Dear <<First Name>>,
The cooler nights and shortening days are a clear indication that autumn has arrived. March is usually a busy month in the garden and on the farm but do take the time to read through this newsletter as there are lots of great landcare events and opportunities available in the next few weeks.
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Great Success for Local Landcare Groups
Rejuvenating local Creeks, especially areas suffering erosion from flood events, will be among rehabilitation works to be undertaken by local Landcare groups awarded almost $1 million through the Federal Government's Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program.
The joint proposal by Mudgegonga, Stanley, Burgoigee Creek, Hodgson & Horseshoe Creeks Landcare groups will be used on tributaries of the Ovens River impacted by erosion from flood events post bushfires in 2008 and 2018.
The work will rehabilitate sections of the waterway, improving the water quality and habitat along those areas. The groups will engage over 25 landholders in the on-ground works.
Planting up to 10,000 shrubs to help stabilise the creek beds when flood events occur building a stronger habitat that is more resilient for any future flood events, while also fencing off areas so livestock can’t get down to the waterway.
Another component of the project will be to assess two key waterways in Mudgegonga and one in the Hodgson's areas to be able to see what should be done to improve them.
This sort of funding is incredibly valuable to the community and will help improve our local waterways for current and future generations.
Pictured: Adrian Murtagh (Mudgegonga & District Landcare Vice President)
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Boosting Macquarie Perch populations
The Ovens Landcare Network and King Basin Landcare group have supported the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) in a large scale release of Macquarie perch into the King River. Other landcare groups also supported releases in the Cudgewa Creek to provide a much needed boost to the native fish populations in North East Victoria, especially after the affects of the 19/20 summer bushfires.
It's been quite the journey for the species, starting with the 'Macca chopper' late last year, which transported the mature fish from Lake Dartmouth to the VFA Snobs Creek hatchery for breeding. Now their offspring are happily swimming away in their new homes, thanks to a Landcare-Led Bushfire Recovery grant the VFA received to recover Macquarie perch in bushfire–affected areas of the North East.
The grant has also supported: instream fish habitat, including boulder seeding and timber structures, fencing and revegetation; community engagement and communications; and planting weekends with recreational fishers, Landcare groups and Traditional Owners.
For more information, visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/recoveringmaccas.
Pictured: Penny Raleigh (OLN) and Rosie Suter (King Basin Landcare)
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Young Farmer Business Bootcamp
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8.30 am – 4.00 pm | Friday’s 18 and 25 March
Location: Corryong
Agriculture Victoria is excited to offer this free, two-day business bootcamp targeting young producers or those new to managing a farm business and wanting to establish a long and successful career in beef, sheep, or mixed farming enterprises. The bootcamp will help farmers understand and manage business risk, develop a business plan to grow their business and have confidence in a future in agriculture.
Register to attend here.
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Field Walk to Explore the Glaciers of Greta Valley
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Saturday 19th March | 9am - 11am
94 Lewis Lane, Moyhu
Greta Valley Landcare invites you to join a farm walk to look at unique Glacial Pavements and rocks carried from afar by glaciers. Observe how components of the landscape speak to us about past climate and derivation of soils. Bring rocks from your own property for identification and discussion. Presented by Susan White OAM, morning tea provided.
Please RSVP for catering here.
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King Valley Autumn Harvest
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Saturday 19th March | 2pm - 4pm
Cheshunt Memorial Hall, Cheshunt
Sustainable King Valley Inc and King Basin Landcare welcome you to Autumn Harvest – a season of abundance. This event marks the launch of exciting things including the King Valley Food Hub. Hear from specialists in fruit fly management, climate adaptation, recycling and renewable energy. Connect and share knowledge and ideas. For more information go here.
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Rehydrating your Farm Landscape Bootcamp
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Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th March, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm | Oxley Shire Hall, 1157 Snow Road, Oxley
Learn how to assess the health of the water cycle on your property and successfully implement a landscape rehydration project. This interactive, hands-on course will empower you to take the best advantage of the water cycle to enhance the resilience and productivity of your rural landscape.
Course cost $50, find more information here and book your spot ASAP.
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Nature in the Neighbourhood
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Tuesday 29th March | 6.30 - 8.30pm
Middle Indigo Primary School, Indigo Valley
An evening with Jade Miles, author of 'Future Steading' and co-founder of Black Barn Farm, a permaculture based biodiverse orchard and nursery in Stanley.
Learn about what small but significant actions you can take to live a more localised, simplified, food-oriented and cultural life. BBQ dinner supplied.
This is a free community event provided by Indigo Creek Landcare Group.
Bookings essential p: 0444 541 569 or email: indigocreeklandcare@gmail.com
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Saturday 2nd April | 10.30am - 12.30pm
Whorouly East, register for further details
Would you like to know how to attract more native birds into your backyard?
