NSLA Board re-elected
The Northern Slopes Landcare Association AGM was held last Friday, 17th December 2021, with all committee members returning to their elected roles unopposed.
Returning Chair Ran Mitchell spoke of the challenges faced by Landcare over the previous 12 months, however he is looking forward to a freer 2022, and believes many more people will be turning to Landcare due to both environmental and economic factors.
Ran led a discussion on what attendees hoped to achieve on their own properties in the next 12 months.
|
|
We're hiring!
We regret to advise that Penny Kelly will be moving on from our organisation early in the New Year. Penny has been a very valuable and productive member of our team and will be sorely missed. We wish her well in her future endeavours. NSLA are therefore looking for a new team member. For further information and to obtain a position description please contact Shelley - admin@nsla.net.au or phone 0474 887 982
|
|
Gardens that Work with Nature
The Gwydir Ark group partnered with Northern Slopes Landcare recently to host a “Gardens that work with Nature” workshop. Held at The Living Classroom in Bingara, the day attracted visitors from as far as Barraba, Moree and Inverell and was very well received by all. Attendees were guided around the Living Classroom’s gardens and greenhouse by Amber Hall, and shown best practice techniques for re-potting plants, planting out plants, and how to maintain and improve soil health for healthier plants and more nutrient rich produce. As one attendee stated “Amber’s section on soil health & the relationship to plant health.. fascinating. You don’t know what you don’t know”.
|
Rick Hutton from Gwydir Learning region discussed the merits and principles of Permaculture – explaining how some of the garden beds on display around The Living Classroom were designed and the reasoning behind them, and Peter Dawson from North West Local Land Services raised awareness on the need to consider how you dispose of excess or no longer wanted plants from your garden – the need to be conscious that some introduced species are prone to causing problems both to livestock and the natural landscape if they escape the confines of the garden. Plants such as Harrisia Cactus and Tiger pear are prime examples of garden ‘escapees’ which have become established in the region and are now a major pest – classed as priority weeds.
|
|
Upcoming Events
Carbon Information Workshop - NEW DATE 3rd & 4th February 2022
Extra tickets available
Join Carbon Trade Specialist Louisa Kiely in this informative 2-Day Workshop. Everything you wanted to know about Carbon & More - Your Questions Answered
- Carbon - What is it & Where do I start?
- The Markets Explained & Why you should know how they work!
- How to Start A Carbon project & How your farm can participate?
- Unlock Carbon Credits on Farm, Support the environment & Earn Extra Revenue
When: 1st & 2nd December 2021
Time: 9.30am - 3.30pm both days
Where: The Roxy Theatre, Bingara
Cost: NSLA Members $75 Non-Members $150
Morning Tea & Lunch Provided both days
Register via Sticky Tickets - https://www.stickytickets.com.au/DXSZX
Phone: 0438 353 682
Northern Slopes Landcare Association
“This event will be run under NSW Health Orders"
|
|
Now in 2022: Kim Deans Farm Planning Workshop
24th & 25th February 2022
2-Day Farm Planning Workshop presented by Regenerative Agriculture Educator, Kim Deans
- Apply a whole farm planning design process and principles to two case study sites
- Learn how to design for resilience to climate extremes, optimise natural resources and economic potential
- Gain confidence and skills to apply to your own farm design
When: 24th & 25th February 2022
Where: The Living Classroom, Bingara
Time: 9am - 4.30pm both days
Cost: $390 per person
Morning Tea & Lunch Included
Book via Sticky Tickets https://www.stickytickets.com.au/A43OG
“This event will be run under NSW Health Orders"
Further Information Contact:
Northern Slopes Landcare Assoc. Ph. 0438 353 682
'This project is supported by Starfish Enterprises Network Limited, The Carbon Farm and Northern Slopes Landcare Association through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program'.
|
|
Roving Trapper Workshop Series
A series of Pest animal Trapping workshops featuring Professional Trapper Mark Lamb will be held across the region February 21, and March 1-2, 2022. Come along to learn more about best practice trapping techniques and what help is available to control wild dogs on your property.
