Welcome to the May edition of Bass Coast Landcare Network's E-news. 

Is that rain we can hear on the roof? Its been so long, we forgot what that noise was! Hopefully we get a lot more over the next few months to help us get on with our plans for this planting season. Its still a bit hard to get posts in the ground for now so we cant wait for more rain to soften things up a bit and to get everything growing. 

While we wait, why not check out the great events and activities that our Landcare groups have organised all across Bass Coast! This e-news edition showcases what's coming up, sums up all of the great things that have already been happening and we also have some new projects and Works Crew Trainees to introduce to you as well. 

As always there are lots of stories in the news section, there are plenty of interesting resources and some new grants for you to check out too.

You can also stay informed at our website 

www.basscoastlandcare.org.au

or on our facebook page at 

https://www.facebook.com/BassCoastLandcareNetwork/ 

and if you haven't already, give us a like and follow our page!

Bass Valley Landcare Group: Bird Monitoring and Shelterbelt Design Farm walk ​

All Landcare members are welcome to join the Bass Valley Landcare group members for a farm walk with a focus on bird monitoring led by Dallas Wyatt, and shelterbelt design led by Peter Brown, followed by dinner and a short meeting. We will be organising a schedule of group meetings and different events for 2018. BYO drinks, salad or dessert and a camp chair. Meat and bread will be supplied.

Where: Peter Browns and Lyn Whitlam’s farm 85 Eden Rd Glen Forbes

When: Wednesday May 16th at 4.30pm, dinner at 6pm

RSVP for catering to Mez Oldham 0415 445 215 or [email protected]​

Click here to find out more about the Bass Valley Landcare Group.

Phillip Island Landcare Group: Wildlife Corridor Walk for 150-year celebrations ​

As part of the 150^th celebrations for Phillip Island, the Phillip Island Landcare Group has organised a walk of its ‘Wildlife Corridor’ project on Saturday 19th May 2018 from 10.00am.  The project, an idea of Jim McFee’s, a Farmer at Rhyll, began in 1997.  The intention of the project was to allow wildlife to safely move from one area to another without going on roads.  Since its inception an estimate of 300,000 tube stock have been planted.

This is a one-off opportunity to walk 8kms of the Wildlife Corridor as we travel through private farms, Westernport Water and Nature Park land.   We hope you can walk with us as we witness first-hand the efforts and rewards of this fabulous environmental project.  This is a free event and you must book to attend.  For all enquiries and bookings contact David Rooks – Landcare Committee on 0418 115 935 or [email protected]

Click here to find out more about the Phillip Island Landcare Group.

Wonthaggi Urban Landcare Group: Bird watching and monitoring morning

The Wonthaggi Urban Landcare Group is one of four groups in the Bass Coast Landcare Network to receive funding from the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority to undertake bird monitoring. On the 23rd of May 2018, local bird expert Dallas Wyatt will lead a bird watching morning at the Wonthaggi Wetlands and explain the monitoring technique used by Bird Life Australia. It would be great to see you there!​

For a flyer with more information and booking details click here.

Nutrient on Dairy Farms - Healthy soils, sustainable farms field day

Come along to our Healthy Soils, Sustainable Farms field day on May 23^rd in Kongwak to learn about nutrients on dairy farms. Glenn Marriott from Ag Challenge Consulting services will be our guest speaker, facilitating a farm walk discussion on Andrew Perry and Kerry Fraser’s property to examine proposed effluent management system upgrades and cost benefit analysis for dairy properties.

Click below for all event and booking details to secure your place.​

Day 3 of the River Garden Hands on learning series – Crops for a changing climate

After the first two sessions of this great series we are looking forward to the return of our expert presenter Jarrod Ruch on Saturday 26^th of May. This time we will be discussing topics such as: Alternative crop trials for a changing climate, including aquatic plants, aquaponics systems, fruit and nuts, Extending the seasons for crops, novel crops, pests and diseases. Jarrod is such a wealth of knowledge and happy to answer any questions about properties big and small. If you have ever wondered how you could diversify the production from your farm or garden this day is for you.

