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Telling the farmer’s story By SALLY much work there was to do. WHITE It found nearly a quarter (22 per cent) of city dwellers never made it to HEN Landcare was launched the countryside and about 69pc visit- in a small Victorian country ed rural Australia less than once a Young farmer Wtown in 1985, it was little year. more than an idea. The research, conducted by TNS, brings ag to city But it sowed the seed for something found city dwellers on average spent big – a movement that would not just just 3.5 days a year in rural areas – go nationwide but spread beyond although encouragingly more than AFTER spending the past few years studying Australian borders. half said they would like to visit the a Bachelor of Arts in Communications at It’s a story Forbes farmer Philip country more often. Monash University, Elizabeth Reid (pictured) Bruem likes, not just because of what “The Australian Year of the Farmer is combining her university knowledge and Landcare stands for but because he’s campaign aims to enhance the ties agricultural life experience in an effort to hoping to one day be able to relate a between city and rural communities bridge the gap between metropolitan and similar success story about the in a celebration of Australian farm- rural Australians. Australian Year of the Farmer ing and, in doing so, communicate to Growing up on a 570 hectare sheep and (AYOF). all Australians the importance of cropping property, Moroco East Station at It’s almost six years since Mr Bruem farming to our economic and social Deniliquin in the NSW Riverina, 24-year-old found himself lamenting the growing fabric,” Mr Bruem said. Elizabeth, a fourth generation farmer, divide between city consumers and While many people recognised understands the importance of farmers for agriculture with friend Geoff Bell, agriculture was a big industry, few food security. now AYOF’s managing director. As part of the Year of the Farmer travelling appreciated just how big that contri- road show, Elizabeth’s key focus is to Frustrated by the lack of apprecia- bution was either domestically “encourage young people to stay on the farm tion of farmers’ contribution and (“Australian farms and related indus- and to raise the profile of Australian farming”. determined to do something about it, tries account for about 27pc of “I will also be highlighting food security and they began exploring the potential GDP”) or on a global scale (“The the importance of our Australian farmers.” for an event that would highlight the average farmer grows enough to feed A keen communicator, Elizabeth said importance of agriculture. 600 people a year, 450 of them over- her “free range childhood” and That idea for an “event” turned into seas”). time travelling domestically and a full year of events and a plan to have Nor did many people realise internationally has enabled her 2012 gazetted as “Australian year of Australian farmers were global lead- to “broaden my horizons and the farmer”. ers in their own right, particularly in see the best of both worlds.” “No formal application was areas like water efficiency. She said her experiences required – you just had to get on with “We have a history of top class inno- inspire her to “be a it and organise it. So we did,” Mr vation and invention that continues communicator between Bruem said. to set our farmers apart,” he said. the city and rural With their plan having now come to “Many of our farmers do not just Australia.” fruition, for Mr Bruem, the AYOF follow best practice, they create it.” Elizabeth will spend the chairman, it’s full steam ahead. But for Mr Bruem, the year isn’t next 12 months travelling Last month nine LandCruisers just a 12-month program. with the road show and began a year-long roadshow that will says she was lucky to While the next 11 months will be given this roll cover more than 56,000 kilometres be critical in reaching out to city con- straight out of and visit more than 320 events across sumers and getting some airplay for university. the country where they will help farming’s story, he’s hopeful it will be spread farming’s story. just the first step on the road to bet- Mr Bruem said the roadshow was a ter recognition of the importance of we’re seeing tells us our efforts are “Promote the role our farmers play as ment is a major contributor to key element in their mission to raise agriculture Australia-wide. gaining momentum.” environmental managers, creating Landcare practices emphasising sus- awareness about the contribution “Of course it’s a very big and Mr Bruem sees many parallels and delivering sustainability through tainable productivity, demonstrates farmers made to the economy. important big step,” Mr Bruem said. between Australian Year of the best practice management”. just one obvious benefit for this Research conducted ahead of the “Just getting the year off the ground Farmer and Landcare. The fact farmers manage 60pc of strong partnership between Landcare AYOF launch reiterated just how has been a huge leap and the support One of AYOF’s core objectives is: Australia’s land, and farmer involve- and Australian Year of the Farmer. Initiative rewards for carbon-friendly farming Comment by Minister for climate and build resilience in the coverage under the carbon price Agriculture, Fisheries and land sector. mechanism which means farmers will Foresty, Senator the Hon Already eligible carbon farming not pay for their direct emissions. JOE LUDWIG activities have been approved and the On-farm and personal fuel use will number of activities eligible for cred- also be permanently exempt from the THE Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) iting will continue to grow as the carbon price. is a landmark for farming in Australia, market expands. To further support farmers, the gov- offering new ongoing sources of rev- Under the initiative, piggeries can ernment is also investing $1.7 billion enue to help farmers and rural com- now be credited for the capture and of the revenue raised through the car- munities survive the tough times and flaring of methane; local councils can bon price on a Land Sector Package, prosper during the good years. earn credits for the capture and com- one element of which is the CFI. The Government is securing a sus- bustion of legacy landfill gas, and This will assist the agricultural sector tainable future for Australia by landholders can be credited for car- by improving productivity and devel- implementing a carbon price to assist bon taken up by reforestation with oping low emission technologies. in reducing pollution while investing native species. Two additional new programs in a clean energy future. Savanna fire management is anoth- under the Land Sector Package will This will help look after our envi- er activity that is in the final stages of fund research and practical demon- ronment and our communities, now approval. strations to increase the range of eli- and into the future. The government, industry and gible activities and enable more The CFI, which was officially researchers are actively developing farmers to reduce emissions and earn launched on December 8, 2011, is a further methods which will provide income through the CFI. Senator Joe Ludwig, Mike Moodie from Mallee Sustainable Farming and Colin key part of this and will allow farmers more opportunities for Australian Filling the Research Gap will fund Hunt, Merrinee, Victoria. Photo: Sunraysia Daily to generate carbon credits through a farmers and land managers. research into abatement technologies range of activities, including revegeta- The CFI is just one part of the gov- and Action on the Ground will about participation in carbon farming. sustainable future for our nation and tion, manure management, fertiliser ernment’s plan to protect the inter- demonstrate emission abatement The design of the Extension and these programs represent real invest- management, reduced livestock emis- ests of our great farming nation projects on real farms. Outreach program is being carefully ment in the land sector and demon- sions and improved rangeland and through the Clean Energy Future The first rounds of these programs considered to ensure it complements strate our commitment to support- cropland management. Land Sector Package. are now accepting applications for the existing extension networks ing rural Australia. The initiative has been specifically Our plan for securing a Clean funding. around Australia. Farmers have a strong history of designed to encourage greenhouse Energy Future will ensure agriculture Another component of the Land The program will be rolled out innovation and are world leaders in gas abatement activities that lower in Australia remains prosperous and Sector Package, the Extension and across Australia in 2012, providing adopting new farming techniques inputs and improve farm efficiency. sustainable into the future. Outreach program, will provide farm- farmers with the knowledge to partic- and practices and the CFI will help By supporting these win-win prac- As part of this important economic ers and land managers with access to ipate and profit from the new revenue ensure the future productivity and tices, carbon farming will help farm- reform, agricultural emissions have the advice and expertise required to streams being unlocked by the CFI. profitability of Australian agriculture ers deal with the impacts of a variable been permanently excluded from make informed business decisions The Government is committed to a and rural communities. 2 ● ● ● ●

Reducing inputs and raising hope N SOUTHERN Tasmania, Land- The issues farmers are confronting care is helping farmers review their have always been there, in Mr Ifarming practices with an empha- Hardwick’s view, but the changes sis on health – of land and people – were so incremental that farmers after a long battering by drought. could ignore them. NRM South, the agency that co-or- Drought brought things to the fore. dinates natural resource manage- “It was devastating to the psyche of ment activities in the island’s south- rural communities. There were peo- ern districts, decided two years ago to ple on suicide watch and all sorts of focus on soil health as an indicator of dreadful things happening that a farm’s environmental and financial couldn’t be pushed away,” he said. health. “One of the big issues is that farm- The interest was there. ing has become more and more mar- Barry Hardwick, regional Landcare ginal for many people. facilitator with NRM South, said the “Farmers have been trying to offset region’s farmers, worried about the a fall in returns by putting on fertilis- toll taken by drought but without the er but in the drought that was no financial reserves to boost produc- longer an option. tion through bought-in inputs, had “The programs we’ve introduced been asking for help with low-cost are aiming to reduce farmers’ costs ways of restoring their soils. without losing profitability – or bet- NRM South obliged with a work- ter, improve profitability through shop focusing on soil health and pas- reduction of input costs.” ture improvement, featuring inde- In a region badly hit by drought pendent scientist Dr Christine Jones and tree losses, many farmers are also New ground in old dilemma and other speakers on holistic farm- trying to restore some vegetation and ing techniques – including local ecosystem function to their land- genuinely wanted to do something IN A small soggy paddock about The microbes help liberate practitioners who had proven the about issues like salinity or tree loss. 80 kilometres north of Hobart, a locked-up nutrients in the soil, scapes. trial is indicating there may be feeding the crop and pasture techniques under local conditions. “They saw their farms during the NRM South’s triple-bottom-line new answers to old problems of simultaneously. The workshop was highly success- drought, when things got bad, and it approach stitches good stewardship farming in Tasmania. The oats grow – as they have ful, Mr Hardwick said. was shocking for them,” Mr into the same package as farm pro- The paddock is damp and done this summer, very “There are still farmers talking Hardwick said. ductivity and profitability. nutrient-poor, and in living vigorously – until they can be about it now, comparing their pas- “I see this as fulfilling a need in the “It’s early days,” Mr Hardwick said. memory it has never grown grazed and trampled down by tures with the pastures they saw dur- farming community. “The system we currently have, and much more than the barest carefully-managed livestock. ing the forum.” “The focus on health is a key com- the values that support it, have been livestock pick. The decaying leaf and root NRM South has subsequently held ponent of this, across the board. around for a long time. But under an NRM South residue from crop and pasture separate pasture cropping and graz- “The majority of farmers are inter- “I know I had my own struggles to program aimed at boosting soil further builds the soil microbial ing management training courses. ested in the health of their land, and change my thinking, and for farmers health in low-cost ways, the community and soil fertility. A group of farmers practicing pas- increasingly they are linking their its a real challenge. paddock has been pasture- The soil starts to build, instead ture cropping has been formed and land’s health to their own health. “But I think unless we start making cropped. of the collapse in fertility that five grazing trials established, with “Also, there are the social aspects of some of these changes, we’re going to Oats have been direct-drilled has occurred over so much of plans for a total of 10 demonstration healthy communities. run into issues like peak oil totally straight into the poor pasture, this area of Tasmania. sites to investigate the effect of graz- “We need to focus on the health of unprepared. with minimal ground disturbance. So far, that’s how this plot is ing management on weeds and salin- our landscapes, farms and communi- “There’s data coming out across the The idea, said NRM South’s playing out, Mr Hardwick ity. ties as one thing, not separate issues.” world about the potential of re- Landcare facilitator Barry reports. It’s not just about taking ideas from Mr Hardwick also believed farmers establishing function in the land- Hardwick (pictured in the If the trend continues, it is a the mainland, Mr Hardwick said. scape. paddock in October 2011) is to small example of the fact valued a sense of themselves as stew- jump-start soil biological farming can regenerate its own The concepts are open to re-inter- ards of their land. “There’s sufficient evidence to justi- processes. lands, given a better pretation for Tasmanian conditions. Most farmers were involved in fy trialling it and seeing where it goes The oats pump sugars into the understanding of ecological “We’re not excluding anything. It’s Landcare because they cared about – and we’ve got this motivation com- soil and feed microbes. processes. about what works, low cost, low input.” their land, he pointed out, and they ing from the farming community.” Managing crops through a dry run THERE has been much debate will dull the impact of a hotter, With this in mind, Mr van Rees about the future of cropping drier climate. said farmers needed to closely through Australia’s low rainfall Report co-author Harm van monitor their cost of production growing zones – but a recent Rees, Crop Facts, said farmers and set limits on chemical and fer- report has found it will be possible would have to consider the season- tiliser inputs, along with more to remain profitable, providing al risk before committing to plant- fixed costs such as machinery and growers maintain discipline with ing. ensure they are in line with yield their management decisions. “On farms with subsoil limita- potential. The Farming During A Period Of tions, alternative crops such as In terms of moisture for crops, he Extreme Climate Variability report, lentils and canola will have limited said projections were that summer prepared for the Birchip Cropping opportunity, but the flip side of rain would not decline. Group (BCG) found that adapta- this is that even with less finishing With the likelihood of declining tion would be crucial in remaining rain, plants will still grow sufficient in-crop rain, he said conserving viable if projections of increased dry matter for hay crops to be an moisture from summer rain by climate variability came to pass. opportunity.” spraying summer weeds was likely The bad news for growers in low He also said farmers would have to become increasingly important. rainfall zones is that it is likely to to budget for variable income Early sowing, including dry sow- be drier in winter and spring, with between the years and some years ing if needed, was another tool to more heat waves through the criti- it would be difficult to break even. minimise potential yield losses cal grain fill period in spring. “As a general rule of thumb, at from heat and dry conditions in It will mean more issues with average grain prices of about the spring. moisture stress and the earlier $200/t on-farm, a decile 3 rainfall, Another agronomic tool likely to maturation of the crops will also or a year in the wettest 70pc of all benefit growers is no-till, with put them at increased risk of frost. years, is required in low-to-medi- stubble retention, which helps Farming During A Period Of Extreme Climate Variability co-author Brooke White said a However, the good news is there um rainfall zones before a profit reduce erosion and conserve mois- suite of management options could improve farmers’ viability. are a number of techniques that can be realised.” ture. ● ● ● ● 3