If you are currently experiencing issues with wild dogs, please contact Dave Lindsay from North West Local Land Services on 0427 291 883
|
|
Cactus news
The Spring 2021 Cactus Quarterly is available now!
Why not sign up to the mailing list and receive the latest cactus news via email? Subscribe now
Check out some of the great cacti resources available to download from our website. View resources
|
|
|
Cactus causing a prickly problem
A new state-wide campaign is urging residents to be on the lookout for the prohibited sale or trade of prickly pear cacti. Barbed bristles and sharp spines on the plants detach easily from the plant and can cause serious injury to people. They can injure, cause infection in, blind and even kill native animals, pets, working dogs and livestock. Once in the environment, prickly pears can form impenetrable walls of vegetation and cost millions of dollars to control. NSW Crime Stoppers, local councils, Local Land Services and the NSW Department of Primary Industries have joined forces to call for anyone who sees these plants for sale to report it. Easy to propagate from cuttings, cacti are popular plants in household gardens, both indoors and outdoors. That same rapid growth can cause widespread devastation in the natural environment. There are more than 27 species of prickly pear known to be in Australia. Eve’s needle, bunny ears, smooth tree pear and blind cactus are all types of prickly pear illegally traded in NSW, despite on-the-spot fines of $1,000 and penalties of up to $220,000. More information is available on the NSW Department of Primary Industries website https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ biosecurity/weeds or you can get in touch with Council’s weeds officer (see page 7). You can also report sale of prickly pear to NSW Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at https://nsw. crimestoppers.com.au/home/ They don’t need to know who you are, they just want to know what you know
|
|
Special Disaster Grant – Storms & Floods
Eligible primary producers impacted by the floods are able to claim the $75,000 Special Disaster Grant to support their recovery.
Grants are to assist with repairing/replacing of fences, contour banks, roads, crops, erosion, livestock, fodder, plant or equipment, buildings etc.
Apply Here Floods
Apply Here Special Disaster Assistance
Supply Chain Support Grant: Apply Here
Eligible primary producers are required to have accessed the full $75,000 Special Disaster Grant before accessing funds through the Supply Chain Support Grant.
The amount of funding available to eligible producers in targeted industries will vary by industry (Up to $75,00- for Extensive Livestock & up to $50k for Broadacre Cropping) and a 50:50 financial and/or in-kind co-contribution from applicants is required. So if you are a wheat farmer for example and spend $100,000 on repairing fences – then you will be entitled to $50,000.
Applications are open until 2pm, 3 March 2022. All works must be completed and invoices submitted to the RAA by 30 May 2023 (the following year)
Rural Aid Grant Apply here
Don’t forget about the one off $1000 Rural Aid grant that primary producers are eligible for as well.
Rural Aid Financial Assistance – Rural Aid Farmers Assistance
Rural Landholders Grant
If you are not eligible for the above RAA grants, there is also https://faa.ruralaid.org.au/o a $10,000 Rural Landholders Grant that you will be eligible for. You can register for this now.
Rural Landholders Grant (nsw.gov.au)
|
|
Membership
Become a member of Northern Slopes Landcare and enjoy event discounts and receive regular newsletters and notifications on upcoming events and funding opportunities. Click on the button below to signup via our website.
|
|
|
|
The North West Landcare team pictured with Dr Adrian Zammit, Landcare NSW.
|
|
|
Shelley McDouall
Coordinator/Office Manager
0474 887 982 | admin@nsla.net.au
Penny Kelly
Coordinator
0438 353 682 | coordinator@nsla.net.au
|
|
Rachel Dorney
Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator
0474 888 265 | ralf@nsla.net.au
Jo-Anna Skewes
North West Cacti Control Coordinator
0438 353 519 | nwcactus@nsla.net.au
|
|
|
|
