Good afternoon Regional Community of Practice friends, I am honoured to call for Expressions of Interest to the 2023 South East Local Leaders Program. This program has successfully graduated over 120 leaders working across agriculture, Landcare, the environment, recovery and resilience in South East NSW. Most recently delivered in 2021, the South East Local Leaders Program is a rural leadership development program building community, industry and government leadership capacity for resilience and sustainability. The program includes 9 days of residential workshops and online learning between 8 February and 5 May 2023. Please see the attached flyer for more information about the 2021 South East Local Leaders Program. The Expression of Interest Form can be accessed here. Applications close COB 27 January 2023. Many thanks, Marien Stark The South East Local Leaders Program is delivered by South East Local Land Services, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. Here is the FLYER for more info.
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Please come to Gegedzerick TSR (end of Gegedzerick Road) to help us peg down the final batch of guards on our climate-tested seedlings. Many guards had come off over the break and we need to pop them back on to give the plant the best chance of survival. Arrive anytime on Wednesday, 25 January, 2023 between 8.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.
Welcome to our quarterly meeting on Tuesday Feb 7th 2023 at Berridale Tennis Club. Agenda below. ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING, 7 February 2023 AGENDA Date: 7 February 2023 Time: 10.00 AM Venue: Berridale Tennis Club Chair: Margaret Mackinnon Acknowledgment of country Adopt Agenda Apologies Minutes of the Nov 22 2022 meeting Business arising Landcare Coordinator’s report Dieback Project Officer’s report Chair’s report Treasurer’s report Business: Any Other Business Next Meeting Meeting Close
You are all welcome to join our final meeting for the year this coming Thursday November 25 in Berridale. Agenda is below. PLEASE RSVP. Meeting papers will be sent to those confirming attendance. Please bring something to eat or drink. Looking forward to seeing you all. Margaret MackinnonChair, Upper Snowy Landcare Network ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING, 25 November 2021AGENDA Date: 25 November 2021Time: 3.30 PMVenue: Berridale Tennis ClubChair: Margaret Mackinnon Acknowledgment of countryAdopt AgendaApologies Minutes of the September 24 meetingBusiness arisingLandcare Coordinator’s reportDieback Project Officer’s reportChair’s reportTreasurer’s report Business: Landcare Coordinator’s SalaryStrategic Planning WorkshopTemplate for Project summaries Any Other BusinessNext Meeting Meeting Close
Dear Upper Snowy Landcarers We need your help. 1. Opportunity to participate in dieback research projectAs part of our Environmental Trust project to test methods for regeneration post-dieback, we are carrying out vegetation surveys every 3 months in 12 trial plots on Gegedzerick TSR. We are looking for volunteers willing to get involved and commit to this process over the next 2 years. This would suit people who are numerate, methodical, love data and interested in science. To begin this process, we are meeting up with Cris Brack (the scientist who first documented Monaro dieback) to flesh out the methods on Tuesday November 16. Please contact Margaret Mackinnon on [email protected]) if you are interested in helping. 2. Help with spot spraying African Lovegrass We would also like to hear from experienced weed chemical users to do a blitz spot spray for African Lovegrass on Gegedzerick TSR within the next few weeks. […]
To book your free place click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sustainable-lands-project-local-native-seed-collection-and-propagation-tickets-164239064463
To book your free place click here : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/understanding-soils-tickets-202754322637
Upper Snowy Landcare Network is delighted to host this webinar on Environmental Markets by Regen Farmers Mutual on November 2nd at 1 p.m. See below for the invitation. To join, click on the zoom registration link below. To find out more about what Regen Farmers Mutual are doing, scroll to below the webinar information and look at the article in the Guardian here. Understanding Environmental Markets Topics covered will include: ∙ What are Environmental Markets?∙ Costs and risks associated with EG&S∙ Where did these EG&S markets emerge from & where are they going?∙ How do EG&S relate to farming practices?∙ Why you may want to be involved Region Farmers Mutual∙ The benefits of joining and/or facilitating a group in your local regionDate: 2nd November 2021Time: 1pmTime zone: sydney zoom registration link : https://zoom.us/webinar/register/3816341863992/WN_5vjzdlyIQcuJKaMHYWF-cgFor more information on this Webinar, see the flyer below.
Dear Tree planters on the Monaro Now is the perfect time to get your hands dirty and feel thoroughly satsified. Narelle and John are looking forward to welcoming you all to their amazing Crookshanks conservation property. They will have a great roll-up of very interesting people to meet and food to enjoy. Main planting day is: Saturday, 30 October 2021Address: 1227 Dry Plains Road, COOMA. Otherwise, please take a look at the wonderful advert below stran . You can RSVP to me, Lauren Van DykeUpper Snowy Landcare [email protected] 402 978
The Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) is calling for expressions of interest (EOI) from landholders interested in earning annual management payments for conserving native grassland and snow gum woodland on their property. The EOI form must be received by 8th October 2021. The Snow Gum Woodlands and Grasslands (south) conservation tender focuses on conserving remnant patches of the following critically endangered ecological communities within the Snowy Monaro local government area: Monaro Tableland Cool Temperate Grassy Woodland (snow gum woodland)Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands (grassland) This tender gives eligible landholders the opportunity to set their own price to protect and manage good condition patches of snow gum woodland and grasslands on their land. Bids will be ranked on a best value for money basis. Successful bidders will receive annual payments for implementing an agreed management plan under a conservation agreement which is registered on the title of the property.Eligibility criteriaTo be eligible for this tender, […]
The Habitat and Wildlife Recovery Project is aimed at supporting the recovery of threatened species across the Monaro following the devastating 2019/20 black summer bushfires. Delivered by South East Local Land Services in partnership with the Australian Government’s Regional Fund for Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery, funding is being offered to eligible landholders for a range of on-ground works (tree planting, weed & pest animal control, fencing and erosion control works,) that address processes that threaten the habitat of threatened species.Registrations of Interest for projects on the Monaro are due no later than Wednesday 8 September 2021. WORKS CONSIDERED INCLUDE: TREE PLANTING AND WEED CONTROL Weeds have proliferated on fire-grounds following favourable seasons post fire, degrading habitat for threatened wildlife. Funding is available to assist landholders with weed control and revegetation works to promote competition against invading weeds and provide habitat and refugia for threatened species such as the Glossy Black Cockatoo. Projects may also […]
Dear contacts across the South East, Canberra Region Joint Organisation (CRJO) is currently advertising a first group of bushfire-funded positions and is seeking exceptional collaborators to join the team. CRJO is willing to facilitate secondment into these positions if that is preferred. Get in touch with Kalina Koloff at CRJO if this is of interest: [email protected]/ The positions are: The Data and Engagement specialist, who will be working on both the SimTable Community Engagement for disaster preparedness project and the Contaminated Lands project. The position is offered on a full-time basis until December 2022 and attracts an annual commencement salary of $86,070 per annum plus superannuation. Closes 16th August. The Program Coordinator and the Communications and Engagement Specialist, who will both be working on the Blueprint for a Resilient SE NSW project. These positions are offered on a full-time basis until June 2023 and attract an annual commencement salary of $104,348 per annum plus superannuation. This partnership project is […]
HABITAT AND WILDLIFE RECOVERY PROJECT The Habitat and Wildlife Recovery Project is aimed at supporting the recovery of threatened species across the Southern Highlands and the Monaro following the devastating 2019/20 black summer bushfires. Delivered by South East Local Land Services in partnership with the Australian Government’s Regional Fund for Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery, funding is being offered to eligible landholders for a range of on-ground works (tree planting, weed & pest animal control, fencing and erosion control works,) that address processes that threaten the habitat of threatened species. Registrations of Interest for projects on the Southern Highlands are due no later than Friday 13 August 2021. You can register your interest here. Registrations of Interest for projects on the Monaro are due no later than Wednesday 8 September 2021. You can register your interest here. WORKS CONSIDERED INCLUDE: TREE PLANTING AND WEED CONTROL Weeds have proliferated on fire-grounds following favourable seasons post fire, degrading habitat for threatened wildlife. Funding […]
By the end of Spring 2021, Upper Snowy Landcare and an ever expanding list of financial backers, on-ground partners and local volunteers will have invested a huge amount of environmental, financial and social capital into the dieback region of the Monaro. We write this piece in a slightly quieter time and with the satisfaction that all the plants are receiving this amazing moisture. Here is a snapshot of what has happened to date. Between 2016 and 2020 we established 27 plots of locally selected native tree and shrubs (orange dots in left-hand map). Most plots received 1000 plants. We are madly monitoring these plots and will provide you all with a summary of the capacity of these plants to grow in this harsh landscape and which ones do best. Speaking of this harsh but special landscape, all our plantings are effectively infilling previously cleared or dieback-affected woodland and never go […]
We will look forward to seeing you all at our next meeting on Monday, May 17 at 4 p.m. in the Berridale Tennis Club. (Rug up warm!) Please RSVP to Lauren at [email protected] and minutes will be sent to you. We will repeat the format of previous meetings: bring a plate or something to drink.
Upper Snowy Landcare are champing at the bit to get to the Dalgety Show this year. We feel it is going to be particularly spectaclular what with the new pavillion and the season we have had. We will have our usual gift giveaway of a local tree or shrub lovingly grown by the Monaro Tree Nursery. We are keen to chat to anyone about anything Landcare and we will be signing up new members or you can do it here. If there are any members or even non members who would like to help out on the stall this would be greatly appreciated. Time slots available – Set up 7.30 – 9.30 a.m., 9.30 – 11.30, 11.30 – 1.30, 1.30 to pack up. Please email or text Lauren on [email protected] or 0411 402 978. And pick up your free 2021 calendar.