Let nature do its job THE cotton industry is one of the most high- tech sectors of Australian agriculture but research and experience is showing there’s profit in encouraging nature to lend a helping hand. The Cotton Catchment Communities Co-op- erative Research Centre (CCC CRC) has been supporting research into the role of “ecosystem services” in cotton farm productivity, and found nature didn’t just sit around looking pretty. As University of New England doctoral stu- dent Rhiannon Smith detailed in a CCC CRC- supported survey, nature provides a range of services that we take for granted, like erosion control or holding carbon in the landscape. If farmers provide the right conditions, nature is also capable of doing a lot of the work farmers now expect to be done by chemicals. For instance, work by Dr Nancy Schellhorn of CSIRO found, contrary to one myth, native vegetation on farm didn’t act as a harbour for cotton pests. Instead, it sheltered the beneficial predators of the crop’s pests. The CCC CRC’s catchment program leader Cotton grower Andrew Watson has successfully adapted integrated pest management techniques on his Boggabri property “Kilmarnock”. Jane McFarlane said Dr Schellhorn’s work point- ed the way to better integrated pest control. “The more native vegetation you have, the better connected your landscape, the more likely you will have predatory insects move into your crop early,” Ms McFarlane said. Tackling pests naturally “Things that don't move much, like spiders, will come in. SKED how much he has squares) and bolls, suggesting its took a shower of rain to wipe the investigating the potential of “If you can get beneficials in your crop early reduced his pesticide appli- yield potential is being compro- pests entirely from the crop. micro bats: the little palm-sized you can keep pest thresholds lower for longer. Acations on cotton since the mised. As a result, Mr Watson doesn’t bats capable of eating their own “If all that means you don’t have to spray early 1990s, when it wasn’t uncom- Wondering how much damage spray his 500ha of cotton for pests weight in insects each night. early, you’re less likely to get a pest flare in the mon to fly on 11 to 13 chemical was actually being done, Mr Watson anymore. There is also evidence their ultra- late season. sprays a year, Boggabri, NSW, began a program of plant-mapping, He doesn’t get the best yields in sonic cries disturb moths, prevent- “This is genuine management option – grower Andrew Watson says recording the number of squares the valley, because he doesn’t aim ing them from laying their eggs although of course, if you don’t have your “about 100 per cent”. per metre and then later how much for production records. undisturbed. landscape configured with native vegetation it The biggest cut to pesticide spray- fruit stayed on for harvesting. But his yields are still well above Like much to do with ecosystem is a very long-term strategy to do so.” ing of cotton came with genetical- “One of the things it highlighted the valley and industry average. services, there is much to still be Change moves slowly, even in the dynamic ly-modified varieties engineered to for me: it didn’t matter whether we “And invariably our costs are proven, but bat-aided pest control is cotton industry, and the CCC CRC is still resist the primary pest of Austral- sprayed for these secondary pests $300 to $600 less than anyone an idea that appeals to Mr Watson. pushing this message out to the cotton grower ian cotton, the heliothis caterpillar. or not,” he said. else,” Mr Watson said. Mindful that the little bats only community. But that still left Mr Watson with “The plant made so many squares “That’s another bale or bale-and- work about 400 metres from tree- However, Ms McFarlane said the connection three to four sprays a year to deal it couldn’t hold them anyway. a-half a hectare that others have to lines, he has installed bat boxes in has definitely been made by production agron- with secondary pests like myrids “I’ve had crops that have put on produce to make the same amount some newer tree belts to encourage omists, who once only considered conditions and aphids. more than 500 squares per square of money.” colonisation. in-crop but who now take into account the Now those are gone too, thanks metre, plus 100 bolls – 600 pieces Mr Watson’s strategy hinges on It’s another way of landcaring; let- crop’s situation in the landscape. to Mr Watson’s decision to investi- of fruit per square metre. the native vegetation in and ting nature do a job that has to be The beneficial role that native vegetation can gate how nature might help out if “And yet a really big cotton crop around “Kilmarnock”, which acts done anyway and doing it for free. play in mitigating pest loads offers a natural given the right support. will have only 200-plus bolls per as a harbour for beneficial insects. With a Caring for Our Country opening for Landcare. The cotton industry has invested square metre at the end of the year. To the existing corridors of grant, the Cotton Catchment Moree-based Gwydir Regional Landcare heavily in research and education “That told me it didn’t matter if native vegetation, Mr Watson is Communities CRC is now work- facilitator Sally Dickinson is doing an out- about the use of beneficial insects, we lost some of these squares.” adding new plantings, in the keep- ing to teach other cotton growers standing job of linking the environment to and is a frontrunner in the use of He also started mapping insects. ing with his role as a member of the principles that have worked so farm production, Ms McFarlane said. integrated pest management (IPM). “We found we might start to get a the Boggabri Landcare Group. well on “Kilmarnock”. “If we have a pest flare, Sally might have a But few growers have taken IPM buildup of myrids but then we’d “The Landcare message in the There is one effect of free pest field day on pest management and talk about as seriously as Mr Watson has on get a corresponding buildup in past was really focused on grazing, control that might not be to every- beneficial insects, pointing out that if growers his family’s 2700-hectare farm beneficials – ladybirds, red-blue shelterbelts and riverbank regener- one’s taste, Mr Watson observed: encourage these insects, they may not have a “Kilmarnock”. bugs, damsel and assassin bugs. ation,” he said. “At the end of the year when we’re pest flare next year. Here, pesticides have become a “We were finding the beneficials “This is where we’re seeing the picking, the pickers are draped in “The issues of environment and farming tool of last resort – which means were controlling those pest Landcare ethic fit with broadacre spider webs. There are spiders aren’t separate.” they are practically never used. buildups.” crop production.” crawling all over the place.” Sally Dickinson is co-funded by Landcare, the Visually, secondary pests appear And when secondary pests did Native vegetation harbours other But maybe a cotton picker Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association, Cotton to be doing damage. build beyond the capacity of the benefits, too. draped in webs will become the CRC and the Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment The crop drops buds (called beneficials to control them, it only With researchers, Mr Watson is latest sign of cotton success. Management Authority.

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Project boosts soil technology uptake By TOM how to interpret the data from the soil tests. CLAPIN The next stage allowed farmers to receive one- on-one, on-farm advice from an Evergreen HILE traditional soil testing methods Farming agronomist to look at potential soil give farmers an idea of what nutrients problems and work out what options were avail- Ware available in the most upper layer of able to best manage those problems. their paddocks, many would be surprised as to The farmers were then eligible to apply for what they would find further down. $3000 in funding from their local landcare group Thirty farmers in WA’s Great Southern region to put on-farm works in place that managed the were given the opportunity to carry out some soil problems the program highlighted. deep soil testing with the latest technology thanks “The idea was to get the farmers to then sit to the Katanning, Dumbleyung and Wagin- down and look at their own data relevant to their Woodanilling Landcare offices. own property,” Ms Peris said. The project was made possible through a grant “They could then make management decisions from Caring for our Country and was aimed at based on what they found and with help from the giving farmers a better understanding of what funding, implement the solutions gathered from was occurring on their properties at a sub-soil the technical site visit. level. “Sometimes it’s hard for farmers to work out Wagin-Woodanilling Landcare Group zone exactly where to start with paddock management. manager Danielle Peris was involved with run- “Making decisions such as where paddocks ning the program and said in the past farmers had needed to be fenced off in order to best manage only really worried about the top 10cm of soil on problems, the most effective way of liming prob- their property. lem areas to balance pH or even the planting of “But a lot of soil health constraints happen at a perennials or trees to combat salt can be tough, p- mid and sub-soil level,” Ms Peris said. articularly when it’s difficult to pinpoint the “Thanks to the Caring for our Country funding, problem. this project provided farmers with the latest tech- “This program basically gave farmers a better nology to undertake deep soil testing and electro- understanding of the extent of soil problems, magnetic survey testing, or EM38 and EM31 as it while the funding gave them the opportunity to is commonly known, in a facilitated and men- implement management tools to correct those tored environment. problems.” “They could then use the information gathered Ms Peris said the program was very well to actually undertake on-ground works.” received. The project involved farmers picking two 10- “Ultimately most farmers involved in the proj- hectare sites, having deep soil tests followed by the ect found the information regarding pH levels as electromagnetic survey testing done on both sites the most valuable because historically they hadn't and then looking at pH and salinity levels. looked at this issue closely,” she said. Participants then had the opportunity to get A field trip is planned in March 2012 to view the together at a data analysis day where they learnt short-term results of the project. Dairy farmers wise up on energy efficiency AS THE climate becomes an ever- were in a good position to mitigate was soon extended to include farm- ment, as well as the irrigation systems farms selected for case studies in increasing topic of debate, a project their greenhouse gas emissions on- ers in Victoria and Tasmania, with on-farm, including pump efficiency; Tasmania. funded by Woolworths and Landcare farm and that there was a need for different approaches undertaken by there is usually a good opportunity in “In NSW and Victoria, there are Australia has looked into how dairy the education of farmers in this area,” all three States. these areas for reducing electricity more farmers now actively engaged in farmers in NSW, Victoria and Tas- said Dr Jennings (pic- “In Tasmania, they com- costs and gas emissions. on-farm mitigation of greenhouse mania can reduce their greenhouse tured). bined the on-farm strategies “We also looked at feeding strate- gases, as well as about 30 NSW farm- gas emissions and increase the energy “As a result, we engaged with scientific research from gies – further research is being ers being linked to the State efficiency of their productions. in a fair degree of con- the Tasmanian Institute of undertaken by Dairy Australia on Government’s energy rebates,”he said. NSW natural resource management sulting to increase the Agricultural Research, where- this, so the jury is still out on what “With the increasing awareness of co-ordinator for Dairy NSW Jess awareness among farmers as in NSW and Victoria there should happen and to what extent.” climate change, I believe this project Jennings based in Bathurst, said the of greenhouse gases and were a lot of group discus- Thanks to the cooler climate of Tas- has not only helped the farmers to project has had great success not only their apparent effect on sions with the farmers them- mania, he said, they also looked at reduce their emissions and energy from a participation and results climate change, as well as selves on how they could using nitrogen inhibitors to reduce costs but has also provided them standpoint, but also when consider- looking at the different undertake to reduce their the release rate of nitrogen in fertilisers. with an increased capacity to address ing the growing concerns for climate strategies and options emissions and improve effi- The levels of participation, Dr the issue of climate change as a com- change and its affects on the agricul- available for farmers to conduct on- ciency,” Dr Jennings said. Jennings added, exceeded their munity, and we fully appreciate the tural industry. farm mitigation practices.” “For electricity usage, this focused a expectations for NSW involvement, funding that Woolworths and “What we found at the beginning of Originally, he said, the project lot on the milking equipment, such with six focus farms involved in the Landcare Australia has provided so the project is that not a lot of farmers focused on farmers in NSW, but this as pumps and refrigeration equip- project in Victoria, and four or five we could undertake the project.”

