Hello to all of our Landcare Members, Partners, Sponsors and Friends throughout the Bass Coast Landcare Network and welcome to the November edition of the BCLN Enews!

As we are all coming out of a Covid cocoon, there are SO many in-person events to choose from in the coming months! We have some good news stories of grant recipients and other happenings, as well as new grants and resources open and available for you. Get comfy with a cuppa, it's a chockablock Enews this month!

We hope you enjoy it!

For all the latest updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram... just click the links above!

UPCOMING EVENTS 

We have already had 27 events held since the beginning of the 6-week Sustainability Festival. A huge variety of topics have been covered, everything from circular economy to e-vehicles, sustainable schools to wind power, regenerative farming to tree planting, and there are still at least 32 events to go!  We hope you have managed to get along to some events, but if not, there's still plenty of time.

Click here to check out the Festival Program!

We also have a new Available Anytime page, which is filled with great resources and will be updated regularly.

Click here to check it out!​

The Bass Coast Sustainability Festival 'Reimagined' 2021 has been made possible as part of the ‘Future Farms, Homes and Festivals project’ supported by the Victorian Government through the Supporting our Regions to Adapt program, the Bass Coast Shire Council through the Climate Change action plan 2020-2030 and sponsorship from Westernport Water. 

Are you a local grower, producer of food related items, distributor or veg box scheme host interested in selling more food locally, or just interested in buying more of your food locally? If so, we need you!! We are hosting two Community visioning sessions on, ‘Getting more local food to local people’ where you can meet other local growers, increase your networks, create new connections, find out new places to get local food from, discuss challenges and opportunities and put forward your views in this facilitated session with an opportunity to talk in small groups to brainstorm ideas. We want to know what you think about our local food system.

Hosted by the current Steering group of the ‘Bass Coast Food Collective’ a consortium of local organisations, growers and passionate people, who are putting a business case together to see if we can get better systems in place. Auspiced by BCLN with assistance from a Bass Coast Shire Council Community Grant. We want to include your voice.

Saturday 20th November - In-person 2-4pm OR

Thursday 25th November - Online via zoom 7-8:30pm

Click here to book into the In person event on the 20th of November.
Click here to book into the online event on the 25th of November.

Wednesday 24^th of November 7-8:30pm - Online via zoom 

As we start to get socially involved again, its more important than ever to reinvigorate and re-engage volunteering in our local communities. We want to show how local groups are making a difference and how you can get involved. Hear from five local organisations working to increase awareness and action to improve our environments and reduce our impacts on the world, including a snapshot of each of our Landcare Groups by the BCLN. The great news is that ALL of them have plenty of different opportunities for you to join in!

Each group will host a modified ‘Pecha Kucha’ style presentation of 10 photos in 10 minutes. This visual storytelling style is a great informal way to hear stories about what each group does and why local people love being involved with them.

This online presentation has been made possible as part of the ‘Future Farms, Homes and Festivals project’ supported by the Victorian Government through the Supporting our Regions to Adapt program, and the Bass Coast Shire Council through the Climate Change action plan 2020-2030.

Click here to book your place!

Are you interested in joining a wonderful discussion on local enterprise with trees and timber in South Gippsland?
​If you’re thinking of integrating trees into your farming landscape, if you’d like to be part of a reinvigorated local sawmilling culture, or if you’re keen to build sustainably with local farm grown or salvaged wood, then this webinar is not to be missed.​ You’ll hear from:
• South Gippsland tree farmer, Frank Hirst
• Sawmiller Dan Bright from Amber Creek Farm and Sawmill
• Sustainable timber aggregator and retailer, Chris Ennis from CERES Fair Wood
• Paul Haar, a local architect who specialises in timber design and construction

You’ll also be able to ask questions and share your own thoughts on this topic with this passionate panel of speakers

Click here for further information and to register​

Everyone is welcome to join the free online ceremony to celebrate the 2021 Victorian Landcare Awards on Friday 26 November at 10am. Awards will be presented to people and groups across the state for their outstanding contributions to protecting and enhancing the natural environment. 

