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

Great to see a bit of very much needed rain last weekend. We think it would be fair to say we are all looking forward to a decent Autumn break of rain to end the dry conditions we have been experiencing! On this topic, the upcoming Seasonal Conditions workshop and farm walk on April 11th will be a great opportunity to discuss managing unfavorable seasonal conditions with Agriculture Victoria staff. Drought resilience workshops with Food and Fibre Gippsland will also explore this topic in more depth.  

This month's Enews contains lots of grants and training opportunities, upcoming events, and more. Grab your beverage of choice and take a look, we hope you enjoy this edition.

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The West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority invite you to a discussion and farm walk in Mirboo to hear practical advice about protecting biodiversity on your farm. Learn about potential opportunities in carbon and biodiversity markets, and grants to support farmers in protecting biodiversity. This walk will be led by local ecologist Peter Gannon, and is free to attend with lunch provided.

Click here to register.

Bass Coast Shire Council have announced a range of workshops covering a variety of topics on all things 'Living Lightly'. Topics include Energy Evolution, Future Foods, Garden Gems, and Circular Solutions. Learn a range of skills, from beekeeping to preserving, learn about electric homes and vehicles, repairing clothes and furniture, and much more. There are also a couple of sessions to be held at our River Garden Community Education space in Bass.

Click here for the full list of workshops and dates.

We often only think of farm dams for their water, but there are many other services they provide. This workshop will dig a bit deeper with 2 renowned speakers sharing their knowledge and experience with us! Join Western Port Catchment Landcare Network in this interesting workshop to be held at Jindivick Hall where Josh Griffiths and Dr Martino Malerba will share new knowledge around farm dams and the multiple benefits they provide.

Click here to register!

Farmers are invited to attend this workshop and farm walk focusing on planning and managing your farming enterprise during periods of unfavorable seasonal conditions. Fiona Baker and Greg Bekker from Agriculture Victoria will be joining us at the Phillip Island property of Bill and Amanda Cleeland to facilitate a seasonal conditions workshop and farm walk, an extremely relevant topic considering the dry summer and early autumn we are currently experiencing in Bass Coast. This event is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust.

Click here to learn more about this event and to book your place.

Join the Friends of Ritchie Reserve on a discovery nature walk with experienced local flora and fauna guides at one of Korumburra’s hidden gems. Learn all about the Reserve and its inhabitants, and even pick up a few native plants for your garden. This free event will be held on Sunday April 13th from midday to 3pm. Light refreshments will be available. For details and access information (and to help with catering numbers) please register by 10th of April with [email protected].

Led by facilitator Jenny O’Sullivan, these free workshops will explore how community groups and organisations can help farmers better prepare for and respond to drought, with emphasis on the different stages of drought and its impact on businesses and people. Workshop content will consider the role of farmers, key service providers and organisations in building resilience and capacity within our region. Workshops are being held in Wonthaggi (April 16th), Leongatha (April 17th) as well as Warragul, Flynn and Yarram.

Click here to register.

The BCLN AGM will be held at Ken and Janice Connor's Property at Screw Creek near Inverloch on May the 3rd with an 11am start. We are planning to have a short AGM followed by a BBQ lunch down on a beautiful section of the creek which has a combination of remnant vegetation and revegetation. If you would like to nominate for any of the Executive Positions including Chair, Vice Chair or Treasurer or Secretary, please contact [email protected] for a nomination form. Further details on guest speakers etc will be sent out prior to the AGM.
If you would like to register to come along please email [email protected].

The 2025 National Landcare Conference will be hosted at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from Sunday, 21st of September to Wednesday, 24th of September 2025. ABC TV presenter, Costa Georgiadis, will be the master of ceremonies for both the Conference and National Landcare Awards events. Early bird tickets are available until April 1st.

Click here for all the info!

GROUP AND NETWORK NEWS

Earlier this year, Landcare Victoria submitted an application to National Established Weed Priorities, to nominate sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias) as a weed of national significance. Established in 2023, the National Established Weed Priorities (NEWP) is an initiative of the Australian Government’s Environment and Invasives Committee and is a vital mechanism for implementing the Australian Weeds Strategy 2017-2027.
First recorded in Australia in the 1930s, today sea spurge is widely naturalised in the coastal districts of central and southern New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and southern and south-western Western Australia. It is a highly invasive species, which can prevent natural sand movement in dunes, threaten the habitat of shore birds (including the endangered hooded plover) and displace native vegetation, impacting on biodiversity.

