Conference Speakers announced | Nominate for Landcare Awards now | Glyphosate | Graeme Stevenson | Events

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25th anniversary Tasmanian Community Landcare Conference - Early Bird Tickets Closing 31 July!

Our 25th anniversary Tasmanian Landcare Conference is coming up in Bellerive, running from Friday 25 October through to Sunday 27 October.

Get in early to access our discounted early bird tickets for what promises to be an exciting weekend showcasing the past, present and future of community Landcare!

It looks like Tino Carnevale from ABC's Gardening Australia will be one of our keynote speakers, and we will be soon be releasing more details about the exciting range of talks, hands-on workshops, panel discussions, field days and socialising opportunities in the Program.

Remember, this Conference is designed by Landcarers, for Landcarers.

There's lots of ways you can be involved:

• Snap up your early bird tickets by 31 July. These are heavily discounted, especially for members, so get yours now. You can book for the whole weekend, or separately for the Conference day, Awards dinner or field trips.
• Nominate someone you know for one of our new Tasmanian recognition awards - the Tasmanian Premier's Landcare Award, Roll of Honour and Honorary Life Members.
• Complete our survey to help us plan the best conference you want to attend. It takes 4 – 6 minutes and is available at https://forms.gle/bRReS14JMFS18eYr6
• Nominate a person or a group for one of the 11 Tasmanian Landcare Awards.  Winners will be flying the flag for Tasmania in the 2020 National Landcare Awards.

The Landcare Tas team are working hard to secure sponsorship to subsidise ticket costs, and already have a number of generous supporters.  Please contact us if your budget is limited and you'd like to access this support.

Further details on the program, tickets, awards nominations, accommodation options and information for potential speakers is available on our website.

What's happening with glyphosate?

A series of recent court cases in the US has raised some questions about the safety of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and a range of other herbicides.

The courts have ruled in 3 cases that glyphosate caused certain cancers in individuals who brought legal cases against Bayer, who acquired Monsanto in June 2018. The first legal case in Australia has now been lodged.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Management Authority reviewed the safety of glyphosate in 2016, after a report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate in a group of chemicals that is probably carcinogenic. The validity of this finding has been questioned in some other reports. APVMA currently considers that products containing glyphosate are safe to use according to the label instructions.

What should Landcarers do about glyphosate?

It is important to note that Landcare Tasmania does not give technical advice about use of chemicals. Anyone considering using herbicides in their work should consult current information on government websites to assist any decisions on their use, and also consider seeking professional advice.

Herbicides such as glyphosate are poisons, and no poison is 100% safe. If poisons are being used it is imperative that this is done strictly in accordance with the safety instructions issued for the poison. Users might also want to consider if there are extra protections they can make to further reduce risk of exposure.

If you are concerned about use of glyphosate then you may wish to consider alternative chemicals, or even non-chemical means of control. For some uses there are alternative chemicals available, although these should only be selected and used strictly in accordance with the safety instructions.

Featured on Landline

For those who missed it, ABC's Landline program and presenter Pip Courtney ran a cracking story about Tassie Landcare legend Graeme Stevenson.  It's a great story about dung beetles, earthworms, Landcare, protecting the bush, educating kids and much more!

Click below to check it out.

There's heaps more stories about Landcare in Tasmania on the news blog on our website - check it out.

25th Anniversary Statewide Community Outreach Events under way!

Landcare Tasmania's program of 25th anniversary outreach events is well underway, with a great turn out to community events at Lilydale on 30 June and Rosny on 11 July.

Will we see you at our next Community Outreach Event?

Each event is being driven by the local community with the support of Landcare Tasmania volunteers and Staff. Click the map for more info. Next events:

26^th July 10-12pm – School National Tree Day - schools, groups and the community get their hands dirty, Lambert Gully, Sandy Bay

28^th July 10am-2pm - Community National Tree Day - Kingborough Community at Coffee Creek, Huntingfield, supported by local schools, Scouts, Guides, Care groups and Kingborough Council.

Looking to promote your business?

We still have sponsorship opportunities available for out Conference in October, with up to 300 people expected to attend. Options range from $300 upwards and include:

• Conference Partner (1 available)
• Major and standard sponsorships
• Become an attendance sponsor, to help people who might not otherwise be able to attend.
• Field trip sponsor
• Awards dinner sponsor
• Naming rights sponsor for the inaugural Tasmanian Premier's Landcare Award (1 available)

A custom branding and recognition package will be negotiated with each sponsor.

It's a great opportunity for you or your business to be recognised for your support of community Landcare, and in turn be promoted to the Tasmanian community.

Interested? Please give Kat a call (03 6234 7117) or email us ([email protected]) for more information.

Tasmanian recognition nominations rolling in

Nominations for our new Tasmanian awards for Landcarers are rolling in. These Awards will be presented at a special reception at Government House on Friday 25 October and, if nominations so far are anything to go by, our judging panel will have its work cut out for it.

If you or someone you know has done those extra yards for Landcare, consider nominating in one of the categories below.

• Roll of Honour - For long term Landcarers or others who've made a great contribution to local Landcare.
• Honorary Life Membership -Recognising unique contributions to Landcare through their work with Landcare Tasmania.
• Tasmanian Premier's Landcare Award - This prestigious Award is being offered for the first time in 2019 will recognise innovation in Landcare and land management.

Note that the Tasmanian Landcare Awards, coordinated through Landcare Australia, will also be opening soon and will be presented at the Conference Awards dinner on 26 October.

Make a difference - become a member

• Become an Individual Member to be eligible for grants, support services, and heavily discounted ticket prices for our biennial Conference. Even if you aren't the type to get on-ground and active, becoming an individual member is a also great way to show your support.
• We have 3 levels of Individual Membership
  • $30       Regular member
  • $100     Landcare champion - show you really care!
  • $1,000  Life member - the ultimate show of support! Plus lifetime access to all our member benefits

How do I join a group?

Not sure where to start? We can help you find a group that suits your interests, or even help you start one if there isn't one local. Call the office on (03) 6234 7117 or send an email to [email protected]. 

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