Monday, 1st March @ 5 p.m. Berridale Tennis Club Preceded by discussion with Donna Hazell from Biodiversity Conservation Trust at 4 p.m. Bring food for pot-luck supper. ALL WELCOMEJust drop Lauren a text or email0411 402 978 or [email protected]
African Lovegrass – Is this becoming a familar grass ? Please read below. My name is Glen Shennan. I am a masters student at Charles Sturt University, working with Dr. Richard Crabbe. We are conducting a study to attempt to detect African Lovegrass (ALG) using Sentinel satellite data in the Snowy-Monaro region. The Sentinels are European earth-observation satellites which make regular passes of Australia, allowing the study of the earth’s large-scale ecology, among other things. This technology has been used in the past to detect vegetative types (grasses, trees, heath) but not yet individual species. We are hoping to change that and by doing so allow increase the possibilities for the study of the ecodynamics and management of this invasive weed. In order to do this we need to find a number (hopefully around 20) sites at which to ground-truth our algorithms. We are hoping to find landholders who would allow us to […]
SPRING 2020 Upper Snowy Landcare Network made the most of the season from heaven and planted 4500 mixed local plants into moist soil for a change. USLN are not the only mob putting back some of this much needed biodiversity, since the tree dieback wipeout. Greening Australia is doing large scale planting with a big effort recently at Severn Park and their research on E. viminalis (Ribbon Gum) provenance plots will soon start to tell a story on these usually robust and massive trees. We have also seen the introduction of Keep it Cool, a new and younger tribe of planters on the Monaro scene. For USLN, now that this seasons plants have gone in it is time to start planning for Autumn 2021. USLN have a huge amount of planting work lined up including: Revegetate and trial new technology around planting and weeding at the Gegedzerick TSR woodland […]
The Upper Snowy Landcare Network Committee would like to wish all the Snowy Monaro folk a happy, safe and fun xmas and New Year. If you haven’t already done so, please collect your free 2021 local primary school children’s art calendar at the Cooma Info Centre, Cooma or Berridale Council, Cooma Library, Jindabyne Info Centre or Snowy Hydro cafe. Please spend a moment to look at the Landcare NSW xmas Connection edition
Thanks to grunt and true grit shown by hard working contractors and volunteers This Autumn another 3000 native seedlings made it deep into the bare soil in response to tree dieback on the Monaro. This biodiversity boost brings the tally up to approx. 17,000 seedlings planted (over 17 sites) since 2016 and under committed grant agreements, another 11,000 seedlings to go in by 2022. All this effort, while it seems considerable, is just a drop in the ocean to the long term loss of habitat, shelter, food and nesting resources for wildlife, not to mention the denuding of our productive farmlands, from the mysterious dieback spanning 2000 sq km (size of ACT). Shane Trengove, Chair of the Upper Snowy Landcare Network (USLN) said, “we would like to thank the contractors and their crews; Stone Bros from Bombala, Greening Australia Bush Crew and Sam Dryden and his team and our long […]
Greening Australia, in partnership with Upper Snowy Landcare Network and funding from the NSW Environmental Trust and Officeworks, undertook two more Monaro revegetation by direct seeding trials this past fortnight. Harry and Enid Bentley, long-time Landcare supporters on a dieback-affected property on Rocky Plains Road near Berridale, became the proud owner of 2.5km of contour lines planted with mixed Eucalyptus and Acacia, by Greening Australia’s direct seeding machine. Ben Hanrahan, one of Greening Australia’s most experienced operators, demonstrated the finer points of the direct-seeding machine to the interested onlookers. This machine, custom built in South Australia, consists of a disc plough which opens up a furrow 5cm deep, followed by a blade that cuts 1cm deep into which Acacia seed drops. The smaller Eucalyptus seed is dropped behind and covered lightly in loose soil by a pair of tickler prongs, and finally, a presser wheel behind tamps the soil down. […]
Dear Upper Snowy Landcare Supporters New Treasurer needed On August 28th, we will hold our 2020 Annual General Meeting (details soon in a separate communication). At that meeting, our hard-working Treasurer, Rhia Stanger, will step down and we are therefore seeking someone to fill this position. This note is my personal appeal to you all to consider stepping into this role if you have the skills. Over the past year, my first as Chair, we have been very busy both consolidating and growing. By the end of 2020, we will have established another 6 biodiversity plots bringing us to a total of 22 since 2016. We have obtained four new grants, finished off two others, and applied for six more. We have overhauled our website, policies and financial procedures. We have advocated, engaged, publicised, socialised and enjoyed. In other words, we are all systems go. All we need now […]
Greening Australia, as part of its Monaro Tree Comeback Project, is once again offering people in the Monaro Tree Dieback affected region a helping hand to replant what has been lost. If you are living amongst the dead trees on the Monaro – in Cooma, Berridale and Dalgety please consider this great opportunity. This assistance is available to landholders who wish to plant or direct seed native local trees and shrubs in the Ribbon Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) dieback affected area. Contact: Nicki Taws 0408 210 736, [email protected] information:https://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/returning-life-to-australias-tree-graveyard/
In the last two weeks, under sunny blue skies, the Upper Snowy Landcare crew carefully spent the NSW Environmental Trust’s funds to purchase and plant thousands of seedlings to restore dieback-degraded landscapes on the Monaro. A number of fabulous volunteers joined in and the autumn weather was well-behaved. There was even some remaining moisture in the ground from the beautiful recent rains. As you can see from the picture, we were working in a woodland completely wiped-out by dieback that has spread to about the size of the ACT. We trust these local provenance trees and shrubs will grow well and make up for some of the loss. stran As for the standing dead trees, we have just released a brochure called Life after Death to explain that many, often unseen, species require tree hollows to live and breed. Only old trees have hollows and these take around 100 years […]
Upper Snowy Landcare Network has just completed a trial of Hiko (small) vs. Forestry (large) tubestock under their Dieback Project to plant back trees and shrubs. Under a $50,000 grant from the National Landcare Program, three different sites across the Monaro were planted with 1000 trees and shrubs each in 20:80 mix of Forestry and Hiko tubestock. They were monitored for survival and growth rate over the ensuing 6 months. Survival rate at 6 months was at a record high at 88.8%. This is most likely due to watering several times during the driest periods post-planting. At 6 months post-planting there were significant survival and growth advantages of using larger tubestock in one of the three sites (Fig. 1). These results are similar to those from another two sites planted previously by Upper Snowy Landcare Network. However, in that case, the survival advantage was only detectable in plants given Seasol […]
Last Saturday, a group of six Landcarers, aged 6 to 70, took themselves off to Gegedzerick Travelling Stock Reserve, the area surrounding the historic church atop the hill just north of Berridale. They had one question on their minds: how many of the dead ribbon gums lost to dieback contain hollows? Why did they want to know? Because hollows provide nests and shelter for birds, bats, marsupials, reptiles and frogs. This includes a third of the animal species found on the Monaro that are listed as vulnerable or endangered (Table). Vulnerable and endangered Monaro species that use hollow-bearing and/or dead trees as lifecycle habitat. (Data sourced from here and here). Common Name NSW Status Birds Eastern False Pipistrelle Vulnerable Gang-gang Cockatoo Vulnerable Glossy Black-Cockatoo Vulnerable Brown Treecreeper (eastern subspecies) Vulnerable Turquoise Parrot Vulnerable Barking Owl Vulnerable Powerful Owl Vulnerable Masked Owl Vulnerable White-bellied sea eagle Vulnerable Swift Parrot Endangered […]
As reports come in from the devastating bushfires that have impacted so many of our communities, words cannot fully express how saddened our entire Landcare community is for the losses so many of our groups are experiencing. The statistics are staggering. Nearly 5 million hectares of land being burnt in the state’s bushfires, 800 million animals killed and 2,000 homes lost in NSW – including those of our own Landcarers – the process back to recovery will be long. In our thoughts during these times are the families and individuals affected, as well as those who are volunteering their time to fight fires, protect homes and help recover injured wildlife. In the coming months and years as our state begins to recover, we know with certainty that our NSW Landcare community is strong, resilient and resourceful, and we will be there to help rebuild communities and landscapes, and ensure wildlife will recover. We will do this […]
UPPER SNOWY LANDCARE NETWORK Media Release – 2 Dec 2019 The Upper Snowy Landcare Network (USLN) would like to extend its most heartfelt wishes to everyone in the region. For USLN, the last half of this year has been extremely hectic (and of course rather scary with our weather going haywire) but also very rewarding. Here is a brief snapshot of some of our activities. Using our grant funds, we planted another 2 ha of native seedling biodiversity plots. One plot at the GLENELM property, Berridale and another at the COOMA GOLF CLUB. This brings the planting tally to 19 plots in direct response to the extraordinary and massive loss of Ribbon Gums in the dead centre of the Snowy Monaro. Planting at GLENELM was a snack thanks to the Perisher Blue crew who helped plant and construct tree guards as their yearly epic promise to a good cause. […]
A Rivers of Carbon morning on the processes and factors which influence on-farm erosion and how we can manage them. About this Event Join us at Mike and Alice McAuley’s property ‘Ingalara Grass’ to learn more about the processes and factors which influence on-farm erosion and how we can manage these areas to enhance on farm productivity, reduce soil loss and improve water quality in creeks and rivers downstream. This ‘look, learn and ask’ morning is part of our Rivers of Carbon Upper Murrumbidgee Phase Two project that is continuing the work of the Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach and local landholders to reconnect the Bredbo and Colinton Gorges along the Murrumbidgee River, where it flows through the Bumbalong Valley, for the benefit of native fish and community well being. Fencing the river, installing off-stream watering points, re-establishing and enhancing native riverside vegetation, and stabilising tributaries to improve water quality and […]
Dear all Dear Members I am delighted to announce that Upper Snowy Landcare Network lives on! At our AGM the following new Committee was elected: Chair: Margaret Mackinnon Deputy Chair: Marc Ware Secretary: John Boyd Treasurer: Rhia Martin Committee Member: Virginia McCoy Committee Member: Bill Clarke Committee Member: Penny Cutner Committee Member and Public Officer: Shane Trengove Due tribute was paid to the outgoing committee, particularly to Shane Trengove, Harry Bentley and Lachlan Ingram for all their work in laying such a solid foundation for the next phase of our work. In recognition of their outstanding service to Landcare, Harry, Shane, Lachy and Howard Charles were elected as life-long members of Upper Snowy Landcare Network. For the rest of you who have not yet officially joined USLN, please be patient and we will soon have in place an easy online join-up/payment process via our website. A new fee of $20 per household was set at […]
Please pay by clicking link – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/landholder-winter-lunch-with-justin-borevitz-tickets-65620943007
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is conducting a second National survey on pest animal and weed management for the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. The survey is aimed at agricultural businesses covering; broadacre, horticulture, dairy and other livestock enterprises encompassing all Natural Resource Management (NRM) regions. The survey will be open from 9 May 2019 until 15 July 2019. This is the second national survey by ABARES on pest animal and weed management, with the first undertaken in 2016. The survey asks questions about the incidence of and problems pest animals and weeds cause, the cost of management and the types and effectiveness of control actions—both on-farm and conducted by local groups. The results of the 2019 survey will be published for each NRM region, as well as for each state and for the nation. Results from the 2016 survey are available from URL: agriculture.gov.au/pws-results. While […]
To celebrate World Environment Day, Greening Australia will be hosting a planting on Saturday 1st June. This coming World Environment Day we will be planting trees to address eucalyptus dieback on the Monaro. When: Saturday 1st June 2019, 10am – 12:30pm, followed by a BBQ. What to expect? Distant vistas of snow-capped mountains, artwork by internationally-acclaimed artist Sharon Field and a warm welcome and hearty BBQ lunch provided by Cooma locals. The planting site is on a gentle slope and is very easy walking. Please bring a hat, sunscreen, warm clothes, gardening gloves, sturdy boots/shoes and a water bottle. Free bus departs: 8:00 am – City-West Bus Terminal (cnr Marcus Clarke St and Allsop St, Civic) 8:30 am – Calwell Shopping Centre (Webber Cres, Calwell) Buses will return from the planting site to both locations by around 3pm – 3:30pm. Self-drive: Full details will be provided, via email, once RSVP […]
Upper Snowy Landcare would like to applaud the many people who gave up their time to help us plant another 3000 native seedlings this season. We were amazed by the support and we actually couldn’t do the job without you. This is particularly true as we have moved from corflute to cardboard guards (which require more time to assemble). Unfortunately, the green corflute guards cannot be recycled in our region and we just cannot have them going into landfill. So, for now, cardboard guards it is and the bonus is we do not need to collect them up.
