Lots to see, lots to do, come and join us!

This month's E-news is packed with even more things to see and do in Landcare across Bass Coast. Join us for one or all of the many events coming up, from healthy soils and healthy food, to farm visits, celebrations, interesting speakers, walks and walks there is something for everyone! We look forward to catching up with you.

You can stay informed either 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!

Inspiring speaker, farm walk and wood fired pizzas anyone? ​

It’s that time of year again, you know the one, when you hear an inspiring speaker, have a free lunch and go on a great farm walk? Yes you guessed it, it’s the annual BCLN AGM on Saturday 11 November at 11:00 am! This year Agroforestry guru Rowan Reid will be our guest speaker and the day will be held at Peter McDonnells Property.

For the full story click here​

Healthy Soils, Healthy Food, Healthy People Workshop

Join us for a free workshop focusing on the links between Healthy Soil, Nutritional Food and Healthy People on November 17^th at the Inverloch Community Hub. There will be presentations focusing on the importance of producing and eating high quality food, sustainably produced with minuimum impact on the environment. Hear from practising nutritionalist and dietitian, Marieke Rodenstein and former CSIRO soil scientist and agronomist, Dr Maartin Stapper. A panel discussion will also include local food and soil experts exploring local experiences in soil health, healthy food and personal health.

For more information and to book your place click here​

Kongwak Hills look at Permaculture with Jarrod Ruche

Head to the hills on Sunday 19th of November to join Kongwak Hills Landcare Group and hear all about Permaculture from expert Jarrod Ruch. Jarrod has many years experience and is a fantastic speaker. This will be held at the Old Dalyston Deli, 74 Glen Forbes Road Dalyston at 5.30pm. Meeting is to be followed by a set meal at $15 pp for financial members; $30 pp for non-members.

RSVP by 10th of November to Marg Hauser, Secretary of Kongwak Hills Landcare Group by email at  [email protected]

Intrepid Landcare mapping willows by kayak

Gippsland Intrepid Landcare are organising their next awesome event for 18-35 year olds, this time mapping willows by kayak throughout the Macalister Gorge Natural Features and Scenic Reserve near Glenfollch on the 25th of November.  There are ONLY 25 spots available so it is first in, best dressed!! *If you want to come you need to be a member of Gippsland Intrepid Landcare. 

Click here for the facebook event page to book your spot

Walk Tortoise Head with French Island Landcare Group

Join French Island Landcare Group on a walk to Tortoise Head at 11.45am on 26th November. Meeting place is at the beach end of Anchorage Rd. Don't forget your lunch, sunscreen, insect repellent, water and sturdy shoes. For more information on getting there and participating in this event email [email protected] ​

Walk the island by the light of the full moon this summer

After the success of the ‘walk the island’ series earlier this year Phillip Island Landcare Group has decided to organise three ‘Full moon walks’ this summer. These walks will take place on Phillip Island in the evenings where you’ll discover the Island by night.

Watch our news and events page for a flyer and dates to be announced by clicking here​

30^th Birthday Celebrations for Phillip Island Landcare Group

Phillip Island Landcare Group will be recognising their 30th year with a celebration on Saturday 2nd December 2017. This event includes a Farm walk, historical displays, recognition of past and present personnel, the PILG 2017 AGM, BBQ Dinner and music. If you have been involved in the group in the last 30 years this is a great chance to catch up with old and new friends. 

Click here to see more about the Phillip Island Landcare Group​

Nursery groups big day out – French Island trip

The BCLN Indigenous Plant Nursery volunteer group enjoyed a day on French Island in late September, thanks to the hospitality of the French Island Landcare Group. The first stop was to meet our colleagues at the French Island Nursery, compare notes, get some ideas on growing indigenous flowers, and enjoy a nice home baked morning tea. Paul Henwood’s farm was visited next, with his aquatic plant pond and dam, flow hive, and extensive food gardens all points of interest. Chris Chandler gave us an overview of the islands unique flora over lunch at Figs Café (general store), and then took us on a short orchid and wildflower walk. Overall a great day, with a special thanks to Judith Metcher for organising our itinerary, Terry and Glenys for the nursery tour, Chris for the guided walk, and Paul for showing us his farm. We hope to reciprocate by hosting the French Island Nursery staff at Bass soon.

If you want to be part of this group contact Robbie Gray on [email protected] 

Diversification Day - A great view from the House on the Hill Olive Grove

A wonderful farm visit was held at the House on the Hill Olive Grove recently, as part of the Bass Coast Landcare Networks Diversification and Innovation series of farm visits. Over 20 people were captivated by the story told by landowner, Justin McCulloch, who in 4 years has shifted from the corporate world to an award winning olive oil producer.

