Basalt to Bay Landcare Network

New Landcare Facilitator for Basalt to Bay

2012-02-04T22:27:00.000-08:00

Basalt to Bay have been very fortunate in receiving funding from the Victorian Local Landcare Facilitator Initiative for the next 3 1/2 years. This has given us double the time = 30 hours / week and an opportunity to revisit our goals and strategies to grow the network and our projects. As a part of this process, we advertised the position and appointed Lisette Mill.

Lisette has a Diploma of Sustainability and Dip. of Conservation and Land Management and is currently working for the local Gorse Task force and has previously worked with the Moyne and Corangamite Shires.

Lisette will start her new position on 20 February and will be contactable at basalttobay@gmail.com and on the mobile 0459 524 556.

We thank Mick Wright for his work with us the last 18 months and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

Landcare work is for everyone....

2011-11-12T19:09:00.000-08:00

Rail Trails are fabulous use for disused railway lines. The Warrnambool to Port Fairy Rail Trail passes through Koroit, and to make the most of the currently disused Koroit Station, 600 native plants were planted in a sympathetically landscaped fashion around it. With help with funding from the “Victorian Landcare Program Volunteering Action Grant” and as part of the social inclusion ethos of Karingal (one of the organizations which assist adults with a disability in the Warrnambool district), five of their clients and a carer took part along with two Rail Trail members and a collie dog. We are not sure who had the most fun. This was an experiment to see how Karingal clients and community groups could work together. Basalt 2 Bay Landcare Network facilitated this combined activity, and all who took part now want to do more things together.

The next exciting environmental event for the Karingal clients was on a Saturday morning to join in with Warrnambool Coastcare monthly weeding, planting and mulching activity at the Harris Street Reserve. This reserve is developing from its original ‘grass and path’ format into a landscaped area with lots of endemic plants on one side of the path, giving a nice view of the Merri River that attracts lots of birds, which were previously missing. There was no shortage of walkers & cyclists using the path and thanking the volunteers for making the area so much nicer. It’s nice to be appreciated.

A total of about 50 people took part during the morning. One of the Karingal clients has a special interest in endemic plants and knows lots of the plants that were being planted. He helped other members with the “How big does it grow?” and “How close should we plant them?” questions. Another just loves wheeling a wheelbarrow around. He earned his morning tea by wheeling most of the mulch to where it needed to go, and made lots of friends along the way. The Karingal clients had so much fun that they wanted to come back the next day to do more. They were told that they had to wait a whole month as the working bees were once a month. They decided that Karingal should join Warrnambool Coastcare so that they would get each newsletter and be able to join in as often as they could, hopefully each month. Karingal is now a member of Warrnambool Coastcare.

Each September, Year 9 (70 students) from Gilson College in Melbourne’s West visits the south west for their camp. They stay at the Scout camp at Brucknell for 10 nights, and spend 9 days engaged in service activities, which may be environmental, social or for each other (they even have a daily catering group which cooks dinner for the entire group).

Killarney Coastcare (KCC) hosted 10 students and one teacher in the ‘bird group’. Their activities were centered on birds that use the beach and estuary for all or some of year for feeding and/or breeding - specifically the Orange-bellied parrot and Hooded plover, but we also included Red-capped Plovers, Ruddy Turnstones and various Raptors.

The first day that the students were with us, we made seed balls that would be tossed on their fifth and last day with Killarney Coastcare, the following Monday. Four Karingal clients and a carer joined in to make a total of 4 large buckets of seed balls. Seed balls are a convenient option to use for direct seeding in places that have limited access for machinery, or where machinery would cause environmental damage.

Seed balls are made from a mix of clayish soil, compost (we used zoo poo) and a small number of mixed seeds. The soil and compost are thoroughly mixed, and a small handful is squeezed together to form a ball about the size of a golf ball. As it is squeezed together, a few seeds from the separate bowl are pressed into the centre. The ball is rolled in your hands until it holds its shape very well. The best balls were well-rolled and held together when tossed. The other consideration is to have seeds of species that have similar requirements in each seed ball. We divided ball-rollers into 2 groups, and each group had seeds for a particular zone of wetness.

The balls were laid out on newspaper to dry, keeping the wetness zones separate, and hands and clothes were washed. Tossing them was even more of a highlight than getting dirty. If the Year 9 students had fun, the Karingal clients had even more fun. Some clients had not spent much time at the beach, let alone a wild beach like The Cutting, where they went to toss the seed balls that they had made

The Karingal guys had to wait a few more weeks for their tossing session, but the wait was well worth it. Maybe next year we can have a joint seed ball tossing session?

Is environmental work supposed to be fun? The Karingal guys reckon so, and want to do more stuff that’s this much fun. They also like being part of what is going on, as well as giving something back to the community that supports them, though they might use different words to express it. The students enjoyed the interaction, and got to find out that people with all sorts of abilities can do things together and have fun. I think the technical word is integration.

If you would like the recipe for seed balls, contact Lou Hollis on 0408 527 670 or micklou6@bigpond.com , or just enter seed balls into your search engine.

Killarney Coastcare would like to thank Basalt 2 Bay Landcare Network for supporting us in this ongoing environmental work (and fun).

Lou Hollis

Killarney Coastcare

Upcoming events for Basalt to Bay

2011-07-12T18:39:00.000-07:00

Hello again

Michael has been busy forging partnerships so we can deliver 2 more workshops to landcarers in the south west over the next months. After many rural based field days these 2 are more urban focused but with some great spots along our coast we cherish these should be of interest.

Urban Fox Control Workshop
Tuesday 26 July 7-8.30pm at the Foreshore Pavilion (La Bella rm) Warrnambool near breakwater. Supper afterwards.

The presenter, Tim Bloomfield has worked on pest management for 34 years and he has a particular interest in fox and rabbit behaviour and management. Tim has published articles and advised on many programs including Phillip Island. This is an opportunity to discuss how we can improve the survival of many of our local native species including penguins, shore birds and animals.

This workshop covers:

The ecology and biology of foxes in urban areas

The impact of foxes

How many species face extinction from foxes

How to make your backyard less advantageous to foxes

Outline of W'bool City Council and Parks Vic programs

Please RSVP for catering to Mick on 0459 524 556 or basalttobay@gamil.com

Many thanks to the Warrnambool City Council and Glenelg Hopkins CMA for support to run this workshop.

Coastal Weeds Workshop

Saturday 10 September 10.00am to noon at Grannies Grave Warrnambool foreshore

This workshop will assist people living close to and interested in the foreshore area to understand what weeds are impacting on our coastal reserves and how dumping of garden clippings has created issues. Weed control will be demonstrated, weeds identified and indigenous plants will be given away to replace invasive garden plants.

Many thanks to Marty Gent, DSE CoastCare Coordinator for leading the two walks (10am & 11.00am), Bunnings Warehouse who will provide tools and the experienced volunteer landcarers who will be there to advise as well. The funding for this event was provided by DSE's Volunteer Action Grants. To find out more contact Mick.

Cheers Karen Wales, Chair, Basalt to Bay Landcare Network

Bsalt to Bay Landcare Network still running strong

2011-05-17T18:40:00.000-07:00

Hello again - finally back on board the blog. Mick, our coordinator is well and truly established in his role now and we have found plenty to keep him busy.

Mick puts out a quarterly newsletter by e-mail which you can get e-mailed to you direct by asking Mick via basalttobay@gmail.com or we have a presence on the Victorian Landcare Gateway www.landcarevic.org.au and newsletters will get posted onto that. The latest will be circulated this week.

We have continued to attract funding for Micks position, workshops and on ground works in the last 6 months. This has allowed us to run field days on birds, wetlands and sustainable farming plus allow revegetation to occur in the Watershed 2000 region (Woorndoo / Mortlake / Caramut / Ballangeich areas) and the Killarney Coastal Reserve.

B2B will be working with Karingal to encourage and assist their clients to become involved in landcare out at Killarney to improve their social skills and wider interests while achieving great mental health and environmental outcomes.

The Kick Start Your Reserve project is still working with Yatmerone Wetlands and Penshurst to reveg and control woody weeds, Hawkesdale Golf Course and Racecourse Reserve to establish what native grassland species are present to establish a management plan and Griffith Island Reserve at Port Fairy to plant trees with good wallaby proof guards.

We welcome other reserve managers and friends groups in our region (Moyne Shire mainly west of the Hopkins River) to contact us with ideas about how we can assist them with resources to improve thier favourite bit of bush. Also land holders and farmers in the district who want to do more revegatation, waterway fencing and remnant bush enhancement to contact us as to possible funding opportunities.

Look forward to hearing from you. Karen - B2B Chairman

Basalt to Bay has a new Coordinator

2010-10-12T15:35:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone

Apologies for such a long delay between postings. Richard resigned back in August and we have been busy getting our new Coordinator, Michael Wright up to speed. What is wonderful is that Mick has hit the ground running with site visits to the reserves and properties which are taking the 20,000 trees funded from the Avatar movie. Plantings had to occur this spring.

Mick resides in Koroit and has been involved in many local landcare groups including Friends of Tower Hill and Killarney CoastCare group. His last position was with the Warrnambool City Council supervising participants in developing on the job skills by undertaking various environmental projects.

If you want to contact Mick he works Tuesdays and Wednesdays with his desk number being 5564 2607 and mobile 0459 524 556.

After such a wet winter, our next field day planned for Wednesday 27 October should be a winner. The focus is on wetlands - what attracts birds and wildlife to some wetlands and not others and what elements do you need to have a ecologically diverse wetland which will benefit so many of our regional species. The day starts at 10.00am meeting at the Caramut wetland on the intersection of the Hamilton Hwy and the Warrnambool - Caramut Rd intersection. The tour will then move to a the Wales property 6km north of Caramut to view a 20ha wetland developed 15 years ago which attracts a wide range of birds and animals including ducks, swans. egrets, spoonbills, stilts, herons, frogs, wallabies etc. Participants will be able to ask questions of our guest experts, Dr Michelle Casanova and Sue Mudford from Trust for Nature about how to develop or enhance a wetland on their own properties to create a wildlife haven.

We will finish up with lunch - so please contact Mick if you intend to come for catering purposes and for further details. B.Y.O gumboots, camera, binoculars, sun hat and chair.

Background on speakers:

Dr Michelle Casanova grew up in Lake Bolac in the western district of Victoria. She studied Marine Biology at James Cook University, then a PhD on water plants in the Botany Department of UNE in Armidale, working as a tutor and researcher there until 1998. Michelle now lives on a farm at Westmere, where they grow wheat, barley, canola, oats and fine-wool merinos. She has worked as a consultant on wetlands, and water plant biodiversity, and some of the work has been in documenting the diversity of a particular group of plants called 'charophytes' for the Australian Biological Resources Study through the Royal Botanic Gardens. Michelle is passionate about wetlands and biodiversity conservation and the necessity of incorporating conservation practices into productive agricultural systems.

Sue Mudford has professional experience in risk management, governance, community engagement, facilitation, regional development, biodiversity and conservation. She is actively involved in Landcare and conservation activities and is Regional Manager for the Glenelg Hopkins area for Trust for Nature. Sue lives on a property near Woorndoo and has extensive experience in developing and promoting wetlands and the importance of these habitats to the regional biodiversity. Recently Sue has promoted wetland protection by assisting to form the ‘Friends of the Brolga” group and with a membership of 400 people state-wide, interest by farmers in brolgas is high.

Cheers Karen Wales
Chair Basalt to Bay LCN

Adios Amigos

2010-08-04T06:31:00.001-07:00

Hey Folks, as of this Friday I will be leaving as coordinator of Basalt to Bay Landcare Network.

I have made a heart felt decision to move on, so that I can devote my energies to other areas of my life that I have been neglecting.

During my time with the network, we have achieved many wonderful things including on ground projects with some 21 landholders and 8 public reserves/sites, equating to some 114,000 trees. We have delivered 6 capacity building activities, involved 400 plus volunteers, developed a strategic plan and a web log. In recent months I have secured funding for another 20,000 trees to be planted at 3 reserves and 2 landholder sites. I have also set about seeking expressions of interest for funding for a further possible 25 land holder projects around Belfast Loch.

I had great ambitions for the network and was unable to realise all of them but I am still happy with what I have been able to achieve.

There are many highlights for me but none greater than the relationships I have formed with many wonderful people along the way (especially enthusiastic land holders) and the opportunity to play a small part in rejuvinating the brutalised landscape of the green desert.

Few people seem to realise how much effort some people put into caring about the local environment. Many people go unrecognised in their efforts, despite achieving great things. A few people I would like to recognise for their outstanding contribution to local environmental conservation include :

Don McTaggart
Ian Bodycoat
John Amor (RIP)
John Norton
Peter Bolte
Richard Weatherley
Brenton Bartsch
Carolyn Rundell
Dean Suckling
Matthew Ebden.

