Norman Wettenhall Foundation Workshop

Some weeks ago I attended the Norman Wettenhall foundation workshop which was held at the Ceres Environmental Centre in Melbourne. As a member of the deputation from the Loddon Plains Landcare Network which also included Mal Brown, Jean McClymont and Leah Cripps (Project Officer of the LPLN) we were involved in discussions aimed at sharing the challenges and progress of the five Natural Resource Management groups funded by the foundation.

Other groups involved in the valuable discussions were members from the Connecting Country Project (Mt Alexander Shire), the Beyond Bolac Project, the JARR Project ( Jack and Albert River Restoration) and the Otway Agroforestry Network and the Upper Barwon Landcare Network - Otway L.E.A.F. Project (linking environment and farms).

A theme common to all projects was that of developing biodiversity blueprints for each project area and much discussion was centred around this subject. The Loddon Plains Landcare network although the “youngster” in this group is well on track in this aspect as our Project Officer goes about the business of collecting information from the thirteen member groups of the LPLN. The Wedderburn CMN is a strong supporter of the united efforts of the Loddon Plains Landcare Network.

Michael Moore, photo – round table discussion at Ceres Centre

Update on wheel cactus at Buckrabanyule

Injecting of Wheel Cactus continues on private land and roadsides around Buckrabanyule. Regular Tuesday workdays have resumed, meeting at my shed, Mount Buckra, 1307 Borung-Charlton Road, Buckrabanyule at 8.15 am. Any one interested in helping would be most welcome. We provide equipment and instruction; wear suitable clothes and boots and bring eye protection: sunglasses are fine. It is best to ring me on 5492 7567 or Beth Crutch on 5492 7541 before setting out to join us.

The battle against invasive cacti nationwide has moved a big step forward with Biosecurity SA sending a submission to Canberra last week for Wheel Cactus, as the frontrunner of all invasive cacti in Australia, to be declared a weed of National significance [WONS}. I was very happy to help with some data on distribution and cost of controlling the pest weed here in Victoria.

Janet Richardson

Secretary, Wychitella and District Landcare Group

LPLN Project Officer Progress

Leah Cripps has completed her first month with the LPLN and has met with North Central Landcare, East Loddon landholders who were at the Silver Leaf Nightshade workshop, Northern United Forestry Group and the Wedderburn Conservation Management Network. More meetings are coming up during November with other groups where she will talk about the Biodiversity Blueprint and how it will be an important document to attract funding for Landcare and associated works.

Leah understands that this is a busy time for landholders to be meeting and appreciates the time taken to speak with her. Groups that have documented their project work will be mapped over the coming months. Information sheets have also been mailed out to people that may wish to participate in the blueprint but are unable to meet with Leah at the moment.

Leah Cripps can be contacted via email leah.cripps@aanet.com.au

Korong Bushland Reserve Planting Day

Six members of the Wedderburn CMN braved the wet weather conditions to take part in the rescheduled Loddon Plains Landcare Network planting day at the Korong Bushland Reserve on October 13^th. Approximately 600 shrubs and grasses were planted on the day.

The Wedderburn CMN planning day

The Wedderburn CMN planning day was held this year at Parks Victoria Inglewood on the 15^th of October with seventeen people attending. Alison Jeavons chaired the meeting as we first went through highlights of the year followed by a discussion of our annual review document and our DSE Service Agreement. The main topics under consideration were those associated with:

Environmental Threats /Issues and the WCMN’s Responses to these perceived threats such as pest animals and plants, the fragmentation of habitat, the degradation of habitat, protection of threatened species and monitoring of changes. Responses to threats included such aspects as habitat building, habitat expansion, creation of biolinks, fox control, spraying of weeds etc

Education and Involvement of the General Community such as presentations, bustrips, newsletters, newspaper articles and websites etc

Administration Aspects of the CMN such as networking, funding and governance etc.

