Hi All

Some great things to do in Melbourne and surrounds received from our Victorian Environmental Friends NET (May 2015)

It can be downloaded from
http://vnpa.org.au/admin/library/attachments/PDFs/Friends%20newsletter/FriendsNET91.pdf

This issue includes:
Parks & Reserves Trust Fund: Where does our money go?
Who’s your Best Friend for 2015? (Time to nominate)
A part summary of the VEFN tour of Cranbourne Gardens
Brown Bandicoot & wildlife corridor – legal case
Tree canopy cover in cities
Linday Tanner on forest protection
Mammal extinctions: USA & Australia
Bill Jackson, CEO of Parks Victoria, resigns
A summary of the Yarra Protection Forum in March
The inspiring DVD “The Work of 1000”, and
The activities of two of our Friends groups

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Riparian Restoration Workshop
930am-1230pm Saturday 30May15
Rijs Property, 183EllasvilleRd, Nicholson

After planting dozens of hectares of cleared land with trees and shrubs, the Rijs’s property now supports at least 91 species of birds, including 11 kinds of raptors. East Gippsland Landcare Network invites you to take a walk highlighting restoration activities on the property which adjoins Salt Creek in Nicholson.

Information: Paul Harvey <paul.harvey@delwp.vic.gov.au> 03 5152 0608
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Planting Day at Yellingbo
Friends of Leadbeater’s Possum
10am Saturday 30May15

Meet at the depot at end of ShieldsRd, Yellingbo
Tree planters are very welcome to stay on for a stag watch with Dan Harley from Zoos Vic. Don’t forget to BYO gloves, gumboots and water bottle/favourite drink.

RSVP/Information: Sue 0427 055 071 <leadbeaterspossum@gmail.com>
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2015 Euroa Environmental Seminar Series

Saturday 30May15 Water Management and Environmental Flows
Murray Darling Basin Authority, GoulburnBrokenCMA, Christine Forster EnviroFarmersNetwork, Michael Spencer WaterStewardshipAustralia and Fern Hames (DELWP)

Saturday 4Jul15 The environment, Climate Change and the Paris Talks
Richard Denniss (AustralianInstitute), Rob Gell, Prof Alan Pears (RMIT), Sarah Houseman (VicAssoc4EnviroEducation), Vicky Fysh (UniMelb student), AustralianYouthClimateCoalition and ChildInNatureAlliance

Saturday 25Jul15 Climate Change, Health and Rural Communities
Dr Lisa Rasmussen, Prof Sue Brumby (NationalInstitute4FarmerHealth, DeakinUni) and Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation

Saturday 26Sep15 Conservation Volunteerism, Biodiversity and Citizen Science
David McInnes CEO EarthWatch, VicMuseum (TBC), EuroaEnviroGroup and GooramLandcare

Saturday 24Oct15 Biolinks, Landuse Change, Fire and Landscape Restoration
Prof Michael Clarke (LaTrobeUni), Prof Ian Lunt (CharlesSturtUni) and Ian Mansergh (formerly DEPI)

Saturday 21Nov15 Cultural Landscapes
Rueben Berg (Indigenous architecture graduate), Local and Regional Indigenous Leaders

Tickets http://strathbogievoices.com.au/tickets/

Information: http://strathbogievoices.com.au/contact-us/
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2015 State & Territory Landcare Awards

Welcome to this year’s Landcare Awards. If you are involved in protecting or improving your local environment, farm, coastline, bushland, wetland, waterway, school, region, catchment or backyard, there is a category in this year’s awards to suit you.

To nominate, please click on your state or territory to submit an entry. You will need to set up an account to do this, and this will allow you to save your entry as you go, and finish it at a later stage.

Please contact awards at 1300 95 95 55 <info@eawards.com.au> if you have any technical issues or contact your State or Territory Awards Coordinator for any questions relating to the Awards.

Entries close on 31 May.

Information: https://e-award.com.au/2015/landcareawards/newentry/about.php
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Tarrangower Cactus Control Group
1030am Sunday 31May15
Wheel Cactus Field Day

At a property overlooking Cairn Curran Reservoir. Follow the main road to Baringhup, turn off to the reservoir and as you approach the Yacht Club, turn left again along the road around the water’s edge. The route will be well signposted from the turnoff to Baringhup. The morning’s activities begin at 10:30am and end with an enjoyable free BBQ lunch and friendly chat.