The 2012 Woolworths Agricultural Business Scholarships

Together with the University of Western Sydney and the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, Woolworths is giving young Australians the opportunity to learn from some of the country’s leading business experts through the Woolworths Agricultural Business Scholarships.

It’s all part of our commitment to building leadership capacity in Agriculture.

Applications for 2012 scholarships will open in May and more information will be available at woolworths.com.au

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Roper River rangers in control T HAS been 18 years since the Roper River Landcare Group I(RRLG) formed, and it has ticked off a lot of projects and development in its time. It began in a bid to battle a Parkinsonia infestation and has grown to adopt more Weeds of National Significance projects, track and fence line erosion control, feral animal control and fire planning. It also tackles tourism impacts and water quality, helps maintain barra- mundi stocks, reduces litter and gets local children involved in the Landcare movement. Thirty-two pastoralists and indige- nous group members carry out these works spanning the 81,800 square kilometre Roper River catchment. Under the RRLG’s stock exclusion fencing strategy, more than 41,000 hectares of riparian zones have been fenced off to control feral animals and protect land. In 2010 and 2011, the group’s Manggarayi Indigenous Rangers ABOVE: Rangers controlling Weed of National Significance Parkinsonia. ABOVE RIGHT: Jilkminggan children conducted weed control over 16,500 line up with Green Corps volunteers. RIGHT: The group records storylines and history. hectares, targeting Mesquite, Prickly Acacia, Lantana, Chinee Apple and significance and are currently under- The project also aims to secure land CFOC funding,” Mr Rowbottom ensure it ties in with the TNRM Bellyache Bush. taking a cultural mapping project to management contracts in NT said. Integrated Natural Resource Man- At the end of the wet season in the develop a storyline hoped to be illus- Government, Parks and Wildlife, and “It’s given us equipment to be able agement Plan 2010-2015. coming months, the group will begin trated on a five-metre long map. local mines for the ranger group to to do the job we’re doing. There is a Now, RRLG is also helping TNRM to plan controlled burning and fire The Northern Land Council has move towards self-sufficiency. lot of work in pretty hard to get to with voluntary conservation agree- management. supported the project. The Manggarayi Indigenous channels.” ments. Of the group’s scope, three rangers Building capacity for employment Rangers are funded through the The RRLG is also supported Mr Rowbottom has been with and a supervisor from the Jilkming- and land stewardship through Australian Government’s Caring for through funding by Territory Natural the Roper River group for seven gan community on the Mangarrayi knowledge and training are two key our Country initiative. Resource Management (TNRM) to years. Aboriginal Land Trust (Elsey Station) focuses of the ranger initiative. Australian Government funding deliver baseline activities to achieve He was first attracted to the posi- span 5700 square kilometres. “I think the main thing is there’s has also facilitated the purchase of on-ground outcomes from weed tion as a way to return to the Elsey They carry out land management not a lot of chance of employment, essential equipment including quad control to increasing land manager Station community where he used to practices observing traditional and so it’s to be able to give someone bikes and a purpose-built boat to skills. work as an overseer. contemporary knowledge and prac- employment. And it gives them a bit carry them, spray units, a Quik Spray The group is currently reviewing its He said working on important sus- tices to protect biodiversity. of pride,” RRLG facilitator Ian unit, and a Toyota Troop Carrier. Roper River Catchment Natural tainability projects alongside friends The rangers record areas of cultural Rowbottom said. “We’ve been pretty lucky with Resource Management Plan to was a rewarding undertaking. New Aboriginal Landcare group to protect, beautify Moree FOR the first time in more than 10 registration after attending a work- Border Rivers, Gwydir and Namoi blocks of land scattered throughout “Taking on projects in town also years, a new Aboriginal Landcare shop in Moree aimed at engaging regions. the township, including an area on makes our Landcare work more visi- group has been established in the Aboriginal people in Landcare. Liz Taylor understands there was the river near the local golf course, ble to the general public and will Border Rivers and Gwydir region. The workshop was organised by Liz an Aboriginal Landcare group oper- and in the Stanley Village and Mehi hopefully increase awareness of the The Moree Local Aboriginal Land Taylor, Aboriginal Liaison Officer ating in Boggabilla over a decade ago Crescent residential areas. importance of caring for our coun- Council (LALC) has just registered with the Border Rivers – Gwydir but that organisation is no longer Land Council chairman Carl try.” with Landcare Australia, and plan- Catchment Management Authority, active. McGrady said the council’s urban The Land Council Landcare Group ning is now underway for tree plant- and Sally Dickinson, Regional The establishment of a new landholdings would be the initial is also talking to the Moree Shire ing projects and other landcare activ- Landcare Facilitator with the Gwydir Aboriginal Landcare Group in Moree focus of the new Landcare group. Council about increasing appropriate ities. Valley Irrigators Association. is very welcome. “We’d like to start off with a native tree plantings to provide more street “There’s a natural fit between “The great thing about Landcare is “Landcare is a great way for tree planting project to create more shade in summer and to make the Landcare and Land Council groups,” that it can involve everyone from Aboriginal people to preserve strong shade and shelter in residential urban environment more visually said Moree LALC chief executive commercial farmers and landholders links with traditional country, and areas,” he said. attractive. Meryl Dillon. on lifestyle blocks through to the gives urban based families a great “We also want to protect patches of The Border Rivers Gwydir “We have the same concerns about great work of the indigenous com- opportunity to take part in the remnant vegetation and encourage Catchment Management Authority is the protection of land and cultural munity,” Ms Dickinson said. practical management of land owned native birds and animals to become looking forward to working with the heritage, so it’s really an easy choice There are currently 64 Aboriginal by Indigenous organisations,” she part of the landscape in town. new Landcare Group to protect and for Aboriginal people to get involved Landcare Groups in NSW, but the said. “Essentially, we want to make these enhance local Aboriginal land assets in Landcare.” new Moree organisation is the only The Moree LALC owns about 5000 areas into nicer places for the whole in a partnership that will benefit the Ms Dillon decided to pursue the Indigenous Landcare Group in the hectares of rural property, as well as community to enjoy. community as a whole.

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Ghost net clean up in Northern Territory waters

500 KILOGRAM “ghost net” retrieved Queensland and the Northern Territory’s Top off a reef at Cobourg Peninsula was End between 2004 and 2009. Aone of 1042 untethered nets found in Ms Heathcote warns that ghost nets have a waters off the Northern Territory in 2011. deadly, strangling effect on marine life. The deadly net was discovered snagged on a “Ghost nets don’t just kill marine creatures, reef 50 metres offshore from Smith Point by if they settle on a coral reef they can smother Parks and Wildlife rangers. the coral and can be a safety hazard for GhostNets Australia Project Officer Grace boats,”she said. Heathcote was in Darwin to give an update “We need to make more people aware of it on ghost nets found off northern waters at so they know who to report to if they see a the Territory Natural Resource Management ghost net in the ocean.” and Landcare Forum on October 13. The forum showcased natural resource The recent ghost net clean up is only one of management projects from across the hundreds performed by indigenous sea Northern Territory including in local com- rangers, NT Fisheries, and Parks and Wildlife munities, against emerging threats and in rangers across 1500 kilometres of coastline, indigenous land management. and was significant considering the average Other project topics in the Top End includ- size ghost net is less than 50 kilograms. ed a fight against Mimosa weed, saving an More than 20 indigenous ranger groups ancient language of the Crocodile Islands, constantly patrol the north Australian coast- storybooks to fight feral cats and a dream line and retrieve the deadly ghost nets which time animation tool for natural resource kill turtles, sharks, fish, dugong and even management. crocodiles that become entangled as the nets Territory Natural Resource Management are carried by sea currents from nearby fish- Executive Officer Karen May said the forum ing grounds. was an excellent opportunity for Territorians An estimated 90 per cent of ghost nets come involved in natural resource management to from international waters. catch up with their counterparts from across GhostNets Australia is funded by the Fed- the Territory. eral Government’s Caring For our Country “The Territory National Resource Manage- program and administered by the Northern ment and Landcare Forum brings people Gulf Resource Management Group. from all over the Territory and from a diverse Grace Heathcote’s position is hosted by range of projects together to share stories and Territory Natural Resource Management. learn from one another and we are very Ms Heathcote said the Gumurr Marthakal proud to host such an event,” Ms May said. Rangers at Elcho Island retrieved 48 tonnes of ghost nets in one big clean up in 2010, with the nets found mainly around the Wessel RIGHT: Dhimurru Rangers retrieve ghost net Islands off the Arnhem Land Coast. in Arnhem Land. A total of 6035 ghost nets were found off Photo: Jane Dermer. northern waters between the Torres Strait in Reproduced with permission from Dhimurru Rangers. Tackling the plan to monitor, protect ‘Turtles in Trouble’ THE thick adult shells of marine (CDCCG) has been tackling the fox involves a detailed fox eradication was to show there are no ready indi- fauna, like quail and rail, in the turtles are of little use during the problem in a Caring for Our program in collaboration with the cators as to where dens might be immediate vicinity of a den. most dangerous time in their lives – Country program “Turtles in Sunshine Coast Council and the found, although access to fresh Once the searching phase was when they are growing in eggs Trouble: Monitoring and working to Queensland Parks and Wildlife water was seen as important. complete, the information was buried on a beach, and the hatch- protect endangered marine turtle Service (QPWS). It also seems that dens are more passed onto the Sunshine Coast lings' hazardous journey between species from the Maroochy River to The initial phase of this pro- likely to be found in proximity to a Regional Council, who is responsi- egg and sea. Sunshine Beach, Sunshine Coast”. gram was to identify fox dens in the lot of human traffic. ble for the eradication program. And a persistent predator of eggs So far, predation of nests on dunes. In one case, a den was found under One of the outcomes of this collab- and hatchling turtles is a familiar Coolum Coast Care’s beaches has CDCCG engaged a contractor, who a boardwalk that carries a lot of peo- orative approach is there is a will- villain to farmers: the fox, who not been a major concern. located dens and recorded their posi- ple daily. ingness by all parties to embrace an learns to dig up eggs and passes on However, turtle monitoring groups tion using a GPS. Another was just outside the on-going program of fox abatement the technique to the next genera- to the south of the group have real Dens were tagged as either ‘active’ boundary fence of a property. over a number of years. tion. problems. or ‘inactive’. The contractor also discovered QPWS are keen to follow a similar Coolum District Coast Care Group Part of the Coolum program One of the outcomes of the search evidence of predation of other model within National Parks.

