● ● ● ● 1 Landcare In Focus 1st August 2013 ~ www.landcareonline.com.au Joining the social media revolution OOKING over the fence and groups on a range of topics includ- “We’ve had good co-operation extension methods. those dealing with issues that are finding out what farmers are ing cell grazing, the role of native from farmers right across the State,” This may be particularly true for current.” Lup to down the road or even bees in sustainable agriculture, he said. younger farmers who are already Due to the enthusiasm of grower on the other side of the state is stubble management and integrat- “We try to take a conversational engaging with social media. groups involved, there are over 80 much simpler thanks to a social ed pest management. style, we come up with a series of “Most farmers tend to look at the videos on the Ag Excellence media project funded by the The videos allow farmers and questions and we try to put the videos and take on the key mes- Alliance website—far more than ’s Caring for grower groups to take a virtual look interviewee at ease. sages,” Mr Stanley said. expected. our Country initiative. over the neighbour’s fence and get “We’ve got some really good sto- “They provide a taste of what can “We’re actually getting groups Ag Excellence Alliance is using ideas on land management from all ries using this method, people have be achieved to inspire the watcher coming to us now wanting to be social media to break down geo- around the state. taken to it and have been happy to to see further information on the involved in the project, so it has graphical barriers to agricultural Project manager Mark Stanley be involved.” topics presented. been a complete turnaround.,” Mr extension and knowledge sharing said despite encountering wariness Mr Stanley believes social media “These messages seem to be most Stanley said. between grower groups across at first from some people about has great potential to provide out- effective when presented by farm- “At the start of the project we were South . being filmed, the project has been reach services—potential that ers, or the combination of farmers really pushing to get people The Alliance has produced short hugely successful in the farming will likely be in orders of magni- and technical experts. involved.” videos with farmers and grower community. tude greater than more traditional “The most popular videos are ■ continued on p2

Celebrating Landcare – and LIFE – across the country LANDCARE groups across the coun- Month, Landcare Week, and spring- try are getting ready to celebrate time by hosting a planting day on Landcare Week 2013, the annual cel- September 4 at Broadmeadows Valley ebration of all things Landcare. Park. Held from September 2 to 8, Land- Local businesses and community care Week is an invitation to every- members are invited to go along, one, wherever they live and whatever with all equipment, tools and even a they do, to get involved in the free lunch provided. Landcare community and help The hugely successful Bushcare’s protect and restore our country’s Major Day Out (BMDO) is again precious natural resources. taking place during Landcare Week at Landcare Australia chief executive city and country locations right Tessa Jakszewicz (pictured) believes across Australia. Landcare Week is a great opportunity A national day supported by for everyone wanting to make a posi- Willoughby Council and Landcare tive difference in their local environ- Australia, it is designed to encourage ment to get involved and join the people to take part in the restoration thousands of dedicated Australians and maintenance of our remaining already working towards a sustainable bushland. future. This year taking place on Septem- “Landcare Week puts a spotlight on ber 8, BMDO offers a wide range of the remarkable activities of the activities at many different locations, Landcare community that occur ranging from the Launch of the year-round and play a crucial role in Aldgate Valley Nature Walk in South conserving and rehabilitating our Australia to sampling what Bushcare unique and precious ecosystems,” Ms is all about in the classic Sydney set- Jakszewicz said. ting of Tunks Park in Northbridge. “The variety of Landcare Week To help groups and networks pro- activities and events taking place mote Landcare Week events and across the country leaves those activities within their local commu- wanting to get involved spoilt for nities, Landcare Australia has devel- choice.” oped a kit of promotional resources active in social media. Groups can simply fill in the online sees people across Australia celebrat- Friends of Westgate Park in Port using the branding from the popular Landcare ambassador Jack Thomp- form and submit their event details, ing the importance and relevance of Melbourne are holding a planting L.I.F.E – Landcare is for Everyone son has also thrown his support which will be approved and online Landcare, not only to their own local day on September 3 to help achieve campaign. behind the annual awareness raising within a few days. communities but to our national their vision of transforming the Park A suite of branded artwork for fly- week by recording a radio ad, which “With countless community events backyard.” into a bushland habitat for local ers and posters is available for down- groups can send to their local radio and activities taking place, as well as ■ Groups interested in indigenous plants and animals where load, and groups can also access web stations. Landcare Awards events, conferences downloading Landcare Week visitors can enjoy a beautiful natural tiles, an email signature, and a tem- Anyone planning an activity or and forums, there truly is a Landcare resources or adding an event to the landscape. plate media release. event for Landcare Week can also Week event to suit everyone,”said Ms Landcare events calendar should Still in Melbourne, Hume City There is even a special Landcare promote it by adding it to the nation- Jakszewicz (pictured). visit www.landcareonline.com.au or Council is celebrating Biodiversity Week twibbon available for those al Landcare events calendar. “I hope the first week in September www.landcarelife.com.au 2 ● ● ● ● Landcare In Focus 1st August 2013 ~ www.landcareonline.com.au The benefits of showing your grass ARMERS in species and management options can are seeing firsthand the benefits vary according to soil type and the Fof planting perennials to rainfall zone. improve soil condition thanks to a Ms Gorter said first time failures are project funded by the Australian often a significant barrier to adop- Government’s Caring for our tion which has seen some landhold- Country initiative. ers give up after unsuccessful Through the Show Us Your Grass attempts at trialling perennials. project, Evergreen Farming has been “The Show Us Your Grass project showing landholders in the agricultur- aimed to increase the knowledge and al regions of Western Australia how skills of farmers in using perennials, perennial pastures can be used to and maximise their chances of suc- decrease soil acidification, decrease cess,” Ms Gorter said. wind and water erosion, increase soil “The project has been very success- carbon content and provide year- ful and has exceeded our expectations. round green feed for stock. “Farmers were receptive to the As part of the project, technical pas- opportunity to have a renowned ture specialists conducted 80 farm technical pasture specialist visit their visits across the Wheatbelt, Northern property and provide advice unique to their situation. They found the ...if farmers were experience exceedingly valuable. investing time and Ms Gorter said that establishing money in establishing new perennial pastures can be costly for farmers, and that farmers began perennial pastures, we to ask for advice on how to make the were able to give them most of perennials. the best possible chance of “We responded to their requests by success and a positive offering on-farm advice and sharing the experiences of successful peren- benefit from their nial growers with others attempting a investment and for their similar pathway. ‘ “This way, if farmers were investing farm environment time and money in establishing – Erin Gorter, perennial pastures, we were able to Evergreen Farming give them the best possible chance of success and a positive benefit from Agricultural, South West and South their investment and for their farm Coast regions of Western Australia environment. and provided advice on the type of “Some of the properties visited as perennials to plant and how and part of the project were already grow- Farmers in the northern part of WA’s agricultural region learning about utilising the out of season rainfall in sandy soils to where they should be grown to ing perennials but wanted to try a improve soil condition. new variety or work in different soil manage stock. Evergreen Farming executive officer types, while others were interested in cessful establishment. both worlds. was completed in June 2013. If you Erin Gorter said that, as a result of implementing the technique but “Our natural environment is one of “Such a system allows farmers to are interested in finding out more the farm visits, a mix of sub-tropical were not sure where to begin.” mixed systems and species and con- adjust to variable climatic conditions, about the project and its results and temperate perennials were plant- A visit from an experienced techni- ditions,” Ms Gorter said. protect and build their natural visit evergreen.asn.au, find them on ed on 5000 ha of the Western cal pasture specialist helped set the Ms Gorter said that by having resource base and often extend their Facebook or contact Evergreen Australian agricultural region. farmers on the right path to grow perennials and annuals working growing season to further benefit their Farming at Perennial pasture agronomy is perennials to suit their conditions together, farmers are able to, on some farming business.” [email protected] more complex than for annual and increase the likelihood of suc- parts of their farm, have the best of ■ The Show Us Your Grass project or 0429 833 752

