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A message from the Regional

Landcare Facilitator

Hi everyone, Well the past month has been very action packed! We kicked off May with the Volunteer Recognition Event held at Anderson’s Mill in Smeaton. More than 60 people attended the field trip and twilight picnic, celebrating the achievements of Landcare and Waterwatch in north central Victoria. A big thankyou to the Blampied Kooroocheang Landcare Consortium, the Smeaton Bowling Club and the Environmental Film Festival Melbourne for supporting the event. During the middle of May the North Central CMA hosted grant writing and reinvigorating your group workshops in three locations across the region. Guest presenter Kerry Anderson shared her wealth of experience in executive positions in community organisations, as well as managing grant programs. Some of the key themes that arose during the workshops were:

• A short and catchy project summary is important in funding applications. It sets the scene, explains why the project is important and reminds grant assessors what your project is about.

• Value your partners. Groups should try and attract funding from a variety of sources – corporate, philanthropy and government. Target potential partners whose values align closely with your project.

• Do you have trouble replacing executive positions? To encourage new people to get involved have fixed timeframes for positions so people don’t feel trapped, they get a break and more people get involved. It is also critical to do a proper handover so they’re not thrown in the deep end.

Livia Cullen, of the Environment Film Festival Melbourne and me at the Volunteer Recognition Event.

Speaking of grants, I just wanted to update you on the community grants administered by the North Central CMA. We have funding confirmed from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme for community grants. We plan to deliver these grants in one streamlined process with the Victorian Landcare Grants; however we are just waiting on funding confirmation from the Victorian Government. We’ll keep you updated but hope to release the grants in the coming months. Until next time,

Ashley Rogers

Regional Landcare Facilitator North Central Catchment Management Authority Phone: 03 5448 7124 Email: ashley.rogers@nccma.vic.gov.au

This month’s contents:

News 2

Waterwatch update 6

Events 9

Courses and resources 12

Funding 14

May 2015

Keeping you up to date with all the Landcare and

Waterwatch news

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Weed of the month…

News…

Braving the elements to launch plan on the banks of the Campaspe River Over 50 people braved wet and blustery conditions to pick their way through paddocks in Langley down to the Campaspe River to Launch the Upper Campaspe Landcare Networks Strategic Plan.

The Mayors from Mt Alexander and Macedon Ranges Shire, Cr Christine Henderson and Cr Jennifer Anderson, accompanied by Cr Sebastian Klein of Hepburn Shire Council cut the red ribbon to unveil the Plan which was presented on a 400-year-old Red Gum.

The unveiling of the Plan by representatives of three local governments. Photo: Sandy Scheltema. Two Newham Primary School students spoke eloquently at the launch. 12-year-old Sydney and 11-year-old Tom said: “Without Landcare planting trees and protecting important wildlife and vegetation areas our flora and fauna would decline, quite dramatically due to carelessness and human destruction. “If we want to see this natural wonderland stay the same in years to come, it is vital we educate this generation, and future generations about Landcare and how to look after the land, to preserve Australia. If we don’t, we will see native species become seriously endangered and possibly extinct. “Landcare means so much to our school and we don’t know where we would be without it.” Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas was also present, along with representatives of Coliban Water, North Central CMA, Parks Victoria, students from Langley and Newham primary schools and representatives of the 16 Landcare Groups that comprise the network. Sandy Scheltema, facilitator of the Network, said: “Today we are celebrating the achievements of the Landcare groups that comprise our Network, and outlining our future direction. “This plan will guide us as we continue to work together to create positive environmental change, and also begin establishing biolinks and wildlife corridors between existing remnant vegetation. It will also help the individual Landcare groups within our network work together and with the

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broader community to protect our precious flora and fauna, landscapes and waterways.” The Strategic Plan was generously funded by grants from the Norman Wettenhall Foundation and the Victorian Landcare Program.

More than 50 people attended the launch. Photo: Sandy Scheltema.

