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

This month's Enews features a range of events, some project updates and lots of grants!

We hope you enjoy this edition of the Enews.

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

You're invited to come and plant mangroves with us in Tenby Point! Learn about the importance of mangroves while getting your hands dirty preparing and planting this awesome species. This event will be held on January 28th, from 10am-2pm, meeting at the Tenby Point foreshore. A BBQ lunch will be provided, please make sure any dietary requirements are noted. Gumboots and gloves are recommended, as well as sun protection and a water bottle. RSVP to [email protected]

South Gippsland Landcare Network, Hallston Regenerative Agriculture Group and Mardan-Mirboo North Landcare Group are running a free forum to stimulate discussion around erosion, landslips, and recovery best practice and undertake onsite visual investigation on Sunday, February 26th. This forum will include presentations by Agriculture Victoria and West Gippsland CMA, a case study presentation on the Hyland Reservoir Landslip prevention project, self drive to the property demonstration site (3.7kms from hall) for onsite visual inspection and free morning tea and lunch.

Please click here for further information and to RSVP​

You are invited to the Natural Capital Accounting project results day and farm walk at Archies Creek property, ‘Kemano Park’ on March 6th.
This day will include:

• An overview of natural capital accounting
• The public release of the natural capital accounting video series
• A summary of the results of 6 Bass Coast case study properties
• An in-depth analysis of the host farms, Kemano Park, natural capital accounting account
• A farm walk to a recently assessed revegetation site and soils site

Joining us on the day will be accredited natural capital accounting technical experts, Karen Thomas from Melbourne Water and Declan McDonald from ReGen Soils.

Click here for further details and to RSVP.​

The Coronet Bay Ratepayers and Residents Association (CBRRA) has been fortunate to receive a Grant under the Bass Coast Shire Community Grants program to conduct a Naming and Smoking Ceremony for the previously unnamed small coastal freshwater lake at Coronet Bay, to now be officially known as Wang toolome parnung (Duck Waterhole). Earlier project grants have enabled Fauna and Flora Surveys identifying a wealth of indigenous animals, including vulnerable species in the vegetative area surrounding Wang toolome parnung.  These are identified on the recently installed educational signage at the lake.
CBRRA invites you to join them on Sunday 12th March 2023 at 11am in Coronet Bay when a Bunurong Elder will perform a Smoking and Welcome to Country ceremony to officially introduce Wang toolome parnung to the Community. The CBRRA gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the Bass Coast Shire, Melbourne Water, Bunurong Land Council and Bass Valley Lions Club in support of these events.

Click here for more information​, or contact Kev Brown (secretary) at [email protected] 

The North-East Region Landcare community will host the Victorian Landcare Forum from Friday, 24 March to Saturday, 25 March 2023 in Beechworth (George Kerferd Hotel). The Forum will provide a fantastic opportunity to share Landcare knowledge and experience from around the State, to meet others directly involved in Landcare and to see first-hand the achievements of Landcare in the North-East.

Click here for more information including the full itinerary and ticket sales

GROUP AND NETWORK NEWS

We are excited to announce our new project to introduce Bass Coast Secondary students to agriculture and horticulture career options, 'Bass Coast Schools Stepping onto Farms'. Via tours to a range of diverse enterprises and organisations, students will find out first-hand, what real life skills, experience and qualifications are needed from the staff and families who run them. A digital Farm snapshots package, Emerging technology presentations and connections with training providers from across Bass Coast and beyond are all part of the program. Thanks to funding from the 'Secondary Schools Agriculture Fund' from the Victorian Government Department of Education and Training, we will be hosting 40 free tours for Bass Coast Schools this year.

