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Wodonga Urban Landcare Network

Bulletin

for March 2020

Workshops, Field Days and Courses

WIRES Wildlife Rescue Accreditation Workshop – Saturday 7^th March
Albury. The Rescue and Immediate Care Course is WIRES introductory wildlife rescue and immediate care training. It is mandatory for all new NSW WIRES volunteers. This course consists of an online theory component and a 1 day practical workshop (the online component is to be completed before the 1 day workshop), covering topics such as work, health & safety, species identification, common rescue scenarios, safe handling techniques, first aid, physical examination and immediate care. The cost of the course is $125, and participants must be 18 years or over. For more information, or to book your place, please see here.

Birds on Farms Workshop – Sunday 8^th March
9am-3.30pm. Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre, Burrumbuttock. BirdLife Australia’s Birds on Farms Project invites you to a free bird monitoring workshop for landowners
and birdwatchers! Learn about the Birds on Farms Project (http://birdlife.org.au/birds-on-farms), as well as other woodland birds programs, and how to get involved. Gain skills in woodland bird ID and how to monitor them. Then, put these skills into action during an afternoon outdoor session at a local biodiversity hotspot.
This free event also includes morning tea and lunch. Please RSVP early to avoid disappointment as numbers are limited. Please BYO suitable footwear for walking,
water bottle, sun-smart gear and clothing for inclement weather. Please RSVP to Ben Humphries (Southern NSW project officer) on 0400 949 063 or at ben.humphries@birdlife.org.au or make contact with any questions.

Traditional Resources Walk ‘n Talk - Sunday 22nd March
9am-11am. Join Brendon Kennedy for a cultural interpretation morning on the unique Ryans Lagoon wetlands. A free Walk 'n Talk with Brendon Kennedy – cultural tour guide, traditional land manager and craftsman. Brendon was Victoria’s first Aboriginal Landcare Officer and has extensive experience in local bush crafts and interpreting country for community members. Learn about bushfoods and traditional land management techniques on lagoons of the Murray River. Bush tucker, materials for weaving, making tools and shelter will all be discussed as we walk. Please wear appropriate SunSmart clothing and hat, and covered boots. BYO water bottle. Please be aware there are no facilities in the reserve. Please register to attend: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/traditional-resources-walk-n-talk-tickets-92149653093 A Parklands Albury Wodonga event.

Farming Matters - For Our Love of the Land & Savory Global Network Gathering – 23^th-28^th March
Albury. This conference will highlight the many recent developments in regenerative agriculture including natural capital, environmental stewardship, and the innovative agriculture sector. The conference is being held in conjunction with the global gathering of the influential Savory Network. Allan Savory, noted developer of the Holistic Management decision making framework will be the keynote speaker.
Cost: Early bird full registration before 31^st January $330, day $220, otherwise between $440-$550, day registrations between @275-$330 (conference dinner, and other extras at additional cost). For more information, or to book your tickets, please see here.
NOTE: change of date – this event was advertised in the last edition of Regional Roundup as ‘Free Up Your Natural Capital, Albury 3 & 4 Mar. The event has been renamed and date changed.

Healthy Hectares: Homes and Habitat - Attracting wildlife to your property Sunday 29^th March
Yackandandah. A one day workshop from the Healthy Hectares North East program for small rural property owners. What opportunities exist on your property to improve or create habitat for wildlife? What can you do to link your property in with local wildlife corridors? Learn where you can make simple changes to your property to create and maintain areas to support wildlife, and how improving these natural areas can benefit your land. Includes field trip to see these changes in action.
Tickets $25. Limited places. Enquiries and further information about this event or the Healthy Hectares program please contact healthyhectaresne@gmail.com This project is supported by the Department of Agriculture and Water resources, through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.

Climate and Carbon in Agriculture Conference – 31^st March - 1^st April
Adelaide. The Climate Research Strategy for Primary Industries will bring together people from across a wide range of commodity sectors, primary producers, government, investors and researchers to arm attendees with the latest climate and carbon related information and strategies for the agricultural sector.
Speakers from across Australia and the world will be exploring the latest research on the relationship between a variable climate and primary industry, including:
-Domestic and international perspectives on climate change
-How the industry can and will work towards ‘net zero’ emissions
-Climate adaptation for agriculture
-A showcase of carbon innovation and technology, and
-An update on the latest CRSPI research, development and extension projects
Tickets start at $674.52 (inclusive of GST) for a one day pass, 2 day passes range from $562.10 to $1124.20. For more information, or to book your tickets, please see here.

