Come along to hear how Warrenbayne’s streams and Wetlands are faring.

Daren Giling from Monash University will tell us about his recent research and Debbie Hill will provide an update on the progress of the Farm Wetlands for Woodlands project.

Thursday 20th June, 7 – 9.30 pm – see flier.

You can read more about the project sites on these pages.

The key to having a healthy, productive wetland, is habitat diversity and stock control, so fencing and revegetation (aquatic and terrestrial) are key components of this project. Once a pond or wetland has been fenced, aquatic and terrestrial vegetation will naturally start to grow back, but to speed up the process (we humans are impatient animals!) most of the project sites will also have plantings.

But we’re also looking at improving some of the wetland sites by creating shallow-water areas to slow run-off and allow water to pond during winter-spring, or after heavy rain, then to dry out over summer. This wetting and drying is an important part of wetland function and it’s where a lot of wetland biodiversity is concentrated. ….

And just to make sure our plans are achievable (within budget), we sought advice from an expert, someone that’s created and rehabilitated these sorts of wetlands before and can help us achieve our goals as effectively and efficiently as possible. We asked Damien Cook from Australian Ecosystems® and Rakali Consulting to tour the project sites with us and help us improve the draft plans where needed.

So, on Monday 11th March the Project Coordinators (Deb Hill and Deb Holmes) and myself (Bertram Lobert) were joined by Damien on a tour of several of the project wetland sites . At each site we walked the area, with the landowners where possible, and reviewed the site’s rehabilitation plans. Across all project sites rehabilitation activities include:

• Stock-proof fencing around the wetland/project site.
• Introducing logs and woody debris, for perching birds and aquatic habitat.
• Landscaping to slow water movement.
• Planting of a variety of plants, locally native to the area, including, water plants (eg. sedges, spike-rushes, water ribbons), thickets of shrubs for wet and dry areas, and trees at low density.
• Installation of nest-boxes for wildlife, if tree hollows are missing.

We examined each site with Damien, in light of the above list of actions, and had fruitful discussions about  how best to proceed. In particular, Damien was able to help us visualize and design the landscaping, required at a few sites, that will create those important shallow-water areas. What became abundantly clear to all of us was that our Project Sites include a fantastic variety of ‘rural’ wetland types, that each have huge potential to become important biodiversity hot-spots.

Here are a few pics of our day.

G’day everyone  -  thought you might be interested in joining us this Friday for a guided night walk along the Sevens  -  to see what we can find .   In early December a few of us did a brief walk after our meeting and were rapt to spot several possums as well as a squirrel glider in a big old Red Gum near the end of Kennedy St.  So, bring a torch and join us for a barbecue before we walk the southern end of the Creek ( see attachment ).  Hope to see you  -  ring me ( 0427-246900 ) if you want further info  -  regards  Shirley

You are invited to the fifth one-day Biodiversity Across the Borders Conference (see flier for more information). With the theme “ENHANCING ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT AND RESTORATION”, this conference aims to communicate new ecological research to natural resource managers, the research community and those with an interest in better environmental management. This conference is jointly hosted by the University of Ballarat, La Trobe University, Deakin University, Victoria University, Charles Sturt University, University of Melbourne, Parks Victoria and other research partners.

The all-day conference will be held at the Mt. Helen campus of the University of Ballarat on Friday 7 June 2013. The keynote address will be delivered by Professor David Lindenmayer, The Australian National University (ANU) Fenner School of Environment and Society.

Additional guest speakers will include: Professor Mike Clarke (La Trobe university) and Associate Professor Ian Lunt (Charles Stuart University)

For natural resource managers, it is an excellent opportunity to learn about new applied research outcomes and what they mean for you. For researchers it is a great way to communicate your work in a way that can make a real difference. Biodiversity Across the Borders continues to build and strengthen collaborative networks so as to enhance both research and land management into the future. We look forward to seeing you there.

There will be no registration fee for attending this conference.  If you are interested in sponsoring or attending the conference please contact Dr. S.K. Florentine (Florry) – s.florentine@ballarat.edu.au. A full itinerary will be forwarded to you at the earliest opportunity.

On behalf of conference organising committee

S.K. Florentine (“Florry”)

The Central Victorian Biolink  Alliance has being meeting regularly for the past 6 months to develop an application for major Federal Government and State government grants which would support the implementation of the Melbourne Arc project.  Representatives from the Strathbogie Ranges CMN have been attending these workshops – facilitated by Sophie Bickford (CVB Alliance) and Karen Alexandra (Victoria Naturally Alliance).

There are five networks in the project, under the leadership of CVB Alliance – the networks being – Moorabool Landcare Network, Deep Creek Landcare Network ,Upper Campaspe Landcare Network , Strathbogie Ranges Conservation Management Network, and Piper Biolink (includes southwest Goulburn Network).

