Murrumbidgee Landcare e-news No. 11 March 2012
Funding opportunities
Upcoming events
- African Lovegrass report launch - Kambah
- Small Farm course - Southern Tablelands
- Carbon Farming Workshop - Wagga
- Murrumbidgee 2011 Environmental Flow Releases Workshop - Cooma
- GRDC Grower Update - Yerong Creek
- Future Farming Forum - Wagga
- Communities in Landscapes field day - Wellington
- "Don't be a drifter" workshop - Ariah Park
- Adapting Agriculture Management to Cope with High Rainfall - Webinar and Seminar
- Windrow burning demonstration - Temora
- Advanced Grant Writing Workshop - ACT
- Allan Savory's Holistic Management - Wagga
- Farm Forestry Field Day - Ladysmith
- Farm Innovation and Technology Expo - Deniliquin
- Applied Watershed Restoration course - Mudgee
- NFF Agriculture Blueprint Forum - Wagga
- 4th National NRM Knowledge conference - Adelaide
- Australian Soil Information Symposium - Sydney
- Monaro Landscape Connectivity workshop - Captains Flat
- "Managing the Future of Australian Farm Land" Conference - Sydney
Landcare group meetings
- Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare Committee - Meeting
- Kyeamba Valley Landcare Group - Meeting
- Tarcutta Valley Landcare Group - Meeting
- Harden-Murrumburrah Landcare Group - Meeting and AGM
- Junee Area Landcare Network - Meeting and AGM
- Ginninderra Catchment Group meeting
- Wagga Urban Landcare Group - Meeting
- Southern ACT Catchment Group - General Meeting
News
- Riverina Highlands Landcare Nursery
- Welcome to Bat Month!
- Good News at Cowra Forum
- MLi Annual Forum - Survey
- Murrumbidgee CMA - Next Generation CAP workshops
- Proceedings of the 14th Annual Forum
Funding opportunities
Community Action Grants now open!
Landcare and other community groups are invited to apply for a 2012 Community Action Grant, the small grants component of the Australian Government's 'Caring For our Country' initiative. These grants, of between $5,000 and $20,000, aim to help local community groups take action to conserve and protect their natural environment.
Community Action Grants are a fantastic opportunity for Landcare groups to get funding for local issues and projects. To see a list of recent recipients of these grants in our local area, and get ideas for your own project, click here!
Small Grants for Small Rural Communities
The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) is again running the 'Small Grants for Small Rural Communities' program, offering up to $5,000 for projects and activities that offer clear public benefit for communities, with populations of 10,000 or less, living in small rural and remote locations in Australia, contributing to their development in social and community welfare, economic, environmental, health, education or cultural areas.
Junior Landcare "Go Green" Grants
Landcare Australia is proud to launch a $75,000 grants program to fund environmental projects in schools and community groups across the country. Fifteen successful schools and groups will receive a Go Green Grant of up to $5,000 to support innovative projects that bring about education in environmental issues, focus on sustainability, promote recycling initiatives or help improve the school’s or local area’s natural environment.
Monaro Landscape Connectivity project
The Monaro Landscape Connectivity project aims to work with land managers to actively manage patches of native vegetation across the Monaro region in the Murrumbidgee catchment. Interested land managers can also be involved in the application of Indigenous land management practices on their property, and participate in digital PlaceStories.
Upcoming events
African Lovegrass report launch - Kambah
The Southern ACT Catchment Group, as part of its project ‘Regional education on African Lovegrass - an integrated approach’, invites you to attend the launch of a report on the distribution and abundance of African Lovegrass in the ACT.
The report will be launched by Shane Rattenbury (MLA) on Wednesday 7th March, from 10.00 to 11.30 am. The launch will be held at Westwood Farm, Kambah Pool Road Kambah.
Small Farm course - Southern Tablelands
The Mulloon Institute is holding a 4-day "Small Farm Land Planning" course to give small landholdes the tools to create a diverse, productive, re-hydrated and ecologically enhanced landscape.
The course will run from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm on the weekends of 10-11 March and 17-18 March. The venue will be four farms located in Braidwood, Gunning and Bungendore.
Carbon Farming Workshop - Wagga
The Carbon Farmers of Australia are running a 1-day workshop in Wagga on "An introduction to carbon farming and trading". The workshop will be presented by experts with hands-on experience, and will answer questions such as: What is carbon farming? What is the Carbon Farming Initiative?
The workshop will be held on Tuesday 13th March from 8.30 am to 5.15 pm, at the Lawson Motor Inn, Tarcutta St Wagga.
Murrumbidgee 2011 Environmental Flow Releases Workshop - Cooma
Cooma Waterwatch are hosting an Environmental Flow Workshop, to present the findings of monitoring activities that occurred in conjunction with the 2011 environmental flow releases on the Upper Murrumbidgee River (upstream of the ACT).
The workshop will be held on Wednesday 14 March, from 9.30 am to 1.00 pm, at the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre (Monaro Highway, Cooma).
GRDC Grower Update - Yerong Creek
GRDC (Grains Research & Development Corporation) will be holding a Grower Update for the southern region at the Yerong Creek Bowls Club, on Wednesday 14th March 2012.