Fauna First Aid – 4^th & 5^th April Booking fast!
8.45-5pm, Baranduda Community Centre, Sage Court, Baranduda. Join renowned wildlife expert Linda Dennis of Fourth Crossing Wildlife for a weekend of immersion in the care and handling of Australian wildlife. In response to the urgent need to support wildlife, WULN is pleased to offer two day-long courses from Linda’s Fauna First Aid series. Attend one or both workshops:
- Wildlife Awareness (a general introduction to wildlife care) on Saturday 4^th April, and
- A Guide to the Care of Macropods on Sunday 5^th April.

Suitable for all with an interest in native animals, from community to professional. These workshops will enable you to confidently provide immediate care in wildlife rescue situations. Cost of workshops is $50.50 per day or $80.50 for both. This course supported by the Victorian Government. Please book here. For more information please contact facilitator@wodongalandcare.org.au

Does Regenerative Farming Have a Place on Your Farm? – Sunday 5^th April
9.30am-4pm, Talgarno Hall, 709 Murray River Road, Talgarno. Join members of Wises Creek Talgarno Landcare Group to hear from guest speakers David Marsh and Stephen Whitsed. David Marsh, from Boorowa NSW, will speak about his journey into regenerative farming. He is a practical farmer who believes that the health of the farm is the foundation of the farm business. He believes that the farm business depends on the health of the largely invisible army of creatures in the soil and above which, together with grazing animals, create the biodiversity of the farm.
Stephen Whitsed, an organic dairy farmer from Biggara ,will talk about carbon farming and demonstrate the Soilkee Renovator which helps build soil carbon.
Tickets are $15 per person for lunch and morning tea, and can be booked here. Please contact 0419609042 or ggbbhayes@gmail.com if you have any enquiries. For more information on the Wises Creek Talgarno Landcare Group please see here.

National Landcare Conference – 11^th- 13^th November
Sydney. The 2020 National Landcare Conference will be held at the International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour in Sydney. The 2020 National Landcare Awards gala dinner will be held on Thursday 12 November, 2020 at the same venue. In early 2020, more announcements will come about the conference program and how you can get involved. Landcare Australia encourage you to please register your interest here for more information.

Opportunities to be Involved

Parklands Volunteer programs 2020.
Parklands have both Park Stewardship and Volunteer Ranger programs starting in March 2020. Rangers take volunteers through a variety of practical park maintenance and improvement tasks like installing park infrastructure, planting native habitat, invasive species control and nest box monitoring. At the same time, you will learn about the local environment and how our local land managers and community groups are working to protect threatened species, improve habitat and link habitat corridors across the region. This is invaluable experience for those interested in, or studying for, an environmental career; a great chance to clear your head and get some exercise, or just a good way to give back to our community. All tools and any specific safety equipment needed is supplied. Register for upcoming activities through Parklands event listings here. For more information contact info@parklands-alburywodonga.org.au

Wangaratta Urban Landcare Regeneration Group – Thursdays 9am-12pm
As long as it’s not raining, each Thursday morning from 9am to 12pm, The Wangaratta Urban Landcare Regeneration Group works in various bush-like spaces in Wangaratta, clearing weeds to give native plants the light and space they need to thrive, and sometimes planting natives too.
You’ll learn to pick an invader from a local, enjoy conversation with a group of people who like doing this sort of thing, and come to appreciate what’s been achieved here over the years. Please bring morning tea for a break at 10:30, and a water bottle.
Each Thursdays Ecoportal listing is updated with the weeks location about a week before, or you can contact Adrian Twitt on 0470 403 875 or 03 5721 5327 or at ahtwitt@gmail.com for the location or more information.

Get Involved with the Winton Wetlands Weekly Volunteer Days – Thursdays 8.30am- 1pm
Winton Wetlands Reserve, Chesney Vale. Join the Friends of Winton Wetlands and Park Rangers for weekly working-bees at the Winton Wetland Reserve. Activities will include tree planting and environmental restoration projects each week. All tools and safety equipment will be supplied, A free lunch of toasties and coffee from the Hub Café will also be provided.
Get in contact with their office to register your interest or to discuss other exciting opportunities they have available! They can be contacted at info@wintonwetlands.org.au or on (03)57664462. More information on the Friends of Winton Wetlands can be found here.

Clean Up For Turtles at Lake Benalla – Sunday 1^st March
8-10am, Lake Benalla, Fawckner Drive, Benalla. Join Turtles Australia Inc. and Benalla Rural City Council for a clean-up paddle or a clean-up walk along the foreshore of Lake Benalla. This Clean Up Australia Day event is part of a twelve month Turtles Australia conservation project in Benalla funded through the Victorian Landcare Grants program. Lake Benalla is home to three species of fresh water turtles, the platypus and Rakali (native water rat). All are adversely impacted by rubbish in our waterways and poor water quality .
Please bring/wear: gloves, sun protection (hat, suitable clothing), enclosed shoes, water bottle, snacks and family and friends. Please be signed in and ready to start by 8am. Meet on the foreshore, opposite the Benalla Library. To participate in the clean up paddle, you will need to bring your own canoe/kayak, paddle and safety vest. For more information please see here.

