Welcome to the October edition of The Dirty Hands.  This issue we wrap-up our conference weekend. We are really proud of the event and have some great photo galleries, event run-downs, award announcements and interesting learnings to share with you. 

We've got stacks more happenings in the way of projects and outreach events. You can check out the update of our Education Program including the recent school holiday program fun!

Upcoming events include surveying river weeds in the north west bay river, learning about hands-on ecological restoration in Strahan, discovering natural capital accounting in Campbell Town, cultural burning discussions on Country with SETAC, and navigating carbon and biodiversity markets in Huonville. 

As always there are plenty of Landcare happenings to sink your teeth into.

Read on for more! 

"I'm still floating" The Post-Conference Buzz 

Landcare Tasmania is thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of the 2023 Tasmanian Community Landcare Conference.  Two weeks on, and we are still feeling the buzz as positive feedback floods in from conference-goers. 

The conference drew more than 250 landcarers from across the state and beyond, representing community Landcare groups, farmers, Aboriginal community, councils, landholders and environmental pioneers.

We leapt from the wonderful welcome BBQ on Friday night, to a packed and inspiring conference day, to a heartfelt awards ceremony, to close out the conference with the Sunday field trips.

Connections were made and discussions were flowing, presentations and workshops touched on issues such as bushfires, invasive species, cultural land management, climate change, volunteering and so much more.

We believe Landcarers are the backbone of local community action and we hope that conference attendees have left with a renewed sense of togetherness and hope.

Read more on the blog for event wrap-ups, photo galleries and cool things we learnt from this magical 3-day event. 

Feedback wanted

We are seeking feedback from those who attended the conference and also those who didn't, so that we can improve our processes, accessibility and provide better experiences for everyone in events to come. Fill out the anonymous feedback form below to help us improve (about 15 minutes). Thank you!

The Awards

CONGRATULATIONS to this year's winners of Landcare Tasmania's Recognition Awards. These awards celebrate and recognise the incredible people making significant contributions to Landcare in Tasmania.

We very much loved the heart felt speeches on the night, Landcarers patting each other on the back and a real celebration and acknowledgement of others' hard work.

Check out the winners on the blog!

Congratulations Raffle Winners!

Thanks to the generous prize donors who contributed highly attractive prizes to the 2023 Landcare Tasmania Raffle Draw, we were able to raise a total of $5,490!

A big congrats to all the lucky winners! Luxury accommodation, food, wine, boots, botanical kits and more - the winners were treated to an array of wonderful gifts thanks to these generous businesses. 

Return of the School Holiday Program

Over the recent school holidays we ran three school holiday events across the state as a part of our new 'Know Your Local Patch' program, connecting kids to their local environment. 

• In Dodges Ferry we collaborated with Southern Beaches Coastcare to explore their beautiful flora park.
• We worked with Girl Guides Tasmania to highlight the natural values of their local reserve, as well as trying out some bush tucker.
• We joined Ulverstone Coastcare to explore Button’s Creek, with the kids enjoying the local birds putting on a great show in the good weather.

Read more for the full update on our education program, including in-school workshops, upcoming farm visits and grant opportunities. 

East Coast Waterwatch

This month, members from Seymour Community Action Group Inc. (SCAGI) & Bicheno Landcare Group joined us at Douglas Apsley Waterhole to learn how to monitor water quality and water bugs. We had a great day with beautiful weather.

We took a short walk down to the waters edge and set up for the day in the sun.
Members of the public who were visiting the park to joined us looking for water bugs, too.

A big thanks to Simon Roberts & John Gooderham for sharing their knowledge and skills and helping build community capacity to monitor catchments.
SCAGI and Bicheno Landcare Group are now equipped with the knowledge and equipment needed to monitor catchments on the East Coast.

This workshop is part of Landcare Tasmania's Landscape Restoration and Community Outreach programs funded by the State Government's Landcare Action Grants Additional Projects Round.

Member Spotlight: Friends of Falmouth Foreshore

Introducing Friends of Falmouth Foreshore (FFF) who are seeking more vollies! The aim and purpose of FFF is to actively assist in halting further degradation and where feasible to promote the ecological restoration of the coastal fringe at Falmouth. 