LANDCARE words saved as a Microsoft Word in Focus is document or a PDF. Farmers embrace social media proudly ● No more than 2 or 3 high resolution supported (must be at least 1MB in size) images From p1 skills, including the use of A social media forum will be by the that clearly illustrate the accompanying Some farming groups are social and digital media to held on 22 August 2013 in Australian article. using the videos to introduce influence greater numbers of Adelaide and will focus on ● Full captions for each attached image new projects and land man- farmers and land managers to the use of social media sites government’s Caring for our Country that explain who is in the photos and/or agement techniques, others improve sustainable agricul- like YouTube, Facebook and program and published by Landcare what they illustrate. are telling the story of how ture and resource manage- Twitter, their design, what Australia Limited. Also, please ensure that we have their group has evolved. ment practices. makes a good site and how For more information or to submit an permission from any people featured in Ag Excellence Alliance has With media rapidly chang- you can monitor these sites article, email the photos to use these photos in also produced a range of tools ing and more people making to better target your audi- [email protected] Landcare in Focus to help groups understand their own films and sharing ences. Please note that due to space ● Contact information for more how to use social media and to ideas through social media, ■ For more information on restrictions we cannot guarantee that all information if required learn at their own pace. These this project is finding success the project, check out the Ag submissions will be included. The last remaining dates for 2013 are are all available on their web- in encouraging grower groups Excellence Alliance website All submissions must adhere to the as follows: following guidelines and the deadlines Publication Date: site. to use new technologies to at below and must include: October 4 The project has led to a fun- http://agex.org.au/project/so share experiences and knowl- ● One article of no more than 300-600 Submission Deadline: November 7 damental shift in extension edge. cial-media-project ● ● ● ● 3 Landcare In Focus 1st August 2013 ~ www.landcareonline.com.au Dreaming to build land connections bonfire, stories, drama and community’s interaction with the wise elders are ancient ingredi- object of their story, and sustainabil- Aents for introducing children ity. to cultural ideas and it’s no accident The first day is also dedicated to they are also chief ingredients of the breaking students out of habitual Frog Dreaming conference. behaviour and perceptions by taking Held in New England each year in them out of their school social September when spring is taking groups and placing them in “tribes” some of the chill from the highland that mix children from different nights, Frog Dreaming tackles the schools. modern disconnection of many peo- Each tribe has a mentor, a guru and ple from their source of food and a totem. fibre using elements that are as old as The totem – things like red-bellied human consciousness. black snake, black cockatoo, New Sara Schmude, the schools co-ordi- England peppermint, Salisbury nator with Southern New England Waters Creek – gives the children a Landcare, said this disconnecton is point of identification with the land- apparent even in small rural schools - scape, and an entry through which and that Landcare is an ideal vehicle they can explore the interconnect- through which to address it. ness of everything within the land- The two-day Frog Dreaming con- scape. ference asks students to camp out, The mentor is an older student who plant trees, and observe their envi- was a previous participant in Frog ronment in enough detail that they Dreaming, and who showed excep- can tell stories about their observa- tional leadership. tions. The guru is someone with excep- They also get to hear stories about tional knowledge of their field, often the environment and its complex with a high-level university degree, interactions from “gurus” who have who can give the broad picture and the ability to make an apparently fine detail on a tribe’s totem, and link static landscape come alive. the totem to other elements of the Ms Schmude tours participating landscape. schools before each year’s Frog After tribes are formed, they begin Dreaming, prompting Year 5 and 6 their initiation into the landscape classes to identify a local natural asset through the stories of Aboriginal to build a story around. elder Harry White of the Border Once they have isolated their sub- Rivers-Gwydir CMA. ject, the students begin building a Mr White talks about the echidna story around it that they enact on the ancestor of his people, the Anaiwan, first day of the two-day Frog and how having the echidna stars – a novelty not just for the chil- Dreaming conference. totem requires his people to protect dren, Ms Schmude said, but for many Frog’s 2013 bee focus The exercise is a step in opening echidna’s habitat. teachers. students’ eyes to natural features of In the evening, the children set up The second day is all about “con- ON “Taylors Run”, the Taylor Michael and his wife Milly, and their landscape that familiarity has camp and then walk to a giant bonfire, necting with country”. family property at Kentucky, the Michael’s sister Katherine. made invisible, Ms Schmude said. the setting at which they tell the stories The tribes plant trees on a pre- student participants of Frog “Taylors Run” now carries Dreaming get an insight into Building a story also asks the they prepared in their schools. selected site, and as they work with about 200,000 planted trees, the benefits of on-farm and each Frog Dreaming adds children to consider things like the That night, they sleep out under the and walk through the farming land- revegetation difficult to obtain a few thousand more. scape they learn about Landcare – the elsewhere. “It’s a great opportunity to necessity of preserving water quality, After the students have show off my parents’ work,” pest management, maintaining a finished tree planting on a Michael Taylor said. robust on-farm ecology – Aboriginal specially prepared site – last “It’s also very enlightening. heritage and facets of sustainable year, trees were planted on the The kids see everything new, agriculture, like dung beetles. outline of a giant tree frog and they question everything, For those receptive to the experi- designed to be seen from and that makes my question ence, Frog Dreaming goes deep, Ms space – they are led by their why I’m doing what I’m doing.” Schmude said. guru through to progessively Mr Taylor is pictured with Sara The conference becomes a useful more mature tree plantings to a Schmude of Southern New way of identifying future Landcare site planted 40 years ago. England Landcare, Frog and environmental leaders. As they progress, the Dreaming’s co-ordinator, A group of students who became students are shown the looking at the progress of some Frog Dreaming mentors later found- growing biodiversity of the of the trees planted last year in ed the Armidale High School plantings, the microclimates the form of a giant tree frog. Landcare Group, one of the first stu- they form, and the aesthetic When the 2013 Frog Dreaming dent Landcare groups in the country. appeal of the forests and is held in late September, trees Frog Dreaming was a finalist in the woodlots. wil be planted into a reserve Mr “Taylors Run” is the work of Taylor has prepared with 2012 United Nations Association of Jon and Vicki Taylor, who set species selected especially for Australia Sustainability Education about revegetating their their appeal to pollinators. Frog Dreaming is a two-day conference for children aiming to tackle the modern Award. denuded property more than 40 Bees, and their essential role ■ day disconnect between people and food and fibre. At the 2012 conference, For information about Frog years ago with extraordinary in food production, will be one students planted trees on the outline of a giant tree frog designed to be seen from Dreaming contact Sara Schmude, commitment and vision, and of the major themes of the space. [email protected] more recently, of their son conference. 