Workshops, Field Days and Courses
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Collecting seed from native plants - Sunday 29th November:
11:30 am - 2:30 pm, sites forwarded to ticketholders. Horticulturalist Fleur Stelling will lead this practical workshop at two local properties to locate, identify and collect seed from local native plants. Join volunteers from Our Native Garden Nursery as we get to know the local native species that are producing seeds right now, and learn the best techniques to save viable seed. The ONG team will be growing plants from the seed collected today.
Fleur has been working with native plants for more than 30 years and is the author of the original NE Revegetation Guide.
BYO picnic lunch. Please wear a hat, covered in shoes and long pants, respect the current Covid rules and bring sunscreen and water bottles.
Free event. Limited numbers. Please book via Eventbrite – click here
Presented by Our Native Garden Nursery and Wodonga Landcare, with the generous support of the Victorian Government
Regenerative and Indigenous Agriculture – Wednesday 2nd December
5-9.15pm, Corowa RSL Club, 30 Betterment Pde, Corowa. Join Corowa District Landcare for an evening with Dr Charles Massy to learn about the big picture of regenerative agriculture in Australia. Massy is a Monaro woolgrower, a scientist and a renowned author with his classic book ‘The Australian Merino: The Story of a Nation’ and more recently ‘Call of the Reed Warbler: A New Agriculture, a New Earth’. Massey will share his story and years of work looking at how farmers are restoring landscapes and communities through regenerative farming. You will also hear from local farmers about their transition to regenerative practices.
This is a free event (including meal), though booking is essential. Lucky door prizes include a signed copy of Dr Massy’s book. Please RSVP by Sunday November 29th here - capacity is limited. For more information on Corowa District Landcare please see here.
Adapting to Drought through Regenerative Agriculture – Thursday 3rd December
5-9.15pm, Urana Bowling Club, 18-20 William St, Urana. Join Corowa District Landcare for an evening with Dr Charles Massy to learn about the big picture of regenerative agriculture in Australia. Massy is a Monaro woolgrower, a scientist and a renowned author with his classic book ‘The Australian Merino: The Story of a Nation’ and more recently ‘Call of the Reed Warbler: A New Agriculture, a New Earth’. Massey will share his story and years of work looking at how farmers are restoring landscapes and communities through regenerative farming. You will also hear from local farmers about their transition to regenerative practices and Murray LLS with an update on stock health.
This is a free event (including meal), though booking is essential. Lucky Door Prices include two signed copy of Dr Massy’s book. Please RSVP by Sunday November 29th here - capacity is limited. For more information on Corowa District Landcare please see here.
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Opportunities to be Involved
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Want to work in Landcare? Applications now open – Landcare Facilitator Wodonga
The Wodonga Urban Landcare Network is seeking a part-time Landcare Facilitator, commencing 18th January 2021. This position is offered as Part Time (18 hours per week) for a period of up to six months (January – June 2021). An extension is possible, depending on the organisation successfully sourcing additional funding. Any extension of employment will, however, be subject to performance & availability of ongoing funding.
WULN supports, inspires & brings together a network of active members who work effectively & cooperatively with all stakeholders to enhance & protect the environment within the boundaries of the municipality of Wodonga. Please see more about WULN and our programs on our website, our WULN, Gardens for Wildlife and Local education Network for Sustainability Facebook pages.
Facilitator’s Primary Roles:
- Provide support & coordination to assist WULN in its strategic endeavours;
- Facilitate opportunities for collaborative on-ground environmental works;
- Support WULN to establish & maintain strong relationships within the Network & with strategic partners;
- Enhance capacities of members and community to be actively involved in natural resource management activities;
- Support & supervise project staff;
- Actively promote WULN & its activities.
The Successful Applicant Must Have:
- A tertiary qualification related to Natural Resource Management or Community
- Development or demonstrate relevant experience & success.
- Experience in budgeting
- Project & contract management experience.
- Experience & ability to work with project teams in planning & implementing activities
- Governance experience.
Email: secretary@wodongalandcare.org.au for an Application Pack.
Phone: WULN on 0438 690 271 for further information.
Applications Close: 9a.m. Monday 7 December 2020.