The next revolution in farming It has been described as the next agricultural revolution, as important to the industry as the stump-jump plough. Multi-species cover cropping has been widespread in the United States for decades, and a handful of innovative farmers are starting to use the technique in the north central Victorian region. Rotating harvested paddocks with a range of cover species is designed to stimulate soil microbial activity and improve soil health and nutrient availability, with the overall goal to improve soil ecosystem function and increase yield over time. One of a handful of local cover-crop sites is on a property at Pine Grove near Lockington. The North Central CMAis hosting a cover cropping field day on the property on 3 June. Soil scientist Christian Bannan will be the guest speaker at the field demonstration. Christian manages an independent soil science consultancy - South East Soil and Water - in Bendigo, and specialises in field investigation and reporting in the fields of environmental science, agricultural science and environmental engineering. He will demonstrate the soil structure benefits and highlight the difference cover cropping can make to a paddock.

North Central CMA Project Officer Darren Bain said cover cropping is an exciting innovation. “It certainly is revolutionary. Evidence so far points to increased soil health, which is a great thing for both soil structure and increased yield of subsequent crops,” he said. “Trial sites often have multiple species growing on the same plot, providing much-needed variety for soil biological diversity. “In terms of cost, the returns are being seen in subsequent years from increased yields. Some farmers are harvesting seed from the cover crops, which lowers costs for future cover crop planting.” For further information on the event, including how to register, please view Page 8 of this newsletter. The field day is supported by the North Central CMA through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.

A variety of plant species are utilised in cover crops including legumes, broadleaf and grass species.

Local landholder invents a new method of European Wasp control

Local landholder Laurie Nicoll has been studying the habits of the European Wasp for more than 10 years and believes many of the methods used to control them are unsuccessful. Rather than waiting for nests to be formed, Laurie believes we should instead focus on the queen. He has developed a method to catch the queen before she makes a nest. His idea is cheap, environmentally friendly, recyclable and safe, easy to make and most household will have ingredients for bait.

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For this idea to work it needs people power. If every household put out four traps the number of nests formed would be reduced greatly. In 2013, Laurie caught 174 queen wasps with this method and similar numbers during a four-year trial period.

European Wasps, Vespula germanica. Photo: Laurie Nicoll. The queen comes out of hibernation in spring with two priorities in mind, one to build a nest and, two, to feed herself until she has workers to take over. Laurie’s control method uses a 1.25 litre soft drink bottle with three one-centimetre holes about 10cm from the base of bottle. The bottle is filled with bait made from honey, water and a little pure vanilla essence which ferments in sun. The traps need a little tending until January, whereby once they are full removing the catch, reusing and topping-up bait, and replacing the cap. Laurie is keen for other landholders to start using this method. For further information please contact Laurie Nicoll on 03 5423 2412 or email laurie@shamp.com.au.

The control method is free and easy to make. Photo: Laurie Nicoll

Artist needed for Black Hill Local artists are invited to pitch ideas for celebrating Black Hill Reserve which was devastated by fire in January this year. At this stage, a budget is yet to be confirmed. Send your ideas to the Macedon Ranges Shire Council in about 250 words, as well as your CV and some examples of your work. Ideas can be submitted by email to Robyn Till rtill@mrsc.vic.gov.au or phone 03 5422 0319. Closing date is Monday 1 June 2015.

Calling for contributions for the next edition of the Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management magazine The next issue (no. 64 - winter 2015) of the Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management magazine is a feature on urban Landcare. The Melbourne Landcare team is interested in your stories about Landcare projects in urban communities, including cities and regional towns, as well as stories about the relationships between urban and rural Landcare groups. Story contributions for the Urban Landcare feature issue should be sent to Carrie Tiffany (editor - details below) by Friday 5 June 2015. If you have a story you want to contribute, please contact Carrie to let her know your story is coming. Don't wait until 5 June to let Carrie know as this issue of the magazine may be full before the copy deadline date. Contact Carrie on editorviclandcare@gamil.com or PO Box 1135, Mitcham North, VIC 3132. For story contribution guidelines go to this link: http://www.landcarevic.net.au/resources/magazine/vlcm/how-to-contribute-stories/. To view past editions of the magazine head to: http://www.landcarevic.net.au/resources/magazine/vlcm/index/view.

2015 Victorian Landcare Awards – don’t forget to submit your nominations Do you know an individual, group, network, school or organisation that deserves recognition for their hard work and achievements in natural resource management?

