of their soil.”
RSVP’s are essential to Martin Hamilton 54304802 or martin.hamilton@ecodev.vic.gov.au by 8th Dec
Learn how to identify and address weed problems whether your property is large or small. Jan Elder and Barbara James from Campaspe Valley landcare are seen here discussing weed control techniques in a paddock of thistles.
With all the rain over winter and the weather finally starting to warm up the weeds are out in full force. If you want to know effective ways to address them then why not come along to the Weed Busters workshop at Bald Hill Reserve on December 3 and learn from experts. The information is suitable for large and small landowners.
The Upper Campaspe Landcare Network, in conjunction with The Friends of Bald Hill Reserve, Department of Agriculture and the Macedon Ranges Shire Council, is hosting the workshop from 10 am at the reserve. A delicious free lunch will be provided.
Advice will be given on cost effective and efficient ways of dealing with weeds. Attendees will leave with an improved understanding of the most suitable and effective ways to deal with weeds. Even though everyone’s situation is different, management options presented at the workshop will guide participants towards practical and achievable solutions.
Martin Deering, biosecurity officer from Department of Agriculture, as well as Natural Resource Officer from the Macedon Ranges Shire Council Beau Kent will be on hand to speak about the latest effective methods of weed control. There will also be a landowner with 20 years’ experience of successfully managing broome and blackberry on a 20-acre block sharing their story.
The workshop includes a practical component, with various equipment (such as the highly effective eco blade) on hand giving examples of what works best for different problems.
RSVP: 5421 9660 or environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au by November 30.
A visit to the Aboriginal Quarry Site at Mt William was part of the Landcare Forum celebrating 30 years of Landcare held at Newhan recently. Pic by Kylie McKay
Opening the well-attended event was newly elected Macedon Ranges Shire Councillor Natasha Gayfer who said the special event marked an important anniversary, and it was an occasion to say “a big thank you to everyone who has been involved in landcare over the past three decades.”
Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s environment coordinator, Michelle Wyatt, outlined some of the important work being carried out in the environmental field, and answered a range of questions.
The day shared landcare success stories, a presentation from Mount Rothwell Conservation Centre about saving Victorian animals from the brink of extinction, and a visit to the Mount William Stone Axe Quarry with a Wurundjeri elder .
The presentations outlined the importance of collaboration and working together. As Tim Bloomfield said “A landowner working on their own can make a difference, as part of a community working together landowners can make a difference in the landscape.”
I recently attended another 30th anniversary for Landcare in Victoria at Queens Hall, Parliament House Melbourne. It was attended by over 200 people. Alice Knight OAM was announced as the winner of the 2016 Joan Kirner Award, and 10 Landcare Executive Committee Service Awards were awarded to 10 Community Landcarers.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Energy, the Environment and Climate Change, Anthony Carbines presented the awards. Most attendees were community Landcarers who have been involved in the Landcare movement for decades. Go to LandcareAwards
Congratulations to all Victorian Landcarers for 30 years of achievements and on ground activities.
Visit to Bald Hill Reserve by Kyneton Secondary College Students.
“I find that nature is very beautiful, its so amazing how life works-how the flowers are created and what colours they have,’ said Kyneton Secondary College student Charlotte Arlow seen here examining a wax lip orchid at Bald Hill Reserve during the schools recent visit to Bald Hill Reserve.
Environmental science students from Kyneton Secondary College undertook detective work at Bald Hill Reserve to research a project investigating the flora and fauna of the reserve. They also helped install nest boxes and remote cameras which will monitor arboreal mammals, such as the threatened phascogale.
Their project was part of a new collaboration between the Friends of Bald Hill, the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network, Macedon Ranges Shire Council and the Environmental Science Program at the school.
Students each picked a native species from the Bald Hill Management Plan which they then had to find at the reserve.
Many chose some of the beautiful wildflowers which were on display on the day.
The students worked closely with Carolyn Robb, President of the Friends of Bald Hill Reserve, who helped locate plants for the students, guided them through the reserve, and gave a visual presentation at the school regarding the ecology of Bald Hill.
Year 9 and 10 environmental science students from Kyneton Secondary College undertook detective work at Bald Hill Reserve to research a project investigating the flora and fauna of the reserve. They also helped install nest boxes and remote cameras which will monitor arboreal mammals, such as the threatened phascogale.
They helped install nest boxes and remote cameras using GPS to record their locations, and will be involved in monitoring the resulting data in conjunction with the Friends of Bald Hill and the Macedon Ranges Shire Council.
Council environmental officer William Terry said it was important that students learnt about protecting our local ecosystems if we were going to have any chance of protecting our endangered species.
“We are hoping to record evidence of arboreal animals such as the brush tailed phascogale, the sugar and squirrel gliders, and the agile antechinus. The nest boxes and remote cameras will help give us a broader understanding of the important flora and fauna in this reserve.”
Teacher Cindy Bradford said the students gained valuable field study experience using modern monitoring techniques and got an understanding of how to preserve the flora and fauna of Bald Hill Reserve.
For media go to Detectives Bald Hill
Kyneton Secondary College Student Penny Caleo helps President of Campaspe River and Land management group Peter Harding at a planting day on the Campaspe River recently. About 400 plants were planted purchased as part of a One Tree Per Child Grant.
Year seven and eight Kyneton Secondary College students also helped out the Campaspe River and Land Management Group recently planting 400 trees along the Campaspe River. The trees were purchased with funding from The One Tree Per Child grant.
