Woodend Landcare: February 2017 News

Sunday 26 February Working Bee: Willow Attack

This important tidy up is to tackle the willow regrowth after our funded willow blitz last year. Controlling the spread of this weed of national significance is crucial for healthy waterways. We hope to target Five Mile Creek from Romsey Road downstream to the new Shirley Park bridge. There are some larger multi stemmed willow clumps requiring cutting off, poisoning and carting away which will need quite a few hands. We will also do the same to any small willows starting at the Romsey Rd end of the creek and working downstream. Other tasks include plant guard removal and maintenance, and whipper snipping in plantings.

  • When:  Sunday 26 February 2017
  • Time:  9am till 12 noon
  • Where: Meet at the weir on the North East edge of Ruby McKenzie Park in Tennyson street.
  • Parking:  Tennyson St or Ruby McKenzie Park
  • Bring:  secateurs, gloves, whipper snippers, sun protection, water bottle and durable clothing and boots
  • Morning tea is provided and the tool trailer will be onsite

All welcome. The working bee will be cancelled if the day is total fire ban. For further details contact woodendlandcare@gmail.com or call David on 5427 4117.

Twilight Working Bee Success

Friday evening on the 3rd of February was a ‘I love my town’ kind of night in Woodend. Delightful weather, purposeful work at the landcare working bee, and loads of friendly faces – what more could you want? David, our tireless Working Bee Coordinator, said; “I was really pleased with the turnout, the work done and the socialising afterwords so a great bee to kick off the year.”

A huge thanks to everyone who came along – and especially those who attended their first Woodend Landcare working bee. We truly appreciated having some new faces to meet and lend a hand. And we got a stack of work done – rubbish along the creek was cleaned up, blackberries removed, oak saplings eradicated from our plantings, long pasture grasses whipper-snipped, and a dangerous overhanging tree limb was cut up. A horde of happy kids helped, played, climbed and thoroughly enjoyed the BBQ lovingly prepared by our catering team. Check out the photos below from the evening… we are super impressed by how huge the poa grasses from our 2016 Trees for Mum and 2015 community plantings are now!

Property Planning Workshop

Sun 26 March to Sun 9 April | 9:00AM to 4:00PM | Tylden Hall

Learn how to manage your property and plan for a sustainable agricultural business. This three day workshop will give you the tools to prepare a farm management plan specific to your property with ‘one-on-one’ guidance from an expert facilitator, including a visit to a local farm. CLICK HERE for more information and to book.

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“Power” Tools to Effect Change Workshop

Saturday 18 Feb | 1.30-4.30 pm | Woodend Neighbourhood House

Fellow Landcarers, Alice Aird and Helen Scott, have asked us to share the details of a community workshop coming up in February:

“As you know, last year was a busy one for many of us working for change in our Shire. Encouraged by the success of reinvigorating democracy and electing a progressive Council, there is an appetite among the community for building and maintaining momentum for social change. If you are curious or interested, diarize this first  workshop of a series on the theme of boosting community campaigning and collaboration in and around Macedon Ranges: “Power” Tools to Effect Change.  This workshop will outline practical and versatile tools relevant for those interested in environmental issues like climate change, sustainability, food localisation…or anyone working for social and policy change. If anyone would like information explaining more about the workshops contact Alice Aird at airda@bigpond.com and Helen Scott at orseda@bigpond.com.”

Quarry Road Wildflower Poster

For those that have not seen it, we are proud to share our new wildflower poster. CLICK HERE to download a copy.

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Woodend Landcare: January 2017 News

Twilight Working Bee – Children’s Park

  • When: Friday, 3 February 2017
  • Time: 5:00–7.30pm
  • Where: Children’s Park + Campaspe Park
  • Parking: plenty in shady Campaspe Park (north side of creek)
  • Bring: secateurs, gloves, whipper snippers
  • Eat: BBQ and drinks provided
  • Tasks: Spring planting maintenance including; watering, weeding, plant guard and rubbish removal, whipper snipping

Click here to download the working bee flyer. Please note this event will be cancelled if a Total Fire Ban or over 35°C. RSVP to Kate on 5427 2312 or katedaniel.home@bigpond.com.

