Working Bees

Two October Working Bees: Sunday the 15th and 29th!

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October Working Bee 1:
Native Planting

After extensive removal of weeds along the creek, it’s important that we plant natives to create habitat and keep weeds at bay. Come and help with some infill planting of important understory species.

  • When: Sunday 15 October 2017
  • Time: 9am till 12 noon
  • Where: Paddocks between Pyke and Bowen St on the south side of Five Mile Creek near the Woodend Children’s Park
  • Park:  At end of Wood St near the Gym
  • Bring: Gloves and sturdy footwear; tool trailer on site. Morning tea provided
  • Tasks: Planting of mixed native understorey plants

October Working Bee 2:
Quarry Rd Wildflower Protection

Help us to enhance one of Woodend’s premier wildflower locations by removing invasive woody weeds.

  • When: Sunday 29 October 2017
  • Time: 9:00am–12pm
  • Where: Quarry Rd Rail Reserve (near Washington Lane)
  • Park: In Washington Lane or Peter Godden Drive
  • Bring: gloves, sturdy footwear; tool trailer on site. Morning tea provided.
  • Tasks:  Cut and paint gorse and broom plants.

No experience is necessary and newcomers are always welcome (and hugely appreciated) to our working bees. To RSVP and for further details about both working bees contact woodendlandcare@gmail.com or call 5427 2312.

More local Landcare events…

A wonderful Raptor Display at the Cascades at Metcalfe after the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network AGM on Tuesday 31st October. The Leigh Valley Hawk and Owl Sanctuary will give a one hour presentation introducing approximately five Birds of Prey and will discuss the need for conservation, prevention of extinction and sustainable living. Meet at the Cascades at 2.15. For more information and to RSVP contact Hanne at landcaregrp.carlsruhe@gmail.com.

An interesting waterbugs talk at the Glenlyon Fire Station. John Gooderham shows fantastic microscopic images of fabulous water creatures. Friday 27 October, 6.30 (sharp) to 8.30pm. Do get along, it is a free (gold coin) event, but remember to book. To book, go to the trybooking.com website and type in waterbugs.

Sunday 24 September: Spring Planting Working Bee

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Many hands are needed for our spring planting on Sunday the 24th of September 2017. Held on the creekside flats near Ruby McKenzie Park, our aim is plant around 300 seedlings to improve habitat along the creek.

The planting sites are spread out – so there will be plenty of work for everyone! 50 plants are going in at the southern end of the group of houses close to the track near Five Mile Creek Reserve. 70 are to be scattered in the area north of the weir. The remaining 170 plants will restore the area behind Ruby Mackenzie park.

  • When: 9am, Sunday the 24th September 2017
  • Where: along the creek around Ruby McKenzie Park.
  • Park: Please park in Tennyson St near the playground if wet or beside the walking track downstream of the park if dry (drive very slowly if using the track).
  • Bring: your friends, buckets (to help with watering), old clothes, gloves, and sturdy boots (this area is quite rough).

The tool trailer will be onsite and morning tea is provided. RSVP and any inquiries to woodendlandcare@gmail.com.

littlhe habitat heroes

Gather the troops and join Woodend Landcare for their 2017 Spring Planting.

North Central Regional Landcare Forum

Landcare members are invited to attend the first regional Landcare Forum, co-hosted by the North Central CMA and Landcare Victoria Inc. The forum will be from the 6th-8th October 2017 at Camp Seed, Stuart Mill,St Arnauds. CLICK HERE to register by 21st September. This is a great chance to network with fellow Landcarers, and it’s free accommodation and food! CLICK HERE for more info and to view the program. Contact Kaye Rodden at nidgee@reachnet.com.au or (03) 5265 1241 for more information. 

Woodend Landcare’s Mowing Guidelines

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Wildflowers and grasses will be surfacing soon after winter, putting on new growth and flowering during spring, then setting seed in early summer. We remind Landcare members and locals of the importance of letting native plants drop mature seed and of a sensitive and minimalist approach to mowing remnant native areas.

Don’t mow too often, too low, too early. 

CLICK HERE to see our do’s and don’ts on mowing.

brunonia

We need your help to see understorey species like this delightful Blue Pincushion (Brunonia Australis) thrive in our local landscape.

Next Working Bee: Sunday 28 May 2017

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If you loved our Trees for Mum planting day, or sadly missed out,  never fear! Our next working bee is only a couple of weeks away and will involve more delightful planting.