We will also be doing some planting on the day, sheet mulching and setting up new spaces at this great community space. Be a part of the action!​

For all booking details and further information please click here.

Phillip Island Landcare Group: Walk the Island Series - four walks over May and June ​

Phillip Island Landcare Group once again presents a series of walks around our Island.  Over five Sundays in May / June you can spend time with fellow walkers completing a circumference of our beautiful Island.  Join us for all five walks or sample the walks you’re able to attend.  Walks vary in length from 6 to 13 kms and are suitable for active persons.  They have different start times depending on the tide.  Most walks finish near a café.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about your local land and its inhabitants.   This is a free event and you must book to attend.  For all enquiries and bookings contact David Rooks – Landcare Committee on 0418 115 935 or [email protected]

Click here to find out more about the Phillip Island Landcare Group.​

Luminous Galleries light up April-July

You can still view the beautiful installations of the Luminous Galleries right up until July with artworks spread across four towns: Pioneer Bay, Grantville, Corinella and Coronet Bay. Click on the link below for the full calendar pictured above. 

Bought to you by The Edge Of Us: Small Town Transformation, an arts project celebrating life in our tiny Waterline towns. Across 2017 and 2018 artists and residents from CORINELLA, CORONET BAY, GRANTVILLE, TENBY POINT and PIONEER BAY will light up the towns in a series of projects to help understand our connections to one another, our unique environment and our call to the water's edge.

This project is proudly administered by the Bass Valley Landcare Group. 

For more information on The Edge of us click here.​

2018 Bunny Boiler Challenge announced!

In 2018 the Phillip Island Landcare Group will again present its annual Bunny Boiler dinner to be held on Friday 1^st June from 6.00pm.  This year the event will be held at the North Pier Hotel (ex Continental) as a larger venue is required to accommodate growing numbers. 

The annual fundraising event highlights rabbits as pests on our land.   Local chefs and home cooks will prepare scrumptious rabbit meals.  Attendees then vote on the best tasting meal.  The night is complimented with door prizes, live music from 2up, poetry from Mike Cleeland and pin the tail on the rabbit for kids.   Tickets for this fundraising event are $35.00. 

For more details and how to book into the event of the year please click here.

Its nearly planting time – Phillip Island Landcare get ready for the 2018 planting season

Phillip Island Landcare group have got in early and organised four family friendly tree planting days for the 2018 planting season. They invite you to get out the gumboots and gloves and to help re-vegetate different properties on the Island. It’s a great opportunity for people of all ages to feel the pleasure of contributing on a tree planting day.

For all enquiries and bookings contact David Rooks – Phillip Island Landcare Committee on 0418 115 935 or email [email protected]

3 Creeks Landcare Group: Fundraising for a good cause, your support is appreciated!

The 3 Creeks Landcare Group has acquired some excellent wine from the Gippsland Wine Co to raise funds for the Group.  Stocks are limited so please call Ray Kirk on 0491136487 or complete and email the attached order form to order your “3 Creeks” branded wine:  Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Cabernet and Chardonnay.  $14 per bottle or $80 for 6.

For a PDF copy of this order form email [email protected]

Growing Master tree growers from Bass Coast

Three out of six days have been held so far in the current round of the Master Tree Growers course, held at different properties throughout Gippsland. Participants have been captivated by facilitator Rowan Reid from the Otway Agroforestry Network and are extremely motivated and are looking forward to the remainder of the course.

The Master Tree Growers Course is being run by the Western Port Catchment Landcare Network Inc, Bass Coast Landcare Network, Otway Agroforestry Network and Gippsland Agroforestry Network.

3 Creeks Landcare Group: A beautiful day for bird watching

What a delightful day for the 3 Creeks bird monitoring workshop on the 7^th of April. Thank you to Dallas Wyatt for running the workshop and sharing his wealth of knowledge with us. Thanks also to John and Nicki for hosting the event on their beautiful Ryanston property.

Click here to find out more about the 3 Creeks Landcare Group​.

