AGM invite and July News

July 7, 2016July 7, 2016 / Woodend Landcare / Leave a comment

Our 2016 AGM: Saturday the 23rd July

Woodend Landcare’s restoration plan for Lake Earnshaw and the Macedon Ranges Koala Project will be the focus for our 2016 Annual General Meeting. The informative afternoon will kick off at 1.30 pm on Saturday the 23rd of July at the Woodend Neighbourhood House.

Woodend Landcare’s Thursday Crew are very passionate about the restoration of Lake Earnshaw and they have recently developed an inspiring draft plan for the area – including future revegetation sites, paths and possibly a sheltered picnic table. We will launch the draft plan at the AGM and invite your feedback and input.

Linda Healy, a local wildlife rescuer, will discuss sightings, patterns, threats and protection of our special local native – the Koala. Photo: Sam Ford

The Macedon Ranges Koala Project is an initiative of local wildlife rescuers that has been operating since 2009. The project aims to give a local picture of koala populations and better insight into their threats and guidance for management. You can submit sightings online at http://www.mrkp.org.au. What have been the findings and what can we do to help? Come along on the 23rd to find out!

RSVPs to the AGM are appreciated for catering purposes to woodendlandcare@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you there.

Woodend Landcare Memberships are Due

With our AGM coming up, this also means that our annual memberships are due for renewal. Click here for a membership form and for more information about our group.

Please show your support for our group and make sure your covered by insurance at our working bees by being a current member. Photo: Sandy Scheltema.

It’s also a good time to call out for new committee members; nominations are open for all positions, but we are especially looking for a new general committee members. We’d love to see some new faces on the committee, which works to promote and coordinate Landcare activities and keeps us all going operationally. Meetings are a friendly bi-monthly catch-up. Please contact Kate (5427 2312) or Krista (5427 2140) if you are interested.

Upper Campaspe Landcare Network Winter News

Click here to view – includes useful information on up and coming events including rabbit buster and weeds field days in Malmsbury. It also contains a link to the North Central Catchment Management Authority Monthly Landcare News; “the Chat”.

Two interesting local events

Woodend Landcare June 2016 News: celebrating our local landscape.

June 6, 2016June 6, 2016 / Woodend Landcare / Leave a comment

Cobaw Biolink Field Day

Fifty five people recently attended a field day organized by the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network with Woodend, Carlsruhe, Ashbourne and Newham Landcare Groups. They toured the Campaspe River, Five Mile Creek, important remnant grassland sites, and ended the day overlooking the landscape at the top of the Jim Jims, near Hanging Rock.

Ecologists and Landcare members discuss workshops being planned to give participants an insight into the landscape and vegetation communities of the local region.They will provide a forum for the discussion of ecological restoration techniques and priorities. Pic by Sandy Scheltema

Workshop participants gained an insight into the landscape and vegetation communities of the local region. Pic by Sandy Scheltema

The field day, presented by Uncle Larry and ecologists Damien Cook and Paul Foreman, gave participants an insight into the landscape and vegetation communities of the local region. It provided a fascinating forum for the discussion of ecological restoration techniques and priorities.

Of particular interest to Woodend Landcare was how thrilled Paul Foreman was to discover the Woodend Grassland Reserve – which he said was one of best examples of remnant grasslands in the region, if not the state. Who knew we had something so special right in our own town!

Participants were also delighted to hear Taungurung Elder and knowledge holder, Uncle Larry Walsh, tell stories about local indigenous plants and animals and how they related to the lifestyle of Central Victoria oldest inhabitants.

Taungurung Elder and story teller Uncle Larry Walsh speaks of the importance of looking after the land from an indigenous perspective at a recent Field Day organized by the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network.Pic by Sandy Scheltema

Uncle Larry spoke of the importance of looking after the land from an indigenous perspective. Pic by Sandy Scheltema

Ecologist Damien Cook, said “Indigenous knowledge is a critical part of understanding how to restore our damaged landscapes.”

Landcare members were also present to tell their stories of successful revegetation and biolink projects and spoke of a vision for future conservation works in the area.

President of Upper Campaspe Landcare Network Barry Elliott felt “the day was successful because it was a lovely combination of being able to see sites that were in good and bad condition. The presenters were excellent.”

The field day was part of a series of workshops designed to feed into planning for regional landscape scale revegetation projects. The projects will tackle issues relating to biodiversity loss and climate change. Woodend Landcare looks forward to being involved in the development of this exciting biolink project.

Save the Date: Woodend Landcare AGM – Saturday 23rd July.

We will send out more information about our AGM and membership renewals very soon, but in the meantime, please mark the afternoon of Saturday the 23rd of July in your diaries as Woodend Landcare’s not-to-be-missed AGM (including a special guest speaker).

