Murrumbidgee Landcare e-news No. 22 - May 2013

Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc (MLi) is a not-for-profit organisation representing community Landcare in the Murrumbidgee catchment. Our e-news is a project of MLi and the Regional Landcare Facilitator project, Murrumbidgee. Please contact us to have content included in our next, monthly e-news.

Upcoming events
Project updates
Awards
Funding opportunities
News
Landcare resources
Landcare group meetings

UPCOMING EVENTS

Murrumbidgee Landcare Annual Forum

SAVE THE DATE - 22-23rd August, Junee.

Forum + field trip. Dinner at Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory

Topics include:

Cross property planning in the Junee district
Pest animal management
Managing Salanity at a landscape scale
Community environmental action across the catchment.
Why paddock trees matter
Joining the dots: networking Landcare in schools

Wagga Wagga Urban Landcare working bee

2 June 10.00am

Join Wagga Wagga Urban Landcare Group for a working bee at CSU on Sunday 2nd June 10.00am

Influential women - Creating conversations that connect

6-7 June 8.30am, Holbrook

Creating Conversations that Connect is a 2 day workshop by Catherine Marriott.

Contact Edwina Hayes of Murray Landcare for registration

PlaceStories training

14 June 10.00am

Free training session offered in PlaceStories digital storytelling software as part of the Monaro Landscape Connectivity project.

Training in Holder, ACT.

Queanbeyan Landcare escarpment walk

16 June 10.00am

Queanbeyan Landcare will host a morning walk on Sunday 16 June along sections of 'the escarpment' much of which is likely under threat as a result of road building and residential development that will facilitate.

Glossy Black Cockatoo. Photo Stuart Harris Community planting - Glossy Black Cockatoo project

16 June 2013 9.30am, Michelago

Participate in planting 500 Drooping Sheoak seedlings as part of the Glossy Black-Cockatoo Project followed by a complimentary BBQ/Outdoor Roast lunch.

Read more

Binalong Landcare Growing carbon: the potential of CFI

20 June, 8.45am Yass.

Topics & speakers include:

Innovations for Regenerative Landscape Management - Simon Gould, Soils For Life.
Binalong-Bookham Native Pasture and Alternative Fertiliser Trial - Fiona Leech, NSW DPI

Water for wildlife field day - Gunbar

Soil organic carbon and nutrients field day

26 June, Eurongilly

The day will include presentations, followed by an inspection of field sites, followed by BBQ and drinks. Speakers from NSW DPI and CSIRO.

Schools Tree Day

26 July

National Tree Day

National Tree Day - 28 July

Landcare Week

2-8 September

Many hands connecting communities

3-5 Sep 2013

NSW Landcare and catchment management forum. Hosted by the Hunter-Central Rivers Region.

Many hands connecting communities

National Threatened Species Day - 7 September 2013.

PROJECT UPDATES

Cross property planning project Steve and Sarah Palmer examining the aerial map of their property

Blackberries and St John’s wort the focus of Integrated Weed Management planning workshops

Flood mitigation project

Frogs on farms workshop Dr David Hunter

People often assume that Australia’s threatened species are found mostly in our protected National Parks, however many populations of threatened frogs live predominantly on privately owned farms.

Joining the dots: connecting kids, schools, Landcare and farming communities

MLi has received funds from Westpac, through Landcare Australia and from the NSW government through their Environmental Trust to undertake projects aimed at increasing opportunities for schools to undertake Landcare and environmental education activities.

Monaro Landscape Connectivity

Newsletter update

AWARDS

2013 NSW Landcare Awards

Nominations close 30th June 2013. Categories include:

•Individual Landcarer Award•Partnerships with Landcare Award•Innovation in Sustainable Farm Practices Award•Landcare Facilitator or Coordinator Award•Coastcare Award•Qantas Landcare Innovative Community Group Award•Westpac Agribusiness•Innovative Young Landcare Leader Award•Junior Landcare Team Award•Indigenous Land Management Award.

Nominate a hidden treasure

16 August

Hidden Treasures acknowledges the important volunteer roles women play within NSW rural communities. It is not an award, but provides a platform to pay tribute to rural women volunteers who donate their time and energy to help others.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Commonwealth Bank community grants

Applications close 14 June

Australia Post 'Our neighbourhood' community grants

Applications close 28 June

Perfect patch of green

Does your school need a green makeover?

Turf Australia and Junior Landcare have once again joined forces and are looking for schools and community groups in need of a green makeover. The Perfect Patch of Green program aims to enhance outdoor spaces for kids to enjoy by making over recreation areas with professionally-laid natural turf.

Australian Ethical - supporting the community grants

Applications close 1 July

2013 Coles Junior Landcare School Garden Grant

Coles are providing School Garden Grants of up to $1,000 to schools and youth groups to help create gardens in their grounds or community, such as bush tucker gardens, water wise gardens or veggie gardens.

Applications due by 2 August 2013.

LANDCARE RESOURCES

What have we got here? ...with Dr Dave.

Dr Dave

The 'Dr Dave' series was an initiative of the Murray–Darling Association and Burrumbuttock Public School. These videos are a great resource for schools, parents, and anyone with any interest in Australian wildlife or educating children in an engaging and fun way.

National Tree Day seedsticks

Want a great fundraiser for National Tree Day this year?

Seedsticks - better than chocolates!

Revitalising your Landcare group

This booklet is chock-full of great ideas for ways Landcare and Bushcare groups can engage their local communities, reinvigorate their groups, find a new focus, and attract new members - while keeping Landcare fun and fresh.

K2C seed and plant suppliers list K2C

Where to get local provenance native plants and seeds in the Kosciuszko to Coast region?

K2C is very excited to announce it has produced this terrific resource.

Landcare equipment

A range of practical resources are available for Landcare community events and projects. Hardware, books and event equipment can be borrowed through the Murrumbidgee Landcare (MLi) office or through your Regional Landcare Facilitator. Other items are available for download.

See the catalogue of resources available for loan by Landcare groups.

Promoting activities and seeking volunteers

Resources available through Landcare Australia

The LIFE website has been updated to include a range of free branded resources that can be used by groups who would like to promote their activities using the LIFE campaign. You will find editable posters and flyers, as well as artwork for stickers, email signatures, and more.

NEWS

Local Land Services boundaries announced

The final boundaries for the new Local Land Services regions in NSW have been announced. There is significant change in our region with the Murrumbidgee catchment now being part of both the South East and Riverina Local Land Services regions.

Calling all irrigators

Farmers across NSW are being asked to spare a few minutes to answer a simple online questionnaire about their current water use.

ACT Frogwatch

Frog species are widely recognised as indicators of environmental health and their presence can indicate good water quality and the availability of high quality habitat.

Volunteer today

New App - TheLongPaddock

The Long Paddock announces the release of the Long Paddock touring App. Available on both Apple and Android, the App contains five tours covering the Murray, Deniliquin, Conargo, Hay and Central Darling region

National Drought Program update