Soil Health Field Trip | Clean Up Australia Day | Changes to Cat Management | Growing Native Plants | Study: Eucalyptus Forests in Heatwaves + more
Kids Connect with Soil Health
On Wednesday 2nd March, students from Richmond Primary School got the opportunity to sift through some poo and discover the important role that dung beetles play for soil health and sustainable agriculture thanks to the State Government's Landcare Action Grants.
Two year four classes had a blast learning in this hands on, interactive field trip. Our facilitator Andrew Doube was wrapped with the enthusiasm from the kids, and Richmond Primary sung great praise on the quality of the activities!
Andrew runs an incredible workshop and the kids couldn't resist a chance to play with poo and bugs. What makes it so special is the value the kids get out of the experience - a chance to discover a real, unique connection to the ways we take care of our farms and the land we live on.
Much fun was had learning about the life cycle of dung beetles by acting it out! Eating dung, learning to fly, laying eggs...
This interactive session got the kids thinking about the connections of the beetles to the livestock and the soil, and their importance for vibrant soil health.
Thanks to the State Governments Landcare Actions Grants for supporting this workshop.
Can you help support our Education Program?
There is a huge demand for Landcare in schools but we need more support. Can you make a donation to our Education Program?
Landcare Tasmania's Education Program now includes 30 member schools ranging from Early Learning to High School.
Clean Up Australia Day
Landcare Tasmania joined two Clean Up Australia day events on Sunday 6th with two new care groups in Bridgewater and Sorell.
At both clean ups we found all sorts of rubbish (lots of stuff from McDonalds), many drink cans and bottles, and even a couple of motorbikes and trolleys!
It was awesome to see so many locals out looking after their patch, including some very enthusiastic kids.
The new group in Sorell are keen to look after the many hidden natural gems. This area boasts a wonderful landscape that provides precious natural spaces to walk, shelter and rest for many locals. It is also an important tributary to Tasmania's first Ramsar Site, Pitt water and Orielton Lagoon.
At Bridgewater we had a great turnout of 30 locals, with many keen to continue to look after their patch and get involved with the new local Landcare group - the Bridgewater Foreshore Landcare Group.
This new group's main focus will be on weed removal, revegetation, rubbish clean up, citizen science, and seed collection and propagation with local provenance species.
Thanks to all that 'stepped up to clean up' and for the continued commitment to care for these beautiful places. Special thanks to local Samantha Milburn, Dibas Panta from Sorell Council and Councillor Aaron De La Torre from Brighton Council for organising these valuable events.
Thanks to the generous teams at Bean to Brew for supplying coffee on the day and to Blue Gum Trailer Hire for carting the rubbish off!
This project is part of our Member Onground services, helping local groups get work done on the ground. Do you need support for your Landcare work? Get in touch!
Changes to the Cat Management Act
As of the 1st March, amendments to the Cat Management Act 2009 are in effect.
The changes mean that you will not be able to keep more than four cats above four months old on a single property without a multiple cats permit (among other exceptions such as being an approved cat management facility).
Cats above four months old will also be required to be microchipped and desexed.
The State Government will no longer be accepting applications for cat breeder registrations. Anyone wishing to breed a cat in Tasmania will be required to be a member of a cat organisation or will have the option of applying for a conditional permit to breed a cat.
Cats prior to sale will also need to be desexed and microchipped, wormed and vaccinated.
This features as part of our Advocacy work, to raise the profile and get better support for important issues and Community Landcare in Tasmania.
Growing our own native plants
Last Saturday we got together for some fun propagating native plants in Nubeena with Ruth Mollison.
Ruth Mollison is a native seed expert and has hosted several valuable workshops with us. Ruth showed us how to propagate native plants from seed and from cuttings - some banksia, dogwood, daisy bush and saltbush. By the end of the workshop, participants were able to take home what they had propagated ready to grow their own native plants.
It was great to see so many locals getting involved and learning valuable skills that will improve both our restoration projects and our backyards. There is something special about a seed you've raised becoming part of the landscape.
This workshop is part of Landcare Tasmania's Southeast Landscape Project which includes planting almost 8,000 native plants and holding seven workshop and training events in the Tasman and Sorell council areas, thanks to funding from the State Government's Landcare Action Grants.
We have many more workshops coming up this year, so keep an eye out for our emails and on our outreach events calendar!
>Next up: An event for Bridgewater locals
These workshops are 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.
Member Focus
Check out the Burnie Penguin Centre live stream!
Burnie Penguin Centre have set up a live camera feed. See if you can spot a penguin today as they come and go from their burrows!
West Tamar Landcare turn 30!
In 1992 a small group of local residents at Winkleigh saw their river eroding and degrading. They formed a Landcare group to gain the community and government supported needed to fix the problem. 30 years later, those people and their Landcare group are still actively working on land management projects.
The group's founding members have been recognised as life members, and a new bandicoot habitat garden was presented to the community.
Taroona Environment Network calculate $1.32 million worth of volunteer contributions
Ever been curious about the $ value of your volunteer contributions? Taroona Environment Network have done some quick calculations for their group and have calculated a grand total of $1.32 million worth of volunteer labour since the group's inception in 1997.