AlburyCity Council Clean Up Australia Day at Bonnie Doon Park – Sunday 1^st March
9-11am, Bonnie Doon Park, Pemberton St, West Albury. Join members of Albury City Council at Bonnie Doon Park this Clean Up Australia Day, and show your support of this great cause.
Clean Up Australia inspires and empowers communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment. Each year thousands of Australians get stuck in to do something good for the environment and help give back to the community in a meaningful way. Please wear appropriate footwear (enclosed shoes, no thongs/sandals), UV protection and bring gloves. AlburyCity will provide some gloves and bags for the rubbish collection. Please meet near the skate park opposite the Pemberton St shops.

Wodonga Council Clean Up Australia Day at Sumsion Gardens – Sunday 1^st March
9-11am, Sumsion Gardens, Reuss Rd, Wodonga. Join in the spirit of Clean Up Australia day, by joining Wodonga Council staff at the beautiful Sunsion Gardens. Grab a bag and a pair of gloves and head out to tidy up the reserve. Meet near the dog park in Sumsion Gardens (off Reuss Road). The council waste truck will be on site to assist with waste. There will be a free barbecue afterwards. Please register on the Clean Up Ausralia page here, or the Facebook page here. Please call (02) 6022 9300 or email dstreat@wodonga.vic.gov.au with any enquiries.

Thurgoona Community Action-Clean Up Thurgoona – Sunday 1^st March
10am-12pm, Table Top Road & Kosciuszko Road, Thurgoona. Join members of Thurgoona Community Action for their Clean Up Australia day event. They have chosen to target the bush land near Table Top Road. Please meet near the roundabout on Tabletop Road and Kosciuszko Road, near Kensington Gardens turnoff.
Please register on the Clean Up Ausralia page here, or the Facebook page here.

BirdLife Ovens & Murray Waterbird & Owl Search – Sunday 1^st March
4.30-9pm, Kremur St Boat Ramp, West Albury. Birdlife Ovens and Murray are holding an evening waterbird walk and search for owls. Meet leader John Saw at the Kremur St Boat Ramp with BYO mozzie repellent, seats and food. Please contact John Shepherd on 0417 274 380 to RSVP or with any enquiries. For more information on Birdlife Ovens and Murray please see here.

Wodonga Rail Trail Cleanup - Thursday 5th March
8 AM – 10 AM. Join the Wodonga Rail Trail volunteers for a cleanup of the section adjoining Thomas Mitchell Drive. Meet at Choppertown, Thomas Mitchell Dr, Wodonga.

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Field Day – Saturday 7^th March
9am-3pm, Chiltern Mt Pilot NP. Meet at the Chiltern Post Office. Join the Friends of Chiltern Mt. Pilot National Park for a day of activities in the park. Activities may include weeding, planting, maintenance of infrastructure, checking of nest boxes and more. All ages, levels of fitness and knowledge welcome. Contact Mick Webster on 0429 017 229 for more info and what to bring. More information on the Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park can be found here.

Repair Café - Featuring Leather and Device Repairs – Saturday 7^th March
10am-1pm, Wodonga Senior Citizen Centre, Wodonga. This event has been re-located to the Wodonga Senior Citizens Centre (Havelock Street, between the Cube and old Wodonga Library building) due to building damage in the Sustainable Activity Centre.
The Sustainable Activity Centre (SAC) Repair Café is a free meeting place to bring along broken household items such as furniture, clothing, battery-operated appliances, scratched CDs-DVDs and bikes and learn how to fix them with the help of experienced, volunteer repairers. You can also bring along small, blunt garden tools like secateurs and we’ll show you how to sharpen them. Maximum three items per person per session.

This month they’re featuring hand stitched leather repairs to handbags, luggage, swags, belts and dog collars, including reattaching straps to handbags and swags, replacing rivets, fixing buckles or punching extra holes on belts or dog collars. Note, however, there will be no shoe repairs. There will also be a device help desk to assist with problematic mobile phones, tablets and laptops e.g. how to save data from a dying phone, change settings, speed up slow laptops and investigate problems booting up. Please note soldering and costume jewellery will NOT be available this session. More information on the Repair Café Albury-Wodonga can be found here.
The Repair Café is proudly supported by Halve Waste, with yummy morning teas donated by Kooka Brotha’s patisserie.

Gardens For Wildlife Photography Competition – 9^th -11^th March
Get snapping and enter a gardens for wildlife photo in Wodonga Show’s photography competition. Prizes for adults and children – a great children’s activity over the weekends! Entry is free. Photographs should have good technical quality, good composition and impact/appeal or tell a story.