The Grower Updates are about providing quality information on topical and practical issues relevant to the productivity and profitability of grain enterprises.
Future Farming Forum - Wagga
This Forum will provide your chance to hear from the experts on the latest research and techiques available to Riverina producers, highlighting three years of climate change adaptation research in the southern Australian livestock industries.
The event is being organised by MLA (Meat and Livestock Australia), and will be held at the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (CSU campus), Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 14th March, from 9.30 am.
Communities in Landscapes field day - Wellington
Communities in Landscapes are holding a field day at Glenwood, the property of Pip and Norm Smith (2011 NSW Farmer of the Year). The day will cover what Communities in Landscapes has been doing to help local communities to work together to integrate conservation and production across Box Gum Grassy Woodlands.
The field day will be held on Thursday 15th March 2012, from 10 am. Glenwood is located at 12 Mile Road, Wellington.
"Don't be a drifter" workshop - Ariah Park
Do you want to upgrade your chemical application skills? Do you want to ensure your machinery is working correctly? Do you need chemical re-accreditation? Then come along to the ‘Don’t Be A Drifter’ Advanced Spray Management workshop presented by Craig Day!
This course is being run at the Ariah Park Bowling Club on Thursday 15th - Friday 16th March 2012. The workshop is FREE for Mirrool Creek Landcare members (if eligible to claim from FarmReady).
Adapting Agriculture Management to Cope with High Rainfall - Webinar and Seminar
Adapting agriculture management to cope with high intensity rainfall Webinar and seminar will be held on Thursday March 15th. Professors Jim Salinger, Stanford University and NCCARF and Holger Meinke, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture will be presenting from 11:30 am 12:30 pm, followed by refreshments.
Available remotely via live online webinar
Windrow burning demonstration - Temora
FarmLink Research, in cooperation with Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative, are conducting a demonstration on how to safely and successfully burn windrows to reduce weed seed banks.
The demo will be held on Thursday 15th March, from 3.00 pm, followed by a free BBQ and drinks. It will be at Peter, Lyn and Jason Coleman’s property - News Lane, Temora.
Advanced Grant Writing Workshop - ACT
Do you work or volunteer in the environment, NRM, Landcare or sustainability sectors? Do you spend time writing grants applications or supporting others to do so? Then this workshop is for you - become a sophisticated, successful grant seeker and generate more income for your group!
The workshop will be held on Tuesday 20th March from 10.00 am, at the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Centre - 245 Lady Denman Drive, Yarramundi Reach, ACT.
Read more
Allan Savory's Holistic Management - Wagga
The long awaited Holistic Management program is coming to Wagga in March and April of 2012. This is the full three module program covering all aspects of land health and regeneration, ecosystem management and soil health, profitability and how to go about developing contemporary grazing management techniques for your farm. The program will be delivered by Mark Gardner, well known Holistic Management Educator, and will also include guest presentations by a number of experienced and practical landholders.
Many landholders in the Murrumbidgee CMA area will be able to attend at NO COST thanks to the sponsorship of this program by the Murrumbidgee CMA.
Farm Forestry Field Day - Ladysmith
The Kyeamba Valley Landcare Group (KVLG) are holding a Farm Forestry Field Day, on Saturday 24th March. The talks and walk will run from 10 am to midday, and will be followed by a sausage sizzle catered for by KVLG. Children are welcome to attend!
Farm Innovation and Technology Expo - Deniliquin
The Farm Innovation and Technology Expo will be held over two days in the Murray Valley Industry Park, Deniliquin. Come along on Friday 30th March to this showcase of innovation, knowledge and community capacity building, featuring over 50 major exhibits displaying the latest in innovative and technologically advanced equipment, chemicals and infomation. The "Australian Year of the Farmer" roadshow will also be on display.
Applied Watershed Restoration course - Mudgee
Increase your working knowledge of passive water harvesting, erosion control and stream restoration practices with this three-day, intensive, hands-on workshop. Learn how to read the landscape, and assess, design, plan and implement projects that utilise runoff as a resource.
The course will be held on 3-5 April, at Milkwood farm Mudgee.
NFF Agriculture Blueprint Forum - Wagga
The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) are calling for input into the "Blueprint for Australian Agriculture". Their aim is for the Blueprint to bring together all with an interest in, or involvement with, agriculture to help shape its future direction.
The NFF are hosting a series of Blueprint Forums around the country, to allow interested people to discuss ideas and issues, hear from industry leaders, and share your vision for the future of the sector. The NSW Forum will be held at Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 4th April, from 1.00 to 5.00 pm, at the Country Comfort Motel (Tarcutta Street, Wagga)
4th National NRM Knowledge conference - Adelaide
The National NRM Regions’ Working Group in partnership with WWF, ACF, and NFF, and supported by the Australian Government Land and Coasts Team, invites you to register for the 4th National NRM Knowledge Conference to be held in Adelaide from Monday 16th to Wednesday 18th April 2012.