Priorities will align with guidelines identified by the grants authority, Melbourne Arc priorities (as determined by the Interim Project Control Group, and contributing Networks.

Guiding principles may include;

• protect existing remnant native vegetation
• complete partially developed biolinks (close the gaps)
• connect large areas of existing native vegetation
• enhance native vegetation
• protect endangered species
• provide for sustainable agriculture in areas adjacent to biolinks that protect the biolink
• provide on-going security for the biolink through land management agreements with the Network or covenants

Each Network is to provide CVB Alliance with a priority list of works (starting with the highest priority) indicating;

• Location of the works
• Km of biolink to be developed
• Hectares to be developed
• Nature of the work to be carried out eg fencing (Km), plants to be direct sown from seed, off-stream watering point, rabbit control (ripping & baiting), woody weed control, ripping and spraying planting areas, indicative species list for plantings, monitoring of progress with biolink (e.g. nest boxes, infra-red cameras)

If successful each Network is to appoint a Project Implementation Committee for overseeing activities conducted by the Network. Membership should be drawn from the Landcare and CMN groups whose area is to be impacted.).

The duties of the Project Implementation Committee would be as follows;

• Appointment of  project officers  to liaise with landowners
• Receive reports from the project officer on landowners contacted to be involved in the project
• To consider and decide on applications from landowners (via the project officer)
• To consider grievances where they arise
• To support the project officer with advice (contractors, technical issues, planting days, probity)
• To develop and implement local processes within the guidelines of the grant (where there is no guideline)
• To leverage funds against landowner investment to ensure best outcomes for the project
• To authorise purchases to implement the activities.
• To oversee reporting on the activities to the Network and Project Control Group

It is anticipated the project officers would have excellent local knowledge of their local area, (landowners, farming practices, timeliness of operations, local supply of land management services, indigenous plants and animals). A high level of communication skills is essential.

The next meeting to discuss this proposal in on 21st Feburary 2013 at Newham near Lancefield .  Janet H & Jenny W will be attending.

SRCMN members have been supporting one of our partner groups on the more political side of nature conservation, the Euroa Environment Group, in a tussle with Strathbogie Shire.

Shirl led the charge and the  troops all rallied. One tree was lost, one saved with a tiny bit of pruning and the ‘Swaggy Tree’ is still intact at this stage.

If you would like to read a comprehensive account of the saga, I recommend John Larkin’s article in the February 2013 issue of NNE magazine, “The Euroa Tree Blockade” .

 Back issues of the Euroa Gazette are also very informative.

There were various topics of discussion, but business soon moved to the main task of every AGM, the election of Office Bearers and Committee Members.

The outgoing Members were:

• Michael Spencer, President
• Shirley Saywell, Vice-President
• Penny Algar, Secretary
• Justus Hagen, Treasurer
• Charlie Brydon
• Janet Hagen
• Bertram Lobert

After elections, the Committee now comprises:

• Michael Spencer, President
• Shirley Saywell, Vice-President
• Penny Algar, Secretary
• Justus Hagen, Treasurer
• Charlie Brydon
• Charles Street
• Heather Bradbury
• Louise Currie
• Heather  Thomas
• Janet Hagen (ex-officio member)
• Bertram Lobert (ex-officio member)

Full meeting Minutes are available here.

President’s Report

In reflecting on the past year the words that keep occurring in my mind are rewarding and challenging. Rewarding because of the extent to which the CMN has been accepted in the Strathbogie Ranges community,

• rewarding because of the amount of the level of engagement with our activities and the progress we have been able to make with our strategic plan and,
• rewarding in terms of the satisfaction we have all been able to achieve through our association with the CMN.

But challenging in terms of the environment in which we operate with changing governments, changing priorities and tighter economic times,

• challenging  simply because of the amount of work we can all see could be done to improve the natural environment in the ranges and
• challenging at times because not everyone affords nature the value and the priority that we take for granted.

But more on that later.

Let me start with governance arrangements.

We have had an extremely productive and cohesive Committee.  Everyone has pitched-in whether it be making badges for the Butterfly Festival or managing events, there is a sense of commitment that is second to none in my experience.

We have had five formal committee meetings in financial year 2012 – but to give you a sense of how activities have accelerated we have had five already this financial year.

Unfortunately Jenny Wilson, our former Secretary, has not been able to continue as a member of the Committee because of the nature of her work with such a large number of groups in the catchment.  We thank Jenny for her contribution to the foundation of the CMN in 2010 and her work as Secretary getting us onto a very secure footing. But we also look forward to continuing to work with Jenny.

We have streamlined our meetings to focus on our strategic goals and formalised our accounting systems so we can provide audited accounts to this meeting as well as our funders.

