In this issue, we take a look at the State of the Environment Report, students following the journey of waste, Science Week highlights and much more.
State of the Environment Report released
The Minister for Housing and Planning has tabled the 2024 State of the Environment Report in both Houses of Parliament this month.
Within this extensive report, Landcare Tasmania contributed to a case study entitled: Empowering community action to support biodiversity (p.156-158). The study outlined how community-led ecological restoration and regenerative land management has mutual benefits for society and the environment.
Highlighting the work of the Seymour Community Action Group and the Meander Valley Production Zone Project, the case study demonstrated how grassroots approaches empower communities to tackle problems and find solutions together.
"While the report itself paints a concerning picture on the deteriorating health of Tasmania's environment, this case study is a cause for hope, and is a significant reminder that our work matters to maintaining healthy landscapes and biodiversity," said Landcare Tasmania CEO Peter Stronach.
"It outlines the many issues facing our environment and will hopefully act as a mechanism for change."
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State Government funding to help future proof Landcare
Landcare Tasmania has welcomed the commitment from the State Government and Minister for Primary Industries and Water Jane Howlett, to provide funding for community Landcare initiatives over the next three years.
Chief Executive Officer Peter Stronach said this important funding boost will ensure Landcare Tasmania can continue to fulfill its role as peak body and ensure that all Tasmanian communities are empowered and enabled to care for the land and water of lutruwita/Tasmania.
“We have been working closely with Minister Howlett’s office and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania to develop programs and initiatives that will ensure the important natural values management work of Landcare Tasmania continues, with more than $1.8 million being invested into the Landcare community over the next three years through the 2024-2025 budget."
Photo: Minister for Primary Industries and Water Jane Howlett met with local landowners Annabel and Julian von Bibra and Landcare Tasmania's CEO at Epping Forest in August. Minister Howlett was there to announce the second stage of funding of the Tasmanian Government's Landcare Action Grants Open Round 5.
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Coming together to grow food & connect with nature
Learning the art of fruit tree pruning and planting was the theme for a recent workshop at Freesia Gardens in Kingston.
During the session, participants undertook shared decision making and got into the gardens and planted more than a dozen fruit trees around the site.
This workshop forms part of Landcare Tasmania's Connecting Communities with Landcare project which aims to improve tenant well-being and connection through growing food and connecting with nature. At the heart of this program is connection and sustainability for tenant communities.
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Following the journey of waste
Students from Lindisfarne North Primary School got into the spirit of waste management recently, thanks to our Let's Explore Waste program.
Developed by Landcare Tasmania, in partnership with Southern Waste Solutions and the Mornington Park Waste Transfer Station, the Let’s Explore Waste school education program shows waste disposal and recycling in action, teaching students to better understand their waste consumption and disposal habits.
The excursion included an on-site visit to the Mornington Park Waste Transfer Station (including the Second Chance Re-Use it Shop) and the Southern Waste Solutions - Copping landfill site. Students were keen to undertake waste explorations at school, before and after the excursion, as part of their journey of discovery.
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Hagley Farm Primary School fundraiser success
Massive thank you to Hagley Farm Primary School for their fundraising efforts to support Landcare in Tasmania!
The school principal Jeanagh Viney presented our CEO Peter Stronach with the funds raised by the students on his recent visit to the school.
There are so many ways your school or organisation can fundraise for the Tasmanian Landcare Fund.
Money raised from your fundraiser for Landcare Tasmania will go directly to the Tasmanian Landcare Fund, supporting essential services and grants to Landcare Tasmania members so they can continue their critical environmental management activities.
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'Is there a devil at your door?' Science Week highlights
Our education officer Bennie Mildren was excited to participate in Science Week activities across the state, including the Circular Head Science Big Gig. Science Week’s 2024 theme was 'Species Survival', so we took to schools and events with a stall all about how we can find threatened species in our local patches.
Our stall title 'Is there a devil at your door?' drew in lots of curious bystanders, where they faced the challenge to try to match scats to the field guide.
We also had photos from trail cams and videos of Tasmanian devils retrieving edible baits. These baits are non-toxic and being tested for use as a way of delivering vaccines to Tasmanian devils.
We estimate that we engaged with about 400 students across the state and had great conversations with families and schools on what we can do to protect threatened plants and animals.
Our 2024 Science Week events happened with the support of the Circular Head Council.
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Join our Landcare movement & make a difference!
Have you been thinking of becoming a member of Landcare Tasmania? Sign up now and receive three months of free membership!
Why become a member of Landcare Tasmania?
Community Landcare depends on a foundation of well-resourced members.
We directly support individual members and member groups with:
- Promotion & recognition through our networks
- Member-only funding opportunities
- Free insurance
- Volunteer recruitment
- Information and training
- 1-to-1 support
- Wholesale materials & equipment
- Equipment Lending Library
- Administrative Support
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Member spotlight: Friends of Low Head Penguin Colony
The Friends of Low Head Penguin Colony consists of communities and management authorities working together for the purpose of finding solutions for permanently protecting and sustaining the Little Penguin colony at Low Head.
The group works in the area of the Low Head Penguin Rookery on land of mixed tenure – partly Crown Land, local government and private land.
A recent survey of the nest boxes at Low Head revealed that more than 10% of the boxes were occupied. There are now more than 100 Little Penguin nest boxes installed at Low Head, thanks to the efforts of the local community, local businesses and schools.
Click below to discover more about the Friends of Low Head Penguin Colony.
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Feral cats in the Meander Valley
When: 4 October
Where: Westbury Town Hall
In this workshop, we'll look at how feral cats affect local wildlife, biodiversity and agriculture.
This community info session will share knowledge from experienced people working with feral cats in the state.
We will take an in-depth look at the impacts of feral cats on livestock and discuss strategies and management tools to mitigate these impacts, and also explore how the community can be involved.
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Caring for Creeks in Burnie
When: 19 October
Where: Burnie Council Works Depot
Join us for a discussion about caring for our urban waterways and restoring riparian areas. We will begin the day inside with presentations from our local experts and then head outside to explore local riparian projects along Shorewell Creek.
Come and learn about how to get involved with Landcare, the benefits of community working together and how to join your local group.
We would love to meet anyone who walks, runs, cycles in or simply enjoys Burnie's native parklands.
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- Margate Primary School
- Tibbuc
- Swanrise Enterprises
- Port Huon Progress Association
- Collinsvale Primary School
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Using cover crops to boost productivity & soil health workshop
Join NRM Cradle Coast for a farmer-led workshop at Kindred, looking at ways to improve productivity, soil health and farm resilience using diverse cover crops.
Date: 11 October 2024
Location: Kindred Community Hall
To register for this free event, please contact Ben Correy at [email protected] or phone 0474 325 192.
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Order your plants for 2025!
Are you or your organisation planning to plant Tasmanian native trees, shrubs, sedges or grasses during the 2025 planting season (autumn to end of winter)?
Our member group, the Understorey Network, is keen to help landcarers plan ahead for their native planting projects in 2025.
Propagation will soon be underway at the Understorey Network’s Tolosa Park nursery. If you have upcoming planting projects, they are happy to receive your order and grow to your specific requirements (seed stock dependent).
Orders can be placed by emailing the Understorey Network Inc. at
[email protected]
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New national one-stop-shop website launched to help better manage feral cats and foxes
The National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordination Program is proud to announce the launch of its new website.
The new website provides landowners, community groups and the public with a central point to find valuable resources on best-practice methods for humane and effective feral cat and fox control across Australia.
Check out the new website here.
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