Your regular environmental news & updates
Bumper issue with lots of events. Lake Mac Community Environment Forum, Newcastle Election Candidates Forum, Mini EV challenge, Film screenings, Squirrel Glider campaign, and Prof Tim Roberts appointed Patron of Botanic Gardens.
To get the whole newsletter we recommend you click on Continue reading enviroBYTES. Email services such as Gmail and Telstra Webmail often truncate Newsletters, so to get the whole Newsletter read it in your browser.
Now you're caught up,
Alec Roberts
|
|
- 28 - Upcycle Newcastle free vegie bag making workshop, Kurri Kurri, Cessnock
- 28 - HRBG: Seniors in the Garden, Heatherbrae
- 28 - Worm Farming with Tonyi the Worm all ages, Anna Bay
- 28 - 1 Apr - Rathmines nature treasure trail, Styles Point reserve, Rathmines
- 29 - Morning Bird Chorus Walk, Belmont Lagoon
- 29 - Grass ID for Bush Regenerators, Kariong
- 29 - Charlestown to Whitebridge shared path/cycle route info session, Whitebridge
- 29 - Worm Farming with Tonyi the Worm, Nelson Bay
- 30 - Mini Electric Vehicle Challenge, Tighes Hill TAFE
- 30 - NewH2: Hydrogen Knowledge Exchange Breakfast Forum with HunterNet, Callaghan
April
- 1 - Hahahaha Critical Mass Newy Bike Ride, Civic Park Start
- 1 - Applications close Lake Mac Community Environment Grants
- 2 - Fern Creek Landcare - April Work Session, Dudley
- 2 - Squirrel Glider Habitat Relief Days, Reay Park off Ocean Street, Dudley
- 2 - Warabrook Wetlands Tour
- 2 - TWS Local Environment Community Forum, Warners Bay, baramayiba
- 2 - Campaign with the Hunter Jobs Alliance - training day, Newcastle
- 2 - Chemical Clean Out, Tighes Hill TAFE Car Park (Maitland Rd)
- 4 - HRBG: Native Plants Tour & Morning Tea, Heatherbrae
- 4 - Where the Water Starts - Film Screening, Kotara
- 6 - Tiny forest workshops (How to build a community micro-forest in 8 steps), ONLINE
- 6 - Charlestown to Whitebridge shared path/cycle route info session, ONLINE
- 6 - CAN AGM (and regular members meeting), Hamilton
- 7-8 - HCA Community Organising Foundations training, Newcastle West
- 8-11 - Port Stephens Clean Up Australia Day, Limeburners Creek
- 7-8,9-10 - Barrington Broom! Post Fire Scotch Broom Control Works, Polblue (Barrington Tops NP)
- 9 - Koala Tree Planting and Talk, Tanilba Bay
- 9 - Sea Shepherd Newcastle Annual Fundraiser, Newcastle
- 9, 10 - A Flying Photon - Rachel Rayner, Newcastle, Maitland
- 13, 21 - HRBG: Nocturnal Wildlife Tour, Heatherbrae
- 24 - Inaugural Mushroom Meander, Narara
- 26 - HEDG talk - Critical Minerals, Hamilton
- 28 - Climate Action Now Newcastle Candidates Forum, Online
May
|
|
|
|
All welcome!
We expect some 96 vehicles made by 400 school children, mostly primary, to compete on the day. Each vehicle will compete on both the straight track and the oval track. The competitions are knockout so that two cars race each other and the winner goes on to the next round (just like Wimbledon).
For more information...
|
|
Newcastle Federal Election Candidates Forum - Climate Action
When: Thursday April 28, 6:30pm - 8pm
Where: ONLINE
Cost: FREE
In the most important Federal Election of our generation, hear your local candidates: are they up to the climate challenge?
Please join local community groups as we hear from candidates for the federal electorate of Newcastle how they will shift the dial on climate action if elected. Hear whether your local candidates are up to the challenge, and whether you can trust them to take the fast, decisive action needed to re-gear our region to renewables and protect worker security. N.B. specific asks will be put to candidates on the renewable energy & climate commitments needed to achieve these aims.
Join the forum to hear our federal election candidates explain their commitment to climate action this decade.
Book your place...
|
|
|
Enrol to vote
Did you know that you only get 7 days to enrol to vote once an election is called.
Are you an Australian citizen, or eligible British subject, aged 18 years and over, and
have lived at your address for at least one month? Then enrol to vote.