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Ocean is key to sustainability ISHING is the last surviving form of hunter-gatherer food Fproduction, totally dependent on wild-caught fish – and at the same Keeping time, fishing’s sustainability is highly dependent on good agricultural management. fish safe How so? Because, Brad Warren explains, the interface between land WHEN primary producers and sea is a vital zone for fisheries. realise preserving the integrity What is washed from land to sea has of natural systems is in their implications right through the own interest, great things can marine food chain. happen, as SeaNet’s beach haul Mr Warren is executive chair of program demonstrates. OceanWatch, a not-for-profit organi- NSW SeaNet extension officer sation financially supported by its Michael Woode said little fishing industry members to advance changed regarding the size of sustainability in seafood production. mesh nets used by commercial OceanWatch’s flagship program, beach haul fishermen from the SeaNet, employs extension specialists late 1800s, when reports from to take its messages of sustainability Botany Bay noted the nets and stewardship to the seafood were catching too many industry – and to stakeholders on land. juvenile fish. “We’re building awareness that In 2008, there were less fish none of us live in isolation from the in the sea, and the issue of natural environment,” Mr Warren catching juvenile fish had said. assumed much greater That means working with Landcare importance. and other natural resource manage- Mr Woode said a SeaNet ment groups in important catch- program initiated by ments to remind landholders even commercial fishers decided to activities far from the ocean can take a hard look at the juvenile impact livelihoods of other primary OceanWatchers Darren Reynolds and catch of species like brim, producers. Zac jordan inspect the four-inch catch tarwhine and blackfish, and “In the past, Landcare has focused address the problem – which on matters of particular interest to involved a study of fish farmers,” Mr Warren said. fact that their own activities can have morphology versus mesh size, “But when you take that idea fur- drastic effects on estuaries and reefs, ther, it has to be also about minimis- as well as some side-by-side and the ability of the fishing industry testing of the new mesh against ing the impacts of farming down- to produce food. stream. The pressure to produce food for a the traditional mesh at times of “We not only go to farms on an growing global population has the the year when a big juvenile educational basis; we run some small potential to throw in some addition- catch was likely. devolved grant programs where we al hazards for the seafood sector, Mr The results were stark, Mr have been able to get some riparian Warren said. Woode said. areas fenced off, to keep cattle away “We need to be careful while we are In one place, more than three from streams and allow riparian veg- exploring different ways to produce quarters of the brim taken with etation to regenerate.” food on land, we don’t trash fishing,” traditional mesh were under the Other projects have involved work he said. legal minimum size, but 89 per with dairy farms to capture shed “One of the problems in Western cent of the fish caught in the effluent and re-use it on the farm society is we have used the interface new mesh at the same spot before it reaches waterways. between land and water as a political were legal. When fishers and farmers get boundary. together, they discover a lot in com- This industry-driven project “A river may be the border between OceanWatchers repair the conventional net. resulted in a legislative mon as producers of food, Mr two properties or two States. Warren observed. “These are very dynamic environ- and keep these dynamic places static. of the Federal natural resource fund- amendment to official beach But while farmers readily get up in ments. “We end up damaging the natural ing that supports Landcare. haul net sizes, Mr Woode arms about issues like coal seam gas, “They need space to grow and recede processes fisheries depend on.” Mr Warren said for every dollar reported – and ultimately, a lot and the possibility that it will inter- over time, but unfortunately we’ve OceanWatch is funded through a made through the levy, OceanWatch more profitable fish available to fere with their capability to produce degraded a lot of areas with erosion levy on fish sold through Sydney Fish is estimated to return $30 in value to beach haul fishers. food, they seldom give thought to the control works or similar projects to try Market, while SeaNet shares in some the seafood industry. Proactive pocket protection guide ALL action is proactive, and being pockets, the booklets proactive can be infectious. have now gone That principle is demonstrated by through multiple print the Griffith Centre for Coastal runs and can be Management’s Coastal Community bought for just $10. Engagement Program, supported As a result, there by Gold Coast City Council. are now many more Supporters of the BeachCare and budding dune CoastEd Programs are working biologists in the along 42km of coastline, visiting semi-urban coastal libraries, community groups, landscape of the schools and surf life saving clubs; Gold Coast. facilitating dune care activities, The idea has litter pickups and auditing; talking made its way to to people and recruiting new Western Australia, where in “coastcarers”. partnership with the Griffith Centre, ■ Much of this activity has been the Northern Agricultural To find out how your coastal driven by a single initiative; Catchments Council produced patch can get people engaged with pocket-sized coastal plant their own version to raise their coastal environment along the principles of K.I.S.S. (keep it simple booklets developed by Griffith awareness of the region's natural and sweet) contact Griffith Centre for Centre for Coastal Management resources. Coastal Management on through funding from EnviroFund. A simple idea, the pocket guide 07 5552 8506 or visit www.griffith Designed to be slipped into now spans the continent. .edu.au/coastal-management. 8 ● ● ● ●

In Brief Beautiful partnership: Landcare Australia and Keep Banding for better outcomes Australia Beautiful in Western Australia have entered into a EADING environmental non- strong environmental outcomes. the organisations coming together the Australian government, including project partnership which will profit organisations Greening Any work will be undertaken with could make a bigger difference with Bushcare Support, a flagship program see the organisations cross LAustralia and Landcare Australia full respect of the skills and intellectu- regard to relevant government pro- of the Natural Heritage Trust. promoting each other’s activities have recently signed a memorandum al property of both bodies. grams, than working separately. The organisation also runs national and programs. of understanding to work together on Landcare Australia chief executive “With federal government programs training programs including LEAP Both Keep Australia Beautiful projects and programs that can be officer Heather Campbell welcomed such as the CFI being introduced, it just and Green Corps. WA and Landcare Australia share delivered more effectively in partner- the agreement as an exciting step makes sense for Greening Australia to Landcare Australia is contracted by the objective of working towards ship between both organisations. towards working with another key partner with Landcare Australia,” he the Australian government to run the a more sustainable environment Both will apply their extensive player in the environmental non-profit said. State and National Landcare Awards, and a partnership to cross expertise and experience to determine space. “Between the two organisations we Landcare Week and other national promote programs makes sense appropriate opportunities to work “At Landcare Australia, we recognise have 50 years of combined experience awareness-raising campaigns. for each organisation to raise collaboratively, which could poten- Greening Australia’s impressive 30- supporting the Landcare movement. It also manages a number of corpo- awareness of the work it is tially include opportunities under the year track record of focusing on com- doing. “By working together, landholders rate partnerships which provide This partnership will add value Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) and munity-led sustainable productive will have the benefit of both of funding and resources across the to existing programs, build brand the Land Sector Package of the Clean farming, environmental management our dedicated teams working towards Landcare and Coastcare movements. awareness and bring information Energy Future Plan, among others. and biodiversity and welcome this the common goal of helping them Both organisations welcome the to increased networks of Greening Australia and Landcare opportunity to work together in a way adapt to a rapidly changing nat- appointment of the new Land Sector Australians who are enhancing Australia will develop joint submis- that is sure to be of benefit to sustain- ural resource management sector.” Advisory Board and look forward to and preserving the environment. sions and support material to demon- able land management in Australia,” Greening Australia employs 250 staff working together to maximise effi- It is hoped that the partnership strate their skills and the benefits of she said. across every State and Territory in ciencies and ensure the greatest possi- will create opportunities for partnering with both organisations to Greening Australia chief executive Australia and has previously delivered ble outcomes for landholders and the these networks and help build deliver key government programs and officer Brendan Foran also believed many programs in partnership with environment are delivered. awareness of environmental issues in the broader public sphere. Protected species: Nominations are invited for the assessment period starting October 1, 2012, for any species, ecological communities or key threatening processes to be considered for listing under national environment law. Threatened species and ecological communities listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 are protected as matters of national environmental significance. The conservation theme for this assessment period is corridors and connecting habitats (including freshwater habitats) Nominations consistent with this conservation theme are encouraged, but nominations outside the theme will also be considered. Nominations close at 5pm on Thursday March 22, 2012, and should be submitted in the required format either electronically (preferred), or in hard copy with an Gully improves water and soil at Crooble accompanying electronic “BULLALA” is an Aboriginal word and excess nutrients from running into Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management box (E. melliodora), Blakely’s red gum submission on CD. meaning “two” – a fitting property nearby Mosquito Creek. Authority (CMA), Tom is also in the (E. blakelyi) and (in the Nandewar Further information, including name for Crooble, NSW, landholders Not only has this improved water process of fencing off 39ha of “Bullala” Bioregion) coastal grey box or inland the nomination form and details Tom and Belinda Ledingham who have of the nomination process and quality in Mosquito Creek but has also to manage a box gum grassy wood- grey box (E. moluccana or E. macro- guidelines is available online at been working hard to improve the nat- ensured that valuable top soil is land, an iconic part of the eastern carpa). www.environment.gov.au/ ural resources on their property over retained. Australian landscape which is also a This threatened ecological communi- biodiversity/threatened/nominati the past eight years. Around this site, 24 hectares of land nationally listed threatened ecological ty supports more than 400 plant ons A rock flume to reduce soil erosion has been fenced off to improve the community. species, and animals such as squirrel Email epbc.nominations@ has been built along a gully running riparian vegetation and water quality After fencing off the woodlands, the gliders, goannas, regent honeyeaters, environment.gov.au or mail The through “Bullala”, and has delivered through extensive earthworks. native grass cover will be improved bush stone curlews and many more. Director, Species Listing Section, the results the Ledinghams were look- The gully is now well grassed with no through a grazing management regime The Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA has Department of Sustainability, ing for. evidence of soil erosion and there has to improve soil condition in this sensi- supported these projects through Environment, Water, Population The flume uses large granite boulders been a vast improvement in water tive landscape. funding provided by the Australian and Communities,GPO Box 787, to fill the most vulnerable point of the quality. These woodlands are dominated by Government’s Caring for Our Country Canberra, ACT 2601. gully, which has prevented sediment With the support of the Border white box (Eucalyptus albens), yellow initiative and the NSW Government. X17069600 ● ● ● ● 9