Click here to register

You're invited to join Phillip Island Landcare Group for their Coastcare field day. This is a great opportunity to visit 5 coastal sites involved in the Coastcare program. The field day will begin at the Grossard Point Lighthouse at 10am and will visit Saltwater Creek, Silverleaves foreshore, Sunderland Bay foreshore and finish at Cape Woolamai foreshore. This is a great opportunity to learn and witness ongoing work from Coastal Groups who protect our precious coastline. The day will finish around 2.30pm and lunch is included. RSVP to Carolyn Atherton on 0433 284 148 or [email protected]

Click here to visit the Phillip Island Landcare Group website​

The Bunny Boiler is back! The Bunny Boiler dinner first started around 10 years ago as an initiative to showcase rabbits as a pest on Phillip Island. As such, rabbit dishes are eaten on the night, prepared by competing local professional chefs.  Rabbit education forms part of the evening and this year we are lucky to have Tim Bloomfield who will be presenting a short talk, with plenty of opportunities for any questions you’ve got on rabbits. Spaces are limited so book soon to avoid disappointment! 

Click here for full information and to book.​

Thursday 2nd December 7-8pm Online via Zoom webinar 

With changes in climate, can we re-assess what is possible in landscapes and gardens? What crops, what seasons, what methods and who is already demonstrating leadership in this area and how? What would a comfortable home able to withstand climatic fluctuations of 2040 have to have in place and how would you do it? These are just some of the questions answered by forward thinking Bass Coast home and garden owners in a video launch set to debut on Thursday 2^nd December at 7pm in an online webinar including a Q&A with the owners. As part of the ‘Future Homes, Farms and Festivals’ project run by the Bass Coast Landcare Network, Landcare staff sought out progressive homeowners who had already implemented actions and features in their homes and gardens to help them withstand the fluctuations we will face with our changing climate. Working with Seagrass Films, we have developed a series of short videos that we can’t wait to share with you.

The Future Farms, Homes and Festivals project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Supporting our Regions to Adapt program, with additional support from the Bass Coast Shire Council through the Climate Change action plan 2020-2030.​

Click here to book your place!

To celebrate the end of six weeks of events and online workshops as part of the Sustainability Festival ‘Reimagined’ 2021, the Bass Coast Landcare Network is hosting a Local Produce and Sustainability Market as the final event, to be held at the River Garden in Bass. We will be hosting local producers selling fruit, vegetables, baked goods, preserves, food and other sustainability related items. Entry will be by gold coin donation to the public, this event will be a Covid safe space with QR check-in required upon entry to double vaccinated persons. As part of our commitment to Sustainability, this event will also be a plastic free event. A full list of stallholders will be available closer to the date. We hope to see you there! 

Applications for stallholders are now open - click here to apply.

If you haven't already, check out the great range of events on offer in the rest of the Sustainability Festival program by clicking here. 

Join us at our next River Garden Blitz day where we will feature local Horticulture teacher Adrian James, who will be showing us how to set up an irrigation system. Participants will learn about the components, how to connect them, discuss designing irrigation systems to suit different purposes and will have a go first hand at starting to set up irrigation system for our garden bed boxes at the River Garden. This will enable participants to gain the skills and confidence necessary to construct their own systems! We would love your help in continuing to turn the River Garden into a fully functional, productive growing space where we can learn from each other and grow healthy nutrient dense food! Bookings are essential so we can cater for everyone.

This day has been made possible with funding from VicHealth. 

Click this link for all the details and your link to RSVP!

Bass Coast Landcare Network are seeking community members to participate in the planting of mangroves on Sunday, the 12th of December to create habitat for marine species in Western Port. The day will include education on the importance of mangroves and hands-on action to prepare and plant mangrove seeds.  Lunch will be provided for attendees, please make sure any dietary requirements are provided. Gumboots and gloves are recommended. The event will be capped at 30 people to ensure CovidSafe procedures and minimisation of environmental disturbance of the intertidal zone. Attendees will need to provide proof of Covid vaccination upon arrival.

This project is supported by Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority, through funding from the Australian Government’s Fisheries Habitat Restoration

Please contact: [email protected] for enquiries and to register

GROUP AND NETWORK NEWS

The launch event for the Sustainability Festival, held on October 23rd was a fantastic evening, which left viewers excited and inspired! We heard from some really great speakers including Dr Susie Burke, local Bass Coast youth representative Jasmin Rooks, Zoe Geyer from Totally Renewable Phillip Island, Benita Russell from Bass Coast Shire Council, and Paul Haar from CERES Fair Wood. Feedback from participants is that they were glued to the spot with such interesting info and wide range of inspiring presentations, plus of course the perfect host Costa Georgiadis who beautifully wove it all together, thanks Costa!!

