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Newsletter April 2020

Greetings Landcare members & associates,

Hi there Landcarers,
 
Like many of you, I’ve been making the most of these times of restricted socialising but mild weather to get into the veggie garden and explore our beautiful nearby national parks with my family. How lucky are we to live in such a beautiful part of the world.
 
And what a great opportunity to help contribute to science through some online citizen science! The Wild Pollinator Count began on 12th April and runs until the 19th. There are experts to help you with insect ID. Check out details here. Now is also a great time to do some backyard birdwatching. See Sean Dooley’s excellent article here, which has links to the Autumn Bird count.
 
We are fortunate also that we are only a mouse click away from being able to connect with other locals who are also passionate about preserving our environment. On World Koala Day (Sun 3rd May), Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation Landcare Group are hosting a ZOOM meeting at 2pm where you can learn what you can do to help our local koalas (see notice under 'For Your Diary' - Ed)
 
Lastly, if you live near Main Ridge and are keen to get out and do some planting, Chantal is welcoming one volunteer at a time to assist her installing 5000 plants ordered as part of the Greens Bush to Arthurs Seat biolink. Email her here  to organise a time. Please do continue to stay connected with each other through phone, email and on the web during this time and keep well. I hope you enjoy this newsletter. Thanks as always to Greg Holland for excellent editing and content!

All the Best,
Jacqui Salter, ph: 0408 213 079 or 5950 1279
MPLN Landcare Facilitator
Please note I work Mon-Wed 9am – 3pm.

As we go to press, it looks like Covid-19 has turned the corner in Oz. That is great news, but there is still a long way to go, so do please take care.

Lost your earlier newsletters? Or just want to check something out? Go to here and all will  be revealed.

For Your Diary

Note that the full events section has been transferred to the Events Page on the MPLN Web Site. We shall continue with brief notifications of imminent activities here as a reminder.

No imminent personal gatherings for the diary this month as Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings remain in force. Unless you hear differently, all scheduled events are off or delayed.


Zoom to the Rescue of Koalas

On 'Wild Koala Day' - Sunday, 3 May 2020 @ 2pm, join Dr Desley Whisson and Dirk Jansen for an informative discussion and QA on Peninsula Koalas.

Register to obtain the Zoom details via  Eventbrite.

Please ensure you read the Zoom etiquette for this meeting.
 

Artists, Here is Your Chance to Soar


Calling all van Gogh's and Banksy's. MPLN is seeking ideas for a new Logo with a secret prize for the winner. Please contact Jacqui for further information and submission of your masterpiece.




Landcare Australia Call for Abstracts


Landcare Australia is calling for the submission of abstracts and posters for the 2020 National Landcare Conference that will be held from 11-13 November 2020, at International Convention Centre, Sydney.
 
Presentations are welcome for concurrent sessions that demonstrate the Landcare ethos for the following streams:
  • Sustainable Agriculture
  • Environment & Climate Change
  • Community Partnerships in Action
  • Landcare Impact
Submission of abstracts here: by 11:59 pm, Friday 24th 2020. 

 

News and Opportunities

New Reconciliation Plan from the Shire



The Shire has just released their Reconciliation Plan, which has recently been endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, It can be found here.








SV Pelican Information Cruise on Western Port

At daybreak in mid-March a group gathered at Hastings pier as the sun peeked over the horizon for a cruise around Western Port on the RV Pelican. The day's outing, organised by the folks from the Western Port Biosphere Ramsar Awareness Project, provided the participants with an excellent perspective on the flora and fauna of the waters and surrounding lands, along with informative talks by experts across a range of relevant topics, including: the Biosphere Foundation and its Water Stewardship and Ramsar projects; the Dolphin Research Institute; the recently re-discovered Bryozoan Reefs; current Land Care activities on the Mornington Peninsula  side; and the lifecycle of those migratory birds who spend a critical portion of their migration at Western Port.