Borderville Circus Festival: Endangered Species – 3rd-5th December + 9th-12th December
Various, Wonga Wetlands, 2377 Riverina Hwy, Splitters Creek. Wild children are becoming an endangered species! Natural habitats are making way for urban development, having a significant impact on the populations and habitats of the wild children. Deep in Albury’s Wonga Wetlands in a unique and highly secretive child led conservation effort, the Flying Fruit Fly Circus has established a sanctuary which provides a natural environment for wild children to live and play in their natural state. For a few days only the gates of the sanctuary will be opened so that the general public can observe these beautiful wild creatures in their natural habitat. The Flying Fruit Flies’ passionate team of conservationists deliver a child encounter like no other. In small parties you will be escorted by trained and enthusiastic 9 and 10-year-old tour guides who know exactly where to look and what to look for.
Tours run at 5.40pm, 6.00pm, 6.20pm, 6.40pm (only 20 people per tour, tours lasts approx. 1 hour). Ticket prices are Full – $15.50, Child (12yrs or under) – $10.50, Children 3yrs and under attend free (companion card's are accepted). To book please see here. The Flying Fruit Fly Circus is a registered Covid-Safe business with the NSW Government. This event will be delivered within strict Covid-safe guidelines.
This is a moving tour using existing tracks at Wonga Wetlands. Audiences will be walking and standing for the length of the performance. It is wheelchair accessible. If you have any additional access requirements, please get in touch with The Flying Fruit Fly Circus on 02 6043 0777 and they will do their best to support your attendance.
G4W Go Wild Art Exhibition – closes Friday 4th December
Open hours, Kidspace, Albury LibraryMuseum, 540 Kiewa St, Albury. This free exhibition features 250 artworks of native animals in garden settings, created by Albury-Wodonga school children aged 5-18 years. Come along and see the local talent!
Brought to you by Wodonga Urban Landcare Network with the generous support of AlburyCity.
Friends of Willow Park Community Gardening & AGM – Friday 4th December
8.30-10.15am, Willlow Park, Wodonga. Join Friends of Willow Park for a morning of Community Gardening, a cuppa and their AGM (starts at 9.15am). 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 BBQ area off Pearce St. 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 or take a look at their facebook page here.
Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Xmas Break-Up – Sunday 6th December
4-8pm, Chiltern Mt Pilot NP. Come along for a shared picnic dinner in the Park and reminisce about all the work that’s been done over the year! The details will be on our Facebook page here or you can call Mick Webster on 0429017229 to find out more. More information on the Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park can be found here.
North East Regional Sustainability Alliance (NERSA) meeting – Tuesday 8th December
10am-11am, Zoom meeting. The North East Regional Sustainability Alliance (NERSA) is a network of community sustainability groups which acts collaboratively with communities, agencies and organisations across the region. Meetings are held every two months in Beechworth (usually). Anyone is welcome to attend. For more information please see here.
This meeting will be held via Zoom or possibly at a venue to be decided. Check Ecoportal here for updates closer to the time. If the meeting is to be held via Zoom, please contact Rowan O’Hagan to be advised of the link at rowanohagan@bigpond.com
Felltimber Waterway Wander – Wednesday 9th December:
3-6pm. Wander down and join Wodonga Landcarers at the Felltimber Creek restoration project site, downstream of the bridge on Felltimber Creek Road, for an afternoon of inspiring information walks and activities featuring waterway health. This is an opportunity to learn more about protecting and restoring local waterways with guest presenters, displays and family friendly activities. Please remember to bring your mask and maintain social distancing, be respectful of local residents and park appropriately. For more information contact sophie@wodongalandcare.org.au
A Portrait of Australia: Stories through the lens of Australian Geographic – 19th December - 1st May 2021
Open hours, Lavington Library, Northpoint Tower, Griffith Road, Lavington. This exhibition celebrates the bush, outback, the coast, and the people who live there. Featuring stunning photographic images from the Australian Geographic archive, it will transport you to some of the most rugged and remote parts of the country where you will discover the remarkable stories of ordinary Australians. Entry is free.
A travelling exhibition from the National Museum of Australia developed in collaboration with Australian Geographic. Photographs by Colin Beard.
Global Online Waggle Dance Challenge – closes 31st December
Looking for something alittle different? The Wheen Bee Foundation Global Online Waggle Dance Challenge is a fun activity that promotes interest in honey bees. The dance mimics the extraordinary way honey bees communicate and celebrates bees’ crucial role in pollination and food security.