If you missed the Launch of the Festival, you can now watch the recording up on the Festival homepage on our website.

https://www.basscoastlandcare.org.au/sustainabilityfestival2021.html

Coastcare Victoria have awarded a record 32 grants worth nearly $610,000 through the 2021 Coastcare Victoria Community Grants program. The program has provided both small and large grants to community organisations to protect and enhance the coastal and near-shore marine environment. The 2021 grants program is funded by the Victorian Government’s Sustainability Fund and the Victorian Great Outdoors Initiative, which seek to build community capacity, support community adaptation and improve ecosystem resilience to climate change. Local recipients include:

Stream 1: Stewardship and Education

• French Island Landcare Group - Habitat rehabilitation on French Island's South coast
• Corinella Foreshore Reserve Committee of Management - Reducing Pest Pressures on Corinella Foreshore Reserve
• Phillip Island Nature Parks - Scenic Estate Erosion Remediation and Vegetation Improvement

Stream 2: Strengthening Our Volunteer Groups (marine and coastal volunteering)

• Ventnor Coastcare Association Incorporated - Restoring the biodiversity of the Ventnor Beach Rd Foreshore Reserve

Congratulations to all recipients!

The 2021 Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants were awarded to 111 recipients. The program is funded through the Victorian Landcare Program and delivered by Landcare Australia as part of their Junior Landcare program. Congratulations to our local schools including:

• Korumburra Secondary College - Rain Garden
  
• Wonthaggi North Primary School - Lets bring the birds and bees

For information on BCLN School programs click here.​

On Sunday 14th of November, Korumburra Landcare Group held their AGM in the form of a low-key morning tea at Outtrim Reserve. 16 attendees followed bird expert Dallas Wyatt for a walk and talk around the reserve, looking and listening for birds. Overall there was about 25 species of birds heard or spotted. A massive thank you to outgoing committee members Marie Creed and Paul Calvert, both valued, knowledgeable and supportive.
Current positions include: President - Melynda Dawson, Vice President - Jim Ahon, Secretary - Brian Griffin, Treasurer - Don Creed.

Click here to learn more about Korumburra Landcare Group

Essential to the state’s liveability, sustainability, and prosperity, more than 6 million Victorians depend on the Central and Gippsland Region’s rivers, wetlands, and lakes to live, work and play. As well as providing habitat for native wildlife, the region accounts for almost a third of Victoria’s dairy production – as well as more than a quarter of the state’s beef and vegetable produce. The new Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy will lay the foundations for our transition to a more climate-resilient water future. The Victorian Government is inviting you to work with them to address our water challenges and secure our water supplies for the future across the Central and Gippsland Region of Victoria.

Click here to have your say on the strategy.​

FrogID Week is Australia’s Biggest Frog Count, held annually for everyone to help record frog calls through the free FrogID app, to better understand frog distributions and frog population health across the continent. It aims to monitor Australia's frogs over time, helping us to understand how frogs and their ecosystems are responding to threats such as climate change, habitat loss, and disease. From 12th - 21st of November, listen out for frogs, and record their calls with the FrogID app. Even if it's the same frog, from the same pond, dam, or stream every day, every call submitted during FrogID Week helps contribute to our annual 'audioshot' of Australia's unique frog species.

If you haven't already, click here to download the FrogID app and start recording!​

Westernport Water are inviting you to have your say on the future of water prices and services by taking their online customer surveys. In doing so, you can earn funds for some great community causes. Whether you want affordable prices, reliable services, or environmental sustainability – this is your chance to influence the projects and services delivered to you.
Westernport Water want to hear from as many customers as possible. 
Everyone who completes a survey can nominate a local community group, sporting club, school or other registered non-profit organisation in our service area to go in the draw to win $500!