INVITATION TO ALL Event: ANNUAL RESOURCE & WASTE EXPO Date: Saturday 11 May 2019 Theme: Beyond the Bin – Putting the 5Rs into the Spotlight Location: Jindabyne Memorial Hall Time: 10am to 3pm Please RSVP via email to myself or [email protected] with your availability. If you are having difficulty with responding via email, please call us on 1300 345 345. Kind Regards, Belinda & Edwina
Dear friends In partnership with Snowy Monaro Regional Council, on April 8th, Upper Snowy Landcare is hosting a one-day ‘Intrepid Way’ workshop designed by Landcare Australia for youth (18-35y) and people who support our youth to create change through community work. We only have 25 spaces so please register your interest and confirm as soon as possible via Angela Sharp via [email protected] This workshop is fully sponsored so there is no attendance fee. Intrepid Landcare has developed a training resource to assist communities in NSW in their efforts to engage young people into Landcare and other environmental initiatives. The workshop aims to upskill people from a range of Landcare and environmental organisations to engage young people. Workshops will focus on developing a collaborative approach to co-designing and delivering projects that are appealing to a younger generation. WHEN AND WHERE? When: Monday 8th April 2019 Where: Jindy or Berridale TBC Time: 9 AM – 4.30 PM. Please arrive at 8.45 […]
Lovely to meet everyone at the Dalgety Show. Enjoy watching your native tree grow. Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare and Upper Snowy Landcare are joining forces at the Cooma Show coming up this Saturday. Together, with the help of two grassland experts, Sarah Sharp and Margaret Ning, we will run a quiz for landholders so they can identify native grasses that may occur on their properties or in the region. All your grassland queries will be answered and and there will be Grassland Flora books available. There will be a jar full of Kangaroo Grass seeds and the lucky winner who can guess the number in the jar will receive a Cooma Gift Card. We will also be running our Eucalyptus seedling give away with a small ID game this time so you can match your take-home seedling to a photo of the tree in its mature form. We will have visual displays and as […]
Dear Landcare Supporters/Volunteers Are you interested in helping us out for the most satisfying stage of our dieback project? Starting on Monday 28th January 2018 and for the whole week, the Upper Snowy Landcare crew will be removing tree guards from our earliest biodiversity plots between Cooma and Berridale. Please let us know if you have a couple of hours to spare. We will be most grateful to you for your time. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP which day will suit you and we will coordinate with you directly. Kindest regards Lauren Van Dyke Monaro Dieback Project Manager Upper Snowy Landcare Network 0411 402 978, [email protected] www.uppersnowylandcare.org.au
The Upper Snowy Landcare Network (USLN) wish to congratulate all the participating primary schools, their art teachers and the talented students themselves for contributing such important art pieces for the 2019 calendar. The theme is, “Tree Dieback on the Monaro – Sad but True” to give us all a chance to reflect on the loss of the magnificent Ribbon Gums (Eucalyptus viminalis) in a pocket the size of the ACT on the Monaro. But also on a positive front to watch the 12 x 1ha tree biodiversity plots planted in response to dieback grow into healthy and diverse habitat. For many years, under the original instigation of past USLN Chairwoman, Robin Sevenoaks, the USLN have enjoyed setting a theme and then watching art pieces roll in from the many primary schools in the region. While we cannot put all the beautiful art into one single calendar, children have an opportunity […]
Dear USLN Members and associates First things first, Happy 2019 to you all. As discussed at our AGM (see minute below) we will be holding a special meeting for our succession planning on January 15th at 10 a.m. The purpose of this meeting is to decide the steps we need to take in order to find new leaders for USLN by August 2019 when Shane Trengove and Harry Bentley are seeking to step down from their roles as Chair and Treasurer, respectively. Please see below the minute from the AGM regarding this. AGM Minute on succession planning “A notice of motion regarding a plan for succession of the USLN Committee was submitted in advance of the AGM by HB. After discussion during the meeting and slight modifications, the following revised motion was proposed: This AGM recognises that, if USLN is to remain a viable entity in terms of governance, the USLN Committee is in […]
The NSW Government’s latest move to preserve the iconic koala is a $20 million private land purchase program designed to secure more protected habitat. “Essentially, if you own good quality, occupied koala habitat that meets the criteria, the NSW Government is a willing buyer,” Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton said. “This initiative is part of the NSW Government’s $44.7 million commitment towards securing the future of koalas in the wild, which is the biggest commitment by any State Government to koala protection. “The koala is synonymous with Australia and the NSW Government is committed to ensuring its secure future. More than 24,000 hectares of unproductive state forest is being set aside for koalas, but we also want to expand this by buying up suitable land across the State. “Purchasing suitable land will increase the number of koala habitat corridors and linkages across the landscape. “We are initially seeking expressions of interest from […]
UPPER SNOWY LANDCARE NETWORK IS SEEKING NEW MEMBERS AS A RECIPIENT OF OUR NEWSLETTER, YOU WOULD KNOW OF OUR WORK WITH EUCALYPTUS DIEBACK RESTORATION AND OTHER LANDCARE EVENTS. WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO BE MORE ACTIVELY INVOLVED WITH THESE INITIATIVES? CAN YOU ASSIST WITH THE BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASPECTS? WE HAVE A FUNDED 3 YEAR WORKS PROGRAM WITH AN ACTIVE COMMITTEE. BUT NEW MEMBERS ARE NEEDED TO MAINTAIN THE INERTIA. IT IS A GOOD TIME TO COME ON BOARD. WE INVITE YOU TO GET INVOLVED WE INVITE YOU TO COME ALONG TO OUR GENERAL MEETING ON TUESDAY, 20 NOV, 5:00PM AT THE DAWSON ST, COOMA LLS OFFICE (SIDE ENTRANCE). MEMBERSHIP OF FEEDER LANDCARE GROUPS IS NOT A PREREQUISITE. USLN COVERS THE AREAS AROUND BERRIDALE, DALGETY, NIMMITABEL, NUMBLAVALE AND JINDABYNE. PLEASE CONTACT LANDCARE COORDINATOR, LAUREN VAN DYKE BY EMAIL:[email protected]
Snowy River Day – 20 October 2018 The annual celebration of environmental water releases into the Snowy River 9am – registration / 9.30 am start – 1.30 pm Complimentary morning tea and barbecue lunch provided Program The Snowy River Story continues: the past, present and future of saving Australia’s iconic river. Claire Miller Platypus research on the Snowy River / Platypus Conservation Initiative/ impact of regulated rivers. Dr Gilad Bino, University of New South Wales Snowy River Advisory Committee – Introduce committee members / goals and process / public consultation / management issues. Snowy Advisory Committee Independent chair – Terry Bailey and Graeme Enders / Paul Packard – Office of Environment and Heritage Morning tea – 11.30 am 10 Year Review Snowy Water Licence – public consultation – issues and outcomes Jeremy Kinley, Manager Snowy Water Licence Review, Strategic Relations / Water, NSW Department of Industry / Lands and Water Impacts of pest […]
Art for trees sake – Upper Snowy Landcare, Greening Australia, local botanical artist and some active local school children got together to plant trees and create art in response to tree dieback on the Monaro. To bring the subject of Monaro tree dieback into sharper focus for local children (and their teachers and parents), primary school students in the tree dieback area were invited to a special day at Cooba Educational Centre. The children were given the opportunity in one afternoon to witness tree dieback up close, discuss tree decline and the importance of a healthy biodiverse landscape, plant a local native tree with Greening Australia (funded by the NSW Environmental Trust) and be instructed by botanical artist Sharon Field. Ms Field’s fine botanical art will be exhibited at the Cooma Raglan Gallery in September under the project name, ‘Monaro Runes’. The art completed by the students will also feature in this exhibition putting an […]
Information Session Cooma – Alpine Hotel, 170 Sharp St, Cooma, 16 August 2018, 12 – 1 pm plus (Drop in Centre 10 am – 6 pm ) Bombala – RSL, 156 Maybe St Bombala, 20 August 2018, 12 – 1 pm (Drop in Centre 10am – 6 pm)
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Many landholders know all too well, the truth is – you can ‘plan’ all you like …. BUT… in the case of planting en masse, it is innocent rain drops that will flick plans into action. So while we wait to for a decent rain event to plant another three biodiversity plots in the dieback area this Autumn, we can update you on what we have done to date. Each of our existing 12 biodiversity plots are showing varying degrees of success (see graph below). We have set up smaller sub plots to monitor tree survival and growth rates without having to traipse across the whole area. Most of the species that we have planted (see pie chart) are doing well.. We have passed a clever drone across each plot to capture baseline images that we can look back on in years to come. Our free Native Tree & Shrub […]
Upper Snowy Landcare, Greening Australia, local botanical artist and some active local school children got together to plant trees and create art in response to tree dieback on the Monaro. To bring the subject of Monaro tree dieback into sharper focus for local children (and their teachers and parents), primary school students in the tree dieback area were invited to a special day at Cooba Educational Centre. The children were given the opportunity in one afternoon to witness tree dieback up close, discuss tree decline and the importance of a healthy biodiverse landscape, plant a local native tree with Greening Australia (funded by the NSW Environmental Trust) and be instructed by botanical artist Sharon Field. Ms Field’s fine botanical art will be exhibited at the Cooma Raglan Gallery in September under the project name, ‘Monaro Runes’. The art completed by the students will also feature in this exhibition putting an educative and dramatic […]
The Upper Snowy Landcare Network stall was inundated by visitors wanting to grab the free Native Tree Planting Guide kindly launched by Hon Bronnie Taylor on the day and a free native tree. Shane Trengove (USLN Chair) spoke to the crowds about the importance of the guide on the back of the massive tree dieback affecting the region and Michael Platts from Monaro Tree Nursery explained the steps involved to successfully plant and raise a tree in our challenging climate. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the guide please go to the Snowy Monaro Regional Council office in either Cooma, Berridale, Jindabyne or the Cooma Visitors Centre and or the Cooma Library or contact Lauren on 0411 402 978 or contact Lauren on [email protected] Or you can down the Native Tree & Shrub Planting Guide here
Upper Snowy Landcare Network along with its many on-ground partners and collaborators such as Greening Australia, Monaro Native Tree Nursery, Cooma Correctional Centre and many others are brushing the soil from their gloves for 2017. This year saw five new 1 ha biodiversity plots planted down to a selection of local native trees and shrubs. Counting the six plots established in 2016 means there are 11 plots now in place to kick start the recovery of lost biodiversity. With more than 2000 sq kms affected by dieback on the Monaro, these biodiversity plots are a small but important gesture to restore lost habitat. As many landholders know, Monaro conditions are not friendly to new establishing trees and shrubs and USL have performed plant counts on the plots with mixed results. More than ever we have learned how critical it is to stick with a planting methodology based on good ground […]