The Global Online Waggle Dance challenge has been designed to allow people to unite from anywhere in the world from the safety of their own home so that they can become part of this global celebration. The goal is to have 20,000 waggle dance videos uploaded, from 20 countries in 2020, to represent the 20,000 species of bees that exist globally. Getting involved is easy:
- Register now (its free)
- Learn the Dance
- Upload your video. You will receive the link after registration, to upload your performance of the Waggle Dance. If you would like your performance to be a part of the 2020 final compilation video being produced for release in January 2021, please submit by 10pm AEST 31st December 2020. Take a look at the full instructions here for more information on getting involved.
Bethany Thornber: Thylaseen – Exhibition on Display until February 2021
MAMA Roller door, 546 Dean Street, Albury. Free. In a brand new commission, Wiradjuri artist Bethany Thornber has created a large scale installation for MAMA's roller door.
Bethany communicates boldly through colour and a unique symbolic visual language. Her practice queries the selection of environmental areas for protection, the idea of sacredness and our shared responsibility in maintaining natural and cultural places.
The thylacine often features in her work, drawing from the sacred Yeddonba site in Chiltern - Mt Pilot National Park. This cultural site holds an ochre painting of a thylacine, sometimes referred to as the Tasmanian Tiger. It is estimated that the last thylacine walked on the mainland over two thousand years ago. For more information please see here.
Earth Canvas Exhibition – closes 7th February 2021
Open hours, Albury LibraryMuseum, 540 Kiewa St, Albury. The Earth Canvas exhibition displays works by leading contemporary artists, developed in response to regenerative farming properties situated between the Murray and Murrumbidgee rivers in southern NSW. Looking beyond limiting the impact of industrial agriculture, these farmers actively work to rehabilitate the land and nurture healthy ecosystems. Inspired by their immersive contact with both the farmer and the landscape, the artists reveal a mutual creativity, appreciation and understanding of the natural forces that sustain us.
Featuring works by Rosalind Atkins, Jenny Bell, Jo Davenport, Janet Laurence, Tony Nott, Idris Murphy and John Wolseley, entry is free. For more information please see here.
Our Native Garden Nursery Seed Collect Volunteers Needed
Our Native Garden Nursery are seeking a band of willing volunteers to join their seed collecting team. See more information on what’s involved with seed collection here and here. If you’re interested, please contact Our Native Garden on 0418 579331 or at ongnursery@gmail.com
Parklands Local Clean Up Help Needed
If you would like to be more active in caring for the parks and reserves you enjoy regularly, Parklands would welcome local help. This is the first spring / summer in over two decades where many of their volunteer partner organisations have been unable to volunteer due to Covid19 restrictions. This includes the weekly rubbish runs to keep our popular waterways and swimming holes safe and clean.
Parklands can supply reusable Clean Up Australia hessian bags for anyone happy to help with regular monitoring and rubbish removal from your favourite reserve or swimming hole. Please contact one of the Parklands Rangers on 60 236 714, or info@parklands-alburywodonga.org.au
National Landcare Conference – August 2021
Sydney. The conference will now be held during 2021 Landcare Week – Wednesday 4 to Friday 6 August 2021 at the International Convention Centre Sydney including the National Landcare Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 5 August. For more information visit the Landcare Australia website
Walk the regional bush tracks and trails with the Border Bushwalking Club
Or, with the Murray Valley Bushwalkers
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Wettenhall Environment Trust – Small Environmental Grant Scheme Opens 1st October
Applications open for the November round of grants on October 1st. Eligible projects include projects across Australia that address threatened mammal conservation, citizen science projects; and increasing a group's capacity to do more to save our native flora and fauna. Projects should involve any of the following:
- Monitoring, recording and sharing data
- Delivering community education
- Providing community capacity building (e.g. training), and
- Research and science.
To find out more please see here.
Indigenous Fire and Land Management Workshops – Applications close 10th December
This $2 million program will support the delivery of workshops to strengthen traditional knowledge and build wider understanding of Indigenous fire and land management practices. This program is available Australia wide to Traditional Owners, Indigenous organisations and Indigenous enterprises.
Grants of between $20,000 and $200,000 are available, maximum of one application per organisation for this grant opportunity. For full grant guidelines and application criteria please see here.