Our strategic plan has four key goals:

1. To assemble a network of people and groups interested in biodiversity in the Strathbogie Ranges that is representative of the region
2. To build a knowledge bank on biodiversity as well as tools, techniques and approaches to protecting and enhancing biodiversity in the Strathbogie Ranges and share this with landholders, organisations and others interested in our region
3. To create awareness of the value as well as opportunities to protect and enhance biodiversity in the Strathbogie Ranges
4. To support these goals through projects that tap opportunities for investment by government (Federal, State and local), organisations and companies as well as individuals interested in protection and enhancement of biodiversity.

Building a Network of individuals and organisations.

Over the past year we have had about 40 people formally join the network.  In addition almost 140 now subscribe to our newsletter.

As partner organisations, we recognise:

• Almost 20 Landcare groups
• 5 Landcare networks
• 4 Shires
• 4 government agencies
• 6 community groups and,
• 1 major company engaged in natural resource management

Over the next 12 months we hope to build the depth of those relationships. In addition we have engaged with projects such as the Central Victorian Biolinks that will create a network of organisations interested in biodiversity across central Victoria. We also build our network through events, field days and activities that I will discuss in a moment.

Building a knowledge bank

We are slowly assembling a significant knowledge bank regarding nature in the Strathbogie Ranges. The most obvious manifestation is the SR CMN web site and Strathbogie Nature View web site – both of which are maintained by our project managers, Bert and Janet, and provide an accessible online knowledge bank.

In addition our project managers and our members are building knowledge and sharing this with the community on a regular basis through face-to-face activities as well as printed material – brochures and information sheets.

We know there is a lot more we can do but we have made a good start.

Creating awareness

Reviewing the events section on our web site in preparation for this meeting, I found more than 20 events listed and undertaken since September 2011 (and that is not an exhaustive list).  That is more than one event a month over a sustained period; some small and some attended by more than 100 people.

Highlights have included: last year’s geology field day with Dr Neville Rosengren, Fishing Day at the Euroa Arboretum, Celebrating our Environment at Violet Town, Stone Tools of the Strathbogie Ranges at the Arboretum, Nest Boxes for Wildlife at Violet Town, Frogs and Farm Dams at Swanpool, the Wildflower Walk along Honeysuckle Track, another Geology Field Day with Neville Rosengren this year and most recently, the Strathbogie Ranges Butterfly Festival.  This was of course our most ambitious event with eight different events in one week.  The great value of the Butterfly Festival was that it engaged such a diverse range of people, including school children, in celebrating nature in the Strathbogie Ranges.

Projects

To support these goals we need to work with governments and agencies such as the Goulburn Broken CMA who can provide resources.

We received start-up funding from the CMA in early 2011 to get the CMN going.

In September 2011 we received funds from the Australian Government’s Caring for Country program for our Landscape Linkages Project.  This two-year $312,500 project had three elements:

• Improve knowledge and skills
• A landscape scale biodiversity plan
• Assisting landowners to protect and repair valuable ecosystems

The project expires this financial year and we are on target to secure 18 landholder agreements (currently 7) and 100 hectares of valuable ecosystems (currently 78).  The project has also supported a number of the activities I mentioned earlier.

Also under Caring for Country we received a Community Action Grant for a project to secure valuable rocky outcrops.

This year we secured funding under the Victorian Government’s Communities for Nature for a Farm Wetlands and Threatened Woodlands project.  This $137,355 two-year project is being undertaken in partnership with Landcare and the Goulburn Broken CMA.

We will continue to pursue funding and grant opportunities that support and are consistent with our strategic objectives.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead I mentioned that these are challenging times.  The key to our success will need to be demonstrating that we can make a difference to the quality of nature in the Strathbogie Ranges and that the quality of nature can make a difference to the people who live and visit here.  That is a challenging task but I think the days of nature being seen as something limitless and therefore of no economic value and taken for granted are past.  We have recently seen some evidence just here in Euroa that old attitudes are still around but the strength of community reaction to those events shows just how much recognition there is in this community for the importance of nature.  I recently saw a photograph from China of people up fruit trees trying to hand-pollinate so the trees would produce fruit.  Imagine if we had to start hand pollinating here because we lost our bees.  We can’t take nature for granted and we can’t fail to understand the important linkages in nature (ecosystems) that are responsible for so much of what we have taken for granted in the past.  Even something as apparently simple as a rest-stop along the Hume Highway is related to the amenity of the area which in turn relates to the natural environment we create for visitors.  That brings money to the town and sustains jobs.  If you start to change that amenity you threaten jobs.  These are the sorts of linkages we need to understand and value.  I think we can do it, I think we will do it and as a result we will continue to see changing attitudes in this area.  That will help strengthen the resilience of nature and our communities.  I am optimistic but we have a lot of work ahead of us.