I would also like to recognise the input and connection to country of the local Gunditjmarra people, who have gone largely unheard by local NRM groups.

Thank you to the support of local agency staff and staff in Landcare Australia Limited, especially :

Mary Johnson, Dave Nichols, Tony Lithgow & Margie Finnegan of Glenelg Hopkins CMA
Francis Jeon-Ellis, John Bott & Shivani Jayasinghe of LAL
Carolyn Rundell of Trust for Nature
Jonathon Lee of Conservation Volunteers
Marty Gent of DSE
Matthew Ebden of Deakin University.

Thank you to everyone for their ongoing support and interest in healing Gunditjmarra land.

I wish you all the best in health, happiness and harmony.

Richard Hudson.

PS. From this point onwards key contact for the network will be Karen Wales (Network Chair) via email : basalttobay@gmail.com or 55 620 021.

Creating Landscapes to Attract Birds

2010-07-15T23:40:00.000-07:00

On Friday 13th August, Basalt to Bay will be running the Creating Landscapes to Attract Birds workshop in St Helens - north of Yambuk. Keynote speakers will be Rod Bird from Hamilton Field Nats and Jonathon Lee. During this workshop, participants will learn about :

Identifying key local species
Guidelines for designing landscapes to attract birds
The benefits of birds

Where : 185 St Helens Rd, St Helens (Google maps will help/car pool may be available)
When : Workshop starts at 9:30 am and finishes at 1 pm
Cost : Free

Picnic lunch and drinks provided, as well as a goody bag with relevant information.
Please RSVP asap by calling Richard Hudson on 0458 268 119 (or by emailing richardb2b@gmail.com) or Karen Wales 55 620 021.

Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group Rocks !

2010-06-30T20:44:00.000-07:00

Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group has done it again, winning the prestigious Australian Government Coastcare Award with their Maremma Dogs project on Middle Island.

Congratulations to Don McTaggart , Ian Fitzgibbon and the rest of the team at WCLCG for their fantastic win. The tireless efforts of the group have resulted in the development of a highly innovative project, using Maremma dogs to protect Little Penguins on Middle Island, from their major predator - foxes. Further information about the project can be found here : http://svc009.wic050p.server-web.com/nationalawards2010/?page_id=202 and here : http://www.wclg.com.au/middle-island/

Resource Update 4

2010-06-30T20:25:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks : Just to let you know that things are still busy at this end - lots happening with new funding submissions and new projects that we're developing for next year. Also a reminder that info will be posted soon regarding the upcoming Birds on Farms workshop.

Here are some relevant resource links that have come my way the last few weeks :

Community Action Grants : http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/june/further_$8_million_community_action_grants_for_community_groups
National Landcare Awards : http://svc009.wic050p.server-web.com/nationalawards2010/?page_id=1508
news from SW Climate Change : http://swccf.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=29&Itemid=26
Suregro reveg products : http://www.suregro.com/
Dairying for Tomorrow : http://www.dairyingfortomorrow.com/
Stipa native Grasses Association : http://www.stipa.com.au/
Demo Dairy What's On page : http://www.demodairy.org.au/joomla15/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid=7
Pulse Oz : http://www.pulseaus.com.au/

Resource Update 3

2010-05-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

Hey folks, here are some relevant resource links that have come to my attention since the last update :

Victorian Conservation Management Network : http://www.vvpcmn.org/
NE Dung Beetle project - kit availible : http://northeast.landcarevic.net.au/dungbeetle/projects/do-it-with-dung/dung-beetle-resource-package
Do it with Dung Dung Beetle Newsletters : http://northeast.landcarevic.net.au/dungbeetle/projects/do-it-with-dung/do-it-with-dung-newsletters
Dung Beetle Articles : http://northeast.landcarevic.net.au/dungbeetle/projects/do-it-with-dung/dung-beetle-articles
Dung Beetle ID Guide : http://northeast.landcarevic.net.au/dungbeetle/projects/do-it-with-dung/dung-beetle-identification-chart/DUNG-BEETLE-IDENTIFICATION-GUIDE.pdf/view
Victorian Dung Beetle E-Forum : http://mc2.vicnet.net.au/home/beetles/index.html
Landcare Australia on Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=107873861044&share_id=369259282292&comments=1#!/landcareaustralia
Landcare after 20 years on Landline : http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2010/s2869583.htm
Landlink Landcare Australia Newsletter : http://braveclients.com.au/landcare/landcare/edm1_html/index.html
Indigenous Landcare : http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/19/2903312.htm?site=idx-act (a good possibility for our region ?)
Free Dung Beetle Package : http://www.landcarevic.net.au/news/dung-beetle-resource-package
Start Up Grants : http://glenelg-hopkins.landcarevic.net.au/news/start-up-grants
International Centre for Excellence in Landcare : http://www.landcare.com.au/
Landcare Case Studies : http://svc018.wic008tv.server-web.com/news_details.asp?sType=news&news_id=287&from=archive
Regenerating Native Pastures : http://svc018.wic008tv.server-web.com/case_study.asp?cID=195
Managing Dairy Effluent : http://svc018.wic008tv.server-web.com/case_study.asp?cID=188
New Fodder Crops for Sheep : http://svc018.wic008tv.server-web.com/case_study.asp?cID=222
Free Online Videos for Your Group : http://animoto.com/

Kick Start Your Reserve Bus Tour

2010-05-26T19:17:00.000-07:00

Last Friday Basalt to Bay ran our long awaited Kick Start Your Reserve Bus tour - after 2 previous cancellations. The tour visited Tozer Reserve, Yatmerone Reserve (Penshurst), Hawkesdale Common, Hawkesdale Racecourse Reserve and Pallisters Reserve. 10 people took their place on the bus with another 8 visitors joining us at individual sites. It was a great day for all with plenty of time out doors and lots information about current projects, opportunities for networking and heaps of food (we try hard to fatten our guests !).

The tour profiled a wide spectrum of reserves. Many reserves have the potential for the involvement of large numbers of volunteers and to be used as environmental education sites, while others have the opportunity for additional on ground projects. Pallisters Reserve is clearly the bench mark when it comes to local reserves but all the reserves had something special to offer. Tozer Reserve shows great promise as an environmental education center close to Warrnambool, Yatmerone is a great site for bird watchers, Hawkesdale Common is a great education site for local flora, while Hawkesdale Racecourse Reserve has plenty to offer, including club rooms which could be used for environmental education, a wide selection of native grasses and native orchids and is host to the largest Manna Gum in the region and a huge number of swamp rats !

Given the postive feedback that we recieved in response to the tour, it's likely that we'll have a follow up tour next year.

Thanks to the Department of Planning & Community Development for the funding to run the bus tour and Glenelg Hopkins CMA for resource support.

Victorian Landcare Gateway Training

2010-05-06T19:52:00.000-07:00

Does your group need an effective way to inform your local community and members what is happening, events that are coming up, and group projects? Do you want to better promote the group and its activities?

The Victorian Landcare Gateway www.landcarevic.net.au has been designed to make it easier for groups to:

add or update information on the group
add news or events, including opportunities for volunteers to participate
add newsletters and photos
describe or promote group projects
find other related groups or projects
map activities or projects

When Groups have their information listed, community users can:

find information on topics of interest
find their local group
volunteer for events in their area
link to groups of interest

All this is free for Landcare and related groups. The Gateway has been designed to enable people with basic computer skills to maintain and edit their group information and notices, so you do not need to be a computer whiz to use the site.

There are opportunities available for Landcare and related Group members to attend a training day on how to use the Gateway. THE TRAINING IS FREE.

I have organised training days for Hamilton 10/5/10, Portland 11/5/10, Warrnambool 12/5/10 and Ararat 13/5/10.

If these days do not suit we can make some other arrangements. Please call me to book a position or discuss options.

Thank you for taking the opportunity to participate in the Gateway Training. The following are some house keeping we need to take care of before the day.

1 – if you do not yet have a username on the Gateway you must register and login well before the training. (Visit the Gateway and click on New User link in Login Box)

2 – It is essential that you have logged in at least once, know your username and password and can login on the day –there is no guarantee that this can be done on the day as password reset is dependent upon email access – so please log in to be sure you can remember the details on the day. THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT!!!

3 – You will need to be provided with management rights to your group site. I will arrange for this to happen. It would be helpful if you Email the name of the group you will be using to make sure I have them right. I realise some groups are not set up yet. I will rectify this.

What to bring to the training, preferably in electronic file:

1- An example of an event – field day, workshop, forum notice

2- A news item/media release

3- A digital image or two – preferably with the file size reduced to 200-300 kb (warning, most digital cameras now produce file sizes of 1-8Mb, which are too big)

4- A pdf or background document as well if required

Get an idea of how to use the site, by visiting a couple of group sites that are using the Gateway. Easiest way is to go to www.landcarevic.net.au and click on one of the events coming up from a group, which will take you to their event. Then look at their main site.

Additional tool that may be of use for Landcare Groups - the Gateway has an email server which enables groups to have their own email address, such as group@landcarevic.net.au

The email can be managed via webmail, and allow full contact lists to be managed. This can avoid the issues of transferring group contacts from personal computers, as using this option would only require the login details to be handed over to the new executive member.

Emails can be one way only, where messages sent to the address are forwarded automatically to one or a group of executive email addresses, but the address cannot be used to send messages.

The email can also be fully functional, with messages received, sent and contact lists and address books maintained. The Email addresses are protected by a top line spam protection system, so it is also rare for junk to get through. If your group would like an email address, please also contact me with the preferred address and requirements.

Center	Location	Address	Date	Time
Southern Grampians Adult Education	Hamilton ( above Kerr and Co.)	89 Gray St	10/05/2010	10.00-2.00 pm
South West TAFE Portland	Portland	154 Heard St	11/05/2010	10.00-2.00 pm
South West TAFE Warrnambool	Warrnambool	Timor St	12/05/2010	5.00 - 9.00 pm
Ararat Neighbourhood House	Ararat.	56 Campbell St	13/05/2010	5.00 - 9.00 pm

We will provide a light lunch at the Hamilton and Portland sessions and there will be some snacks before the Warrnambool and Ararat sessions. Tea and coffee will be available.

Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions. PLEASE VISIT THE SITE TO SEE WHAT IT CAN DO!

Cheers,

Tony Lithgow

Regional Landcare Coordinator

Glenelg Hopkins CMA

Ph. 55712526

Kick Start Your Reserve Bus Tour

2010-05-06T19:48:00.000-07:00

You are cordially invited to attend the

Kick Start Your Reserve Bus Tour

Friday 21^st May, 2010

Where : Bus departs from Harris St. Reserve Warrnambool

When : Departing 9:00 am sharp, back at 5 pm

Destinations : Tozer Reserve (Wangoom Road), Hawkesdale Common, Hawkesdale Racecourse Reserve, Yatmerone Reserve (Penshurst) & Pallisters Reserve (St Helens).

Picnic lunch & drinks provided.

Please RSVP by 13^th May by calling Richard on 0458 268 119

Or emailing: richardb2b@gmail.com

Resource Update 2

2010-05-06T19:15:00.001-07:00

Hey folks, here are some relevant resource links that have come to my attention since the last update :

Landcare Contacts : http://www.landcarevic.net.au/resources/for-staff/resource-guide-for-facilitators/Directory-Resource-Guide_web.pdf
Recycling for Recovery Program : http://www.landcarevic.net.au/resources/funding/recycling-for-recovery-program/recycling-for-recovery-program
Resources for Groups from Landcare Gateway : http://www.landcarevic.net.au/resources/for-groups
Landcare Australia on Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/landcareaustralia
Thornbill Ecoeducation (Workshops, Consultancy & Tours) : http://www.thornbill.com.au/
The State of Australias Birds 2009 : http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/images/stories/publications/soab/SOAB-2009.pdf
Carbon Innovators Network : http://www.carboninnovators.net.au/
Climate Change & Government policy : http://www.carboninnovators.net.au/sites/carboninnovators.net.au/files/images/Paris%20Nichols%20EPA.pdf
Climate Drivers in SW Victoria : http://www.carboninnovators.net.au/sites/carboninnovators.net.au/files/images/Vince%20Versace%20Deakin.pdf
Local Tidal Power : http://www.carboninnovators.net.au/sites/carboninnovators.net.au/files/images/Mark%20Gervis%20Southern%20Ocean%20Mariculture.pdf
Geelong Geothermal Project : http://www.carboninnovators.net.au/sites/carboninnovators.net.au/files/images/Rob%20King%20Greenearth%20Energy_0.pdf
Carbon Innovators Network : http://www.carboninnovators.net.au/sites/carboninnovators.net.au/files/images/Joseph%20Mazzone%20Origin.pdf
Ralph Leutton for Wannon : http://www.leuttonforwannon.com.au/
Wiki Spaces : http://www.wikispaces.com/
Tree Day - Planet Ark : http://treeday.planetark.org/involved/coordinate.cfm
Geoengineering (worth finding out about what's being planned for our planet) : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoengineering & http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=https://publicaffairs.llnl.gov/news/news_releases/2008/images/geoengineering_diagram_big.jpg&imgrefurl=https://publicaffairs.llnl.gov/news/news_releases/2008/NR-08-05-04.html&h=2083&w=3125&sz=2897&tbnid=prq94TyV_cDbDM:&tbnh=100&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3DGeoengineering&usg=__Bih3ZVg8PoOGkcAXCp1dBTJJcJE=&ei=rJPbS8a5O86GkAWJsc3RBw&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=7&ct=image&ved=0CEIQ9QEwBg

Capacity Building Activities for 2010

2010-04-30T00:05:00.001-07:00

We have just revised our calendar for capacity building activities for the year. Please note the following new dates and locations :

Birds on farms workshop - Yambuk (Friday 11th June)
Wetlands Workshop - Caramut (Friday 13th August)
Direct Seeding Demonstration - Orford (Friday 8th October)
Coastal Weed & Identification workshop - Warrnambool (Friday 15th October)
Healing the Soil with Native Pastures - Location to be announced (Friday 22nd October).

