We hosted two very well attended school holiday events (over 60 participants each!), found ourselves at the North West Ecofest, and had a great time at the Ag Innovation Expo.  We also tested some soil with high school students on a farm in Tassie's northwest, and have been planning some exciting upcoming events on pollinators and parrots. 

This week, we are gearing up for AgFest, with an epic program of walk and talks featuring citizen science, weeds on farms, feral cat management, revegetation and more.  We'll also be running 'Dirt Detectives' workshops for kids.

Read on for upcoming events, vollie nursery update, a job opening with us, a 12 minute farmer survey and more. 

Happy reading! 

Bug Hunt at the Tas Arboretum

On Sunday 13th April Landcare Tasmania hosted 60 Northwest locals at the Tasmanian Arboretum in Eugenana for a day of bug hunting, joined by expert scientists Clare Hawkins and Lynne Foster.

Families ventured out across the various forests and waterways of the arboretum equipped with field guides and equipment to find various critters unique to Tasmania. 

Citizen Science in Garden Island Creek - Platypus and Waterbugs

Landcare Tasmania hosted a school holiday event focused on platypus and waterbug discovery on Monday 15th April at Garden Island Creek. The aim of this sold-out event was to connect children and families with their local environment and active Landcare groups.

With 69 people in attendance, it was the largest Waterbug blitz event ever in Tasmania. It was a unique opportunity for children and families to connect with nature and learn about the incredible wildlife in their backyards.

Image: Queechy High School Student Angela tests the soil for nutrients such as nitrogen. 

Soil health testing, bug hunts and more at school farm excursion

Landcare Tasmania, in collaboration with one of Landcare’s showcase farms on the Baxter Property at Pipers River, gathered Queechy High School students from year 7, 9, and 10 for a hands-on farm excursion in Tasmania’s north. 

The excursion focused on outcomes related to soil health, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. Students used a ‘Soil Testing Backpack’ to conduct a series of experiments aimed at evaluating the health of the soil and biodiversity on the farm.

We are hiring - Communications and Marketing Manager

We are seeking a part-time Communications and Marketing Manager to join our team. Become part of our tight-knit team that values the health, happiness, and growth of its members as much as it does the environment.

Teeny Tiny Steevies x Landcare - The Green Album for Earth Day

Award-winning children’s act Teeny Tiny Stevies have partnered with the National Landcare Network and pledged to plant a tree for every preorder of their newly announced 'Green Album' which was released on April 22, Earth Day.

The tree planting will be completed while the sisters are on tour by connecting with the local Landcare networks in each location.

Farmer Survey

Are you a farmer with a burning question you would like answered? Or an idea that needs testing?

The Regenerative Agriculture Network Tasmania (RANT) and the Sustainable Table Fund have just launched a survey seeking to hear from farmers about what issues and ideas they would like tested and researched, with a focus on increasing land health, profitability and farmer wellbeing.

The information will be used to tailor future on-farm projects, trials and knowledge sharing, and to co-create targeted and impactful solutions that address the challenges faced by the farming community.

The survey is open to farmers of all scales and production systems.

The survey is open until 17th May 2024.

Vale Mel Kelly

We have been deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Mel Kelly, a great supporter of Landcare and the environment in Tasmania. 

From her colleagues at Enviro-Dynamics:

"She led the charge with conservation dogs, she poured her intelligence, colour, flamboyance and creativity into forging new pathways to tackle the wicked problems. She was humble, selfless - tall with a huge smile." 

Read Mel Kelly's online memorial here. 

Watch: Volunteers from around the Huon Valley meet once a week to manage the nursery, forming connections and developing new skills in seed sourcing, collecting and propagation.

Huonville Volunteer Nursery a Growing Success

The Huon Valley Volunteer Landcare Nursery began about seven months ago and is the result of a partnership between the Huon Council and Landcare Tasmania with additional support from the State Government’s Landcare Action Grants.

Volunteers from around the Huon Valley meet once a week to manage the nursery, forming connections and developing new skills in seed sourcing, collecting and propagation.

More nursery volunteers are very welcome! Read more to get involved.

Coming Up

Image: From North West EcoFest Tasmania

Landcare Tas out and about

More News

• The Understorey Network is currently working on a new and improved website and Tasmanian native plant database.Help them improve by taking a few minutes to complete their survey at the Understorey Network Survey here. 
• We have updated our commitment to children and young people and are consciously ensuring that Landcaer Tasmania is a child safe organisation. Read our updated child safety and wellbeing commitment and policy here. 

• Tasmania's Regional Drought Resilience Planning co-ordinators are looking for good news stories from community members about people, projects or organisations who have taken action to reduce risks and strengthen resilience in these times of increasing climate variability. Please get in touch if you'd like to share your story or be involved in a community conversation - email [email protected] and/or Register on our Drought Ready site to stay informed about community conversations, events and more.

Thanks for Reading!

The Landcare Tasmania Team 

Landcare Tasmania

[email protected]