4 ● ● ● ● Landcare In Focus 1st August 2013 ~ www.landcareonline.com.au Photo: Garry Daly Photo: Garry Daly Worthwhile biodiversity in Bundanon IVEN a long-term com- to recapture bushland from lan- Tackling lantana is the major Understanding the biodiverse mitment, the Bundanon tana and repopulate it from sur- challenge for Bundanon. Mr riches of the area, Mr Daly thinks GTrust land on the rounding areas. Daly, who said the property had it’s a worthwhile commitment. Shoalhaven River, south of Mr Daly made his survey as very little of the choking weed With lantana vanquished, Bun- Sydney, may be able to become part of the four-year Living when he first visited 20 years ago, danon will become a high- an important component in an Landscape project, which is tack- notes that successfully battling integrity component of a region area of high biodiversity. ling environmental issues at lantana is a very long-term com- that is one of the most biodiverse Garry Daly, Gaia Research, did a Bundanon. mittment. in NSW, Mr Daly said. fauna survey of the Haunted Living Landscape is partially The weed can be initially dealt Point area of 1100 hectares of funded through Landcare with through spraying and RIGHT: Thanks to long-term Bundanon, left to the Australian Australia through the Borland mechanical control, he said – but funding, the Bundanon Trust may public by painter Arthur Boyd Bequest, bequeathed to Landcare then there has to be something be able to recapture 1100 hectares and his wife Yvonne. by Sydney businessman like a 15-year commitment to of land lost to lantana along the Despite big incursions of lan- Raymond Borland, who was dis- keeping it at bay while the bush- Shoalhaven River on NSW’s south tana, Mr Daly found high levels turbed by degradation of the land forms a shading canopy over coast. of biodiversity, and big potential Australian landscape. the affected area. Working with governments Local councils support WWLZ makes sense THE National Landcare Facilitator, with involvement in communities Julia Telford of Engage and Create SINCE 2007, the Wagin Wooda- that made it a logical partner- The Shire of Woodanilling Both council and zone driven Consulting, has produced a publication nilling Landcare Zone (WWLZ), ship. employs the staff, on a cost-share initiatives include “Phascogale called Landcare and Local Government in Western Australia’s wheatbelt, It was also recognised that this basis reflecting all local govern- Friendly Towns”, involvement in Partnerships – why it makes sense. has been operating under a would allow the group to better ment contributions. the Rural Towns Program to Since its inception, the interaction three-way commitment with two maintain capacity by being able Woodanilling Council pur- tackle salinity, involvement and between Landcare groups and local shire councils that have aided to offer longer and more secure chased and own the Landcare joint support for Roadside councils has had a vital role in the success funding security through uncer- contracts. vehicle while the Zone have Conservation Surveys and reveg- of Landcare within a community. tain times. The communities recognised established a vehicle replacement etation planning leading to bet- However, there is increasing need for “The land conservation district that someone had to be plan by putting aside a set ter informed works crew on groups to work together as constraints in committees were starting to employed to capitalise on oppor- amount annually for a suitable kinder roadside clearing prac- funding, human resources and equipment peter our in the area,” said tunities as they arose. changeover period. tices. pose growing challenges for communities. Danielle Perrie, a zone man- Benefits are exponential. There This publication aims to provide a ager for WWLZ for the past six is a united approach to environ- resource to Landcare groups and Local years. mental issues; better informed Councils interested in forming a To be able to link Landcare work to “And so in 2007 we approached councillors and decisions; the partnership. council worried about the drop environmental work that the council is doing ability to offer long term posi- It contains case studies from across the off in Landcare activities. and giving council recognition is important. tions (up to four-year contracts); country, detailing how local councils have “We didn’t want to be seen and resource sharing. worked in close collaboration with going to council with our hand Landcare groups for a better outcome in Other councils have investigat- out, so we worked out arrange- their communities. – Danielle Perrie, ed the model as they seek to sus- ments based on other funding It is hoped that the case studies will help Wagin Woodanilling Landcare Zone tain Landcare in their areas. provide ideas and inspiration for other the Landcare group could get “Support doesn’t necessarily Landcare groups and councils wanting to in, and got council to support have to be monetary, it strengthen their relationships, and at how with some administrative fund- Currently, each council con- Each participating local gov- could also be office space, a vehi- community and NRM issues can be ing.” ‘tributes a set amount to support ernment and the WWLZ will cle, internet access,” Ms Perrie addressed by working together to achieve As a result, the Shire of Wood- the operational requirements of have the right to request a rene- said. change. anilling and the Shire of Wagin the WWLZ, including salary, gotiation of the MOU at any “To be able to link Landcare Each of the case studies highlights what signed a formal Memorandum office space and equipment, stage. work to environmental work motivated the various partners to engage of Understanding (MOU) with vehicles, mobile phones and Since the establishment of the that the council is doing and giv- with each other, how they have kept the the WWLZ, confirming commu- other overheads. Zone in 2001, the councils have ing council recognition is impor- partnerships going, and what they would nity support for Natural The councils operate roughly contributed about $500,000 as tant. recommend to other groups around Resource Management (NRM) on a 30:70 split. an investment that has led to the “Councils are dealing with a lot Australia. activities. Wagin is a bigger shire than securing of over $5 million in of stress. It is important to make ■ To download a copy of the publication visit The councils are farmer-based Woodanilling, and this is a funding and generated a mini- a big deal of little things that they www.landcarefacilitator.com.au so there is an inherent under- roughly proportional represen- mum of 3:1 ratio of in-kind to are already doing, and look at standing the value of Landcare tation. cash from the community. how Landcare can support this.” ● ● ● ● 5 Landcare In Focus 1st August 2013 ~ www.landcareonline.com.au

Cultivating junior green thumbs A COLES Junior Landcare pesticides, and using grant has enabled Macknade environmentally friendly State Primary School in fertiliser products. Queensland to build raised The wider school community beds in its vegetable and herb has become involved. garden, with flow-on effects Parents have helped install into the classroom and home. raised garden beds, and Students in Macknade’s P-3 several past parents have class use the vegetables as organised soil and cane trash “brainfood” in snacks and from neighbouring cane fields cooking classes and, when to use as mulch for the there is an excess, in the garden. school tuckshop. This year, a grandparent Apart from their practical from the school has application, the growing of volunteered to show the vegetables teaches students students how to propagate about the ecology of the seeds and cuttings. world around them. Parents and grandparents Students learnt the give gardening advice to importance of water in the students and modelled how to environment and the need to correctly grow herbs from conserve and use water cuttings and cultivate wisely, which has led to seedlings. discussions on how to The garden project delivers conserve water at school and a range of environmental and at home. educational benefits, such as Classes have also looked at the recycling of cane trash. ways to implement This led to discussions on environmentally friendly other ways by-products could gardening practices, such as be used in everyday life, using companion planting to including recycling of other eliminate the need for materials. Holistic approach to land management LLAN Savory’s TED talk conference in Orange on August 6. Greening the Desert: how to He has other speaking engagements Afight desertification and reverse at Lismore and Dubbo, NSW; climate change has had more than a Warwick, Qld; and Mataranka, NT. million views to date. His holistic management tech- Can herbivores really save the plan- niques are now used to manage more et, as Mr Savory suggests? than 15 million hectares of land Next month, Mr Savory will be in worldwide, and have been credited Australia to make his persuasive with halting desertification and argument for using livestock as a tool regenerating landscapes. for reversing desertification, healing As a young biologist in Rhodesia landscapes, empowering communi- (now Zimbabwe), Mr Savory detest- ties, delivering food security and ed livestock and saw them solely as a halting climate change. force of land degradation. Mr Savory will give a series of talks Throughout years of observation and seminars about his work in and action, however, he discovered Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne herds of livestock could regenerate from August 14 to 18. landscapes if managed appropriately. These events, sponsored by the A herd can do this by briefly dis- National Landcare Facilitator, are turbing the soil, churning