Hi everyone,
I hope you are all doing well... Things are returning to normal, somewhat, still with limited events - but numerous online meetings and webinars... A lot of admin and planning.
Creating Canopies is off to a great start, with the first planting happening in less than a month, contributing to koala habitat on private land in the Kurrajong area. If you are interested in finding out more about how you could claim 100 or more free canopy species to cool your part of Sydney, please feel free to email trees@greatersydneylandcare.org
We have a new Streamwatch Officer, Jessica Lumbroso, who is developing great new things for Streamwatch.
Saving Our Species and the Cumberland Plain Restoration Program (CPRP) has had its main Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Plan finalised and will start baseline vegetation surveys soon.
In this newsletter i have highlighted the amazing benefits available to all financial members of GSLN, its RENEWAL time and more tree planting...
I hope you enjoy the reading.
Xuela Sledge
Local Landcare Coordinator
Greater Sydney Landcare Network
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LANDCARE IN
GREATER
SYDNEY...
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EDO's preliminary response to interim EPBC Act report - our comments were heard!
According to the Environmental Defenders Officer (EDO) the once in ten year review to our country's most important environmental law provided a 'crucial chance to ensure our national environmental law truly protects Australia’s amazing wildlife and country, especially given the post catastrophic-bushfire challenges and the current extinction crisis'.
During the consultation for the review earlier this year (and for many years before), EDO lawyers, colleagues and clients have advocated for national leadership and stronger laws that effectively address our greatest environmental challenges. To date, in contrast, the primary Government metric for amending the Act is whether project approval times are cut'.
The Review earlier this year has also positively called for:
1. Positive proposals for reform
2. Independent effective regulator
3. National leadership vs. devolved responsibility
4. What about climate change?
5. Accountability and access to justice
To read the full article by the EDO please view here.
To stay involved in the reform contact EDO here.
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ITS RENEWAL TIME
FOR MEMBERS...
Support Landcare
across Sydney
To everyone who has supported us with yearly membership over the last 12 months, THANKYOU!
We use our membership income to pay for small items like catering at an event, or contributing towards educational Landcare projects. We might purchase a GPS, a field guide, or maybe some bush regen equip... GSLN would like to increase its membership to better support the greater Sydney Landcaring community.
Please consider.
For renewals, please check your SPAM if you think you have missed an invoice.
For more information email GSLN membership.
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WHAT DO I GET AS A FINANCIAL MeMBER OF GSLN?
The benefits of being a member of Greater Sydney Landcare Network are HUGE and many...
If you become a financial member (starting for as little as $20 per year) you can access the following services and benefits:
- Advisory for individuals, groups and organisations re
- grant availability
- connecting you to the right volunteer group
- restoring your land
- supporting your environmental concerns or issues
- assisting in accessing equipment and materials for on-ground works
- Free trees
- Grant administration
- Training – FREE or subsidised
- Increasing your volunteer group members
- Calendar of environmental events across Greater Sydney
- Large scale/ collaborative environmental project participation or partnership
- Monthly eNewsletters
- Promotion of member news and events – web and social media
- Representation to state & fed levels
- Voting rights
- Access to Steering Committee
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NEW STAFF!
The team at Greater Sydney Landcare Network is growing...
WELCOME to our new team members Suzie, Kiera and Jess!
Suzie Wright, Project Manager, Creating Canopies in Greater Sydney, GSLN
Suzie Wright was the Regional Manager for Conservation Volunteers Australia, based in the Penrith Office. She grew up in Western Sydney, and has a degree in Health Science and Clinical Research.
Suzie has been a passionate environmentalist, as a volunteer and in Green politics since 2005. She represented Western Sydney University in a range of relationship liaison roles, working with Government, business and the community sector to deliver sustained and mutually beneficial outcomes.
Suzie has a good network across many sectors in Western Sydney and has a strong commitment to “connecting people with nature” which she sees as the best solution to most environmental challenges.
To contact Suzie regarding the Creating Canopies Program please email her at suzie.wright@greatersydneylandcare.org
Kiera Turner, Project Coordinator, Creating Canopies in Greater Sydney, GSLN...
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Kiera has completed a Bachelor of Biodiversity and Conservation and will be graduating with a Masters of Environment in 2021. She has a background working in bush regeneration. Kiera has worked for several private companies, and supervised 3 Green Army Projects with Conservation Volunteers Australia and, has worked for local government with Bushcare volunteers.
Kiera's passion for the environment and animals developed when she was a kid and would always visit the zoo with her Grandma. This is what led her to do a conservation degree and move into a field where she could play a role in saving our environment.
To contact Kiera you can email her: kiera.turner@greatersydneylandcare.org
Jessica Lumbroso (above right), Streamwatch Coordinator, Greater Sydney Landcare Network (GSLN)
Jess is very excited to be working with the community at Greater Sydney Landcare Network. She has taken over the Streamwatch Program from Local Landcare Coordinator Elisha Duxbury (above left).
Conservation is Jess' passion. She has been in the field for 15 years! Volunteering in Streamwatch and WIRES, in addition to working as a Bush regenerator across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains for council, NPWS and Landholders.