The #hashtag breaking bush boundaries IVING in the Australian bush “It’s a way for the general public – provides luxury levels of space someone like me – to ask a question Land quiet but it also has a less and find out how things work,” said desirable quality, that of isolation. Canberra based #agchatoz co- Now the famed isolation of the founder Sam Livingstone. bush lifestyle is breaking down, “I was part of a conversation today thanks to the internet and its unex- where someone from a sheep dairy pected spawning of social media. was asking questions about hor- For the first time, a chat with mone-free meat. friends or like-minded people – or, if “We had Richard Gunner you prefer, an argument with your (@Richard_Gunner, an independent foes – no longer requires you to all be South Australian butcher who sells physically at the same place. hormone-free meat) and David For Twitterers or Facebookers, only Stoate (@dstoate, a cattle producer the words and ideas matter. from the Kimberley region of north- Location is irrelevant. ern WA) come in with their experi- It doesn’t matter whether a tweet is ence, giving suggestions about what tapped out in a cafe in Paris or she might consider and research – London, or a farmhouse in Tasmania, that’s so much better than just swal- or from a tractor in Queensland. lowing the stuff that the supermar- Which means suddenly, people who kets spit out.” felt themselves geographically strand- Farmers are also using social media ed outside the mainstream currents to communicate with other farmers, of society are mid-stream, and swim- breaking out of the convention of ming hard, all without leaving the socialising with farmers in their own bush. district and conducting conversa- For Landcare, a social movement tions that over the years fall into well- constantly bumping up against the worn ruts. tyranny of distance, social media is a “Farmers are not just about things From the tractor cab to the world FROM his tractor cab on the reported from his tractor cab. that Twitter, which he If the only thing that someone takes away from family farm “Broadlea”, near Sitting in a tractor cab is a discovered about 12 months #agchatoz is to think about how sustainable their Warra, on Queensland’s Darling shared experience for many of ago, excels at linking people Downs, 36-year-old Brendan the developed world’s farmers, with shared interests. practices are, I think that’s a win Taylor has a view that covers and it’s become an experience In his case, that obviously the world. shared thanks to Mr Taylor’s means other farmers, but it has – Sam Livingstone The view is of his invention of the Twitter hashtag grown to cover those with an smartphone and his Twitter #tweetfromthetractorcab. interest in farming. feed, through which he talks to Farmers post pictures of the “I’ve been talking with people boon (see Landcare facilitator story on the farm, but about what’s hap- connected farmers across view from their grimy windows, who have nothing to do with p10). pening in their lives generally,” Mr Australia and the United States comments on harvest or cricket agriculture, and it’s been so The democratic power of the inter- Livingstone said. – in fact, wherever they are on scores to while away the long educational to tell our story,” he net‘ is aptly demonstrated in the Often, a picture is worth much Twitter. hours of auto-guided tillage or said. Twitter hastag #agchatoz. (Hashtags more than 140 characters – to Suddenly, Warra and the sowing. “Farmers need to tell their are used on Twitter to define tweets describe the failure of a harvest, for Taylors’ 800-hectare farm isn't Mr Taylor, like many, began his stories a lot more.” related by subject). instance, or its success. so out of the way anymore. social media career on Mr Taylor will be investigating The #agchatoz tag was dreamed up The #agchatoz hashtag brings “The stuff I’ve learned about Facebook, where he joined in how this can be ramped up as by BlandsLaw soliciter Danica Leys, together these varied conversations how people farm in other parts chats with distant friends. part of the 2012 GrainGrowers CropLife Australia communications via the virtual meeting place of of the world in 12 months on While Facebook excels at |Australian Future Grain office Tom Whitty and web designer Twitter every Tuesday night from Twitter is incredible,” Mr Taylor linking friends, Mr Taylor found Leaders Program. Sam Livingstone in mid-2010 after 8pm to 10pm. Danica mused to her Twitter follow- A pre-written set of questions is “We’ve had some really big chats “But they heard the farmers’ point “If the only thing that someone ers about adopting an Australian ver- posted via Twitter and the Agchatoz on issues like live export and gen- of view for the first time. takes away from #agchatoz is to think sion of the #agchat hashtag used in Facebook page. etic modification,” Mr Livingstone “They don’t have to believe, but about how sustainable their practices the United States. All posts include the #agchatoz said. they just need to be open-minded are, I think that’s a win.” Agchat is a forum for “agvocates”, hashtag to keep tweets together, and “We thought those chats would be enough to listen to the other side of Sometimes, Mr Livingstone said, he those who advocate for agriculture. the moderators guide the conversa- quite unpleasant, to be honest. the story.” hears farmers say that getting to grips Thanks to social media, farmers tion using the questions as a template. “Some people on the GM chat tried For Mr Livingstone, chatting with social media is all too compli- who were once separated from their Depending on the topic, the con- to start something. They weren’t with farmers on Twitter has made cated but “if you’re sitting on a customers by the silent gulf of the versation can grow robust, with campaigners; they were angry people him think about his own food machine worth half a million dollars, food supply chain can now talk sometimes more than 100 people who had been told something and buying patterns, and the systems using GPS to navigate, that argument directly with whoever cares to listen. actively participating. they blindly believed that. he is supporting through them. becomes a bit redundant.”

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Celebrating farming for the future PHONE call to their local and land care.” Mr Thompson said. Catchment Management Auth- “I have received priceless, ongoing Aority became an important technical advice and support from step in the rewarding changes Ross Clayton Miller from the CMA, which and Dimity Thompson made to the has helped us to implement success- management of their farm near ful on ground projects to tackle some Bathurst, NSW. serious environmental concerns. The Thompsons operate a seed- “We have established perennial pas- stock beef cattle business on “Goon- tures, revegetated denuded areas, amurrah”,a 951-hectare family prop- installed gully control structures, erty, near Bathurst. implemented a reticulated water sys- They are an example of the farmers tem and undertaken a fencing pro- that the Central West Catchment gram that recognises the capability of Management Authority (CMA) wants the land. to celebrate during the Australian “These projects over time have Year of the Farmer. increased habitat for wildlife, imp- Mr Thompson decided he needed roved water quality and increased to change his land management ground cover and now we are seeing The Thompson family: Ross, Dimity, Baby Twiggy, Olivia and Millie Thompson and Central West CMA’s Clayton Miller on their practices to improve the soils on his a positive production impact through Bathurst property. fragile Bathurst granite landscape. improved carrying capacity. After undertaking training in holis- “Dimity and I feel very fortunate to agement practices and the willing- the 2011 Carbon Cocky award win- Ross and Dimity Thompson are a tic farming he adopted new grazing be the custodians of a lovely piece of ness to change has reaped physical ners for the Tablelands. great example of a Central West techniques to help revegetate and land and everything we do has a rewards and numerous accolades for On the State platform at the recent farming family caring for their land increase ground cover across his strong environmental focus. Ross and Dimity. NSW Landcare Forum and Awards in while increasing their production property. “We are dedicated to landcare farm- In 2011 they were recognised for Parkes they were thrilled to be and profitability. In the past five years, Mr Thom- ing practices, learning from others their innovative environmental reju- announced runner-up in the State ■ For more information on the pson has developed what he believes and sharing our knowledge and venation work through the Central Primary Producer Landcare Award. Thompsons’ farm and other is a sustainable farming system deliv- achievements. West CMA Champions of the The Central West Catchment Man- examples of sustainable farming ering improvements in both the “This will help to ensure a sustain- Catchment Award for Primary agement Authority (CMA) is looking in the Central West or to find out health of the land and water quality. able and viable future not only for Producers and Sustainable Farming forward to working closely with Land- more about what the CMA and “I made one call to the CMA, which our farming business but for future Practices. At the Carbon Farming care in 2012 to celebrate Australian Landcare are doing for the Year of was the catalyst for a total change in generations to follow.” conference in Dubbo during Sept- Year of the Farmer and recognise the the Farmer visit our approach to the farming business The adoption of sound land man- ember they were also announced as fine efforts of our sustainable farmers. www.cw.cma.nsw.gov.au Landcare gets ‘real’ with social media SOCIAL media reduces the from across the country in November tyranny of distance and 2011, which not only provided an connects people right across introduction to social media, but Australia. also linked this with the importance Landcare in Focus is proudly Landcare is among those of telling the Landcare story. supported by the Australian recognising the potential of The RLFs and their stories are as Government Caring for our social media and joining the diverse as the communities they work Country program and published digital revolution. in; from Thursday Island in the by Landcare Australia Limited. As a social movement, north, to Tasmania in the south, and Landcare is ideally placed to the Gascoyne in the west. For more information or to submit use social media, not only to While these Landcare social media an article, email enquiries@ connect people, but also to stories by the RLFs are interesting landcareaustralia.com.au. promote and share the great on their own, when they are Please note that due to space work that volunteers and combined on a site like this, they restrictions we cannot guarantee groups are doing right across are a great visual demonstration that all submissions will be the country. about the work that Landcare does included. All submissions must Just as many individual and how social media can be adhere to the following guidelines Landcare groups are looking at harnessed to spread the message. and include: social media and what This project has only been ● One article of no more than works for them, so are the underway for just over two months 300 to 600 words saved as a federally-funded Regional and already there are over 70 Microsoft Word document or a Landcare Facilitators stories on the site. PDF. (RLFs) from across the ● No more than 2 to 3 high To view the stories so far go to resolution (must be at least 1MB in country. These RLFs are landcarefacilitator.com.au and click size) images that clearly illustrate based in each of the 56 opportunities for RLFs on the RLF Social Media Project the accompanying article. Natural Resource is a trial project picture to link through to all of the ● Full captions for each attached Management (NRM) allowing them to stories. image that explain who is in the regions across the share the stories of Some great examples of the stories photos and/or what they illustrate. country as part of an Landcare in their area being featured so far include: Please ensure we have permission $8m Department of through electronic ● “Ag Ex Social Media Project” to use these photos in Landcare In Agriculture Fisheries and postcards on The (pictured) by Michael Richards Focus from any people featured in Forestry program. PlaceStories program (Yorke Peninsula SA) them The Minister for (www.placestories.com). ● “Splendour in the Grass” by ● Contact information for more Agriculture, Fisheries “Using a photo of a Ashley Bevan (Bendigo Victoria) – information if required and Forestry, Senator Joe project and 100 words, about farmers attending courses in ● The publication and submission Ludwig, is a strong RLFs are providing a grass identification and management dates for 2012 are: supporter of Landcare snapshot of projects that ● “We’ve Wiped Out Entire Species Submissions Publication and said social media was allowing can help motivate and Before – we can do it again” by April 6 May 3 real people with real stories to share while some are just dipping their inspire volunteers and Adrian James from Northern July 6 August 2 their experiences. toes in the water to help promote groups many hundreds of kilometres Tasmania – about eradicating October 5 November 1 “Like the broader community, the work of Landcare,” Minister away, or simply down the road.” Serrated Tussock within the RLFs there are some who Ludwig said. The RLF postcard project began as ● “Farming Apps for Smartphones” utilise YouTube and other tools, “One of the exciting social media part of a workshop with the RLFs by Leighton Pearce (Berri , SA) ● ● ● ● 11

Carbon boost for jobs, production FTER applying more than five “Importantly, these rules need to planting and seeding and facilitating years of effort to a national plan translate to practical on-ground out- regrowth from existing seedbanks Ato cut carbon pollution, one comes.” present big opportunities. national group is welcoming a compre- These rules include the permanence There is a whole range of other eligi- hensive land sector carbon offset of carbon storage and ensuring activity ble activities offering opportunities for scheme. is additional to what would have hap- job seekers in the land sector. Greening Australia’s national carbon pened anyway. Mr Rooney said the CFI could enable manager Michael Rooney has partici- Methodologies also need to be com- Greening Australia to capitalise on its pated at both the policy and imple- prehensive and verifiable, ensuring all mission and implement visionary mentation end of the “ambitious” emissions and all abatement is landscape-scale projects. Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI), accounted for. “It’s very rewarding for us to see a which he said is a “once in a generation “So it was a quite a complex process new market-based funding mechanism opportunity” across all land sectors. to go through, with both policy and be introduced to support the outcomes During a break from Greening practical considerations,” Mr Rooney we have been working towards for 30 Australia, Mr Rooney joined the gov- said. years,” he said. ernment team responsible for develop- Streamlining the scheme and making The CFI is expected to deliver flow- ing the CFI framework and the first it easy to use was a major part of plan- on benefits to many facets of the econ- four offset methodologies over a 12- ning. omy through improved productivity month period. “We set about writing the methodol- gains and employment opportunities. “For me, it was a unique opportunity. ogy based on the national carbon “This is one of more ambitious There was an obvious need for a policy accounting system which is the main schemes in world in terms of land- to be developed and I was in a strong system the government uses to account based activities,” Mr Rooney said. position to apply my practical back- for changes to national forest carbon The work is ongoing, with the under- ground to the process,” Mr Rooney stores,” Mr Rooney said. standing a number of rules and regula- said. The model-based approach aims to tion are still evolving, which Mr “Coming from Greening Australia, I enable smaller-scale projects to partici- Rooney hopes to see clarified in the was ideally placed to lead the develop- pate in the scheme without the ongo- coming months. ment of a methodology for environ- ing need for on-ground monitoring While this work is being comp- mental plantings.” and auditing. leted, organisations such as Greening Under the model-based methodolo- There is still a lot of work to be done. Australia are starting to work seriously gy, credits can be issued for permanent “Because this particular method is on developing and implementing proj- environmental reforestation. based on a modelling approach, there ects. In formulating the scheme, Mr is need for continuous improvement,” With the policy largely in place for Rooney and his government colleagues Mr Rooney said. developing methodologies, the next big worked within certain parameters to Work is being done on methods to challenge is building projects that meet meet national and international obli- feed data from direct sampling back these rules, while being able to generate gations. through the model, creating a continu- financial return for invested capital. “There are a large number of rules ous improvement system. “It’s a stimulating work environment that need to be considered in order to For now, the CFI opens up a range of and brings with it a range of issues that ensure consistency with these obliga- opportunities across the country, Mr need to be solved – very much in keep- Greening Australia’s national carbon manager Michael Rooney was part of the tions, as well as ensure the integrity of Rooney said. ing with working in Australia’s chal- government team responsible for developing the Carbon Farming Initiative the scheme,” Mr Rooney said. Sequestering carbon from native lenging landscape,” Mr Rooney said. framework, which he says will create a range of economical opportunities. Equipping landowners to adapt to changing climate MUCH has been said by farmers of Barker in Western Australia through Pattinson said the program has tion they need to deal with what the sensible thing to do in the future. the fallibility of weathermen, but to Cootamundra in NSW to develop found most future climate scenarios future holds. “There is no one-size-fits-all app- research scientists at 25 locations across practical on-farm strategies that can predict a shorter growing season and The research also showed that some roach – different strategies will have Australia are working co-operatively to be implemented as climate patterns that some changes to farm manage- of the adaptations that may be bene- different effects in different areas. take the guesswork out of adapting to change across the country. ment practices may be needed to ficial in the future were actually “What we’ve been able to show is changing seasonal conditions. The Southern Livestock Adaptation adjust. worth pursuing right now. that in a number of areas, 2030 won’t Australia’s Farming Future is an Program is combining global circula- “The models show a range of possi- “Whether it’s changing the time of be too dissimilar from what people Australian Government Department tion models and local weather data to ble scenarios including a tendency your lambing or calving or altering have experienced in the past decade of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry refine the broad-brush climate pre- towards shorter growing seasons in pasture species, introducing confine- in terms of climate, but other initiative, helping equip primary pro- dictions to be applicable at a regional spring, higher temperatures, higher ment feeding or concentrating on impacts on farm gross margins and ducers to adapt to the impacts of a and business level. carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and pos- genetic improvement, this program equity levels must be considered.” changing climate though a number The program is coordinated by Meat sibly lower rainfall.” identifies the management strategies ■ For further information on any of of research projects. and Livestock Australia and involves Mr Pattinson said producers that could counter the impacts of the projects funded under One project funded through the CSIRO, the University of Melbourne, wouldn’t rush out and adopt new shorter growing seasons,” he said. Australia’s Farming Future contact government’s Climate Change State departments, Dairy Australia strategies immediately, but the data “There is no indication from any of the Australia’s Farming Future Research Program, has scientists and and Australian Wool Innovation. generated from the models arms pri- the models that changing entire enter- Hotline 1800 638 746 or extension experts working from Mt National co-ordinator Russell mary producers with the informa- prises is going to be a fundamentally www.daff.gov.au/climatchange/ccrp

