New Board and CEO | Training and Workshops Begin | Dung Beetle Surveys | Huon Island Raffle | Foxglove Petition | Rodenticides Submission + More!
Welcoming the New Board: 
A Word from our Chair Bill Harvey
On behalf of the new board, we wish you a happy and successful 2022. It’s an honour to be elected to the board and to take on the role as chair. One of our first duties, is the pleasure to announce that Peter Stronach has accepted the position of CEO and we look forward to working closely with Pete, Landcare Tasmania and the Members Council to achieve the Landcare Vision ‘for all the land & coasts to be cared for by the community.’
I’m sure everyone realises, we are into the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030 and never has there been a more important role for Landcare Tasmania to provide leadership across the state, working in partnership with our member groups, key organisation and the community to protect and restore the diversity of ecosystems, biodiversity and environmental services on which we all depend. This is no small task but the collective impact of all of us makes a huge difference and will continue to do so as we set a positive tone for this critical decade.
Bill Harvey
Chair, Landcare Tasmania Board
It's Official: Congratulations Peter Stronach, New CEO for Landcare Tasmania
I am looking forward to supporting our dedicated Landcarers in this exciting and challenging time. Protecting and restoring ecosystems across Tasmania is vital and together we as a community can make a difference for a better future.
We all know that good catchment health means great community well-being so we need all the support that is available. We have a number of essential activities planned through our well-established Landcare programs this year and already, our first 2022 workshop sold-out overnight.
We also want to better equip the growing number of people joining the Landcare movement with knowledge and resources and help turn best intentions into best practice. Community Landcaring is on the up so read on for more and get involved.
Peter Stronach,
CEO, Landcare Tasmania
Dung Beetles: Surveys and Workshops
Landcare Tasmania recently surveyed 4 farms in and around the Coal Valley to monitor the state of dung beetles in the area.
We found some happy surprises, and some not-so-good... read more about what we found in the surveys:
Want to up your dung beetle game? Come and discover dung beetles, holistic pasture management and regenerative ag with the experts!
An afternoon talking all things dung beetles, their role in a healthy landscape and how to care for them on your property. We'll also be talking and looking at how grazing can improve soil health and production.
There will be 3 mini workshops:
- "Hands on Holistic Pasture Management" with Celia Leverton
- A guided tour of Ripple Farm by Daniel Lore and Rachael Treasure
- "Dung Beetles and Farm Health" with Andrew Doube
These surveys and workshops are part of our Landscape Restoration Program which supports co-ordinated Landscape-scale rehabilitation.
Workshops Underway
Our 2022 Outreach Program is underway. We are wasting no time pumping out workshops for Landcarers, with our first seed collection workshop of the year booking out overnight!
This Sunday, Landcarers have the opportunity to grow their own plants from native seeds - learning techniques from the pro, Ruth Mollison, on how to safely and responsibly collect, clean, and store seeds.
If you are interested in training opportunities in 2022 you can register your interest below. Priority is given to members of Landcare Tasmania.
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.
Raffle! Friends of Huon Island
Friends of Huon Island members are committed to the long-term restoration of Huon Island as valuable, secure habitat for endangered and threatened species, including short tailed shearwaters, little penguins, swift parrots, sea eagles, rare poas, and marine and terrestrial habitats in accord with its original flora and fauna profile and with respect to its Indigenous cultural heritage.
1st prize: valued at $750
2 nights accommodation including breakfast hamper at The Little Seed Studio Franklin, Permaculture garden.
2nd prize: valued at $200 and 3rd prize: valued at $100
Your choice of a voucher for Crooked Tree Hazelnuts, Macroboost, Julie's Nursury or Hobart Brewing Co!
AND a Special Surprise: valued at priceless
An invitation for two to join the next tree planting day on Huon Island 2022.
Our Member Admin Services include sharing member stories, events and calls to action. Would you like us to share your story? Get in touch.
Community Concern about Foxglove is Growing
There is growing concern within the community that foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is really getting away and will soon become a widespread problem for all.
