Talk and field event – Peter Crowcroft – iNaturalist 

‘Arachnid, Bug, Cormorant, Daisy – The ABCD’s of using iNaturalist for biodiversity observations’

Peter Crowcroft A.K.A. possumpete, his iNaturalist username, is an environmental educator and avid iNaturalist poster, where he has uploaded over 11,000 observations of roughly 3,000 Australian species – mostly moths and plants.

Peter regularly travels around the state and country to increase the number of species he has photographed, learn more about the wonders of Australia’s biodiversity, and contribute to its understanding as a citizen scientist. His Masters was on Moths and he is currently undertaking a Doctorate in Education.

Moths are attracted to light at night, we aren’t totally sure why but there are a few theories! Whatever the reasons, we’ll make the most of it on the Saturday night so that we can see and appreciate the most diverse group of creatures that hardly anyone notices. Their incredible variety and artistic camouflage is beautiful to behold, especially if you have a macro camera! Let’s discover together what moths come to the light at Trentham Falls.

Peter will deliver a talk and workshop on using iNaturalist (ideally download the iNaturalist App before the workshop if you think you’d like to use it).

When: Saturday 18 March 2023 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Where: Trentham Neighbourhood Centre, High Street, Trentham Victoria 3458

Try Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/CGCDM

Peter will follow up his afternoon talk on iNaturalist with an evening session where he will be setting up his moth light at Trentham Falls.

When: Saturday 18 March 2023 7:30pm – 10:30pm

Where: Trentham Falls, Trentham Scenic Reserve Road, Trentham Vic 3458

Try Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/CGCDY

All are welcome, including children. Plenty of parking. Stay a while or the whole time. Bring your head torches and download the iNaturalist App ahead of time so Peter can help with loading sightings if you are interested.

Landcare Victoria is leading the development of a Landcare Plan for Victoria. Due for completion in June 2023, the Plan will provide a united voice and future vision for the landcare community in Victoria.

Building on our engagement with the landcare community and partners in 2022, further engagement opportunities are being held in March, based on the release of the Strategic Priority Statement.

Using this statement as a conversation piece, we want to continue listening to the Victorian landcare community, to ensure that the Plan truly reflects their needs and aspirations. Feedback received on this Statement will be considered while developing the draft Landcare Plan for Victoria.

This stage of engagement will include a series of online workshops, facilitated by Projectura, as well as an online survey.

A workshop for Landcare Group Representatives and Members is being held on Tuesday, 7 March from 5pm to 7pm. If you would like to attend the Landcare Members Workshop, please register via Eventbrite here.

A workshop for Emerging Landcare Leaders (under 40s) is being held on Thursday, 9 March from 5pm to 7pm. If you would like to attend the Emerging Leaders Workshop, please register via Eventbrite here.

Consultation on the Strategic Priority Statement, including the survey, will close on Sunday 19 March.

For more information please visit the Landcare Victoria website.

Residents are invited to collaborate on a new plan that will guide the Macedon Ranges community on managing the impacts of climate change.

Building on the momentum of the earlier Cool Changes program and a unified call for more urgent
action, Cool-ER Changes aims to take a broader lens on the future of our environment in creating a
shared, shire-wide Climate Emergency Response Plan for both Council and the community.

The plan will initially be informed by a number of themed workshops between March and June,
delving into discussions on topics including healthy ecosystems, renewable energy, waste
management and responses to natural disasters.

Mayor Annette Death encouraged all Macedon Ranges residents to get involved with Cool-ER
Changes, given the broad impacts of climate change regardless of individual circumstances.
“Through the Cool Changes program, Council worked with residents across the Macedon Ranges to help address climate action at a localised level – this was important, but only one part of the story,” she said.

“Cool-ER Changes will result in a more universal action plan. From renewables to rural land
management practices, future-proofing community sport to the liveability of our homes, there will be something tangible for everyone to take action on.”

The community is invited to the official launch of Cool-ER Changes at Kyneton Town Hall on Thursday 2 March from 7pm – 8:30pm, to celebrate the tangible climate action already underway in the shire and outline the vision for further action into the future.

This launch will also see the debut screening of Bridging the Divide: a short film voicing the thoughts of young and old residents in the shire on climate change.

Cool-ER Changes aligns with a Council commitment within its Council Plan 2021-2031 to “lessen the severity of climate change through actions that enable Council and community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions”.

It also complements Council’s recently endorsed Counting Down to Zero plan, to target zero net emissions across Council-managed facilities and operations by 2030.

For more information and to register your attendance for the Cool-ER Changes launch, visit
mrsc.vic.gov.au/Cool-ER-Changes

Warmly,

Justin Walsh (He/Him)
Sustainability Officer, Strategic Planning & Environment Department Macedon Ranges Shire Council 
PO Box 151 Kyneton Victoria 3444
T: 5422 0376 M: 0419 906 898

E: juwalsh@mrsc.vic.gov.au Web: www.mrsc.vic.gov.au

Working Together | Honesty | Accountability | Innovation | Respect

                                
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Macedon Ranges Shire Council acknowledges the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and waterways. Council recognises their living cultures and ongoing connection to Country and pays respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Council also acknowledges local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander residents of Macedon Ranges for their ongoing contribution to the diverse culture of our community.