High on the priority list was the management of the $577,000 which the WCMN has obtained over a three year period from the Federal Government’s Caring for our Country scheme for use in our Box – Gum Grassy Woodlands Project which was mentioned in the last newsletter. After much discussion we all headed off for a pub lunch at one of the local pubs before returning to more discussion which was periodically interrupted by water leaking through the roof of the Parks Vic building onto the table – hence the assortment of buckets and various other containers seen in the photograph. Overall, the day was a productive one.

Michael Moore

Loddon Plains Landcare Network appoints Project Officer

The Loddon Plains Landcare Network has appointed a new Project Officer to work with member groups to develop a biodiversity blueprint for the Network’s area.The Loddon Plains Landcare Network comprises thirteen Landcare and other Environmental Groups (including the Wedderburn CMN) across the northern part of the Loddon Shire. The area stretches from Bridgewater and Wedderburn in the south, to Pyramid Hill in the north.

Formed in late 2009 the Network has secured funding from the Norman Wettenhall Foundation – a Philanthropic Trust – to employ a Project Officer to help develop a biodiversity blueprint for the Network’s area.

Mal Brown, Network President, said he was pleased to advise that Leah Cripps, from Bendigo, has been employed to lead this important project.

According to Mal, Leah will work with member groups within the Network to identify the important areas of native plants and habitat for native animals, map the work that member groups have already achieved, and document the member group’s aspirations for future works.

Mal says. “the preparation of the blueprint will be overseen by a Committee of Management and all member groups will have input to the plan.”

“One of the strengths of Network is that collaborative voice. We need a strategic plan to take to government, the corporate sector and philanthropic trusts, so that we can secure the kind of funding needed for groups to do the works they want to do, and to achieve the landscape change all groups envision for our part of the world.”

“The biodiversity blueprint will be a foundation working document. Though considerable natural resource information is available from various sources, the information as yet is dispersed and uncoordinated. Part of the purpose of the blueprint is to organise and present this information in an accessible and practical form, based on a map format workable in GIS.”

“Leah has extensive experience in working with farmer groups as well as great mapping skills. Her main role is to work with member groups and to help develop the strategic plan for the Network’s area”, says Mal.

The Network’s Committee of Management members are Mal Brown (Leichardt), Penny Wall (Raywood), Michael Moore (Wedderburn), Jean McClymont (Salisbury West), Laurie Maxted (Boort), Bill Twigg (Bears Lagoon), Wendy Murphy (Inglewood/Wedderburn) and Dennis Demeo (Raywood).

Photograph – Leah Cripps, newly appointed Project Officer of the LPLN

Article and Photograph by Mal Brown

Loddon Plains Landcare Dinner a success, despite the weather

Eighty six people turned out for the Inaugural Loddon Plains Landcare Network on Saturday 4^th September at the Serpentine Hall. The night was sponsored by the Inglewood and District Community branch of the Bendigo Bank. The attendees enjoyed a meal prepared by the East Loddon Lions Club and also music by Kinja. Ron Murray and Sarah James make up Kinja and provide a unique combination of indigenous Australian culture (fantastic didgeridoo playing) with Celtic singing and fiddle playing. We also heard a dreamtime story handed down by Ron’s ancestors.

It was great to see such good attendance given the difficult driving conditions due to the amount of rain that fell over the weekend. A planting day had also been planned for the Saturday, but had to be cancelled due to the weather conditions. The planting day was going to be an opportunity for city people to come out and volunteer their time to plant trees on four locations in the Loddon Shire. The planting day will be re-scheduled for 16th October.

The event was also part of the Loddon Shire’s, month long activities showcasing the natural environment of the Loddon Shire called Naturally Loddon.

Article by Penny Wall

Photo by Mal Brown - the Hocking and Wall family enjoying the evening

Curlew Capers

Lockwood was our destination as 25 of us set off on our annual bus trip. How nice to have Whitmore’s bus coach captain to be our driver and negotiate around the area even to reverse in a tight spot when we couldn’t pass over the bridge with the 5 ton limit. Project coordinator from the Mid Loddon Landcare Network, Judy Crocker met us at the Happy Jacks store to conduct us on the days outing.

