Our 2017 AGM Features Fungi!

Discover the Hidden Jewels of our Forests at Woodend Landcare’s 2017 AGM

Our 2017 AGM is coming up shortly on Tuesday the 29th of August at 7pm at the Woodend Neighbourhood House. We are excited to have Greg Boldiston as our speaker for the evening. A local horticulturist, avid nature photographer and plant collector, Greg will share some of his discoveries of the hidden jewels found in the forests and woodlands around Woodend. Greg is a key contributor to the engaging Macedon Ranges Fungi, Flora and Fauna Facebook Page where you can get a sneak peak at some of his stunning images.

The AGM will commence at 7pm, with Greg’s talk at 7.30pm followed by supper. We do enjoy this annual opportunity to catch up with many of Woodend Landcare’s supporters and hope to see you there. CLICK HERE to download a copy of the AGM flyer. Please RSVP to woodendlandcare@gmail.com to help with catering.

Woodend Landcare Memberships are due

A reminder that memberships are now due for renewal. Your valued support helps Woodend Landcare continue to undertake important nature conservation work and ensures you are covered by insurance at our events or working bees. Our annual membership fee remains at $20. Renew your membership by:

  • paying in person on the night of our AGM;
  • sending cash or cheque to Woodend Landcare, PO Box 297, Woodend 3442; or
  • paying $20 electronically (be sure to include your name in the transaction).
    Account details: Woodend Landcare, Westpac Bank, BSB 033-674, Account 982435.

If you would like to become a member of Woodend Landcare, click here to download a membership form.

Local environment events

Friday 18th August: Newham Landcare Annual General Meeting.

Guest speaker is Sophie Bickford, Executive Director of Central Victorian Biolinks Alliance. Her talk – “From Islands to Networks – linking landscapes for conservation at a time of climate change”, will show how Newham Landcare and Hanging Rock are part of a large-scale biolink project. Newham Mechanics Institute. 7pm for 7.30. Speaker at 7.45. Supper follows. Click here to view Newham Landcare’s 2017 AGM flyer. RSVP to Helen Scott by email or tel. 0412 582 526.

Friday 8 September: Create a Frog Pond or Turn your Dam into Habitat, Newham Landcare

Evening presentation and discussion with Damien Cook, Rakali ecological Consulting. Damien is a recognized expert in wetland, riparian and terrestrial ecology, particularly in the factors affecting the establishment and management of aquatic and wetland plants. A selection of water-loving plant species will be available to purchase on the night. Newham Mechanics Institute. 7pm for 7.30. Supper follows. Click here to view flier. RSVP to Penny Roberts by email or tel.5427 0795.

Upper Campaspe Landcare Network Events 17/18

For more information on any of these events, contact Sandy Schletma at uclandcare@gmail.com

  • Rabbit Busters – 20th October 2017, 1-3 pm, Kyneton
    Learn about how to successfully use the new RHDV1 K5 virus to eradicate rabbits with John Mathews from DEDJTR.
  • UCLN AGM – Raptors Display, 31st October 2017, 12.30 pm, Metcalfe
    The Leigh Valley Hawk and Owl Sanctuary will give a one hour presentation introducing appropriately 5 Birds of Prey and discussing the need for conservation, prevention of extinction and sustainable living.
  • Landcare Display at the Kyneton Show – 18th November, Kyneton.
    Come along and meet fellow Landcarers and speak to the public about how to get involved in Landcare in the district.
  • Native Pastures for Grazing – 22nd November 2017, Newham Hall.
    Learn from Greening Australia’s lead Scientist Dr Paul Gibson-Roy about native pastures for grazing.
  • Soil Health – Tuesday 5th December 2017, 10.30-1 pm, Langley.
    Join the experts on an olive plantation at Langley to learn how to gain a better understanding of soil on your property. Learn how to evaluate the condition of your soil and apply appropriate management practices to improve soil health.  Presenters Martin Hamilton (EcoDev DEDJTR), Rebecca Mitchell (co author of Soil Health Guide), and Helen Haydon (Soil Microbiologist from Dep Ag Melbourne).
  • River Restoration – March 18 2017, 10-2pm, Degraves Mill Carlsruhe.
    Join wetland restoration experts Damien Cook, Elaine Bayes, Angela Gladman, and experienced Landcarers at the historic Degraves Mill to learn about successful river restoration and the concepts of biolinks.

Links to Local Landcare News

Newham Landcare Autumn 2017 Newsletter

Upper Campaspe Landcare Network June 2017 Newsletter

North Central Chat

Woodend Landcare’s Mowing Guidelines

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

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

 

A tree for your mum on Mother’s Day

Come along and plant with your mum or for your mum on Mother’s Day at this free event.

Woodend Landcare is hosting Trees for Mum on Sunday, 14 May from 9.30am to midday at Lake Earnshaw, behind Gilbert Gordon Oval.

Trees for Mum is a series of Australia-wide tree planting events run by Landcare on Mother’s Day. These events started in Sydney in 2002 by friends and colleagues, Deena Raphael and Lauren Adlam, as a way of paying tribute to their mums, who they had both lost to cancer; Trees for Mum in Woodend is in its sixth year.

Over the past few years Woodend Landcare’s Thursday crew have been hard at work restoring this historic site from an overgrown mass of blackberries to the tranquil open space it is today, which makes it the perfect choice for Trees for Mum 2017.
The trees and shrubs will be a range of natives suitable for the climate and location and the Woodend Landcare team will be on hand with plenty of tools to help you plant. Participants will be given a tree or shrub plus some grasses to plant, providing native understorey and further improving the habitat at Lake Earnshaw.

We recommend you wear gumboots and bring along some gloves. The site will be well sign-posted from High Street – parking is available. There’s no need to book this year, but if you do have a question call Angela on 0409 373 010 or email treesformum@gmail.com

Download poster here

All photo credits Kim Selby Photography www.kimselbyphotography.com.au

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday 23 April – Working Bee @ Lake Earnshaw

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)