A fine day for the Community Orchard harvest festival ​

After the fog lifted the sun shone down on the Annual Harvest Festival on Saturday 21^st of April at the Phillip Island Community Orchard. Around 50 members, families and friends shared a pot luck feast of homemade and homegrown goodies alongside local BBQ foods. 
There was beautiful music from Danielle Baylis, demonstrations on making Apple cider vinegar, dukka, pesto and using spaghetti squash, then expert horticulturalist and permaculture guru Jarrod Ruch did a fantastic presentation on pruning fruit trees and managing pests in a holistic way. Participants were excited to leave with full bellies and lots of ideas on how to not only look after the orchard into the future but manage their own gardens as well. 
Thanks go to the volunteers, Bass Coast Shire Council, Bass Coast Landcare Network and Westernport Water for this great day.  For more information on the see the Facebook page at https://m.facebook.com/islandorchard/​ or email [email protected]

BCLN Successfully host climate change resilience field day

On Thursday 26^th April approximately 30 landowners attended a field day focusing on climate change and agricultural resilience in Bass Coast.  This issue is becoming a hot topic throughout the agricultural community in Gippsland, particularly around preparing for climate change through innovation and diversification. 

A morning session was held at the Kernot Hall with Soil Scientist, Declan McDonald (pictured) speaking on the drivers of climate change in southern Gippsland as well land capability assessments landowners can use to assist in decision making.

The afternoon session was held on site in Woodleigh, at the property of Peter Mulherin's.  Peter is considering multiple new enterprises on his property and is very mindful on what his future climate may look like. 

This project is a pilot project jointly funded by Bass Coast Landcare Network, Bass Coast Shire Council, West Gippsland Catchment Authority and the East Gippsland Food Cluster.

For further information about this field day and a recently announced climate change project please call Joel Geoghegan on 5678 2335.

Check our Sustainable Agriculture page for any updates on the Climate change project by clicking here.​

Let the microbes sort it out! Day 2 of the River Garden Hands on learning days

We had a great day on Saturday 28th of April at Day 2 of the River Garden Hands on learning series of workshops. This one was on natural soil improvement and growing methods including plant stacking to make the most of space and provide healthy crops at all scales from garden to farm. You still have time to get involved in the last two days of this series, book your place by clicking on the link at the end of this article. 
The take home message of the day was definitely ‘let the microbes sort it out!’...

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Click here to book into session 3 and 4 of the 'Hands on learning days' at the River Garden.​

Gippsland Intrepid Landcare get their hands dirty at Sandy Point Retreat

Victorian Gorse Taskforce community grants

The Victorian Gorse Taskforce (VGT) is calling for applications for their 2018/2019 Community Grants Program. You and your neighbours and/or your local Landcare Group can attract up to $30,000 in grants to help combat gorse in your local area. The VGT will support groups, starting from just two landholders, who are genuinely willing to control gorse and stay on top of it. The VGT will consider projects under a Small Grants Program, up to $5,000 (GST exclusive) and Large Facilitated Program up to $30,000 (GST exclusive).
More information: go to the VGT's website: www.vicgorsetaskforce.com.au for a copy of the project guidelines, eligibility criteria and application template, or contact the Executive Officer on 0437 798 148.
How to apply: submit your application including checklist and maps to [email protected] by Tuesday 5 June 2018.

Alternatively contact our staff member Robbie Grey to discuss putting in a joint application for Bass coast on [email protected] 

2018 -19 Victorian Landcare Grants now open

The Victorian Government has committed $1.8 million for Victorian Landcare Grants in 2018-19 to support Landcare and other environmental volunteer groups to undertake projects that protect and restore the land and environment. The Victorian Landcare Grants are delivered by Victoria’s 10 Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs).  

Project Grants of up to $20,000 are available for on-ground works, education and capacity building projects to protect and restore Victoria’s land and environment.

Support Grants of $500 are available for existing groups/networks.

Start-up Grants of $500 are available for new groups/networks.