Our morning tour included a drive around the lifestyle properties and subdivision that has progressed in these valleys. Houses everywhere, some on 20 ac then 10ac and even 8ac is now on offer at considerable elevated prices. Most have plantings of native species which create an increase in the extent, condition, connectivity and resilience of native habitat. We stopped at Fred & Joanna Brunings who have owned their 25 acre retirement property for about 10 years where most of the open paddocks have been planted for greater biodiversity within the surrounding farm land. This little haven with its own dry creek has been created over the past eight years. We were impressed with their success with direct seeding considering the climate variability and rabbit problem. Now it was interesting to note that this couple took inspiration from one of Bill Twigg’s farm tours – so they were delighted that Bill was there in person. Our group was inspired by the use of an alternate wire tree guard which gave greater protection from rabbits while giving support to saplings. Note : A very excited Fred told Judy today that his dam is full and almost overflowing and the drainage line that feeds it is still flowing and life is wonderful.

Our lunch stop was at the Lockwood recreational reserve which has wonderful modern facilities along a creek where the groups have eradicated invasive weeds and planted native understory to make a welcoming rest area. The BBQ was soon in action with the sausages, hamburgers and chicken lovely and hot overseen by Robert and David.

Afternoon saw us heading to the Lockwood State Forest stopping to view the exclusion plots. It was clearly evident that the plants were protected from the rabbits and kangaroos showing good growth even in these low rainfall years. The understory is quite diverse where saplings have been thinned and a good opportunity to see the leafless current bush and the first golden wattle blooms.

Then on the Gill’s curlew project where they have fenced a large corner area, imported logs from roadside works to enhance and encourage the retention of litter. When funding is available for materials the 2mt feral fence will be completed. One edge of the site had been direct seeded for wind protection and it was pretty lush and quite diverse, with just a few tall gums in the species selected. A main highlight of the day proved to be when Noreen Gill brought out the curlew puppet with sound effects reinforcing the call of the curlew that we haven’t heard for probably 40 years.

Out to the broad acre farms where erosion has been an ongoing problem created by loss of forest, land clearing and tree cover. Mr Howard Hepburn rolled out the 1960’s map on the bonnet of the Ute displaying the plan that was set up to control the water flow causing massive erosion. Being implemented some 40 to 50 years ago the system was in need of rejuvenation. MLLN has sourced funds to repair and restore fences, plant trees and renovate the out flows of control flow dams. It was an impressive site to view the valley and works in progress to slow the water trying to minimize water erosion the evidence we could see as the bus toured further farm areas. Farm lands have been used to improve habitat for threatened species, planting biodiversity corridors that have a dual action as wind breaks protect and enhance remnant vegetation to support sustainable agriculture in practice. Wind breaks of 8 to 10 meters were still being approved when most recent funding requires a minimum of 30mt corridors was something to take home as a bit of a question for SWLG to analyze options for corridor plantings.

Visitors from the Inglewood Landcare Group, Mt Korong Landcare and Friends of Kooyoora joined us for the outing all learning just the right conditions to encourage the return of the curlew. Hopefully actions within their groups will reflect some of this practical knowledge on biodiversity, pest plant and animal eradication and sustainable farm and land management practices.

An immediate outcome from the tour is the manufacture of wire tree guards by Rodwell’s Wire Works in Inglewood which will be put to good use in this year’s planting especially on sites where rabbits are evident near the river. For maximum learning to be effective it’s great if all the five senses can be activated. There was plenty to see, the smell of the bush was invigorating, the crunch of litter underfoot really brought home what conditions endangered species need, then the taste of the delicious food with the sound of the curlew to complete the experience. It’s interesting to note that similar conditions are needed for the Hooded Robin a declined species in our area.

President Robert Condliffe thanked Judy for a great insight, allowing us into the back blocks of an area we often pass on our way to Melbourne. Jean, you’ve done it again, getting us into a region that reflects our commitment to protect the environment. It was encouraging to see the works of volunteers, owners and landholder’s efforts are taking positive action to increase biodiversity and minimize soil degradation in a higher rainfall region to protect our natural environment.