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Entries are open for the 2015 Victorian Landcare Awards until Sunday 21 June 2015. The awards celebrate the achievements of Victorians who make significant contributions to the sustainable care of our natural resources. There are a variety of award categories including Young Landcare Leader, Indigenous Land Management, Landcare Community Group and Australian Government Innovation in Sustainable Farm Practices. For further information, including the nomination form, head to https://e-award.com.au/2015/landcareawards/newentry/about.php.

Australian Farmer of the Year Awards The Australian Farmer of the Year Awards celebrate the highly professional, innovative and sustainable approach of our farmers and farming families, showcasing their passion and raising the profile of the important role they play in Australian agriculture. Coming into its sixth year, The Kondinin Group and ABC Rural have announced the 2015 Farmer of the Year Awards will be held at The InterContinental Sydney on 9 September 2015.

Young Farmer of the Year is one of nine award categories. Nominations for the awards are now open with a broad range of categories including:

• Horticultural Grower of the Year • Livestock Producer of the Year • Dairy Farmers of the Year

• Grain Grower of the Year • Egg Farmer of the Year • Diversification Farmer of the Year • Young Farmer of the Year • Biosecurity Farmer of the Year (plant

category) • Agricultural Student of the Year.

Nominations close Friday 26 June. For further information or to submit a nomination head to http://www.farmingahead.com.au/FarmerOfYear or email events@kondinin.com.au.

El Nino on the cards The Bureau of Meteorology has announced its El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) tracker status has moved from 'alert' to 'El Nino'. El Nino is associated with the extensive warming of the sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropic Pacific Ocean near South America. Trade winds are weakened and may even reverse during an El Nino phase. This results in less atmospheric moisture available for rain in Australia. El Nino years have often been correlated with below-average winter and spring rainfall over most of eastern Australia. For further information and updates on climate forecast visit the Bureau of Meteorology’s website: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/ . The Department of Economic Development’s seasonal climate risk newsletter ‘The Break’ is also a good source of information: http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/agriculture-and-food/farm-management/newsletters-and-updates/the-break,-the-fast-break-and-the-very-fast-break-newsletters.

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Hello everyone, I hope you have enjoyed another wonderful edition of the Chat; it’s been another exciting month with lots of activities from across the region with lots of stories to share. The highlight for me was, of course, the Volunteer Recognition Event. More than 60 people attended the event at Anderson’s Mill in Smeaton to celebrate the hard work and achievements of volunteers from across the region and abroad. The event begun with an enchanting tour of the catchment to discover some rare strands of Snow Gums (Eucalyptus pauciflora) and Yarra Gums (Eucalyptus yarraensis) and the depleted Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata). On the way back to the mill we stopped by the mysterious Birch’s Creek. It was perfect weather for a perfect night under the stars. We ended the night by snuggling up under our beanies to view four environmental films.

Under the stars at Anderson’s Mill. Photo: John Childs. Saltwatch Week has been another highlight; I would love to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who participated this month. More than 30 people registered, collected and tested samples from their local waterways to contribute significant information about salinity to our

statewide database. Featuring in this edition is the journey of one very lucky bird. This captivating story from Matt Herring tells us all about the Tracking Bunyip Birds project and the overwhelming response to a crowd-funding campaign. We also hear from Phil Slesser, who tells us about the discovery of rare plants found in Lake Yando. Back in March, a group of enthusiastic volunteers took part in the Waterbug Workshops. I am pleased to announce all participants have received a yellow belt certificate accreditation from the Waterbug Company. Congratulations. Happy reading, Cass Davis Regional Waterwatch Coordinator North Central Catchment Management Authority PO Box 18 Huntly, VIC 3551 Phone: 03 5448 7124 Email: cass.davis@nccma.vic.gov.au