in plant lit- aimed at the general public with the ter and creating a seedbed, knocking hope of starting a dialogue about down standing vegetation to protect important environmental issues. the soil surface, and dunging and uri- As part of the National Landcare nating onto what is essentially a pre- capacity, as well as increased biodi- range from Prince Charles to Richard ■ Visit Webinar Series Brett de Hayr, pared seedbed. versity – and better productivity for Branson and Professor Tim Flannery. www.landcarefacilitator.com.au to graziers. His capital city talks and seminars register for the webinar. National Landcare Facilitator, is also If this animal impact is well man- ■ Holistic management is receiving are for people based in cities as well Bookings for the lecture series hosting a free webinar discussion aged with short grazing periods and can be made at with Allan Savory at 12.00 noon long rest periods, Mr Savory claims, growing recognition. Mr Savory as landholders interested in the www.RegenAG.com or by Eastern standard time on Friday, 16 the result is land and soil that is pro- argues that by sequestering carbon in potential of a solutions-based, bio- contacting Trevor on (02) 6373 7763 August. gressively regenerated. the soil, his techniques also have the logical approach for repairing our ■ For the Orange conference, and Mr Savory is also the keynote Regeneration of soil leads to potential to address climate change. planet and ensuring community other engagements: speaker at the Day After Tomorrow increased water and carbon holding Advocates of holistic management resilience for future generations. www.tasteorange.com.au 6 ● ● ● ● Landcare In Focus 1st August 2013 ~ www.landcareonline.com.au

Bequest for riparian care BY LINKING Rivercare and four sites, planting 1000 tube Landcare groups a project to stock of endemic plants during reduce weed infestations along spring 2012. These sites will be the Deua River, on the NSW maintained by landholders or, in South Coast, has been able to the case of one site, by TAFE substantially boost its students. effectiveness. The Deua Valley community Through Landcare Australia, were invited to attend the weed the Borland Bequest has control field day in August 2012. contributed $18,000 toward Bushcare training – weed and efforts to reduce weed native plant identification and infestations in riparian areas in weed control techniques – was the upper Deua Catchment, provided to members of the conduct primary weed control Deua Rivercare group and a upstream of Araluen Creek wider audience at the field day. junction, and to revisit Many of the attendees were previously-treated downstream not members of the Rivercare sites. group before the field day, but In working to increase the some have since joined. capacity of landowners to Since the workshop, conduct weed control, the contractors have shared their project was able to link together knowledge and skills with the Deua Rivercare group with landholders to better direct the Upper Deua Valley Landcare future weed control. group, opening frequent Deua Rivercare ran school communication and a excursions and planting days collaborative approach towards with local school children to overall catchment health. engage the wider community in The riparian zone across 18 the project, and increase properties was enhanced awareness of the value of the through weed control or Deua River catchment and the planting. Many of these areas inspiring work of Rivercare and are now able to be managed Landcare volunteers. solely by landholders, and all Throughout, a project officer will be monitored by the has been employed to assist Rivercare group to ensure that with community enquiries weed control is maintained. regarding weed control, planting Planting was conducted on days and Deua Rivercare. Conservation for the long-term CCORDING to Gabalong, The students planted oil mallees Western Australia, farmer Les and saltbush on an area of high ACrane, his 2000 hectare prop- ground on the property and Mr erty is an on-going conservation Crane was amazed with the result project. and particularly impressed by the Foresight, extensive research and a hardiness and resilience of the plants. lot of hard work has seen Mr Crane “We have actually grazed the salt- and his wife Ann establish alleys of bush continuously for months at a different varieties of saltbush and oil time to the point where there is no mallees across their farm to diversify green shoots left or even any bush, grazing for their stock, prevent wind and it still survives,” Mr Crane said. erosion and attempt to limit the It took Mr Crane three to four years spread of salt-affected land. of planning to establish how he The Cranes run between 1200 and would implement the layout of the 1300 Merino ewes and 100 breeder project and he started refencing his cattle, and implement a cropping property into alleys in 2008. program comprised of wheat, barley, “We researched and thought about lupins and canola. where agriculture was going,” Mr They dabbled in natural resource Crane said. management for many years, plant- “We thought about where crops ing their first trees and saltbush in and pastures were going and the 1980s. attempted to incorporate them into But the Crane’s natural resource our small property in a hope it would management journey gained mom- enable the effective use of larger entum almost a decade ago when a machinery available.” Perth school ran out of suitable Each alley was comprised of fences ground for tree planting in Miling spaced 200 metres (66ft) apart, a and inquired about the possibility of design constructed by Mr Crane to Les Crane (right) and German backpacker Angi, show the saltbush and oil mallees which have been established in alleys planting on the Crane’s property. ensure 180m (60ft) of working space across the Gabalong property across a number of years. which would accommodate the effi- cient use of conventional wide agri- with a drainage program in the The initial year saw the group plant earning their carbon credits when cultural machinery. 1980s. more than 30,000 trees in one week- they come to help out.” “We chose 180m because it is divis- “I think a whole lot of things end, and the same friends helped the Mr Crane estimated there was ible by so many combinations of together have helped it,” he said. Cranes to plant 10,000 trees annually another 15 years before the project machine widths in metres,”Mr Crane He said the alleys were aesthetically from 2011. would be completed though that was said. pleasing and often provided habitats “Last weekend we had 26 people dependent on the future profitability The alleys were lined with rows of for native fauna. here, plus nine children for the week- of agriculture. saltbush and oil mallees along each “We will eventually fence off the fence line. entire property, and continue to Mr Crane said the alleys have Agriculture is a long-term project and I think if establish the long narrow paddocks,” proved their benefit as a reliable feed someone can see a change in their lifetime then he said. source, particularly in current dry they have done exceptionally well Mr Crane said although he had conditions. experienced improvements on his “We are moving towards the – Les Crane, Gabalong, property it was difficult to show that direction of being able to graze short Western Australia there had been an outstanding posi- Les Crane has established alleys of intense bursts and long rests,”he said. tive result. saltbush and oil mallees across his Mr Crane said the layout helped to Since 2008, Mr and Mrs Crane’s end planting trees and they success- “Agriculture is a long-term project Gabalong property to diversify grazing limit wind erosion and it appeared two sons and their friends have made fully planted 10,000 trees and salt- and I think if someone can see a for his stock, prevent wind erosion and that salt spread was less prevalent the journey to Gabalong each year to bush plants,” Mrs Crane said. change in their lifetime then they limit the spread of salt-affected land. since implementing the system along assist‘ with the tree planting process. “Our son’s friends joked about have done exceptionally well.” ● ● ● ● 7 Landcare In Focus 1st August 2013 ~ www.landcareonline.com.au Students ‘green’ their surrounds .E.T plastic bottles are an The most immediate benefit of using everyday items to create a enormous environmental a greenwall is its beauty. The beautiful edifice. Pproblem – some 13 billion greenery is literally a living skin, The project proactively engages are disposed of each year with allowing unlimited design student to participate in every each bottle taking up to 450 opportunities. step of the greenwall’s creation. years to break down in the soil. Many greenwalls are high in The project has had a powerful Enter the “greenwall”,a concept plant biodiversity: in Australia effect at a local level and pro- that uses P.E.T bottles to create a there are over 5000 suitable vides a fun learning experience. living wall of nature to insulate native species that colonise rocks Qantas funding will support buildings and recycle greywater. and trees. the production of an online edu- Qantas and Landcare Australia Mark Paul, Australia’s own cational resource available on are supporting the Junior greenwall guru, has spent over 30 the Junior Landcare website that Landcare P.E.T Greenwall proj- years testing and