Click here to read the full story.

GRANTS, TRAINING, INFORMATION, RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LANDHOLDERS

This 2 day course, open to Landcare members within the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) area, provides participants with the fundamental skills and knowledge to apply chemicals within the workplace in a safe and responsible manner. The course further provides participants to accurately interpret information written on chemical labels and the skills to manage all issues associated with the purchase, storage, handling, use and disposal of chemicals. Currently the Government are offering a subsidised option for this skill set. To be eligible, students need to be Australian citizens and must not have accessed 2 other subsidised courses this year. On top of that, the WGCMA Regional Landcare team is offering an extra subsidy which in total brings the cost of the course from $415pp to just $40pp.

Click here for more information and to register.

West Gippsland Landcare staff and group members are invited to attend First Aid Training at Wonthaggi on June 17th. The training normally costs $160 per person, but a Regional Landcare subsidy reduces it to just $50 per person for groups who are within the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority area. There are limited spaces available for this training so please book early to avoid missing out.
This is a nationally recognised training unit: HLTAID011 Provide First Aid (includes CPR)

Click here to register.

Bass Coast Shire Council is again opening up the application period for eligible farmers to apply for a rebate off their rates for undertaking good land management. To be eligible the property must be over 4 Ha and zoned ‘Farming’ or ‘Rural Living’ under the Bass Coast Planning Scheme or of 4 hectares or more and satisfying paragraphs (b) and (c) of the definition of ‘farmland’ in section 2(1) of the Valuation of Land Act 1960. Essentially, this means that you’re a farm and have the ability to make an income off it. Council will not be notifying landowners by mail, email or SMS this year, so tell your friends and your community. Applications are open from 21 March 2025 and close 31 May 2025.

Click here if you believe you are eligible for a rebate.

Applications are now open for grants of up to $5,000 to fund projects that involve and educate young people in actively caring for Victoria’s natural environment and biodiversity. All schools, Scouts, Girl Guides, youth and Junior Landcare groups in Victoria are eligible to apply, so don’t miss out! Applications close at 3pm on Friday 21 March.

Click here for more information and to apply.

The 2025 Victorian Landcare Grants are now open. Funded by the State Government, these grants support Landcare and environmental volunteer groups and networks with on-ground works, education and capacity building projects that protect and restore our land and natural environment. You can apply for: Project grants of up to $20,000 for on-ground works, community education and engagement activities or group/network development activities, or Support grants of up to $500 to assist with costs such as insurance, incorporation and operational needs. Applications close 5pm Wednesday, 16 April.

Click here for more information and to apply.

The Foundation of Rural and Regional Renewal's (FRRR) Strengthening Rural Communities Small & Vital Grants stream provides small remote, rural and regional communities with an opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities. Grants up to $10,000 are available for grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities that strengthen local people, places and climate solutions, with a preference for smaller communities (i.e. populations under 15,000). Applications close Thursday, 27th of March 2025.

Click here for more information.

Do you know someone (or some group) who is a ground breaker, an inspiration, an educator or scientist who is changing the way Australians think about soil health? Recognise them today by nominating them for the 2025 General Jeffery Soil Health Award. One successful hero will be awarded a $20,000 prize in funding to complete an agreed soils project. The winner will be presented at the 2025 National Landcare Awards gala ceremony and dinner on Tuesday 23 September 2025. To nominate, tell us who your local soil health hero is and how they create positive impact for your community or environment by 31 March.

Click here to nominate your soil champion. 

The West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) are providing funding through their Climate-Smart Farmers project, to support farmers with the costs of fencing to protect biodiversity on private land. These are available to individual farmers in the WGCMA area, there is no maximum or minimum amount, however farmers are required to contribute, either through cash, labour or other activities that enhance the biodiversity values of the site. 

Click here for the online application. 

Bass Coast Landcare Network are pleased to announce that the Public Fund has allocated $10,000 raised at the BCLN Art Show to support a new Trees for Public Land Project. This project is an initiative aimed at increasing vegetation cover in bare or underdeveloped areas, such as public parks, nature reserves, and community spaces. The goal is to enhance local ecosystems, improve biodiversity, and create greener spaces for the public to enjoy. Funding will be used to purchase a variety of native plant species selected for their suitability to the location. Expressions of interest are now open to Landcare groups to apply for funding towards the cost of plants for Public Land projects within your group area. 

Click here to download the application form.

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 or bequest, 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.