All entries are to be delivered to the Wodonga Show Grounds between 11am and 5pm from Monday 9th March to Wednesday 11th of March. Photos will be exhibited during Wodonga Show Day Saturday 14th March. There are 1^st and 2^nd prizes for juniors and seniors. For further completion details and conditions, please the event details here.
This competition is being held by Wodonga Urban Landcare Network in conjunction with the Wodonga Show Society, with the generous support of a Victorian Landcare grant.

Walk ‘n Weed – Tuesday 10^th March
9.30am-12.30pm, 8 Mile Reserve, Thurgoona. Join Parklands rangers walking the Hume and Hovell track in the 8 Mile reserve at Thurgoona. Learn about the unique habitat of the area and remove some environmental weeds as we go. All tools and any specific safety equipment needed will be supplied.
Please BYO drinking water. For your safety, please wear covered shoes (preferably boots), long pants, long sleeves and a hat. Meet at the Brooklands Field car park, opposite the playground in the new housing estate. Please let us know your coming by registering here.

G4W Miniature Garden In A Pot Competition – Friday 13^th March
Get creative and make a G4W miniature garden in a pot for the Wodonga Show’s Garden and Produce Section 2020. There are 2 prizes for both an adults and children section (4 prizes overall). There is no fee to enter. This could be a great children’s activity over the weekends!
Gardens for Wildlife miniature garden in pot can be made up of cuttings or plants and needs to incorporate Australian native plants and an Australian wildlife theme.

All Exhibits are to be brought to the Wodonga Show Pavilion between 4.00-5.00pm, Friday 13^th March 2020. All exhibits need to be labelled with entrant’s name and phone number.
Please collect exhibits between 4.00-5.00pm on show day (Sat 14 March 2020) or make other arrangements with the steward (Lee Beaumont) before show day.
Please contact Lee Beaumont on 0414 779 180 with any enquiries, or see here for more information.
This competition is being held by Wodonga Urban Landcare Network in conjunction with the Wodonga Show Society, with the generous support of a Victorian Landcare grant.

2040 Movie Free Outdoor Screening – Friday 13^th March
7.30-10.15pm, Merriwa Park, Ryley St, Wangaratta. Join the Youth Council & the Wangaratta Landcare & Sustainability Network at this free outdoor screening of 2040, a documentary that explores what the future would look like if we embraced the best solutions already available to us to improve the planet. Please BYO picnic, rugs, cushions and container for popcorn. In line with the theme of the movie, the aim is for a zero waste event. Please assist with this by using washable containers wherever possible and recycling suitable items. Please book your free tickets here for number purposes.

Bonding With Birds – Thursday 19^th March
6-7.30pm, Behind Burraja Aboriginal Cultural Environmental Discovery Centre, Gateway Village, Wodonga (Park towards the rear of the Hume Farmers Market and follow the signs).
Spend a special evening learning how to:
-Make your own rustic bird bath with step by step instructions from Anne Stelling, Facilitator Wodonga Urban Landcare Network. This will be a demonstration only, but materials are easy to buy, making it a great DIY project; and
-Recognise the songs and calls of birds in the Albury-Wodonga area, with Janet Chapman from Birders Albury-Wodonga.
There will also be a special bird-themed display including bird baths, books, nests and pamphlets. Tickets are $5.50 per person. Please BYO chair or picnic rug.
Please book early here to avoid disappointment, as numbers are limited. For more information please visit Gardens for Wildlife Albury-Wodonga Facebook page or contact Lizette Salmon at G4W@wodongalandcare.org.au
Presented by Wodonga Urban Landcare Network with the generous support of the Victorian State Government.

Friends of Willow Park Harmony Day Celebration – Friday 20^th March
8-10.30am, Willow Park, Wodonga. Join the Friends of Willow Park for a special community gardening and morning tea session to celebrate Harmony Day in Willow Park. Join in for some easy gardening followed by a relaxed morning tea. Please join them for either the gardening or the morning tea or both. Come anytime and stay for as long as you wish. Tools supplied. Please BYO gardening gloves and hat. Refreshments will also be provided.
Community gardening is having fun, connecting with nature, and joining others for a variety of gardening activities- including planting, mulching and weeding. Meet at the Pearce St Carpark. Ring Jenni on 0410 074 900 if you can’t see where the group is working. Even if you can’t do the gardening, just pop in to hear what the group are doing and what is planned. For more information on Friends of Willow Park please see here.