Jean McClymont Project Coordinator - Salisbury West Landcare Group 2010

Photograph - SWLG members and others enjoying the tour

Landscape Restoration Project – Project Officer Position

Project Officer Position – Part-time (2-3 days/wk) Short term contract (6 months)

The Norman Wettenhall Foundation has provided a grant to the Loddon Plains Landcare Network Inc. for a landscape restoration project across the network’s area in North Central Victoria. Applications are sought from suitably experienced persons for the role of Project Officer to work with the Landcare and Conservation Groups in the network to develop an area-wide biodiversity plan. The plan will identify existing natural assets, threatening processes, priorities for protection, enhancement and restoration including potential landscape-scale biolinks. Importantly, the blueprint will include a social/cultural overlay that captures community interest and builds on work the community has already done.

Organisational skills and the ability to engage with the community is a vital part of the role. Community ownership of the project is critical to its success. The Project Officer will work closely with the Network’s Committee of Management.

The position description can be downloaded from www.nrmjobs.com.au

Applications in writing close 5.00 pm 27 August 2010

Loddon Plains Landcare Network Planting Day and Evening Dinner

Loddon Plains Landcare Network is a collective of farmer, Landcare and other environmental groups located northwest of Bendigo working to improve the natural environment.

As part of Naturally Loddon – a month long series of environmental events across the Loddon Shire – the network has organised a tree planting day at four sites, from Wedderburn to Durham Ox , for Saturday , 4 September. Urban volunteers are needed to join with network members and share this enjoyable and rewarding day.

A dinner (with entertainment by Kinja ) will be held in the Serpentine Hall to celebrate the day’s landcare work. Volunteer tree planters and network members are welcome to attend.

The day’s timetable

11 am Arrive at sites, briefing, lunch (provided)

12 pm Planting, guarding, watering trees and shrubs

5 pm Arrive Serpentine Hall (Drinks and nibbles)

6.30 pm Dinner and Entertainment

9 pm Close

What to bring

Volunteers should bring with them a hat, sunscreen, gloves, water bottle, waterproof boots and a change of clothes for the dinner. All planting equipment will be provided.

Who to contact

All volunteers and network members participating on the day must register with Penny Wall by Wednesday 25 August.

(Ph: 54361262; M: 048836126

E: apwall@aussiebroadband.com.au).

Please advise Penny of any dietary special requirements

KINJA TO ENTERTAIN LANDCARERS

Made possible by the generous support of the Inglewood and Districts Community Branch of the Bendigo Bank

Ron Murray and Sarah James (pictured above) celebrate the cultural heritage of their ancestors in a blend of indigenous Australian and Celtic music. In many ways Ron and Sarah that playing together is their special contribution to reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous people in this country.

LPLN Committee of Management Elected

Loddon Plains Landcare Network held its AGM in Serpentine on Tuesday 20 July. The newly elected members of the Committee of Management are shown in the photograph attached.

Front, left to right:

Mal Brown (Northern United Forestry Group) - President

Michael Moore (Wedderburn CMN) - Secretary

Wendy Murphy (Wedderburn CMN & Friends of Kooyoora & Inglewood Landcare) - Committee member

Back, left to right:

Jean McClymont (Salisbury West Landcare) - Treasurer

Bill Twigg (Salisbury West Landcare & East Loddon Landcare) - Committee member

Laurie Maxted (Loddon Vale Landcare) - Committee member

Penny Wall (North Central Landcare & Northern United Forestry Group) - Vice President

Dennis Demeo (North Central Landcare) - Committee member

All members of the committee are volunteers with a strong commitment to sound Natural Resource Management. The committee will meet monthly at the Loddon Shire Council Offices, Serpentine, to discuss the ongoing business of the network.