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This happy crew thoroughly enjoyed last January’s twilight working bee – we hope to see you again this year! Photo: Sandy Scheltema.

Basic First Aid and Defibrillator Training

  • When:      Saturday 4 February 2017
  • Time:        9:30am–12pm
  • Where:    Woodend Neighbourhood House, Forest St
  • Wear:       comfortable clothes – kneeling required
  • Cost:         $10
  • What:        Basic first aid, CPR and defibrillator training

Click here to download the defib training flyer.  Places are limited; please RSVP to Kate on 5427 2312 or katedaniel.home@bigpond.com.

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Vegetation of Quarry Road

Quarry Road is one of the best areas for viewing wildflowers in Woodend. On the 14th of November 2016, ecologist Karl Just inspected the roadside and rail reserve on the north side of Quarry Road in Woodend. The aim was to document the type and condition of the vegetation. While a detailed plant survey was not undertaken, a preliminary list of vascular plant species observed was compiled.  The site contains at least two threatened species, including the endangered Eucalyptus aggregata (Black Gum) and the rare Geranium sp. 3 (Pale-flower Crane’s-bill). Last Spring the sheer number of local grassland species present was impressive. You can view Karl’s report by clicking here.

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Woodend Landcare 2017 Events Calendar

Click here to view, print or save our 2017 events calendar.

Upper Campaspe Landcare Network News

Click here to view the December 2016 Upper Campaspe Landcare Network Newsletter.

Woodend Landcare 2017 Calender

A huge Merry Christmas to all of our supporters! Here is the ultimate gift to help fill some details into your new diaries and calender’s – Woodend Landcare’s 2017 Events Calendar. Click on the following link to see what we have in store. Our first event for the year is a twilight working bee and BBQ on Friday the 3rd February 2017. More details to come in mid January. In the meantime, enjoy the summer break!

Woodend Landcare Calendar 2017

Woodend Landcare News: November 2016

Next working bee: Sunday 27th November, Woodend Children’s Park
Our final Sunday working bee for the year is on Sunday 27th of November from 9 am till 12 pm. Park in Campaspe Park or near the tennis court on the North side of the creek*. We will be attending to the plantings near the children’s park and there is also a pampas grass, some privet and some previously poisoned trees to remove. Bring suitable clothing, gloves, mozzie repellent and sun protection. The tool trailer will be onsite and morning tea is provided. Contact David on 5427 4117 for any inquiries and please RSVP to Jo on 5427 1909 for catering purposes.
*Please note this is a change of venue.
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Our 2014 planting site near the children’s site is looking amazing after our wet winter.

WEED BUSTERS !
With the warmer weather comes weeds,weeds,weeds. Want to know the latest methods to get rid of them? Then head along to Bald Hill Reserve and learn from the experts from Department of Agriculture and the Weed Officer from Macedon Ranges Shire Council. A contractor will be on hand demonstrating useful equipment.This workshop is for small or large landowners.See flyer below
WHEN: Saturday 3rd December 2016
WHERE: Gun Club,Bald Hill Reserve

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It’s been a spectacular spring. David Gossip took this photo of the wildflowers along Quarry Rd – how many species can you pick?

Woodend Landcare News: October 2016

Next Working Bee: Sunday 23rd October. Note location change!
Our next Sunday working bee is on the 23rd of October from 9 am till 12 pm and we will meet at Ruby McKenzie park in Tennyson St*. Tasks include whipper snipping of long grass around our plantings at two nearby sites, plant guard maintenance and we would like to send a team along the creek to cut off and poison any new emerging Willow trees. Equipment required could include gloves, boots, ear and eye protection (if whipper snipping), sunhat and sunglasses, old clothes, whipper snipper, secateurs etc. The tool trailer will be on site and morning tea is provided. For further details contact David on 5427 4117. Please RSVP to our catering coordinator, Jo at rasbrooks@westnet.com.au. Newcomers most welcome.

*Please note this is a change of location compared to our published calendar and article in the Woodend Star.

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‘Willow Attack’ Working Bee, February 2016 – this site looks a lot different now and significant grass growth is threatening our plantings.