Possible Screening of 'When The River Runs Dry' – Wednesday 25^th March
There is the possibility of a documentary/film being shown in late March if enough people pre-purchase tickets to attend. When the River Runs Dry is a documentary that seeks to bring the ecological and social catastrophe of the Darling River to the attention of Australians and people around the world. The film outlines the story behind the over allocated Darling River and draws upon experts, Indigenous elders and locals, to unravel the cause and effects of this catastrophe on people and wildlife.
Tickets are $22, and includes film and Q&A session. It is booked for 25th March, 7pm at the Regent cinema if enough people register an interest on the Fanforce website here.

Tastes of the Garden – Friday 27^th March
12-1pm, Bhutanese Community Farm, Lemke Rd, Gateway Island. Join the Bhutanese Community Farm Catering team as they offer once-a-month Friday lunch al fresco at the farm. Between March and September 2020 the team will be cooking fresh vegetarian curries and accompaniments featuring the vegies and herbs grown on the farm throughout the year. Farm Rangers will also be there to answer questions about the Community Garden and show people around. Everyone is welcome, why not bring a friend or some work colleagues down to experience a unique lunch at a minimal ($10.50) cost? Please book and pre pay here to let us know you’re coming (bookings are essential). For more information on the Bhutanese Community Farm please see here.

Murray Marathon Running Festival – Sunday 29^th March
Noreuil Park, Albury. Celebrate the amazing bush parks and trails surrounding the iconic Murray River in Albury and Wodonga with a run to suit every age and ability. This single day Running Festival will be held on sealed trails, including kids events, fun runs, marathon and half marathon. For the serious runner, the MMRF attracts runners from all over NSW, Victoria and the ACT to compete for a coveted MMRF Finishers Medal. The MMRF offers distances including the Marathon, Half Marathon, 12k Fun Run, 6k Fun Run and a 2k kids superhero dress up run. All runs start and finish at the beautiful Noreuil Park – on the banks of the iconic Murray River. Registrations close 26^th March. For more information or to register please see the Riverina Trails website

Climate and Carbon in Agriculture Conference – 31^st March - 1^st April
Adelaide. The Climate Research Strategy for Primary Industries will bring together people from across a wide range of commodity sectors, primary producers, government, investors and researchers to arm attendees with the latest climate and carbon related information and strategies for the agricultural sector.
Speakers from across Australia and the world will be exploring the latest research on the relationship between a variable climate and primary industry, including:
-Domestic and international perspectives on climate change
-How the industry can and will work towards ‘net zero’ emissions
-Climate adaptation for agriculture
-A showcase of carbon innovation and technology, and
-An update on the latest CRSPI research, development and extension projects
Tickets start at $674.52 (inclusive of GST) for a one day pass, 2 day passes range from $562.10 to $1124.20. For more information, or to book your tickets, please see here.

Community Nestbox Monitoring – Friday 3^rd April
9.30-11.30am & 2-4pm. Castle Creek Conservation Reserve, Castle Creek Rd, Wodonga. Join Parklands Rangers monitoring nestboxes in the reserve to learn how to use a pole camera and record occupancy data. Boxes have been installed in this reserve to provide nesting places for arboreal mammals including Sugar Gliders, Squirrel Gliders and Phascogales. Come along and find out more about these precious and threatened species, and how you can help.
2 sessions will be held in different parts of the Castle Creek Bushlands – come to one or both. All tools and any specific safety equipment needed will be supplied. Please BYO drinking water. For your safety, please wear covered shoes (preferably boots), long pants, long sleeves and a hat. You can register for the morning session here, or the afternoon session here. Please register for each session you intend to attend. Sometimes things change at the last minute and we need to be able to contact volunteers. For more information please contact 02 6023 6714 or email info@parklands-alburywodonga.org.au

BirdLife Ovens & Murray Bird Watching at Woomargama– Saturday 4^th April
9am-3pm, Woomargama area. Birdlife Ovens and Murray members are off to visit to Woomargama Station, a private property near Woomargama National Park. Please meet at Woomargama village (at the toilet block), with your refreshments for the day. The leader for the outing is Kylie Durant (Holbrook Landcare). Please RSVP to John Shepherd on 0417 274 380, or make contact with any enquiries .For more information on Birdlife Ovens and Murray please see here.

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Field Day – Sunday 5^th April
9am-3pm, Chiltern Mt Pilot NP. Meet at the Chiltern Post Office. Join the Friends of Chiltern Mt. Pilot National Park for their monthly field day working in the park. Activities may include weeding, planting, maintenance of infrastructure, checking of nest boxes and more. All ages, levels of fitness and knowledge welcome. Contact Mick Webster on 0429 017 229 for more info and what to bring. More information on the Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park can be found here.