Information: IanGrenda 0412 015 807 <iangrenda@live.com> http://www.cactuswarriors.org
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Australian feature-length documentary film
Healesville Environment Watch
730pm Wednesday 3Jun15
Memo Hall, MaroondahHwy, Healesville

For Environment Day this FREE special event is for one night only! The film follows the personal story of former construction worker turned anti-fracking activist Dayne Pratzky as he responds to the expansion of the coal seam gas industry near Tara, Queensland.
Presented by Yarra Ranges Council and Healesville Environment Watch Inc.

Bookings: The Memo, 1300 368 333 or http://www.culturetracks.info
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Updates on the Ramsar application for Glenelg Estuary and Long Swamp Community Workshop
11am-2pm Thursday 4Jun15
Nelson Community Hall

All are invited to provide information to support nomination of the Glenelg River estuary and wetlands of Discovery Bay National Park as a ‘wetland of international importance’ under the Ramsar Convention.
Tea, coffee and lunch provided.

RSVP: <GlenelgRamsar@ghcma.vic.gov.au>
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Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management magazine
Urban Landcare feature

The next issue of Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management magazine is a feature on urban Landcare. We are 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.

If you have a story that you want to contribute please contact Carrie Tiffany (editor) to let her know that your story is coming. Don’t wait until Friday 5Jun31 to let Carrie know as this issue of the magazine may be full be the copy deadline date.

Contact: Carrie Tiffany <editorviclandcare@gmail.com> POBox1135, MitchamNorth3132
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Planting trees at Navan Park
10am Saturday 6Jun15
CentenaryAv, MeltonWest3337

Melton Enviro Group will return to Navan Park to plant Red Gum saplings around the lake. Many years ago MEG assisted in planting trees here as well as the south west of the park. A ring of Red Gums fringing the lake is planned to create a more natural appearance as well as more bird habitat. In decades to come these will provide nest hollows for hollow nesting species such as ducks, owls, parrots, cockatoos & possums.

Information: Daryl Akers 03 9743 2495 .0438 277 252 <daryljakers@gmail.com>
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FoWyperfeld
LongWeekend 6-8Jun15
Wonga Campground, WyperfeldNP, Yaapeet

Project Working bees, Homestead excursions, Bushwalking, Guest speaker.

Information: Colin & Marianne Easton <ararateastons@bigpond.com> <friendsofwyperfeld@yahoo.com.au>
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Propagating Australian Natives Workshop
530pm Thursday 11Jun15
Portland Community Garden Shed, HentySt, Portland

Presented by Nature Glenelg Trust and Kevin Sparrow from the Warrnambool Society for Growing Australian Plants.
Every participant gets to take home a native plant!

RSVP: Rose Thompson 08 8797 8181 <rose.thompson@natureglenelg.org.au>
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Stony Rises Landcare Community Planting Day
1pm Sunday 14Jun15
Pomborneit

Stony Rises Landcare will be planting native trees and shrubs on a property in Pomborneit. Get involved, kids welcome. Afternoon tea provided.

Information: Ammie Jackson 0487 281 079 <stonyriseslandcare@outlook.com>
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Mount Alexander Landcare Forum
3pm Friday 19Jun15
Campbells Creek Community Hall, ElizabethSt, CampbellsCreek

If you’ve ever wanted to grow your own timber, learn more about using fire to manage pastures, save a plant from local extinction, organise a successful festival or meet a whole lot of Landcare members then the Mount Alexander Landcare Forum is the place to do it!

The forum will include a series of presentations on topics including: Agroforestry & Landcare (Ben Boxshall), Applying Indigenous Fire Knowledge to Pasture Management (Brendon Kennedy & Paul Foreman), Saving the Silver Banksias of Baynton Sidonia (Clare Claydon) and a dinner presentation on the Lake Bolac Eel Festival and Healing Walk (Una Allendar & Brett Clark). As well as the talks there will be a social dinner and music from forum presenter and Gunditjmara man Brett Clarke.

The Forum is for Landcare and Friends group members, NRM professionals and anyone with an interest in the topics or Landcare volunteering in the Mount Alexander Region. The Forum is free for Landcare members and $10 for non-members.

