Hunter Local Land Services
Landcare Links
Issue 4 - May 2016
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Dear Landcarers,
Welcome to this edition of Hunter Landcare Links, a monthly update from the Hunter Regional Landcare Facilitator. If you have anything that you'd like included in future editions, please email me at nev.reis@lls.nsw.gov.au by the second Friday of the month.
Please feel free to email Hunter Landcare Links on to fellow landcarers and others and encourage them to subscribe.
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Landcarers graduate in Conservation and Land Management
Tocal College held it's annual graduation ceremony on 1 April with 26 Landcarers graduating in Certificate IV and Diplomas in Conservation and Land Management (CLM).
During the 2014/15 financial year the Australian Government Regional Landcare Facilitator program provided additional funds to already subsidised Tocal College courses in CLM. This provided free training for Landcarers willing to take on the challenge of attaining CLM qualifications.
The qualifications were attained through Recognition of Prior Learning, online study and Profarm short course training. Of the 49 opportunities provided five graduated in 2015 and 21 during 2016. Tocal College's Education Officer Skills Recognition, Mia Mackay, said working with Hunter Landcare coordinators and volunteers to gain nationally recognised qualifications was rewarding for everyone involved and the overall uptake for the training was very good.
With so many qualified Landcarers now in the Hunter it will be the region that benefits in the long run. We will have many more qualified Landcarers who are confident of providing valuable CLM advice and support throughout the Hunter.
For more information on training in Conservation and Land Management through skills recognition at Tocal College visit www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/courses/skills-recognition-services/process or call 02 4939 8888.
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Tocal College graduates at Tocal Homestead's celebration lunch.
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Green Army Round 5
Green Army Round 5 will be opening soon and is taking a different slant. It seeks to maximise positive environmental and heritage impacts through the use of multiple Green Army teams. It is intended to have three to fifteen teams working over a two to three year period.
Since Green Army started, Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA), Northern NSW has assisted host organisations from the Central Coast to Northern Rivers to Upper Hunter to submit Green Army applications. Out of 32 applications 25 have been successful, in Round 4 alone!
CVA's Regional Manager, Steve Travers, has some great advice on writing winning applications. He says the applications are not too hard when you know what needs to be done, but he suggests preparing early gives a bit more time to give it the right attention to get it across the line.
Each Green Army Team has 10 members, including a supervisor, that each deliver 30 hours per week of Landcaring activities for six months, which can make a big different on the ground.
If you or your Landcare group wants to be part of the Green Army Round 5 and develop a joint application please contact Steve Travers, Regional Manager, Northern NSW 49612358, stravers@conservationvolunteers.com.au or Nev Reis Hunter Regional Landcare Faciliator, 49384959, nev.reis@lls.nsw.gov.au.
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2016 Hunter Regional Landcare Tocal Scholarship
Congratulations to the 2016 Hunter Regional Landcare Tocal Scholarship winners. This year the scholarships have been awarded to Jacob Bailey and Trudie Franklin.
The scholarships are for undergraduate students enrolled at Tocal College and are an incentive to drive an existing interest in Conservation and Land Management, particularly in collaboration with Landcare.
The scholarship supports recipients in their studies so they can contribute to future natural resource management and agriculture outcomes for the Hunter Local Land Services region.
Trudie Franklin is enrolled at Tocal College in a Diploma of Conservation and Land Management and is taking a Bush Regeneration Stream in her studies and would like to share what she has learnt in conservation and sustainable agriculture with other land managers, particularly the younger generation. Trudie also has links with Hastings Valley Landcare Network operating in the north of the Hunter Region.
Jacob is a second year resident Tocal College student, completing his Certificate IV in Agriculture. Jacob has demonstrated a notable interest in Conservation and Land Management and is undertaking a Total Catchment Management stream of study. He has secured work placement with Hunter Local Land Services assisting with bush regeneration at Kooragang Wetlands, and assisting a Hunter Water ranger with water testing and maintenance.
The 2016 Hunter Regional Landcare Scholarships for Tocal College are now in their second year and are strengthening the partnership between Local Land Services and Tocal College to invigorate the Landcare ethos across the region.
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Susan Hooke, Chair of the Hunter Local Land Services Board, awards the 2016 Hunter Regional Landcare Scholarship to Jacob Bailey at Tocal College graduation ceremony.