Foxglove was introduced to Australia as an ornamental garden plant, but now invades paddocks, wet forests, riparian and alpine areas where it overtakes native vegetation, the fauna that rely on it, and pasture. It is also highly toxic to livestock and humans and this should be considered if you are looking to control this weed.
It's flowers turn in to seed balls that distribute millions of seeds, which can spread rapidly and far, easily traveling with wind, bumblebee pollination, water and wildlife. Its rapid spread poses a risk to Tasmania's landscapes and high conservation areas.
Despite this, the plant is still widely available for sale in garden centres and growing in many gardens around the state. Foxglove is not yet a declared weed and there is a concerted effort to educate the public and tackle the problem. A community run petition is currently being conducted for tabling with the State government to see Foxglove listed, and improve subsequent measures for its management, see the petition below.
For more information about this weed and how to control it click HERE
Advocacy: We are a committed to keeping our membership informed of relevant information and being a voice for the grassroots Landcarers.
Anticoagulant Rodenticides Chemical Review
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority are reviewing the approvals and registrations of anticoagulant rodenticides because of concerns on environmental safety, secondary poisonings, human health, and impacts of residues on livestock and wildlife.
Landcare Tasmania have made a submission highlighting our concern of the severe impacts of secondary poisoning from anticoagulant rodenticides on our native birds of prey who eat poisoned mice and rats.
The impact doesn't stop at the rat, rodenticides have devastating consequences for many animal species and whole ecosystems.
Read more about the impacts of anticoagulant rodenticides and see our previous submission here. You can make your own submission for better control of these poison too.
Advocacy: We are a committed to keeping our membership informed of relevant information and being a voice for the grassroots Landcarers.
Fundraising for Member Projects - Thank you donors!
Your donations to the Tasmanian Landcare Fund are supporting our members' Landcare projects.
One of the most important member services we offer is supporting the on-ground projects that our members are working hard on. Our members tell us what they need through our online Project Bank. We support these projects through tax-deductible donations to our Tasmanian Landcare Fund (TLF), and we seek external grants and sponsorship arrangements to get even more support for members. We run programs to source equipment, services, and plants from our partners at wholesale prices so that your donations go further and projects are as cost-effective as possible.
To highlight an example, nearly half of the 226 projects in the Project Bank involve native plantings. Thanks to your donations to the TLF and plant sponsorship from the social enterprise Fifteen Trees, right now we have 4000 seedlings being grown at our partner nurseries to support 19 native planting projects across the state. Over 90 planting projects have been supported since 2019, but most need ongoing support and 27 projects haven't received any support yet.
Later this year, round 24 of the Tasmanian Landcare Fund will be released to support even more member-driven projects, including those that address issues other than planting.
We would love to support as many projects as possible. Can you or someone you know make a donation?
Follow the button below to check out our project bank and show your support with a generous donation of funds or materials.
11 New Conference Video Uploads!
Thanks to our generous volunteers, we have 11 new conference talk video resources ready to watch. From sea spurge removal, collecting Landcare data, feral cat control, sustainable communities and citizen science, there are plenty of topics to sink your teeth into.
Welcoming New Members
Community Landcare is continuing to grow! New member groups are a great demonstration of the generosity of the Tasmanian community to get involved in caring for our bush, land, coasts, rivers, and wildlife. They're contributing to our vision for all the land and coasts of Tassie to be cared for by the community. Join them if you're in their area!
SETAC Landcare Group - Community Group
Dunalley Primary School - School Group
Friends of Low Head Penguin Colony - Community Group
Claremont Coastcare - Community Group
Friends of Hunting Ground - Property-based Group
Hobart Rivulet Bushcare Group - Community Group
New Associate Members: Hobart Arbor Co
Welcoming our new Associate Members, Hobart Arbor Co. They are involved in a range of awesome Landcare Activities including using their skills for nest box installation, running 'a tree for a tree' program, sponsoring planting events through their 'Chips 4 Trees' program, and getting involved with National Tree Day!
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 - 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