Walk the regional bush tracks and trails with the Border Bushwalking Club

28^th February-1^st March – Bogong Overnight and West Peak Day Walk details here
3^rd March – New Members Club Night details here
4^th March – After Work Padding, Albury details here
7^th March – Bushfire Recovery- coffee, shop & walk, Mt Beauty details here
10^th March – Beechworth Historic Park Circuit, details here
11^th March – After Work Paddling details here
14^th March – Introduction to Falls Creek details here
18^th March – After Work Paddling details here
21^st-22^nd March – Navigation Day, Pretty Valley Hut area details here
25^th March – A Walk on Nail on Hill details here
25^th March – After Work Paddling details here
26^th March- 8^th April – Mutawintji National Park details here
27^th-29^th March – West Peak via Timms Spur and Quartz Ridge, Mt Bogong details here
1^st April – Lavington One tree Hill details here

Or, with the Murray Valley Bushwalkers

5^th March – After Work Paddle details here
12^th March – After Work Paddle details here
15^th March – Hume Weir to Norieul Park Paddle details here
19^th March – After Work Paddle details here
26^th-30^th March – Currango Day Walks, Kosciusko NP details here
26^th March – After Work Paddle details here
2^nd April – After Work Paddle details here

Our Native Garden Nursery – Volunteer Manager needed
Our Native Garden Nursery Inc. are seeking volunteers and have a place for everyone with an interest in native plants and nursery production. Particularly wanted is a volunteer to coordinate people, following the sad death of Volunteer Manager Daniel Seymour.
The Volunteer Manager is currently a volunteer position 9am - 2pm, 5 days a week but could become paid when the nursery income is sufficient to support payment. Job sharing is possible too.
Are you passionate about indigenous plants and restoring them into our local environment?
Do you love growing plants? Are you good at coordinating a group of volunteers?
Until they find a permanent volunteer to fill this position they need a roster of people to ensure the many thousands of plants are watered over the coming summer weeks. Any time would be gratefully accepted. If this sounds like you or someone you know, or you can help out in any way-big or small- please email a resume to ongnursery@gmail.com or please call 0418 579 331. Check out their website here for more information on the Nursery, volunteering, and the range of plants they stock.

Grants and Funding

Wodonga Council Young Achiever Scheme
Submissions for the Young Achiever Scheme - Mar 2020 will open at 1 March and close at midnight 31 March. Through our Young Achiever Scheme (YAS), we recognise and support young people (under 25) who display an outstanding commitment to and/or achievement in their chosen field.
The scheme provides financial assistance (of up to $800) to individuals or groups of young people to participate, develop skills, compete, perform or represent Wodonga in their chosen endeavour at a local, state, national or international level. There are six categories:

Arts, performance, music and dance;
Sport and recreation;
Community leadership;
Education and training;
Cultural; and
Agricultural, environmental and sustainability.

Conditions apply. See more here.

On-Farm Energy Tier-1 Grants – Closes 31^st March (or until funding is exhausted)
On-farm Energy Tier 1 Grants are now available to eligible primary producers. Tier 1 grants support projects that will improve energy efficiency, which may reduce energy costs and boost energy productivity. The grants will do this through actions including the purchase and installation of equipment that improves energy efficiency or enables own-generation capacity. The Government will provide a maximum grant of $50,000 (excluding GST). Grants will be provided on a $1 for $1 cash co-contribution basis (recipients are required to contribute at least 50 per cent of the total cash costs of the project).
To be eligible, primary producers must have had a type 1 or type 2 On-farm Energy Assessment. For full details and application details, please visit the On-Farm Energy Assessment application website here. If you're unsure about your eligibility or have a question about the application process please call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

On-Farm Energy Efficiency Grants
Primary producers in Victoria are invited to apply for an on-farm energy grant. The on-farm energy tier 1 grants are available to eligible primary producers until March 2020. You will need an on farm energy assessment, or an equivalent certified on-farm energy assessment conducted in the past 2 years, to access one of the grants in the Agriculture Investment Energy Plan. More information can be found here

Our Native Garden offer free native plants for schools and community groups
All you have to do is register your school or Landcare or community group with us and then whenever any teacher or parent from that school or community group member comes to the nursery to buy plants we will donate the same number of plants to their school or community group, to be picked up whenever convenient for the school or community group.

This is our special offer on ALL our plants at the nursery ALL YEAR: pay the retail price of $3.50 per tube and we donate 1 tube FREE to your revegetation or garden project. Send us an email or call or text Jill on 0419 732 390 telling us the name of your school or group and who is the contact person.

Recreational Fishing Grants
Small Grants (up to $5000) open all year round. This is the 16th year of the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Accounts operation, which sees funds derived from the sale of recreational fishing licences collected and invested into projects that improve recreational fishing across Victoria. For more information email rec.fishinggrants@vfa.vic.gov.au Apply here.