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New group, 'Sustaining the Williams Valley'
Exciting news for everyone interested in the environment in and around the Williams Valley. The new 'Sustaining the Williams Valley' (SWV) group has formed to make positive and sustainable improvements to the area. This group compliments other local groups in the Dungog Shire Council area such as Dungog Common Landcare Group, Gresford District Landcare Group, and the Hunter Farm Forestry Network.
SWV had their first meeting on February 23 which generated a small but very enthusiastic response. By the second meeting on March 23, a committee was elected, a decision to be incorporated as an association was made, and some clear directions for future action were agreed upon.
There was a general agreement that action needs to be taken on several fronts to improve the environment in the Williams River catchment based on principles of sustainability and active community involvement. One of the key issues is to be able to present as an incorporated group to apply for available funding and adapting a Landcare model to pursue their interests.
All are welcome to become members and for a fee of $5 you will be covered by insurance, have direct input into the group's activities, and will contribute to the viability of the organisation.
The group is looking to turn its focus on a small local project at Frank Robinson Park in Dungog, which could benefit from a clean-up, some revegetation and possibly some new equipment installed. A scoping meeting is planned with Dungog Shire Council and Local Land Services and Sustaining the Williams Valley members.
To find out more, call SWV Secretary Dianne Pope on 0408 113 468 or email realdianne.pope@gmail.com.
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Managing our creeks
Many Upper Hunter landholders are fortunate to have creeks running through their properties and understand these areas require special care.
Hunter Local Land Services are conducting a free workshop at Mitchells Flat near Singleton to help demystify the sometimes confusing world of riparian management. This interactive event will help landholders with riparian lands separate fact from fiction and learn how to improve their farming system to reduce farm maintenance and benefit the environment.
There will be presentations on fencing design, native planting options, erosion and weed control, off-stream watering for stock, and a discussion on building creek crossings and ideas for grazing creek areas.
Come along and get some practical advice on managing our local waterways and adjacent land from industry specialists and local advisory staff.
The field day will be held on Thursday 19 May from 9 am to 3 pm. It has been planned for landholders in the Glendon Brook catchment, which was hit hard in the 2015 storms and in which Glencore has funded small grants to improve the riparian zone. All landholders, however, are welcome to attend.
The day will conclude with a short bus tour to a local property for on-site presentations.
Please RSVP for lunch catering to Fiona Marshall 0429 455492 or Scone Office 6540 2400.
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Upcoming events
Friday 29 April - 1 May, Tocal Field Days, Tocal College, Tocal www.tocalfielddays.com
Saturday 30 April (registration from 8-10am) - Sunday 1 May registration 8-9am), Congewai Carpathon, Overnight bush camping available. Weigh in 1 pm Sunday, Lunch with drinks and BBQ available. Entry $5 per adult $10 per family. Carpathon contact Jill 49981314.
Sunday 1 May, 9 am - 12 noon, Dungog Common Community Landcare Day, Dungog Common, Dungog. To register contact Ros Runciman phone: 4992 1208 or email ros.runciman@gmail.com
Monday 2 May, Putty wild dog trapping course, Putty Hall, 408 Putty Valley Road Putty. For more details contact, Craig Crooks 0429 342 995 Ross Garland 0428 686 091
Friday 6 May, Pastures field day, Bonnington, Allyn River Rd Allynbrook. RSVP for catering to nerellehand@hotmail.com or on 4996 4142.
Saturday 7 May , Sustainable Horsekeeping Conference, Western Sydney University Hawkesbury Campus, Science Road, Richmond, NSW 2753. For more information visit greatersydney.lls.nsw.gov.au/resource-hub/events/2015/sustainable-horsekeeping-nsw
Tuesday 10 May, Requirements to 'Raising Claims' for beef producers workshop Glendarra Conference Room, 816 Tocal Road, Paterson. For more information contact Tony Blatch on 0427 788 984.
Thursday 12 May, Workshop: Training and supporting volunteers in landcare, Hunter Wetlands Centre 412 Sandgate Rd Shortland 2307. Free, please book in advance by calling Frances 49516466 (Wed,Fri) or email: conference_centre@wetlands.org.au .
