Flood Support | Food Security | Ecological Restoration | Managing Invasives | Welcoming New Staff | + more
Flood Support for Landcare Projects
As the floodwaters in northwest Tasmania recede, the damage left behind is only beginning to be revealed. While emergency assistance is available to those in immediate need, here at Landcare Tasmania we are pulling together our resources for a Tasmanian Landcare Fund grant round to help Landcare projects recover from the impacts of recent flooding.
The aim of the round will be to salvage what is possible from recent projects, so that all the hard work invested doesn't go to waste. Read more to find out how it will roll out.
Can you help?
We are excited to annouce that we already have a donation pledge from the JM Roberts Charitbale Trust, and Waratah Wholesale has offerred to donate guards and stakes. We know Tasmanians are generous people who value the resilience of our landscapes and waterways. We would love to support as many projects as possible, so if you wish to help the cause, please make a donation to the Tasmanian Landcare Fund.
This forms part of our Member Support Program, supporting our members with project assistance and resources.
Assistance available for flood affected farmers
Support is available for farmers by contacting NRE Tasmania's FarmPoint hotline on 1300 292 292 or by emailing [email protected]. For businesses, contact Business Tasmania on 1800 440 026. Any producer who is suffering immediate financial hardship can also contact Rural Business Tasmania on 1300 883 276 to access free financial counselling support. The federal government has also announced flood support payments for parts of Tasmania including Local Government areas of Central Coast, Kentish and Meander Valley who are now eligible for one-off, non means-tested payments of $1000 per adult and $400 per child.
Local Food Security Workshop a Huge Success
Image: © Bec Kelley from Bream Creek Community Market Garden
On Saturday the 22nd October, 70 curious Landcarers gathered in the historic and homely Copping Hall to learn how to grow healthy, local food for our communities.
Huddled in the hall amongst heavy rain, this workshop came at an important time. With climate change, increasing extreme weather events, and world events such as war and pandemic, our nutrition, food supply and cost of living is increasingly insecure.
Sold-out with a brimming wait-list, this event responded to community demand for knowledge on local food security, the importance of community and market gardens, soil health, and nutrient dense food. We were excited to hear from an excellent line up of speakers including renowned gardener and author Steve Solomon, Christina Giudici from The New Black Biochar and Louise Sales from 24 Carrot Gardens. Sadly we missed out on a garden walk and talk (that weather...) with Bec Kelley from Bream Creek Community Market Garden, who pioneered this workshop by submitting the idea to our Project Bank this year.
A big thanks to all who made this event a great success, including the wonderful team at Orlando Plenty for feeding us a delicious lunch, grown and made with love!
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. Funded by: State Government Landcare Action Grants
Planting Volunteers Needed - Register Here
Over the next two weekends, we are looking for some extra hands to help a couple members with their plantings in south east Tasmania. Come roll up your sleeves, have fun, and get your hands dirty doing something good for the land! Forward it on to your friends - everyone is welcome.
More info & RSVP Colebrook - 30th October - 10am-2pm
More info & RSVP Penna - 6th November - Time TBA
This is part of our Member Support and Landscape Restoration Programs. Funded by: State Government Landcare Action Grants.
Upcoming Events
Ecological Restoration Workshop | 29th Oct | North
We are pleased to invite you to a free workshop to learn about ecological restoration. Our guest presenter will be restoration expert Todd Dudley, who will talk to us in detail about ecological restoration. The workshop will include a visit to a nearby private property with examples of different vegetation types, including native forest, riparian zones, pasture and plantation, all of which have different ecological needs.
This workshop will give you practical knowledge and skills to undertake your own restoration projects.
RSVP to Ecological Restoration Workshop - Kindred- 29 October 10am-2pm
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. Funded by: State Government Landcare Action Grants
Biochar Workshop | 28th Oct | North
Biochar workshop hosted at Tas Ag Co by the NEXUS project.
29 Oct | 10am-12.30pm
Tas Ag Co |35 Saddles Rd, Dunorlan
RSVP Register to [email protected] by Tuesday, October 25.
Managing Feral Cats - A Practical Workshop for Landcarers
On 19th October we held a practical workshop on feral cat management for Landcarers. We would like to thank our guest speakers Gillian Basnett, the National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordinator for her informative presentation and John Bowden for sharing his knowledge and his practical trapping demonstration.
Also a very big thank you to John from Sulphur Creek Preservation Bay Coastcare and Emma from Riana Cat Project for sharing their groups' experiences managing feral cats. We hope attendees have gained the knowledge and confidence needed to make an action plan to start managing feral cats in their patch.
Friends of Mount Field need you!
Friends of Mount Field need new members. Can you help out?
The Friends of Mount Field assist the Parks and Wildlife Service in caring for the environment and maintaining recreational facilities in the park. Their work includes weed management and maintenance of walking tracks and huts in the alpine areas of the Mt. Field National Park. The areas worked are predominantly those used by bushwalkers - such as the Field East and Tarn Shelf tracks, Lake Nicholls and Fenton huts and the Rodway Shelter.
Volunteers can gain a real sense of achievement and involvement in projects which are of long-term benefit to the community and the environment. Their online photo albums will give you a good idea of the sort of work they do. The Friends hold about 10 working bees per year.
