Welcome to this winter edition of Corangamite Landcare News. The chilly weather has certainly descended on the region this week! We hope you find some useful information in this newsletter. If you have any resources or events you think would be of interest to fellow Landcarers, please get in touch with us and we will look to include your suggestions in future newsletters.
Corangamite Community Engagement Network - Call for EOIs
The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority are looking for passionate locals to join the Corangamite Community Engagement Network (CEN) who want to learn about and get involved in natural resource management in the Corangamite region. Membership isn’t strenuous, successful applicants will join for a three year term and be expected to attend two half day forums each year. These forums will be an opportunity to exchange views, network, and learn more about complex waterway issues, such as floodplain and estuary management, river health restoration, long term monitoring and research, and threatened species protection.
Applications close on the 27th June, and applicates will be notified in early August as to the outcome of their nomination. If you have any questions about the network and what being a member involves please contact Amy Leith on 0418 149 068 or amy.leith@ccma.vic.gov.au
The Victorian Gorse Taskforce’s small community grants closing date has been extended until 24 June 2022.
Eligible Small Grant projects can attract up to $5,000 in funding. Funding is available for gorse control on private land only through community groups e.g. Landcare or Friends of Groups. Private landholders groups of two or more may also apply. For more information visit: Community Grants - Victorian Gorse Taskforce (vicgorsetaskforce.com.au)
Emerging Stronger Grants - Volunteering
The Victorian Government is set to provide $1 million in grants to support local partnerships and innovation projects to re-engage volunteers, broaden the volunteer base, and strengthen volunteering in local communities.
The Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP) is providing community groups and organisations with the opportunity to apply for grants to manage serrated tussock. The grants aim to support community groups and organisations build their capacity to achieve long term voluntary management of serrated tussock.
Grants of up to $5,000 (GST excluded) are available to deliver a project which meets the priorities and criteria outlined in these guidelines below. The grants promote collaboration between community groups, local Municipalities and the VSTWP in the best practice management of serrated tussock.
Gallagher Landcare Electric Fencing Grants – now open
A total pool of $132,000 (ex-GST) of support is available for up to 16 groups or individuals to receive a grant. At least four grants will be provided specifically for farm dam restoration projects. Eligible applicants are invited to apply for an individual electric fencing project grant valued at up to $8,000 (ex-GST) for fencing materials and cash to support projects – with costs to be determined in consultation with their local Gallagher Territory Manager.
The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) have recently uploaded two online resources full of information, strategies and assets on natural resource management.
One platform holds the newly published Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS), providing a blue-print for the Corangamite region’s environment in years to come. There is a RCS Summary document available here.
Our other platform is the Corangamite CMA Knowledge Base, a self-service collection of resources that provides information on waterways, biodiversity, soil health and more with an E-Library containing information on research and strategies. You can find a fact sheet for the Knowledge Base and E-Library here.
Feel free to share these platforms with anyone who you think would be interested. If you have any questions about the RCS or Knowledge Base, please get in touch.
Marine and Coastal Strategy Released The Victorian Government has released the Marine and Coastal Strategy 2022. It will support sustainable use and improve how we manage the health of the marine and coastal environment. The strategy and additional information are now available online: Marine and Coastal Strategy (marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au)
Greening Australia Landholder Support If you are looking to achieve financial, productivity and environmental benefits by improving the health of your land, Greening Australia can help. Revegetation could be in the form of shelterbelts, farm productivity, habitat restoration and more. Registered your interest: Landholder Registration - Greening Australia - Greening Australia
Virtual Citizen Science Guide - Video Bellarine Catchment Network has recently launched a new video on ‘Virtual Citizen Science’, a brief look into the citizen science apps ‘iNaturalist’, ‘FeralScan’ and ‘ClimateWatch’ and how almost anybody can use them, almost anywhere. This video was filmed by Remember The Wild and is supported by Coastcare Victoria and the Victorian Government. This video may be a useful introduction to get started using these apps and consider how you might use them in your local region.
Webinar recording: Protecting Australia's Ecosystems The Atlas of Living Australia recently delivered a webinar Protecting Australia's Ecosystems: novel approaches to biosecurity management. Three presenters talk about their efforts to predict, locate, and eradicate high-impact invasive species before they become established, a crucial step in protecting our precious ecosystems.