Environment Restoration Fund - Safe Havens Grants – closes 11th January 2021
The Environment Restoration Fund - Safe Havens grant opportunity supports the creation of new or expanded safe havens for priority threatened mammals and other threatened species. Safe havens are areas where invasive predators such as feral cats and foxes, have been permanently removed from fenced areas and islands to provide long term protection for native wildlife. The objective of this program is to reduce extinction risk to nationally listed threatened species through strategic expansion of the safe haven network. Grants from $500,000 up to $1.8 million, covering up to 100% of eligible project expenditure, are available for projects that are completed by 31 May 2023.
To read the full grant opportunity guidelines, eligibility criteria, sample grant documents and to apply please see here.
Volunteering Innovation Fund
The Victorian Government has an exciting new opportunity to inspire ideas and encourage innovation by funding community-led projects that consider new ways of volunteering in and for the environment. Launching in Spring 2020, there will be multiple competitive funding rounds between 2020 and 2023, with funding up to $20,000 or $50,000 available per project.
This $2 million investment is part of the Victoria’s Great Outdoors program, to encourage innovation, inspire more Victorians to volunteer for nature, and attract a greater diversity of people volunteering in parks and forests. See more here
Bushfire Recovery Victoria
The Victorian Government has established Bushfire Recovery Victoria (BRV) as a new permanent agency dedicated to assisting Victorian communities recover from the effects of bushfires. BRV has a wide range of programs and initiatives available to assist communities and organisations. Details of these programs and initiatives can be found here.
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
Recreational Fishing Grants
Small Grants (up to $5000) are 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/
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Give Feedback, Comment or Nominate
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Survey - Adapting to Climate Change in our own Back Yards
Parklands Albury Wodonga works with local residents, volunteers and community organisations to manage many of the natural bush parks on the interface between the urban and the rural in our region. We are already seeing the impact of climate changes in our bush parks with increased temperature stresses on plants and wildlife, increased storm damage and flooding causing erosion. We know that nature really needs our help now to ensure the survival of many of our local iconic species.
We want to work with the community to take positive action, and seek your help to plan things we can do together to help nature adapt and thrive in the face of climate changes. Please click here to take our short survey.
Belvoir and Willow Park Masterplans
Wodonga Council recently received planning funding to update the Belvoir and Willow Park Masterplan including the House Creek cycle link, via the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.
The Belvoir and Willow Park Masterplan Project plan is to develop an overarching approach and plan to the use and development of Wodonga’s two main public open spaces. These plans will consider a range of recreation and leisure needs for the city including all ages play and fitness equipment, walking, running, biking, and cycling, and both formal and informal sports.
As part of this project council will engage a consultant to engage with key user groups and stakeholders, create concept plans and develop an implementation plan.
It is expected that the project will commence in early 2021, and all key stakeholders will be advised when the consultation dates are confirmed. For more information feel free to contact the Sport and Recreation team at Wodonga Council at recreation@wodonga.vic.gov.au or phone 6022 9300.
Wodonga Council Australia Day Awards – Nominations close 1st December
Nominations are now open for this year’s Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Organisation of the Year. The winner of these prestigious awards will display a significant contribution to the Wodonga community and/or outstanding achievements considered appropriate by the council. Nominations can be made online or by a hard-copy form. For more information or to make a nomination please see the Wodonga Council website here.
Murray–Darling Basin Community Committee – closes 3rd December
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority is seeking expressions of interest from members of the community for appointment of a Chair and members of the Basin Community Committee for a three-year term commencing September 2021.
Members are selected based on their expertise or interest in water use, water management, Indigenous, environment and local government matters.
The 17-member Basin Community Committee provides advice to Basin governments and the MDBA and provides a community perspective on a wide range of water resource, environmental, cultural and socioeconomic matters. Members are key local contacts for the Authority and report on community concerns and issues around the Basin.
To view member or chair position descriptions and to apply please see here. For further information about the positions and application process, please contact Ms Alex Anthony, Director, Engagement at BCC.secretariat@mdba.gov.au or on (02) 6279 0790.
North East Regional Catchment Strategy Input
North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA) are seeking your input over the next few months, as they continue to develop the North East Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS). They want to understand what you value about the North East Victoria’s rivers, landscapes and biodiversity and your vision for the region. The RCS considers what drives change, how people and place are entwined and guides planning and investment for the region’s land, water and biodiversity for the next six years. It will consider how the region can deal with unexpected events, such as bushfires, flooding and COVID-19, that bring both challenges and opportunities.
Individuals and community groups will have many opportunities to provide input over the next couple of months. They include attending a Regional Catchment Strategy online community workshop; completing an online survey here; entering the “my favourite place competition”; commenting on work completed; and attending an online drop-in session to ask questions.