Finance

During the 2012 financial year we received income of $210, 514.03 and incurred expenditure of $73,541.11 and finished with a Closing Balance of $151.934.52.  A significant increase on the previous year reflecting the grants we were able to secure for our work.  In the first quarter of this year (to 30 September) we have received $75,000 from the Victorian Government and $24,243.14 from the Australian Government leaving us with net assets at the end of the quarter of $229,438.88.  Of course that is not free cash but committed to the projects for which it was provided but nevertheless reflects a strong financial position.

Next meeting

Saturday the 30^th of November 2013

Angus & George proudly display their butterfly collection.

Saturday 24th Nov was the end of a great week! About 55 people gathered at the Euroa Arboretum for a morning of butterfly catching, face painting and art, a delicious BBQ and some fascinating ‘show and tell’ after lunch.

Plenty of kids and parents were on hand to catch butterflies for our makeshift butterfly house and Peter and Steve (our visiting moth experts) shared some more words of wisdom with us. Ben had some great displays and stories about butterfly-parasite relationships, whilst Janet shared with us her amazing collection of butterfly cards and other memorabilia. Bert showed the childhood butterfly and moth collections of local MP Bill Sykes and Cathy gave us all pointers about how to create a butterfly garden. Perhaps the stand-out show & tell came from George and Angus, accompanied by their Dad, Douglas, who showed us their superb collection of butterflies, collected both locally and from northern Australia. It was a great session!

Michael Spencer, Chair of the SR CMN Committee brought the day to a close by thanking our sponsors (Australian Government, GB CMA) and all who participated in the week-long event, for joining in to raise awareness of biodiversity in the region and to learn more about this important group of insects – the Lepidoptera. With a bit of luck and funding, we hope to hold a similar event again.

David Kelly, a Euroa Arboretum volunteer, put together a lovely newsletter including a summary of the day – here.

And here are a few pickies (45 actually) of the day.

A feature boulder being muscled into place.

There’s more happening at the Euroa Arboretum than can be seen from the Visitor’s Area. If you thought the constructed chain-of-ponds along the entrance was impressive, wait til you see what’s happening out back!

Coffs Harbour, NSW may have the Big Banana, Kingston, SA may have the Big Lobster, but soon Euroa will have the Big Chain of Ponds, thanks to Cathy and Warren.

This shallow and gentle drainage line was a phalaris-infested management problem, as seen in the first image, below. The drainage line feeds into the big dam and carries water in most winters.

The backhoe scrapped off all the phalaris grass and gently rearranged some soil (though that’s a generous description) to form shallow depressions and low, leaky rises.

But it didn’t end there. The Arboretum has been stockpiling logs and boulders for some time with this project in-mind and Warren did a brilliant job, not only creating the chain-of-ponds, but in positioning the logs and boulders to Cathy’s specific location and placement. May many a frog and bird enjoy the protection and vantage point of these special features.

The next phase will be to pump some water into the shallow ponds and start planting! Stay tuned.

A big audience enjoys the evening.

A big crowd turned out for a balmy evening in Violet Town two Fridays ago, 23.11.12. In fact, this penultimate event of the Strathbogie Ranges Butterfly Festival actually began earlier in the afternoon, with the Honeysuckle Recreational & Environment Precinct (HREP) hosting a visit by the Kindergarten children to the Honeysuckle creek, where they had the chance to explore and learn about the natural environment of the creek.

Next, HREP led a gardening project at the nearby Peranbin Primary School, where a butterfly garden was planted around an old River Red Gum stump.

The evening’s activities started with a dinner of home-baked pizzas from the Community Oven and then progressed to the main activities for the evening.

Once dark enough, renowned moth expert Peter Marriot (ably assisted by another ‘mothylated spirit’ Steve Williams) gave an introductory presentation on moths: exactly what is a ‘moth’, what is their relationship to butterflies and why are they important in the natural environment. Then, as the evening became dark enough, we all headed over to the playground area, which became the stage for the Violet Town Youth ‘Lepidoptera Performance’

VT Community House Coordinator, Helen Keighery, and local kids treated the audience to a beautiful performance about the trials and tribulations of being a butterfly, complete with jokes, wonderful choreographed performances by all the children and gorgeous colour. A delightful performance!

Those keen to hear more about moths then headed back to the Bowls Club wall for another dose of moth-ology. Eventually though, we all wanted to see the real thing, so we all headed down to the creek where Peter had set up a light and sheet to survey the local moth fauna. We all marveled at the sheer number of insects attracted to the light and then, once we got our eyes in, the diversity of insects as well.

You can read about the diversity of moths and other insects that were recorded on the evening on Strathbogie Ranges Nature View.

The afternoon and evening were a great success, with well over 80 people attending. Many thanks to Sue Paton/HREP, Helen Keighery/VT Community House and Violet Town Community Oven for collaborating so seamlessly to present the various activities. And special thanks to Peter Marriott and Steve Williams for opening a window onto the mysterious and fascinating world of moths.