Wedderburn CMN and Box Gum Grassy Woodlands / Buloke Woodlands

The White Box, Yellow Box and Blakelys Red Gum grassy woodlands and Buloke woodlands are nationally endangered ecological communities and are listed under the EPBC act. These woodlands occur as scattered remnants across the Wedderburn area (see map for indication of locations - Wedderburn CMN blog August) Population isolation has increased the probability that environmental fluctuations will indeed lead to increasing local extinction of certain species. For this reason alone it is necessary to act.

The overall goal of this current WCMN project is to increase the area of White Box, Yellow Box and Blakelys Red Gum grassy Woodlands and Buloke woodlands and to provide long term protection and connectivity of these existing woodlands within the region. This project aims to reduce the threat of fragmentation, especially in the face of climate change, by protecting existing remnants, wherever possible by providing buffers with revegetation and the connection of remnants through linkages with new vegetation. Other threats this project aims to address are overgrazing of these woodlands through stock control fencing, landholder agreements to exclude stock and the management of rabbit and weed infestations.
The Buloke woodlands are at particular risk from grazing as all natural regeneration is immediately eaten by stock, rabbits and kangaroos/wallabies. Ongoing Kangaroo/wallaby and rabbit monitoring and management will alleviate the impacts of overgrazing on woodland remnants allowing natural regeneration to improve species diversity and recruitment of new Buloke seedlings.
In all this project will involve 200 hectares of remnant White Box, Yellow Box and Blakelys Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Buloke Woodland communities protected by June 30, 2013. Also 120 Hectares of Box Gum Grassy Woodland and Buloke Woodland communities enhanced with understorey and grass species to improve quality of remnants by June 30, 2013. Landholders and land managers within the Wedderburn CMN’s area of interest who wish to apply for assistance in the protection of these species on their land are invited to apply to the Wedderburn CMN, contact details are supplied below.

Contacts: WCMN Ranger, Wendy Murphy - 0438384053

WCMN’s DSE Facilitator, Alison Jeavons - 54304567

Loddon Nature Tourism Festival

The Loddon Shire, in collaboration with local partner agencies, is driving the inaugural Loddon Nature Tourism Festival entitled Naturally Loddon: A Wonderland in Spring, to be held throughout September-October this year.

The festival is an objective of the Nature Tourism Advisory Team with the aim to bring more people to the area, and to pull together new and existing key environmental events to market under the one umbrella.

“We essentially wanted to promote our beautiful environment and to highlight the biodiversity, natural assets and cultural heritage of the Loddon Shire – and in doing so it will enable all of our partner agencies within the area to get greater exposure by marketing their individual activities as part of a festival, rather than simply running incidental events during this time,” said Mrs. Vella.

“Many local events occur during the spring, so the timing seemed right to get everyone on board to come together, working as with a “whole-of” approach, and each event would benefit from the additional publicity,” she said.

These thoughts are echoed by Loddon Shire Councilor, Christine Brooke, who helped instigate and encourage the establishment of the festival.

“We formed a working group early this year, bringing together agencies such as the North Central Catchment Management Authority, Parks Victoria, local Landcare groups and environmental networks, various government departments, and community organisations such as the YMCA,” explained Cr Brooke.

“The group has worked tirelessly in pulling together events to add to the festival calendar. Each organisation still organises and runs their own events, although now with much greater support and subsequent exposure.”

The festival is aimed at all age groups and incorporates the popular annual Kooyoora Wildflower show, along with a variety of fun, interactive and educational events such as bushwalking, tree planting, bird watching, photography, canoeing and bike riding – as well as highlighting areas of Indigenous and European cultural significance – all showcasing the great Loddon outdoors.

“We have just released a brochure outlining of festival schedule, and a calendar of events is available from the Loddon Shire website, along with contact information relevant to each event,” said Mrs. Vella.

“We would like to encourage everyone to have a look at what is on offer and come along to one or several events. Many activities are being held during the school holiday period and the majority are free for the whole family to enjoy.

The festival will be held from 4 September to 3 October this year, with the official inaugural launch to be held on Friday 10 September at the Loddon Visitor Information Centre. For a brochure or further information, including a full program of events, visit www.loddon.vic.gov.au or telephone the Loddon Visitor Information Centre on 03 5494 3489.

