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Landcare and Community News |
Welcome to the October 2021 issue of the Greater Sydney Landcare and Community News. This issue provides a focus on online events, resources and experiences to help you stay safe and connected during this time. Hopefully we will be promoting more face-to-face options in our next issue. |
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Landcare update - Madeleine Florin
Regional Landcare Coordinator
Are you interested in planting some FREE trees on your property? Private and public landholders can apply for trees through the Creating Canopies project. Greater Sydney Landcare is planting 100,000 trees in Greater Sydney and their project team would love to help you get some in the ground. Please contact trees@greatersydneylandcare.org. A photo competition for those with an affinity for the Hawkesbury-Nepean River. The seven partner councils working on the Hawkesbury-Nepean Coastal Management Plan have launched ‘Our Hawkesbury River’ photo competition. Details on how to enter are here.
There is an opportunity to provide your views on the effectiveness and efficiency of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. You can have your say here.
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Pest spotlight: Feral pigs
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Apart from the Megalong Valley, established populations of feral pigs are not generally found in the Greater Sydney region. Feral pigs pose a major biosecurity risk and have been found to carry many diseases which can impact on human health and agriculture. Of most concern is the potential to introduce Foot and Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever which are present in nearby countries and are easily transmitted when contaminated products are eaten by pigs.When any feral pigs are found within the Sydney basin and Central Coast they are a very high priority for eradication. However, pig hunters have been known to introduce juvenile pigs captured from outside the area to provide hunting opportunities. If you see a feral pig, or suspect deliberate release of feral pigs, visit the DPI website HERE for more information and to reportand HERE to report on Feralscan.
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Areas of Outstanding Biodiversity Value - have your say!
Did you know that anyone can propose an area to be considered as an Area of Outstanding Biodiversity Value? Visit HERE for guidelines and to check out the criteria used to evaluate sites for biodiversity conservation.
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Crime Stoppers Opuntia Campaign
Crime Stoppers and Local Land Services have launched a campaign to stop online sales of Opuntia cactus species. Prickly pear species have a serious impact on the environment and agriculture. There is only one legal species of Opuntia, the Indian Fig (Opuntia ficus-indica). If you see any other species for sale, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online HERE.
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Good news story from Cattai Hills Environment Network (CHEN)
CHEN hit the mainstream news recently with coverage of their DNA testing program used to locate platypus habitat in the Hawkesbury catchment in partnership with Sydney Water and Western Sydney University. Visit HERE to check out the ABC News item and HERE for more details about CHEN’s platypus program.
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Native bees make healthy honey
Research at the University of Queensland has uncovered the secret to why native bees make a healthy honey that is better for you. Visit HERE for the full story and to access the research paper.
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Actions to restore and protect the Wollondilly River
Just outside Goulburn is Wongajong, a 150-acre cattle grazing property where the owners have restored habitat for local native species and installed stock exclusion fencing to protect the Wollondilly River with funds from Rivers of Carbon – Source Water Linkages program. Click HERE to learn more about this beautiful property and HERE to learn about landholder opporutnities in the Sydney Water Catchment.
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White’s seahorse recovery program
Early September saw a huge milestone with more than 140 baby seahorses bred at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium now released into Sydney Harbour. Visit HERE for the full story and HERE for more details about this amazing species.
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Animal fact sheets from the Australian Museum
The Australian Museum have developed an array of fact sheets on many of our native animals and over 40 different frog species. Visit HERE to explore these guides.
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The birds of Circular Quay during lockdown
The Sydney Opera House have written about how city-dwelling seagulls and ibises are adapting during lockdown. Read the article HERE.
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A warm, wet spring
Spring is set to be wet and warm in eastern Australia, according to the Bureau of Meteorology's (BOM) seasonal outlook. Visit HERE for more details.
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Urban farm at Horsley Park
The Western Sydney Parklands Trust have developed a plan for 254 hectares of Urban Farming including greenhouses, small produce farms, market gardens and orchards. Visit HERE for more details and to check the masterplan.
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Tree planting drones
Check out how the World Wildlife Fund are trialing drone seeding using AirSeed Technologies to help plant trees on the scale needed to support struggling koala populations. Click HERE for full details.
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Are bandicoots bringing ticks into gardens?
University of Sydney researcher Casey Taylor talks to ABC about whether bandicoots are bringing ticks into people’s gardens in Sydney. The life cycle of ticks, common misconceptions and other hosts are also discussed. Click HERE to listen.