This is also a great opportunity for our local farms and enterprises to be paid to share what they do with the next generation and potentially find future employees. If you are one of the farms we contacted while preparing our application we will be in touch soon. If would like to find out what is involved and be a part of this project, please email Lisa at [email protected]

What a great turn-out at the Kongwak Hall on Saturday 4 Feb for Kongwak Hills Landcare Group’s first event of the year, “South Gippsland Birdlife - attracting, identifying and monitoring birds on your property”. Presenter, environmental educator Jane Taylor, engaged attendees with fascinating facts on birdlife, focusing on how to attract, identify and monitor birds in the local area.  Using a Kookaburra nesting box, (one of the various designs that have been installed on KHLG members properties as part of a broader citizen science project) Jane demonstrated how monitoring equipment that has been purchased by the group, is used on a telescopic pole to illuminate, view and take photos inside the box. 
The session was supported with images of birds taken in the Kongwak Pioneer Reserve by local wildlife photographer Robyn Bolding, who also had some lovely greeting cards for purchase showcasing her work of the Eastern spinebill, Superb fairywren, Spotted pardalote and more. And… what a great spread for the “pot luck” lunch to cap off the day!
Thank you to all that contributed to a great event. The bird info event was an educational component for KHLG’s project, “Kongwak Hills homes for wildlife - Engaging Volunteers in Citizen Science” funded by Victorian Government DEECA (formerly DEWLP) - Community Volunteer Action Grant.

If you missed the event, click here to view resources on the KHLG website

In 2022, three new local residents expressed an interest to Korumburra Landcare Group (KLG) and the South Gippsland Shire Council (SGSC) to set up a Friends group to assist with the upkeep and enhancement of the beautiful Woodford Reserve, which is hidden away at the end of Woodford Place, Korumburra.  A large planting day was organised by KLG in collaboration with SGSC, and by the end of 2022, well over 2,000 additional native plants have enhanced the already beautiful area. Streamside species will protect the banks of the creek that are prone to flash flooding and work has continued downstream broadening the corridor of local ground cover, under and mid story plant species.
Through the support of council and the KLG, the residents have set up an incorporated group, with a letter of Understanding signed in February 2023 with SGSC. The evolution of the Friends of Woodford Reserve Inc. (FOWR) was underpinned by the express intent of the residents to work with the council, establishing plans and practices that worked for both parties.

Click here to read the full story​

Well-known botanist and author, Leon Costermans, has teamed up with geologist Fons VandenBerg to deliver a new 660-page book titled ‘Stories beneath our feet: exploring the geology and landscapes of Victoria and surrounds’. This hard-cover book explains the geological origins of the diverse landscapes in southeastern Australia, and is written to appeal to a wide range of readers with interests in the natural environment; it does not assume a geological background. This book examines the stories behind the wide range of landforms, rock types and life-forms through geological time, and emphasises geological influences in ecosystems. Stories beneath our feet makes suggestions for field activities suitable for various age groups. It includes over 1870 high quality photos, digital images, geological maps, and diagrams; and has a comprehensive glossary, user-friendly indexes and other supplementary descriptive lists.

 Click here to order your copy 

The Victorian Landcare Magazine is seeking stories for the Winter 2023 issue, which will feature stories on revegetation and restoration projects.
For the Winter 2023 issue stories are sought on how Landcare and environmental volunteer groups and networks are funding, planning, undertaking, and monitoring their revegetation and restoration projects. They are also interested to learn how decisions are being made on revegetation and restoration priorities, and how climate change is impacting these projects. Magazine readers are keen to learn about the successes and the challenges of different approaches, as well as what hasn’t worked, and the insights and reflections of your group or network along the way. Contributions are needed by March 10th at the absolute latest, however opportunities are snapped up quickly, so if you would like to submit a story, please contact the editor as soon as possible at 
[email protected]

Click here to learn more about the Victorian Landcare Magazine​

GRANTS, TRAINING, INFORMATION, RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LANDHOLDERS

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Planning or running a nature, conservation or wildlife group, event, or Landcare project? Find resources to help manage your volunteer team at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s (DEECA, formerly DELWP) recently launched Resources Hub for environmental volunteers and landcarers. The Hub connects groups with high-quality resources developed by peak bodies and other government departments on topics ranging from health and safety through to First Peoples cultural knowledge.

Click here to explore the Hub​

After a successful in-person webinar on fundraising, Landcare Victoria ran an online webinar on the same topic, recording it for all to access. This webinar had the participation of Esther Abram as the key speaker, Dirk Jansen from Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation as a case study
and Andrew Maclean, Landcare Victoria CEO, talking about how members can use Landcare Victoria's deductible gift recipient (DGR) status for their own fundraising. 