Information/RSVP: Max Schlachter by Friday 12Jun15 5472 1594 <max@connectingcountry.org.au> http://connectingcountry.org.au/04/mount-alexander-landcare-forum-19-june-2015/
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Mullum Mullum Creek Bushcare Working Bees
10am Second Sunday of the month
MullumMullumRd Ringwood3134 Melway 49K5

Help this vibrant and well organised group preserve this beautiful piece of native Australian bushland and create a new park-like space along a popular walking/cycling track next to the creek.

Information: AlanStrachan 03 9876 1319 .0417 541 483 <alanstrachan@bigpond.com.au>
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Hamilton Field Naturalists Club Excursion to Wannon Flora & Scenic Reserves
Sunday 21Jun15

Meet 10am at the Hamilton Visitor Centre
This reserve is 65ha and  includes both  banks and bed of the Wannon River at and below the falls 14km from Hamilton heading towards Coleraine
Wannon Falls Scenic Reserve

Information: <hamiltonfnc@live.com.au> or http://hamilton-fieldnaturalists-club-victoria.org.au
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Friends of Box Ironbark Forests Bushwalks 2015
Third Sunday of the Month Walks

We meet at 930am outside 30TempletonSt Castlemaine and carpool to the start of walks. Bring water, morning tea and lunch for all walks. Walks normally finish mid afternoon. People of all ages and non-members welcome.  No cost.

21Jun15 Goughs Range – c.5km
This small 161 ha state forest is little visited, but has some nice attractions: grey box woodland with understorey of Golden Wattle and some dense stands of Varnish Wattle. There are great views from the top of the range across to Cairn Curran and beyond. Note: this little forest is down for a management burn this autumn. If the burn is severe we may have to reschedule the walk elsewhere.
Leader: Bernard Slattery 03 5470 5161

Sunday 16Aug15 Tarilta Gorge (& Upper Loddon State Forest) c.6km
Our circuit walk commences at the junction of the Goldfields Track and Porcupine Ridge Road. Approximately 2 km down the Goldfields Track we descend to a wide green valley leading to Tarilta Creek. After many stream crossings north we turn into a glorious long and wide valley leading back to the Goldfields Track and the start point.
Leader: Richard Piesse  0448 572 867

Nature walk and activity for early Primary school kids
Sunday 30Aug15
Castlemaine Botanical Gardens
Meet at the Tea Rooms at 10am.
Contact: Naomi Raftery 0422 585 585

Youth Bush Walks
Sunday 26Jul15
Garfield Wheel
Meet at the Continuing Education Building at 930am. Walk will be at least 5km. Free event. Lunch is included.
Contact: Nioka 03 5472 4609

Information: http://www.fobif.org.au/walks/
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FoHoodedPlover on Mornington Peninsula
Data Collection days.

Once a month over the non-breeding season we will visit one of the beaches where our Hooded Plovers are flocking, to collect data on bird numbers and identify
their tags. We do this to help BirdLife track the movements of the birds over winter. This presents a good opportunity for new members to attain a better understanding of the beaches on the Mornington Peninsula. These sessions are aimed at new members but all members and friends are welcome.
Saturday 13Jun15, Saturday 4Jul15 and Saturday 1Aug15

If interested in attending: please rsvp <hploversmornpen@gmail.com>
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Day Walks – Great South West Walk

Weekend 12-14Jun15
Friday Afternoon start –Grampians – Hall’s Gap Based
A couple of interesting walks.   Staying local accommodation. Cost to be advised.
Booking and deposit details: Rob 03 5526 5372 .0428 381 772

Saturday 11Jul15
8am start from Portland to meet walkers at Hamilton at 9am. Black Range – Wild Man Cave. 10km
Wendy 03 5572 3097

Saturday 15Aug15
9am start from Portland – Monibeong Loop Walk 16km
Rob 03 55265372 .0428 381 772

Saturday 12Sep15
9.00am start from Portland and meet others at Casterton at 10am
Wilkin Flora& Fauna Reserve, Strathdownie.  A beautiful, natural flower garden. 8km
Jan 03 5523 2646

All walks leave from Customs House, CliffSt Portland. Our By-laws require intending walkers advise the contact person by Thursday prior to walks so transport arrangements can be made. We encourage all walkers who are not already financial members to join up and help keep us running.