Flyers will be sent out approximately 4-6 weeks prior to all events. If yoy are interested in attending, please contact myself Richard Hudson on 0458 268 119 or email richardb2b@gmail.com .

AGM and Recruitment Drive a Great Success

2010-04-29T23:54:00.000-07:00

Last night Basalt to Bay held it's annual AGM/recruitment drive in Port Fairy. A nice crowd of 21 people turned out and from that we gained a few more volunteers for local Landcare groups.

It was a great night, with a fantastic meal from head chef, Dianne from the HUB in Port Fairy and presentations by Peter Forster from the Environmental Farmes Network and Inka Veltheim from the SW Brolga Research Project.

Folks enjoyed some serious networking and we all enjoyed the talk by Peter and Inka. We were all much the wiser about the benefits of gaining carbon credits from biodiversity planting and the benfits that landholders gain from improving local biodiversity and shelter for stock and crops. We also learned that the southern Brolga currently faces endangered status in Victoria and that key threats to it's ongoing survival include fox predation, disturbance from Wind Farms and clearing of habitat by landholders.

Thanks to the Department of Planning and Community Development and Glenelg Hopkins CMA for sponsoring the night.

Saving the Amazing Brolgas

2010-04-29T19:59:00.001-07:00

Inka Veltheim is a PhD student currently studying southern Brolga distribution and migration at the University of Ballarat.

Inka spoke last night at Basalt to Bay Landcare Networks AGM. During her talk, Inka highlighted that the sothern Brolga population currently has an threatened status, with only some 750 birds, with many of these birds located at 4 major sites. This is in stark contrast to the northern population of Brolgas, who are thought to number between 75,000-100,000. The southern Brolga has an ageing population with only 3 % of flocks being immature birds. Inka confirmed that unless significant steps are taken to mitigate ongoing losses, the Brolga may reach a tipping point, beyond which they may not recover.

Inka said that current threats to the Brolga include the Red Fox, disturbance from wind farms and powerlines and a loss of wetland habitat due to clearing and over grazing by land holders. It is thought that threats can be mitigated by :

Culling of Red Foxes
Identifying how much space is required by Brolgas, so that disturbance by windfarms is reduced
The creation of large scale artificial wetlands with diverse wetland flora
The protection of known flocking and nesting sites, using barbless wire
Creation of large buffer zones around wetlands - the larger the better
Creating wetlands between grain crops
Reducing the presence of Powerlines near known Brolga flocking and nesting sites.

Inka also suggested that the Brolga is an ideal indicator species for the overall health of wetlands. As the presence of Brolgas usually indicates high levels of general biodiversity and wetland bird biodiversity.

Brolgas are found across the south west of Victoria from Corangamite to Mount Gambier. The most significant populations are found in Penshurst and Willaura but birds have also been recorded across in areas such as Portalnd, Warrnambool, Mt Richmiond, Kaladbro and Glenthompson.

Inka would like to hear from anyone in the south west of Victoria who has seen any Brolgas or any landholder who knows of any Brolga sites or has any knowldge about the history of local Brolgas.

You can contact Inka by email on inka_veltheim@yahoo.com.au or you can call her on 03 9877 5342. You can read about her project here : http://victorianbrolgastudy.com.au/

Further information on Brolgas can be found here :

http://bird.net.au/bird/index.php?title=Surveys
http://ozcranes.net/index.html
http://ozcranes.net/research/proj.html#brol
http://www.boca.org.au/
http://www.savingcranes.org/brolga.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brolga .

Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group Update for April

2010-04-22T17:29:00.001-07:00

Hi Guys,

Now that we have recovered from the Lava Flows bus trip (which was a fantastic day) here is a few more activities happening around the place that you may wish to be part of:

One of our members , Philip du Guesclin needs some help to catch and band the short tailed Shearwaters at Griffiths Island on Sun 25th April, before they take off for the northern hemisphere summer He will be meeting at the rotunda at 1915 hrs and again the same time Mon 26th if Sunday's weather is inclement. Phone Philip on 55681685 mobile 0438313305.
If you are in Melbourne from April 30 – May 2^nd, try and find some time to visit the Going Green Expo at the Exhibition centre. www.goinggreenexpo.com.au
We have entered in the Clean Beach Awards this year and a judge is coming to town this week to check us out. Not sure what time yet. I may ring around when I find out to see if some of us can meet him or her for two hours (possibly Thursday 11.00 – 1.00)
We are waiting on Ann to advise us of the new Harris St Working Bee Roster. It should be starting real soon.
Marty Gent starts the Coast Action Coastcare Facilitators position on April 27^th.
Our next meeting is May 4^th. Shannon McKay has accepted an offered to speak to us about Whales and her visit to the Antarctic last summer.

Cheers Don.

Conservation 5 Day Breaks

2010-04-21T21:44:00.000-07:00

Make the most of your holidays and volunteer with us

South West Region

What’s on for Autumn 2010!

To book on these projects shown below, contact our South West Office on

(03) 5551 3331, email jlee@conservationvolunteers.com.au

For more information contact us or book online at www.conservationvolunteers.com.au

Project Cost: 5 day Conservation Breaks cost $208 ($120 for students) which includes all meals, accommodation and project related transport. Some concessions are available. $50 deposit required upon booking and recommended at least 2 weeks prior to the project. Cancellation fees may apply.

Note that all projects are free of charge unless you need food and accommodation

The Points Arboretum Grassland Restoration Project 1 of 2

Dates: 26^th April – 30th April

Project type: Better Earth

Description: Join this volunteer project in the Great South West. The Points Arboretum holds Australia's registered Eucalyptus collection. You can find 1,200 different species of plant at the park including 500 different Eucalypt species. Our job for the week will help maintain the park for future generations. The main task will be to protect native grassland species by removing scrub.

On this project we will also have a tour of the Aboretum, visit the Eucalyptus Discovery Centre and stop at Wannon Falls.

Grange Burn working Bee

Dates: 03^rd May – 07^th May

Project type: Better Earth

Description: Come and join our project in the great south west. The Grange Burn River runs though the town of Hamilton on the far side of the Grampians on its way to the larger Wannon river system. We will be working on a section from Lake Hamilton for about 2 km removing woody weeds.

This will be a great project for anyone interested in waterway restoration, ID of woody weeds or anyone looking to have good fun and get fit whilst helping our natual environment.

Other activities in the South West

We run conservation activities every week in the South west region. Activities include weed work, tree planting, radio tracking, fencing, bird box creation, tree banding, wetland work, hide creation and beach clean ups. All of our work takes us to some of the most beautiful locations in our great south west. An ideal place to make some new friends!

Basalt to Bay NING

2010-04-15T23:27:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks just to let you know Basalt to Bay Landcare Network has a NING online social network page here : http://b2blcn.ning.com/?xg_source=badge . NING is an online social community where you can start blogs and discussions about issues relevant to you, post and watch videos on topics that interest you, talk live to people or share photos and stories. It has the potential to be an invaluable resource to Landcare, helping to link people over vast distances.

We allready have a few members and I've posted about 30 videos across a range of Landcare issues, that are well worth watching.

Check it out and feel free to join !

Cheers,

Richard.

Seminar on Soil Carbon and Pasture Cropping

2010-04-15T23:12:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE: SEMINAR ON SOIL CARBON AND PASTURE CROPPING
To be held at Glenormiston College on Thursday 22 April from 10 am till 3.30 pm
Entry Free, with a free lunch, but bookings essential for catering purposes:

The speakers at the Soil Seminar will be Dr. Christine Jones and Colin Seis, the pasture cropping expert.

Dr. Christine Jones has led the way on Soil Carbon Sequestration. This is really exciting science, as farmers will need this knowledge in the near future. We are facing a time when fertilizers derived from fossil fuels will be much more expensive. We will need the science of soil carbon sequestration in order to build up soil fertility and water holding capacity. At some time in the near future we may also need to be able to offset penalties for animals that emit greenhouse gases. Raising the carbon in soils and taking it from the atmosphere could help reduce the greenhouse effect. This would not only benefit the planet, but also could benefit farmers by allowing them to use the soil as a carbon offset.

Colin Seis is the leading exponent of pasture cropping: Pasture cropping is the combining of cropping and grazing into one land management system where each one benefits the other. The potential for profit and environmental health in being able to do this is enormous and a lot of landholders in many regions of Australia are showing this to be the case.

Please contact me if you need further information.
Cheers,
Gillian Blair tel: 55 676 273

New Section : Resource Update - Update 1

2010-04-15T22:53:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks how are you all ? Well I hope !
I thought that rather than sending out volumous amounts of emails to the network I would do a fortnightly update of resource links (groups/programs/events and so on) that have come my way.

So here's the first update.

New links you might find usefull include :

Australian Landcare Framework : http://www.landcarefacilitator.com.au/public/content/ViewCategory.aspx?id=48
National Landcare Facilitator Project : http://www.landcarefacilitator.com.au/public/content/ViewCategory.aspx?id=52
Agri-Doo : Nutrient management & soil health : http://www.agridoo.com.au/
Network South West Consulting : Communications, community engagement, consulting & design workhttp://www.networksw.com.au/
Soils Health Group : http://www.networksw.com.au/index.php/soils-project
Conservation Volunteers : http://www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/ (SW Regional Manger Jonathon Lee : 55513331)
O2 media : Public Relations and Marketinghttp://www.o2media.com.au/
Volunteers @ Warrnambool : http://www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=634&p=1
Victorian Environment Friends Network : http://home.vicnet.net.au/~friends/index.html
Environmental Farmers Network : http://www.environmentalfarmersnetwork.net.au/
South West Victoria Brolga Research Project : http://victorianbrolgastudy.com.au/
Brolgas at BIRD : http://bird.net.au/bird/index.php?title=Brolga
Brolga Breeding Habitat Threats : http://bioacoustics.cse.unsw.edu.au/birding-aus/2003-03/msg00142.html
Brolga Fact Sheet : http://brg.cma.nsw.gov.au/uploads///Factsheet10_Brolga.pdf
List of generations and how they communicate : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_generations#List_of_generations

And 1 you should all know :

The Victorian Landcare Gateway : http://www.landcarevic.net.au/

AGM and Recruitment Drive

2010-04-01T21:50:00.000-07:00

Basalt to Bay Landcare Network will be hosting it's annual AGM and recruitment drive on Thursday April 29th between 7-9 pm, at the Port Fairy Yacht Club on the banks of the Moyne River.

As part of our AGM we will be looking for new volunteer members to join our steering committe and our member groups.

To make the event more interesting we'll have 2 speakers for the evening. Peter Forster will be talking about carbon credits and The Environmental Farmers Network. We also hope to have Inka Veltheim - PHD student from the Univesity of Ballarat, talk about the South West Brolga Research Project.

Dinner will be supplied. Numbers are limited, so you'll need to get in fast. To register your interest contact me Richard Hudson on 0458 268 119 or email richardb2b@gmail.com .

Thanks to the Department of Planning and Community Development for sponsoring the evening and Glenelg Hopkins CMA for Landcare related materials.

Successfull Landcare Forum

2010-04-01T21:37:00.001-07:00

Last Thursday 25th March, the network held what we hope to be our annual Landcare forum in Port Fairy.

About 15 people from key groups in the region & interested farmers participated in exploring the past, present & future of Landcare in our region. Participants heard 3 presentations on :

Challenges & Trends in Landcare
Environmental Volunteerism
The Impact of Climate Change on Farming in the Region.

They also participated in exploring the challenges currently facing Landcare in our region & potential solutions to these issues.

All in all it was a great day. Lots of opportunities for networking and for finding new ways forward for individual groups. Key issues to arise out of the day include :

How to sustain Landcare in the face of funding uncertainty
How to recruit more young people into Landcare
How to use local volunteer groups to support Landcare groups & Landcare projects
New roles for Landcare in food, energy, water, carbon & improving human health.