The Upper Snowy Landcare Network (USLN) wish to congratulate all the participating primary schools, their art teachers and the talented students themselves for contributing masterpieces for the USLN 2018 calendar. For many years, under the original instigation of past USLN Chairwoman, Robin Sevenoaks, the USLN have enjoyed setting a theme and then watching art pieces roll in from the many primary schools in the region. While we cannot put all the beautiful art into one single calendar, children have an opportunity to enter each year. The theme of the 2018 calendar is, “Native animals that live in the Snowy Mountains” and the calendar art has a bent toward animals that are currently threatened or endangered including corroboree frogs, basking fish, pygmy possums, spotted quolls. The calendar is available for free at many outlets including: Cooma Visitors Centre, Cooma Library, Jindabyne Visitors Centre and Snowy Monaro Regional Council offices in Cooma […]
Upper Snowy Landcare have moved into the new age by engaging a drone to help survey existing tree and shrub revegetation plots in the dieback region on the Monaro. Drone operator, Zachary Simpson, from ZRSPhotography (www.zrsphotography.com.au) has all the necessary tickets to operate his drones and obtains further approvals to lift his gear in the air around the Monaro region (including sites close to the airport south of Cooma). A ground crew walked the lines counting dead and alive trees and shrubs while Zachary flew his drone above in a grid pattern over the recently established plot just south of Cooma. The Upper Snowy Landcare, Chair Shane Trengove stated, “The clarity of the resulting drone images is amazing and we just may be able to do surveys from our computers using these images”. Upper Snowy Landcare have been working in partnerships with other groups like Greening Australia to try and […]
To add to the scenic views along the Monaro Hwy just north of Bunyan is a new army of green tree guards nurturing yet another native plant revegetation plot. The new plot, installed by Sue and Steven Wallace, of more than 200 native trees and shrubs runs along the Monaro Hwy between the Bunyan Gravel Pit and the Bunyan Glider Club. It links into an adjacent healthy stand of white chested Ribbon Gums (Eucalyptus viminalis) and Snow Gums (E. pauciflora). This particular tree association is listed by the NSW Government as an Ecological Endangered Community that tends to hug the tops of the slopes and ridges right through the otherwise barren Monaro plains. Unfortunately, the Ribbon Gums have succumbed to a massive tree dieback episode. Indeed, over 5,000sq km of the Monaro is now covered with dead Ribbon Gums. It seems there is no single smoking gun to explain why […]
The following papers were presented at this important forum. K2C Forum ProgramDieback Forum Introduction by Rainer RehwinkelDieback Implications for Koalas by Chris AllenBlakely’s Red Gum Dieback Mapping by BothaMonaro Dieback by Cris BrackAssisted Colonization by Sue McIntyreMcleods Creek NR Woodland Restoration by Suzanne PowerWoodland Management Principles by Jacqui StolMonaro Tree Comeback Project by Nicki TawsUpper Snowy Landcare Monaro Dieback project by Lauren Van DykeAction Plan to Address Dieback in K2C Region
The Jindabyne Community Garden is a herb, fruit and vegetable garden that is open to the public. The garden is located above John Connors Oval and overlooks Lake Jindabyne. It is run by a small group of volunteers that is committed to bring free, fresh, organic produce to the people of Jindabyne. JCG is also a hub for residents of all ages and abilities to engage in and promote social, health (both mental and physical) and environmental activities and education. Through the Snowy Monaro Community Grants – Round 2, JCG was fortunate to receive funding to undertake major works that will enable us to involve a broader cross-section of the community and ensure that anyone of any ability has access to the garden. Please take a look at further information on Facebook – Jindabyne Community Garden
Upper Snowy Landcare – Greening Australia continue to tackle tree dieback in 2017 Upper Snowy Landcare (USL) and Greening Australia (GA) under the NSW Government’s Bush Connect grant entitled, Monaro Tree Comeback Project, are getting more than 10 ha prepared this year for planting in response to the tree dieback epidemic affecting thousands of acres across the Monaro. A proportion of the 10 hectares, spread across four properties within the dieback zone, will be planted out as straight biodiversity patches using seedlings from local remnant species in a 50% shrub / 50 % tree ratio. Other plots will be set up as a trial with input from the CSIRO to investigate the benefits of planting more robust and persistent species and subspecies of the affected Eucalyptus viminalis (Ribbon/Manna Gum) and test cool burning to enhance soil quality. The USL were given a boost late last year, having received the ‘Monaro […]
Erosion repair techniques using small farm machinery – plus see results from Sunnyside Cam Wilson of Earth Integral will present this workshop. In February 2016 Cam Wilson engaged many landholders in a hands-on workshop designed to show landholders how to repair smaller scale landscape erosion using low cost materials. The work was all carried out by hand, using mostly materials from around the farm, and was designed to stop active erosion, kickstart natural repair processes in gullies and begin the rehydration of the surrounding landscape. This year we intend to run a follow up workshop which will look at techniques which can be utilised with small machines of the capability typically available on many farms. As an added feature we will be revisiting the work performed more than 12 months earlier to witness and discuss results. Cost: Free of Charge Please Bring: A Picnic Lunch, Hat, Water, Sunscreen Provided: Morning Tea will be provided Date: Sunday, 28th May […]
18th November 2016 at 9:00am Location: Riverside Oval Clubhouse, Queanbeyan Description: The theme of this forum is the dieback problem (particularly on the Monaro) and what is being done there and in the wider K2C landscape to restore woodlands. There will be a wide range of speakers, including ANU, CSIRO and Office of Environment and Heritage scientists and practitioners from Greening Australia, SE Local Land Services, landcare and parkcare, and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. A light lunch will be served. If you would like to come along, please RSVP by Friday, 11 November, for catering purposes. RSVP to [email protected]
The first of our soil health workshops was a resounding success on Friday 23rd September. David Hardwick from Soil Land Food was engaging and knowledgable and he made he day informative as well as entertaining. brasil-libido.com We’ll put together a bit of a summary of the key learnings after our second workshop in November. Here are some photos of the day.
Do you want to make informed farm management decisions to achieve positive outcomes for soil health & farm profitability? This 2 day soil health workshop will be facilitated by David Hardwick, an agro-ecologist with over 20 years experience in sustainable agriculture working in diverse roles including agronomy, soils, agribusiness, R & D, fertiliser manufacturing, rural training and extension and Landcare. At the workshop participants will: learn how to understand and assess the soil ecosystem in a paddock use various indicators to objectively determine soil health get hands-on by carrying out basic soil health assessment and monitoring activities take home your own simple soil health kit. Participants will undertake two comprehensive soil tests on their own property and then: learn how to interpret your comprehensive soil test results identify any soil restraints that may have an impact on your farms productivity find out the management options available that will address any issues learn […]
Platypus can be found throughout the Monaro – in the Numeralla, Murrumbidgee & Snowy Rivers as well as smaller creeks such as Cooma Creek. Waterwatch is running surveys throughout August to help learn more about platypus populations on selected rivers in the surrounding region. Come along & help us throughout August & September to help us learn more about platypus populations on rivers around Cooma. No experience necessary. RSVP to: Antia on 0429 778633 or email [email protected] What to Bring: Warm clothes, binoculars & a watch or phone. COOMA REGION (ALL ON SATURDAYS AT 8AM) 6 AND 27 AUGUST – MURRUMBIDGEE RIVER; 13 AUGUST AND 3 SEPT – COOMA CREEK; AND 20 AUGUST AND 10 SEPT – NUMERALLA RIVER
COOMA – Friday 9th September, Ex Services Club BRAIDWOOD – Saturday 10th September, Servicemens Club Producers, land owners & managers are invited to join South East LLS for a workshop that will provide participants with information to help them make informed decisions about sowing & managing native grasses. Guest speaker Dr Ian Chivers is a leader in the native seed industry. Topics will cover: the role of native grasses in our landscape; how & where to sow native grasses; how to establish native grasses and manage them; and how to utilise existing native pastures for seed and production. The first 20 people to register for each workshop will receive a free copy of Dr Chivers new book “Australian Native Grasses”. RSVP to South East LLS 6452 1455 or call Jo 0429 785986 or email [email protected]
At the recent AGM of Berridale Rocky Plain Landcare the committee decided to raise concerns regarding TSR maintenance with the Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair, MLC. (Full copy here… TSR Letter to Minister) “Dear Minister, Re: Maintenance of Travelling Stock Reserves The Berridale Rocky Plain Landcare Group is a small group made up of landholders on the Monaro region of southern NSW. Our role is to encourage and support sound land management within our area including, as a high priority, the control of noxious weeds. At our recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) members expressed their frustration and dissatisfaction with the land management of Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs) in our area. In particular these points related to what was described as the complete failure of Local Land Services to carry out any control measures, on the local TSRs, against African Lovegrass which is a locally prescribed noxious weed. African Lovegrass has developed into a pervasive weed requiring all landholders to take urgent control […]
Tree planting goes ahead after massive rain event on the Monaro Upper Snowy Landcare Committee (USLC) is overjoyed to embark on the tree planting phase of its large scale revegetation project amongst the dieback scarred hills between Cooma and Berridale this week. Robin Sevenoaks (Chair of USLC) was on site at Kelton Plain to celebrate the first day of planting, “Over the last few months, USLC have engaged willing landholders, carefully prepared each of the four plots and patiently waited for this godsend of recent soaking rain to sow trees and shrubs as part of our important Dieback Project.” The 5000 trees and shrubs being planted across the four dieback revegetation plots is accepted by USLC as a small but still very important reaction to an extremely large dieback episode. Species being re-established will mimic what has been lost whilst adding more diversity in a mix of 8 eucalyptus species, 4 acacia species along […]
Upper Snowy Landcare Committee (USLC) is overjoyed to embark on the tree planting phase of its large scale revegetation project amongst the dieback scarred hills between Cooma and Berridale in early June 2016. brasil-libido.com Robin Sevenoaks (Chair of USLC) was on site at Kelton Plain to celebrate the first day of planting, “Over the last few months, USLC have engaged willing landholders, carefully prepared each of the four plots and patiently waited for this godsend of recent soaking rain to sow trees and shrubs as part of our important Dieback Project.” The 5000 trees and shrubs being planted across the four dieback revegetation plots is accepted by USLC as a small but still very important reaction to an extremely large dieback episode. Species being re-established will mimic what has been lost whilst adding more diversity in a mix of 8 eucalyptus species, 4 acacia species along with 5 species of shrubs including tea tree and callistemon. […]
When: Sunday 19 June, 9.30am-4.00pm Location: Mulloon Creek Natural Farms, Bungendore NSW Cost: $25 per adult See website: Click here Description: On the 19th of June the Mulloon Institute is opening its gates for a Mulloon Creek Field Day and Expert Panel. After ten years, the Natural Sequence Farming Demonstration has been such a success that we are expanding it to the whole catchment called Mulloon Community Landscape Rehydration Project (MCLRP). The Field Day will include a guided tour of Peter Andrews’ on site Natural Sequence Farming demonstration, and an expert discussion panel addressing the challenges and success stories of rehydration projects in Australia. With Peter Andrews, Tony Coote, Gary Nairn, Martin Royds, John Field and Dr Micheal Wilson joining us on the day, this event is a great opportunity to see how the original NSF Demonstration has transformed the ‘Home Farm’, hear how the Mulloon Community Landscape Rehydration Project […]