The SV Pelican is a 62 ft catamaran owned and operated by the non-profit Pelican Expeditions and Saltwater Projects. Based out of Port Philip and Western Port, it ranges around the Australian coast and nearby islands.

The cruise took us first to the north to view both the coastal environment and to sail over ancient Byrozoan reefs with their colourful beds of invertebrate filter-feeders (see December Newsletter for details on the reef). Then we turned south around French Island and on past Crawfish Rock, while being entertained by the birdlife and beautiful views.



Balcombe Moorooduc Landcare team with Friends group to tackle weeds in Victory Reserve

On the 23rd February, under clear blue sky, members of Balcombe Moorooduc Landcare Group teamed with the Friends of Victory Reserve (Mt Eliza Regional Park) to tackle weeds. We had a tour of the bushland restoration works undertaken in the reserve and a brief history of Mt Eliza Regional Park, from its former life as a tip to the beautiful reserve it is today. We got to see Tongue Orchids which are being protected with chicken wire from rabbit grazing. Three specimens are in a disturbed area of the site and may have been retained in the soil from original site which was used to cap the batters of the old tip.

After the tour, we got stuck into woody weeding. We targeted Pittosporum primarily, making sure not to cut and dab any near Cherry Ballart to avoid damaging them with herbicide via the parasitic roots of Cherry Ballart. In addition to Pittosporum, we also got some Gorse as well as some Wonga Vine.

After these great activities, we had a lovely barbeque and then held our AGM, where we discussed upcoming events for the year. Tony O'Connor was elected again as President, Dan Idczak as Vice President, Lee Theofanis as Treasurer, and new committee member Susan was voted in as Secretary and Gerard was elected as another committee member.
 

Nest Boxes Revisited


Thinking of installing a nest box? Or do you already have some in operation? Compare your efforts with those of around 10,000 nest boxes across the state with the latest updates from the Arthur Rylah Insitute.

On the same site are some  handy fact sheets and guidelines towards their effective design and monitoring of Nest Boxes.

Phoebe Mack, Wildlife Ecology Scientist at the Arthur Rylah Institute, has also had a paper about the research published in The Victorian Naturalist:





Benefits of Boosting Soil Carbon

Deakin University is partnering with a consortium for a $289,000 project demonstrating the benefits of boosting soil carbon in south-west Victoria.

Heytesbury District Landcare Network (HDLN) will lead the project involving 20 dairy, beef, sheep and other farms over two years. HDLN coordinator Geoff Rollinson said the project aims to show how different soil activities can increase soil carbon, moisture content and nutrient content. A series of on-farm tests will measure soil health improvements and increases in the nutrient and vitamin value of milk and meat.

The consortium also is working with Agriprove to develop a platform for farmers to  seek carbon credits through the Emissions Reduction Fund.
 
The project has been funded by the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation through the Eldon and Anne Foote Trust and includes as partners EAROPH, Focus, Corangamite CMA, Corangamite Shire and Triple R BioChar.

Any Gorse Out There?

Gorse is a highly-imvasive prickly Weed of National Significance whose seeds and adult plants can live up to 30 years. The Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network’s ‘Gorse – No remorse!” project funded through the Victorian Gorse Taskforce is still looking for any properties on the peninsula that would like help with gorse control. If you have any neighbours with gorse you’d like us to approach, please send through the address to Jacqui
 
 

Volunteers in Our Region


We all know about Landcare, but do you have any idea how many other organisations and volunteers there are in the broad area of conservation across our neighbourhood?

A recent survey by the Port Philip and Westernport Catchment Authority found a remarkable 490 Friends and similar groups throughout the catchment - in addition to the larger organisations such as Landcare, SPIFFA, and the Biosphere. Of those that responded to the survey, this amounted to nearly 20,000 volunteers who donated over 130,000 hours during 2019/20 to improving their environment. Collectively, they provided a return of nearly seven-fold on the ~$1 million in government funding for organisations involved with the environment in our area.