installing will provide a step-by-step guide, ect to help students at two greenwalls suited to the Aust- enabling schools to green their schools create a green wall proj- ralian climate; he is now working own built environment. ect that uses 94 per cent recycled with Landcare Australia to pro- Landcare Australia recently material otherwise destined for duce an educational resource kit filmed the greenwall installation landfill. that will allow other schools at St Rose’s Catholic School, The schools are essentially to take up the Greenwall Collaroy Plateau, which will building a soil-less vertical gar- Challenge. form the basis of a short video to den. They are designed to mimic The bottle greenwall utilises help instruct students interested the growing conditions found 600 P.E.T bottles (5m x 2m in creating their own greenwall where greenwalls occur in greenwall) and other inorganic project. nature. media that is greatly dependent ■ For more information about Plants on a greenwall live with- on the properties of plastics to the benefits of creating a out soil using many adapted generate plant life. They create a greenwall, visit: strategies to survive poor nutri- habitat for small animals and www.greenwall.com.au tion, exposed conditions and insects while instilling intrinsic seasonal drought. They colonise environmental values in our next RIGHT: Mark Paul and students only those rocks and trees that generation. with a green wall made of 600 provide adequate aspect, light, The aim of the greenwall proj- bottles and a range of plant air movement, water and nutri- ect is to encourage students to cuttings at St Rose Catholic ents. reduce their carbon footprint by School, Collaroy Plateau, Sydney. In Brief Ecological knowledge manual: Territory Natural Resource Management (TNRM) has developed an Indigenous Ecological Knowledge manual to assist project partners in undertaking activities with an IEK element. Many of TNRM’s project partners contributed images and stories to the manual. ■ To view a copy of the manual, please visit www.territorynrm.org.au or for a hard copy, contact Cara Burke, (08) 8999 4110 or email [email protected] Social media manual for Landcare: Landcare Australia has launched a social media manual to help groups get the most out of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The manual is for members of the Landcare community who are thinking about starting to use social media, or who have been using it for a while but would like to learn more. With information on how to engage followers, create content, and interact with other social media users, this manual is a useful resource for the Landcare groups, networks and organisations out there who want to get social. This manual was funded by the Australian government’s Caring for our Country initiative through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. ■ The manual is available for download from www.landcareonline.com.au Tasmanian Landcare conference: The Tasmanian Landcare Awards and biennial State Shane Norrish, Landcare Australia, and Henry Goodall, Bundanon Trust. Photo: South Coast Register. Conference will be held on Sunday 6 and Monday 7 October at St Helens in the state’s north-east. The conference theme will be Linking Landscapes and People and it promises to be a rich and diverse Planting trees as part of ‘live natural’ pledge program. ■ For more information or to register, visit THE planting of 10,000 trees will spokesperson Sachiko Shiohara. The other recipients of the rehabilitation of the Hamersley www.landcaretas.org.au be sponsored by Be Natural in sup- “This is another step towards 10,000 trees are: Beach coastline near Perth; port of Landcare efforts to revege- helping communities and the ● Sydney Harbour volunteer ● Tamborine Mountain Landcare Book links landscapes: Networks of land tate and restore important envi- environment while reconnecting groups, and the Foundation of (QLD): planting 500 seedlings managed for conservation across different tenures ronmental sites. people with nature.” National Parks and Wildlife: plant- along the Cedar Corridor En- have rapidly increased in number (and popularity) in Be Natural’s inspiration for the The 2012 Be Natural Young ing 1000 seedlings at sites around hancement project in the heart of Australia over the past two decades. planting of 10,000 trees was its Landcare Leader Award winner, Sydney Harbour; the third-oldest national park in Linking Australia’s Landscapes, by James Fitzsimons, draws out lessons from a variety of own ‘Day of Change’, when thou- Megan Rowlatt, said the trees will ● The Bundanon Trust (NSW): Australia; ● established and new connectivity conservation sands of Australians pledged to live be a big contribution to the planting 6000 seedlings as part Bellerive Bluff Coastcare (Tas): initiatives from around Australia, and is more naturally. Landcare effort. of a major biodiversity conserva- using 500 seedlings to support the complemented by international examples. The trees are being used by six Megan will lead the planting of tion project on the Shoalhaven restoration of local water bodies Chapters are written by leaders in the field of Landcare groups in four States. 1000 trees by Illawarra Youth River; with the aim of improving water establishing and operating connectivity networks, as “Be Natural has been in partner- Landcare, helping to restore ● Stirling Natural Environment quality. well as key ecological and social scientists and ship with Landcare Australia for the degraded ecosystems in the Coastcare Group (WA): planting ■ For more information visit experts in governance. past three years,” said Be Natural Illawarra region. 1000 seedlings as part of their www.benatural.com.au ■ For more information, visit www.csiro.au 8 ● ● ● ● Landcare In Focus 1st August 2013 ~ www.landcareonline.com.au Naturals support bolsters Beachcare ONE year of Beachcare on the Gold Coast delivered 1750 volunteer hours on community dune care activities, 3000 native species planted, seven tonnes of weeds removed and 86 bags of beach litter collected. This already vibrant program has recently been bolstered with support from the Neutrogena Naturals and Landcare Australia Partnership. Neutrogena’s contribution will sup- port the Healthy Creeks = Clean Oceans program, which is engaging university students and local residents in active care of the Gold Coast’s land- scape biodiversity. The focus of the project is the sus- tainable management of the coastal Sharing pastoralism zone, combined with the need to engage with a diverse community net- TERRITORY Natural Guided by youngsters work to successfully achieve a healthy Resource Management’s Antonio and Luke coastal environment. chair Kate Andrews, along Rathsmann, a fascinating and with regional co-ordinators fun day was spent discussing The group of volunteers aim to James Wright and Anthony the different approaches to improve water quality within Flat Rock Kerr recently escorted a cattle management. Creek, with particular focus on pro- group of Maasai herdsmen Maasai herdsman Nelson tecting riparian areas to improve water from Kenya to Mt Ringwood was impressed at the way Mt quality and boost coastal conservation Beachcare Currumbin and Flat Rock volunteers are working together to rebuild the Station in Adelaide River. Ringwood operates. results. healthy creeks, dunes and wetlands in their areas. James met the men – “Back home we practice Beachcare volunteers work in and Nelson, Simon and David – at nomadic pastoralism – we around Currumbin Creek and tribu- invasion of weeds are primary prob- dents to form Friends of Currumbin, a the World Indigenous move with our stock taries like Flat Rock Creek, which flow lems. local dune care group working on the Network conference in following rain patterns,” he through some of Australia’s most The Currumbin to Cobaki wetlands health of the coastal environment. Darwin, and they were keen said. developed catchment areas. habitat corridor, which includes Flat Beachcare itself is facilitated by to visit an Aussie pastoral “In Australia, it is different This has lead to poor health through- Rock Creek, is considered to be of Griffith Centre for Coastal Manage- property to see how the and much more organised out most of the catchment. Stormwater national significance because of its ment (GCCM) at Griffith University, cattle industry works over which results in a better pollution, sedimentation, lack of high diversity of flora and fauna. in partnership with Gold Coast City here. breed of healthier stock.” infiltration, loss of biodiversity and Beachcare worked with local resi- Council. Sustainability for tree changers By NEIL paction because of former use and LYO N some people had introduced differ- ent animals requiring a change in the ANDCARE groups on Queens- way the property needed to be man- land’s Darling Downs are work- aged,” she said. Ling with small-acreage land- Ms Lisle said one of the best ways holders in the peri-urban areas small-acreage landholders could take around Toowoomba to help them control of the way they managed develop more sustainable pastures their properties was through the use and better farming environments. of electric fences. Projects designed to assist “block- “They seem to be an answer to ies” and “tree changers” better under- many things because you can move stand and manage their small farms them and do strip or cell grazing, or are helping