Four of their members have committed 25 years to the group's work, with another two racking up 20 years of contributions!
Low Head Community Gardeners welcome anyone, anytime to the beautiful community garden
"There are no rules except for that of respect. Everyone is welcome anytime, there will never be a lock on the gate."
Autumn harvests and planting parties happening now! Read the newsletter (PDF) and get in touch.
Our Member Admin services include sharing member stories, events and calls to action. Would you like us to share your story? Get in touch.
Remembering Landcarers
Vale Glynn Howells
It is with much sadness that the Rosny Montagu Bay Landcare and Coastcare Group has advised the death of their President Glynn Howells on 15th January following a short illness.
Glynn was president of the group for nearly 10 years. He was also a TAFE Teacher in Conservation and Land management and shared his professional expertise with the group by providing much appreciated technical advice and assistance.
He will be sadly missed by all group members, family, friends and work colleagues.
Vale Wendy Andrew
Wendy Andrew, an enthusiastic and long standing Convenor of Tranmere Clarence Plains Land & Coastcare Inc, has died in Western Australia on February 6 2022.
Wendy, aided by her late husband, Bruce Andrew, made a huge contribution to preserving the natural values of the Tranmere, Rokeby and Clarendon Vale areas on Hobart’s Eastern Shore. Her work was acknowledged when she received recognition for her dedication with a Landcare Award.
Wendy moved to Western Australia in February 2017. Her continuing legacy is a committed Landcare group who consistently attend the weekly Thursday working bees. The group work on areas of natural value identified by Wendy and Bruce Andrew years ago, enhancing the Tranmere Foreshore walking track and working with the communities of Rokeby and Clarence Plains.
Read the full letter by TACPLACI's Pene Thornton.
National Landcare Network Update
The National Landcare Network (NLN) is the peak representative body for Community Landcare in Australia, and is a major organisational partner with Landcare Tasmania. Read more for exciting updates on the partnership with Farmers for Climate Action. The NLN has supported the following Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment program with proposals in southern Tasmania now being considered by NRM South. Read more for how to apply for the Agriculture Stewardship Carbon + Biodiversity Pilot Program.
Cards for Easter
Gift your loved ones some beautiful Australian botanicals, all proceeds go to our Tasmanian Landcare Fund .
A selection of 8 greeting cards featuring prints of David Hopkins watercolours of Australian native plants. Includes envelopes. Individual designs included in each pack may vary (give us a call if you want a special-request pack made up, we have heaps of designs including bilbies!).
Huon Island Raffle Tickets - Selling Fast!
There are just 14 tickets left in the Friends of Huon Island Raffle! A fantastic suite of prizes up for grabs. $10 per ticket and all proceeds go towards restoration of Huon Island.
Are you a champion for soil health? Or do you know someone who is?
General Jeffery Soil Health Award – Nominations now open
Nominations are open for the 2022 General Jeffery Soil Health Award – an award that recognises the work of Australians who care about soil health and who are educating or inspiring others to do likewise.
The award is open to any individual farmer, land manager, extension specialist or educator.
Individuals may be nominated, or self-nominate, for activities including undertaking and promoting good management practice, raising awareness about the importance of maintaining and improving soil health, and/or educating others about soils.
The winner will receive a trophy and a $20,000 cash prize to continue their work. The winner and two finalists will be sponsored to attend the 2022 National Landcare Awards gala dinner on 24 August 2022.
Nominations close Sunday 17 April 2022.
The award is initiated and sponsored by the Office of the National Soils Advocate within the Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and is administered by Landcare Australia.
For more information and to make a nomination, visit www.generaljefferyaward.com.au
Worth a Read
A new study find that during heatwaves, Tassie's tall eucalypt forests switch from taking in carbon, to pumping it back out.
Sustainable Agriculture Fenner Conference gathers speakers to talk about our degrading soils and what we can do to feed ourselves sustainably.
NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference asks the big questions. How do Landcarers adapt in changing and testing conditions?
Welcome to our New Member Groups!
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!
Claremont Coast Care - Community Group
Hobart Rivulet Bushcare Group - Community Group
Friends of Low Head Penguin Colony - Community Group
Dunally Primary School - School Group
SETAC Landcare Group - Community Group
Friends of Hunting Ground - Property Group
Cooee Primary School - School Group
Borembetta Pty Ltd - Property Group
Mole Creek Primary School - School Group
'Eldondale' Landcare Group - Property Group
Springmere Estate - Property Group
Tasmanian Canoe Club - Willow Busters - Community Group
Tasmanian Platypus Conservation Group - Community Group
Wyld Heights Forest Care - Community Group
Thanks for reading
The Landcare Tasmania Team
Peter Stronach - CEO
Priscilla Richards - Landcare Services Manager
Rachel Larner - Finance and Administration Manager
Kat Traill - Events Manager
Jenn Gason – Communications & Database Assistant
Jakob Sprickerhof – Project and Engagement Officer
Evie Drinnan - Executive Assistant
Joy Pfleger – Outreach and Engagement Officer