June 2016 edition of North Central CMA chat

The June 2016 North Central Chat is available for viewing (click here – 5MB). Regional Landcare Coordinator, Tess Grieves, notes that the highlights this month include an invitation to the North Central Waterwatch 4th Annual Water Science Forum on June 4, an array of fishy news stories and an introduction to Gorse Project officer Jenny Johnson.

May News and Field Day Invite

May 9, 2016May 9, 2016 / Woodend Landcare / Leave a comment

Cobaw to Campaspe Connections Field Day

Woodend Landcare is thrilled to be involved in a exciting new project, in conjunction with the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network.

‘Cobaw to Campaspe Connections’ is about working together, in a strategic way, to restore the landscape to provide more habitat for native plants and animals – and allow them to move freely again – to feed, escape fire, to take refuge in drought times and breed successfully.

Small patches of isolated bush are not good for our native plants and animals. Especially important is access to the Campaspe River and its tributaries, as it is a lifeline for many species. This project is about increasing quality habitat and creating connections to the Campaspe.

It is a big goal we have set – but it can be done. We want to start by learning more about the area and how to most effectively restore it. And we especially want this project to be inclusive – provide ways for everyone in the area to tell us what they value in the landscape and find ways for us all to play a part.

We are holding a field day to explore the region’s ecology and to discuss what needs to be done to fix it. We would be very pleased if you were able to come along. Details are in the poster below – RSVPs are essential. Note: this event is being held in lieu of our normal May working bee.

UCLN A4 Field Day poster_lo-res JPG

Trees for Mum 2016 success!

A brilliant team effort saw 900 native trees, shrubs and grasses planted to rehabilitate what was once a dense blackberry thicket on a bend on the Five Mile Creek. We were thrilled to have 140 passionate participants brave the drizzle and plant with great spirit for our 2016 Trees For Mum event.

Thank-you to everyone who came along and planted with their mum or for their mum. We hope you will enjoy watching your living legacy grow over the years. Thank-you to our wonderful Landcare stalwarts – David, Kate, Chris, Doug, Peter, Krista and Dave – for doing so much behind the scenes and on the day. Thank-you to our exceptional catering team – Jo, Susan and Sam – for keeping us going through the morning. A huge thank-you to Angela and family for being such passionate advocates for, and organises of, Trees For Mum in Woodend. And finally, thank-you to the North Central Catchment Management Authority for the Landcare Grant that made the day possible.

Click here to see more of the gorgeous photos from the day.

Alice, Angela and Jason planting a tree for granny.

More landcare news

Please click on the links below to read more regional and national landcare news.

North Central Chat May 2016. This link will take you to the North Cental page where you can download the latest landcare newsletter. Of special interest to Woodend Landcare is a report on page 8 about our waterwatch volunteer – Emma McKenzie – who is monitoring water quality along the Five Mile Creek . Thanks Emma!

Landcare Australia’s Landlink

Woodend Landcare News: March 2016

March 7, 2016March 7, 2016 / Woodend Landcare / Leave a comment

Important Dates

Plant Guard Removal Working Bee: 3 April

Our next working bee is to be held on Sunday April 3rd from 9am till 12pm (note this is a changed date to the original due to Easter). We will undertaking the very important task of removing old plastic plant guards from previous plantings on the north side of the creek starting at the new access bridge over the creek to Shirley Park Estate and heading downstream. A good turnout would enable us to move into other areas on the same day.

'Willow Attack' Working Bee, February 2016

Our ‘Willow Attack’ Working Bee, 28 February 2016

Location. Five Mile Creek Reserve which is accessible from the Southern end of Tennyson St. Look for the working bee signs near the bike track.

What to bring? A pocket knife or stanley knife, long pants and long sleeves, boots, spare chaff bags or similar

The Landcare tool trailer will be onsite and morning tea will be provided.

RSVPs to Krista on 5427 2140 or woodendlandcare@gmail.com. Newcomers are always welcome.

Trees for Mum 2016: 8 May

Doug Delgeish has been working quietly behind the scenes preparing our site for the 2016 Trees For mum planting. Thanks Doug!

Trees for Mum is a part of a national series of Mother’s Day tree-planting events hosted by Landcare. This year’s events will be held on Sunday 8 May. In Woodend, we’ll be planting trees and shrubs for mums at the Woodend Children’s Park. Save the date and come and plant with your mum or for your mum.

Our working bee on the 24th of April will be dedicated to preparing the site in readiness for the big day. We’ll provide more details about this in April.

Our Big Weekend in February

The last weekend of February was a big one for Woodend Landcare.

On Saturday the 27th of February, we were thrilled to be on display at the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Festival alongside several of our fellow local Landcare groups. Many interesting and inspiring conversations about our local environment were had on the day. Meanwhile, the kids enjoyed puppet play in ‘the stump’ which was highlighting the importance of hollows for homes for many of our native critters.

The following day we had a great crew gather for our Willow Attack Working Bee. Willow regrowth at the Tennyson St site was treated, as was about a fifth of the willows growing in the weir. We’re now looking into how to get through the remaining four-fifths! Thanks heaps for joining us everyone – it was a testimate to the old saying ‘many hands make light work’. Special thanks to Jo and Susan for the tasty morning tea and to David for his great on-site guidance.