On Sunday the 28th of May 2017, from 9am till 12pm, we are aiming to plant 120 grasses in the Envirofund paddocks alongside Five Mile Creek. This will add important understory to our existing revegetation sites. Alongside Trees for Mum, this forms part of the planting component of our current Threatened Species Protection grant from the Victorian Government.

Parking will be at the North end of Wood St on the South side of Five Mile Creek (ie. near the Badgers Removals depot). Bring warm clothing, a kneeling pad, gloves and sturdy footwear. Morning tea will be provided and the tool trailer will be onsite.

Newcomers are very welcome. We are hoping to see many helpers at our last Sunday working bee before the the Winter break. Contact woodendlandcare@gmail.com or call 5427 2312 for further details and to RSVP.

treesformum2017big

We had perfect conditions for our 2017 Trees for Mum planting day on mothers day. A constant stream of eager planters saw 400 indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses put in near Lake Earnshaw. A huge thanks to all who came along to plant a living legacy for a loved one and to the incredible Woodland Landcare team of volunteers for making the morning the success it was. Click here to see lots more happy snaps.

Click on the following links for more local and regional Landcare news…

Upper Campaspe Landcare Network April News

North Central Chat – May 2016

 

Sunday 23 April – Working Bee @ Lake Earnshaw

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Our next Sunday working bee is aimed at final preparation for this years Trees For Mum planting day. Trees For Mum is held on mothers day (the 14th of May) and this years site is near Lake Earnshaw. We will be spreading some wood chips and laying out and pegging down some rolls of slotted jute matting. There is also some cutting and poisoning of woody weeds nearby.

  • When: Sunday 23 April 2017
  • Time: 9am till 12 noon
  • Where: Lake Earnshaw near Gilbert Gordon Oval
  • Parking: creek side of the grandstand at Gilbert Gordon oval
  • Bring: gloves, gumboots, secateurs, suitable old clothing. Tool trailer on site.
  • Morning tea provided!

Newcomers are most welcome – there will be engaging jobs for all ages at this working bee. Contact woodendlandcare@gmail.com or call 5427 2312 for further details and to RSVP.

earnshaw in snow

Hopefully there will be no snow on the 23rd of April – but Lake Earnshaw looks stunning in all weather conditions. Thanks to Pene Rice for the photo.

Land management information session

Date: Saturday 22 April 2017
Time: 9:00am – 1:30pm (registration 9am – 9:30am, lunch 1pm) 
Where: Romsey Community Hub, 96–100 Main Street, Romsey
Cost: Free, with a light lunch provided
What: This FREE information session will provide new, absentee and small-acreage land owners with an introduction to better management of small rural properties. It aims to ensure that natural resource management issues are a core consideration of landholders when making decisions about their property. Taking timely land management action now will save money, time and effort later.
What topics will be covered?: this information session covers a range of land management issues, including:

  • Land use & land capability
  • Soils
  • Livestock management & animal welfare
  • Grazing management & pastures
  • Controlling weeds & pest animals
  • Revegetation & biodiversity
  • Landholder responsibilities
  • Waterway health & farm water supplies
  • Landcare

Learn how to design a low-input (in terms of labour and capital) rural property while improving its environmental, biodiversity and aesthetic values.

Presenters:

  • Patrick Francis (‘Moffitts Farm’, Romsey), has a wealth of experience in agriculture and runs a highly successful small farming enterprise near Romsey.
  • Michelle Patrick (Environmental Planner, Macedon Ranges Shire), has a wide knowledge of weeds, pests, and biodiversity in the Macedon Ranges.
  • Tori Vincent (Rural Land Program, Melbourne Water), has a thorough knowledge of waterway management and farm water supplies.
  • Grant Godden (Landcare Facilitator), has a history working with Landcare groups and experience in land management.
  • Melissa Connors (This Farm Needs a Farmer), recently launched a farmer mentoring program for new landholders and has a hobby farm at Kyneton.
  • Bob Nixon (Gisborne Peak Winery), will share his knowledge on running a ‘boutique’ farming enterprise.
  • John Robinson (Chair, Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network), has a 40 hectare property at Bylands and has been involved in Landcare for almost 30 years.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions during the panel discussion at the end of the information session.

RSVP: register online by Wednesday 19 April  via  https://land_management_information_session.eventbrite.com.au
More information: email upper.deep.creek.landcare@gmail.com or phone 5782 0184 (John Robinson)