The Dirty Hands - January 2024

Published January 29, 2024

29th Jan 2024 |

Welcome to the January issue of the Dirty Hands Newsletter.  Summer in Tasmania is a great time for Landcaring - warm, pleasant days outside with working bee friends (and lots of weeds...). Tip: Have a look at the bushcare and landcare working bee schedules at the bottom of the newsletter to get involved.  

At Landcare Tas we have just begun our summer 2024 school holiday program and have some exciting new workshop activities to share with you. 

Read on for more Landcare news, including new Landcare Tas staff announcements, a fun-run with wine, and how to find out what's making that rustling sound in your garden at night.

We are looking forward to a fantastic year of Landcare and we are glad you can be a part of it. 

 

Image: "Pressing Matters" workshop in Collinsvale. Photos by Bennie Mildren

Know Your Local Patch - School Holiday Program Underway

The third round of our exciting school holiday program 'Know Your Local Patch' is underway this school holidays. With some brand new workshop activities the summer 2024 program is shaping up to be a hit. Our first workshop in Collinsvale brought together Friends of Collinsvale, Glenorchy City Council, botanist Dr. Tanya Scharaschkin and local families to learn about the art and science behind the preservation of flowers.

It was a great way to learn about local flora, why botanists collect specimens, and how to collect specimens properly. We also had mini plant presses for all the attendees to take home and begin their plant-pressing adventures!

Why not come along to one of our upcoming sessions?

 

Upcoming Sessions

Dover - "Painting For Swifties" - Thursday, 1st February, 10am - 12noon

Join us with Dover Landcare and a local artist as we try our hand at nature painting, focusing on the endangered swift parrot.

 

Bayview - World Wetlands Day Walk - Sunday, 4th February, 1pm-2:30pm
Learn from scientists and local experts why the wetlands are so valuable and what we must do to protect them, with a guided walk down Clarence Plains Rivulet.

 

Launceston - Happy Habitat - Sunday, 11th February, 2pm-3:30pm
Join us with Friends of Trevallyn Reserve as we ask what makes a happy habitat, with fun activities!

 

Kingston - Clean Up Australia Day - Sunday, 25th February, 10am-11:30am
Become an Environmental Superhero and learn why it's so important to keep our natural places clean with interactive environmental story-telling sessions with a puppet expert and the Kingston Beach Coastcare Group.
Register for a school holiday workshop

Upcoming: Fauna Monitoring Workshop

Wondering about that rustle in the bushes you heard last night? Hearing strange growling sounds off in the distance when you are trying to sleep? Learn how you can find out what they are!

Join us for a Fauna Monitoring workshop on a Landcare Tasmania member's property in Margate on the 4th of February.

We will hear from the Tasmanian Land Conservancy's Glen Bain, talking about how to set up your own small scale Fauna Monitoring project and about TLC's WildTracker program.
Register for fauna monitoring workshop

Welcoming Bianca Burford and Luke Cooper to the Landcare Tasmania Team

Landcare Tasmania welcomes two new staff members.  Stepping into the role of Education Coordinator is Bianca, who has begun with flying colours kicking off the 2024 Education Program.  Luke has hit the ground running in the role of Project Officer, and will be bringing his wealth of expertise to our Landscape Restoration and Community Outreach Programs.
Read more about the Landcare Tas team

A big thanks to Caledon Crawl!

Each year Caledon Vineyard in Richmond holds The Caledon Crawl with the race proceeds being directly donated to Landcare Tasmania.

The Crawl is an 850m fun-run up the farm driveway focussing on bringing local families together and getting a bit fitter along the way. Participation is the focus, with most people choosing to walk, but for those who like a challenge there are awards for adults and junior runners.

After the race, everyone gets together and is rewarded with wine, pizza and a good catch-up while the kids are busy playing soccer, riding bikes and zip-lining.

Over the last two years, all race proceeds have been donated to the Tasmanian Landcare Fund which has totalled just over $2000. As members of Landcare and a family enterprise, Caledon Vineyard are consciously trying to balance the vineyard planting with their native surroundings, encouraging biodiversity and showcasing the ancient landscape to their cellar door visitors.

Landcare in the News

"WHEN he is not coping with the demands of studying for a mathematics degree, Luke Cooper can be found planting native trees and removing invasive plants in areas around the state." 

Check out the Tasmanian Country article featuring our new project officer Luke Cooper!
Read the article
 

Long-time Landcare member Robyn Lewis recently received the Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award for her significant contribution to the state’s biosecurity on her property Milford Forest in Sorell.


In this article published by the Tasmanian Country, Robyn is joined by our CEO Peter Stronach and Chair Bill Harvey to discuss the importance of raising awareness and initiating better biosecurity practices in conservation.
Read the article

Bushcare working bee schedule out now

City of Hobart Bushcare has just announced its Summer Working Bee Program 🐝. On the agenda is weeds, weeds and more weeds! This is a great opportunity to volunteer and get your hands dirty close to home. Download the working bee program here.

Image: Kingston Beach Coastcare. Photo by Waiwun Wang

Don't forget to check out the Landcare activities happening state-wide. Checkout the community working bee calendar and head along to something this Summer!
Landcare Community Working Bees
 

Thanks for Reading!

 

The Landcare Tasmania Team 

Landcare Tasmania

[email protected]