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Seed collection guidelinesFlorabank has produced best practice guidelines for native seed collection and use in Australia. The guidelines consist of 15 modules that follow the seed supply chain. Click HERE for more information.
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Blue-Tongue Lizards impervious to snake venom
Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered that the blue-tongue lizard is almost impervious to the venom of the red-bellied black snake. Read the full story HERE and visit HERE for the published research.
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Gresford Landcare in the Hunter
Check out how this amazing group are working together to help with environmental outcomes on both private and public land. Visit HERE for their story.
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Ecological restoration practice
The latest edition of the National Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration in Australia has just been launched. Visit HERE to download the standards and access the video of the launch and some case studies of best practice ecological restoration projects.
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Have you seen an invasive Red-Eared Slider Turtle (REST)?
As the weather warms up, the non-native REST will be on the move in many local waterways throughout Sydney. Please upload your best photo of any sightings and report through the FeralScan community website HERE.
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Online Resources & Citizen Science
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New topics on Landcarer
Visit Landcarer to check the new array of topics including Threatened Species and Communities, Habitat Restoration, Education for Junior Landcare and Biodiversity. Visit HERE to join and see the topics and HERE to see how the Bellarine Catchment Network is using Landcarer.
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Saving the Swifty and reporting a Regent
Check out Greater Sydney Local Land Services’ latest webinar recording called "Saving the Swifty and reporting a Regent" to explore how you can help protect these amazing birds. Visit HERE to check out the recording and HERE for Birdlife Australia resources discussed in the webinar.
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Priority plant pests – videos to raise biosecurity awareness
The Australian Government has released a series of videos on topics including Xyelle, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and Khapra beetles. Visit HERE to download these and more videos.
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Small Farms Network Capital Region - resources
Find recordings of all past Network webinars, including pig health, sheep health, feral predator management, wicking bed design and more HERE and locate resources and summaries HERE.
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NSW Connects
Check out the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment's webinar recordings developed for Threatened Species Day. Visit HERE to access all recordings.
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Improving farm roads and tracks to withstand erosionThe Australian Rivers of Carbon has produced this guide to improving erosion control of farm roads and tracks. Click HERE to check out the online guide.
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Rakalis need riparian zones
Check out this online guide developed by the Australian River Restoration Centre on the Rakali, a special river dweller that is found almost everywhere on the Australian Continent. Click HERE to access this beautiful guide.
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E-Learning: Gateway Pests of NSWCheck out this online training program on managing the risk of high priority pests entering NSW. Created by Greater Sydney Local Land Services in partnership with NSW DPI and the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, the program has been designed for a variety of audiences. Visit HERE to check out the E-Learning modules.
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Video: Restoring fish habitat on the Nepean River
Check out this video about a Soil Conservation Services' project with Penrith City Council to improve fish habitat for improved biodiversity. Visit HERE for more details and to check out the video.
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Boosting bird diversity on farms
The Sustainable Farms program recently hosted a webinar that coveredhow to provide habitat for bird populations and issues with over-abundant species such as noisy miners. Watch the recording HERE.
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Koala scat and audio surveys -Science for wildlife are asking residents in the Lower Blue Mountains to record koala sightings and koala bellowings. Email info@scienceforwildlife.org or click HERE for more details.
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Bushfire affected communities
Science for Wildlife are asking the community to help identify animals using food and water stations installed after the devastating 2019/2020 fires. Click HERE to explore how you can be a citizen scientist for Science for Wildlife by watching surveillance camera footage over the internet.
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Explore the new Junior Landcare channel featuring fun educational environmental activities with Costa Georgiadis HERE
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Learning Centre
Find some great activities for children of all ages at the Junior Landcare activity centre. Visit HERE for a full run down of the activities.
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What’s your post-lockdown threatened species personality?
The folk from Saving our Species have developed an interactive quiz to see what your post lockdown threatened species will be like. Click HERE to play with the family or with friends over a zoom catch-up.
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Greater Sydney Landcare Network's October Webinars Visit HERE to check out the webinars being held in October.
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Eco living festival various dates (Online)
A number of events including workshops, talks, tours and movies for the family. Coordinated by Randwick Council until 24 October. Visit HERE for the program and to register.
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Small farms and bushfire webinar – 7 October
Hosted by the Small Farms Network Capital Region. This webinar will talk about how to prepare for bushfire at your place. Registrations are essential. Click HERE for more information.