Dalgety Hall | Saturday 21st May | 9:30am-1.00pm 4 GUEST SPEAKERS Jo Powells – Pastures Officer LLS SRSC Weed Management Team Ian MacKintosh – Ret. Contractor Dr Lachlan Ingram (Research) The workshop will cover a range of topics including: Weeds, chemicals and Target Species Spray Contractor selection Spraying Conditions Weed management legislation Landholder Responsibilities Mapping of spray programs Research on African Lovegrass RSVPs to Shane Kimber 6456 5162 or email [email protected]
Southern Monaro PROGRAZE Group Starting 23 May Do you want more profitable & sustainable grazing systems? 8 half day workshops – hands on approach, with days being held on group members farms with a strong in-paddock approach. $400 per farm business PROGRAZE® will help you to: Visually assess pasture quality and quantity Understand how pasture quality and quantity impact on animal production Assess livestock fat scores Use pasture and livestock assessments to match pastures to livestock requirements Use grazing management to improve the productivity and sustainability of your pastures Use fodder budgeting to make the best use of pastures and fodder crops Use pasture assessment to make supplementary feeding decisions Use grazing management to help control worms. PROGRAZE® benefits The benefits of PROGRAZE® can be gauged from a survey of people 12 months after the completion of the course: 87% indicated participation in PROGRAZE® had resulted, or would result, in improved financial returns to their farm 96% indicated participation […]
Location: “Gunyah” Cooma When: Wednesday 4th May – 9am-3.30pm Description: South East Local Land Services in partnership with Jeff House Livestock invites beef producers to attend a free beef information day on 4 May. Guest speaker Jeff House has worked in the industry for over 20 years and will be sharing his wealth of knowledge & experience. Topics will include: Maximising fertility, marketing, bull selection, heifer selection & live animal assessment. The day will be a mixture of theory and hands on. Morning tea & lunch will be provided. RSVPs essential to [email protected] or call Jo on 0429 785986 FLYER_Beef info day_ Cooma 4 May 2016
Title: Tree Planting Day Friday 29th April – 9am-lunchtime Location: Pumping Station – Dalgety Description: Join South East LLS for a tree planting day at the pumping station on the banks of the river as part of the Snowy River Rehabilitation project. Lunch will be provided RSVP for catering to Nicole on 0447 459146 or email Nicole
We welcome back Rod Mason and thank him for agreeing to continue to impart his deep and invaluable cultural land management knowledge so generously. Thanks also to the Massy family for allowing us to learn from Rod’s cool burning techniques on their beautiful ecological working farm once more. brasil-libido.com Here are some photos from our successful 2016 Cool Burn Workshop.
We were thrilled with the success of our Low Cost Erosion Control workshop held on Saturday 27th February. The workshop was facilitated by Cam Wilson from Earth Integral and hosted at the property of Peter & Kate Heeley, “Sunnyside” between Berridale & Dalgety. Thanks so much to Cam and Peter & Kate for making it such a great day. See below for photos of the day. After some initial presentations from Cam about the factors causing erosion and some potential solutions, the group built 2 structures on small gullies nearby. In the first case a single layer rock “rundown” was built at the head of a small erosion gully. This structure protects the eroding headcut, captures sediment, encourages infiltration and assists vegetation to establish. The second gully saw a brush weir built. Here logs are secured to the gully floor, and branches secured to the logs. Once again this slows channel flow, […]
The Upper Snowy Landcare Committee (USLC) have embarked on a large scale revegetation project amongst the dieback scarred hills between Cooma and Berridale and with funding from Local Land Services have put on an employee to manage the action. Dieback project work has now commenced with contractors ripping 8ha of tree lines over four properties situated in the visual corridor of the Kosciuszko Highway. Everyone who has driven this stretch of Highway will be familiar with the mass loss of mainly Eucalyptus viminalis (Ribbon or Manna Gum) trees along the ridges. These monster trees, that once provided refuge to a host of native and domestic animals, now effectively haunt the vast open landscape…. READ THE FULL MEDIA RELEASE
2 Day Forum – Friday 18th & Saturday 19th March 2016 The climate is changing, temperature records are regularly broken, seasonal climate patterns are moving & extremes of drought and flood are predicted. Those living on the land or managing land and water resources are dealing with the changes on a daily basis. Managing for adaptation and resilience is essential. This forum will showcase some of the ways people in our region are adapting to hotter summers and warmer winters, it will cover the latest information on managing for flood, fire, biodiversity, animal health & much more. As part of the forum, field trips will be held to Gunning and Sutton, to demonstrate ‘whole-of-paddock’ rehabilitation and management of river paddocks for productivity, biodiversity and water quality. Phil Graham of the NSW Department of Primary Industries will speak on managing livestock and local pasture systems under changing conditions; Boorowa landholder, David Marsh will […]
Do you live in Sydney but also have a property in the country? Want to know more about managing water and having a healthy farm dam on your rural property? This free workshop hosted by Local Land Services will provide at introduction to: Creating & keeping healthy farm dams & riparian areas Managing issues such as erosion and sedimentation Keeping water in the landscape & the benefits. When: Thursday 10th March Where: Dougherty Community Centre, Victor Street, Chatswood Bookings essential by 8th March as numbers are limited – click here to RSVP For more info contact Angela Maier on 4724 2127 or email [email protected]
Last year, local resident and Chair of Upper Snowy Landcare, Robin Sevenoaks, was among 106 women recognised in the 2015 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll, celebrating the valuable volunteer roles women play within NSW rural, regional and remote communities. Robin has always been committed to the community & the environment and she has made significant contribution to the quality of life of Monaro communities. Robin was raised in the country and worked as a teacher in Sydney before moving to Berridale in 1976 to join her artist and builder partner Ray. Robin taught at Jindabyne Central School for 36 years and she is passionate about education. Robin served on the Snowy River Shire Council from 1991 to 1999, including three years as deputy mayor. In particular, she is proud of her work on the Shire’s Waste Management Committee at a time of modernisation, which included the introduction of recycling. Robin has […]
Each year school children from across the Monaro submit artworks for our annual calendar. The theme for 2016 is “Soil is where food begins – healthy soils for a healthy life” and as usual this year it was so hard to narrow it down – the standard of work was so impressive. If you’d like a copy of the calendar you can pop into the NPWS visitors centre in Jindabyne, the Cooma Visitors Centre, the South East Local Land Services Office in Soho Street or you can email [email protected]
South East Local Land Services is providing incentive funding to undertake biodiversity enhancement projects within parts of the Snowy River Catchment. Projects will commence in January 2016 and will finish in June 2017. The ‘Weaving the Web’ project aims to restore, manage and enhance biodiversity values across multiple sites on private land from the Upper Snowy River to Kosciusko National Park in NSW. Landholders are encouraged to apply for incentives for the following activities: • Revegetation and fencing of waterways and terrestrial areas to enhance corridors and connectivity • Fencing to protect and enhance remnant vegetation • Weed control to reduce grassy weed threats in revegetation and remnant vegetation areas. Information available here… EOI Biofund.Dec.15 (1) | Biofund Criteria_Dec15 (1) Or for more information regarding eligibility contact Leon Miners, South East Local Land Services on (02) 6452 1455 or email [email protected]
Cooma Monaro Carp Comp 13th Nov– 13th Dec 2015 Presentation & Sausage sizzle: 13th Dec , Alpine Hotel, 3pm Catch carp and take them out before they breed this summer! Help us pin-point carp hotspots Win prizes for largest carp caught! Registrations are available from the Alpine Hotel (Cooma) and Snowy Mountains Gourmet Foods (Bredbo). Late regos accepted as long as places are still up for grabs. Entry: $10 fishing club members* $5 children (13 & under) $15 non club members Places are limited (100 only). Each entrant/family receives a free fishing diary and brag mat. Anglers must be registered before starting to fish. For information & registrations visit the website @ http://upperbidgeereach.org.au/cmcarpcomp Cooma Monaro Carp Comp 2015 flier PLEASE NOTE – if anyone catches a tagged carp in the upper Murrumbidgee (they have a long thin yellow tag near their dorsal fin), we are asking people to RELEASE the fish unharmed. These […]
New date confirmed – Saturday 27th February Learn how to best manage erosion problems using low cost solutions. Cam Wilson of Earth Integral will present this workshop. How to use low-cost solutions to stop active erosion, kickstart natural repair processes in gullies and begin the rehydration of the surrounding landscape. Low-cost techniques are achieved by utilising resources from on the property (or close by) which means they can easily be replicated by those who take part. This workshop will combine theory & practice – ensuring you don’t just leave with an understanding of how to build a structure, but also how and where they are placed for maximum benefit to the surrounding landscape. Cost: Free of Charge Please Bring: A Picnic Lunch, Hat, Water, Sunscreen Provided: Morning Tea will be provided Date: Saturday 27th February Time: 9:00am-3:00pm Location: “Sunnyside” 775 Dalgety Road, Berridale (approximately 8km from Berridale & 10km from Dalgety on […]
Small Farms Network – Capital Region The Small Farms Network is a newly established grassroots information service for people who own or live on small to medium sized rural properties around the Capital region. The network aims to share local knowledge as well as tapping into professional advice about all things farming through field days, paddock walks and other events. Small Farm Walk N Talk & BBQ Come along to Susan & Michael’s property in Rossi to share ideas with other landowners about what to consider when buying or managing a small property. There will be people from South East LLS, Office of Environment & Heritage and Rural Fire Service who can answer your questions. Topics will include: Understanding land capability & managing accordingly Property planning skills Pasture identification Fire management Location: Rossi Road (address will be given on RSVP When: Saturday 21st November, 10am-2pm Cost: FREE! BBQ LUNCH PROVIDED […]
Pinching out & potting up native seedlings is serious business! Local Landcare volunteers got together recently to pot up hundreds of native seedlings, and thankfully getting your hands dirty is still very popular! The trees, which were potted up at the Tablelands Nursery, will help replace lost trees in and around dieback affected areas across the Monaro. Both the Upper Snowy Landcare and Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare networks got behind the planting crew and the Tablelands Nursery not only provided an exceptional venue they also donated funds collected on the day to the dieback cause. Landcare groups on the Monaro are focusing their efforts on the extensive dieback phenomenon, covering a 5,000 sq km in the region and occurring since around 2005. The dieback is influenced by many factors but was most likely initiated by the decade long drought which ultimately led to thousands of trees being defoliated by the Eucalypt […]