address the incidence of you can create a central point where over-grazing and poor land manage- animals can come to. They are flexi- ment that sometimes occur on ble and easy,” she said. lifestyle blocks. “But people are often in a tradition- Toowoomba Landcare project offi- al mindset and hadn’t thought of cer Lorraine Lisle said the current ways to use electric fences, limit the project focussing on healthy pastures amount of machinery on the land for small acreages followed on from and reduce compaction.” an earlier project that looked at Ms Lisle said another common regenerative pastures for horses. problem on small blocks was Ms Lisle said landholders were the inappropriate positioning of shown how they could use different gateways and fences. grazing systems to encourage native “People should take care where to Fiona and Scott Edwards with a purebred Friesian mare on their small farm at Cambooya on the Darling Downs, Queensland. pastures and regenerate their land. site their gates so machinery can go “Some people had bought proper- in and out easily. On small blocks get through,” she said. “We talked of making combina- down into the soil to make it more ties that had been overgrazed, some people often tend to stick a gate Cambooya small area landholders tions of management practices that friable.” had properties that had a lot of com- somewhere where the tractor can’t and contract farming operators could assist them grow more grass Ms Edwards said despite its size and Fiona and Scott Edwards have been over a season to help feed their live- appearance, it was a minimum till closely involved in the project, run- stock.” implement designed to rip the soil ning information sessions and help- On their own four-hectare farm with little topsoil disturbance. ing landholders improve the way they where they run a Friesian horse stud “We have quite a few horses on a manage their farms. the Edwards have implemented an small acreage here so we look at rip- “We pasture improve as a business extensive soil and pasture improve- ping our paddocks every one to two but our passion is educating people ment program. years,” she said. to run sustainable properties. There “Originally this was a market gar- The next step for the Edwards was are lots of little things people can do den, so there wasn’t any pasture to address the weed problem on the that don’t cost thousands of dollars,” growing on it at all,” Ms Edwards block and plant specific pastures to Fiona Edwards said. said. suit the horses they ran there. “We talked to people about the mix “Firstly we addressed any com- “There are specific pastures of their animals. Depending on how paction issues with the soil through for horses, cattle, pigs, goats or they like to keep their animals – the use of organic and natural fer- alpacas. whether that be keeping single ani- tilisers and soil conditioners, as well “For our horses we have planted mals in single paddocks or keeping as using a Yeomans Plow to decom- horse-specific pastures which are a them in a herd – determines how pact the soil. combination of mainly Rhodes grass, Darling Downs small area landholders and contractors Scott and Fiona Edwards they should manage the grazing and “It lets water, air and mulch digitaria and creeping blue grass,”Ms decompact and rejuvenate their soil with a Yeoman’s Plough fitted with a container rotation of their paddocks. through the compacted layer, Edwards said. for drip feeding liquid soil conditioners. ● ● ● ● 9 Landcare In Focus 1st August 2013 ~ www.landcareonline.com.au Technology harnesses rain’s fall HEN it comes to under- cropping easy as it melded with his standing climate variability, own philosophy and methods. WDoug James has a pretty The family has volunteered to host good handle on the issue. pasture cropping and sequestering The fourth generation mixed carbon trials to stay abreast of the lat- farmer from Bungeet, in North East est ideas and experimentation. , has ongoing rainfall records The pasture cropping trial, under- begun by his ancestors in 1881. taken in partnership with the Broken Computer technology has allowed Catchment Landcare Network, was the records to be graphed, giving a sown down to oats followed by triti- 132-year history showing wide varia- cale with a mix of perennial grasses. tion around the farm’s 525 mm long “We have the small seeds box on the term average annual rainfall. combine going all the time,” Steve Although the driest year occurred said. this century in 2004 with just 200mm “We are always spreading a mix of falling, the wettest year was 1889 grass seeds while we are sowing the when more than 1000mm was cereals. received. “We can now graze and harvest the Doug and wife Jan run the 1300ha cereals, and then graze the native property “View Bank” in partnership grasses over summer. with son Steve and wife Mardi, crop- “The grazing cereal component is a ping and running 2200 first-cross ewes. big part of keeping the enterprise Each generation of the James fami- going while the natives convert sum- ly have learnt to adapt and cope with mer rainfall into effective feed for the changing weather patterns. sheep.” During the 1990s, cropping was an Steve said the yield penalty from important part of Doug’s enterprise, grazing resulted in lower financial much like the rest of the district. returns from the crops taken through But the long drought of the past to harvest. decade resulted in an enterprise shift. “But, we take a long term view as The cropping component now main- pasture cropping fills the autumn- tains the sheep enterprise, resulting winter feed, provides better value in lower input costs and reduced risk. summer grazing, and improves soil As a Warby Ranges Landcare Group structure and fertility,” he said. member, Doug was introduced to the Doug has observed the regenera- concept of pasture cropping about tion of windmill, red, spear and wal- five years ago by central NSW farmer laby grass. Colin Seis. He also likes lucerne in the mix and “I went on a bus trip to Col’s place is aiming to further increase the Doug James, “View Bank”, Bungeet, Vic, has graphed his property’s 132-year rainfall history thanks to computer technology. – he was a real down to earth bloke species diversity. and I remember thinking what he “Like a lot of things in life, to get the “We are more environmentally is no heliotrope or melons in sum- ing on what species we are wanting to said made a lot of sense. He spoke best out of the farm it needs a bit of aware and aim to achieve 100 per mer. control. about increasing perenniality to use time and TLC – it’s not only humans cent ground cover, retain stubbles “We have gone away from using “We also use Sprayseed or the rain when it fell,” Doug said. need a rest time, nature does as well,” and use zero-till machinery. Roundup as a knockdown, although Gramoxone and sow straight into the He found the conversion to pasture he said. “With good ground cover, there sometimes it is still needed depend- stubble or pasture paddock.” Positive approaches to pasture cropping FIRST-hand farmer accounts of experi- Pasture Cropping project officer Jacci ically dead soils on his own property at ences with pasture cropping have been Campbell said it was pleasing to see so many Winona. released in a handbook by grassroots farmers had found the technique offered He said the average nutrient increase in Landcare network Gecko ClaN. positive improvements to their business. his soils had been 172 per cent, with calci- The collection of interviews with seven “It has also stimulated interest in the um lifting by 8 tonnes per hectare and farming families from throughout the benefits of retaining and managing native phosphorus by 800kg/ha. North East was commissioned by Gecko grasses,” she said. “I grew up in high input agriculture and ClaN Catchment Landcare Network and She said a Gecko ClaN survey had found I am now saving annually $80,000 on compiled by journalist Kim Woods. farmers reporting biodiversity, farm health reduced inputs,” Mr Seis said. Pasture cropping is a technique of sow- and lifestyle improvements under pasture “We are running the same number of ing zero-till annual crops directly into liv- cropping systems. sheep but wool quality is better, biodiver- ing perennial pastures. The farmers featured in the handbook sity has increased on the farm and I am Gecko ClaN have conducted pasture are Doug and Steve James, Bungeet; now harvesting and selling native grass cropping trials using Caring for Our Russell and Helen Ellis, Chesney Vale; Cam seed.” Country grants from the federal govern- and Kathy Barrett-Lennard, Violet Town; Gecko ClaN chairman David Dore said ment since 2008. Bob and Marj Falconer, Meadow Creek; the pasture cropping trials had drawn The handbook was launched at Benalla Belinda Steers and Mark Goodman, international interest from Europe and the last month, with the event attended by the Avenel; Tony and Trish Burke, Lake network was a finalist at the 2012 National founding father of pasture cropping, Colin Rowan, and Kevin Mitchell, Devenish. Landcare Awards. A Gecko ClaN field day in action. A Gecko ClaN survey had found Seis, a farmer from Gulgong in central Colin Seis used low-cost pasture crop- ■ For a copy of the handbook, contact farmers reporting biodiversity, farm health and lifestyle improvemtns NSW. ping techniques to turn around the biolog- (03) 5761 1560 under pasture cropping systems.