For further information please contact:

Robyn Vella - Loddon Shire Tourism Manager

(03) 54941200, mobile 0428448390 email rvella@loddon.vic.gov.au

www.loddon.vic.gov.au

Or
Christine Taylor – Marketing and Events Coordinator

North Central Catchment Management Authority

t: 03 5440 1870,

m: 0448 103 266

e: christine.taylor@nccma.vic.gov.au

w: www.nccma.vic.gov.au

Meeting

Meeting:

Tuesday 1^st June 2010

Ray wood Hall

7.30 pm

Guest Speakers:

Jodie Odgers, Landcare Funding

Regional Landcare Co-ordinator

Dale Boyd, Locusts,

DPI Echuca

Supper provided

Supported by the Loddon Plains Landcare Network

Loddon Plains Landcare Network (LPLN)

It seems that landcare continues to experience cuts to funding from Government. The Federal Government recently announced cuts to the Federal Government Caring for Our Country program. One of the reasons for the formation of the LPLN is to explore and seek funding for landcare in the Loddon region from funding sources other than government. Currently the LPLN is made up of an Executive of 4 volunteers – Mal Brown (Chair), Penny Wall (Deputy Chair), Jean McClymont (Treasurer) and Michael Moore (Secretary), and 13 landcare groups who have joined the network. We plan to form a Committee of Management in the near future. We are hopeful of securing funding from the Norman Wettenhall Foundation (a non-government funding body) soon and have submitted a submission to Federal Government for a Landcare Facilitator in the Loddon area. We will continue to work towards bringing resources to our area to continue landcare work.

Article by Penny Wall, Landcare Coordinator and Deputy Chair LPLN

Bush Stone Curlew – Bush Thick-knee sighting

One of the great rewards of protecting our natural environment and planting trees is seeing the return of birdlife that we remember from our childhood. On our farm last week my husband saw a bush thick-knee and 2 chicks. Unfortunately they are no longer as commonly seen as they were years ago. They are a large bird that stands on long, gangly legs. They live in open woodlands and like lots of fallen branches and litter on the ground for foraging, shelter and camouflage. They are most active at night and I recall in my childhood hearing their characteristic wailing ‘weer-lo’ at night time. Foxes are one of the main predators of the chicks and eggs.

Enquiries call Penny Wall 54361262

Landcare Grants available

Landcare grants of up to $40,000 will be available in April-May this year. If you have an idea for a tree planting, protection of remnant vegetation, streamside planting, weed or rabbit control project it would be great to see some funds coming to our local area and I am very willing to assist groups and individuals develop a project. My contact details are Penny Wall ph 54361262.

Junior Landcare

An area of land behind the Lions Den is being developed as an environmental education tool for the students at East Loddon. A Management Plan has been prepared by a past student, Wendy Last and in collaboration with staff we hope to develop landcare and environment as part of the school curriculum, giving the students an opportunity to actively learn about landcare and the natural environment. To date students in P-4 have participated in planting days and we plan to continue this in 2010 as well as establishing some monitoring sites and wildlife habitat.

Article by Penny Wall, Landcare Coordinator and Deputy Chair LPLN

Farming for Sustainable Soils

A project funded by the Federal Government, being run by NCCMA is addressing soil health locally. The project is centred around the Loddon Cropping Group at Serpentine, with 15 farmers receiving grants totally $140,000 this growing season to do a variety of works on their farms from sowing new pasture species, to adapting farm machinery, soil testing, and gaining technical assistance from Birchip Cropping Group through the Yield Prophet program. A soils forum was held in Bendigo on 31 March where speakers including Dr Christine Jones and Andrew Campbell talked about soil health and that popular topic carbon. The project focuses on assisting farmers to implement practices to improve organic carbon levels in their soils. It is hoped that the project may be expanded over 3 to 5 years, if funding is secured.