X17069602 12 ● ● ● ●

Stills from The Sea Turtle and the Osprey, created by the Yanyuwa people of Borroloola with the help of alongside Monash University’s Professor John Bradley and animator Brent McKee.

Dreaming in amazing animation HE Dreaming has come alive Yanyuwa people and animator Brent mation was funded by Territory moved to Borroloola to teach at the Territory Natural Resource Man- for a modern audience in the McKew to create six animated song- Natural Resource Management, local school 32 years ago. agement program manager Nigel Tform of an 11-minute film, The lines using the same software that through the Caring for Our Country The idea of preserving the tradi- Weston said the animation was not Sea Turtle and the Osprey, created by was used to animate the blockbuster program, as a way of preserving tional oral or “sung” culture of the just a story, but a record of the sacred the Yanyuwa people of Borroloola movie Avatar. indigenous language and knowledge Yanyuwa people came after working sites in the Borroloola area and will alongside Monash University’s Prof- The songline animation was pre- of the land but also as a tool to teach with the Yanyuwa elders to create an help teach local children the impor- essor John Bradley and animator miered for the first time in Australia the next generation the value of pro- indigenous atlas for the north west tance of looking after their country, Brent McKee. at the Territory Natural Resource tecting our natural resources. area of the Gulf of Carpentaria. the ocean and the creatures that Ten months of work went into per- Management and Landcare Forum in Professor Bradley said while there “Oral recordings and translations inhabit them. fecting the animation, so the swish of Darwin on October 14 last year. had been other Dreaming stories ani- alone are frozen in time but with ani- The visual tool will be used to sup- an osprey wing and splash of a turtle It was one of the awe-inspiring mated in the past they were usually mation you can hear what the lan- port work done by the Liantha- surfacing are rendered in intensely natural resource management and subject to European interpretation. guage sounds like and see the amaz- wirriyarra Sea Rangers including detailed graphics to recreate a segment Landcare projects from across the “This is the first time in Australia ing graphics that also tell the story,” sea turtle and dugong tagging and of the Yanyuwa’s creation songs. Northern Territory showcased at the there has been a conscious effort to he said. management, school and commu- The Yanyuwa people have their forum. record information to keep it within Animator Brent McKee visited nity visits and working with tradi- homelands on the south west side of The high calibre animation was an indigenous perspective and with- Borroloola to gain insight into the tional owners to safeguard sacred the Gulf of Carpentaria, where only received with a round of applause and out a European translation or inter- landscape of the Dreaming story. sites. five traditional elders and Professor high praise from local Territor- pretation of it,” he said. The duo worked with local Yanyuwa “The story is thousands of years old Bradley speak the Yanyuwa language. ians involved in natural resource Professor Bradley began working elders Dina Marrngawi, Mavis but its message is now in a form that Professor Bradley worked closely management and Landcare in the NT. with the Yanyuwa people and learnt Muluwamara and Jemima Wuwarlu the younger generation can under- with each of the four clans of the The Sea Turtle and the Osprey ani- their ancient language when he to recreate the life-like story. stand,” Mr Weston said. Gulf Kids delight in outdoor celebrations IN 2010, students in Queensland’s fauna with the Zoo to You roadshow. Gulf country got out of the class- Students got to hold or pat a blue- room and into their local environ- tongue lizard, a python and a baby ment to celebrate all things to do crocodile. with Junior Landcare. Junior Landcare was celebrated The very first Gulf Kids Envi- with a barbecue lunch and a big cake. ronment Day (GKED) was held At the end of the day awards were on September 2 at Lake Belmore, given for students showing leader- near Croydon in north-west Queens- ship and teamwork. land. All students took home a sam- More than 60 students from ple bag which included a Crikey Croydon, Georgetown and sur- Magazine, lots of information and rounding properties attended the activities on weedbusting and pack- Junior Landcare event, along with ets of seeds to grow at home. teachers, parents and home tutors The day was hosted by Northern After hearing talks on leadership, Gulf Resource Management Group “weedbusting” and biodiversity the (NGRMG) with assistance from the kids divided into teams for a range Department of Environment and of activities, including waterbug Resource Management’s Natural monitoring, bird watching, insect Resource Awareness Grant. catching, gardening games and NGRMG is planning to host a sim- lasertag. ilar event next year, based on lots of They also contributed to making positive feedback from teachers, a mural of “Our Gulf Environment” home tutors and parents. with window art paint which went on The kids not only learned about display at the Barra, Beef and Bull- their local environment but also real- dust Expo at Karumba in November ly enjoyed the day with one child giv- of last year. ing it the ultimate thumbs-up:“It was Another highlight of the day was the best day of my life – the best cel- Students have a go at bird watching at the inaugural Gulf Kids Environment Day held at Lake Belmore in north-west Queensland. learning about and meeting some local ebration ever!” ● ● ● ● 13