A salinity snapshot – statewide campaign Saltwatch Week has been an important part of the Victorian Waterwatch program since 1997. Historically, more than half of all the deep-rooted native trees and shrubs that once grew in Victoria have been cleared. As the land was cleared, the water balance was altered. Irrigation and rising groundwater levels have brought salt ever closer to the surface. It is important to understand there has been considerable effort over the past decades by landholders, Landcare, communities and governments to reduce the salinity impacts resulting from the land management practices of the past. The re-establishment of deep-rooted trees, shrubs and grasses has been a focus of groups over the past 30 years, groundwater pumping has lowered water tables in some areas and the ongoing raising of awareness around salinity has had a tangible effect on the enormous salinity problem. In north central Victoria more than 30 landholders, Landcare group members, Waterwatch volunteers and school groups registered with the North Central Waterwatch program to participate in taking a salinity snapshot of their local waterway during Saltwatch Week, 18 – 22 May 2015. Thankyou to everyone

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who has participated in contributing significant information to the Victorian Waterwatch Salinity Snapshot database. If you would like to check out the range of salinity, check out the results here: http://www.vic.waterwatch.org.au/monitoring-and-data/1010/.

Using an Electrical Conductivity meter to test for salt. Photo: www.waterwatch.org.au.

River Detectives update

We had a great response to Saltwatch Week from River Detectives groups with 11 registering to get involved. Congratulations to Langley PS, Clunes PS, Malmsbury PS, Woodend PS Carlsruhe Annexe, Axedale PS, Tarnagulla PS, Avoca PS, Goornong PS and Baringhup PS for making the commitment to highlight salinity issues with your students and have lots of fun along the way. We were also pleased to have Lake Boga Cubs participating and The Scientwists – a science education program engaging children in the Echuca area. In addition, we had two other schools register for Saltwatch Week; Boort District School and East Loddon P-12 College and we hope this may be the beginning of a long association with North Central Waterwatch. These groups were sent a Saltwatch Week Action Pack with a variety of engaging, hands-on, cross-curricular activities to get children immersed in the world of salt. Activities involving science, maths, creative writing, debating, art, geography and even physical education encouraged students to consider salt from a variety of perspectives; environmental, historical, social,

emotional, numerical and even from a health perspective. We’re sure they had lots of fun. One of the key activities conducted in Saltwatch Week was Salinity Snapshot. Students tested water samples collected from local water sources in their community (dams, creeks, wetlands, tanks, bores etc) and salinity readings were entered into the statewide database.

Axedale Primary School students test their samples for salt (EC) levels.

The River Detectives website is coming along very well. The proofs we are seeing look great and I have been very busy collating lesson plans, resources, links, fact sheets, photos and worksheets ready to load on in the near future. We can’t wait for the website to go live and share it with our River Detectives groups as a one-stop shop for waterway health environmental education. If there are schools or youth groups in your community that might be interested in becoming a River Detective or you would like to volunteer to help facilitate the program with a local school/group, please get in touch with Nicole Howie, Education Facilitator on 03 5440 1892 or email nicole.howie@nccma.vic.gov.au.

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Bitterns in the Rice - tracking Bunyip Birds The Bitterns in the Rice project team is pleased to announce the launch of their project website. Their vision is to see bitterns and other significant wildlife prosper alongside rice-growing in the Riverina. They want to demonstrate that food production and wildlife conservation can work together, building on the existing habitat values of rice crops. As global demand for food continues to grow, the need to better incorporate biodiversity into agriculture also grows. Dedicated conservation areas, such as fenced-off wetlands or national parks, are central yet inadequate in conserving biodiversity. The project team have raised funds to discover and track where the bitterns go after rice harvest during the colder months. Thanks to their successful crowd-funding campaign in 2014, the group was almost overwhelmed with interest and generosity, wildlife ecologist Matt Herring said: “We’ll be able to track 10 bitterns. We’ll identify the network of non-breeding wetlands they rely on, allowing targeted conservation efforts such as environmental water delivery and habitat management.” The tracking of bunyip birds (Bitterns) has begun, the group has its first bittern away with a satellite transmitter. Dubbed ‘Robbie’, the bittern is a young male from Coleambally.

Meet Robbie, the first volunteer to wear a tracker for the Tracking Bunyip Birds project. Photo: Bitterns in the Rice website. “The results are absolutely captivating, we’ve learnt Robbie crossed two state borders and was 557 kilometres from where we had attached the transmitter only 11 days prior.” Matt said.