Puppet play with ‘the stump’ at the Macedon ranges Sustainability Festival

Cobaw Campaspe Biolink Project

The Upper Campaspe Landcare Network recently received a Victorian Landcare grant to assist in developing long term action plans for landscape restoration along two natural corridors. One of them – the Cobaw Campaspe Biolink Project – involves Woodend, Ashbourne, Carlsruhe and Newham Landcare Groups.

A desktop study of the biolink area is currently being undertaken and workshops in the field are planned. Open to landowners, Landcare members and interested stakeholders, the workshops will include walk and talk events with ecologists and indigenous owners looking at issues such as threatened species, river and grassland restoration and remnant vegetation management. We will keep you notified as plans progress.

This map shows the approximate area of the Cobaw Campaspe Biolink Project.

MRSC Draft Environmental Strategy

Many of you will be aware that the Council’s draft environmental strategy is currently open for comment. We encourage everyone to check out strategy and provide comment to council. The strategy is available for downloading and comment by clicking here. Ross Colliver has done a great summary of the strategy for Riddells Creek Landcare at http://nutsaboutnaturercl.blogspot.com.au/

Interesting Newsletters

These newsletters are worth a read if you’re interested in more Landcare news from the region.

Upper Campaspe Landcare Network: http://www.uppercampaspelandcare.org.au/february-2016/

North Central Chat: http://www.nccma.vic.gov.au/library/scripts/objectifyMedia.aspx?file=KMSMedia/pdf/143/80.pdf&fileName=North Central Chat- March 2016.pdf

February events, committee update, and a huge thanks…

February 14, 2016February 14, 2016 / Woodend Landcare / Leave a comment

Sunday 28th February Working Bee: “Willow Attack”

At the “willow attack” working bee on Sunday 28th February we will be undertaking a much needed trial removal of willows on the western end of the weir on Five Mile Creek. Another group of willing workers can cut and paint the numerous small willow clumps downstream of the weir towards the Five Mile Creek reserve. There is also some important whipper snipping to be done in the surrounding plantings so there are plenty of tasks for everyone. All newcomers are always most welcome.

This happy crew thoroughly enjoyed January’s twilight working bee – and got heaps achieved too! Thanks for coming everyone – hope to see you again in February. Photo: Sandy Scheltema.

When: Sunday, 28 February 2016.
Time: 9 am till midday with a short break for morning tea (which is provided).
Where: Ruby McKenzie Park in Tennyson St
Bring: Your own gloves, sturdy footwear, sun protection etc.
More info: Contact David on 5427 4117.
RSVP: Krista on 5427 2140 or woodendlandcare@gmail.com

Please note this event will be cancelled if the day is declared a Total Fire Ban.

After the working bee, head down to the Sustainability Festival’s Community Picnic. From 12.30 pm, there will be a relaxing and entertaining picnic in the Woodend Children’s Park complete with live music and old-time games. More info at: http://slf.mrsgonline.org.au/

Saturday 27th February: Sustainability Festival

Woodend Landcare, alongside many of our neighbouring landcare groups and network, will be on display at the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Festival at the Woodend Community Garden and Hub site. The festival runs from 10 am till 4 pm on Saturday the 27th of February. Please come along to check out our local biolink plans and enjoy the interactive landcare kids area.

More info at: http://slf.mrsgonline.org.au/

Woodland Landcare Committee Update

Past president, Peter Yates and Krista checking out our recent planting site.

As we all adjust to a new year and new commitments, there has been a small change of office bearers for Woodend Landcare. Both Kate Daniel and Jo Clancy decided to step down from their respective roles as President and Vice-President, but the good news is that they remain on the committee. Krista Patterson-Majoor has taken on the president role and Dave Bower will be Vice-President. Kate is now our Treasurer until the July AGM. We are always keen to have new people join our friendly committee, so please contact Krista on 5427 2140 or woodendlandcare@gmail.com if this is something that might interest you.

And a huge thanks…

On behalf of Woodend Landcare we’d like to share our huge thanks to both Kate and Jo for their fine leadership of the group.

Kate has been president for around two and a half years and has overseen over $35,000 worth of great projects undertaken along the Five Mile Creek and in the Woodend area in this time. Her delightful manner has been a pleasure to work with and our landcare group is going strong as a result.

Jo has been either president or vice-president of the group for as long as most of us can remember. She is a passionate advocate for our local environment and is a very dedicated member of the team. We thank Jo for all she has given to the group and look forward to many more of her ‘cooeee’ morning tea calls and biannual newsletter.

Thanks Kate and Jo!!!

March Working Bee Date Change

Last, but not least, we have discovered that our proposed March 27th working bee clashes with Easter so it was decided to change the date to April 3rd – please amend your calendars.