Riparian zones and restoration of endangered habitats are what make Jess happy. She is currently in her last year of a bachelor of Science at Western Sydney University (Hawkesbury) studying Environmental Management - majoring in Aquatic Conservation, and taking on Field Projects for GSLN.
Jess wanted to say a quick 'Thank you' to all the amazing people out there reading this, you're helping to make this planet a better one, one tree at a time...
To get in contact with Jess you can email her: jessica.lumbroso@greatersydneylandcare.org
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FOR OUR MEMBERS
...we need your feedback by July 31st on the national Landcare situation...
Are you aware of the Landcare level at the national level? In Landcare, there are local, regional, state, and also national levels. Unfortunately in Landcare there are two national Landcare bodies. They are Landcare Australia Limited and the National Landcare Network.
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Landcare NSW is calling for a merger of the two and, for objectives of the national body to be driven by grassroots Landcare groups.
To read more on this matter, please visit LandcareNSW's briefing paper here.
To read LandcareNSW's discussion paper on possible ways forward please read here.
To express your views please email chair@greatersydneylandcare.org
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Creating Canopies in Greater Sydney
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GSLN DOING ITS FIRST PLANTING FOR THE CREATING CANOPIES PROGRAM, TO EXTEND KOALA HABITAT...
Creating Canopies has begun and is already very busy visiting possible planting sites, in addition to starting the planting off in early August. 140 trees are going to be planted on private land to extend Koala habitat in the Kurrajong area.
There is a long list of plants to still go into the ground though, so please, if you would like to plant a minimum of 100 native trees on your property, or Bushcare/ Landcare site please contact us!
... We are always looking for more people to take up the initiative of planting canopies to cool Sydney... We need sites, volunteers, and in some cases, your help with maintenance. If you are interested in receiving free trees (minimum 100 with planting materials) for your property – register your site HERE.
Trees started with - 100,000
Trees accounted for - 140
Trees to go - 99,860
Want to get involved as a volunteer tree planter? Sign up HERE.
For more information email us at trees@greatersydneylandcare.org or call 4724 2147
Creating Canopies is a partnership between Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare Network (GSLN).
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STREAMWATCH Message
Streamwatch turns 30 in September this year! Jess our new Streamwatch Coordinator, is going to celebrate this with a trip down memory lane in an upcoming Flow newsletter.
If you have any Streamwatch photos captured over the last 30 years we would love you to share them with us.
You can reach us at streamwatch@greatersydneylandcare.org or call 0423 416 028.
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CUMBERLAND PLAIN LAND SNAIL - found in western Sydney!
Scientific name - Meridolum corneovirens
Endangered in NSW
The Cumberland Plain Land Snail (CPLS) can be recognised by its 25-30mm diameter shell. The shell can be any shade of brown and is uniform in colour. Compared to the normal garden snail, which has dark patches on a paler shell, the CPLS may also have a green or yellow tinge. The CPLS is also flatter and usually thinner and fragile.
The CPLS can be found under logs and other debris amongst leaf litter and bark accumulations. It can also be found around the bases of trees and sometimes under grass clumps inn loose soil. It can also use any human related ground cover including rubbish, building material or old car parts. The CPLS also burrows up to 10 cm into loose soil, which may be an adaptation to survive drought or other adverse conditions as this has been observed as unusual for the genus (Clarke, 2009).
Potential habitat of the CPLS included Cumberland Plain Woodland (CPW), Castlereagh Woodland, Shale Gravel Transition Forest, Castlereagh Swamp Woodlands and River Flat Eucalypt Forest that fringes onto CPW.
Species will persist in degraded environments provided that ground cover including logs or rubbish are present. It feeds primarily off fungus, but also lichen, leaves, detritus and freshly dead organisms including native cockroaches. The Snail can be surveyed all year round. Presence of an empty shell also indicates the presence of the species.
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(above) CPLS copyright Australian Museum
The CPLS is active at night, but also can be found in the daytime. It can also be observed more frequently on overcast or moist days. Surveys by Ridgeway et al (2014) determined that almost one third of the time the species can be found climbing vertically up grass clumps or small distances up tree trunks. Some individuals have also been observed dormant for sometimes days at a time and, even in exposed positions. The latter proving fire to be a risk to the species.
Inappropriate fire regimes are also a threat to this species so any burns will need to be targeted to the dry season when snails may be dormant underground.
Little data is known about the ecology of the CPLS so monitoring and surveying in the following project will gather data where possible.
Ecological burn plans and weed management plans are considered significant conservation actions for the species.
Indigenous Australians have been known to cook snails of the same genus as white shells have been found in middens on the coast (Ridgeway et al, 2014).
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DELIVERING ECONOMIC STIMULUS THROUGH THE CONSERVATION & LAND MANAGEMENT SECTOR
(source: Australian Land Conservation Alliance)
The ‘Delivering economic stimulus through the conservation and land management sector’ report released today, examines the economic impacts of a proposed conservation and land management stimulus program developed by a coalition of more than 70 conservation, farming and land management groups, including the Australian Land Conservation Alliance (ALCA).