Did you also know that if you are 16 or 17 you can enrol now so when you turn 18 you'll be able to vote.
Enrol NOW online at: https://aec.gov.au/enrol/
|
|
|
|
Where the Water Starts - Film Screening
When: Monday 4 April 7 PM
Where: Kotara Event Cinemas
Cost: $22
The film takes the audience on a discovery tour of the Snowy Mountains, particularly Kosciuszko National Park, from perspectives rarely heard. Aunty Sue Bulger, Wiradjuri Wolgalu Elder is a traditional landowner in the region. “It’s where we get our rain from, it's where we get the source of our rivers, it's where we get a lot of our wildlife and of course our spirituality of places where there are special ceremonies.”
After seeing the destruction of the fragile alpine ecology of Australia’s Snowy Mountains firsthand, Richard Swain, with the support of his wife Alison, decides to speak out. Hard hoofed animals are trampling and endangering the viability of the headwaters of three iconic rivers.
Richard Swain, a Wiradjuri descendant who was born in Cooma and raised in the high country, will be attending the Kotara screening, accompanied by Director/ Producer team Fabio Cavadini and Mandy King, for a Q&A session after the film.
Book your place...
For more information...
|
|
|
|
Where the Water Starts - Trailer
|
|
|
A Flying Photon - Rachel Rayner
When: Saturday 9th April, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM (Newcastle); Sunday 10th April, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM (Maitland)
Where: Royal Exchange Salon Theatre 34 Bolton St, Newcastle; Studio Amsterdam 321 High St, Maitland
Cost: $27.89 - $37.51 + Booking Fee
Go on a glittering and whimsical journey to meet everyone’s favourite object in the universe, even if you haven’t heard of it: the tiny, tiny photon. Through humour, sequins and stars, uncover a bizarre piece of quantum mechanics which brings us both a sunset and the internet.
Science meets theatre meets stand-up comedy in this amalgamated mess of exploration and discovery. There will be experiments, poetry, and a deep dive into some of the best features in the cosmos, including our wonderfully radiating selves.
This is science that sparkles on all levels – from the heliosphere to our own lithosphere – that will have you celebrating colours of light you’ve never even seen.
Just be ready for all the puns. This is enlightening light entertainment after all!
“Do yourself a favour – you’ll laugh and learn at the same time.” - Dr Karl
Rachel Rayner is a science communicator, physicist and performer who has contributed to projects throughout the world. Her debut on the Fringe stage, at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2021, resulted in sold out shows. Rachel has written and performed countless shows for Questacon—the National Science and Technology Centre, and the Discovery Science and Technology Centre in Bendigo.
Book your place (Newcastle)...
Book your place (Maitland)...
|
|
|
|
RSVP: Ph 49871655
|
|
Morning bird chorus walk
When: Tuesday 29 March, 8-9.30am
Where: Belmont Lagoon (Meet Cnr Pacific Hwy and Capri Close, Belmont)
Cost: FREE
Enjoy a morning lagoon walk, spot and listen to the birds and hear some history with local bird experts from Hunter Bird Observers Club.
Please wear fully enclosed shoes, hat, and mosquito protective clothing (long sleeve top and pants) and bring water bottle and pencil/pen. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Bookings essential.
For more information/Book your place...
|
|
|
Feedback on Charlestown to Whitebridge cycle route/shared pathway
Lake Mac Council is planning a cycle route/shared pathway between Charlestown and Whitebridge to meet the growing demand for active transport in the area. Two key route options are proposed, alongside several alternative connections.
You’re invited to give feedback to help LMCC determine the most feasible route option for the area moving forward.
Hard copies of the maps and feedback form are available at Charlestown Library.
For more information:
- There is a Pop-up info session at the Whitebridge entrance to Fernleigh Track 4pm - 6pm on Tuesday 29 March. For more information...
- There is also an online session on Wednesday 6 April 5:30 - 6:30PM - Register here...
Feedback closes 11 April 2022.
For more information/Give Feedback...
|
|
|
|
Regenerating Australia film screening
When: Sunday 3 April 1:45 PM - 3:15PM
Where: Event Cinemas Kotara, Park Ave, Kotara
Cost: FREE - $20
Come along to the regional launch of Regenerating Australia, a new short documentary film by award-winning filmmaker Damon Gameau (2040, That Sugar Film).
REGENERATING AUSTRALIA follows on from solutions explored in 2040 and, with another unique format, asks the question, ‘What would Australia look like by 2030 if we simply listened to the needs of its people?’