greener pastures Proudly supported by Westpac

Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714. WPBW801 (07/13) 353794 X1708015 10 ● ● ● ●

Advocating trees for life at ‘Kiraba’ ALAKLAVA, , “We had a couple of sections of farmers Murray and Pam natural scrub remaining on our BKirkland, with their daughter property so we decided to fence it Kelly, have long been advocates for off to make one big plantation,” she the environment. said. For the past 40 years, Murray and “It was largely non-arable, being a Pam have replanted native vegetation mix of sheet rock and very rocky on their 1214-hectare property ground, which made it perfect as an “Kiraba”. area to replant trees.” Running a mixed farming enter- Kelly said a Trees for Life volunteer prise with sheep and cropping, they in Adelaide propagated 100 to 150 decided to become involved in the trees and bushes annually for them to Target 100 social media project 12- replant on their property. months-ago after reading about it in “Dad was planting more trees – a Meat and Livestock Australia about 400 to 500 – but we can get brochure. harsh summers here and need to “It’s important for people in the water trees during periods of hot city to see that people from the coun- weather in summer, so it was getting try are genuinely concerned and like a bit much,” she said. to promote environmental issues,” “We generally water trees for about Kelly said. three to four years during summer, “We would like to encourage other before they are big enough to survive people to be involved as well.” by themselves.” In the 15 years since they became Kelly said the shelterbelts had been involved with Trees for Life, the brilliant for protecting stock from the Kirklands have planted about 5000 elements. trees. They had also brought back a lot of Most of their paddocks have sub- wildlife. stantial stands of trees, or shelter- “They’ve brought back the bees and belts, which double as an important the wildlife,” she said. place for their 1500 Roseville Park- “It’s nice to have been a part of it.” Murray, Pam and Kelly Kirkland (pictured), “Kiraba”, Balaklava, South Australia said planting 5000 trees on their property had blood Merino ewe flock to shelter Kelly said the Target 100 campaign provided a host of benefits to their mixed farming enterprise. from the strong westerly and north had done very well, particularly westerly winds which blow across interstate. “At a time when city people are many people striving to do the right “It’s nice to know we can interact their property. “It’s been a useful campaign for starting to see rural practices in a thing.” with the environment and work Trees are also planted in an 8ha urban people to be able to get to poor light, I think it showed that for Kelly said boosting environmental together,” she said. “plantation”, and a further 16ha of know farmers from different areas all the bad things there are a lot of outcomes on her family property had “I wouldn’t like to see it any other their property is also heritage listed. and what they do,” she said. positives in the rural industry, and provided many positives. way.” Challenge to create sustainable forests REVIVING a traditional strategy, a sus- a sink for carbon – provide a wide “Sustainability initiatives provide sig- tainability initiative is creating a forest range of environmental, social and eco- nificant educational benefits to the next of trees to be used for future firewood. nomic benefits, and that is why the generation of land carers, as well as The Create a Forest project, launched AHHA is a supporter of Landcare demonstrating how community action in June, was instigated by the Australian Australia.” can have a positive effect on the envi- Home Heating Association (AHHA) Landcare Australia Partnership and ronment,” Ms Brown said. through Landcare Australia with a Project Development Manager Jenny “We wanted the planting to be used in $5000 grant. Knox said Bentleigh Secondary College the future for fuel – firewood – and Bentleigh Secondary College in was selected because of its focus on cre- Landcare Australia identified the right Melbourne’s south-east picked up the ating sustainability leaders for the next school for us. We’re looking forward to challenge, and the first planting took generation. getting our green thumbs on and mak- place on June 2 at Bentleigh Secondary “Bentleigh Secondary College has a ing a start on this project.” College where 31 students and parents number of initiatives in sustainability The AHHA has already supported the planted more than 500 trees. Further that provide wide ranging educational Landcare group Otway Agroforestry plantings are scheduled later in the benefits so it was a natural fit for this Network (OAN), helping farmers to year. type of project,” Jenny said. establish and manage trees on their AHHA General Manager Demi “The school has a solar energy system, properties. Brown said the association wanted to an on-campus wetland and an impres- The AHHA provided $10,000 to the work with a school to educate youth sive water management strategy. OAN to help the group improve infor- about the necessity of sustainable “But what is most relevant for the mation to growers about the growing, forestry. AHHA is the school’s urban forest – harvesting and marketing of sustain- “When firewood is sourced from a with 2000 square metres of the campus able firewood. sustainably managed forest or planta- being transformed into a multi-layered “Obviously we’re aware that our tion it recycles carbon from the atmos- forest populated with native plants.” industry requires trees for fuel so it’s Brayden Berchy, Bentleigh Secondary College, Melbourne, took part in the phere, leading to zero carbon emis- Ms Brown said the AHHA elected to very important to us to invest in proj- sions,” Ms Brown said. be involved in such a project because of ects that support sustainability,” Ms college’s first planting in the Create a Forest project, which was launched in “Trees – not only as a fuel source and the benefits in the years to come. Brown said. June by the Australian Home Heating Association. ● ● ● ● 11 Landcare In Focus 1st August 2013 ~ www.landcareonline.com.au

Kids to get hands on Condamine conference CONDAMINE Headwaters Landcare free and the fee for other children is Group is inviting Landcarers to bring only $25 for three days. This includes their kids with them for the 2013 all activities and meals. Queensland State Landcare “We wanted to encourage people to Conference. bring their kids to Warwick,” Mr A Junior Landcare Conference will O’Dea said. run concurrent to the adults’ “But in doing so, we’re also offering program from 27 to 29 September, an excellent program for local kids giving young people an opportunity during the school holidays.” to learn about natural landscapes The Junior Landcare Conference is and good land management. sponsored by Landcare Australia Chairman of the Condamine Limited. Headwaters Landcare Group Andrew The adults’ program will include O’Dea says the junior program was keynote presentations from Major put together to engage and empower General Michael Jeffery, Australia’s young people to better understand first soil advocate, authors Julian the landscape and will feature hands Cribb and Bill Gammage, 2012 on activities to boost awareness of Carbon Cocky of the Year Shane conservation and production issues. Joyce, Dr Nancy Schellhorn from “We’ll have interactive roleplaying CSIRO, Georgie Somerset from that portrays soil microbes and the Queensland Rural, Regional and soil world,” Mr O’Dea said. Remote Women’s Network, and Terry “Kids will be getting their hands McCosker, a pioneer in the field of dirty on the banks of the Condamine soil carbon and carbon farming. River, planting lomandra and learning More than 30 concurrent about fish habitat and water quality. presentations, field trips, social “We’ll be revamping Warwick events, plenty of networking Central State School’s garden beds opportunities and workshops fill the ready for spring, learning about the rest of the program. rescue and rehabilitation of possums, The QLD State Landcare Awards reptiles and bats and we’ll set out on will also be presented at the a walk and talk around Rosenthal conference Gala Dinner. Scrub. Pictured is Warwick Central State “Kids from 7 to 15 years are School student Emma Potter welcome to come along and we have counting waterbugs found in the more activities to announce in the Condamine River. program soon.” ■ Registration, program and more Children accompanying full information is available at conference delegates can attend for headwaters.ddrlandcare.org ACT awards excellence Newcastle to host over breakfast MORE than 20 nominations have been work for the environment, and the received for the 2013 ACT Landcare Awards, Environment which will be announced at a breakfast Community Support Award will be awarded awards ceremony at the Boathouse by the to an outstanding community co-ordinator Lake in Canberra on Thursday September 5. who works with local Landcare or ParkCare Landcare awards As well as eight national categories, there groups. will be two special awards presented at the These awards celebrate the fantastic EPTEMBER is a big month event, which are specific to the ACT. contribution of Landcare groups and for Landcare in NSW with the The Quiet Achiever Award will be individuals to natural resource management State Landcare Awards win- presented to a group or individual who has in the ACT and their contribution to S shown consistent contribution in volunteer community activities. ners to be announced at the move- ment’s biennial gathering in the beautiful coastal city of Newcastle. SA recognises tireless The forum is the premier show- case of sustainability, Landcare and volunteering across NSW, contributions and includes the annual THE 2013 South Australia Landcare Awards This year, there are seven categories. Landcare Muster and the NSW will this year be held in conjunction with the 1. Partnership Project Landcare Awards dinner. Premier’s NRM Awards. 