Rodenticides webcast, seed collecting, national volunteer week and more! Sink into the May issue of The Dirty Hands.
The Dirty Hands
May 2020
Photo credit Phil Milner
Conference carbon offset supporting new project
We're thrilled to have new support from the Ecological Society of Australia and the Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
Both organisations chose to donate funds to Landcare Tasmania to offset the carbon emissions of their 2019 conferences held in Tasmania.
We'll be combining the donations from the Ecological Society of Australia and the College of Anaesthetists with our annual donation from the JM Roberts Charitable Trust to fund a suitable on ground project.
We'll be funding one project in Round 24 of the Tasmanian Landcare Fund (TLF) that specifically showcases revegetation activitities that offset carbon emissions.
In the next couple months we will be drawing on the Expressions of Interest submitted to our Project Bank to invite applications to Round 24 of the TLF. Members are encouraged to submit proposals for both the offset and other projects to our Project Bank, in order to be eligible for funding. If you submitted a proposal last year that was not successful, it is still in the Project Bank (as long as you renewed your membership). Members can log in to submit new projects at any time.
Do you know a business or organisation interested in carbon offsetting? Let us know on [email protected].
Live Webcast: Rodenticides impact on wildlife
Thank you to everyone who tuned in, asked questions, and shared information in our first LIVE online outreach event! This event was part of Landcare Tasmania's ongoing Rodenticides Community Awareness Program.
The webcast was held on the 20th of May, featuring Tasmanian wildlife expert Nick Mooney, Bonorong vet Dr. Alex Kreiss and owl expert Adam Cistern. Nick Mooney's excellently informative presentation on the effects of widely available rodent poisons on birds of prey and other wildlife was followed with a Q & A session with pre-submitted and live chat questions.
We know that this is the time of year that rodents pester us humans the most, but before you reach for the poison, have a watch and consider the choices you can make. Please share widely!
Upcoming video series: Native Seed Collecting, Cleaning, & Propagating
We are thrilled that our first online event had such a great response, and we are excited to be offering more online resources coming soon, including a series of videos on capturing, cleaning, and propagating native seeds with Ruth Mollison, with the aim to introduce hands-on workshops in the future. Register your interest in native seed collecting to be notified when the videos are released, and if you are interested in hands-on workshops.
Who would you like an online Q&A session with?
Visit Landcare Tasmania's Reading Room
If you're looking for more resources to read, you'll be pleased to hear that our online Reading Room has had an update! It's an ongoing update, but so far we have links on Weed Management, Grant writing, Landcare on Farms, Coastcare resources, Fire in the landscape, Volunteer management, resources for schools, and useful information for existing and new Landcare Groups.
Can't find the information you were looking for? Let us know. Otherwise, get your cuppa and get reading folks!
National Volunteer Week
Last week was National Volunteer Week, and we would like to extend a huge thank you to all 4,000+ people who volunteer their time, energy, skills, and passion to Landcare in Tasmania. The rivers, coasts, bushlands, and agricultural lands of Tasmania would not be looked after as well without you and your communities stepping up to make a difference. THANK YOU!
See a thank you post from Guy Barnett to Landcare Volunteers
We'd also like to share this certificate of appreciation from Gavin Pearce MP for Braddon. We have recently received grants for volunteer training and equipment through Gavin Pearce and Julie Collins (MP for Franklin). You'll hear more about this fantastic opportunity in future newsletters! Thanks to the Australian Government for their support.
Would you like to volunteer remotely?
We always need people around the state sending us their local newspaper articles mentioning Landcare. Click to sign up:
How do I join a group?
Not sure where to start? We can help you find a group that suits your interests, or even help you start one if there isn't one local. Call the office on (03) 6234 7117 or send an email to [email protected].
Good to know:
Landcare Tax Offset - Did you know that primary producers and businesses using rural land are eligible for the Landcare Tax Offset? More information available on the ATO website.
2020 Sustainable Communities Awards - entries are now open, closing June 30th. Entries can be from individuals, associations, community groups, organisations, business and councils. Entry is free, simple and takes very little time.
Botanic Gardens Day Panel Discussion - To capture where botanic gardens are positioned in 2020 and discuss many and varied topics, from our dwindling biodiversity and Australian bushfire recovery to COVID-19 — Join their ambassador and panel host COSTA GEORGIADIS, Landscape architect, Educator & TV host and panelists.
Landcare in the News
ABC radio interview - Peter Stronach, Landcare Tasmania's Community Landcare Manager, was interviewed by journalist Sarah Abbott on ABC radio about homemade feral cat traps that some of our member groups have been working on.
A call for increased funding for Landcare facilitators - For a number of years, Landcare Tasmania has been seeking to have the State government fund Landcare facilitators to enhance capacity of people involved in Landcare, to build the skills needed to deliver effective outcomes and maintain their achievements into the future. Read about how Steph Ryan, Deputy Leader of The Nationals, has called on the Victorian government to plant one million new trees in Victoria over the next 12 months.
Events Calendar
COVID-19 related advice is changing rapidly. Some Landcaring activities may be starting up again if they do not involve at-risk people and can be carried out with physical distancing, good hygeine, and within current restrictions.
Member Groups: If you are re-starting your meetings virtually, or having modified working bees, please let us know so we can update the event listings.
If you are wondering about a particular event, please contact the organiser on the event listing on our website.
Virtual events:
Tuesday 2 June 2020
Designing for Stable Profits with Regenerative Agriculture - webinar series
09:00 AM at Webinar - RANT Website
Tuesday 9 June 2020
Designing for Stable Profits with Regenerative Agriculture - webinar series
09:00 PM at Webinar - RANT website
Thanks for reading!
The Landcare Tasmania Team
Rod Knight - CEO
Peter Stronach - Community Landcare Manager, Deputy CEO
Priscilla Richards - Landcare Services Manager
Kat Traill - Events Producer
Raelene Mibus – Landcare Officer
Landcare Tasmania
http://www.landcaretas.org.au/