Do you have a favourite place within the North East Victoria? Now is your opportunity to tell NECMA about it and maybe win a prize in the “My favourite place” competition, for more information please see here.
‘My favourite Place 4 Students’ Competition – closes 4th December
Here’s your chance to tell NECMA about a favourite place in nature, near where you live. Open to primary and secondary students, you can write a story, take a photo, draw a picture or pen a poem to tell them where your favourite local place in nature is, why it is special to you and how old you are. Winning entries will win a $30 gift voucher at a local bookshop.
Entries close Friday 4 December 2020. Please include an adult's phone number and email contact to be in the running for a prize. Email entries to necma@necma.vic.gov.au
Entries from the competition will be used understand what natural values are important to young people in North East Victoria. This will help inform the update of the North East Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS), an important planning document for natural resources in the region.
For more information on the North East Regional Catchment Strategy please see here.
AlburyCity Climate Change Adaptation Survey – closes 4th December
AburyCity are preparing for the future impacts of climate change. Whilst they are already implementing a number of initiatives that reduce our contribution to climate change, evidence suggests that some level of climate change will occur regardless of the success of current initiatives.
They are seeking your feedback to develop their approach to managing the impact of climate change on their operations and assets. This will be formalised in a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, which will guide the Council’s approach over the next four years.
They want to hear you feedback and ideas to help them develop a strategy to manage the impacts of climate change so that they can continue delivering projects that meet the needs of our community for years to come. To take the short survey please see here.
Tackling Transport Emissions: Community Panel – EOI closes 11th December
How do we move away from petrol- and diesel-powered cars? Join a community panel of 450 Victorians which will work together to provide Infrastructure Victoria with views, experiences and insights to achieve low and zero emissions from private vehicles. Infrastructure Victoria is inviting 450 Victorians to get involved in a series of activities between 25 January and 19 February 2021, to explore how we should make the move to low or zero emission vehicles.
The panel will work together to respond to the question: “Victoria will not reach its emissions reduction targets with continued reliance on petrol and diesel vehicles. How should the Victorian Government support more people to adopt low or zero emissions vehicles sooner?”
They are looking for a diverse group of Victorians who are broadly representative of the Victorian population, no subject knowledge is required to participate. Participants need to commit approximately a total of 15 hours during the engagement period (25 January and 19 February 2021). This will involve attending webinars, discussions with your fellow panel members and completing some activities and reading in your own time. All activities will be conducted online. For more information, or to complete an expression of interest form please see here.
Victorian Youth Strategy – Consultation closes 14th December
Victoria are developing a new youth strategy to 'make our state the best place for young people'. They are seeking input from young people, cross-sector organisations and the broader community. You can be involved by:
- Completing an online survey (one for young people here, one for those interested in issues affecting young people here)
- Making a written submission (to read the discussion paper and further information please see here)
- Participating in a youth or community forum to be hosted online (find out more information here)
- Share what you would do if you were Premier for a day (at the bottom here)
If you have any questions or want to learn more about this project, please contact youth@dpc.vic.gov.au
Victorian Volunteer Strategy – closes 31st December
The Victorian Government has committed to develop and implement a Volunteer Strategy to support and enhance volunteerism in Victoria. They have developed two surveys to capture insights from different groups with an interest in volunteering. Both surveys will help them to better understand the current state of volunteering in Victoria - from a community and volunteer sector perspective - and will be used to inform the development of the Volunteer Strategy. You can complete one or both surveys:
- Community life and volunteering: Please answer this survey if you are a member of the Victorian public and have an interest in volunteering, regardless of whether you have volunteered or not.
- Volunteering leadership and support: Please answer this survey if you wish to give us feedback about how volunteering can be supported and strengthened into the future.
For more information on the Victorian Volunteer Strategy consultation please see here, or contact volunteer.strategy@dhhs.vic.gov.au
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.
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Resources and Inspiration
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International Mountain Day – Wednesday 11th December
Around one billion people live in mountain areas, and over half the human population depends on mountains for water, food and clean energy. Yet mountains are under threat from climate change, land degradation, over exploitation and natural disasters, with potentially far-reaching and devastating consequences, both for mountain communities and the rest of the world. The theme for International Mountain Day 2020 is mountain biodiversity, so let's celebrate their rich biodiversity, as well as address the threats they face. More information can be found here.