Join Myrtleford Landcare for an informative presentation and garden walk with Sue Brunskill. Sue is a keen twitcher with a lifetime in conservation, working to provide habitat for native species on properties in both rural and urban settings. For further details and to RSVP online go here.
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Native Grassland Field Day
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Sunday 24th April | 11:30 am – 5 pm
Bus leaves and returns to Taminick CFA
Warby Ranges Landcare hosts a bus tour of project sites, with presentations from Meredith Mitchell on native grass management, and Darren Atkinson (Dozer) on Aboriginal Cultural Heritage mapping.
Lunch and afternoon tea supplied.
Bookings essential ph. 0406 269 729
Costs: Free for Warby Range Landcare members, $20 for everyone else.
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Strengthening Rural Communities | FRRR
Applications close 5pm Tuesday 31st May 2022
The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program aims to give the thousands of small rural, regional and remote communities across Australia an opportunity to access funding to support broad community needs. Given the events of summer 2019/20, it has also been expanded to offer funding to support recovery in bushfire-affected communities.
Grants are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly. For more information click here. For more information click here.
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Small Environmental Grant Scheme | Norman Wettenhall Environment Trust
Expressions of Interest open regularly
Providing support for people undertaking projects that will make a positive difference to the natural living environment, in land, sea or air, rural or urban. The Norman Wettenhall Environment Trust supports grassroots organisations and individuals, and academics who are working with on-ground community groups. The expression of interest process opens regularly throughout the year. For more information click here.
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Planting Trees for The Queen's Jubilee | Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
EOIs due 9pm Friday 18th March
The objective of the program is to mark the significant occasion of Her Majesty’s Jubilee through community tree planting events across Australia. The program also intends to:
- increase community awareness and celebration of Her Majesty’s Jubilee
- create a legacy of tree plantings across the nation
- increase and/or enhance the area of tree canopy
Expressions of interest must be submitted to your local federal MP (Helen Haines). Successful organisations will be invited to submit an application. For more information go here.
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Leadership in Rabbit Control Course | Victorian Rabbit Action Network
Applications close March 25
This is a great course, which provides great practical opportunities to improve knowledge and understanding about integrated rabbit control. The Victorian Rabbit Action Network (VRAN) mentors on the course have been delivering rabbit control for Victoria for 30+ years each and bring a wealth of experience to the course. To apply go here.
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Governance Training | NECMA
Session 1. Thursday 24 March 1.30pm-4.30pm
Session 2. Thursday 31 March 5.30pm-8.30pm
This training will be of benefit to:
- New office bearers
- New Landcare Employees/Project Officers
- Anyone thinking of becoming an office bearer.
- Anyone who just wants to understand the roles of committees better.
This training is free. Follow this link to register.
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Conflict Resolution and De-escalation | NECMA
Session 1. Tuesday 29 March- 1-30pm-4.30pm
Session 2. Wednesday 30 March 5.30pm-8.30pm
This training is being offered and aims to:
- Recognising the signs of an escalating situation.
- Control their emotions and speech in a confronting situation.
- Remain calm while working through de-escalation steps in the toolkit.
- Be confident in handling confrontational situations.
This can help with handling confrontational landholders or managing difficult situations in meetings.
This training is free. Follow this link to register.
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Bob Hawke Landcare Award | Landcare Australia
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Nominations Close on 1st May 2022
We’re looking for outstanding leaders and innovators in landcare across Australia who have demonstrated a commitment to natural resource management and sustainable agriculture.
If this sounds like you or someone you know, click here to nominate today: https://bobhawkelandcareaward.awardsplatform.com/
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Fox and Wild Dog Bounty collections have resumed in Victoria
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Acceptable entire fox scalps and entire wild dog body parts will be collected from eligible members of the public at specific dates and times, and from sites scheduled as collection centres.
Electronic funds transfer (EFT) is the preferred method of payment, so please bring your EFT details to the collection centre.
Check the website for the collection schedule details in your region
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Are rabbits a problem for you and your neighbours?
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To achieve the best rabbit control results local landholders are encouraged to join forces and plan their control programs now.
During the summer and early autumn, when food is scarcer, rabbit breeding cycles slow providing the perfect window to make a significant dent in local rabbit populations.
Landowners are urged to talk to their neighbours and form community rabbit action groups that can share the cost of contractors to conduct baiting, ripping and fumigation over multiple properties, making it more effective.
For more information about best practice rabbit management visit AgVic or the Victorian Rabbit Action Network website.
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The Fast Break - Climate Newsletter from Agriculture Victoria
The Fast Break details oceanic and atmospheric climate driver activity over the last month and summarises three month model predictions for the Pacific and Indian Oceans, rainfall and temperature for Victoria. Find the current newsletter here: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/newsletters/the-break/the-fast-break-victoria
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