The film is based on a four-month ‘listening campaign’ with a diverse group of Australians who shared their hopes and dreams for the country’s future. It is a new story for our nation: a story of empowerment. A story of solutions. A story of regeneration.
This special event screening features a Q&A with director Damon Gameau and a panel of guest speakers. It will be a chance to connect with others face to face and feel some much needed hope and inspiration as we discuss the steps we could take together to regenerate Australia over the next eight years.
Book your place...
|
|
|
|
|
The official trailer for award-winning filmmaker Damon Gameau’s (That Sugar Film, 2040) new documentary short, Regenerating Australia.
|
|
Campaign with the Hunter Jobs Alliance - training day
When: Saturday 2 April 11AM - 2PM
Where: Hunter Unions Building, 406-408 King St, Newcastle
Cost: FREE
In April and May, HJA will be hitting the streets with a field campaign with the focus Clean Jobs: Getting the Hunter’s Fair Share. We’ll talk about the real opportunities for the region, the need for government investment in job creation, and how we make sure these jobs come to the Hunter.
We want YOU on our team, so to get you up to speed we’d love to see you on April 2, to go over the game plan and meet the comrades you’ll be working with.
Topics for the day include: “Cutting through: class conscious transition talk”, “Organising 101” plus plenty of info on the latest developments and what they mean, and what’s next.
The day will be participatory and interactive. Lunch is provided. Please join us!
Book your place...
|
|
|
|
Prof Tim Roberts appointed as Patron to Hunter Valley Botanic Gardens
Our own Prof Tim Roberts has been appointed as Patron to the Hunter Valley Botanic Gardens.
APPOINTMENT OF PATRON
The Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Emeritus Professor Tim Roberts AM as our new Patron, following the retirement of our long serving Patron and good friend, Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair, a former Governor of NSW.
Professor Roberts, a distinguished scientist and educator, was awarded Member of the Order of Australia in 2022 for his significant service to environmental and life sciences and to tertiary education.
Tim Roberts was Director of the Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment at the University of Newcastle from 2010 until 2018. He continues to be active in research in the laboratory of his long- time Associate, Professor Hugh Dunstan. He has published some 130 papers.
Tim knows the Botanic Gardens well and has been a regular visitor over many years. We look forward to working closely with Tim as we meet the challenges of 2022 and beyond.
|
|
Squirrel Glider Habitat Relief Days
When: Saturday 2 April 11AM - 2PM
Where: Reay Park off Ocean Street, Dudley
Cost: FREE
This threatened species conservation project will resource Novocastrians to provide habitat relief for one of our most elusive yet iconic species - the Squirrel Glider!
Through community "habitat relief days", spotlighting nights and workshops across the year, join us to install nest-boxes and plant food-trees in strategic locations to enhance the highly fragmented Squirrel glider habitat in the Newcastle LGA.
|
|
|
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) is listed as Vulnerable under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 whose populations are subject to the impacts of habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation.
Not to be confused with the smaller Sugar Glider, the Squirrel Glider measures around 45 - 50 cm from head to tail, with a body of around 20 - 27cm.
Arboreal and nocturnal, these marsupials dwell in dry and sclerophyll forest and woodlands, gliding up to 50m and raising packs of their young in multiple den-trees.
Squirrel gliders are a coastal animal, distributed along the coastlines of Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Day 1: Saturday April 2nd, 11-2pm
Our Squirrel Glider Habitat Relief project will commence with a practical workshop on nest-box installation and an inspection of nest boxes installed by the wonderful folks at Fern Creek Landcare.
Arborist and environmentalist Sam Hardingham will walk us through a nest-box installation, and impart some know-how before we embark on habitat relief blitz for Squirrel Gliders in the Newcastle LGA.
Paul and Jo of HCEC will share a project update on upcoming habitat relief days and locations planned for the year.
Our meeting place on April 2nd is Reay Park off Ocean Street, Dudley, 11am.
We'll end the day at 2pm with a picnic.
We hope you can join us on Day 1!
Book your place...
For more information...
|
|
|
|
Enjoy a native plants tour and morning tea with Carolyn Gillard, a Native Plant Enthusiast. Carolyn is a Horticulturist and Garden Designer.
This program is $25 per person or use your NSW Discover voucher.
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL. Please phone 4987 1655 to book.
|
|
Volunteering for Trees in Newcastle
Ever thought about volunteering for a community-run nursery?
|
|
We’re inviting you to learn all about volunteering at TIN!