Friday 13 May, Your Farm Your Trees How trees lift farm productivity, Allynbrook, for more details contact Annabel Kater annabel@australiansustainabletimbers.com ph: 0437399511
Saturday 14 May, Your Farm Your Trees How trees lift farm productivity, Martindale, for more details contact Annabel Kater annabel@australiansustainabletimbers.com ph: 0437399511
Saturday 14 May, 9 am - 2.30 pm, Backyard Bee Keeping Workshop, Tilligerry Habitat, King Albert Avenue, Tanilba. Limited places book your place by calling 4984 5677.
Thursday 19 May 9 am - 3 pm, Managing Our Creeks, Mitchells Flat near Singleton, Please RSVP for lunch catering to Fiona Marshall 0429 455 492 or Scone Office 6540 2400.
Friday 20 May, 2016 Regional Landcare Bushcare Forum, Newington Armory, Sydney Olympic Park. For more information contact Vanessa Keyzer, vanessa.keyzer@lls.nsw.gov.au 0247242118
Saturday 21 May, 9.30 am - 2 pm, Birds of the Paterson Allyn and Williams Valleys, St Mary's Hall, Allynbrook, RSVP J Wokes Ph: 4938 5112 or Email: juliawokes@hotmail.com.
Sunday 29 May 8 am - 2 pm, Murra County Markets, RSL Hall, Mayne St, Murrurundi.
Friday 3 June - Crawford River Sustainable Farming Group - Wild dog control activities with Hunter LLS and NPWS, next campaign, 10 am. More info contact Julie 0416 242 945
Saturday 4 June, Bloom Markets, Scone Public School, Liverpool St, Scone.
Monday 6-8 June, 6th Biennial Naitonal NRM Knowledge Conference, Novotel Pacific Bay, Coffs Harbour NSW. The full conference program, including field trip options, is now available on the conference website www.conference.nrmregionsaustralia.com.au
Tuesday 7 June, Requirements to 'Raising Claims' for beef producers workshop Glendarra Conference Room, 816 Tocal Road, Paterson. For more information contact Tony Blatch on 0427 788 984.
Friday 10 June - Wang Wauk / Wallamba Sustainable Farming Group, Property visit, Wang Wauk, 9.30 am - 12 noon. Contact Ros 0412 793 446
Saturday 11 June 10 am - 3.30pm, Field Day: The First Landcarers, Murrook Cultural Centre 2163 Nelson Bay Road Williamtown, RSVP by 3 June by calling 4033 8802 or email greenteam@worimi.org.au.
Saturday 11 June 8 am - 3 pm, Merriwa Festival of the Fleeces, Golden Highway, Merriwa. Merriwa Landcare will be there.
Wednesday 21-23 September National Landcare Conference, Melbourne
Thursday 22 September National Landcare Awards, Melbourne
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Regular events
- Earthcare Park Landcare meet on the second Saturday of each month on site at Metford Road Tenambit beside Beryl Humble Oval. Contact Eric for details 0408 680 726
- Kooragang Monthly Tree Planting Day is on the third Sunday of the month. Meet at the Schoolmasters House, Schoolhouse Road, Ash Island. Free morning tea and Lunch. Ph 4964 9308 or email gavin.farley@lls.nsw.gov.au for more details.
- Dyers Crossing Landcare meets every second month, usually at a property to tour it and discuss issues. Contact John 6559 1251
- Coomba Sustainable Living Group meets on the last Friday of the month for a wide variety of workshops or visits, to promote sustainable living. Contact Carolyn 0439 513 119 / 6554 2001 / ejca@live.com.au
- Wang Wauk / Wallamba Sustainable Farming Group meets every second month at a property to discuss what we have each been working on and any issues. It is always an entertaining and informative session with delicious morning tea. 9.30 am - 12 noon.
Contact Ros 0412 793 446 for more information
- Topi Topi Sustainable Farming Group meets once a month to focus on a topic of interest to members. Contact Sue 0438 433 063.
- Gloucester Environment Group have monthly walks, for more info contact Alison Lyon on 0409 718 795 or alisonlyoninoz@hotmail.com
- Dungog Walkers, including Dungog Common Landcarers, have fortnightly walks (Adults 18 yrs & over only). For more information phone Walking for Pleasure Co-ordinator on 4926 1633.
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Other Landcare links and news
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Happy landcaring!
Nev Reis
Regional Landcare Facilitator
Hunter Local Land Services
Phone 02 4938 4959
Email nev.reis@lls.nsw.gov.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HunterRegionalLandcareFacilitator
The Regional Landcare Facilitator Program is an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture.
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