Albury Wodonga Garden Guide
The Wodonga Urban Landcare Network, in partnership with AlburyCity and Wodonga Council are very pleased to present the revised and updated Albury-Wodonga Garden Guide. Developed by a dedicated group of local garden and habitat experts, the Guide has been designed to provide you with local information and inspiration to create a beautiful garden that protects our environment and creates habitat for native birds and animals. It focuses on sustainable garden design using native plants that grow well in this region, with lots of options and tips for both new and experienced gardeners.
Download your copy here or pick up a hard copy from Council offices or at a Wodonga Urban Landcare Network event.
Positive Sign from Squirrel Glider Data
In some positive news, threatened squirrel gliders have been found in a quarter of sites in Wodonga as part of the Albury Conservation Company's first round of monitoring for endangered wildlife. Native tree dwelling mammals, such as squirrel gliders, brush-tailed phascogales and the Spotted Quoll, were the focus of monitoring across 48 sites in Wodonga's main urban growth corridors of Leneva and Baranduda, with the squirrel gliders being found at 27.08 per cent of sites. Go to the Wodonga Council webpage here to read more on this story.
A Different Pick up Line
Highlighted by Parklands staff in this recent article, fishing line may not be the first hazard people would associate with working in our regional parks, but it is an increasing problem for Parklands Rangers working near our waterways. Tangling around moving machine parts to the point of causing seizure and breakdown, discarded fishing line often causes problems with Parklands mowers, and other machinery, and potentially causing injury.
Waterfowl, platypus, rakali and turtles easily become entangled in discarded line when swimming and diving, suffering severe injury as they struggle to free themselves or dying a cruel death by starvation. Birds sometimes use fishing line as nesting material, which can lead to entanglement of both the parents and chicks. The problem is widespread, with untold numbers of animals injured or killed each year.
Fishing line takes about 600 years to break down and is not locally recyclable. Old line - even small pieces and certainly tangles of line – needs to be put in a covered general waste bin. Ideally, it should be cut into pieces less than 6 inches long to prevent further injury down the line.
You can help by picking up and disposing of discarded fishing line properly if you see it on your travels into our beautiful parks, tracks and foreshores - before it becomes deadly. Thanks for helping!
New Off-Leash Dog Parks in Wodonga
Following community feedback over the last 12 months, all dogs must be on a leash in public areas from October 23, 2020, with a list of newly designated off-leash areas now available on the council’s website here. In designated off-leash areas, owners still have a responsibility to ensure their dog is under sufficient control by voice or hand to not threaten or be a nuisance.
A survey held earlier this year found 74 per cent of people believed dogs should be on a lead in a public place and 70 per cent supported the implementation of designated off-leash areas.
There will be a transition period as the new order comes into effect with signage to be placed at the designated off-leash areas in the coming weeks. The signs include QR codes to quickly bring people to the website to see the individually mapped areas.
State of the Climate Report
Wondering how a warming climate is looking for Australia now and into the future?
The latest State of the Climate report, co-developed between the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO, shows that due to increasing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, Australia’s climate is continuing to warm, and the frequency of extreme events such as bushfires, droughts, and marine heatwaves is growing. Take a look at the full report here.
Regional Riparian Action Plan- Year 5 Achievements
The Regional Riparian Action Plan (RRAP) has now concluded, and thanks to the great efforts of CMAs and their partners, the RRAP, which was launched in late 2015, has exceeded its 5-year targets for area and length of riparian land protected and improved. Since its release in 2015, the RRAP has protected or improved:
- Nearly 3,500 kilometres of riparian land (140% of the five-year action plan target) – that’s more than the distance from Melbourne to Perth by road, and
- Over 53,000 hectares of riparian land (190% of the five-year target) – that’s more than five times the size of Phillip Island. To learn more please see here.
Biodiversity Bushfire Recovery Grants
Following last summer’s unprecedented bushfires, a total of $900,000 has been provided for 52 projects through the Victorian Government's Biodiversity Bushfire Recovery Grants program. The program will also contribute to the targets in Victoria’s Biodiversity 2037 plan – helping to stop the decline of our native plants and animals and improve our natural environment.
These grants support bushfire recovery activities for communities affected by fire in the East Gippsland, North East and Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Areas. Most projects are on-ground restoration works and will be delivered by Landcare and environmental volunteering groups and networks, and landholders. For a full list of the recipients, please see here.