“Community comes from the word communion, to share a common task together. And it is in the sharing of that task that people do bigger than they knew they were capable of. Then there is something to celebrate.” Mathew Fox
Friends Of Trentham Creeks and Reserves joins UCLN
Jan Robertson and Jill McCallum from Friends Of Trentham Creeks and Reserves, and Manu from Trentham Primary School at Trent Creek Trentham. The group will be working at removing weeds and replanting vegetation along the creek in Trentham. They were recently successful in receiving a Riparian Grant to help carry out the work.
I would like to welcome the Friends of Trentham Creeks and Reserves to the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network. The group has been very active in dealing with weeds, revegetating native species and building walking tracks close to the Trentham township. They have recently joined our Network.
They were successful in the latest riparian grant applications and will be busy working on restoring the vegetation along Trent Creek. The area has two species listed as ‘rare’ in Victoria – the Brooker gum –Euccalyptus brookeriana , and the Floodplain Fireweed -Senecio campylocarpus, and riparian forest (EVC18) listed as vulnerable in the Central Highlands Bioregion. Trentham Primary School children and the Trentham Historical Society will be involved in the project, which is the site of a historic swimming pool.
Heavy rainfall has meant this year is especially good for wildflowers. This swamp daisy was seen recently at Bald Hill Reserve.Pic Scheltema
UCLN at Kyneton Show.
UCLN was at Kyneton show recently, alongside the MRSC and NCCMA marques. There was a lot if interest in our display with many requests from people on how to get involved and be part of the Landcare Community. Thank you to everyone who helped out on the day, especially Brendan Smith from the Network and Tylden Landcare who worked very hard giving away plants and answering endless questions about what are the best plants to plant where.
Wax Lip Orchid at Bald Hill Reserve.To see more Bald Hill Reserve wildflowers you can go to the new website www.friendsofbaldhillreserve.com.au
Congratulations to President of Bald Hill Reserve Carolyn Robb for the lovely new website www.friendsofbaldhillreserve.com.au
Due to the recent heavy rains, wildflowers are abundant this year. Seen at Bald Hill Reserve recently was this Leopard Orchid.Pic Scheltema
Events
| Spotlight night at Bald Hill Reserve | |
|
|
| MRSC and the Friends of Bald Hill Reserve are hosting a special night spotlight walk to search for animals such as possums, owls and gliders.
Saturday 10 December |
|
|
Landcare in Focus
Here is the November edition of Landcare in Focus, in this issue you’ll hear from topic experts and researchers, Landcarers and groups, and farmers and government initiatives in articles that touch on grazing management for improved productivity and profitability, soil resource management, and variable rainfall response.
Junior Landcare November Issue
If you are interested in Junior Landcare news you can view the issue here JuniorLandcare
Grant Opportunities.
If your group is thinking about funding opportunities you may want to look at some of these grants. Dont forget to ask me for help if you need it in applications.
New Junior Landcare grants opening in 2017
A new Junior Landcare grants program was launched recently at the ResourceSmart Schools Awards in Melbourne. Applications will open in February 2017 for the Momentum Energy Junior Landcare Grants, which will fund 200 projects in Victoria.
Grants worth $1,000 will be on offer for projects that will help young people play an active role in ensuring the safe future of their environment. All Victorian schools, childcare centres, and youth groups are eligible to apply. More info here: JuniorGrants
The Australian Government’s Department of Social Services is inviting volunteer-based community groups and networks to apply for the 2016 Volunteer Grants funding.
These grants aim to support the efforts of volunteers by providing small amounts of money that organisations and community groups can use to help their volunteers.
Funding available: grants of between $1,000 and $5,000
Funding for: community-based groups and networks to buy equipment (e.g. computers), or help with training volunteers, fuel costs or undertaking background security checks etc. See guidelines (via link below) for a comprehensive list of eligible and ineligible items.
Application period: from 08 November 2016 until 2pm -20 December 2016
More information, guidelines & application form: go to
General enquiries: 1800 020 283
Bjarne K Dahl Trust
The Dahl Trust focuses on the conservation of eucalyptus trees and education of the public in areas of conservation, propagation, cultural and historical significance. Grants are capped at $15,000.
T: 03 8648 6510
E: enquiries@dahltrust.org.au
W: www.dahltrust.org.au/grants/
Fifteen Trees
This company was set up to help businesses create a smaller foot print when it comes to their vehicles and carbon production. Landcare groups can benefit through gaining plants to plant in their areas. Landholders need to be a member of an environmental community group (such as Landcare) to receive trees. Trees may be planted on private or public land. On-going opportunity.
T: 0400 040 659
E: filippa@15trees.com.au
W: www.15trees.com.au
Norman Wettenhall Foundation
These grants focus primarily on the enhancement and protection of flora and fauna in rural Victoria. Landscape Restoration Project support and facilitate the vision-building process. Landscape Restoration Fellowships make a significant difference to the capacity of a person to achieve the goals of significant landscape restoration projects. Various obligations are requested under these grant schemes. For project ideas go to ‘Grants awarded’ on their website. Small Environmental Grants Scheme: $5,000 and $10,000
T: 03 5472 1316 or 0431 219 980
E: beth@nwf.org.au
W: www.nwf.org.au
R E Ross Trust
The Trust will consider applications for protection and preservation of Australian flora and fauna. Grants can be sought for up to $30,000 for up to three years. Your organisation must have an ABN ,operates within Victoria and be incorporated. On going.
T: 03 9690 6255
E: information@rosstrust.org.au
W: www.rosstrust.org.au
An entry in the recent Archibald Prize competition by artist Michael McWilliams called The Usurpers.It is of introduced species that have had the most impact on the environment, including Man.