If you would like to receive updates on Robbie’s movements check out the Bitterns in the Rice Project here: www.bitternsinrice.com.au. Alternatively, follow the project on Facebook or follow Matt Herring on Twitter @Matt_HerringOz.

Rare Plants – Lake Yando in the spotlight North Central CMA’s watering of a lake near Boort has produced some significant environmental results. More than 550ML of water was fed into Lake Yando from October 2014 to January this year, turning the dried out swamp into a picturesque wetland. The main objectives of the watering were to give a much-needed drink to hundreds of Red Gum saplings on the lake’s floor, encourage the growth of aquatic plants, as well as improve habitat for frogs, reptiles and birds to promote breeding. The watering event clearly achieved those results, and when Rakali Ecological Consulting Senior Ecologist Damien Cook visited the lake he was surprised with three significant plant findings. Damien discovered three rare and threatened species at Lake Yando - the mud-colonising Jerry-jerry (Ammania mulyiflora), Swamp Buttercup (Ranunculus undosus) and Water Nymph (Najas tenuifolia). “The discovery of these species at Lake Yando represents a significant range extension for the Jerry-jerry and Water Nymph, which are more typically found much further north,” Damien said. “It is quite a significant extension south for the Jerry-jerry and any finding of the rare Water Nymph this far south is also significant. “All of these species have declined in their range because of the changes to the way the environment and water has been managed in the past 200 or so years, and environmental watering is giving them a chance again.” North Central CMA Acting Loddon and Avoca Catchment Executive manager Greg Barber said the watering would have obvious long-term benefits for the lake. “This watering is really good news for the lake and nearby community,” he said. “Not only has one of our main objectives been achieved in prompting hundreds of Red Gum seedlings to emerge, but conditions have been perfect for these two rare and threatened

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wetland-dependant species to germinate, flower and seed. The Lake Yando water release was prioritised by the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) in line with its Seasonal Watering Plan 2014-15 and developed in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Goulburn-Murray Water and community representatives. The VEWH Seasonal Watering Plan 2014-15 is available for download from www.vewh.vic.gov.au, and regular updates are posted on the North Central CMA website www.nccma.vic.gov.au. You can check out more images of Lake Yando by following this link: https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=99eb50ccec2b0cd2&id=99EB50CCEC2B0CD2%211121&Bsrc=Share&Bpub=SDX.SkyDrive&sc=Photos&authkey=!AogXDVB1GbYR81c.

Lake Yando is home to three rare and threatened plants.

Events

The business of agribusiness conference - Newbridge The Central Victorian Agribusiness Forum and Loddon Shire invite you to a high profile agribusiness conference in Newbridge on Tuesday 2 June. Keynote speakers include:

• Jaala Pulford MP, Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional Development

• Andrew Smith, General Manager Sales and Business Development, Rural Finance and Rural Bank

• Tom Russo, General Manager Strategy and Business Development, Elders Limited

• Peter Tuohey, President, Victorian Farmers Federation

• Other key representatives from industry including; Kilter Rural, Scato Plus, Alkira Organics, Hazeldene’s and Sam Lim (Investment Advisory South East Asia and China).

The conference will discuss the following topics:

• Identifying and leveraging growth opportunities

• Local and foreign investment insights • Agribusiness innovation and success stories • Insight into accessing and securing future

markets • Network with colleagues in your value-chain.

When: Tuesday 2 June 2015 Time: 9.00am to 4.00pm Where: Newbridge Recreation Reserve

(Clubrooms) Newbridge, Victoria

Cost: $55 per person. RSVP: www.trybooking.com/123568 or further

details contact Martin Szakal on 0421 324

509 or visit www.cvaf.webs.com.

Cover Cropping Field Day

The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA), with support from Victorian No Till Farmers Association, is hosting a cover cropping field day on a property at Pine Grove (near Lockington) on Wednesday 3 June 2015. Cover cropping is designed to improve soil health and nutrient availability. Mixed-species cover crops are planted before sowing season and terminated prior to seed-set, similar to green manuring. They are not 'cash crops' but an innovative method to improve soil health and biodiversity leading to increased yield over time. Soil scientist Christian Bannan will be the guest speaker at the field demonstration site. Christian will demonstrate the benefits to soil structure and highlight the difference cover cropping can make to a paddock.