Applications Close: Tuesday 12 June 2018 at 12 noon.
More information on applying including guidelines documents can be found at the links below and Bass Coast Landcare Network staff are on hand to assist groups through the process.
Bass Coast Landcare network [email protected]
Port Phillip & Western Port www.ppwcma.vic.gov.au/grants
West Gippsland www.wgcma.vic.gov.au/getting-involved/landcare/victorian-landcare-grants

Have your say on declaring feral cats an established pest animal ​

Declaration: in mid to late 2018, the Victorian Government will declare feral cats or wild populations of cats an established pest animal on specified public land in Victoria under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. This was recommended by the 2017 Parliamentary Inquiry into the control of invasive animals on Crown Land. The declaration will require public land managers to control feral cats where key biodiversity values are at risk. It will only apply to specified public land being managed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) or Parks Victoria. Only departmental and agency staff (and their agents) will be permitted to destroy a feral cat.
Feral cats will not be declared as a pest animal on private land. Farmers and other private landholders will not be required to control feral cats. The declaration will not affect local councils.
More information: to find access the information sheets on the proposed feral cat declaration go to https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/invasive-plants-and-animals/feral-cats
Have your say on the declaration: DELWP is keen to receive feedback, understand your views on the proposed feral cat declaration, and what the declaration may mean to you or the organisation you represent. Have your say on the proposed feral cat declaration by completing the survey via this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SG9VFLB or by sending an email to [email protected]
Consultation period: the community consultation period on the declaration will run from 30 April - 20 May 2018.

​BCLN Website Resources - New Case study, our biggest planting in history! 

Our website has a range of resources, from fact sheets to case studies to videos and documents. Each month we try to feature something different that you may not have found yet.

This month we have added a new case study on one of the biggest plantings in BCLN history that happened this year at Karl and Rachel Russo's property where 25,000 plants went in the ground in one week!

Click this link to take you to the case study page, scroll down to find out how it all took place...

Successful funding announcement – Climate change land capability and capacity project

The Bass Coast Landcare Network is pleased to announce receipt of funding through the Victorian State Governments’ Climate Change Innovation Grants program.   These grants are managed through the Virtual Centre for Climate Change Innovation and we have been awarded $254,236 over two years.

Commencing in June 2018, the Bass Coast Landcare Network will work with key partners RMIT, Federation University, Bass Coast Shire Council and South Gippsland Landcare Network and, the agricultural community of southern Gippsland to respond to climate change. 

Click here to read the full story on this exciting new project.​

You can now offset your car emissions with BCLN

We are excited to announce our new program to encourage people to offset their car’s emissions. The way the program works is members of the community can make a donation which varies depending on the size of their car, and in return, BCLN will plant a number of native plants which will offset the emissions of that size car.

Participants will receive a sticker for their donation, which states ‘We’ve Offset our Car Emissions with Bass Coast Landcare Network’ which they can proudly place on their rear windscreen to show off their commitment to the environment. We hope to gain lots of interest and see these stickers out on the roads soon.

To offset your car emissions with BCLN click here.

Bass Coast Arc – Public Fund making projects a reality - Donate today to make a difference

The Bass Coast Landcare Network Public Fund is a regional charitable organisation focusing on conserving biodiversity in Bass Coast. We need your tax-deductible donations to help fund small projects by local community groups working with the relevant Land Managers to improve public spaces and create community access.

Under the banner of “Bass Coast Arc – Community Access to Public Space” the Public Fund aims to support local community groups doing things like: Managing pest plants and animals, surveying vegetation, repairing and upgrading infrastructure, including public tracks and fences.

Be a part of this important work - Click here to donate today!​

BCLN welcomes new trainees to the Works Crew

We would like to welcome our two new trainees to the Bass Coast Landcare Network Works Crew, Caleb Kilgour and Anna Brayley. Both trainees are studying their Certificate 3 in Conservation and Land Management.
Caleb has previously studied a Certificate 3 in Horticulture, moving onto the conservation side of things with an interest in contributing to the beauty of the Bass Coast region. Caleb enjoys working in the outdoors and is fitting in well with the Works Crew.
Anna spent 6 months working with the Bass Coast Green Army team alongside BCLN before gratefully joining the Works Crew as a trainee. Anna has a great appreciation for the natural environment, and is keen to pursue a career in conservation.

Say hi if you see them around!

To meet the rest of our staff team, click here.​

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

We look forward to meeting and catching up with you at some of the events coming up around Bass Coast, 

Until next month, 

From the Bass Coast Landcare Network.