Lots of ideas arose out of the days explorations and discussions and it is anticipated that these will make a usefull contribution to rejuvinating Landcare in our region.

Presentations from the forum, will be availible on the website in the next fortnight here : http://www.basalttobay.org.au/ . We hope that this is the first of many annnual Landcare forums for Basalt to Bay. We anticipate that the next forum will be held in September 2011.

Thanks to our sponsors the Glenelg Hopkins CMA and the Department of Planning & Community Development.

Social Network at Ning

2010-03-04T17:07:00.000-08:00

Hey Folks - I've just been updating our online social network at Ning. Feel free to join and start a blog, start a discussion about local environmental issues or watch a video about environmental/Landcare issues.

http://b2blcn.ning.com/

Basalt to Bay Capacity Building Activities for 2010

2010-02-25T18:12:00.000-08:00

Basalt to Bay Landcare Network will be hosting a series of capacity building activities this year beginning with our Landcare Forum in March. Other activities planned for the year include :

Birds on Farms workshop (Yambuk 7-5-10 & Mortlake 21-5-10)
Wetlands workshop (Caramut 13-8-10 & Allansford 27-8-10)
Coastal weed identification and eradication workshop (Yambuk 10-9-10)
Direct seeding demonstration (Orford 8-10-10)
Direct seeding demonstration (Mortlake 14-10-10)
Coastal weed identification and eradication workshop (Warrnambool 15-10-10)
Healing the soil with native pastures (Location to be announced 22-10-10)
Jemina sponsored coach tour of environmental projects in the Basalt to Bay region (date to be announced).

Flyers will be sent out nearer the time and further details will be posted here as each activity approaches. If you'd like to register interest in an upcoming event, send me Richard an email at richardb2b@gmail.com .

Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group - Dairy for March

2010-02-25T15:36:00.000-08:00

Hey Folks, here's the March Calender for the Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group from Don McTaggart.

Feb 28^th : Meet at the Flume @ 10.00 am and move to Harris St @ 11.00 am for site inspections, discussions and work plan ideas for the remainder of this year. With your input we hope to make decisions where to plant trees and do maintenance this year and hopefully come up with a good management plan. Our overall aim is to return to the Flume for NTD (Aug 1^st) and finish off the unplanted area of the Harris on Merri site. That’s where you can help by coming along with offers of help, support and ideas.

March 1^st : This will be the last Penguin Monitoring Count for 2009 – 2010 Breeding Season. Contact: kristieking14@yahoo.com.au; Meet at 7.45pm.

Also we will soon be holding a reward BBQ with Certificate of Volunteerism given to those who monitored during this season. Date to be decided.

March 2^nd : March General Meeting held at 3 WAY Community Radio Rooms, Hyland St. @ 7.30 pm. Everybody welcome.

March 7^th : Clean Up Australia Day is on the Long Weekend (7^th). If you are not going away and can make it there will be two signon places endorsed by our Group:-.

Viaduct Rd near the amenities block and at the Levy’s Point car park. 10.00 -12.00, bring the Family.

Landcare in the Basalt to Bay Region: Past, Present & Future

2010-02-18T16:03:00.000-08:00

Basalt to Bay Landcare Network will be hosting a regional Landcare forum for it's member groups and non member community NRM groups in our region.

When : 9:30-4 pm Thursday 25th March, 2010
Where : Port Fairy Yacht Club, Club House - 1 Griffiths Street, Port Fairy
Why : Basalt to Bay Landcare Network are hosting this forum for landcare members and other community based NRM groups who are in our region, to recognise the challenges facing Landcare and provide some solutions to addressing these challenges.

The aim of the forum is for you to network, recognise past achievements, and understand the current state of affairs for the Landcare movement and to work out what the B2BLN can do help your group achieve your goals.

The intention is that by the end of the day

You have some ideas and pathways to follow up to achieve desired outcomes for your members and the environment
You have a better support network and access to resources to achieve your goals
That B2BLN has stronger ties and involvement with local group

The forum is by invite only. Invites will officially be sent out by the end of today. Prospective participants will be contacted by a member of the Basalt to Bay steering committee in the next week, to discuss the forum in greater detail and to guage your interest in attending.

I would strongly encourage prospective participants to attend the forum, as this will be a unique opportunity to learn more about the achievements of Landcare, the current state of Landcare in our region and where it's headed in the future.

Waratah Fencing & Weed Control Field Day

2010-02-17T21:50:00.000-08:00

Where : Peter Kampman's property, 'Camwin Park' 1240 Ellerslie-Panmure Road, Framlingham.

When : Wednesday 24th February, 2010.

Practical demonstrations

will include:

Strainer Assemblies – Do’s & don’ts
Stocktite®, barb & plainwire fence erection
The Waratah accessoryrange
Handy hints to save youtime & money
Spray options for weed control—Tim Bligh
Mechanical woody weed removal—Phillip King

Featuring an exclusive fencing demonstration by Neville Prince (pictured), spray options and equipment with Tim Bligh, and a demonstration of weed mulching with Phillip King.

- This FREE event is part of the Framlingham and

Lower Mt Emu Creek Restoration Project 2009-2010.

- This project is supported by Glenelg Hopkins CMA,

through funding from the Victorian Government

Registrations essential:

Tania Parker

Landscape Project Coordinator

Glenelg Hopkins CMA

P: 03 5599 2333

M: 0428 506 699

Tim Bligh

Warrnambool Pest Control

M: 0410 529 834

Phillip King

M: 0415 675 596

Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group - Dairy for February

2010-02-10T17:45:00.000-08:00

The following Dairy for WCLCG is from Don McTaggart (group leader) :

Listed below, along with some other community activities, is a February list for you to participate in if you wish.

Feb 10 GHCMA Community Forum on Land and Diversity White Paper, Pt. Fairy, 9.30 -12.30 Ph 5551 3363 to register (Four members from W’bool going so far)

15 Penguin Monitoring Contact Kristie kristieking14@yahoo.com.au to secure your place.

15 Newly formed SW Surfriders Foundation will be holding a second meeting @ 7.30 pm. Ph Tom 0407 908 982 for the venue or watch the media.

16 Stenciling of CBD Stormwater Drain Lids. Lisette, Dave Marty & Kate are organizing teams from Volunteers@Warrnambool between 3 -5pm, Good luck

16 Friends of Swan Reserve Formation Meeting. Everybody welcome

19 – 21 Sustainable Living Festival, Federation Square., Melbourne. Special Landcare Display.

21 Whale Boat Races. Hopkins River, all day. Some WCLG members participating amongst the 21 local and 7 American teams.

24 Field Naturalist Group Meeting 7.30 @ CWA Hall Keepler St.. Dave Williams is Guest speaker on the Middle Island Maremmas.

28 WCLG to meet at Flume @ 10.00 am and move to Harris St @ 11.00 am for site inspections, discussions and work plan ideas for remainder of this year. With your input we hope to make decisions where to plant trees and do maintenance this year and hopefully come up with a good management plan. Our aim is to return to the Flume for NTD and finish off the unplanted area of the Harris on Merri site. That’s where you can help by coming along with offers of help, support and ideas.

March 2^nd is the next Meeting and Clean Up Australia Day is on the Long Weekend (7^th)

Only 3 Penguin monitoring trips left (March 1,16 & 29)

John Amor - Local Hero Gone Suddenly

2010-01-20T17:42:00.000-08:00

The South West of Victoria has lost one of it's great heroes. John Amor, died last Saturday 16th January, after a short battle with thyroid cancer. John was among many other things, the local Coastcare Coast/Action Facilitator for the South West.

John brought an immense passion to all that he did, for the environment and for people. John pioneered the Maremma Dogs Project on Middle Island; was an active member of the Tareer Festival Committee and cared immensely about the welfare of Aboriginal people; he was also involved in the South West Volunteering Initiative, where he played a key role in facilitating volunteer programs in the South West.

For those of us who know John, it's a shock to see him gone so quick. I remember talking to John in November last year, as he mc'd the closing celebration of the South West Volunteering Initiative. He was full of enthusiasm for the achievements of the people and the program. Shortly before then I met with John to discuss a potential Coastcare project and as always, he was so supportive. He spoke passionately about saving the habitat of the Rufous Bristlebird near the Doug Fenwick Reserve in Narringal and I laughed as he told me the story of going fisty cuffs with a couple of law breakers who's cattle he had impounded.

John was above all a visionary. He saw the world as it could be and did what he felt he needed to do to make things happen. His enthusiasm for making things better was contagious. John leaves behind his wife Di, and his children Miah, Cherie, Zeb, Tyson and Zoe. He will be remembered as one of the great local hero's, who has left behind a legacy that will inspire people for years to come.

Thank you John for all that you were. May you have peace and freedom from your suffering.

Richard Hudson.

Rubbish for The South West/Call for Green Army

2010-01-20T17:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday The Warrnambool Standard published an article on rubbnish being dumped at Levi's Point in Warrnambool. Don McTaggart - Basalt to Bay Landcare Network committee member and Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group Leader had some revealing comments to make about the extent of dumping and the impact on native wildlife. In the past Don has also organised clean up the Merri days - which has seen everything from bicycles, shopping trolleys and cars removed from the river. Despite the best efforts of Landcare in the region, it seems that there will always be people who see the natural world as as their own private rubbish dump.

http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/this-is-not-a-rubbish-dump/1729110.aspx

On another issue, Tony Abbott has suggested the creation of a 15,ooo strong Green Army to remove weeds and revegetate the landscape : http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201001/s2795954.htm . This type of consciption based mandatory environmental service for young people, is a great idea for taking Landcare back to the grass roots and giving responsibility back to ordinary people.

The idea connects well with the Elixir Project - an environmental volunteerism project that I hope will grow legs this year and begin connecting people in community based welfare agencies to onground environmental projects. For further information on the project see here : http://swevi.wordpress.com/ .

Woodland Birds Disappearing

2009-11-25T17:59:00.000-08:00

A recent study by ecologists Professor Ralph Mac Nally (Director of the Australian Centre
for Biodiversity at Monash University), suggests that woodland birds are disappearing in large numbers across north central Victoria : http://www.victorianaturally.org.au/documents/FactSheet/Fact_sheet_Bird_crashes_final_17nov09smaller_1.pdf .

The extended dry, clearing of remnant habitat and poor management of remnant habitats are thought to be the main causes.

I would imagine that similar results would be found here in the south west of Victoria, where longitudinal studies might reflect even more significant losses.

Revegetation in fertile areas and good management of remnant habitats seem to be the keys to offsetting the decline.

2010 : International Year of Biodiversity

2009-11-21T16:21:00.000-08:00

The United Nations has declared 2010, The International Year of Biodiversity.

Check out :
http://www.cbd.int/2010/welcome/
http://www.cbd.int/
http://www.countdown2010.net/
http://www.countdown2010.net/year-biodiversity/action-plan-for-iyb
http://www.countdown2010.net/biodiversity/the-2010-biodiversity-target
http://www.countdown2010.net/byse/

See an article on the The Red List, which lists 17,000 species on the verge of extinction :
http://www.earthfiles.com/news.php?ID=1645&category=Environment

The Red List here :
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IUCN_Red_List .

Kick Start Your Reserve Coach Tour

2009-11-19T17:18:00.000-08:00

On December the 3rd, Basalt to Bay will be hosting the Kick Start Your Researve Coach Tour.

The aim of the tour is to bring local corporates together with members of the Kick Start Your Reserve initiative, to profile the achievements of individual groups and the benefits of the initiative to local communities.

The coach tour is by invite only and it is anticipated that a diverse range of people will be on board, including representatives from 5 reserve groups, local indigenous represenatatives, staff from the Glenelg Hopkins CMA, Basalt to Bay members, local corporate groups and other relevant parties.

The first stop on the tour is Tozer Reserve near Warrnambool, followed by a visit to Yatmerone Reserve in Penshurst, then Hawkesdale Common, a BBQ lunch at Apex Park in Hawkesdale and finishing the tour with a visit to Hawkesdale's Racecourse Reserve. A follow up trip is anticipated for the middle of next year.

Thanks to the Glenelg Hopkins CMA for providing adminstrative support for the trip and the Department of Planning and Community Development for sponsoring the day.

Western District Tree Muster Project A Great Success

2009-10-20T23:21:00.000-07:00

The Western District Tree Muster Project has been a great success this year with over 100, 000 trees planted along the coast and inland.

Basalt to Bay Landcare Network recieved $62,000 from Mobile Muster via Landcare Australia this year to plant 31,000 trees. As a result we engaged 12 landholders to plant seedlings (15, 265) and 11 landholders to direct seed 18.755 ha (approximately 85,000 trees).