Training and events
Journey on Wadawurrung Country Exhibition Closing 5th June! Drysdale Bellarine Landcare Group presents this free exhibition at the Potato Shed in Drysdale. Journey on Wadawurrung Country is a cultural exploration of our local Aboriginal people and their stories through artistic practice. More information: Journey on Wadawarrung Country - City of Greater Geelong (geelongaustralia.com.au)
From Little Creeks to Biolinks Monday 6th June, 7.30pm
Mount Clear, Ballarat
The Bunanyung Landscape Alliance has developed two exciting new strategies they'd like to share: the Goldfields Little Creeks Restoration Strategy and the Enfield and Wombat Forest Biolink Strategy. This community forum will talk about actions that have happened and what is possible.
Register here: From Little Creeks to Biolinks Tickets, Mon 06/06/2022 at 7:30 pm | Eventbrite
Or watch via live stream on Facebook
Biodiversity loss - a global crisis Tuesday 7th June, 6pm Livestream (or in person at Parkville)
While climate change is considered the great crisis of our age, the rapid loss of species and the rapid degradation of ecosystems may be as great a threat to humanity as a warming planet. So why is there a biodiversity crisis? Is there anything we can do about it?
The University of Melbourne presents this seminar of a panel of experts representing a range of perspectives of Biodiversity and to discuss the pending crisis through the lens of Bioscience, Indigenous culture and history, and zoology.
Book for: Online broadcast or the in person event.
Soil Health workshops with Dr Christine Jones A deep dive into activating biological pathways to improve soil structure, nutrient status, and moisture retention. 3 dates available - morning tea and lunch provided, cost $30 to cover catering and venues.
Activating soil health in mixed species crops and pastures Thurs 16 June, Irrewillipe Hall, Irrewillipe
Bookings Andy Gray: andygray@coln.org.au
Includes a summary by Kim Deans of the Activating Soil Biology Project
Healthy soils, pastures and livestock workshop Wed 22 June 2022, 8.30-12.30pm followed by lunch @ Murdeduke Angus - 730 Cressy Road, Winchelsea
‘Pasture Paramedic’ tool demonstration in the paddock - Lisa Miller, Southern Farming Systems,
Cover cropping in south west Victoria - Annieka Paridaen, Premier Ag; plus panel discussion with local producers Ann and Rob Bullen and Will Dexter; facilitated by Simon Falkiner
Pasture cropping workshops with Colin Sies Tues 19 July 2022 event hosted by Lismore Land Protection Group, contact: alicia.lismorelpg@gmail.com Wed 20 July 2022 event hosted by Upper Barwon Landcare Network @ the Stewart families property, Yan Yan Gurt West, contact: andrea.upperbarwonlandcare@gmail.com
The Wetland Plant Identification and Ecology Course 2022 Commencing December 2022
This course is for anyone interested in wetland plant identification and wetland ecology.
The course is run on 3 separate days from December 2022 to April 2023 to allow participants to observe the changing seasons and water depths of the stunning Reedy Lagoon, Gunbower Island over a 5-month period. Each of the 3 days will focus on a different wetland habitat (wetting and drying) and associated plant community.
To find our more or register click here www.trybooking.com/BZOLM
Awards and surveys
Volunteering in Australia Survey for Organisations Closing 14 June 2022 The Volunteering in Australia organisation survey is an historic opportunity to capture the current state of volunteering, map trends, and consider how volunteering may evolve into the future.
If you are a Manager or Coordinator of Volunteers, Program Leader, CEO, or otherwise represent an organisation or group involving volunteers, you are invited to have your say on the future of volunteering. By participating in the survey, you will help build the most comprehensive understanding of volunteering in Australia’s history.
Volunteering Australia has partnered with Curtin University, Griffith University, and the University of Western Australia to undertake this landmark research. The findings of this research will inform the development of the National Strategy for Volunteering, which will provide a blueprint for a reimagined future for volunteering in Australia.
Landcare Victoria Survey Closing 14 June 2022 Landcare Victoria Inc. is surveying the Landcare community to gather information about how the Victorian Landcare Gateway website is being used and if there are any areas for improvement.
Your responses will assist the Victorian Landcare Program team at DELWP and Landcare Victoria make a plan for the future of the website, as we want to ensure Landcare digital channels best meet the needs of our Landcare community.
The survey should take less than 5 minutes of your time and your feedback will be greatly appreciated: Complete the survey here.
The Regional Landcare and Volunteer Coordinator works with Landcare groups and networks to share information, develop promotional materials, discuss challenges and make regional decisions to achieve positive results. This position works to meet key priorities of the Victorian Landcare Program and Corangamite Landcare Support Plan. Email:stephanie.rosestone@ccma.vic.gov.au
The RALF supports farmers, industry and community groups to adopt new and innovative sustainable agriculture practices. Establishing and building partnerships with these key groups is central to the RALF role. The RALF supports the delivery of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program sustainable agriculture outcomes. Email: karen.okeefe@ccma.vic.gov.au