SES - Get Flood Ready
The Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) North East Region is continuing to prepare and “tune in” our community for the possibility of floods this Spring. The VicSES website has a variety of resources and checklists for you to make your home or business better prepared for a flood or emergency, take a look here.
On the Subject of Ready…
With the Fire season upon us, now is the time to make or review your fire plan. Making a plan can take as little as 5 minutes, and could literally save your life.
The Victoria CFA Fire Ready Kit is a detailed and comprehensive resource. It is designed to help you plan for survival, beginning with the basics of preparing before the fire season, through to planning what to do if fire is in your area and you cannot leave. The NSW RFS has a similar guide here, that you can either fill in online or print out.
Landcare Recruiting and Engaging Volunteers Webinar
Volunteers are at the heart of Landcare. They need to be recruited and valued if Landcare is to succeed. On a recent Landcare Australia webinar, Kim Boswell talked through her method of volunteer recruitment that has been used to recruit thousands of Landcare volunteers in Victoria, and also touches on utilising volunteers in a post-Covid world. Take a look here.
CLEA – Community Learning for Environmental Action Project
Landcare Victoria’s CLEA project continues despite the limitations imposed by COVID. Project leader Ross Colliver reports: Networks are the mycorrhizal connectors of human communities. They speed up innovation, spread new practices and seed new narratives. But networks are different to hierarchies. They’re self-organising and owned by no-one. How then can you grow them and harness them? Landcare Victoria’s CLEA project is finding out how Landcare groups can work more skilfully with networks, read more here.
State of Volunteering 2020
Volunteering Victoria, in partnership with the Victorian Government has released the Victorian State of Volunteering 2020 report. The report found that there are 2.3 million (or 42.1% of) Victorians over 15 years of age who volunteer in Victoria. This includes people who volunteer formally with organisations and those that do not have an affiliation with an organisation but contribute informally to their communities. Volunteers contribute on average 223.9 hours a year or 4.3 hours every week with their fellow Victorians. You can view the State of Volunteering 2020 report here.
Reopening of Public Outdoor Spaces in Wodonga and Surrounds (VIC)
To keep up to date on restrictions in Victoria please see here.
Reopening of Public Outdoor Spaces in Albury and Surrounds (NSW)
For an up to date list of Council services and facilities currently available in Albury please see here.
SWIFFT Video Conferences
State Wide Integrated Flora and Fauna Teams (SWIFFT) have been running quarterly video conferences for over 10 years with increasing popularity. Although no further video conferences are scheduled for the year, notes from previous seminars are available. For more information please see the SWIFFT website here
CSIRO snippets
The latest ECOS and Snapshot newsletters from CSRIO have some fascinating articles covering sustainable technologies to recycle lithium ion batteries, a PhD energy scholarship opportunity, a global consortium helping accelerate the clean energy transition, sequencing the genomes of Australian plants and much more. See-https://events.csiro.au/en/Newsletters/Snapshot/November-2020
https://events.csiro.au/Newsletters/ECOS/2020-10
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 79 of the Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management magazine: Spring
This issue focuses on roadsides, rail reserves and walking trails, and features the terrific work of Parklands Albury Wodonga and the volunteer Rail Trail Action Groups restoring our very own High Country Rail Trail. Download the latest issue here.
Latest fact sheets from the Arthur Rylah Institute:
Factsheet: Revegetation in farm landscapes fact sheet 1 - What is the value of revegetation for nature conservation
Factsheet: Revegetation in farm landscapes fact sheet 2 - Practical ways to improve revegetation for birds
Factsheet: Revegetation in farm landscapes fact sheet 3 - How does it contribute to landscape restoration
Factsheet: Revegetation in farm landscapes fact sheet 4 - The value of revegetation changes over time
Factsheet: Revegetation in farm landscapes fact sheet 5 - Butterflies and revegetation
Factsheet: Revegetation in farm landscapes fact sheet 6 - Recommendations for regional and farm planning
Factsheet: Stock exclusion fencing fact sheet - Improving native vegetation
Factsheet: Stock exclusion fencing fact sheet - Monitoring native vegetation improvements
Factsheet: Revegetation monitoring fact sheet 1 - Using data to make revegetation more effective
Factsheet: Revegetation Monitoring fact sheet 2 - Outcomes of a state-wide monitoring program
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Wishing you all a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
With thanks to WULN volunteer Beck Humphries, Bulletin editor.
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