Direct Seeding projects were delivered in Caramut, Mortlake, Woolsthorpe and Toolong North, while seedling projects were delivered in Toolong North, Purnim, Mepunga, Woolsthorp, Killarney, Port Fairy, Rosebrook, Wangoom, Warrnambool and Hawkesdale.

3 public sites were involved, including Hopkins Falls, Tozer Reserve and Hawkesdale Common.
Students from 4 schools helped plant some 6,000 trees during 4 community planting days. Several community groups were also involved in planting days, including the Warrnambool Motorcycle Club and Hopkins Moyne Landcare Network.

Trees were planted in some areas, where little native vegetation is found such as at Lake Gillear between Allansford and Mepunga.

A big thanks to Mobile Muster and Landcare Australia for getting behind this project. And thanks to all the volunteers who assisted us in transforming the landscape. And finally, thanks to all the Landholders who who participated in the project. Job well done !

For further information about Mobile Muster see their website at :
http://www.mobilemuster.com.au/ .

RACV Funding for the Port Fairy-Warrnambool Rail Trail

2009-10-13T17:37:00.000-07:00

Basalt to Bay Landcare Network has been successfull in an application to RACV's Community Foundation.

Basalt to Bay lodged an application for $9,999 to begin Rail Trail Habitat Restoration at the area just opposite Glaxo on the Princess Highway in Port Fairy.

The funding will be used to eradicate weeds, plant some 5,000 seedlings and direct seed an area running paralell to the rail trail.

It is anticipated that a community planting day will be held in 2010 with local community volunteers, community groups and school children from Port Fairy Consolidated School and Saint Patricks Primary School. The Rail Trail Committee will erect signage to acknowledge the contribution that RACV has made.

This is a great start to restoring habitat along the rail trail. With some 20 km out of a possible 26 km availible for restoration, much work remains to be done. But this project will mark the first milestone.

RACV's committment makes it clear that they keen to support local environmental projects that make a lasting difference to rural communities. So thanks RACV, we look forward to attending the presentation and starting work on the project. Thanks to Peter Haydon, Manager of the RACV Community Foundation, for his encouragement in applying for the grant.

Tozer Reserve and Jemena

2009-10-13T17:20:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was an awesome day at Tozer Reserve with about 90 kids from Warrnambool Primary School, all really enthusiatic and excited about being there.

The kids were really focussed and worked very hard to plant 2,500 shrubs, grasses and trees in the lower paddock. This time we had the kids concentrate on back filling the upper area that we direct seeded this time last year - mainly with grasses and shrubs but they also filled in some areas we missed last year around the rocky outcrops and one of the drainage lines at the bottom of the paddock.

Overall they did an excellent job. Tim Bligh and myself were extremely impressed, when we walked around after and saw how well they had planted and staked the guards. They really listened to our introduction at the beginning.

So thanks kids and teachers and parents - a job well done !!!

Tanya Johnson from the local branch of Jemena came out later to lend a hand and she's keen to come out again next Thursday, when we hope to continue planting with students from Warrnambool College.

Thanks to Jemena for the funding and demonstrating such a strong committment to supporting local environmental projects. We anticipate that Jemana funded works at Tozer Reserve will be completed in the next 10 months with further tree planting, the development of a walking track/driveway, additional weed maintenance, fixing of fences, flora and fauna mapping with volunteers and the development of signage for the walking track.

Press Release : Local Jemena branch supports vital growth at Community Reserve

2009-10-13T17:09:00.000-07:00

The local branch of national company Jemena is supporting Basalt to Bay Landcare group activities to restore native vegetation at Tozer Reserve.

Leading national utility infrastructure services company Jemena – as part of their community partnership program with Landcare Australia – will fund the planting of 4,500 trees, shrubs and native grasses, as well as helping to improve walking tracks and vehicle access to the reserve.

Located on Wangoom Road, the Tozer Reserve provides hands-on educational experience for students through local school environmental programs. Tozer Reserve is jointly owned by Warrnambool Primary School, Warrnambool College and Brauer College.

Warrnambool Primary School Principal Peter Ocatel said “Children love coming out to Tozer Reserve and are always surprised by the changes in the vegetation once they visit”.

The 20 hectare site was formerly a pine plantation and grazing block but is now home to many rare native orchards, shrubs and frogs.

Confirming the significance of flora within the reserve, Basalt to Bay Chairman Tim Bligh said “While there are small amounts of coastal scrub around Warrnambool, there is no other grassy woodland with the scale and diversity of Tozer within the Warrnambool City Council boundary.”

Jemena’s partnership with Landcare through their Vital Service, Vital Planet community partnership program reflects their ongoing focus to provide local support for environmental initiatives.

On Friday October 9^th, 90 students from Warrnambool Primary School, along with volunteers from the Basalt to Bay Landcare Network planted 2,500 ghrasses, shrubs and trees.

Basalt to Bay Coordinator Richard Hudson said that “The contribution that Jemena has made to Tozer Reserve really helps improve the site’s educational potential.”

Successfull Direct Seeding Demonstration at Demo Dairy

2009-10-07T22:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday saw a successfull direct seeding demonstration at Demo Dairy with the boys from Direct Seed - Bill O'Shea and Ricky Mansbridge.

About 25 people, inlcuding students and farmers braved the cold for the demonstration, which was part of Demo Dairy's monthly farm walk. The day began with an introduction to direct seeding from Bill and a short speel about B2B from me. We then jumped on a bus to the site and watched Ricky and Bill using the Mouldboard technique (see their webpage for details of the technique). People seemed pretty enthusiastic about seeing just how easy this form of direct seeding is.

Thanks to Landcare Australia, The Department of Planning & Community Development & Mobile Muster for the funding to run the day and Louise Shelba and Marni Barber from Demo Dairy for all their support in getting it up and running.

Next year we'll target a demonstration to the southern region and another one up in the northern region of the B2B area.

If you reckon that your area could benefit from a demonstration day next year, contact me on the mobile 0458 268 119 or by email : richardb2b@gmail.com . You can learn more about Direct Seed via www.directseed.com.au, Mouldboarding via http://www.directseed.com.au/html/whatis.html and Demo Dairy via www.demodairy.org.au .

Jemena gets Behind Basalt to Bay Landcare Network

2009-09-10T19:49:00.000-07:00

Basalt to Bay has recently learned that it was successfull in an application to Landcare Australia, for the energy infrastructure group Jemena (http://www.jemena.com.au/) to fund our Rejuvinating Tozer Reserve project. Jemena will provide $30,000 towards the project and local staff, who will participate in on ground works at the start of October.

Funds will be used towards :

Coordination
Fencing
Weed work
6,132 seedlings
Creating a track with flora/fauna signage
Mapping equipment & mapping conultation
Training of volunteers
Jemena sponsored coach tour of environmental works across the catchment (to be held in February 2010).

A big thank you to Francis Jeon-Ellis from Landcare Australia for facilitating our application and Jemena for sponsoring this project. We look forward to engaging with Jemena in this project and to a fruitfull relationship with them.

National Landcare Week

2009-09-07T23:50:00.000-07:00

This week marks National Landcare Week - a celebration of two decades of the Landcare movement.

Basalt to Bay will be celebrating this week with planting days in Toolong (involving local members of the B2B network and local TAFE students) and a planting day at Hawkesdale Common (involving students from Hawkesdale Common, local members of the B2B network, HADDAC and members of the Hawkesdale Community).

Basalt to Bay Landcare Network would like to thank all our members for the fantastic work they have done in this past year and all of our supporters. A special thanks to :

Tim Bligh, Jane O'Beirne, Karen Wales, Bruce Mirtschin, Waye Bryce & Don McTaggert
Kristie King
The Glenelg Hopkins CMA, especially Margie Finnigan, Mary Johnson, Tania Parker, David Nichols and Tony Lithgo
Demo Dairy
Brenton Barsch
Marty Gent, Matthew Ebden and Bernadette Northeast
Students from Port Fairy Consolidated Primary School, Hawkesdale College, Warrnambool Primary School and Brauer College
The Warrnambool Motorcycle Club
Mobile Muster
Jemena
Landcare Australia, especially Francis Jeon-Ellis, Alison Raymond and Shivani Jayasighe
The Department of Community Development
Rosse Colliver and his Landcare Network Readiness Forum
The Department of Sustainability and Environment
Mark Doueal and the Department of Primary Indistries
Karen Foster from o2 Media
Tim Umney of Umney Media
Dean Suckling from Agri-Doo and Heytsbury Landcare Network.

In further news, in a few weeks time we will be sending out invites for our Kick Start Your Reserve Coach Tour and our local Landcare forum, Landcare : Past, Present and Future.
Stay tuned.

More Dung Beetle Workshops

2009-09-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

John Feehan will be down here for some more Dung Beetle Workshops.
John will be at Allansford on the 7th September and Glenormiston on 8th September.
Flyers can be found here :

http://www.dungbeetles.net.au/Invite%20ACME%20BEETLES%20Aug%2009.pdf
http://www.dungbeetles.net.au/Invite%20Glenny%20BEETLES%20Aug%2009.pdf .

Successfull Planting Day at Lake Gillear

2009-08-25T17:27:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday 22nd August saw Basalt to Bay Landcare Network join forces with Warrnambool Motorcycle Club at Lake Gillear, some 6 km south of Allansford.

The Warrnambool Motorcycle Club has their club premises and motorcross track on the site. The site is part of a much larger area that has been largely neglected by landholders since white settlement. In an effort to begin restoring native vegetation to the area, the WMC has planted a 1000 native trees and shrubs along one part of their fence line and along the drainage line leading to the lake.

It was inspiring to see some 20 people from the club and 3 of us working together to help transform the landscape. I didn't hear anybody complain about the difficult conditions or the weather and infact I heard numerous comments about what a difference it would make.

Plants such as Wooly Tea Tree, Prickly Moses and Manna Gums will now be part of the landscape. Creating habitat for birds, frogs, lizards and insects, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the area and improving water quality in the lake. It is anticipated that this might mark the beginning of further work around the lake and inspire other local landholders to do the same.

Lake Gillear is part of the Western District Tree Muster project, which is sponsored by Mobile Muster via Landcare Australia.

To learn more about WMC, visit : http://warrnamboolmotorcycleclub.com/
To learn more about Mobile Muster visit : http://www.mobilemuster.com.au/ .

Best Practice in Direct Seeding Demonstration

2009-08-25T17:24:00.000-07:00

With local contractor Bill O’Shea

Bill O’Shea will be presenting a direct seeding demonstration on site at Demo Dairy,
as part of the monthly farm tour.

During this demonstration, Bill will talk about :

Best practice in direct seeding in dairy & coastal zones in the south west
Site suitability
Selecting appropriate seed
Appropriate planting & soil conditions
Overcoming challenges & difficult soils
Growth rates
Benefits of shelter belts & revegetation

WHERE : DEMO DAIRY
(1/2 WAY BETWEEN GARVOC & TERANG ON THE PRINCES HIGHWAY)
WHEN : 10:30 AM -12:30 PM ON WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER, 2009.

To reserve your place, RSVP Margie Finnigan at the Glenelg Hopkins CMA on
55 626 104 by or for further information call Richard Hudson on 0458 268 119.
Sponsored by Basalt to Bay Landcare Network (http://www.basalttobay.org.au/ &
http://b2bln.blogspot.com/), Department of Planning & Community Development & Demo Dairy (http://www.demodairy.org.au/joomla15/)
& Bill O’Shea of Direct Seed (http://www.directseed.com.au/index.html) .

Planting Day at 'The Common' Hawkesdale

2009-08-20T22:50:00.000-07:00

Sunday 13th September at 1 pm

The Common has finally been given back to the Hawkesdale Community.

Our plan is to make it into a native reserve with a walking track. We are seeking volunteers to plant out the area with indigenous plants. A planting day has been organised on September 13th. If you are able to help please let one of the following know. Barbeque to follow planting.

Bruce Mirtschin 55607213 email murch@westvic.com.au
Frank Huglin 55607232
Julie Boss at the Post Office

Funding for the trees has been supplied by Mobile Muster, C/O Landcare Australia through Basalt to Bay and Hopkins Moyne Landcare Network.

Cheers,

Bruce.

Succesfull Dung Beetle Session

2009-08-11T17:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the 4th leg of John Feehan's Dung Beetle Road Show, kicked off with a morning session in Macarthur and then an afternoon session in Koroit. Apparently there was a turnout of about 40 people in Macartur, including about 20 local high school students. The Koroit session had a turnout of about 30 people, which was about twice what we expected.

John gave an entertaining and informative presentation that engaged everyone and planted the seeds for a strong regional interest in the use of Dung Beetles. John noted that Dung Beetles made a powerfull addition to sustainability. He suggested that key benefits to releasing Dung Beetles include :

Up to or greater than a 30 % reduction in fertilizer application
Cyclical turnover & aeration of top soil
A reduction in visible dung
An increase in soil Carbon, Phosphorous and Nitrogen
A reduction in sedimentation, run off & point source nutrification for waterways which results in a reduction in algal blooms and water turbidity
A reduction in bush fly larvae and bush flies (almost total eradication where Dung Beetle colonies were established)
A reduction in other dung borne parasites
Providing habitat & food supply for earthworms
A reduction in the effect of soil acidity & salinity by promoting deeper grass root penetration
An increase in rain water penetration & retention of ground water.