When: Wednesday 3 June 2015 Time: 10.00am – 1.30pm (morning tea and

lunch provided) Where: CFA Station, Cnr Tennyson & Whinfield

Rd, PINE GROVE RSVP: North Central CMA, (03) 5448 7124 or

info@nccma.vic.gov.au

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The field day is through the North Central CMA’s Regional Sustainable Agricultural project with funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.

Cover cropping is similar to green manuring and is a technique farmers can employ to improve soil health.

Our place, our environment – Greater Bendigo beyond 2015 The City of Greater Bendigo (CoGB) is developing its fourth Environment Strategy to guide the organisation’s environmental activities from now to 2021. Get involved by attending the first community forum on Thursday 4 June. The forum will explore the environmental challenges and opportunities facing the CoGB region, talk about what we value most about our environment, and look for actions to help us all live well in a healthy environment. Keynote speaker will be City Manager Strategy - Trevor Budge. A discussion panel will follow. When: Thursday 4 June 2015 Time: 5.30pm for a 6.00pm start to 8.00pm

(nibbles on arrival) La Trobe Visual Arts Centre, 121 View Street, Bendigo This forum is the first of a series of four. For further information head to: www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/envirostrategy.

Biodiversity across the Borders Conference 2015

The sixth Biodiversity across the Borders Conference will be held in Ballarat this June. This year’s theme is ‘Biodiversity in Rural Landscapes’. The conference features a mix of keynote presentations and concurrent sessions on a variety of topics including promoting ecological literacy in our communities, wetland connectivity

and management, mediating the effect of severe drought on bird communities, and many more. When: Friday 12 June 2015 Time: 8.45am – 5.00pm Where: Federation University, Mt Helen Campus,

University Drive, Ballarat, Victoria.

Cost: FREE – morning, afternoon tea and lunch provided.

RSVPs: For more information and to

register, please contact Associate Professor SK Florentine by emailing s.florentine@federation.edu.au.

Pasture management and multi-species cropping field day

The North Central CMA is hosting a field day at the Baynton Town Hall, and then at a local property, on Tuesday 16 June 2015. Participants will hear from Colin Sies, founder of pasture cropping and Graeme Hand, who will share his knowledge on regenerating perennial pastures and grasslands using planned grazing management. Multi-species pasture cropping involves sowing several different plant species with similar growing times - instead of sowing one species into dormant grassland - with the aim of producing better quality forage and improving soil health.

Colin Seis and Graeme Hand presenting at their introductory workshop held in Newstead earlier this year. When: Tuesday 16 June 2015 Time: 9.00am – 4.00pm (Morning tea and lunch

provided)

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Where: Baynton Town Hall, 51 Darlington Road, Baynton

RSVP: Is essential to the North Central CMA,

(03) 5448 7124 or info@nccma.vic.gov.au.

The field day is through the North Central CMA’s Regional Sustainable Agricultural project with funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.

Planned grazing will also be discussed as a way of regenerating perennial pastures and increasing farm productivity.

The 10th annual waterbug workshop

The Waterbug Company is running another waterbug workshop. The 10th anniversary workshop is set to be the same as all the others, but it will be their last. The workshops have been designed to give participants skills to identify waterbugs (macroinvertebrates) to Order and Family Level. During the workshops, participants will learn skills to use taxonomic keys to help identify waterbugs and will explore a range of common families from the easiest to the hardest to identify. Participants will be encouraged to bring their own material to identify, which ensures the knowledge they take home is relevant to them and not just based on a random set of animals the boys have found in Tom's farm dam the week before.

When: Wednesday 1 July - Friday 3 July 2015 (the course is three full days).

Where: Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne Cost: $550 (incl GST) RSVP: To register for the workshop head to

www.waterbug.net/workshop.html.