Since February 2023 FFF volunteers have undertaken more than 10 working bees.
Some of the working bees involved removal of Gazania near the Franks St end of the coastal track. Gazania, a garden escapee, has become firmly established along the track edges and even among the rocky shoreline. Gazania produces prolific seed crops and no doubt continued maintenance will be required to manage this weed. Four large ute loads of Gazania cuttings were taken to the Scamander tip!

Would you like to help this great group of volunteers on their restoration mission?

Read the Friends of Falmouth Foreshore full September Report, including contact details to get involved, here.

Upcoming Events 

Register via the 2023 Outreach Calendar

River Weeds Survey - North West Bay River 

*This Saturday*

When: 28th October 10:00am-1:00pm

Where: Longley Park

All welcome! Join Us On The North West Bay River To Survey Willows And River Weeds. 

On the day we will cover:

• An introduction to the NWBR Catchment Management and Action Plan.
• How to log location data.
• How to poison willows and the permit requirements.
• A walk up the river from the Longley Park Area to map willows.

Ecological Restoration Workshop - Strahan

*This Saturday*

When: 28th October 10:00am-3:00pm

Where: Strahan Fire Station

Has your land been affected by erosion, salinity, floods, fire, plantation or land clearing?  Ecological restoration is all about helping the land recover from impacts like these.  Restoration can improve biodiversity, ecosystem structure and function, water quality, and habitat, among others. 

Join us in Strahan to hear from restoration expert Todd Dudley who will talk to us in detail about hands-on restoration practices. 

Natural Capital Accounting Info Day

When: 8th November 9:00am-3:30pm

Where: Campbell Town Hall

Environmental markets are set to take off across Australia, and Landcare Farming and Accounting For Nature are helping producers get a head start with their Natural Capital Accounting Field Days. That’s why we’re excited to announce that Landcare Tasmania will be hosting a Natural Capital Accounting Info Day at Campbell Town Hall,

On Country with SETAC

*Sold Out*

When: 11th November 1:00pm-3:30pm

Where: Murrayfield Station

Join us at Murrayfield Station to hear from the South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation (SETAC) land management team who have been looking after Country in southern lutruwita.

On the day we will take a walk around the property to observe the outcomes of different burning approaches. We will get to see examples of both "good" and "bad" burns. The SETAC team are interested in having a discussion with and hearing feedback from local landcarers on how to improve ecological and biodiversity outcomes when burning to keep Country healthy.

Free of charge. As spots are limited registration is mandatory

Navigating Carbon and Biodiversity Markets - Huonville

When: 25th November 12:30pm-4:30pm

Where: Huonville Town Hall

Join us in Huonville to explore the co-benefits, barriers and common questions about emerging carbon and biodiversity markets. Experts in the field will be giving 20-30min presentations. We will also hear from two Tasmanian case studies about their on-ground experience navigating these markets

Landcare Tasmania AGM - Nov 17th Hobart and Online

Landcare Tasmania's Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday November 17th at RACV Hobart Hotel, 154-156 Collins St, Hobart, commencing at 5pm (time TBC). The option of joining the meeting online via Zoom will also be available. Registrations will be open soon. AGM details here.

Landcare Tasmania Shop - New Product!

New in to the Landcare Tas online shop we are now stocking A Guide To Flowers & Plants Of Tasmania by our member group the Launceston Field Naturalist Club. 

Now in its sixth edition, the phenomenally successful 'A Guide to Flowers and Plants of Tasmania' has been in print since 1981. This beautifully illustrated guide has been extensively revised, with an additional 30 species, updated text and many new pictures, some of which are full page, adding even more vibrancy and interest to the book.

More News

Upcoming Member Group Events

Film Screening in George Town  'We will be showing 2 award winning documentaries that showcase our fantastic and unique wildlife and the people who work so tirelessly to help them as carers and guardians. We also are lucky enough to have the filmmakers there to do a special QandA session'

Friends of Collinsvale's Last Event for the Year  Come along to FoC's last event of the year! Meet some new people and help out for a few hours in this beautiful landscape.

Local Groups and Working Bees

Did you know that there are over 300 Landcare groups across the state working hard to care for land and water? 

Don't forget to check out our directory of groups and the upcoming working bees happening all over the state!

Thanks for Reading!

The Landcare Tasmania Team 

Landcare Tasmania

[email protected]