All in all John put forth a fairly convincing argument for the use of Dung Beetles as part of a suit of sustainability practices.

John suggested that farmers wishing to purchase Dung Beetles, first collect some on their own property so that he can identify them and allocate the right beetles to the right climate and location. For further information about how to do this contact John at Soilcam on 02 6248 0376.

Thanks to Fort Dodge and Agri-Doo for bringing John down for us and to the Department of Planning & Community Development for funding to run the day.

The road show continues, with the next session in Timboon today, Cobdon and Simpson tomorrow and Apollo Bay on Friday. Check out http://www.dungbeetles.net.au/index.html for further information about the roadshow.

South West Victoria Dung Beetle Project

2009-08-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

Dean Suckling from local agricultural consultancy Agri-Doo has set up the South West Dung Beetle project, in collaboration with Heytsbury Landcare Network and Rod Evans of Fort Dodge. Further information can be found on their website here : http://www.dungbeetles.net.au/index.html .

Just a reminder that the Dung Beetle Information Session with John Feehan, will be held at Koroit next Tuesday 11th August between 1-3 pm. See blog entry below for further details.

South West Environmental Volunteerism Initiative

2009-07-28T19:01:00.001-07:00

10 months ago I met with Matthew Ebden (lecturer from the School of Health and Social Development at Deakin Uni) and Emily Lee-Ack (South West Volunteerism Initiative) to discuss an idea that we had for an environmental volunteering project. It turns out that Matthew and I had had similar ideas for some time.

The aim of the project will be to connect participants in local Welfare and Community Service Groups (such as Aspire, Brophy's, Community Connections, Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative, Correctional Services, MPower & WRAD) to on ground environmental works. Individual groups will be matched to specific public sites, that we hope will provide them with a sense of connection and stewardship. Groups will be offered a suit of environmental options, including revegetation, weed mapping, seed collecting, bird search, frog search, flora and fauna mapping. In essence project participants will become knowledge makers and play a critical role in building local environmental knowldge and raising awareness of local environmental issues. In addition we anticipate their will be significant social, psychological, spiritual and physical health benefits for all those involved in on ground projects.

I am pleased to announce that after many meetings between myself, Matthew, Bernadette Northeast (Emily's replacement) and Marty Gent (Greenhouse Officer for the South West Sustainability Partnership), this project is almost ready to be launched. Next Friday we will meet with members of what we hope will form the groups steering committee. Bernadette is currently looking for funding for a project officer and who we hope to have employed by the end of the year. We have tentatively called the project Feel Blue, Touch Green but the name has yet to be finalized.

Thus far the environmental aspects of the project will involve Basalt to Bay Landcare Network and Heytsbury Landcare Network but it is anticipated that additional local environmental groups will also come on board.

This is a significant regional project and we believe that it is the first of it's kind nationally.
Stay tuned for more in the local media. For further information please contact myself, Matthew or Bernadette.

Richard : richardb2b@gmail.com
Matthew : matthew.ebden@deakin.edu.au
Bernadette : bnortheast@comconnect.com.au

Further information will be posted in time on our blog http://swevi.wordpress.com/and Ning site : http://southwestevi.ning.com/

Western District Tree Muster Update

2009-07-28T18:52:00.000-07:00

The final stage of planning for on ground works in the Western District Tree Muster project are now taking place. Thus far we are on track to deliver some 100,000 trees, including 18.76 ha of direct seeding and 14,730 of seedlings.

Port Fairy Consolidated Primary School will be involved in plantings on 4 sites, Hawkesdale College will be planting on 1 site, while Warrnambool College, Brauer College and Jamieson Street Primary School will be involved in planting at Tozer Reserve.

We also hope that participants from the Mens Health Group at Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative will be involved in plantings at Hopkins Falls and Tozer Reserve.

4 Public Sites will be involved in the project including : Hawkesdale Common, Tozer Reserve, Hopkins Falls and Lake Gillear. These public sites make great projects for involving a broad range of community groups and should be good for generating local interest in revegetation works.

Thansk to Mobile Muster (http://www.mobilemuster.com.au/) and Landcare Australia (http://www.landcareonline.com/)for the funding for this project.

NATIONAL TREE DAY GROWS TO NEW HEIGHTS

2009-07-23T05:03:00.000-07:00

Organiser of National Tree Day, Planet Ark, is calling on Warrnambool, Killarney and Port Fairy residents to join the pursuit to plant the campaign’s 15 millionth native seedling.

To achieve this significant milestone, Planet Ark is urging all local residents to get growing on National Tree Day on Sunday 2 August and on Schools Tree Day on Friday 31 July.

Entering its 14th year, National Tree Day, has to-date seen more than 13.4 million native trees and shrubs planted around Australia.

“Aside from the benefits to the environment, growing native plants and shrubs is a great way for the people to make a positive contribution to their local community,” said John Amor, local Coastcare facilitator who is helping to co ordinate 4 local plantings. “With the 15 millionth seedling expected to be planted since the campaign began, this year’s National Tree Day is sure to be an historic one”.

National Tree Day is Australia’s largest community tree-planting event, each year mobilising more than 300,000 volunteers to plant native trees and shrubs at local tree-planting sites. Planet Ark is urging individuals, schools, community groups and businesses to come together and get growing for the future.

Local National Tree Day events are taking place at the Granny’s grave area in Warrnambool, east of the Killarney Boat ramp, Griffiths Island Port Fairy and north of Warrnambool as part of the on going Koaladoors Project on Sunday the 2nd of August. Activites start from 9.30

National Tree Day is organised by Planet Ark in partnership with Toyota and Its Dealer network which provide on-the- ground support at local and community tree-planting sites Australia wide.

For further information, contact: John Amor 55619988 or 0429 976 189 john.amor@dse.vic.gov.au

Michelle Cook Emma Franklin
p. 02 8484 7209 | m. 0414 702 697 p. 02 8484 7200 | m. 0413 695 759

michelle@planetark.org emma@planetark.org

Dung Beetle Information Session

2009-07-09T21:34:00.000-07:00

With national expert John Feehan

Koroit Football & Netball Club, Victoria Park - Koroit

Tuesday 11th August 1-3 pm.

John Feehan, operates Soilcam dung beetle consultancy out of Canberra, where he coordinates the largest and most efficient collection and redistribution of dung beetles in the world.

John has worked for 26 years with CSIRO’s dung beetle program & is recognised as the national dung beetle guru.

During this talk John will talk about :

The benefits of dung beetles in restoring soil nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorous) & soil structure
Dung beetles & farm sustainability
Different types of dung beetle species (including both autumn and winter active species) for specific regions

To quote John : “Half a litre of cow pat is probably equivalent to a good double handful of super phosphate”

To reserve your place, RSVP Margie Finnigan at Glenelg Hopkins CMA on 55 626 104 or for further information call Richard Hudson on 0458 268 119.

Proudly sponsored by Fort Dodge (makers of Cydectin), Basalt to Bay Landcare Network and Dean Suckling from Agri-Doo.

The End of Suburbia

2009-07-02T18:52:00.000-07:00

Port Fairy Film Society are tonight showing The End of Suburbia - A film which looks at the results of a consumption driven society and it's impact on soil, society and the soul.

Check out their blog http://portfairyfilms.blogspot.com/, for more information.

Smart Living Community Forum

2009-07-02T18:49:00.000-07:00

Thursday 16 July, 7-9pm

Southern Way, 181 Fairy St, Warrnambool

You are invited to attend a forum to explore the ways in which our community can respond to the challenges of climate change and peak oil.

The aim of the forum is to work together to develop projects that will help our community to become socially, economically and environmentally sustainable in the face of climate change and peak oil.

The forum will include a short introduction followed by a facilitated discussion and workshop.

By sharing our skills and resources we will be able to work together to strengthen our community and find solutions for a happy and healthy future for the Warrnambool Region.

Please call Marty to confirm your attendance:
(03) 55648881 or 0428141599

Network Update

2009-06-16T19:48:00.000-07:00

Things are a bit frantic here at the moment. Lots of balls in the air but plenty of good
results !!!

I'm currently in the process of organizing planting days for the Western District Tree Muster Project. It looks like we'll have some 26 on ground projects, which will involve some 6-7 school groups, 3 community groups and 2 corporate group volunteers invloved in planting some 100,000 trees (about 15,000 seedlings and the remainder through direct seeding).

We're also exploring some new ways to get our Kickstart Your Reserve Initiative off the ground (see Feb blog entry). We hope that this will evolve into a large part of what we do. We'll be having a Kickstart Your Reserve coach tour in September to help generate interest in the initiative - more details closer to the date. We just missed out on a submission to DSE for a Capacity Building Coordinator to oversee the project and faciliatte 10 on ground projects. There were 14 submissions and we came in 3rd but with plenty of encouragement to make the project happen. we're also in the process of looking for funding to help revegetate the first stage of the Warnambool-Port fairy Rail Trail. I'll keep you posted if we are successfull.

The stategic plan and website are about 2 weeks off being complete. We will also have our Annual Report Card availible on the website for download.

The website will also have availible for download, a shelter belt brochure and a Basalt to Bay brochure aimed at farmers.

In terms of Revamping Landcare capacity building events, we have 2 direct seeding field days coming up in August and also in August we'll be assiting Heytsbury Landcare Network to deliver a Dung Beetle workshop in Koroit with John Feehan (International Dung Beetle Expert).

Although personally I'm not a fan of the man made climate change model, I think we really need to look carefully at how we can change the way we live. Paul Gilding had some interesting things to say about this subject on Background Briefing recently :
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/

And lastly, the results of Caring For Our Country funding applications should be out shortly. It will be interesting to see if some of the larger projects in our region have been successfull in getting up - particuarly the Outback to Ocean project and Kanawinka project.

Network Update

2009-05-06T19:54:00.000-07:00

Well, things have been busy here at the network. We've almost completed our strategic plan for the next 6 years and will be having our final planning day in the next fortnight. The plan will be availible as a download on our website. Talking of which, Tim Umney of Umney Media has just completed our new website (www.basalttobay.org.au) and I hope to finalise content and have it up and running by the end of the month. Feel free to give us your feedback on what's good and what's not. I reckon Tim has done an awesome job on the site - so thanks Tim !

Thanks also to David Nichols from the Glenelg Hopkins CMA, for his ongoing support for the network and the $9,000 from the GHCMA to complete our strategic plan and website.

I am also pleased to announce that we were succcessfull in recieving $3,308 from the Victorian Volunteer Small Grants scheme for our Revamping Landcare in Gunditjmarra Country project, which will assist towards the provision of Landcare based training activities later in the year. Thanks to the Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development and the Minister for Community Development.

Landcare Network Readiness Project Forum 1

2009-04-29T19:51:00.000-07:00

Landcare Coordinators/Facilitators from all around Victoria met in Castlemaine on Tuesday the 28th April, to explore the concept of forming a Landcare network. The forum was organised and facilitated by Ross Colliver from the Landcare & Community Engagement Unit of DSE. Around 35 people turned out from a wide range of groups - some departmental, some community.

Key themes to emerge from the forum included :

The benefits of forming a network
Challenges to forming a network
How to engage stakeholders in forming a network
Different regions have different styles of network
There is 'no one model fits all' approach for networks
Communication & relationships are the keys to successfull networks
With current funding scarcity, only well organised networks will survive.

From the days dialogue, it seems that the picture of a succfull network, is one that :

Has a clear structure & function
Has a steering committee or board with clear roles
Has good communication with individual Landcare groups
Respects individual Landcare group autonomy, while looking at the big picture
Has multiple funding sources
Has a well thought out strategic plan, that has considered the views of the network and Landcare groups
Has a proactive coordinator and good communication between staff and the board.

The event was a great opportunity to network with other people in a similar situation.

The forum will meet again in July and August.

Carbon Smart & Glenelg Hopkins CMA

2009-04-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

The Glenelg Hopkins CMA & Carbon Smart officially launched their carbon pool partnership in Hamilton yesterday. The new program will see the CMA helping to facilitate Carbon Smart partnerships with land holders in the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment.

Minimum requirements to be eligible for the scheme are 10 ha of native (local providence)/biodiverse reveg planted after 1st January 1990 (min height 2m). Carbon Smart can also fund reveg works. All participants must have their projects pass a comprehensive assessment and sign up to leaving the carbon (trees) on site for 130 years. Participants recieve an annual 60 % of the total sale price of their carbon.