Funds to keep projects rolling Denver Booth loves learning TOTAL of $125,000 of funding how to love the beach more on has been awarded to 28 local BeBe NaturalNatural GrantGrant RecipientsRecipients the Gold Coast with Be Natural Aenvironmental volunteer groups funded group, BeachCare. across Australia as part of the Be Macgregor Landcare Group: Ginninderra for Community Education, NSW Tunapi Wildcare: Tunapi Wildlife Care and Natural Landcare grants program. Creek restoration and membership drive, ACT Willow Warriors: Upper Murrumbidgee and Education Centre, Tas The projects funded through this Coffs Regional Community Gardens Hawkesbury Nepean Black Willow Action Sweetwater Creek Inc: Getting The new initiative are diverse in nature Incorporated Association: Combine Street Monitoring, NSW and ACT Locals Involved, Vic Reserve Wetland Project, NSW and location and are supported by BeachCare: BeachCare = more plants to Baw Baw Shire Council – Natural Foundation of National Parks and Wildlife: build dunes, Qld Environment Friends Groups: Supporting almost $250,000 worth of in-kind Goat Island Rescue, NSW Friends Groups in Baw Baw Shire, Vic support which has been secured by Boonah and District Landcare Hunter Wetlands Centre Australia: Associationn Inc: Managing salt by Burnt Creek Landcare Group: Stewart Park the groups themselves. Wetlands Environmental Education, NSW restoring Brigalow, Qld Nature Trail – community links development, A revegetation project on Queens- North Byron Shire Coastal Landcare Group: Mary River Catchment Co-ordination Vic land’s Gold Coast undertaken by Rangal Road Ecosystem Restoration, NSW Association: Inspiring community Crib Point Community Garden Inc: BeachCare and the erection of a walk- Project Penguin (NPWS Penguin Wardens connection to Mary River stories, Qld Community Orchard demonstration site, Vic ing track by Cremorne Coastcare Support Project): The Little Penguin Story, Richmond Birdwing Conservation Glenaroua Land Management Group: group to protect a coastal area in NSW Network: Community Education for the Community Connections: Glenaroua Spray Tasmania, are two of the projects that Reef Beach Dunecare Volunteer Group: Birdwing Butterfly, Qld Unit Retractable Reel, Vic have been awarded funding. Reef Beach Back to Bush, NSW North Burnett Landcare Group Inc: The Pentland Hills Landcare: Possum and Glider Other projects include the building Sydney Coastal Councils Group Inc: Friday Club, Qld Shelters for Myrniong and Korkuperrimul of shelters for possums and gliders in Summerama: Summer Activities Program, Marine Discovery Centre: Make a Catchment Biolink, Vic Victoria by Pentland Hills Landcare NSW difference: Volunteer Support Program, SA Seeding Victoria Inc: Seeding Assist, Vic and the revegetation of disturbed Uralla Rivercare Group: Uralla Creek’s Pipe Clay Coastcare Inc: Protecting Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges land by the Hunter Wetlands Centre Riparian Health Project – Strength from Cremorne Spit dunes from sand dispersion Landcare Network: Landcare for Singles, in NSW. Biodiversity, NSW by constructing a single path for high tide Vic Launched earlier this year by Young district Landcare access and undertaking site rehabilitation, Yarrawonga Urban Landcare Inc: Landcare ambassador, Beau Walker, Incorporated: Environmental Displays Tas Yarrawonga Walking Tracks Phase 2, Vic the Be Natural Landcare grants pro- gram was established to help local projects and connecting with their ralia, we recognised we could make a the city through the recreation of an environmental community groups communities. real difference at a local level through area of native vegetation in Sydney’s continue with ongoing projects Be Natural marketing manager Nik supporting the amazing work that Martin Place. which had not received funding in Scotcher is confident the grants pro- Landcare groups do,” he said. This activity raised the profile of the the past 12 months. gram will have a great impact on Landcare Australia has been in Landcare movement in an urban Through the initiative, Be Natural is local environmental issues and will partnership with Be Natural Cereals environment while highlighting the also encouraging groups to find provide the financial support many and Snacks since 2010 and last year work that is taking place in every- innovative new ways of attracting community groups badly need. launched this grants program by one’s backyard all year round by local more volunteers to their groups and “By partnering with Landcare Aust- bringing native Australia bushland to volunteers. MobileMobile MusterMuster GrantGrant RecipientsRecipients Mustering carer support Cabarita Beach Dunecare and Cooloola-Southern Great Sandy Sandpiper Place Dune Corridor Cabarita Dunecare Nursery: Coast, Qld Group (City of Charles Sturt THANKS to many Australians recycling Since then more than 179 tonnes of Cabarita Dunecare Nursery: Seed Friends of Federation Walk Inc: Council): Revegetation and their old mobile phones and accessories as mobile phones and accessories have been collection and propagation, NSW Federation Walk Coastal Reserve Rehabilitation of the Coastal Dunes, part of MobileMuster’s “Old phones, more recycled by MobileMuster, helping Land- Foundation of National Parks and Restoration Project, Vic SA trees” campaign, more than 20,000 trees care organisations plant more than Wildlife: Goat Island Rescue, NSW Johnstone Region Landcare Group: Portland Coastal Cliffs Inc: will be planted around Australia’s coast- 275,000 trees. King George Bushcare Group: King Riparian restoration post Cyclone Yasi Restoration of Cliffs Street Cliffs line by volunteer Landcare and Coastcare Landcare Australia chief executive officer George Park “two kings” tree at Moresby, Qld Area, Vic groups. Heather Campbell said enthusiasm among planting program, NSW Torquay Coast Action Group: Lilli Pilli Reserve Bushcare: Lilli Pilli MobileMuster is the mobile phone the Landcare community for the Mobile- Lennox Head Residents Assocation Revegetating our Iconic Coastline, Vic Point Reserve Revegetation Project, industry’s official recycling program. Muster grants was fantastic. Coastcare Group: Dune Peregian Beach Community Vic This year, more than 30 tonnes of mobile “Landcare and Coastcare groups are Rehabilitation, Accretion And Association Inc: Riparian “Reno” On Bellarine Secondary College and phones and accessories were collected for doing terrific work to care for our iconic Protection, NSW Lorikeet Creek, Qld Bellarine Landcare Nursery: recycling during the “Old phones, more beaches,” she said. Maria River Landcare Group: Maria Toomulla Coastcare: Toomulla Bringing back Indigenous Plants to trees” campaign which ran from June to “Each of the 25 grant recipients will use the Bellarine, Vic River Revegetation Project, NSW Beach Revegetation, Qld September. the MobileMuster funding to support Mowbray Road Junior Landcare Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare Inc: Surf Coast and Inland Plains “As a result more than 260,000 handsets, projects that will have a significant impact Group: Trees for Glossy Black Native seed collection and propagation Network: Protecting Outlying High Cockatoos, NSW Value Natural Assets with Surf Coast batteries and 15.5 tonnes of accessories on their local area and community.” for community revegetation projects in have now been diverted from landfill and The MobileMuster grant recipients will Port Macquarie Landcare Group the Townsville region, Qld and Inland Network, Vic will be recycled,” said MobileMuster man- use the funds to support projects such as Inc: Rain Forest Trees at Lighthouse Friends of Moana Sands Esperance Weeds Action Group Inc: Beach, NSW Conservation Park: Woody weed Weed Eradication and Revegetation ager, recycling, Rose Read. dune and weed management, native seed Wareemba/Brown Bushcare Group control in Moana Sands Conservation Salmon Beach Project, WA “It also means 25 Landcare and Coastcare propagation and to purchase trees, (Hornsby Shire Council Bushcare): Park, SA Ledge Point Coastcare Group: volunteer groups will each receive a $2000 encouraging revegetation and biodiversity. Eradication of Arundo donax and Mambray Creek Landholder Plants for Regeneration of a Dune grant from MobileMuster to help regener- “MobileMuster is looking forward to replanting with Natives, Qld Environment Group: Regeneration Blowout at Ledge Point, WA ate our coastline one tree at a time.” seeing the great results achieved by each of Cooloola Coastcare: Erosion Control and Revegetation of the Mambray Mullaloo Beach Community Group The “Old phones, more trees” partner- the volunteer groups and continuing “Old and Weed Management on the Creek, SA Inc: Key West Revegetation Project, WA ship between MobileMuster and Landcare phones, more trees” in 2012,” Ms Read Australia was established in 2007. said. Boost for degraded land, waterways RaymondRaymond BorlandBorland GrantGrant RecipientsRecipients Australian Trust for Conservation Gunnedah Urban Landcare Volunteers trading as Group: Cushans Reserve LANDCARE Australia has announced Environment; native wildlife corridor During journeys through country Conservation Volunteers Regeneration Project funding for 13 community environmen- plantings by Conservation Volunteers NSW, Mr Borland became gravely con- Australia: Boosting the Capertee tal groups in NSW through the Australia in the Capertee Valley to help cerned about the extent and severity of Holbrook Landcare Group: Valley Regent Honey Eater Rehabilitating habitat of the Raymond Borland Bequest grants pro- create habitat for the critically endan- landscape and water quality degradation Recovery Program endangered Southern Pygmy gram, which launched earlier this year. gered Regent Honeyeater; and the reha- that he often encountered. Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare Perch The funding will support community bilitation of habitat for the endangered He was also impressed by the outstand- Group Inc: Lowland Rainforest Nambucca Valley LandCare Inc: Restoration at Mortons Scrub and groups and other organisations in NSW Southern Pygmy Perch in Holbrook by ing achievements of local Landcare groups Girralong Reach Project to undertake projects that will repair and Holbrook Landcare Group. in repairing degraded areas, such as erod- Booyong Flora Reserve Orara Valley Rivercare Groups restore the natural environment thanks Landcare Australia chief executive offi- ed gullies and riparian areas, and protect- Byron Creek Catchment Management Committee Inc: to a generous bequest from Sydney cer Heather Campbell applauded the ing the biodiversity of native habitat. Landcare Group Inc: Riparian Rescue of Byron Creek Orara River Raingorest businessman, Raymond Borland, to great difference that Mr Borland’s gener- Mr Borland resolved to assist future Regeneration at Coramba Landcare Australia. ous bequest can make through the grants generations preserve and enjoy the Eurobodalla Shire Council on Queanbeyan Landcare Inc: The projects are varied in nature but all program. integrity of our natural assets and as a behalf of Deua Rivercare: Deua River Riparian Weed Habitat Improvement at White fulfil the criteria of the bequest which is “Raymond Borland greatly valued the result, his estate provided a bequest to Rocks to repair and rehabilitate degraded non- Australian landscape and admired the Landcare Australia to be used for the Eradication/Revegetation Dunedoo Area Community Group The Crossing Land Education urban land and non-tidal waterways in work that Landcare groups undertake preservation and rehabilitation of Trust: Biodiversity riparian corridor NSW. repairing degraded land and preserving degraded natural environments in rural Inc: Project Gully Remediation: Gully Erosion in Grassy Box Woodland linking koala habitat Funded projects include the restoration our natural environment,” she said. and non-tidal areas of NSW. EnviTE Environment: Wompoo Trees in Newcastle: The of critically endangered lowland sub- “Through this community grants pro- ■ For more information on the Raymond Gorge Rainforest and Riparian Martinsville Melaleuca biconvexa tropical rainforest linking Nightcap and gram his generous bequest is being put Borland grants program, please visit Restoration Missing Link Goonengerry National Parks by EnviTE to the best possible use.” www.landcareonline.com.au 14 ● ● ● ●

Jerrawa Creek widens war on tussock he Upper Lachlan Landcare They learn about the many different Committee has joined the Jerr- control methods available to suit Tawa Creek Landcare groups’ conventional, organic and biodyna- successful Tussock Tamers Program, mic style farming. extending it throughout the Upper With aerial photography, partici- Lachlan Catchment. pants divide their property into erad- The Tussock Tamer Project aims to ication, containment and exclusion bring community members and land zones depending on the amount of managers together to effectively serrated tussock or other weeds and manage the challenges posed by ser- prepare a hands-on, cost effective rated tussock. Weed Management Five Year Action The program was started by the Plan. Jerrawa Creek Landcare Group, and These plans assist farmers to com- has become a partnership with the ply with legal obligations under the Upper Lachlan Shire Council and Noxious Weeds Act 1993. The Lachlan CMA. Participants are encouraged to put The program of workshops, field signs on their property to show they days and farm visits is gaining mom- are part of the program. entum as more and more landhold- The focus is on taming serrated tus- ers sign up to Tussock Tamers. sock, but the workshop also looks at ABOVE: Sinclair Bell, Bruce Treloar, The two day workshops, run by other problematic weeds like Chilean Margie Fitzpatrick, Jenny Bell, Alan well-known rural educator Alison Needle grass, African Love Grass, St Howard and Alison Elvin at the Elvin, have been well attended. John’s Wort and Sifton Bush. Breadalbane Tussock Tamer Workshop. More than 180 farming families The program includes one-on-one have attended the workshops in the farm visits for those who have not past six months, learning the latest made it to the workshops. out the Upper Lachlan Catchment, skills and techniques on how to con- Already Ms Elvin has visited 50 but there has been considerable cross trol weeds like serrated tussock effec- farms in the catchment, with more to border support and interest in the tively and economically. come in the coming months. program. Participants learn how to identify Additional field days are planned ■ For further information about the serrated tussock and other weeds in for weed and native grass identifica- Tussock Tamer Program please all seasons, and differentiate weeds tion. contact Nerida Croker at Upper Bruce Treloar, Chris Barber and Alison Elvin at the Breadalbane Tussock Tamer from native grasses. Workshops have been held through- Lachlan Landcare on 02 4834 2133. Workshop. In Brief Scouts overhaul their Landcare badge rules Online events calendar: Is your group planning events this year? AFTER 18 years, the Landcare badge for more than two years to revise the badge immediately,” Mr Lloyd said. environment had taken something of Why not add the information to the awarded to Scouts has been given a requirements for getting the badge, “For the sake of the kids, we came a back seat in the scouting world. Landcare Australia free online events makeover, resulting in a rush of new along with a physical redesign. up with a better, broader package But that is changing. calendar? awards. “The new rule is a youth member in that had more distinct rulings and The World Scout Environment badge Simply email the details of your event Gus Lloyd, the Scouts’ national env- Scouting is required, in any 12-month didn’t leave any grey areas.” was introduced only 18 months ago, to [email protected] ironment advisor, said the Landcare period, to attend three nationally-rec- Since the revision came into effect but about 400 Scouts have already qua- for inclusion. badge was introduced in the early ognised Landcare projects or associ- in late 2011, about 125 Scouts have lified for it. Please include the venue, date and days of the Landcare movement to give ated groups.” qualified for the new Landcare badge. “This is obviously the youth com- time of the event, what form it will take Scouts “an environmental resource”. “The programs have to be associat- Mr Lloyd said despite the problems munity saying that it wants more to and what people need to do to register or what they need to bring in order to The badge has been very popular, ed with Landcare, but don’t have to with the old badge, it helped channel do with the environment.” take part. with an average of 600-800 Scouts a be specifically Landcare. an enormous contribution from “In NSW Scouts, their State Environ- year doing the minimum 14 hours a “It means a Scout can choose from Scouts into Landcare and Landcare- ment team is made up purely of youth Group logo design available: year in Landcare necessary to qualify. programs like Planet Ark or Clean Up related activities. members, and they advise the adults Does your group need an up-to-date However, Mr Lloyd said the under- Australia, as well as attending sessions With 600-800 badges earned a year, what they want done.” Landcare or Coastcare logo? standing of the requirements for get- with volunteer Landcare groups.” and a minimum of 14 hours required Late last year, the team decided to Landcare Australia can design a logo ting a Landcare badge had become It also means Landcare can look at to get one, “it’s quite an investment have laminated copies of the Scout which incorporates your group name muddied through the years, with Scout programs and assess whether back into the community”,he said. Environment Charter put up in all of with the recently refreshed Landcare some Scouts managing to qualify in a Scout activities might integrate with Scouts have always been involved NSW’s 650 Scout halls. and Coastcare logos. weekend while others took six months. Landcare activity. with the environment: the com- “We’re seeing environmental issues If you would like Landcare Australia to In his capacity as environment advi- “We also added that if a youth mandment “A Scout cares for the strongly resurgent in Scouts, and the design a free logo, email tarryn [email protected] sor, Mr Lloyd worked with Landcare member is already a member of a environment” is part of scouting law. interest in the new Landcare badge is Australia and the Scouts movement Landcare group, they qualify for the For some time, Mr Lloyd said, the a tangible sign of this.” 194 years in agribusiness Agribusiness banking.