Article by Penny Wall, Landcare Coordinator and Deputy Chair LPLN

City comes to the Country 4th – 5th September 2010

The LPLN has been successful in gaining funding to bring 40 melbourne dwellers to visit our landcare groups and get their hands dirty planting some trees. The group will arrive on Saturday 4^th September and we will bus them out to 4 locations to plant trees for the afternoon (2000 trees in total). In the evening we are having a function at the Powlett Plains Hall (real country setting) with a dinner and entertainment. All landcare groups are invited and it will be FREE. The aim of the event is to help close the gap between city and country, by giving Melbourne people a hands on experience on local farms. It is also a great way for them to do something positive for the environment. As part of the experience we want to accommodate them with locally on Saturday night. So if you would be willing to put up a person for the night please let me know. On Sunday, we will be having a cruise on the Serpentine Creek at Maxteds and a luncheon, before sending them home having had a memorable weekend with us.

Article by Penny Wall, Landcare Coordinator and Deputy Chair LPLN

National Landcare Forum, Adelaide 2010.

I was fortunate to attend the National Landcare Forum in Adelaide in March this year. I was able to attend due to sponsorship from the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) and the North Central Landcare Group. The theme of the Forum was celebrate, communicate and invigorate – and I can confidently say I did a bit of the first two and came away with some of the third! Landcare in Australia is at a crossroad. It has come through a very prosperous first 20 years and now is the opportunity for communities to positively look forward and take sustainable farming and caring for our environment (they go hand in hand) forward through landcare.

Part of the Landcare Forum was to give the 650 strong attendees an opportunity to focus on the future of landcare and the challenges ahead. Tony Burke, Federal Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister addressed the Forum, and I certainly was impressed with his knowledge and first hand experience of landcare efforts of farmers across Australia. I’m sure everyone present would have liked him to tell us the Government were committing big dollars to Landcare. Unfortunately he didn’t do that. But he did make the point that landcare co-ordinators play an important role in local communities in supporting landcare groups and should be funded (the Government is re-instating Federal Government support for 56 landcare facilitators across Australia). He also said that food, climate, environment, provide the three pillars for Landcare into the next 20 years.

I heard many speakers over the 2 days who spoke optimistically about the role that landcare can play in our future. Some of the popular topics were carbon and the opportunities that can bring us and the issues the world faces in regard to food security. We heard from farmers who have seen the benefits of landcare on their farms through improved sustainability of their farms over many years. It was inspiring to hear their passion and motivation for protecting and enhancing their farms through tree planting, soil health, and improved biodiversity.

I have come away from the Forum with ideas and enthusiasm for the future of Landcare and plan to support the East Loddon Community to seek funding and to implement landcare projects in our area.

Article by Penny Wall, Landcare Coordinator and Deputy Chair LPLN

Malleefowl Developments at Wychitella NCR

On the 5^th of February a meeting was held between members of the Wedderburn CMN and members of the Victorian Malleefowl Recovery Group (VMRG). Two of the objectives of the meetings were; firstly a revision of the alignment of the work of the WCMN with the National Malleefowl Recovery Plan and secondly discussion of the coordination of line searches for malleefowl mounds in the Wychitella NCR. At the conclusion of the meeting it was decided that the VMRG should coordinate such searches to avoid duplication of effort and to ensure that data collected was recorded on the national database.

Prior to this meeting Dr David Baker- Gabb had prepared a Malleefowl Release Plan for the Wychitella Nature Conservation Reserve and although it is now realised that further research is required before population supplementation takes place, having the plan in place is a distinct advantage. A brief summary of this detailed document is given below.

Summary of aspects of the Malleefowl Release Plan

When it is decided that population supplementation will recommence the approximately1 year old Malleefowl, before their introduction into the captive program, and before any releases to the wild, will be subject to veterinary checks. They will then be translocated to a pre-prepared semi-captive facility located on a suitable site in the Wychitella NCR. Four such suitable sites have already been identified.