Our volunteers do all sorts of important jobs around the nursery from collecting seeds and cuttings to helping put together orders and everything in between.
We are always happy to welcome more green thumbs (or not-so-green thumbs) to help out in the nursery, in the office and in the bush with the bush regeneration team.
If you’re interested in coming along to our Autumn Vollie's Day email us or send a message on facebook.
For more information...
|
|
|
|
Bushland Rehabilitation Trial in Lake Mac
At most development sites, developers clearing land are required to plant out offset sites with tube-stock seedlings and the cleared nutrient-rich top soil material is simply sent to green waste or used on-site as landfill.
Under this trial, the top 10-20cm of soil and leaf litter on the site to be cleared is scraped off and collected, then spread 20-30cm deep at a nearby rehabilitation site. Using the trial technique, the material will cover about 2000sqm of land about 800m away, healing scars on the landscape left by illegal rubbish dumping and four-wheel drive vehicles.
Scraping off that top layer of soil captures the natural seed bank, as well as all the vital organic matter and organisms that help new plants grow and leading to a greater diversity of plants.
This is a similar technique used in some Mined Land Rehabilitation here in the Hunter.
The site will be monitored over the next two years, to determine if this method is an effective and viable alternative to traditional replanting.
For more information...
|
|
|
Barrington Broom! Post Fire Scotch Broom Control Works.
When: 7-8 April and 9-10 April 9AM - 3 PM
Where: Polblue campground and picnic area, Moonan Brook (Access via Scone/Gundy as Gloucester Rd is closed)
Cost: Free
If you haven’t been to one of these events hosted by National Parks & Wildlife Service, book yourself in!
Post Fire Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius) Control Works:
Come and join us and help make a difference this April. The environmental weed Scotch Broom is widely distributed throughout sub-alpine communities and is impacting on the structure, floristics and ecology of the area. These works are helping to protect Endangered Ecological Communities and Threatened Species Habitat in the Barrington Tops Region. Kids and families are welcome. Note there will be some tool handling and a level of supervision is required by parents for kids under 14.
|
|
|
|
Twilight Tour & Biodiversity Monitoring:
As a bonus, in this program we will be incorporating a twilight tour on the evening of the 8th of April to show our volunteers the amazing nocturnal wildlife in the area and monitoring to capture the biodiversity of the Barrington Tops area. This local based monitoring helps to fill gaps in data and informs the conservation and management decisions of the park. You will be taught how to capture this information in an innovative app called “CyberTracker”.
Camping:
Campground has been booked out for event participants – and camping is free. You are welcome to come up the night before or to stay the night after the activity to help manage fatigue and to give you more time to enjoy the Barrington Tops National Park.
The campgrounds are basic with a pit/drop toilet, gas BBQs and picnic tables. The site is designed for ‘camp beside your vehicle’.
Requirements: A medium level of fitness is required. Participants must be fully vaccinated for these events and must present a certificate to the supervisor on site. We do not hold copies of vaccination certificates.
For more information/Book your place 7/8 April...
For more information/Book your place 9/10 April...
|
|
|
Koala talk and tree planting at Gir-um-bit State Conservation Area
When: Saturday 9 April 9AM - 12 PM
Where: Gir-um-bit State Conservation Area. Meet at Cnr Tanilba Ave and Lloyd George Gr, Tanilba Bay
Cost: FREE
We need your help to create more koala habitat on the previous sand mined site.
Join Tilligerry Landcare and NPWS at the Gate- corner of Tanilba Ave and Lloyd George Grove, Tanilba Bay.
- 9am - Talk by Carmel Northwood of Port Stephens Koalas and Econetwork.
- 9:20 - Tree planting at Gir-um-bit State Conservation Area.
- Finish by 12pm
**suitable for all ages
Book your place...
For more information...
|
|
|
Gala Dinner Fundraiser (& Squirrel Glider Art Exhibition!)
When: Saturday 28 May 5PM
Where: St John's Anglican Church,1B Parry St Cooks Hill
Cost: $100
To our friends, supporters and collaborators: it's with great joy that we invite you to the Hunter Community Environment Centre's Gala Dinner fundraiser - our first since 2019!
The Gala will feature four courses lovingly prepared, live music acts, an art exhibition and auction of works by local visual artists of the Squirrel glider - a threatened species we're working to support this year.