Prepared by Ernst & Young, the report finds that a $4 billion national conservation and land management employment program would create 53,000 jobs, reduce welfare costs by $620 million and raise economic output by $5.7 billion over the next four years, with economic gains rising to $9.3 billion over the next 20 years.
To read the executive summary view here.
Landcare NSW has released its updated Strategic Plan (2021-2022)
To read this please view here.
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Regional Landcare Networks update...
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A COVID 19 message from Hunter Region Landcare Network...
The NSW Government has further eased certain restrictions from 1 July. What does this mean for Landcare groups?
Under the new guidelines,
Public gatherings of up to 20 people are now permitted with restrictions for Outdoor venues (working in the bush or on your project site) and Community Centres or halls (running educational workshops).
This is exciting news for Landcarers, allowing us to get back out there and resume some of our project activities.
Given this, We strongly recommend all Landcare groups download and complete the COVID-19 Safety Plan for your workplaces (offices, events, working bee site, etc) and register as a safe work place:
- Download and complete the COVID-19 Safety Plan
- Complete the list with staff, volunteers before going to the next step
- Register at https://www.nsw.gov.au/register-your-business-as-covid-safe
- Display this on all sites (website, social media, etc).
All volunteer Landcare activities must be conducted in accordance with current legal requirements in place in NSW. Rules regarding gatherings and movement outside of home have changed and are likely to continue to change. It is up to you and your group to ensure you act in accordance with these requirements and check with your insurance provider before undertaking activities.
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Updates from Greater Sydney
Local Land Services
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Get involved & celebrate Landcare Week (August 3-9)...
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Kei apple - LOOK OUT FOR IT...
Kei apple is a threat to our local bushland. We need your help to stop the spread of the highly aggressive pest plant Kei apple which poses significant threat to native bush, agricultural production as well as livestock. Kei apple bears a fruit the same size and colour of a small apricot and has dangerous thorns on its stem.
NSW Department of Primary Industries is working to eradicate this weed and are urging community members to report it via your local council weeds officer. More info? Here.
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PODCASTs: Sustainable Farms podcasts x 9!
Sustainable Farms, based at the Australian National University, are doing an awesome job of bringing some great Podcasts to us on the topic of sustainable agriculture.
Suitable for farmers, land managers, students, Landcarers and natural resource management professionals, there are currently nine informative podcasts available on the Sustainable Farms website, including information on revegetation, Squirrel Glider conservation, biodiversity recovery after fire and enhancing farm dams.
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PODCAST: BIG SHIFT for SMALL FARMS
The Big Shift for Small Farms podcast is a 10-part series produced by the Grow Love Project, dedicated to helping small scale farmers and covering a range of topics from soil health to mental health and everything in between.
“Each episode features a variety of farmers and industry experts with direct experience and real-life stories on the topic in question.
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APP: iNaturalist
Explore plants and animal species from across the world.
Start a project with iNaturalist and start combining the data you collect with other people.
iNaturalist is a great platform to start a citizen science project.
Blog your journal or join in to the discussion and, other resources.
Consider downloading iNaturalist
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Keen to Get Your Hands Dirty? Onground conservation acitivites for young adults. Always looking for new people! Contact Elisha for more information...
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Keen to conduct your own citizen science? We've just purchased a Titley Active Anabat Detector, meaning you can visualise the frequencies in real time. Available to loan for members. Contact Xuela for more information, and to book out the detector for your own site research!
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Future Drought Funding
Programs have now been announced under the $5 billion Future Drought Fund. We have published a new webpage for you to view the programs.
We will invest $100 million each year to help our farmers and communities become more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought.
The programs will ensure Australian farmers get the right tools and training to build drought resilience. Communities will also benefit from improved regional planning, stronger networks and leadership capabilities.
Programs will start to roll out from July 2020.
More information on eligibility and how to apply for funding is available on the Future Drought Fund webpage.
Special Disaster Grant - Bushfires
Closing: July 31st, 2020
Amount: up to $75,000
Disaster recovery grants of up to $75,000 are now available to primary producers in LGAs affected by the NSW bushfires that have occured from 31 August 2019. To find out if you are eligible view the LGAs affected and the Guidelines below.
Download grant information and apply here.
Tucker Foundation Grants
Closing: 14th August, 2020
Amount: up to $25,000
For Landcare purposes, the aims of this Foundation is to fund projects on the 'Protection of wildlife and habitat, and to preserve natural reserves of forest, oceans and wilderness - and, for the rehabilitation of flora and fauna.
Download grant information and apply here.
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Membership renewals are due for renewal (June 30)! You'll get project and event support, grant administration for unincorporated organizations and representation to Landcare NSW, local and state government and key decision-makers. Plus, we offer several members-only training events each year.
Help support the environmental volunteering community in Greater Sydney, and join us here.
If you think you have missed the invoice in your inbox, please check your spam folder.
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Members, please send us your events!
We would love to promote any events your groups have planned in our newsletter, and on our website, and Facebook and Twitter pages.
Please email events to LLCs Elisha or Xuela.
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GSLN is getting social!
Join the filter brigade and follow us on Instagram to stay (visually) up to date. Prefer Twitter? We've joined the flock here.
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