The semi-captive facility will cover c.1ha and be surrounded by a approximately 2m high predator-proof galvanised ‘chicken netting’ fence with a covering of soft ‘bird netting’ supported by 3m tall poles and wires overhead to exclude raptors. The facility will encompass natural Malleefowl habitat with shrubs and trees up to 3m that will allow the young birds to learn to roost well above the ground.

When local conditions are suitable, for example, after a wet Spring, the Malleefowl will be allowed to move out from the semi-captive facility into a surrounding larger approximately 10 ha soft-release site that has an electrified fence surrounding it to exclude mammalian predators. Birds will only be allowed into the outer soft release facility if their weights are similar to or heavier than when they arrived. The young Malleefowl will continue to be fed in this larger enclosure and will be able to fly in and out of it as they choose. The diet for the captive Malleefowl will be the same as that recommended by the Little Desert Lodge and other captive facilities.

All Malleefowl will be fitted with a single metal ABBBS leg band and two coloured metal bands so that they can be individually identified in the aviary and field. All captive Malleefowl will be fitted with ‘backpack’ radio-transmitters that have been used successfully on captive-released birds elsewhere. The ‘backpacks’ will be fitted at the start of the bird’s confinement in the captive-release facility at Wychitella, but not activated until their release to the wild, so that any impacts on the birds can be monitored closely and corrected if necessary. Included in the plan are contingency measures for dealing with such emergency situations as distressed bird.

Article by Michael Moore, Wedderburn Conservation Management Network

First National Invasive Cacti Forum

It was an instructive experience to attend the first National Invasive Cacti Forum held at the Waite precinct of Adelaide University. Some of the positive points I was pleased to note were:

• There were highly qualified and experienced representatives from WA, SA, NSW, ACT and QLD present.
• Wheel cactus was high on the agenda but not the only cactus of concern.
• Wheel cactus is now on the list of Opuntioid cacti that is considered suitable for bio-control.
• The outbreak of wheel cactus in the Flinders Ranges is steadily being brought under control: contractors spraying with Grazon with volunteers mapping and mopping up being their method of control.
• From work done in South Africa there is a lot more understood about the cellular structure of wheel cactus and of its predators.
• A spontaneous destructive outbreak of cochineal beetle has occurred on stored wheel cactus on a property in the Flinders Ranges. This is being nurtured and developed with a view to possible biological control.
• A South Australian Opuntioid Management Plan was launched.

On the negative side I was disappointed to see that I and another Land Care member from Nuggety were the only Victorian representatives: no government, academic or scientific people at all so as I did the overview for Victoria, I had to explain mine was a report from “on the ground” It was a very good day, good to see a problem being really worked at.

Article by Janet Richardson - Wychitella and District Landcare Group

Latest News from the Executive

The Loddon Plains Landcare Network is up and running and looking forward to a great year in 2010! The Network has secured a $10,000 Second Generation Landcare Grant for use in what could be considered a practical and also symbolic network wide activity in Spring. The activity will involve up to 40 volunteers working with network members planting 2000 trees in four selected sites across the network.

The executive is also currently developing a partnership proposal to submit to the Norman Wettenhall Foundation (NWF) for funding that involves firstly the accumulation of information about the network’s area such as; demographics, the acquisition of reliable and informative mapping, environmental assets and the activities of member groups etc. If funding is obtained then in the next step a Project Officer would be appointed and an action blueprint assembled. From this blueprint the judicial selection of high priority asset areas is made, these high priority asset areas are termed “ecoships”. Further funding is then sought, with the aid of the NWF, for the adaptive management and development of these selected areas. The cyclic process then begins again anew until objectives set in the blueprint are achieved.

Network member groups to date include Loddon Vale Landcare, Wychitella and District Landcare, Northern United Forestry Group, Salisbury West Landcare, East Loddon Landcare, Wedderburn Conservation Management Network, Inglewood Landcare, Yando Landcare, Kamarooka and North Central Landcare. Friends of Kooyoora have also agreed to participate in the new network. It is expected that other landcare groups will join the network in the near future.

Article by Mal Brown and Michael Moore