The R E Ross Trust Grants
The grants work around 4 impact areas. For Landcare groups the most relevant area is impact area D; the protection and preservation of Australian Flora and Fauna. Organisations must first submit an expression of interest for consideration by the Trustees and may then be invited to submit a full application. Applications are considered all year round. For more information go to: http://www.rosstrust.org.au/grants/apply-for-a-grant/

Give Feedback, Comment or Nominate

Wodonga Council RED Carpet Youth Awards - nominations now open
The RED Carpet youth awards aim to recognise and acknowledge the contributions of young people and the difference they make in the community. This is an exciting opportunity for young people to be publicly acknowledged and applauded for the many positive contributions they make to our vibrant city. They are community-based awards with nine categories:

Individual Community Service Award
Sport and Recreation Volunteer Award
Endurance and Resilience Award
Commitment to Continuous Learning and Development Award
Contribution to Music and Performing Arts
Contribution to Visual Arts and Media
Young Carer Award
Young Worker Award
Advocacy and Action Award

The awards are organised and run by a committee of young people from three local high schools, with the support of Wodonga Council’s youth services, over an eight-month period. The awards culminate in a gala dinner for 220 invited guests where all finalists are recognised and the winners announced. See more here.

Wodonga Council Community Forums – Next Forum Monday 6^th April
Wodonga Council's community forums allow the community to present on a topic to the council or to ask a question in an informal setting. The council will also share information on key topics. The forums are held several times a year and everyone is welcome to attend.
To present at a community forum, an application must be submitted by the Wednesday before the forum. Questions can be asked on the night. In 2020, forums will be held on the first Monday of the month from 6pm to 7.30pm in April, June and August. The guidelines for the community forums and more information can be found on the council’s website here.

Tourism North East Employer Survey
Staffing and employment issues are frequently reported as concerns for tourism businesses in North East Victoria. Tourism North East is conducting a survey of regional business to get a better understanding of issues facing the industry. If you employ staff and would like to share your experiences they would welcome your input. To take a brief, anonymous, survey (around 10mins) please see here

National Carp Control Plan – National Carp Survey
The Fisheries Research & Development Corporation (FRDC) is inviting you to take part in an important three minute survey. The National Carp Control Plan needs your help to record where you have seen carp aggregating in high numbers to plan future carp control programs. FRDC is coordinating a large program of research and consultation to identify a smart, safe, effective and integrated suite of measures to control carp impacts. A key focus of this process will be to explore the potential use of biocontrol measures. For more information or to take the short survey please see here.

Resources and Inspiration

Wodonga Native Plants Lists: WULN now has a live local native plant species listing on our website. It is a simple listing of local area plants divided into plant types, with live links to relevant photos (mostly courtesy of the Friends of the Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park) and plant notes (mostly from Woolshed-Thurgoona Landcare). See www.wodongalandcare.org.au/resources

Indian Myna Traps: “You can have birds in your garden, you can have Indian Mynas, but you can’t have both!” These birds can gather in large flocks in urban areas and aggressively replace native birds. They cause property damage by creating large accumulations of droppings. They carry diseases and parasites dangerous to human health. They eat and contaminate livestock and poultry feed, can cause severe damage to fruit crops and garden produce, and can be extremely noisy. WULN now has 2 Indian Myna traps available for borrowing, with full instructions. Contact facilitator@wodongalandcare.org.au

Clean Up Australia Day – 1^st March
From the vision of one man, almost 300,000 volunteers turned out on the first Clean Up Australia Day in 1990 and that involvement has steadily increased ever since. Since then Australians have devoted more than 33 million hours towards the environment through Clean Up Australia Day, removing the equivalent of more than 350,000 ute loads of rubbish. Today, though, the focus is as much on preventing rubbish entering our environment as it is removing what has already accumulated. More information, and clean ups near you can be found here

'Nature & Us-Reconnecting with Our Plants and Animals' Gallery Exhibition Open until 15th March
10am-4pm Tue-Sun, GIGS Art Gallery and Studio, Gateway Village, Wodonga.
Exhibitions, talks and art demonstrations by local artists Marta Lett, Marie van Lint, Cristina Zei, Tracie MacVean, Pat Welch and Judy Balfour. There will also be presentations by local community groups on how we can protect our native plants and animals. For more information please see here.

The Sustainable Activity Centre is closing, but…
With sadness it has been announced that the Sustainable Activity Centre will be closing permanently. Due to continuing uncertainty about the implications of the planned remedial works in their beautiful old building, they have decided to give the keys back to council so they can do the necessary repairs.