Matthew Reddy (Manager of Carbon Smart) said that the program will target larger holdings first, then move towards smaller holdings later. Matthew also suggested that the Glenelg Hopkins area was the only area of 56 regions in the state to take up the program. Which means that all Victorian corporate sponsorships for Carbon Smart will come into our region, until such time as other regions come on board.

Further information about Carbon Smart can be found on their website http://www.carbonsmart.com.au/or by contacting the GHCMA on 55712526.

Landcare Support

2009-04-09T00:18:00.000-07:00

Basalt to Bay Landcare Network and Glenelg Hopkins CMA, will be co-hosting a series of activities later in the year, aimed at revamping interest in Landcare and supporting current 'Landcarers' in our region.

Activities are set to include shelter belt tours, designing the landscape bbq's, direct seeding field days and 1 or 2 catchment tours looking a wide spectrum of environmental works in the B2B area. Thus far areas to be included in shelter belt tours and bbq's include the Moyne area (around Port fairy, Rosebrook, Toolong & Killarney), the Merri catcment area (Purnim, Warrnamboo & Dennington) and Mortlake area (Mortlake, Woorndoo, Caramut & surrounds)

I hope to post further details in the next month or so, once we have confirmed some additional details. Publicity (inlcuding flyers) will be distributed about 6-7 weeks prior to each event.

Seminar for farmers in Moorabool Shire

2009-02-26T17:16:00.000-08:00

Even though it's a long way, there is a seminar that maybe of interest to local land holders.
The flyer I've been sent says :

“WILL OUR RAIN RETURN?
WHAT HELP CAN WE GET?”

4.00 p.m. – 8.30 p.m. Wednesday March 11, 2009
Mechanics Hall, 143 Inglis Street, Ballan.

Four speakers from 4.00-6.00 pm on drought assistance:
What can a Rural Financial Counsellor do for you? (Brian Gardiner)
Assistance available to farmers through Centrelink (Janine Ryan)
Availability of stock water from Shire stand pipes (Andrew Bainbridge)
Bores as source of stock water (Elissa McNamara, South’n Rur. Water)

Dr Harvey Stern, Bureau of Meteorology, at 7 pm on
“What has happened to our rain?”

Prof David Karoly, Earth Science, Melb Uni, 7.30-8.30 pm
“Why has our rainfall declined? What is the likely future trend?”

Ring or leave message for John on 0428 354 635: State number of people, name(s), phone number and which parts you will attend. OR: E mail same details to John at: .

Further information is availible from the South West Climate Change Forum website at : http://www.swccf.com.au/ .

Feds release the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme

2009-02-26T17:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to a televised information session of the federal governments Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. It's quite an extensive scheme, that will impact on most of us through additional down stream costs incurred by the goods and services that we use. The bottom line is this :

The CPRS is a cap & trade system
The government will cap the no. of permits
70 % of permits will be auctioned off, 25 % will go to trade exposed sectors that are emissions intensive and 5-6 % will go towards the electricity adjustment scheme
The scheme will target the 1000 highest emitters, who represent 75 % of all emissions
The feds are committed to reducing Australia's emissions by 5 % (unconditionally, even if there is no international agreement on set reductions) and up to 15 (if there is an international agreement on emissions reductions)
Incentives and financial support will be offered to offset additional costs but this will be reduced over time
The Australian Climate Change Regulatory Authority will be established in 2010
Business will be encouraged to favour clean energies or more efficient energy practices
Agriculture (which represents 16 % of emissions) will not be included until 2015 (with the final decision to be made in 2013)
revegetation of the native environment is seen as a viable means to offset costs through the aquisition of carbon credits

Further information can be found via the Department of Climate Change here :

http://www.climatechange.gov.au/index.html
http://www.climatechange.gov.au/emissionstrading/index.html

DPI & South West Climate Change Forum will host an information session on Emission Trading Schemes and Carbon Calculators on Monday 2nd March 2009 1.00-3.00pm at DemoDairy (7161 Princes Hwy, Terang). Further information is availible from the SWCCF website http://www.swccf.com.au/ .

Is Landcare in Trouble ?

2009-02-19T23:40:00.000-08:00

Stock and Land have an interesting article this week on the future of Landcare after the release of the federal governments stimulus package. The issues raised are the very same one's we're dealing with. How will Landcare survive in the face of fading volunteerism and a lack of government support. The article cam be found here : http://sl.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/agribusiness-and-general/general/the-future-of-landcare-in-doubt/1438841.aspx . If you have any thoughts on this, kick start a discussion of the issue here : http://b2blcn.ning.com/forum/topics/the-survival-of-landcare . It would be great to know what you think.

A shift in thinking about Australian Climate

2009-02-16T16:11:00.002-08:00

Australian scientists have developed a new model for understanding Australian climate, which goes beyond the El Nino/La Nina model. An article on the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) can be found here : http://sl.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/agribusiness-and-general/general/major-change-in-climate-thinking/1424667.aspx?src=enews .

Fire Information

2009-02-12T16:28:00.000-08:00

For anyone interested in Fire, I heard Stephen Pyne on ABC Radio the other day - some consider him the world expert on the history and management of fire. He's written a couple of great books Burning Bush (1991) and The Still Burning Bush (2006) and is an expert on the Australian situation. Check out his website at : http://www.public.asu.edu/~spyne/ .

Bushfire lessons for Landcare

2009-02-12T16:01:00.000-08:00

The recent Victorian Bushfires present many valuable lessons for Landcare. The two that really stand out are good weed management plan (to avoid the accumulation of inaccessible and high fire risk areas) and careful revegetation planning (especially near houses). I guess for a lot of communities as well, all the work they have done has gone up in smoke. Lets hope that there's a lot of regeneration. If Bushfires and Landcare work are an issue of concern that you would like B2B to explore with DSE/CFA/CMA/DPI, please contact me (richardb2b@gmail.com or mobile 0458 268 119) and I'll see if we can organise some kind of information/planning day.

Bushfire Condolences !

2009-02-12T15:50:00.001-08:00

On behalf of all of the members of the Basalt to Bay Landcare Network I would like to offer my heart felt condolences to all of the families of people affected by the recent Victorian Bushfires.

I also offer my condolences to those families who have previously been affected by bushfires. For many of you recent events will have awoken the trauma that you have suffered.

I also would like to offer my praise to all the emergency service workers (including police, ambulance, doctors, pilots, CFA members, counsellors, etc.) and the many members of local communities who have shown great courage and compassion in assisting their fellow human beings. Great work !

Lets hope the 2008-2009 Victorian fire season is finished.

Warrnambool Coastcare/Landcare Group Little Penguin Monitoring

2009-02-11T20:01:00.000-08:00

The last WCLG Middle Island penguin count was held on 29th January and turned up a count of 20 penguins. This number, which is about half that recorded at the previous count, indicates that most of the adult birds that bred this year are now out at sea fattening up for moult following the fledging of chicks. If you would like to be added to the mailing list or attend a count please contact Kristie via email at kristieking14@yahoo.com.au.

Kickstart Your Reserve !!!

2009-02-05T16:34:00.000-08:00

Basalt to Bay Landcare Network is now calling for expressions of interest from groups in the Hopkins Moyne Catchment, who have a natural reserve that they would like to revamp.

Groups might include Landcare Groups, School Groups, Community Groups and shires. The aim of this initiative is to restore native habitat in the Hopkins Moyne catchment, through revegetation, remnant protection and weed management. Reserves must have high biodiversity potential and the potential to become an assett to the wider community.

Reserves will not be eligible if they have access to other sources of funding, such as funds from the Department of Sustainability or that are being actively managed by a local shire. Reserves set up on private land will also be considered. Once a list of appropriate projects has been compiled, Basalt to Bay will seek corporate sponsorship to provide funding for individual projects.

Expressions should be no more than a page and include the name of the reserve, size, title of the project, location of the project, information about any current mangement plans or lack of plans, reasons for the project, community groups likely to be involved in works, community benefits &/or spinoffs and also costsings for plants/direct seeding, weed treatment, contracting and fencing and any known flora/fauna or threatened species. Seedlings would be subsidized at $1.50 per plant(including guards and sticks), while fencing would be subsidized at $4/m. Please also include a photo of the site and if possible an aerial or satellite image of the site (Google Earth will do an ok job).

Townships which fit under the Basalt to Bay umbrella include : Warrnambool, Port Fairy, Orford, Yambuk, Koroit, Allansford, Hawkesdale, Kirkstall, Mortlake, Caramut, Glenthompson, Penshurst, Dunkeld, Woolsthorpe, Bushfield, Panmure, Ellerslie, Emu Creek. Other areas within our boundary may also be included. Expressions for this year close on the 30th April, 2009. It is not expected that project funding will be availible until late this year. For further information please contact myself, Richard Hudson on 0458 268 119 (Thursday or Friday) or email me at richardb2b@gmail.com. Expressions of interest can be emailed or sent to me C/O Glenelg Hopkins CMA, 241 Lava Street, Warrnambool, 3280.

CMA Waterways Funding Availible NOW !!!

2009-02-03T17:37:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks - please note that the Glenelg Hopkins CMA now has funds availible for
waterway protection projects. This includes protection or enhancement works
on all natural forms of springs, gullies, wetlands, creeks and rivers. Funds are available for fencing and revegetation works, and all projects need to be completed by Spring this year, 2009.

If you are considering fencing only, Basalt to Bay maybe able to fund revegetation in 2010-2012.

Please call or email Tania Parker, to discuss any projects you have in mind.

Mobile: 0428 506 699
Email: t.parker@ghcma.vic.gov.au

Corporate Sponsorship Plan

2009-01-28T18:06:00.000-08:00

I am currently at work on a coporate sponsorship plan with previosuly mentioned corporates. I hope to meet with Alison Raymond (Business Development Manager of Landcare Australia - Melbourne), late in February to finalize the plan. Updates to follow.

If anyone in the network has any other potential corporate sponsors in mind, please let me know.

Western District Tree Muster Article

2009-01-28T18:04:00.000-08:00

Hey guys - The Warrnambool Standard will be publishing an article on the Western District Tree Muster Project, this coming Saturday. This should be a good start to our publicity campaign for the year.

January Penguin Count

2009-01-26T22:59:00.000-08:00

At their last Middle Island Little Penguin count on January 14, Warrnambool Coastcare / Landcare Group volunteers recorded 42 penguins coming ashore after dusk. This drop in the number of dusk arrivals (compared to 80 at the count beforehand) is associated with the fledgling of chicks which no longer need to be fed by their parents. A big thank you to all who attended. If you would like to be placed on the Middle Island Little Penguin Monitoring mailing list or attend a count, please email kristieking14@yahoo.com.au.

Let's do it !

2009-01-19T21:22:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm back on the job after a brief 2 week holiday; that included : loadza kayaking, an encounter with a dead sperm whale (see pic below), hanging out with my son and plenty of time doing just nothing at all.

Said whale was seen at Discovery Bay in Nelson last Friday/Saturday and turned out to be a Sperm Whale that I measured at 19.3 m (63 ft). My first thoughts were that it was a female Sperm Whale (due to the genitalia that were flapping around - no big doodles here) and that it had been hit by the oil rig that could be seen on the horizon. Peter Gill (of Blue Whale Study) says that it was a male and that it probably died of natural causes. It was sad to see such a beutifull creature dead but a privaledge to see it none the less.

Today Brenton, Tim and myself went to Hamilton to hear more about Caring for Our Country (CFOC) and the Victorian Investment Framework (VIF). Although we were originally considering a medium sized bid ($2.5 m), I doubt that we will now pursue this path. Although we have not made any final decisions, it's likely that we will be throwing our hat into the CMA ring, to see if there are any other potential applicants for a medium sized CFOC application and also to determine where an application for VIF funds might fit in. As part of Basalt to Bay's suite of funding options, over the next few months I will be :

Exploring the possibility of developing corporate partnerships with Origin Energy, Acciona Energia, Pacific Hydro, Santos, Hot Rock Limited geothermal group and Glaxo Smith Kline
Compiling a list of relevant social, community and environmental funding for local Landcare Groups and developing projects with LCG's to target specific funds
Exploring several community based fund raising ideas.

Be sure to keep up to date with what happens.

Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Update - Middle Island penguin Monitoring

2009-01-07T01:40:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to 2009! I trust everyone had a fantastic Christmas
and New Years.

We certainly had a nice surprise at our last count on December 16,
during which we counted 80 Little Penguins. This is the highest number
of arrivals recorded on the island since 2001/2002, suggesting that
the colony is indeed bouncing back after severe fox predation in
recent years. A big thank you to everyone who attended the count.

Our next count will be held on Wednesday January 14th, meeting at 8:30
pm at Stingray Bay car park. If you'd like to attend, please let me
know via email or phone (0355623851) before the day. Due to safety
issues we can't accept latecomers after the group has crossed to the
island.

Please note my new email address - kristieking14@yahoo.com.au; also,
if you've had a change of email or would like to be removed from this
mailing list, please let me know. Thanks.