National carbon farming conference and expo 2015 Millions of dollars have already changed hands as a result of carbon farming, with farmers as beneficiaries. Farmers who increase soil carbon or reduce emissions now have the option of several methods under the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) to potentially earn carbon credits and receive payment from the Australian Government or other markets. Does your farm have the potential to include more than one method when registering a project? How do methods work? Who is implementing them? What are the results? Find out the answers to these questions at the eighth annual Carbon Farming Conference and Expo at Albury, New South Wales. Experts will be presenting in all areas from policy to practice. This is the only holistic education in one place,From the half-day field day to the Advanced Industry workshop, you go home knowing what you want to do, and how to do it. Early-bird registration is open now, with special rates for farmers. When: Tuesday 7 to Friday 10 July 2015 Where: Albury, New South Wales For further information including costs, venues and the detailed agenda head to www.carbonfarmingconference.com.au.

Biodiverse environmental plantings can generate carbon credits. Photo: Malcolm Brown.

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Courses and resources

Kerang Chemical Users Course Expressions of interest (EOI) are now being accepted to undertake the nationally accredited Chemical Users Course in Kerang. Pest plants and animals cost the community millions of dollars each year in lost productivity and have a significant impact on the natural environment. As part of a coordinated approach to reduce the threat of invasive species, the North Central CMA is offering sponsorship to landholders living in and around the internationally important Kerang Wetlands to obtain or refresh their chemical handling accreditation. The course is also open to Landcare members undertaking natural resource management works in the North Central CMA region.

Patterson’s Curse is a widespread weed in north central Victoria. Places in the course are limited. Sponsored places are available for free to participants meeting the criteria above (total course value $340). EoIs from industry and interested community members are welcome (full course costs applies). All course materials, training and lunch are included in course costs. The course can be undertaken over one or two days depending on the participant's previous training. Courses available include:

• Chemical Users Initial Training • Chemical Users Refresher Training

For those interested the North Central CMA can also coordinate logistics for 1080 endorsements. To apply please fill in and submit an EOI form, which are available at www.nccma.vic.gov.au When: Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 June

Time: 9.00am – 3.00pm (lunch provided) Where: Kerang Learning Centre 11 Scoresby Street, Victoria Cost: Sponsored places $0 Industry places $340 (Excl GST) EOI: EOIs should be submitted to the North

Central CMA by 10.00am Tuesday 2 June 2015 on (03) 5448 7124 or email info@nccma.vic.gov.au.

TAFE students keen to lend a hand Students studying Conservation and Land Management at Bendigo TAFE are keen to put their knowledge and skills to the test and volunteer with community groups in the region. Does your group require help with any projects? Students are keen to practice their plant identification, fauna monitoring and revegetation skills. Contact Kirsty Smith by emailing kirsty_seven@hotmail.com if you have any work experience opportunities.

18th Box Ironbark Ecology Course

Are you interested in gaining a general understanding of ecological processes and principles? The 18th Box Ironbark Ecology Course involves five absorbing days of field studies in the heart of Box Ironbark country. Registrations are now open. Topics covered in the course include:

• Distribution and history of the ecosystem including indigenous use and post settlement impacts

• Introductory sessions on geomorphology, soils, fauna and vegetation communities

• Flora and fauna of the region - how to read the landscape, search for and identify the plants, reptiles, birds, mammals and invertebrates that inhabit Box Ironbark communities

• Detailed study of ecological interactions between landscape, soils, plants and animals and implications for management

• Survey skills and property assessment.

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Course presenters include: • Cathy Botta, a soil scientist and educator

who works with communities in agricultural landscapes

• Andrea Canzano, an entomologist with experience in insect conservation and invertebrate biodiversity assessment in Victoria

• Garry Cheers, an experienced naturalist who lives and works in Box Ironbark country

• Paul Foreman, a botanist and forester who has a particular interest in Box Ironbark, Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands ecosystem flora, and private land conservation

• Lindy Lumsden, a wildlife biologist who has a special interest in Box Ironbark ecosystem fauna. Her passion is bats, their ecology and introducing them to people

• David Meagher, an environmental scientist with a special interest in the ecology of mosses and liverworts of south-eastern Australia

• Neville Rosengren, who has surveyed the geomorphology and geology of conservation sites in most parts of Victoria.

• Kate Stothers, a landholder in the Box Ironbark region and particularly interested in people and conservation and;

• Lance Williams, an ecologist with 30 year’s experience in fauna survey, assessment and management.