What a grand demonstration of community commitment!

Full details below.

State of the Environment


A glance at any random newspaper and the annual summary in the next articles leaves no doubt that the Oz environment has taken some serious hits this past year (both natural and human). And the damage from COVID-19 to our economy, our way of life, and natural environment is yet to play out. Sadly, our response to the considerable present and future danger from climate change also is in danger of further neglect because of these other threats.

However, positive signs are emerging for reversing the downward trend in our human and natural environments. There is a growing understanding of the severity of our environmental problems and the need to take action, with recent polls indicating that the environment now ranks at the top of public concerns (or at least it did before Covid-19 emerged). On a local front, the Shire is taking biodiversity very seriously including the publication of a draft Biodioversity Conservation Plan. The article earlier in the Newsletter on volunteering in the Port Philip and Western Port Catchment indicates that there is a substantial and growing band of folks willing to donate time to the environment.
We already are seeing the benefits  of volunteer contributions as an amoeba of natural bushland connectors gradually spreads out across the Peninsulaf thanks to our ambitious program of biolinks. And later under State of the Environment we report on recent good news from the oceans, which indicates that concerted actions can make a difference.

We are making a difference - Ed

---------------------------

Our Environment is Sick

The annual report on the State of Our Environment by the Australian National University finds that the Australian land environment in 2019 was the worst that it has been since the process began in 2000. A not-unexpected, but still sad result.
 
 
Their environmental index includes a wide range of environmental indicators from tree cover to hot days, and from soil moisture to threatened species. For 2019, Australia scored 0.8 on a scale of 10 – a massive 75% drop from an average year in 2018! 

Victoria also was down, but faring better than the continent, with an index of 2.7.

Australia wide environmental indices (above), and time series for Australia (left). The bars indicate index contributions from: inundation and streamflow (blue), vegetation growth, leaf area, soil protection and tree cover (green) and hot days (orange).

Zooming down to the Peninsula, the MP Shire was down slightly at 3.3, but we are better than both the state and country. Highlights include our continuing excellent (relatively speaking) record on woody-vegetation cover (see graph to right). But our number of threatened species continues to grow.
Percentage of the Mornington Peninsula Shire with healthy woody vegetation. Note that no explanation was provided for the sharp increase around 2011-12.
 
The coming of the rains has improved the outlook – grass is reappearing on parched lands and water is again flowing into the Menindee Lakes. But the combined damage of the drought, fires, and our understandable focus elsewhere on combating Covid-19, means that it is likely the full recovery will take many years, if ever. As the report lead author, Professor van Dijk, said, 2019 represents a “continuing descent into an ever more dismal future. You start to see ecosystems fall apart and then struggle to recover before the next major disturbance.
 
      - Article by Greg Holland, all images from the ANU report.
 

Our Oceans (May) Have Turned the Corner

As summarised in a recent article by Duarte et al (2019), past oceanic conservation efforts have led to ongoing demonstrable improvements in oceanic environments: "Recovery rates across studies suggest that substantial recovery of the abundance, structure and function of marine life could be achieved by 2050, if major pressures—including climate change—are mitigated. Rebuilding marine life represents a doable Grand Challenge for humanity, an ethical obligation and a smart economic objective to achieve a sustainable future."

The authors carefully note that all is not rosy and that substantial problems remain from overfishing, coastal pollution, oceanic warming, and species extinction. And, of course, here in Australia we are very aware of the stresses that our coasts and reefs are under. However: "biodiversity losses in the ocean are less pronounced than on land and many marine species are capable of recovery once pressures are reduced or removed".

Their detailed analysis of changes over recent decades has found that that fish stocks and marine mammal populations around the world have either remained static or improved.

Current population trends in fish stock (left) and mammal populations (right), summarised by ocean basin. (From Duarte et al.)

Population trajectories for a range of species around the world provide a more specific indication.