Cheers,

Kristie.

Holidays

2009-01-05T15:35:00.000-08:00

Well I'm finally in holiday mode (yeahh baby !!!) . I'm at home in Port Fairy for the week and then next week I'm heading back to my farm in central Victoria, to visit my favourite mountains and a few old red gums that I've been missing. See you in a fortnight. Happy holidays !!!

Mobile Muster Confirmed.

2009-01-05T01:54:00.000-08:00

As of this afternoon, I can confirm that Basalt to Bay is the happy recipient of $62,000 from Mobile Muster (http://www.mobilemuster.com.au/)(via Landcare Australia) for the Western District Tree Muster project. More details to follow.

Beware of Reindeers (Achtung, Achtung !!!)

2009-01-04T03:53:00.000-08:00

Here's a Christmas Story to warm the cockles of your backside.

After following She Who Must Be Obeyed's orders and setting up some Christmas lights on the roof, I decided it was time to move the reindeer from the front yard to a place with a view. Said reindeer was very happy with his new view on the roof. Then about 2 days later after arriving home in the rain, Mistress of the House, tells me that I'd better get up on the roof and get the reindeer down, as it looks like the wind might blow it into the neighbours window. So wearily I staggers up onto the roof, being carefull in my bare feet not to slip - stepping like Santa on Christmas night. I find myself at the top of the roof and only have to go another 6 or 7 feet, when holy Sugar Honey Ice Tea, I'm on my ass and sliding fast. My ass hits every bolt on the way down and then my feet land in the gutter. I just manage to hold my balance and stop myself from crashing down on my head. My ass is torn, my hands are cut and the reindeers bloody fine. So I grab a few extra lights and shove them up his proverbial and hang the rest over his eyes. Not to be outdone, the roof looks back at me, still wet and treacherous. So I try to climb but I can't, I just keep slipping back. Meanwhile, cars keep coming past and I thank god that most of them are tourists and try hard to look dignified. Anyway I rip off my shirt dry the roof, scaddaddle up and over and make my way down. My True Love asks me if I'm ok and I wimper 'I don't think so'.

I clean myself up and limp in for dinner. When I got home, all I wanted was a bath - so much for wishfull thinking ! Said Beloved can tell that I'm hurting and offers me a frozen sausage to sit on. But having torn my self a new pucker string, there's no way I'm gonna stick a frozen sausage up where the sun don't shine. I settle for a bag of frozen peas instead.

For 3 weeks, she stares at my gaping wound, dabbing ointment and bandaging my buttocks. She tells me that I should have had stitches but my dignity just doesn't extend to being the laughing stock of doctors. My feet tingled for a few days and passing wind came with thorns. But I'm all mended now and much the wiser. The reindeer is still up there and the bloody bastard can stay till winter for all I care. At least I lived to tell the tale. The reindeer's headed for the scrap heap !

Thanks to all our Sponsors & Supporters

2008-12-31T20:22:00.000-08:00

On behalf of the Basalt to Bay Committee and myself, I'd like to thank all of our sponsors & supporters for 2008. Without you there would be no Landcare in the Basalt to Bay region.

A big thanks to the following sponsors :

Glenelg Hopkins Catcment Managment Authority
Landcare Australia
Just Jeans
Mt Franklin
HBA
The Gwen & Edna Jones Foundation

A big thanks to the following supporters :

All of our committee members, especially Tim Bligh - the best boss a fella could want & a genuine nice guy, Jane O'Beirne - one wicked tree planter & a hell of a nice gal to boot, Karen Wales - the most switched on girl greenie I've ever met & Don McTaggart - the most tenacious try anything till I drop greenie this side of Lady Julia Percy Island
All of B2B members especially Bruce Murtschin, Matt Talbott & Russell Mitchell
Brenton Barsch from GHCMA - for his tireless work in turning B2B into something real & for helping me to find my feet
Tanya Parker from GHCMA - for her tireless work on the MAD for the Merri Project & her nothing's too hard attitude to helping me get my head in the right place
Margie Finnigan - for her evernescant attitude to making the CMA office user friendly & her willingness to do anything to make life more comfortable - you're a god send Margie
Neil from Allansforest Nursery in Allansford & Owen at Cudgee Creek Native Plants in Cudgee - for providing the plants that have made all the difference - wicked green thumbs guys
Dave Warne/Doug Phillips from Greening Australia - for all the seed & all the best advice a tree guru could give
Matthew Ebden from Deakin University - for your passionate interest in finding out how environmental work makes a difference to human health & for having the desire to see what can come out of hybridizing the health and community welfare sectors
Marni & the last Warrnambool Green Corps Crew - Thanks guys & good luck with 2009
All the school kids & teachers who planted a forrest at Tozer Reserve - Thanks Brauer College, Warrnambool College & Warrnambool Primary School - we look forward to more great work in 2009

Thanks to everyone. Together we're making the world a better place for generations to come !

Thank you for all your help !!!

2008-12-31T19:45:00.001-08:00

A big thank you to all the fantastic groups who helped us achieve our on ground works this year.

Especially :

Brauer College students for planting at Tozer Reserve
Warrnambool Primary students for planting at Tozer Reserve
Warrnambool College students for planting Tozer Reserve
Marni & her Green Corps crew for their boudaciously awesome work at Tozer Reserve, Hawkesdale Apex Park & Hawkesdale Common - wicked weeding doods !!!

What am I up to ?

2008-12-31T19:19:00.000-08:00

Well, sadly it's new years day and a coordinators work never ends !!!
But alas, I am on holidays next week and I can't wait.

As for what I'm up to, here's a quick summary :

1. Setting up the blog
2. Setting up the website (yes it is way overdue)
3. Writing the second edition of Regenerate (our newsletter)
4. Developing a list of appropriate social & environmental funding for the network
5. Contemplating how to approach the Caring for Our Country Funding due on 6-3-09
6. Developing a coporate partnership strategy
7. Maintaining communication with key people in the network/connected to the network
8. Thinking about holidays

Western District Tree Muster

2008-12-31T19:07:00.000-08:00

Basalt to Bay has been asked to apply for $62,000 from Landcare Australia for a project we’ve dubbed - Western District Tree Muster ; which will see 31,000 plus trees planted in 2009. Funding has been allocated to the Watershed 2000 project and the lower Moyne area. We hope to have funding in the bank soon. Confirmation of funding and updates of the project will be posted here and on our website.

All funds for the project have been allocated. Landcare Australia has asked us to plant 31,00o trees but we anticipate that this figure will be well over 100,000 trees with 14, 730 seedlings (mostly in the Rosebrook/Toolong/Hawkesdale area) and 18.755 ha of direct seeding (mostly in the Mortlake/Caramut area) to be planted.

The Emotional Landscape of Life on the Land

2008-12-31T18:54:00.001-08:00

Life on the land isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Yeah you might have your freedom, plenty of open space and be lucky enough to be your own boss. But then there’s the isolation, the tyranny of being so far away from normal conveniences and the unpredictability of making a living from the land. Most people on the land live between extremes. You can have good years and crap years. One year you’ll have everything you need in abundance, while the next you’re just surviving. Life on the land can be bloody tough. Some people cling to hope year in year out, while others are realistic and accept that things will always change, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. For farmers there’s also the lack of separation between work and home. Your home is your work - you can’t turn your back on a mob of sheep that have been stranded by flood in the middle of the night. But then neither can you sow a crop when you feel like it or take holidays when the kids are on holidays. You live at the beck and call of the elements. And nature is not always so kind - one minute she’s giving you all that you need, the next she’s taking it all away.

Despite this, life on the land is not always so bleak. And for the majority of land owners there is more good periods, then there are bad periods. But life on the land can be challenging, even during good times - thanks to the stresses of modern life and the stresses imposed by the things that no one can control. Farmers live in a world where there is no absolute certainties and they are as much at the mercy of export markets, as they are to the weather.

For all of us, life holds a rainbow of emotions - frustration, uncertainty, anger, excitement, hope, despair, grief, anticipation and curiosity - just to name a few. For people on the land, particularly farmers, all these emotions are pushed to the extreme. Few of us know how to stay calm and healthy at the best of times, let alone during times challenge and crisis. So, given that the emotional landscape of life on the land is as rugged and as diverse as the land itself, how do we survive ? I believe the there are 4 keys to surviving life on the land :

1. Being aware of our choices and knowing what we can control and what we can’t
2. Being mindful of our thoughts and feelings
3. Being aware of the cues that our bodies are sending us that something is not well
4. Maintaining healthy relationships with family, friends and other members of our support network.

Rather than exploring these in detail (which I’ll do in later issues), I’d like to offer a few exercises, which might help you to become more aware of how well you are functioning :

1. Make 2 columns. On 1 side right down what you can control and what you cant, then on a scale of 1-10 assign a value to how much stress each thing causes you. Note how much stress you allow the things you can’t control to cause you.
2A. Close you eyes for 5 minutes and sit still. Notice what thoughts arise and the feelings that each though generates. Allow your mind to wander off on tangents, then gently bring your attention back to your breath. How long before another thought kicks in ? And what is it’s flavour - is it negative or positive, does it require action or does it cause you stress. ?
2B. Take 5 minutes out of your day, to notice your mind. Are you paying attention to the moment or are you lost in thought about the past or the future ?
3. Close your eyes for 5 minutes and breath gently. Just notice any pain or discomfort or unusual sensations that arises in your body. Where is it and what does it feel like ? Just sit with it and allow it to be !
4A. Draw a circle with lines coming out of it. In the circle write ‘me’. At the end of the lines write down the names of all the people and groups in your life. Use bold lines for people you have great relationships with, dashed lines for ok relationships and no lines for people you wish that you had a relationship with. This is your current situation. Then create a map for some future time - say in a years time. Look at the differences and notice the relationships that need more work .
4B. See what happens if you abstain from criticizing for a whole day. If that works well try a whole week, then a whole month.
4C. Try praising 3 people every day.

If you, a partner, a mate or someone you know is experiencing difficulties, don’t hesitate to contact one of the following support services :

Mensline Australia : 1300 789 978 Lifeline : 13 11 14
Lifeline’s Information Line : 1300 13 11 13
Relationships Australia : 1300 364 277
Kids Help Line : 1800 551 800
Emma House Domestic Violence Services (Warrnambool) : 55 611 934
Community Connections (Warrnambool) : 1300 361 680
Sage Hill Carer Services (Warrnambool) : 55 615 261 .

Introducing Basalt to Bay Landcare Network

2008-12-31T18:30:00.000-08:00

Basalt to Bay Landcare Network formed in late 2007, to coordinate Landcare activities across the Hopkins/Moyne catchments. A unique feature of the network is that it is independent of government agencies such as the Catchment Management Authority, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Department of Primary Industries and local government. Although we work closely with all these groups. The key role of the network will be to share knowledge, work collaboratively across Landcare groups, address natural resource management issues, help develop and coordinate funding applications and assist in the development and implementation of environmental projects. It’s ultimate aim is to help local Landcare groups work together towards bring about large scale landscape change in the Hopkins/Moyne catchment, linking environmental on ground works from one side of the Western District to the other.

8 Local Landcare groups/networks from Glenthompson to Warrnambool, have united under a common umbrella, to attract corporate, philanthropic and government funding, after years of having to do it themselves. Over the last few years the amount of public funding for on ground works has decreased significantly, leaving many Landcare groups in the area struggling to survive and with limited opportunities to do environmental work.

Basalt to Bay Landcare Network is a community driven initiative, which will consolidate the motivation, skills, knowledge and wisdom of individual Landcare groups. As a collective it is anticipated that it will have greater pulling power for funding and subsequently provide local Landcare groups with a new lease on life and greater opportunity to achieve large scale landscape change.

South West Victoria has some of the most beautiful landscape in the country but despite this the natural environment is in a poorer state than many other areas. Local environmental agencies and individual Landcare groups have identified a number of significant environmental issues in the region, including : a lack of native vegetation for biodiversity, ongoing threats to native flora and fauna, a lack of habitat for threatened species, poor condition of waterways, poor agricultural effluent management, erosion and salinity.

Basalt to Bay’s plans over the next 5 years are to : plant 1,225,000 trees, protect 450 ha of remnant species, treat 455 ha of weed species, erect 380 km of fencing, support 570 properties in natural resource management projects, invest $3,785,000 of in kind funds towards Landcare projects, utilise 130,000 hours of volunteer labour and develop projects over 60,000 ha of private and public land.

Blogosphere in the Biosphere

2008-12-31T16:59:00.000-08:00

Well, Basalt to Bay Landcare Network has landed in the Blogosphere at last.

Happy new year and welcome to our Blog.

I hope to make this a complimatary one stop shop to our website. A place where you'll find updates on all our current projects and week to week updates on what I and the network are up to.

May 2009 be a happy, healthy and prosperous year for all.

;-) Richard Hudson.

Network Coordinator.