Click here to view the webinar, and for more information on upcoming webinars.​

Woolworths and Landcare Australia are once again inviting primary schools and early learning centres across the country to apply for a Woolworths Junior Landcare Grant. With 1,000 grants on offer, this is a fantastic opportunity to set up a new environmental project or enhance an existing one. The grants, of up to $1,000 each, inspire children from across the country to get hands-on with the natural environment through projects that focus on sustainable food production, improving waste management practices and recycling, enhancing native habitats and deepening connections to First Nations perspectives. Applications close March 17th.

Click here for further details​

Applications are open for the latest of grants from the Coles Nurture Fund, which is targeted towards producers developing new market-leading products and sustainable processes and technologies. Small to medium sized businesses will be eligible to apply for grants of up to $500,000 to help bring their innovative ideas to life.

Click here for further information​

After a busy school holiday period, applications for the 2023 Rural Women's Leadership and Mentoring Programs have been extended to 5pm on Monday 27 February.
These programs offer rural women with a connection to agriculture a range of opportunities to build their skills and confidence to participate in leadership and decision making that benefits rural industries and communities.

Click here for further details​​

Grants are open now until 24 February 2023, for Planet Ark's Seedling Bank. Planet Ark’s Seedling Bank empowers schools and community groups to undertake regeneration projects by providing financial support to buy native seedlings. Since launching in 2019, over 90 groups have received funding to plant over 39,000 seedlings around Australia. This next round of grants will be the biggest yet – with funding for over 50,000 seedlings.  

Click here to learn more and to apply

The Australian Government is inviting organisations in an open process to apply to deliver services under the National Agriculture Traceability Grants Program - Sustainability Reporting Uplift Grant Round from June 2023 to June 2025. Applications close on 23 February 2023. 

Click here for more information ​

The Landcare Victoria website has undergone some changes over the past few months - you should take a look! 
They've updated the Member Resources page, which now includes downloadable promotional materials, as well as templates and guidance notes that your group might find useful. 
The current and past projects now have their own page, and ongoing projects are being updated regularly - keep an eye out for the Rules Review information coming soon. 
Policies and Plans now live under the 'About Us' menu, and that's also where you can find Annual Reports. 
The events​ page contains information about upcoming and past events, as well as recordings of previous webinar presentations.  

Click the above links to check out the updates!

We held a River Garden Blitz day on February 11th, with the topic being 'Composting, and other ways to organically feed your garden.' Permaculture guru Rick Coleman taught participants all aspects of composting, including the various at-home systems you can purchase, pros and cons of each, as well as free ways to DIY using what you already have. We covered the topic quickly but thoroughly and had plenty of time to move on to Summer fruit tree pruning, with participants learning how to prune apple, pear and plum trees at this time of year. Our espaliers look much better after a big trim.
Our next Blitz will be held on March 25th, with details to be confirmed.
The Interchange volunteers have been coming along weekly, helping us with mowing, weeding, and general maintenance. We appreciate the great work they have been doing and look forward to their visits.

Click here to check out our River Garden page, to stay in the loop for upcoming events.​

Capturing Carbon for a Biodiverse Bass Coast - In local planting projects!

If you feel passionate about the environment and want to contribute to action on climate change by reducing the impact of your car on our planet, why not consider becoming a part of our ‘Capturing Carbon for a biodiverse Bass Coast’ program? Head to our web page at the link below and simply click on your car's size to make a tax-deductible donation, so we can plant indigenous plants in biodiverse plantings across Bass coast on your behalf. These plantings will increase habitat and important wildlife corridor connections while capturing carbon from the atmosphere. All your friends and family will also see your complimentary car sticker showing your commitment to the Bass Coast environment and climate action.

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.​ We do this by supporting community groups to work in their local area to add value to their conservation efforts, encourage broader community ownership and participation and by working in partnership with other land managers. We work to help protect native plants and animals in Bass Coast’s most ecologically important landscapes. Your tax-deductible 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.

The Bass Coast Landcare Network would like to acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Land Owners within the Network area, The Bunurong and Boon Wurrung people. We also recognise the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations in Land and Natural Resource Management.