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Landcare webinar series - coordinated by Landcare AustraliaCarbon Projects webinar - 7 October
Delivered by Landcare Farming Manager
Mick Taylor. Landcare and traditional owners – 21 OctoberJoin Craig Aspinall, Jackson Chatfield and David King to discuss how Landcare groups can work with Traditional owners
Visit HERE for more details and to register.
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Learn how to Nail your Nature Shots - 7 October
This webinar will teach you how to capture that bird, flower or landscape in a way that tells a story. You can even do it with your smartphone! Visit HERE for more details and to register.
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Armyworm in Australia and Fall Armyworm in 2021 - 8 October
Hosted by Central West and Central Tablelands Local Land Services this 1 hour webinar will cover the impact on agriculture in south-east Australia. Visit HERE for more details and to register
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Planning and planting to maximize the potential of farm dams – 14 October
Sustainable Farms are hosting this webinar about the latest research on the biodiversity, productivity benefits and planning of farm dams. Click HERE for more information and to register.
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42nd Annual Tocal beekeepers field day 16 October
This event will be livestreamed from Tocal College Paterson online via YouTube and Facebook. Thirteen different presenters covering the science of bees, horticulture and native bee. Click HERE for more information and to register.
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Good for a Chat with Barbara Albert 26 October
Join Jo from Good for the Hood and Barbara Albert online to discuss solutions to achieve net-zero emissions. Click HERE for more information.
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CITSCIOZ21 – 27-29 October (Online)
The 4th conference of the Australian Citizen Science Association called Celebrate, Communicate, Co-Create CITSciOZ21. Click HERE to register.
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Grants, Funding and Awards
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AWARDS2021 Environmental Education Awards – close 10 October
The 2021 AAEE NSW Environmental Education Awards have just opened with three categories of awards. Visit HERE for full details and to nominate for the 2021 awards.
NSW Environment Awards - Nature Conservation Council - close 23 October
The NSW Environment Awards celebrate the outstanding commitment and achievement of campaigners, grassroots environmentalists and conservation groups across the state and will cover 2020 and 2021. Click HERE for full details and to nominate.2021 State and Territory Landcare Awards – NSW, NT and QLD are still open
Nominate a Landcare Champion for a 2021 State and Territory Landcare Awards which recognises individuals, communities and community groups for outstanding contributions to preserving our unique landscape. Click HERE for more details and to nominate.
GRANTS & REBATESTop tips for writing grants
The Grants Hub have developed some basic grant writing tips to help you with your next grant application. Click HERE for full details.Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation program
NSW Environmental Trust invites applications to the 2021/22 round of its Restoration and Rehabilitation Grants Program. Grants between $50,000 and $170,000 are currently available for projects that assist in the ongoing sustainable management and stewardship of environmental assets and services in NSW. Applications close 3pm 11 October. Click HERE for the guidelines and the application form.Environmental Education Grants
NSW Environmental Trust has opened the Environmental Education program to support projects that develop, broaden and transform the community's knowledge, skills, and intrinsic motivation to undertake sustainable behaviour and encourage participation in protecting the environment. Visit HERE for the full details and to apply. Applications close 8 November 2021.
Kids to Farms – school funding available
Funding of up to $1500 is available to NSW primary schools for excursions to farms or agricultural sites. The aim of this school funding grant opportunity is to remove some of the financial barriers that may be preventing primary schools in NSW from taking part in excursion opportunities where students can develop their understanding of food and fibre production systems. Click HERE for more information.
Wettenhall Environment Trust's Small Environmental Grant Scheme
Providing support for people undertaking projects that will make a positive difference to the natural living environment, in land, sea or air, rural or urban. Supports grassroots organisations and individuals, and academics who are working with on-ground community groups. Includes four rounds every year. Grants are usually $10,000 and focus on flora and fauna conservation, or threatened mammal conservation. Click HERE for more information.
The Sunrise Project Small Grants program An open application process for small grants of up to $5,000 for community groups working to hasten the transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy or to protect Australia’s ecosystems from the negative impacts of the coal and gas industries. Click HERE for more information.Quad bike and drone rebates available
Safe work NSW provides eligible farmers with funding and rebates for farmers to fit roll bars on quad bikes and to purchase drones to view inaccessible areas on farms. For more information and free training from Safework NSW visit quadbikes HERE and drones HERE.
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Find out more about the Every Bit Counts project HERE. |
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Penrith
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Australia
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