2. Community Engagement Costa Georgiadis will headline The awards recognise the outstanding 3. NRM Research or Innovation the 2013 forum as keynote speaker. contributions of South Australians who 4. Big Picture work tirelessly to help protect and 5. Aboriginal Leadership The landscape architect with an preserve South Australia’s unique natural 6. Rising Stars all-consuming passion for plants habitat. 7. Service to NRM and people knows how to bring The Premier’s NRM Awards were The Natural Resources Management out the best in both, and takes introduced in 2007 to acknowledge the Council is hosting an awards presentation great pleasure in bringing them volunteers and other people working in ceremony at the Observatory Function together. natural resources management in South Centre, Hackney Road, Adelaide, on Costa believes in embracing Australia. Wednesday 6 November 2013. and celebrating Mother Nature’s cycles and seasons and nurturing her balance, beauty and bounty Celebrating inspiring organically. His holistic approach is all Megan Rowlatt, 2011 NSW Landcare Awards winner. Territorians about gardening the soil and the DO YOU know an individual or group in the 6 at Darwin Convention Centre, will celebrate soul. He is bound to inspire and It is a chance to gather with up been up to on one of the diverse who deserves a Natural the outstanding achievements of groups and delight his Landcare audience. to 400 people from Landcare and field trips which will take you by Resource Management or Landcare individuals working hard to manage the The State Landcare Awards, in community groups, farmers, boat, bus, foot and bike to winer- award? Territory’s special places and species. its 23rd year, recognise the Aboriginal groups, regional ies, beaches, headlands and horse Territory Natural Resource Management The Territory Natural Resource Management achievements of dedicated peo- catchment bodies, industry studs across the region. (NRM) will host the first ever Territory NRM Annual Forum and Workshops will take place ple who give up their time to care and government representatives Landcare NSW and the Hunter- Awards in conjunction with an annual forum, from November 5 to 7 in Darwin. from across NSW and Australia. Central Rivers Catchment Man- free workshops and training for natural The forum will focus on natural resource for precious land and water resource managers in the Territory. management projects in the Northern Territory resources. Motivating speakers from across agement Authority are your hosts The Territory NRM Awards will complement and will involve workshops and a field day. The awards have become an the country will share their for the 2013 NSW Landcare and the NT Landcare Awards, now in its 23rd year, This is a great opportunity for people involved integral part of the State Landcaring and catchment man- Catchment Management Forum celebrating the achievements of inspiring in NRM throughout the Northern Territory to get Landcare Forum. agement experiences in a range of on 3, 4 and 5 September. Territorians who work hard to improve their together, share stories, learn from one another Winners are announced at the sessions, which will include a ■ For more information about local environment. Finalists from each Landcare and celebrate our achievements. forum awards dinner. sneak peek at the NSW Landcare the forum visit Awards category will go on to represent the ■ For more information and to The theme for this year’s forum Awards finalists. www.landcarecmaforum.com.au Northern Territory at the National Landcare download the entry forms for both is “Many Hands Connecting You’ll be able to check out what or contact John Wilson on Awards in 2014. awards streams please visit www.territorynrm.org.au Communities”. Hunter Valley Landcarers have (02) 4930 1030 These awards, which take place on November 12 ● ● ● ● Landcare In Focus 1st August 2013 ~ www.landcareonline.com.au

Volunteer’s floating challenge a boost for conservation LANDCARE is an institution that Adventure Conservation program, mental issues and visit beaut- and engage corporate and local vol- natural resource: fresh water. takes volunteers well beyond the which delivers important conserva- iful locations like Spectacle unteers in Floating Landcare activi- Its objective is to provide access to terrestrial environment, and out tion outcomes that often could not Island, Hungry Beach and Scotland ties. drinkable, swimmable, fishable onto the water. be done by paid workers because it Island. The program has since received a water, now and for future genera- Floating Landcare volunteers – is too expensive or logistically The two-year project is co-ordi- funding boost with Landcare tions. known as Workers on Water impossible. nated by the Hawkesbury-Nepean Australia’s project partner Royal As well as supporting Landcare (WOW) – have since last year been Landcare Adventure Conservation Catchment Management Authority Bank of Canada (RBC) coming on Australia and the Floating Landcare visiting boat-access only locations activities are intended to be fun, in partnership with Pittwater, board and awarding a 2013 RBC program, RBC will be supporting along the Hawkesbury River and in challenging and take place in a Hornsby and Gosford Councils and Blue Water Project Leadership their staff to get involved in Floating the Pittwater. range of unique places. Volunteers National Parks and Wildlife Service, Grant aimed at protecting urban Landcare events. The program aims to protect and, do bush regeneration, collect litter, and receives funding from the NSW waterways. ■ For more information about where necessary, restore environ- and run simple flora and fauna sur- Environmental Trust. Launched in 2007, the RBC Blue corporate volunteering and ments around the pressured veys. Landcare Australia was engaged as Water Project is an innovative 10- Floating Landcare visit Hawkesbury estuary. While they are at work, Floating a community partner to help attract year, global commitment to help www.landcareonline.com.au/ It is part of the Landcare Landcarers learn about environ- corporate support to the program protect the world’s most precious corporate-volunteering

Tarrabandra’s key to success in teamwork N THE South West Slopes of landholders, all with land adjoining NSW, 12 landholders have got at least one other participant, to get Itogether to patch together a badly together and address the problem. fragmented natural environment. They have been supported by the The Tarrabandra Hills Restoration Jaramas Foundation, which through project is taking place in a long-set- its partnership with Landcare tled region south of Gundagai, where Australia is supporting sustainable only small remnants of the original agriculture in NSW. box gum grassy woodlands remain. Over five years, the Tarrabandra According to an ecologist who Hills Restoration Project has built an surveyed the remnants, this fragmen- extensive network of corridors on tation gives the area the dubious dis- private land to link remaining rem- Dave Elworthy, one of the champions of the Tarrabandra Hills Restoration project, placing tree guards on one of his sites. tinction of having one of the most nants of box gum grassy woodland. degraded examples of this environ- The corridors allow plant, bird and their resilience and increasing the the functionality of properties in Once consensus was reached within ment in the country. animal species to move more freely possibility of native species rec- general land prices have improved. the group, the landholders worked That revelation inspired a group of between the remnants, strengthening olonising each remnant. The project began with a cross- with their local Murrumbidgee CMA Through some challenging years for property planning workshop. Natural Resource Officer to develop a LEFT: farming, the landholder group has Landholders were provided with a management agreement for each Revegetation revegetated 47 hectares of native map of their property, on which they property. activities across habitat with 21,000 native trees and marked remnant areas and existing This simple agreement included a the Tarrabandra shrubs, and built 18 kilometres of revegetation projects. They then list of ground works, detailed plant- Hills aim to fencing to exclude stock. identified priority sites for potential ing requirements and ongoing connect acres of The project has not only improved corridors. landholder management responsibil- endanged box biodiversity, but improved farm The landholders then shared this ities. gum grassy management as well. information with their neighbours. Each year the group meets to evalu- woodland. By providing extra shade and shel- Using a subcatchment map they ate the success of the project, and ter for stock, creating additional negotiated between themselves as to mark on the subcatchment map the fencing for better stock management, where each of them should place sites that were planted that year and improved stream water quality native vegetation corridors to join to negotiate between themselves the through fencing, and by improving from property to property. corridor sites for the coming year.