Looking back at 2021 |Gorse Biocontrol Project | Important COVID update | Wonderful Workshops | + more
That's A Wrap!
2021 has been a massive year for Landcare in Tasmania. As we sit and take stock of the year we are feeling incredibly proud of all the achievements of dedicated Landcarers across the state.
Landcare Tasmania held over 38 outreach events (not to mention the huge, unmissable conference weekend). We supported landscape restoration projects at over 50 sites (with 11,450 native plants in the ground), and supported a further 26 planting projects through our project bank. We welcomed our 300th member group, and had over 5,000 volunteers dedicate around 100,000 hours to Landcaring, all activities contributing to the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which kicked off this year.
We celebrated a Tassie winner in the National Landcare Awards (congrats Michael Nichols!), and presented 9 State awards to deserving Landcarers, even more honorary mentions, and added 14 legends to the Landcare Tasmania Roll of Honour.
We all battled the challenges of COVID-19 and the many other things that have swung our way this year. But in the face of it all, at this precarious and vital time in history, we are ready to head in to 2022 with more momentum than ever to care for our land, water and communities.
A huge thank you to the Landcare community, supporters, partners and everyone in between for a ripper year. Who's ready for 2022? We'll see you there!
Welcome New Board Members!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our brand new board members. Welcome to Rosemary Collins, Mark Harrison, Bill Harvey and Melinda McHenry. Thank you for offering your skills and love for Landcare to guide the direction of Landcare Tasmania. We look forward to working together in 2022 and shooting for the stars in a new era of Landcaring.
With change there often comes some sad goodbyes. We want to thank and farewell those that have left us this year to go on to new opportunities. Thank you to Josie Kelman, Andrew Bishop, Jonathan Lord, David Higgins and Kate O'Shannessey for your valuable contributions to Landcare Tasmania, and we wish you all the best for your future endeavours.
Will this moth be the answer to gorse control?
Last week, Landcare Tasmania staff spread a gorse biocontrol agent across the north of the state, with hopes of gaining momentum in the long fight against this nasty weed.
Gorse is a declared weed on both a State and Federal level due its significant detrimental impacts on agriculture and the environment. Landcare Tasmania’s Gorse Biological Control Project is collecting data and distributing the soft shoot gorse moth in the North and North-West of Tasmania, and monitoring for impacts of a native fungal pathogen that works with the moth and can have devastating impacts on gorse.
We are hoping a stronger hit of the gorse soft shoot moth will hinder the spread of gorse across the state and assist management of this costly species.
This program is made possible by generous funding from the JM Roberts Charitable Trust.
Exchanging Knowledge to Care for Country
On the 21st of November Landcare Tasmania teamed up with the South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation's (SETAC) Jason Smith and Danny Gardner to exchange ways of caring for country through cultural burning on Melukerdee Country, one of the Four Bands of the South East Nations. The learnings and sharing was an amazing experience. As a member group, SETAC and Landcare Tasmanian look forward to working together to heal country standing side by side.
We can't wait for what's in store for the future. Thanks to all who came along!
This workshop is part of our Outreach Program which aims to increase capacity for Landcarers so that all our land and coasts can be cared for by the community.
Important COVID update
As state borders have now opened Tasmania begins to operate in a COVID-19 vaccinated community. Landcare Tasmania would like to advise our community of our updated response as we enter this new phase.
We encourage all Landcare groups to update your COVID safe plans and to have a conversation to ensure everyone's comfort and safety is prioritised.
It is important you are up to date with the legal requirements of the land manager or organisation you are working with. Whether you work on Council, Crown, Parks, or other land, please contact your land manager representative before planning volunteer activities, as they all have different policies in place.
Please note that group insurance through Landcare Tasmania does not cover illness, and we therefore strongly encourage all volunteers to get vaccinated.
We hope to ensure the safety of our communities together. Read Landcare Tasmania's COVID updates, including resources to construct your own plan below.
📆 Office Closure Dates
The Landcare Tasmania office will be closed from the 23rd December 2021 - 10th January 2022.
Upskilling Landcarers
In the last few weeks we have held some fantastic and very-well-received workshops for Landcarers to learn valuable new skills to take back to their patch.
Bird ID
This bird ID workshop was a highly valuable way to introduce some new skills to the TACPLACI Landcare group. Mike Newman and Warren Jones from Birdlife Tasmania talked with the members about the importance and uses of collecting data on birds in their local area, and showed us how to use the data collection app, BirdData. Thanks to Clarence City Council for funding this program through their Land and Coastcare Grants.
Seed Collection
Landcarers are learning how to collect, store and propagate native seeds. Thanks to the famous 'seed-spert' Ruth Mollison for running the workshop and giving us loads of really handy tips and instructions on how to collect and propagate our own native seeds. Thanks to Clarence City Council for funding this program.
Waterbugs in the Coal River
We got together with Waterbug blitzer John Gooderham who led a hands-on Waterbug Survey and River Health workshop for Landcarers. John gave us a run-down on what a healthy river looks like and how surveying a section of river for waterbugs can allow us to infer where exactly the river becomes unhealthy and why. Thanks to the State Gov Landcare Action Grants and the JM Roberts Charitable Trust for funding this workshop.
These workshops are part of our Outreach and Landscape Restoration Programs which aim to increase capacity for Landcarers so that all our land and coasts can be cared for by the community.
Need a last minute gift that keeps giving?
Check out the updated Landcare Tasmania shop! We have cards, flips and even dabbers (good stocking stuffer?). All orders can be shipped to you (sorry, we cannot guarantee pre-Christmas delivery) or picked up from our office in Hobart on Tuesday 21 or Wednesday 22. Our last shipping day will be Wednesday the 22nd December.
All proceeds support the work of Landcare Tasmania through the Tasmanian Landcare Fund.
Support Community Landcare This Season
Would you like to give back to the environment and community this giving season? Help strengthen the Landcare movement in Tasmania by helping us provide vital services and grants to onground projects. All donations above $2 are Tax Deductible and go into the Tasmanian Landcare Fund.
Worth Reading More
The Price of Pests: $390 billion. How are Landcarers playing their part?
Photo Monitoring Your Restoration Project. Top tips from Rivers of Carbon.
Become a member
Landcare is for everyone! We know there are more of you out there thinking of joining. As a grassroots movement, we support and empower you to address the environment and sustainability issues that are important in your community.
Events Calendar
See the bottom of this newsletter for a listing of member events in the coming months, and click the button to see the full Events Calendar. If your event is not listed please contact us.
Thanks for reading
The Landcare Tasmania Team
Peter Stronach - Acting CEO
Priscilla Richards - Landcare Services Manager
Rachel Larner - Finance and Administration Manager
Jenn Gason – Communications & Database Assistant
Jakob Sprickerhof – Project and Engagement Officer
Evie Drinnan - Executive Assistant
Joy Pfleger – Outreach and Engagement Officer