This fundraiser comes amid a busy year for the environment centre, with our work focused on cleaning up the environmental impacts of coal power in NSW and in Lake Macquarie continuing, and new projects for biodiversity and threatened species habitat emerging.
After numerous postponements, we look forward to finally being able to commune, in person over good food and in good company at the gala.
|
|
Our Gala Dinner fundraiser for 2022 will play host to this exhibition and auction of gorgeous works including paintings, drawings and photography by local artists of Squirrel Gliders - a threatened species which has underpinned the environment centre’s recent work on biodiversity conservation in the Hunter.
We are still accepting art work entries into the Squirrel Glider show! By donating a work, you'll be supporting the environment to raise both funds and awareness to support our work across 2022.
We strongly encourage submissions of works of or about the Squirrel Glider, but this isn't a condition of participation in the show and we look forward to seeing your landscapes, and all manner of flora & fauna and any creative response to the themes of nature/environmentalism/ecology.
Book your place...
For more information/Enter your artwork...
|
|
|
|
Looking for something to do these school holidays? Hunter Region Botanic Gardens are excited to bring back Nocturnal Tours suitable for the whole family with expert John Simpson.
This tour is $25 per person or use your NSW Discover Voucher. BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL. Please phone 4987 1655 to book.
|
|
Critical Minerals
When: Tuesday 26 April 5:30pm
Where: Upstairs at Gallipoli Legion Club, 3-5 Beaumont Street, Hamilton and ONLINE
Cost: FREE
Critical minerals is a commonly used phrase. But which minerals are critical and why? Learn how
certain minerals will aid our transition from non-renewable to renewable energy, support our hightech
lifestyles, and enable food and water security. The talk will cover the definition of critical
minerals, their use in our everyday life and renewable energy, how and where these minerals form,
recycling and reprocessing, and examine the challenges of global supply and demand.
Phil Gilmore is a geoscientist with over 25 years of experience and expertise in geological mapping
and geodynamics, mineral systems and exploration, outreach and geotourism.
The AGM of the GSA's Hunter Valley Branch will follow at 7pm
Book your place...
|
|
|
|
National Schools Poster Competition
National Schools Poster Competition 2022 (+ Community Division) is ON !
The Statistical Society of Australia’s National Schools Poster Competition (NSPC) returns for its 9th year !
- “Data is the sword, those who wield it the Samurai” – developing the future STEM workforce.
Statistics + X: what’s your X?
- The NSPC is a fun, project-based learning activity which encourages Stages 2 to 6 school students to develop, implement and creatively report upon an investigation on any topic of interest to them (the 'X')... for prizes!
- Students conduct small-scale versions of real-world investigations in teams, developing core STEM and cross-functional skills. They create an informative e-poster presentation communicating their investigation clearly, concisely and creatively and submit within one of the five divisions (Stages 2 – 6).
A Community Division (for families, friends, colleagues) also exists – why should kids get all the fun!
TIPS and NOTES:
1. The www.ssapostercomp.info website provides past winning and honourable mention submissions with feedback, and many free supporting resources (e.g., animated videos on intro statistics including visual techniques and analyses, short videos of Australian experts re statistics in practice, software for analyses, a file highlighting how the NSPC maps to and supports the national curriculum, etc).
2. In addition to the five Division winners and honourable mentions (Stages 2 to 6) prizes are also awarded to:
- The School submitting the most entries
- A randomly selected winner in National Science Week (August) based on submissions made by 10 August (so consider entering early)!
3. Whilst the focus is engaging students and developing their interests and abilities, this year’s Stage 5 and Stage 6 winners may also be forwarded to an international leg of the competition (which Australia has won in the past).
4. Interested in further discovering how accessible statistics can be, or possibly improving your investigations or knowledge of statistics? The e-textbook ‘Business Statistics in Australia: Methods and Applications’ is now available for $30 from https://payhip.com/b/pF1D, along with a sample chapter to preview.
5. Submissions are due by 10 November
Please inform friends, family, schools and anyone who’ll listen about the NSPC! Happy investigating!
We welcome early online registrations and (even rough) estimated submission numbers to assist with administration, and so you receive updates – www.ssapostercomp.info.
|
|
|
|
|
Presentation about Richmond Vale Rail Trail (RVRT, Hunter Valley, NSW) - March 21st 2022
|
|
|
27/03/2022
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Ph: +61 (0)2 4921 7037 | Email
CRICOS Provide 00109J |
|
|
|
|