Click here to complete the surveys​

GRANTS, TRAINING, INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LANDHOLDERS

Grant applications are now open for the Australian Government Environment Restoration Fund Threatened Species Strategy Action Plan Priority Species Grants.  This grant program provides funding to undertake activities that will protect, enhance, rehabilitate, recover and/or restore priority species and their habitats. This grant will support organisations with on-ground activities that assist efforts to improve the trajectories of priority species. $50,000 to $250,000 grants are available, covering up to 100% of eligible project expenditure. Applications close 13 December 2021.  

Click here to find out more and apply​

Check out  Agriculture Victoria's new podcast series, AgVic Talk, covering all sorts of topics; Succession planning, mentoring, farm business success metrics, and much more. And this is all available to you while you're out and about, in the car, or taking a stroll around the property. You can subscribe and listen to AgVic Talk wherever you get your podcasts:

Subscribe to AgVic Talk on Spotify

Subscribe to Apple Podcasts

Are you part of a Landcare group with a project you'd like to do, or an event that you’d like to run? Need extra funds? Then consider applying for a grant through the Bass Coast Council Community Grants Program, which now includes a Quick Response Grant program. The Quick Response program will provide grants of up to $1,000 every month (Except June), or until budget allocation is exhausted. Rounds open the first day of each month (except June) and close on the last Friday of the same month. Applications for November's Quick Response grants are now open! Round 1 of the Community Grants 2022 is now also open with applications closing on Friday, 4 March 2022.

To apply, or for more information, visit www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/grants or contact the Community Grants and Projects Officer on [email protected].

We have had some very valuable help in the past few weeks from two groups of secondary students from St. Bede’s College. It’s amazing what these young fit boys can get done in the space of a few hours! They happily weeded, mulched, composted and topped up our new garden bed boxes with compost, knowing that they are contributing to the upkeep of a worthwhile community project. We look forward to a continuing partnership with this school into the future, having hosted several sessions this year and last, and can't wait to welcome them back in 2021, a big THANKYOU to St. Bedes! 

On Saturday  13^th of November we welcomed back guest speaker, local Horticulture teacher Adrian James to the monthly River Garden Blitz. Despite the wintery blast of weather, Adrian taught participants about sustainable gardening and permaculture principles, before heading out into the wind for some hands-on work. We got a lot of our spring/summer veggies planted and some extra herbs, including lemongrass, tarragon and oregano and some cape gooseberries and strawberries as well. As a result of all this hard work, the River Garden is looking great, just in time for the final event in the Sustainability Festival program, the Produce and Sustainability Market, on Sunday 5^th of December from 8am to 1pm. Come along and see this space transformed into a bustling outdoor marketplace with a range of local growers, makers, sustainability related displays and products, applications for stallholders are also still open on our festival web pages too.

We will also welcome Adrian James back as guest speaker at our December blitz day on Saturday 11^th of December where you will get to learn all about setting up an irrigation system, including a hands on session helping to set up irrigation in the garden bed boxes. See you down at the River Garden!

Click here to see how you can get involved with our emerging River Garden Community!​

Offset Your Vehicle Emissions for 2021/22 with Local Planting Projects!

If you feel passionate about the environment and want to do your bit for our beautiful native flora and fauna, why not consider offsetting your car emissions with Bass Coast Landcare Network? Just click on your car's size to make a donation, which will cover the planting of enough indigenous plants to offset your car’s emissions for a year and contribute to restoring your own local landscape. 

All your friends and family will also see your complimentary car sticker showing your commitment to the Bass Coast environment.

Bass Coast Arc – Landcare Public Fund Making Projects a Reality – Donate Today to Make a Difference!

The Bass Coast Landcare Public Fund is a regional non-profit organisation focusing on conserving biodiversity throughout Bass Coast.​ The Bass Coast Arc – “Community Access to Public Space” concept supports community groups to work with public land managers to improve the environment of our public spaces and create appropriate access to these unique areas.

Your contribution, no matter how small, helps to protect native plants and animals in Bass Coast’s most ecologically important landscapes. ​

What's your story?

We would love to hear from you and your Landcare group with stories and photos of what's been happening in your area and any suggestions of things that you would like to see in your E-news.

We look forward to meeting and catching up with you at upcoming events and activities around Bass Coast.

Until next edition, 

Happy reading, from the Bass Coast Landcare Network.