You are invited to attend these free 2 day workshops sponsored by South East LLS as part of the national Soils Skills Competition. These workshops will provide you with practical tools and soil kits to measure key soil attributes. You will practice key skills in assessing paddocks using on-farm assessment techniques and through soil testing. The workshops will help you make informed farm management decisions to achieve positive outcomes for soil health & farm profitability. Presenter: David Hardwick, agricultural ecologist, Soil Land Food. Day One: Learn how to understand and assess the soil ecosystem in a paddock and use various indicators to objectively determine soil health in the paddock, and get hands-on by carrying out basic soil health assessment and monitoring activities. Take home a free soil kit! Day Two: Learn how to interpret a comprehensive soil test and identify any soil restraints that may have an impact on your farms […]
TSR Draft State Planning Framework 2016-19 Local Land Services has developed the first draft statewide planning framework for TSRs to support the future management of this land. We are now keen to hear from the public with their opinions on how to manage TSRs in the future. We want to understand the values people hold important for TSRs, including biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage values. The draft statewide framework allows for the development of TSR regional management plans to facilitate more consistent and transparent management, resourcing and reporting. NSW Travelling Stock Reserves Draft State Planning Framework 2016-19 (481 kb PDF) TSR State Planning Framework Fact Sheet (141 kb PDF) Public comments on the NSW TSR State Planning Framework are welcome until Tuesday 3 November 2015. Comments should be lodged by email. STOCK ROUTES Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs) are parcels of Crown land reserved under legislation for use by travelling stock. Local Land Services manages […]
Soils are the quiet achiever in agricultural and ecological systems; they are the cornerstone of food and fibre production, and play an important role in mitigating climate change and hosting biodiversity. 2015 is the United Nations International Year of Soils and to celebrate, NSW Department of Primary Industries and the ACT Regional Landcare Facilitator are bringing together local soil scientists and researchers, farmers and others with a keen interest in soil to explore current research and on-farm practices. The program includes an interesting lineup of experts in their field. There will be presentations by 2 of our regions’ innovative farmers David Marsh from Boorowa and John Ive from near Yass. Leading soil researchers and advisors from CSIRO, NSW Department of Primary Industries, the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, the Australian National University, the University of Canberra and South-east Local Land Services will speak on key issues and opportunities for […]
Title: 18th NSW Weeds Conference Location: Cooma Link out: Click here Description: Includes guest speakers Glenn McGrath & James Litchfield as well as a conference dinner on Wednesday 14th October. See the website for details or to register. Start Date: 2015-10-13 End Date: 2015-10-15
ChemCert Course – Saturday 26th September Location: Dalgety Description: Snowy River Landcare is sponsoring a 50:50 subsidised ChemCert accreditation course on Saturday 26th September in Dalgety. They are calling for expressions of interest from members interested in completing the course or are due to be re-accredited. Please note that you will not be eligible for any landcare group subsidised chemical offers without ChemCert accreditation. If you are interested please email [email protected] by 31st August so enrollment forms can be sent out. Full accreditation – cost of course = $340 (Landcare members pay $170) Re-accreditation – cost of course = $250 (Landcare members pay $125)
It was a great day last Wednesday 12th August at the Small Schools Science Day. USLC went along with Antia from Cooma Waterwatch and talked to the kids about healthy soils – in honour of the 2015 International Year of Soils. The kids enjoyed finding out about erosion, and getting inspiration for their contributions to next years Landcare Calendar which has the theme “Where food begins – healthy soils for a healthy life”. Thanks to Shannon Salvestro from Adaminaby Public School for inviting us to participate in a really enjoyable day. And thanks to the kids from Adaminaby, Dalgety, Nimmitabel, Jerangle & Bredbo for being keen & enthusiastic. Just a pity we had to finish early when it started heavily snowing… August in Adaminaby!!
We are thrilled to have Lauren van Dyke managing the dieback project and she is doing a fantastic job! She’s been busy submitting grant applications and planning tree planting at various locations across the affected area. To read Lauren’s latest update on the Dieback Project – click here…
Landcare Dinner – Tree Planting to Improve Farm Productivity We were thrilled with the turnout at our biennial Landcare dinner last month. A great opportunity to get together with Landcarers across the Monaro and listen to Michael Platts informative talk about establishing farm trees and the difference they have made to his own operation. Michael reinforced the motto “preparation, preparation, preparation” explaining that success is so dependent on ripping, moisture retention and weed control. With good planning, preparation and management, establishment of farm trees is so much more successful with almost no need for supplementary watering (depending on conditions). stran Michael told us of the journey he and Annie have taken starting the native tree nursery and of implementing rotational grazing. Their tree lanes and tree plantings have greatly assisted with the transition to rotational grazing and stock management. As usual the Anglican Ladies provided us with a delicious dinner and […]
Did you know that August is a great time to see Platypus in the Cooma Monaro Region? Platypus can be found throughout the Murrumbidgee and Numeralla Rivers and even in the Cooma Creek! Cooma Waterwatch are doing Platypus Monitoring Surveys throughout August and you can be part of it and find out more about this marvellous monotreme!!! stran When: 8am Sat 15 Aug – Scottsdale Reserve 8am Sun 23 Aug – Cooma Pumping Station 8am Sat 29 Aug – Cooma Creek 8am Sun 30 Aug – Cooma Pumping Station 8am Sat 5 Sept – Cooma Creek 8am Sun 6 Sept – Numeralla River 8am Sun 13 Sept – Numeralla River For details & to book a spot contact Cooma Waterwatch on 0429 778633 or email [email protected]
Local Landcare groups on the Monaro are excited be involved in a project run by Lachlan Ingram from the University of Sydney which aims to gain better knowledge of what is driving the spread of African Lovegrass (ALG) on the Monaro and what options there are for controlling it and/or reducing the rate at which it is spreading. We hope that an outcome of the research project will be a scientifically established best practice strategy for the control of African Lovegrass. stran We are calling on landholders who are able to participate in the project to provide on-ground research. Participants will have the option of applying three commonly applied control strategies: 1) slashing, 2) roller wiping with glyphosate, and 3) broadcast herbicide application. At the start of the landholder voluntary trials, we will aid participants with establishing 20 permanent 1m2 plots per paddock. Participants will fill in a short assessment of […]
Annual General Meeting – Berridale Rocky Plain Landcare Group Current & new members welcome!! Location: Fire Control Centre, Bolton Street, Berridale 28 April 2015 – 7:00pm AGENDA Opening Apologies Minutes of the Previous AGM Business Arising Yearly Report Treasurer’s Report Adoption of new Constitution – details in separate attachment Notice of Motion: The Annual General Meeting, 2015 of the Berridale Rocky Plain Landcare Group agrees to adopt the Constitution which was circulated with the Notice of Meeting Election of Office Bearers Resolution to lodge annual statement with the Dept of Fair Trading General Business Meeting Close. This is an important meeting where a new Constitution will be put to the meeting. This Constitution is an adaptation of the Dept of Fair Trading Model Constitution for Incorporated Associations. The adaptations make the constitution more suitable for a small community group, allowing for a small committee and more informality at meetings and […]
We were thrilled to have another batch of amazing artwork submitted by school students across the Monaro. Thanks to everyone for such a fabulous effort – the schools who contributed and the students who feature in the calendar are: (Click HERE to see the artwork) Cooma Public School Tom Blackwood Liam Conley Alanna Drent Charlotte Thornton Cooma North Public School Mia Chawner Emma Lloyd Ella Davis Anouk Litchfield Jindabyne Central School Brock Freeburn Lily Pearce Nicholas Coleman Jarrad Riehs Snowy Mountains Grammar School Blake Bell Dalgety Public School Jessee Reid
Wednesday 13th May Upper Snowy Landcare is pleased to be a major sponsor of the 2015 Dalgety Womens Day. The event aims to bring together and celebrate rural women, with a mix of engaging speakers, entertainment, great food, activities and stalls. Tickets $15 will be on sale in mid-April. Attendees are invited to BYO lunch but morning tea will be provided. Detailed information will be available at the end of March.
What a fantastic day! Full report is on the way – but here’s some photos of what was a brilliant day on Monday 23rd March. Get a better understanding of research in grazing and fire management in the local sub-alpine areas. Both bushland and grassland sites will be visited. Guest speakers include: Barry Aitchison – RFS Professor Mark Adams & Lachlan Ingram – University of Sydney Vik Jurskis – dieback expert Vehicle numbers are limited so the group will car pool on departure. Meet at: Rocky Plain fire shed – 9:00am or Eucumbene dam wall – 9:30am. Bring along a chair, water, hat & sunscreen. Morning tea & lunch will be provided. RSVPs to: [email protected]
Field Days – Bredbo, Cooma & Dalgety River paddocks can be the most productive area of your farm for grazing hay or cropping, and they are also important for biodiversity and for filtering runoff into rivers & creeks. How these areas are managed can help ensure you get the most out of your river paddock for production, biodiversity and water quality. We will cover: Maximising ground cover Managing nutrients Effective floodplain cropping Smart weed management Promoting healthy riparian zones Supporting bidiversity Maximising livestock health Preventing soil erosion Held on: Monday 23rd February – Cooma area Tuesday 24th February – Bredbo area Saturday 28th February – Dalgety area From 10am-1pm followed by a BBQ lunch. Field day directions will be provided upon RSVP. RSVP to South East LLS on 6452 1455 or email [email protected] The river paddock field day (1)
Late last year we had another school visit with the Stage One kids at Cooma North Primary School. It was a great success – with the kids learning all about river health & platypuses. Bill our platypus was a big hit and the kids enjoyed sharing stories of their own encounters with platypuses. We look forward to our next school visit… coming soon!
Title: African Lovegrass ID Workshop Location: Dog Kennel TSR – Bobundara Description: Identifying young African Lovegrass can be difficult – come along to this workshop held by MacLaughlin River Landcare to look at the plant in its youngest stages. Presented by Luke Pope of South East LLS RSVPs to [email protected] Start Time: 10am Date: Tuesday 3 March 2015 End Time: Midday
SMARTtrain® Chemical Accreditation QUEANBEYAN TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY 17 & 18 FEBRUARY, 2015 Time: 8.30am – 4.30pm Fee includes: SMARTtrain® manual, CD, SMARTtrain®. Your Card and Statement of Attainment will be sent out following successful completion of the course and assessments. A range of courses for agricultural, horticultural, vertebrate pest, veterinary chemical users and their supervisors Level 3 Chemical Application Initial – This two day course is recommended for those who use pesticides with powered and hand-held equipment, unsupervised. Valid for 5 years. Course date – 17/18 February, 2015 Course cost – $380 (GST free) Level 3 Chemical Application Reaccreditation A one day course for people who hold a current Level 3 accreditation in chemical application which is due for renewal. Valid for 5 years. Course date – 17th February, 2014 Course cost – $200 (GST free) To register or for […]
We’re very excited that our gorgeous 2015 calender is now completed! . It was a tough choice but it looks fabulous and well done to all the kids who feature.