Population trajectories since observations began for the indicated marine species. Shown are the changes from the original base population. (From The Guardian Newspaper based on data in Duarte et al.)

Note that this is a dense report that ranges far and includes a plethora of information - far more than could easily be summarised here. But it is quite readable for those interested in pursuing the topic further.

And the overall message is clear. Given an opportunity, oceanic life can bounce back to the betterment of all: the ecosystem, human well being and livelihoods, and the global economy. They clearly demonstrate movement towards their grand-challenge goal of restoring the oceanic environment by 2050, and that this is achievable given sufficient continuing effort and dedication.

      - Article by Greg Holland based on the information in the indicated references.
 

Monthly Features


Insect of the Month: Common Brown Butterfly

Species name: Common Brown Butterfly, Heteronympha merope merope (shown below is the male, the female is larger and yellower with different markings, see further down).
 
Family: Nymphalidae.

Occurrence: Eastern Australia from central Queensland to southeastern South Australia, with subspecies in Tasmania and the far southwest (see map).

Notes: First identified and collected by Banks at Botany Bay, the common browns are a regular summer sight on the Peninsula in both wild and urban areas - if there are food plants, they will be there.

They have an interesting lifecycle. The first adults appear in late spring, but after a bit of dalliance the poor blokes die off and are usually gone by the time the summer heat settles in. The females hold the sperm for several months until conditions are right for laying eggs. In cooler climes, the females will be seen throughout summer, but if it gets too hot they aestivate and reappear towards autumn.

Once the rains come in March/April, it is egg lying time with each egg being fertilised as it is laid.



The caterpillars feed on the new flush of grass, hiding during the day to come up during the night to feed. They are not fussy on which grass they eat and  continue eating right through winter until the pupal phase is entered in spring.

- Article by Greg Holland, based on information from the National Botanical Gardens, who also provided the image of the female. Caterpillar image from the Butterfly House, distribution from Atlas of Living Australia.

Grants


Ripe for Change Grants

Ripe for Change banner
Ripe for Change is a place-based program offering community grants of up to $10,000, to improve our local food system and deliver health and sustainability outcomes for the population and environment.
Grants are now open, here. But get in quick, they close April 24.


Coastcare Community Grants


Coastcare Community Grants are now available up to $30,000 to help community organisations protect and enhance the coastal and near-shore marine environment.
 

Two categories of grants are available in 2020:
1. Stewardship and Education
2. Strengthening Our Volunteer Groups

Closing Date for Applications - Thursday 7 May 2020, 5:00pm

Contact your local Coastcare Victoria facilitator if you'd like to know more.

Victorian Landcare Grants 

 
The Victorian Landcare Grants will be available again for groups to apply for project grants of up to $20,000 and support grants of $500. Applications for the 2020-21 Victorian Landcare Grants are expected to open in May through SmartyGrants. Keep an eye out for further details

Scalable projects will be encouraged.

 

Regular Grant Opportunities



Local Information

Shire Community Information: For a wide range of information on Peninsula Community activities and needs.

Land for Wildlife: If you wish to create or protect wildlife habitats on your property, then the Land for Wildlife scheme can offer advice and assistance. Participation is free and membership doesn’t alter the legal status of your property in any way. A Land for Wildlife sign is provided free of charge to acknowledge the efforts being made for wildlife conservation. Contact Peter Johnson Statewide Coordinator (DELWP) - ph. 5430 4358 Fax: 5448 4982.
 
Home Harvest exchange: Too many lemons and not enough parsley?  Why not take part in a Home Harvest Exchange?  This community initiative allows people to bring their own excess produce and go home with someone else’s for free! Bring home grown edibles, eggs, preserved produce, honey, seeds and seedlings. No minimum amount and no money changes hands.
 
Eco Living Display Centre: Open: Fridays 1-4pm & first Saturday each month 9.00am-1.00pm at The Briars with activities and workshops - ph. 5950 1259.
 