However, it's not all bad news. The SAC page will continue to be a vibrant virtual hub to promote, engage and educate our local community. We encourage groups to share their events to the SAC page. The not-for-profit group behind the SAC (SACC Inc.) will also continue to support many of the group activities going forward. Replenish Store will also be relocating and the new location will be announced once all details are finalized. All of the amazing groups will still continue to happen but at different venues throughout Albury and Wodonga. They will keep people informed of the new details via the Facebook page here.

They would like to personally thank each and every person who has been involved with the groups and activities, and in doing so, making our community a better place. And we would like to thank them for providing such a place to do so.

Common Wombat Protected again
An Order in Council, made in 1984 and remade in 1997 under the Wildlife Act 1975, unprotected the Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) in 193 parishes in eastern Victoria. The Order in Council has been revoked which means that the Common Wombat is now protected everywhere in Victoria. It is illegal to disturb or to destroy protected wildlife without an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) from the Conservation Regulator.
If you would like more information on the revocation of the Order in Council for the Common Wombat, please refer to the wildlife.vic.gov.au website here. You can also contact the DELWP Customer Contact Centre on 136 186.

Mountain Pygmy-Possums Given Helping Hand in Bushfire Aftermath
Experts, as part of the NSW Government’s Saving our Species team, have installed 'bogong biccies' and water stations at three key possum habitat sites, after bushfires in the Kosciuszko National Park made pygmy-possums food and water resources scarce.
The 'bogong biccies' were developed by Melbourne Zoo, designed around the nutritional needs of the animal. 50 feeder and drinking stations have been set up, with remote cameras also installed to monitor the sites. Read more of the Australian Geographic article here.

Bushfire Recovery Assistance Resources
Assistance is available to landholders/tenants impacted by the recent bushfires from a number of agencies, some of which include:

Affected farmers can access immediate financial support through both the Victorian Emergency Relief Assistance Payment by calling the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226 and the Commonwealth Government’s Disaster Recovery Program Payment on 180 22 66.

Agriculture Victoria has a number of resources to help you manage livestock wellbeing and water quality, for both those directly impacted by fire and those impacted by smoke pollution and rainfall debris. Please see here for more information.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is coordinating fodder relief for farmers affected by bushfires. The VFF has secured an agreement with the Victorian Government to facilitate the transport of fodder to affected regions. This includes reimbursement of freight costs for transport of donated fodder. Farmers in need are encouraged to contact the VFF on 1300 882 833. The following bushfire response information - designed to help farmers make practical decisions about looking after and managing livestock, focus’ on the steps after the immediate response. To view the short-term, medium-term and crop and pasture recovery action factsheets please see here.

Red Cross Emergency Grants
Emergency grants are open to people whose primary place of residence has been destroyed or rendered uninhabitable as the result of bushfires from 1 July 2019 to 28 February 2020. Your primary place of residence is the place you reside in on a permanent basis, whether as an owner/occupier or a tenant. A grant of $5,000 is available per household. Grants will be open until 30 April 2020. Please see here for more information.

Landcare Fire Recovery Resources
The Landcare website provides access to practical information for landowners recovering from fire, including livestock, pasture and soils, farm water and more. Please see here for more information.

Wildlife Victoria Fact Sheets
Wildlife Victoria have released two fact sheets on feeding wildlife during or after a bushfire and giving water to wildlife during a drought or bushfire. Download these here to ensure you are helping the wildlife you encounter.

Landcare Rescue Podcast
Landcarers have long been ‘rescuing the land’ and while doing so, telling tall tales and true. The formal Landcare movement is now 30 years old, and a new citizen storytelling website is giving Landcarers an opportunity to share their stories of what it’s like to tend to tired earth, conserve a stand of trees or look into a creature’s eyes as they rescue it from harm’s way. The Rescue Project calls for 500 word stories of restoration, protection and rehabilitation of riverbanks and tracts of bush or eroded beaches, waterways, gardens, farmland and native animals. To find out more about the Rescue Project, to read or listen to some of the inspiring stories, or contribute your own, please visit the Rescue Project website here.

CLEA News
For all the latest news from the Community Learning for Environmental Action (CLEA), Landcare Victoria Inc.'s peer-to-peer learning project please see their website here

SEED news:
For all the latest news from the School Environment Education Directory (SEED) North East Victoria you can subscribe to the newsletter here.

Issue 77 of the Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management magazine:
This issue focuses on Community Engagement. Read more here

Latest fact sheets from the Arthur Rylah Institute:
Factsheet: Improving our knowledge on fish and crayfish in eastern Victoria
Factsheet: Recording information on reintroduced aquatic habitat structures
Factsheet: Incorporating the life-cycle of Hairpin Banksia into fire operations planning
Factsheet: Threatened fish and crayfish in proposed Victorian timber harvesting coupes

Our thanks to WULN volunteer Beck Humphries, Bulletin editor.