Grazing Management Workshop Flyer Dick Richardson Are you keen to improve your grazing management skills? Are soil health & biodiversity desired outcomes for your farm? Is a lower input system more suited to your budget? Do you want to create a resilient farming system? How we can increase profitability of sheep & cattle enterprises by running a lower cost business? Learn new grazing management tools Priority grazing & sabbath paddocks Lower input systems Increasing pasture utilisation Extending the “green season” When to use fertiliser & chemicals and when to use lower-cost ecological tools. Date: 3 November 2014 Start Time: 09:00 End Time: 16:00 Location: TBC
Field days at native pasture trial sites Binalong Landcare invites you to visit its trial sites to see the spring growth response to the different fertilizer treatments.This trial investigates the effect of alternative and commonly used fertilizers on increasing soil fertility and pasture growth in native pastures. For directions see below and follow the red field day signs on the day. Monday 22 September, 2.30 pm to 5 pm: meet at “Glenroy” shearing shed. From Binalong, take the Hughstonia Road (towards Boorowa) for 11 km.Turn left into“Glenroy” entrance. Tuesday 23 September, 10 am to noon: meet at “Kia Ora” trial site. Travel approximately 6 km west from Bookham on Hume Highway and turn onto Whitefields Road.Field site is approximately 300 m along on the right. For further information, contact Fiona Leech South East Local Land Services on 0427 201 805 or email Donna Reid Binalong Landcare, at [email protected] Supported by South East and Riverina Local Land […]
Field days at native pasture trial sites Binalong Landcare invites you to visit its trial sites to see the spring growth response to the different fertilizer treatments.This trial investigates the effect of alternative and commonly used fertilizers on increasing soil fertility and pasture growth in native pastures. For directions see below and follow the red field day signs on the day. Monday 22 September, 2.30 pm to 5 pm: meet at “Glenroy” shearing shed. From Binalong, take the Hughstonia Road (towards Boorowa) for 11 km.Turn left into“Glenroy” entrance. Tuesday 23 September, 10 am to noon: meet at “Kia Ora” trial site. Travel approximately 6 km west from Bookham on Hume Highway and turn onto Whitefields Road.Field site is approximately 300 m along on the right. For further information, contact Fiona Leech South East Local Land Services on 0427 201 805 or email Donna Reid Binalong Landcare, at [email protected] Supported by South East and Riverina Local Land […]
Do you have Platypus in the streams or rivers on your property? Platypus Pals are seeking willing people to help monitor them. If you are interested in spotting and counting platypus please contact Su King by email [email protected] or call Su on 02 6458 4622. Platypus Pals will also be visiting Dalgety again so keep a look out for the next visiting date.
Every year Upper Snowy Landcare produces a calender which includes a selection of fabulous artworks by our local school kids. Schools from Nimmitabel to Adaminaby and from Cooma to Jindabyne and everywhere in between are encouraged to get their kids to create artworks inspired by our local natural resource management issues. We’d like you to help us come up with this years theme! It’s going to be river related, as we’ve been talking to some of our local kids about the importance of healthy rivers. It’s a great opportunity to get the kids thinking about what they can do to ensure our rivers, streams and lakes are healthy environments and what animals might benefit from living in healthy waterways. The Committee encourages students to explore a range of different techniques including paintings, coloured drawings and crayon works, as well as collages, washes and prints. Our themes the last few years have been: “Down […]
We held a successful AGM on Wednesday night (30 July) at the Buckleys Crossing Hotel in Dalgety. Thanks so much to Robin Sevenoaks (Chair), Peter Heeley (Treasurer) and Shane Trengove (Secretary) for stepping up again to fill our executive positions. It’s a big task and we really appreciate the effort Robin, Peter and Shane all make. We were lucky to have Stuart Burge come along and tell us a bit about his time on the LLS board and fill us in on what’s happening. It’s pretty clear that it’s a new organisation that has a lot of challenges to face – with merging of three government organisations and finding a future direction among a host of other things. Upper Snowy Landcare is convinced that there is a key place for us in this new LLS world and we’ll continue to work closely with staff to ensure that their strong support […]
Do you know someone who has the Landcare fire in their belly? Who knows that Landcare is vital to building resilience in our communities in order to build it in our landscapes? Who works for a Landcare partnership between government and the community to be equal, and based on respect and trust? Gerald Carnie was just such a person, he was an inspiration to Landcare in the Parkes area, and he took that fire to make Landcare stronger across NSW. As such, Landcare NSW is inaugurating an award in Gerald’s memory. Nominations for The Gerald Carnie Memorial Award are now open. The Award will be presented at the National Conference in Melbourne in September. Click here and nominate a ‘fire in the belly’ Landcarer who you know by the 15th August.
Both past data and future predictions are included. Highlights for June 2014 include: Rainfall over May was below median across much of NSW, particularly over the north west and coast. Drier and warmer than normal conditions are likely between June to August. ENSO is still neutral, but there is about a 70 per cent chance of an El Niño event occurring during winter-spring. Pasture growth was good in the south and west, but slowed over the tablelands and coast. Over the quarter it was average or better over 93 per cent of NSW. Biomass levels are low in the north west. Some areas are experiencing a ‘green drought’. Crop development is generally good, especially in the south, although development of late sown crops is slow. Stock water supplies remain variable in some areas. Resources to assist in management for areas suffering poor rainfall and growth are available at Managing in drought.
Title: Graham Centre National Food & Farming Forum Location: Wagga Wagga Link out: Click here Description: This industry wide ‘think tank’ on potential scenarios for securing the future of mixed farming systems, will identify critical internal and external drivers of mixed farming systems viability and sustainability and develop recommendations for the Graham Centre, industry and government to assist in addressing these drivers. Discussions will centre around 3 key themes: Theme 1 – Key drivers of a resilient mixed farming system Theme 2 – To add value or not to add value – that is the question Theme 3 – A fair days pay for a fair days work (post-farm gate) Start Date: 2014-08-21 End Date: 2014-08-22
Anna from Upper Snowy Landcare and Antia from Waterwatch visited Berridale Public School on Thursday 19th June and had a fantastic day with the kids. They walked down the Myack Creek and we got them to be “Bug Detectives” looking for the bugs that were in their creek and comparing them with the bugs we had bought along from the Badja river near Numeralla. The kids were able to figure out which was the more healthy habitat and talk about what makes a healthy river and what we can do to help. brasil-libido.com We then introduced them to “Bill” our platypus and they heard all about Platypuses, their habitat, how they live and how important it is for platypuses to have healthy rivers to live in. The day was a big success! Thanks to Berridale Public and all their kids for coming along and to Antia Brademann for helping out.
River health, Platypuses and Biodiversity were the theme when we visited Jindabyne Central School on Wed 11th June. Anna Rudd from Landcare along with Antia Brademann from Water Watch spoke to kids from Years 1 & 2 about platypuses and why it’s important for us to keep our environment and our rivers clean and healthy. The kids loved finding out about these beautiful creatures and were thrilled when we let them hand around Pia the Platypus which is a real (but dead) platypus that Antia has so the kids can see them close up. They also spoke with the Year 3 & 4 kids about river health and biodversity. The kids played the role of “river detectives” seeing what bugs they could find in some river water we had on hand. It was great fun and the kids were able to assess whether the river was healthy or not from […]
Another successful school visit today (Tue 17 June) at Adaminaby Public School. We had such a great time and the kids were fantastic! They were bug detectives down at the creek – finding wriggling bugs is such fun. We found lots of bugs and the diversity of species allowed the kids to make the judgement that their local creek is very healthy. Thanks again to Antia from Waterwatch who helped the kids and also bought along her platypus. We wanted a name for him and thanks to Zane and the kids at Adaminaby for coming up with his new name – Bill the Platypus! What a great day – it’s so good talking to the kids about rivers, trees, biodiversity and healthy environments. Thanks for having us Adaminaby!
A workshop for landholders to hear from key scientists on our future with African Lovegrass. Date: Saturday 21st June – 9:00am – 3:30pm Presenters Include: Dr Jennifer Firn – CSIRO. Jennifer is working to conserve biodiversity in production landscapes and has done a doctorate on African Lovegrass and the effect different control strategies have on its persistence. Dr Josh Dorrough – Phd Plant Ecology. Josh’s research has focused on the interactions between agricultural production systems and native vegetation. Dr Robert Godfree – CSIRO Ecologist. Robert is a grassland expert who has worked with African Lovegrass and is researching for Cooma Monaro Shire Council. Luke Pope – South East LLS agronomist. Luke has worked with landholders do develop practical plans for management of ALG and is working with local councils on ALG policies. Dr Greg Bender & Norman Marshall – Australian Soil Management. Greg & Norman have developed S oilSense, a […]
We’re having a dieback field day on Thursday 5th June. We’re confirming the details at the moment so stay tuned!