Box Ironbark Forest in the Whipstick State Park, near Woodvale, Victoria. Photo: Geoff Park, VicVeg Online. When: Monday 5 to Friday 9 October 2015 Where: Nagambie Lakes Leisure Resort,

Nagambie, Victoria Cost: $1,600 (Excl GST), which includes

shared accommodation, meals, transport, instruction and course notes.

The course is limited to 30 participants. Further details, including the course notes, will be mailed out to registered participants, closer to the date. For further information or to register your interest please contact Kate Stothers, Euroa Arboretum, by phoning 0458 680 990, emailing kate.stothers@euroaarboretum.com.au or visiting the website www.euroaarboretum.com.au. The course is supported by the Norman Wettenhall Foundation, the Australian Government, the Goulburn Broken CMA, the North Central CMA, the City of Greater Bendigo and the Conservation Management Networks.

Graduate certificate in climate change for primary industries

There are two major challenges in tackling the issues of climate change: understanding the science and being able to communicate that understanding. This Graduate Certificate ideally positions graduates to advise policy, regional managers, land managers, farmers and industry on appropriate strategies to cope with a changing climate, including carbon farming, mitigation, sequestration and adaptation. Taught by internationally renowned academics, you will gain an applied understanding of the many factors underpinning climate change risk for agricultural production and land management including awareness of methods for carbon farming, sustainable food and fibre production and their markets. To achieve the Graduate Certificate in Climate Changes for Primary Industries, you are required to successfully complete four subjects with each subject comprising five days intensive coursework delivery. Assessments are designed to adapt to student’s individual field of practice with about 120 hours commitment per subject over one year. Subjects include:

1. Climate Variability and Climate Change with Professor David Karoly and Professor Ian Simmonds

2. Greenhouse Gases from Agriculture with Professor Richard Eckard and Associate Professor Stefan Arndt

3. Climate Changes and Agricultural Adaption with Professor Snow Barlow

4. Climate and Economic Strategy with Professor Bill Malcolm.

When: Beginning January 2016

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Where: All five-day intensive workshops are delivered at the University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus.

Cost: 2015 fee $11,680. FEE-Help is available

Note: this fee is subject to an annual increase, 2016 fees will be published in October, 2015.

The future climate of north central Victoria is expected to be hotter and drier than today. This has the potential to significantly impact our agricultural industries. Photo: Joel Spry.

Sustainable Grains Production

Now is the time to apply for Trimester Two entry into the University of New England's Diploma, Graduate Certificate and Masters in Agriculture (Sustainable Grains Production) courses specifically tailored for grain growers and advisors. This online course will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to help ensure the long term viability of your business, and give you the opportunity to meet and learn from grains industry experts to improve your profitability. Trimester Two areas of study are:

• Agronomy of Grains Production - grains industry overview, crop morphology and physiology, plant breeding and adaptation, plant nutrition, soil characterisation, health and management, tillage systems, water management and precision agriculture and/or;

• Grain Crop Protection - weed, disease and pest management, pesticide resistance, chemical application and legislation, grain quality and product integrity, and quarantine issues.

For further information or to apply visit the website at www.une.edu.au/grainproduction.

Funding

Yates Junior Landcare Grants now open!

Yates and Junior Landcare continue to encourage schools to get creative in the garden. Following the success of the inaugural Yates Junior Landcare Creative Gardening Grants last year, Yates is again proud to award 25 grants of up to $1,000 each to schools and youth groups who can show innovative ways of creating a garden within their school or community. Grants will be awarded to the most innovative, sustainable and environmentally conscious entries. So get out of the garden bed, be inventive, imaginative, create and educate! For some inspiration, why not check out the fantastic project ideas from last year’s recipients? This program is open to schools, community and youth groups (of school age) such as:

• Schools including preschools, kindergartens, primary and high schools across Australia

• Youth groups including scouts, girl guides and other community organisations that involve and support young people as a key component of their activities and services

• Landcare, Coastcare and environmental groups that work in partnership with a local school

• All grants awarded will go to the school or partnering Landcare or environmental group.

Applications close 3 July 2015. For further information or to apply go to www.juniorlandcare.com.au.

The North Central Chat is made available thanks to funding from the Victorian and Australian

governments.