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Mt Barker Protecting Barwon River Chicken he Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA is joining forces with the local Tindigenous community to res- project cue critical areas of the Barwon River system and tributaries. The CMA has successfully bid for takes flight more than $375,000 in funding to SIGNS of progress in the Ranges protect endangered aquatic ecosys- Link Project of south-west WA tems on the Barwon, using a local were reviewed by Mt Barker aboriginal team to control weeds and locals late last year at a pest animals, restore riparian vegeta- community conservation day at tion and native habitat, and stabilise the Twin Creeks Reserve in stream banks. Porongurup. Funding for the project came from On a special bus tour, locals the Australian government’s Caring were shown how degraded For Our Country program. wildlife sites in the region have On-ground work will begin in the flourished thanks to a strong Mungindi region in a few months. partnership between funder Mt “Our aim is not only to make a sig- Barker Chicken and community nificant difference to the health of groups, government and the Barwon River but also to provide Landcare Australia. new employment and training opp- “Mt Barker Chicken is ortunities for indigenous people in committed to environmental the north west,” said project manag- sustainability in the region, and er, Harry White. we are very proud to be able to “The project will also enable abori- support these crucial projects ginal people to have a greater involve- which will reconnect the ecological areas between the ment in the management of a river Porongurup and Stirling Ranges”, system which plays a key role in local said Mark Rintoul, Mt Barker indigenous culture.” Chicken's general manager. The Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA’s Mr Rintoul also announced Aboriginal Reference Advisory Mt Barker Chicken would be Group (ARAG) will work with Mr supporting the Ranges Link White and other members of the Project with a further three years project committee to oversee pro- of funding. gress through until completion in The Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA is excited to be launching this innovative project in close partnership with local indigenous organisations to protect aquatic ecosystems on the Barwon River. The Ranges Link project, which 2013. falls within the greater Gondwana Key ecological threats to be tackled On-ground works will also include on publicly owned land and country habitat on the Barwon River. Link project, aims to connect include invasive weeds such as lippia, fencing to exclude stock from fragile managed by Aboriginal land coun- Accredited training will be provid- bushland along the Kalgan Valley. water hyacinth and salvinia, and pest areas and the restoration of native cils, with an emphasis on engaging ed to enhance the project team’s The project has built more than animals including pigs, carp, foxes plant species. the indigenous community in reduc- skills in natural resource manage- 130 km of fencing in two years. and cats. Work will be carried out primarily ing ecological threats and improving ment. Get on board now for National Tree Day activities PLANET Ark is calling on all land- registered site coordinators through A former primary school teacher have planted around 80,000 trees at ise National Tree Day events every care groups to get involved in Natio- its National Tree Day Hotline and and volunteer fire fighter with a pas- the park since 1983. year and get kids involved in revege- nal Tree Day and help inspire their website, which includes an online sion for nature and the outdoors, In 2011, Grant and his wife Trudy tation. local communities to value and care RSVP system for volunteers, down- Grant began the Friends of Kyeema organised six National Tree Day “This year, I had a young lady come for the environment. loadable resources and a step-by-step Conservation Park in 1983 in response events at Kyeema, including five up to me at one of our Schools Tree National Tree Day will take place on guide, plus tools to help you promote to the devastation caused by the Ash Schools Tree Day events for students Day events, who told me she was a Sunday, July 29, with Schools Tree your tree planting event. Wednesday bushfires. from Reynella East College. student in the last class I taught at Day scheduled for Friday, July 27. ■ Visit treeday.planetark.org or Kyeema Conservation Park, a fav- Grant taught at Reynella East Coll- Reynella East College,” he said. Planet Ark is encouraging landcare contact the National Tree Day ourite hiking spot for Grant and the ege for five years before retiring, and “She said she’d participated in a groups to register and run local tree Hotline on 1300 88 5000 to find out site of many nature camps for his stu- still works closely with students at the Tree Day event I ran at Kyeema in planting sites. more about coordinating a National dents, was completely destroyed by school to propagate the seedlings used 1996 and had come along again this National Tree Day is a fantastic opp- Tree Day event. the fires. for National Tree Day events at year, this time with her partner and ortunity for groups to showcase the “Kyeema was a sea of blackened skel- Kyeema and other revegetation activ- her son, who’s in Year 1 at Reynella work they do to the wider communi- ❐ ❐ ❐ ❐ etons of trees,” Grant said. ities in the local area and further East College. ty, recruit new volunteers, and teach “I decided something had to be afield, such as the “Trees for Tumby” “She was there proudly showing her future generations how to care for Inspiring generations done and came up with the idea of project, a bushfire rehabilitation pro- son the trees she planted back in and protect their native environ- GRANT Good, a committed landcar- getting kids to help with replanting ject in the Lower Eyre Peninsula in 1996.” ment. er and long-term National Tree Day the area.” 2006. “That was so satisfying for me, to National Tree Day site coordinators coordinator, has been inspiring kids Grant estimated that the Friends of Grant said it was the sense of per- see the children I’ve helped inspire are required to organise and super- in the southern suburbs of Adelaide Kyeema Conservation Park, with the sonal satisfaction and the feedback through the years to look after the vise their registered tree planting site. to care for the environment for dec- help of hundreds of school students he got from current and former stu- environment, now inspiring their Planet Ark provides support to all ades. and other community volunteers, dents which motivated him to organ- own children to do the same.”

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In Brief Victorian Landcare Calendar: The 2012 Victorian Landcare Calendar Growing community bonds has been published by the Victorian Landcare Council with support from HE ongoing success of bank- LEFT: Kowree Landcare Australia and the Victorian CMAs. mecu’s Conservation Landbank Farm Tree The calendar celebrates 25 years of project, an idea born in 2008, Group Landcare in Victoria and showcases the T was celebrated at the first Conser- president partnerships, projects and people that vation Landbank property at make Landcare a vibrant movement who Andrew Bradey have had a real impact on local Minimay, Victoria in November. addresses a communities. The Conservation Landbank was luncheon to You can purchase a calendar by established by bankmecu to offset car celebrate the contacting the Regional Landcare loans as a carbon neutral business. ongoing Coordinators who work at each Landcare Australia assists in the success of co-ordination of the project with Catchment Authority in Victoria. For bulk bankmecu’s bankmecu and the many stakehold- orders, please email Roger Hardley at Conservation [email protected] ers involved. The Conservation Landbank has Landbank Coles Junior Landcare grants: evolved into a project that truly project at Now is the time to apply for a Coles engages in meaningful community Minimay, Junior Landcare Garden Grant. partnerships. Victoria. Coles has been providing School Garden Trust for Nature assists bankmecu Grants of up to $1000 to schools and with the selection of appropriate prop- youth groups since 2008, to help create erties for the Conservation Landbank, bush tucker gardens, waterwise gardens based on their conservation values and or veggie gardens in their grounds or appropriateness for landscape scale community. biodiversity protection. These programs encourage students to Trust for Nature is also responsible learn about the environment through “outdoor learning” and interaction in for developing conservation covenants developing their own school gardens. to protect these properties. For more information on this grants The project is managed by the Kow- program and to download an application ree Farm Tree Group, which invests al opportunities embraced by the Landbank, running a biochar trial on The Conservation Landbank also form visit www.juniorlandcare.com.au considerable hands-on involvement, local schools. one of the properties. sits within the broader framework of Closing dates for 2012 applications are: passion and drive into the project. In 2011, Year 7 students at This project has grown since 2008 Habitat 141, an impressive landscape ● Round 1: Closes Friday, February 17, The Tree Group invites local Edenhope College undertook an to include four properties in the scale conservation project which is 5pm (EST) groups, including schools and service investigation into the “Ozenkadnook Wimmera district. reconnecting habitat from the out- ● Round 2: Closes Friday, May 4, 5pm clubs, to participate in planting days Tiger” that is rumoured to have once Equivalent in size to 90 Melbourne back to the ocean. (EST) and other activities. roamed the area. Cricket Grounds, the properties are This is an important project in a ● Round 3: Closes Friday, July 27, 5pm Parents and Friends of St Mala- The students created sculptures of home to Victoria’s most iconic yet changing climate and aims to enhance (EST) chy’s Primary School, Edenhope, the Ozenkadnook Tiger, which will endangered bird, the south-eastern species mobility and survival. assist the Kowree Farm Tree Group; go on display at the Ozenkadnook Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo. The Conservation Landbank is a Landcare Mini Muster: for every tree they plant they receive property. Only an estimated 1000 of these project that really captures the Landcarers in the Lake Macquarie region funding which they feed back into In late 2011, a shed was erected at birds are believed to be alive, and essence of Landcare projects – many got together for the inaugural Landcare the school. the Minimay property which will these properties, with their Buloke stakeholders from a variety of back- Mini Muster in September and the In the past this has translated into provide a useful shelter for users of and Desert Stringybark woodlands, grounds coming together to achieve a success of the event suggests it won’t be ICT equipment and a lawnmower. the property including the Goroke P- provide an ideal habitat for this rare common goal of improving, enhanc- the last. This structure provides benefits for 12 College. creature. ing and protecting the environment. The event was held at the Landcare Resource Centre at Teralba, allowing all of those involved in the Conser- This will be further enhanced in In addition, the Conservation An added benefit of this project is Landcare volunteers to demonstrate some vation Landbank project. 2012 with the construction of a toilet. Landbank is also home to the Golden in its ability to bring the local com- of the valuable groundwork being Another example of community Greening Australia have also been Sun Moth, Growling Grass-frog and munity together and to provide posi- conducted throughout the region. engagement has been the education- involved with the Conservation Striped Legless Lizard. tive social outcomes as well. The enthusiasm of the existing Landcare network was instrumental in producing a batch of new volunteer registrations on the day. West Arthur’s environmental effort earns award Murray the Red Tailed Cockatoo and Fairy Anika kept the children entertained, WEST Arthur has become Western Each year the most successful Australia Beautiful WA, the ● Enhancing Cultural Identity: while the adults circulated through the Australia's latest Tidy Towns – Tidy Towns Committees involve a Department of Environment and Menzies diverse selections of plant species on Sustainable Communities State title. range of different organisations, Conservation and the Waste ● Water Conservation: Hedland display as part of the Lake Macquarie City Council (LMCC) native plant The West Arthur community has groups and individuals in planning Authority. (Port and South) giveaway. demonstrated excellence across a and implementing community proj- West Arthur's win was announced The Midwest-Gascoyne Aboriginal LMCC horticulturists helped community variety of categories, including imp- ects. in Fremantle on November 18 by His community of Karalundi was award- members select nearly 5000 native plants roving and maintaining their town’s Judges are particularly impressed if Excellency, Mr Malcolm McCusker ed a special commendation by the of various species and habits to plant out appearance and working towards entrants have engaged or involved AO CVO QC, Patron of Keep Department of Local Government in their gardens. environmental sustainability. local government, youth, schools, Australia Beautiful WA. for its commitment to a whole-of- The LMCC Backyard Habitat for Wildlife West Arthur has a proud record in business and industry. Other State category winners community approach to litter pre- launch was also a tremendous success, the Tidy Towns – Sustainable This year’s regional winners, as included: vention, maintenance of amenities with about 270 people joining the new Communities awards, with previous well as finalists for the State Award ● Community Action: Southern and caring for the environment. program with a personal pledge to create regional wins in the categories of taken out by West Arthur, were Cross Regional Western Australian com- a wildlife-friendly habitat for native fauna General Appearance, Natural Heri- Northampton, Paraburdoo, Collie, ● General Appearance: Karalundi munities are now invited to enter by doing something as simple as planting tage Conservation, Recycling and Quairading, Albany and Southern ● Recycling and Waste Management: for the free annual awards program native shrubs, installing a frog pond, Waste Management, Enhancing Cul- Cross. Albany by registering online: www.kabc building a birdbath, or providing hollow tural Identity and Water Conser- Tidy Towns – Sustainable Comm- ● Natural Heritage Conservation: .wa.gov.au/programs/tidy-towns/ shelter. vation. unities is supported by Keep Albany online-registration.html