Black Gum Research
At our October committee meeting we were very fortunate to be joined by Michelle Patrick from the Macedon Ranges Shire. Michelle is in the final stages of her Masters research on the Black Gum (Eucalyptus aggregata) and she shared some of her important findings with our group.

Michelle has surveyed 22 out of the 27 known Black Gum sites around Woodend, retracing the steps of the original survey undertaken in 1994. This original survey led to its listing as endangered on the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act and the corresponding Action Statement.

There are two key populations in Woodend – the Five Mile Creek floodplain and the Slatey Creek floodplain. Michelle has also found four new populations at Romsey Road, Hanging Rock, off Ashbourne Road and in Plants Lane. She has also identified the odd scattered individual tree.

Some of the good news from Michelle’s research includes;

  • There has been a dramatic reduction in woody weeds threatening the populations. In 1994 there was 50-90% coverage of woody weeds, now there is 5-20% coverage. This is largely due to the on-going hard work of Woodend Landcare over the years and a great result.
  •  All of the landholders who have black gums on their property are keen to be involved in further protection work.
  • The amount of public land that the populations are in has increased from 40% in 1994 to 60% today due mostly to the new Calder Freeway. This means they have potentially increased protection and works can be undertaken in these areas to enhance the populations.

Some not so good news from the research includes:

  • Some populations have been lost due to the new freeway and powerline clearing.
  • As Black Gums are found in floodplains, some populations are threatened by stream bank erosion.
  • Some sites do not have any natural regeneration occurring possibly due to grazing and woody weed competition.

Michelle is completing her thesis with some recommendations for further protection for the species. This may include;

  • Reviewing the vegetation protection overlays to include the new populations.
  • Connecting the two floodplain populations.
  • Protecting and enhancing populations on private land.
  • Improving the understory around populations to include more native ground covers.
  • Completing further research into what drives natural recruitment.
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In Victoria, Black Gums are only found in a 4km radius of Woodend.

Last Working Bee: EnviroFund Site
We were thrilled with the turn-out to our last working bee at the EnviroFund site between the Children’s Park and Bowen St. The great news is that all the plant guards around this revegetation area have now been removed. We may return to this area next year and look at putting in some understory and ground cover plants into our revegetation areas. We also managed to fix up the 2016 Trees for Mum site which had suffered a little flood damage. The good news is that nearly all plants are still flourishing! Thanks heaps to everyone who came and helped out – we hope to see you all again on the 23rd. The morning was proof that many hands certainly makes light work!

Check out the following images from the day (and one of the EnviroFund site from 2006).

 

Are you a wild family of Woodend?
CLICK HERE to view the Wild Families in the Macedon Ranges brochure developed by the Victorian National Parks Association in conjunction with Woodend Landcare and the Macedon Ranges Shire Council. The brochure offers some great tips to discover, learn about and look after nature with the family in our local area. Thanks to the Victorian National Parks Association for making this brochure happen. Its another fantastic resource for our community.

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Woodend Landcare Library
Woodend Landcare have a small library of books which our members can access, CLICK HERE to view. A huge thanks to Linda for housing the books and compiling the list. If you would like to access any of these resources email us at woodendlandcare@gmail.com.

Interesting Up-Coming Local Events

Friday 14th October 2016: Hanging Rock Reserve – Understand the new Environmental
Management Plan … and learn how to make your place more wildlife friendly, Newham Click here for more information.

Saturday 15th October 2016: Woodland Birds Talk with Sean Dooley (Birdlife Australia) and Tanya Loos (Connecting Country) Click here for more information

Tuesday 18th October 2016: Upper Campaspe Landcare Network AGM
Melbourne QC Brian Walters will be speaking about “The Poetry Of Country – Why Looking After the Land Makes us Whole.
Where: Upstairs at The Royal George Hotel,24 Piper St Kyneton.
When: Tuesday 18th October 5.45 pm for meal,6.30 pm for talk. AGM 7 – 9 pm.
RSVP: by 15th October to landcaregrp.carlsruhe@gmail.com or 0428878048.

Saturday 23rd October: Bald Hill Wildflower Walk
Microsoft Word - New date 22 Oct Landcare through the Lens and W
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