Under the banner of 'There’s a lot happening in our backyard' the conference will address a number of sub-themes: Applying resilience approaches to NRM; Healthy and productive landscapes/seascapes; and Planning for new horizons. Each sub-theme will explore related research and development (innovation), practice change, monitoring, and governance developments
Australian Soil Information Symposium - Sydney
This soil symposium will provide an in-depth opportunity for people who need soil information to find out the latest, and help guide the next steps in building Australia's crucial soil information needs. Participants will be able to explore up-to-date soil information and how it can be used, learn about the opportunities provided by better soil information, assess the gaps in our knowledge, and participate in planning the shape of the national soils information future.
The symposium is FREE, but numbers are limited. Register to attend at the symposium website.
The event will be held in Sydney, at the Australian Technology Park, 2 Locomotive Street Eveleigh. It will be held from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm on Monday 16th - Tuesday 17th April 2012
Monaro Landscape Connectivity workshop - Captains Flat
Are you a land manager in the Bungendore-Carwoola-Hoskinstown-Captains Flat region? Do you have native vegetation on your property? Would you like support and funding to help manage this native vegetation? If the answer is YES, then this opportunity is for you!
The workshop will be held at Captains Flat on Monday 30th April, from 1.00 to 4.00 pm.
"Managing the Future of Australian Farm Land" Conference - Sydney
Is Australia in danger of allowing much of its most productive farm land to be permanently removed from farm use? Will the expansion of cities and the diversion of farm land to carbon offset production threaten the future ability of Australia to feed its population and export food to the world? Should productive farm land be permanently protected from mining and urban encroachment in order to guarantee future food supplies?
The conference will commence with a field trip, on Monday 28 May, followed by a 2-day conference on Tuesday 29 to Wednesday 30 May. The conference will be held at The Radisson Hotel, 27 O'Connell Street Sydney.
Landcare group meetings
Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare Committee - Meeting
Everyone is welcome to the Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare Committee (UMLC)meetings, held on the first Tuesday night of the month at 6.30pm.
Kyeamba Valley Landcare Group - Meeting
Everyone is invited to attend a meeting of the Kyeamba Valley Landcare Group. Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, from 7.30 pm, at the Ladysmith Hall (Tumbarumba Rd, Ladysmith)
Tarcutta Valley Landcare Group - Meeting
Everyone is invited to attend a meeting of the Tarcutta Valley Landcare Group.
Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of the month, from 7.30 pm, at the Tarcutta RSL.
Harden-Murrumburrah Landcare Group - Meeting and AGM
The Harden-Murrumburrah Landcare Group will be holding their AGM on Tuesday 27th March 2012, from 8.30 am. The venue will be the Harden Country Club.
Junee Area Landcare Network - Meeting and AGM
All Landcarers are invited to a meeting of the Junee Area Landcare Network, including the AGM.
Date: Thursday 29th March, 2012
Ginninderra Catchment Group meeting
All are welcome to the Ginninderra Catchment Group meetings, typically held on the first Monday night of every second month at 5.30pm.
Wagga Urban Landcare Group - Meeting
All Landcarers and interested people are invited to a meeting of the Wagga Wagga Urban Landcare Group.
Date: Wednesday 4th April, 2012
Southern ACT Catchment Group - General Meeting
Everyone is invited to attend a General Meeting of the Southern ACT Catchment Group (SACTCG). General meetings are open to everyone, and are usually held on the 4th Tuesday of every second month, from 4.30 to 6.30 pm.
News
Riverina Highlands Landcare Nursery
The Riverina Highlands Landcare Nursery was opened almost 15 years ago, to provide locally grown native plants for Landcare and community projects, and for sale to the general public.
The Nursery is located on Gocup Road, Tumut. It is generally open Mondays to Saturdays, between 8.00 am and 12.00 pm.
Read more
Welcome to Bat Month!
Where would we be without bats? There are 90 species of bats in Australia, some can eat their own body weight in insects in a single night, others pollinate flowering and fruiting plants, and yet most of us know very little about our amazing little neighbours.
Murrumbidgee Landcare will be posting information, photos, links and other fascinating batty bits on our Bat Page throughout the month of March - so remember to check back often!
Read more
Good News at Cowra Forum
RLF Kimberley Beattie and two members of Kyeamba Valley Landcare Group braved an early start, heavy rain, and road closures to travel to the 'Biodiversity Pays' Forum held in Cowra yesterday. The forum was a great success with interesting and useful information presented by a great range of inspirational speakers.
MLi Annual Forum - Survey
Did you attend the 2011 Murrumbidgee Landcare Annual Forum? If so, we want to hear what you thought!
We're keen to make sure that our future Forums are as relevant, useful and enjoyable as possible. But to do that, we need to know what you think. Please take 10 minutes to complete our Forum survey. There are 30 questions, and all questions are optional. We really appreciate your input, and will use it to make future events even better
Murrumbidgee CMA - Next Generation CAP workshops
The Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority (CMA) are inviting all members of the local community to get involved in developing the next generation Catchment Action Plan (CAP).
Proceedings of the 14th Annual Forum
Proceedings are now available from the 14th Murrumbidgee Landcare Annual Forum, in collaboration with the Kyeamba Valley Landcare Group, "Looking back, moving forward".