Thanks to everyone who attended, and for the glorious weather that was turned on for the event.

Click here for the BCLN facebook page where you can see photos and information from all of our events. 

I Spy using my little drone…. fauna monitoring day a great success​

 35 Individuals from five Landcare groups gathered at Jon and Marg Hauser’s farm for a fantastic informative field day in late October. Robbie Gray from Bass Coast Landcare displayed the last five years of Fauna Monitoring results utilizing infra- red camera traps mainly in and around the Holden proving ground. Robbie also showed the group how to install the cameras to get the best possible results. We had several Landcare members enquire about lending traps to gather data for our BCLN wide Monitoring program. This is a fantastic result and means we can now start to get a broader picture of fauna species present on private land across Bass Coast.

Click read more to read the full story.

Weed ‘em and Reap ​- Still time to get weeds out and indigenous plants in this spring

Weeds, Weeds, Weeds!   Spring is here – and so are those weeds. From 16 October to 20 November 2017 join Bass Coast Shire Council’s Weed ‘em and Reap program and help dispose of those weeds and collect free indigenous plants for your efforts.  You can collect an application form from any Council Visitor Information Centre along with your copy of the ‘Common Weeds of Gippsland” brochure. Simply list the number of weeds you have removed from your garden on the application form and return the form to them by the 27 November 2017. You will be sent a voucher telling you how many indigenous plants you will receive and the nursery to collect them from. Weeds can be disposed of in your Organics bin (green lid) or during the Green Waste Amnesty dates from 3 November to 19 December 2017, free of charge at your nearest Transfer station. So, you too can become part of the solution, weeding one garden at a time.

For more information on this Bass Coast Shire Council Program click here

Federal Government announces Smart Farming Grants - small grants and regional grants 

New farming grants available for projects to develop, trial and implement new and innovative tools that support uptake of sustainable agriculture. There are two tiers, small grants and regional scale. 
We would like to hear your ideas so we can start putting applications together on behalf of Landcare groups in Bass Coast and working with regional partners on a landscape scale.

Email us your ideas at [email protected]  so we can start working together to harness this great opportunity for Bass Coast!
More information on this overall program can be found at http://www.nrm.gov.au/

BCLN Website Resources - Birds on Farms

Did you know there’s a range of resources you can access on our website? From fact sheets to case studies and videos from various landholders, members share their experiences on how they have successfully tackled land management issues on their own properties. 

Each month we look at something different, this month we look at the range of fact sheets available in the 'Birds on Farms' series. 

Click on this link and scroll to the bottom of the page to find fact sheets in this series. ​​

Green Army finishes up in Bass Coast this November

Over the last 6 months, 6 crew members led by Green Army Supervisor Skye McPherson have been busy all over Bass Coast. Some of their achievements over this time have included: Planting 28,000 trees, erecting 4km of predator proof fencing, being involved in lots of training activities, doing propagation at the BCLN nursery, conducting pest animal surveys using infra red cameras and leading groups of students at big planting days. 

The team members get credits for units in Conservation and land management and some of them hope to go on do the diploma, others will move into  veterinary science or environmental management. 

On Thursday 9th of November, there will be a BBQ lunch and graduation presentation at Kilcunda foreshore at 12.30pm if you would like to come along and say goodbye to the team. 

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 non-profit organisation focusing on conserving biodiversity in Bass Coast. We need your 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!​

Each month we feature a Bass Coast Landcare Network Staff member so you can put a face to the name and learn about us and what we do. 

Robbie Gray 

Robbie started at BCLN in 2007, supervising the inaugural BCLN trainees soon after the inception of the Works Crew, and remembers the ‘good old days’ of working out of a tool trailer... In his current role as Ecosystem Services Coordinator he has expanded the Ecosystem Services Portfolio to 12 permanent and part time staff (including our 10th trainee), 13 volunteers and program participants, and a works depot. Robbie has recently established the BCLN Community Nursery with its core group of committed volunteers, and a Work 4 the Dole program which helps develop new projects. He also manages projects including Vegetation Offsets, Pest Plant and Animals, Wonthaggi Urban Landcare Group, Threatened species, and is developing the River Garden at Bass (a farm diversification / community garden).

Click here for more information on our staff or to get into contact with any of our team. 

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!

Hope to catch up with you at some of our events,

Until next month,

From the Bass Coast Landcare Network.