Effective Communication the key for Farming Families What a huge success our communication and succession workshops were during May 2014! We had over 60 people attend – showing how important these issues are for farming families. The workshops focused on the importance of good communication in any business – farming, family or otherwise. We learnt how important it is to establish effective communication so that there can be a balance between family and work. One of the key messages was how important to understand expectations– both our own expectations and those of others. It’s also vital that these expectations get communicated to each other – much conflict comes when there is a breakdown in this step. If we don’t know what other people EXPECT of us, it’s very hard to make sure we don’t let them down. However there are some expectations that we are not even aware of – […]
Title: Murrumbateman Field DayLocation: MurrumbatemanLink out: Click hereDescription: Held over the weekend of 19 and 20 October, the Murrumbateman Field Days are the Canberra region’s premier small farm field day event. Now in its 35th year, the Murrumbateman Field Days bring together over 400 exhibitors displaying the latest machinery, equipment and services to successfully run a small farm. Located at Murrumbateman, on the Barton Highway between Canberra & Yass, the field days are always a fun day out for all the family. Highlights of the weekend include: Antique machinery display, tractor pull, chainsaw art, reptile information stand and helicopter rides. Demonstrations throughout the weekend of horsemanship, fencing and various facets of large and small area gardening. Regular cooking demonstrations encompassing local Murrumbateman produce are carried out. A variety of entertainment and a dedicated children’s program including: an adventure trail, children’s farmyard, face painting, jumping castle and live fun entertainment throughout […]
Title: South Coast Field DaysLocation: Bega ShowgroundLink out: Click hereDescription: SCPA-South East Producers is bringing back the South Coast Field Days with a vibrant programme of inspiring talks, workshops and demonstrations and a showcase of local products and skills around the theme of ‘Sustainable Land Use and Living’. Start Date: 2013-09-21End Date: 2013-09-22
Snowy River Landcare are holding a field day on 12 October to demonstrate the Yeomans plow is used to break soil compaction and allow plant root development. We will have a look at paddock renovated in Feb 2013, and will demonstrate the use of a Yeomans on the day. Discussion of the ideas behind the implement and review of its effectiveness. Also, A low cost way to stop your farm roads rutting out – a practical demonstration. We will make and install a low cost flow diverter on the day. Register 64565162 Location: Jinglefox, Dalgety When: Saturday 12 October, 10am
Title: Pasture Renovation and Erosion Control Location: Jinglefox, Dalgety Description: Field day to demonstrate The Yeomans plow is used to break soilcompaction and allow plant root development. We will have a look at paddock renovated in Feb 2013, and will demonstrate the use of a Yeomans on the day. Discussion of the ideas behind the implement and review of its effectiveness. Also, A low cost way to stop your farm roads rutting out – a practical demonstration. We will make and install a low cost flow diverter on the day Start Time: 10:00 Date: 2013-09-14 End Time: 14:00
We made some fantastic video stories about the winner of our Champions of the Catchment Awards. To watch them on youtube: Chris Millington: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lj3ysClj6k Phil Daley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=SEIz_wXkjBk Stuart Reid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nudfprjd04Y&feature=youtube_gdata
Those who visited the farm of Stuart & Jan Reid “Murlingbung” were able to judge first hand the benefits of rotational grazing to both pasture growth and soil health. Here are some photos…
Our Champions of the Catchment Dinner was a great success – with local landcarers honoured for their contribution to natural resource management in our area. Below are some of the highlights of our dinner.
Nominate Now! for the 2013 State & Territory Landcare Awards NSW Landcarers are being encouraged to submit a nomination for the 2013 NSW Landcare Awards. The renowned Awards, now in their 23rd year, honour the invaluable work that is being undertaken by the Landcare community, with the winners from NSW Awards going forward as finalists to the prestigious National Landcare Awards in 2014. There are nine categories, covering a range of environmental projects and themes, including sustainable agriculture, coastal rehabilitation and Indigenous land management. Individuals, schools, community groups and networks working to protect or restore local environments, farms, coastlines, native vegetation, bushlands, wetlands, waterways, and more, can be nominated. The 2013 Landcare Awards Categories are: •Individual Landcarer Award •Partnerships with Landcare Award •Innovation in Sustainable Farm Practices Award •Landcare Facilitator or Coordinator Award •Coastcare Award •Qantas Landcare Innovative Community Group Award •Westpac Agribusiness Innovative Young Landcare Leader Award […]
Community Landcare Grants build on the success of the earlier Community Action Grants initiative with a renewed focus on sustainable farming and fisheries, agricultural innovation and community capacity building. The grants make it possible for local community-based action, ensuring Australia’s agricultural base is sustainable, productive and resiliant. Grants between $5,000 & $50,000 are available to: help build a skilled and capable Landcare community encourage community participation and engagement in Landcare share information and learnings in sustainable agricultural techniques reduce the spread of pest species, and encourage the adoption of improved sustainable land management practices. Grants are open to local community based groups and professional farming systems groups, actively involved in NRM or sustainable agriculture activities. Full details and guidelines at www.nrm.gov.au or contact 1800 552 008. Applications due 5pm, 20 March 2013
Local Landcarers recently visited the property of Stuart & Jan Reid – winner of a Champions of the Catchment Award for their work in taking principles of sustainable grazing management and translating them to the harsh reality of grazing on the Monaro. Not only have the Reids invested in the development of fencing and water infrastructure on their property to support the system of cell grazing, but over the last 20 years they have persisted, often through trial and error, to develop a system of grazing rotation that is suited to the long cold winters and unpredictable rainfall on the Monaro. Following the awards dinner on Friday night, there was a bus tour to the Reids property “Murlingbung” to judge first hand the benefits of rotational grazing to both pasture growth and soil health. Amongst the attendees on the tour were Landcare members from the whole of the South East […]
Title: Serrated Tussock Field Day Location: Memorial Hall, Dalgety Description: Snowy River Landcare group are running a Serrated Tussock identification and management field day. Starts at the Dalgety Hall and there is a session out in the paddock for plant identification and a demonstration of spraying techniques Start Time: 9:00 Date: 2012-10-19 End Time: 13:00
Title: Maclaughlin River Landcare Group AGMLocation: ‘Sherwood”Description: Annual General Meeting of the Landcare groupStart Time: 18:30Date: 2012-10-16
Berridale Rocky Plain Landcare group had a BBQ and Planning meeting on the 1st September, 2012. Not only did they enjoy the great lunch but the group had a great session listing their priority issues for the Landcare group area. From this effort will come an action plan for the Landcare group.
Link out: Click here Applications are now open for grants of up to $40,000 as part of the NSW Government’s Habitat Action Grant program for projects that improve fish habitat in your area. Projects of direct benefit to recreational fishing will be given preference. Previous projects include remediation of barriers to fish movement, re-snagging waterways, bank stabilisation works, wetland, mangrove and saltmarsh rehabilitation, weed control and re-establishment of native vegetation along waterways and opening floodgates. For more information about the program, examples of past Habitat Action Grants and application forms, visit http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/hag; contact David Cordina on 02-6881 1277 or email [email protected] Applications close on Friday 28 September 2012 at 5pm.
The results of a recent national Landcare survey demonstrate a movement that is firmly embedded in teh culture of Australian farming, with a staggering 93% of those surveyed saying that they practiced Landcare on their farms, and 73% saying they feel they are part of Landcare. In a preliminary release of the results National Landcare Facilitator, Brett de Hayr, says that the results convey a powerful message and provides further proof that the Landcare movement has proven its longevity. “The results of this survey reflect a remarkable cultural shift that has occurred in the Australian farming community since the inception of Landcare across the country in the late 1980’s,” he said. “These figures are significant and run counter to the view in some areas that farmers are not supportive of issues relating to the environment. The growth of Landcare over the last two decades has clearly shown that a healthy […]
2012 Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation Grants Applications Close 31 August 2012 Link out: Click here Aim of the program The aim of the Restoration and Rehabilitation (R&R) program is to facilitate projects to prevent or reduce pollution, the waste stream or environmental degradation of any kind, run by community organisations and State and Local government organisations. Through these projects, we also aim to improve the capacity of communities and organisations to protect, restore and enhance the environment. Objectives The objectives of the Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation program are: to restore degraded environmental resources, including rare and endangered ecosystems to protect important ecosystems and habitats of rare and endangered flora and fauna to prevent or minimise future environmental damage to enhance the quality of specific environmental resources to improve the capacity of eligible organisations to protect, restore and enhance the environment to undertake resource recovery and waste avoidance projects and to prevent […]
Invitation to Landcare BBQ and Planning Meeting for all landholders & Landcarers in the Berridale Rocky Plain area. Saturday 1st September, 12:30 till 2:30pm Berridale Fire Control Centre, Bolton Street Berridale Planning means a “Where to Now” for Berridale Rocky Plain Landcare. We have had a lot of success in getting funding over the last few years but we don’t have an agenda for our focus over the next few years. So we need to know: Issues that are important to you; Group Projects that you would like us to pursue; and Field days you’d like us to hold. We’d like to start with this short meeting so you can tell us what is important to you and where the Landcare group should be putting its efforts—either to get funds to help you do this on your own property, funds to do group work and ideas of what we want […]
Snowy River Landcare Group have won a grant of $128,000 under the Commonwealth Governments Caring for our Country program. Titled “Containing the Invasion – stopping Snowy River Serrated Tussock getting away” the project has received funding of $128,220. This is great news for our local Landcarers, with the aim to control core infestations of serrated tussock in the immediate area of Dalgety, on the Snowy River. These infestations threaten to invade the natural temperate grasslands that dominate the area covered by Snowy River Landcare group. The funding will also be used to focus on the control of outlier light and scattered populations downwind of the core areas. The project will comprise of three main components: Targeted landowners in “core infestation” areas will be offered subsidised contractor spraying on a 50/50 cost share basis, with Landcare covering the full cost of herbicide and the landowners splitting the cost of the contractors; […]
The 2012 Feral Photos Competition is NOW OPEN! It’s a free photography competition open to all members of the public, proudly brought to you by the NRM Liaison & Engagement Project of the Invasive Animals CRC. brasil-libido.com They are looking for the best original photographs of pest animals, pest animal damage and pest animal control or monitoring activities in Australia. Colour, black & white, sepia-tone, remote camera and panoramic photos will be accepted. There will be some great prizes and the winning entries will be featured in our next Feral Photos calender! So if you need some inspiration, head to http://www.invasiveanimals.com/feral-photos/2011-winners/ or http://www.feral.org.au/feral-photos-2011/ to see some of the entries from last year’s highly successful competition. All entries (a maximum of 3 per person) must be provided in electronic or printed form, together with a completed entry form available at www.invasiveanimals.com/feral-photos. Please ensure you read and understand th terms and conditions […]
Community discussion forum now open, JOIN IN to contribute your views & ideas… The Southern Rivers CMA has launched a six week on-line community discussion forum for the update of the Southern Rivers Catchment Action Plan. They are hoping you can join the conversation and are keen to hear your views and ideas on a range of natural resource management topics. Creating healthier landscapes requires us all to share what we know and work together to build more resilient communities an dlocal environments. Your ideas and views will be shared within the CMA stakeholder and partner workshops that commence in August, and will contribute to the development of natural resource management targets and actions.
Rain didn’t help Landcare CSO Mark Robertson when he was working on erosion control at Jimenbuen… Aspart of the Upper Snowy Landcare Integrated Erosion Control project a flume is being built to decrease erosion at Crisps Creek near Jimenbuen. Six inches of rain just as they were starting work gave Mark a perfect opportunity to see where the problem was! The whole crossing flooded and the project was made all the more difficult due to the downpour. But they battled on and have made great improvements to the site. This is an integral part of the project and will be an ideal way to both showcase and test different erosion control methods. To read more about the Erosion Control Project click HERE to go to our projects page…
“Sunset over the Farmer’s luscious green paddocks”, Amber Threadgate from Cooma Public drew our October picture for this years USLC Calender. This years theme is “When the Rains Came”. Every year our popular calender features pictures drawn by school children from across the region. The calender is a great way to connect our kids with Landcare and with the environment… The theme for the 2013calendar is “When the Rains Came” This theme is an opportunity for students to explore: (a) The changes to the landscape since the breaking of the drought (b) What it has meant to have sufficient rain after all those years of drought for farmers, gardeners, playgrounds, Kosciuszko National Park, the bush, rivers etc in the Upper Snowy (c) The changes the students have personally felt The Committee encourages students to explore a range of different techniques as well as the usual paintings, coloured drawings and crayon […]