Why not get a group of friends together or come solo to help FoMF in the great outdoors?
Help needed - are you culling black rats?
Ink Kittipalawattanapol from UTAS Biological Sciences Club is currently collating samples of the invasive black rats across northern Tasmania and looking to increase the sample size with your help.
Ink is currently doing a PhD project looking into the impacts of the invasive black rats in Tasmania, particularly following the recent declines of the Tasmanian devils. An aspect of the project is to investigate how black rats move across Tasmania overtime using their genetic markers.
Read more to get involved and a basic guide of how to ID ground-dwelling small mammals in Tasmania.
Featured Photo - 'Glass and Green' - by Kendall Phillips
Submitted to our 2021 photography competition
Landcare is Growing - Welcoming New Staff & Interns
Claire Byrne - Executive Assistant
Claire grew up in the foothills of the Sleeping Beauty mountain range in Tasmania’s South. A childhood spent roaming wild creeks, mountain tracks and bushlands has given her a deep love of natural places. Claire is very excited to have the opportunity to be part of the Landcare Tasmania Team as the new executive assistant, having worked in administrative support for many years. Claire lives in the Huon Valley with her family, spending any free time attempting to grow food and tame weeds. Her favourite hot beverage is a thick chocolatey mocha.
Lily Fraser - Project Officer
Originally from NSW, Lily moved to Hobart in 2020 to study a Masters in Environmental Management and immerse herself in the unique Tasmanian landscape. Through university she began an internship with Landcare Tasmania in 2022 and we are now pleased to welcome Lily in a paid position.
Lily has a background in waste management, implementing principles of the circular economy at events and reducing waste sent to landfill. She strongly believes in the power of community engagement and is interested in understanding how community and cultural knowledge can be integrated into decision making processes to conserve the natural environment. Lily is excited to apply her knowledge of environmental management at Landcare Tasmania and empower people to make a difference. In her spare time she enjoys bush walking, swimming at the beach (but realistically more of a dip in cold tassie), all things food related, learning about people, places and cultures, and exploring the world. Her favourite hot beverage is a big cup of coffee.
Internships
Zero Young
Zero is taking part in the Hobart Big Picture School's internship program and will be spending the next 12 months with Landcare Tasmania. We are joyed to have Zero on board who is hoping to gain experience in the environmental not-for-profit space and inspire young people to get involved.
"Hello, my name is Zero and I currently go to school at Hobart Big Picture. Through my school I have been able to do an internship with Landcare Tas and its amazing staff. I have learnt many things in my time so far, including how to do flyer designs and ways to help out in my community, as well as many more other things I lacked confidence and experience in. Landcare helps me give an impact on my world and meet new and incredible people. Landcare has done a lot for me and for that I am very grateful." - Zero Young
Strategic Plan 2022-2027 Released
We are pleased to present our Strategic Plan 2022-2027. Landcare Tasmania is shaped by our members, and we are grateful to everyone who took the time to contribute to our strategic direction by taking part in the member survey earlier this year.
Save the Date - Landcare Tasmania AGM
This year Landcare Tasmania's Annual General Meeting will be held on the 25th November.
We are pleased to welcome Keynote Speaker Ian Creswell, avid Landcarer and co-author of the 2021 State of the Environment Report.
More details to come. We hope to see you there!
Worth a read - 'Wellness through Waldeinsamkeit'
Are you in need of more nature and less stress? Waldeinsamkeit is the German word for being in the forest alone, and it's viewed as a form of therapy.
"Recent data shows just how damaging and debilitating over-stress in the workplace can be."
"Even just a few hours of wandering can reprogram the brain into an almost evolutionary level of awareness. What’s that sound? Is something following me? Why can I taste pine?
You’re mindful of this moment, looking at the towering trees or, in my case, sampling a sprig of pine needles."
Job Vacancy - The Understorey Network
Do you have horticultural qualifications or experience and an interest in growing Tasmanian native plants? Do you enjoy working with community groups and teaching people to acquire practical skills?
If so you may be interested in the Growers Scheme Project Manager (part-time) position. This position is funded by the Tasmanian Community Fund for the Understorey Network Inc. community group.
It is based at Tolosa Park, Glenorchy in the Understory Network Nursery.
To apply please request a position description and submit an expression of interest by Friday 28th October to [email protected]
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!
Goodwood Gardeners - Community Group
Tasmanian Climate Collective - Community Group
Dover Landcare - Community Group
Australian Plant Society Tasmania Inc. - Community Group
Harts Hill Landcare Group - Community Group
Dunalley Tasman Neighbourhood House Inc. - Community Group
The Old Woodstock Farm - Property Based Group
Riana Cat Project - Community Group
Wattle Group Inc. - Community Group
Thanks for reading
The Landcare Tasmania Team
Peter Stronach – CEO
Priscilla Richards – Member Services Manager
Rachel Larner – Finance and Administration Manager
Kat Traill - Events Coordinator
Jenn Gason – Communications Officer
Evie Drinnan – Project Officer
Joy Pfleger – Project Officer
Cynthia Schaap – Project Officer
Claire Byrne - Executive Assistant
Lily Fraser - Project Officer