Report Environmental Crime: If you observe any environmental crime such as wildlife smuggling, removal of native species, keeping endangered species in captivity, please report it to DELWP - ph. 136 186.
 
Wildlife Contact Information about wildlife rehabilitators, rescue organisations and veterinarians in your local area who can care for the type of animal in need of help, such as a kangaroo or koala.
 
Snake Catcher:  For advice or accredited snake catchers on the Peninsula.
 
Wildlife Help on the Mornington Peninsula (WHOMP): All hours 0417 380 687 or 0417 395 883.
 
Animalia Shelter: For help with injured or stressed native animals - ph. 0435 822 699 All hours.
 
Crystal Ocean Wildlife Shelter (Rye): 0407 787 770


Snap Send Solve for Wildlife Injuries: an easy and efficient way to report injured wildlife. If you see injured wildlife, simply start a report with Snap Send Solve and select ‘Wildlife - Native Injured’ to send the report to Wildlife Victoria.
 
Advice on Removing Native Vegetation: For assistance and advice in relation to the removal of native vegetation.
 

Newsletter Feedback

Do you any questions or complaints? How about a story to tell? Is there a weed, plant, fungus, slime mould, or animal that you want to know about? Have you identified a new, rare, or interesting species? Or a good book? How about a great photo?

Please contact Greg Holland for it to be featured in the newsletter.

Landcare and Related Contacts

Jacqui Salter: Landcare Facilitator, MPLN ph: 0408 213 079
Greg Holland: Newsletter Editor.
David Maddocks: President of MPLN ph: 0429 990 518
Michele Sabto: Project Coordinator for ‘Linking the Mornington Peninsula Landscape’ project.
Chantal Kelly: Project Coordinator for ‘Greens Bush to Arthurs Seat Biolink’ Project.
Sarah Saxton: MP Shire Agribusiness & Food Industry Officer.
Lizzie Younger: Melbourne Water River Health Officer.

Image(s) at The End: Partying in a Time of Quarantine


The Covid-19 quarantine has provided plenty of time for catching up around the farm, but one does miss a bit of company.
 
“Time for a party”, thought I.
 
A large feeder of bird seed glued together by corn starch was duly hung in the old plum tree. After scattering some additional seed across the lawn, I settled down with a glass of red for the late afternoon.

Almost immediately, the male of our resident willie wagtail pair comes over to complain about my only putting out vegan food, then proceeds to tell me what a ‘pretty little creature' he is. A pair of spotted doves checks out the lawn - the dominant one wasting valuable eating-time with futile chases of the other.

Three crimson rosellas settle in the tree and, after some suspicious glances my way, one flutters across to land on the feeder and gnaw away – clinging tightly as it precariously swings back and forth. Others, plus a couple of king parrots, soon arrive to jockey for the feeder or to join the doves on the ground.
 
Here come the galahs, first swooping by to take in the scene, then down to hassle the rosellas, parrots, and doves in the feast.

A thornbill looks for bugs in the branches for a short period, then flits off to quieter locales. One magpie briefly visits to morosely view the scene before also flying swiftly away.

I involuntarily duck as a huge white shape rips past with an ear-piercing shriek – the cockies have arrived.

Grey shrike thrushes, red wattlebirds and noisy miners come to investigate and are soon hawking the sky for insects stirred up by the rabble below.








As the shadows gradually lengthen into sunset, the party is really rocking. Birds jockey for position with lots of bluff and counter-bluff. An occasional quiet chirrup manages to slip through the raucous squawking.

 

Barely any of them even notice when I get up to refill the glass.
 
Sunset, and the party winds down, leaving only the doves and a recently-arrived pair of crested pigeons scrounging seeds from the grass in the dim light.
 
I ponder my empty glass: “This quarantine thing ain’t all that bad!
 
-       Ramblings and images by Greg Holland, with some help from the locals.
Copyright © *2019 *Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network*, All rights reserved.

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