Information: Gordon&KathyPage 03 5523 4248 .0428 234 248 <kathgor@bigpond.com> http://www.greatsouthwestwalk.com
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Birding at Pinkerton & Eynesbury
9am Sunday 16Jun15
Meet MtCottrellRd Melway221H8

BirdlifeAustralia & PinkertonLandcare&EnvironmentGroup invite the community to join them birding at Pinkerton Forest & Bush’s Paddock in the morning and Eynesbury Forest in afternoon. These sites are not usually open to the public and are home to a large variety of woodland birds. About 140 bird species have been recorded at Pinkerton & about 100 at Eynesbury.
Toilets & coffee shop at Eynesbury (composting toilet at Pinkerton).

Information: Dave Torr 03 9749 5141 .0458 035 896 <davidtorr@gmail.com> http://www.birdlife.org.au/events
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Manningham Nature Walks – Thursdays at 9.30am

Walks through beautiful local bushland, paced to allow participants to appreciate the natural history along the way, are held on the fourth Thursday of each month, starting at 9.30am. Please wear appropriate clothing for the weather including a hat and sturdy footwear and bring a water bottle and a snack.

930am Thursday 25Jun15 – The Koornong Block (across river from Jumping Creek Reserve) 2km 2,5hrs Rating Difficult
This section of Warrandyte State Park is directly across the river from Manningham’s iconic Jumping Creek Reserve, offering beautiful views from the other side of the river. Fungi and mosses abound on the sheltered rocky track edges.

Other dates: http://manningham.vic.gov.au/file/8526/download

Booking is essential and opens two months before each walk. Meeting points provided at time of booking.
Book/Information: 03 9840 9124 or <eepadmin@manningham.vic.gov.au>
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Hands on Propagation Night
Society for Growing Australian Plants
8pm Friday 26Jun15
Mozart Hall, GillesSt, Warrnambool

Learn how to sow seeds and put in cuttings of your favourite native plants. If you are not based in Warrnambool but are interested in plants, this will be well worth the drive – so don’t miss out!

RSVP/Information: Kevin Sparrow 03 5562 6217 <ksparrow93@gmail.com> http://www.warrnambool.org/sgap/
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The Tenth (and final) Waterbug Workshop
Wednesday-Friday 1-3Jul15 (3 days)
Monash University, Clayton

The Waterbug Workshop is intended for anyone with an interest in the taxonomy and ecology of freshwater invertebrates.  We teach waterbug identification skills …. more info on the website.
Cost: $550 GST included.

Information: John Gooderham 0447 893 519 <flatworm@ozemail.com.au> http://www.thewaterbug.net/workshop.html
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Planting Days in Grampians and Surrounds
Project Platypus Plantout 2015

Project Platypus was established in 1994 when it became obvious the huge land and water degradation problems in the area were too extensive to be managed by individual landholders and Landcare groups. Project Platypus acts as an umbrella organisation for the eleven Landcare groups of the Upper Wimmera Catchment to deliver large scale projects. It holds an Annual Plantout over four Saturdays as part of its activities. Planting, Live Music, Campfires, Delicious Local Produce, Great Company, ….

Saturday 4Jul15 – Halls Gap- 9am til 330pm 7200 trees!
Saturday 11Jul15 – Pomonal – 10am til 5pm 9000 trees!
Saturday 19Jul15 – Landsborough – 11am til 3pm 3000 trees!
Saturday 25Jul15 – Crowlands – 1030am til 430pm 1500 trees!

Information and Registration: 03 5258 4410 <admin@platypus.org.au> http://www.platypus.org.au
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Nature Glenelg Trust Wetland Restoration Tree Planting
Sunday 12Jul15
Brady Swamp, near Dunkeld

Enjoy a day out tree planting, and see restoration progress at the wetland.

Brady Swamp is situated adjacent to the far south-eastern corner of the Grampians National Park in Victoria’s South West, straddling public (Brady Swamp Wildlife Reserve) and private land. The swamp is one in a chain of wetlands of the Wannon River Floodplain, as the river reaches the flats after exiting the valley between the Serra and Mt William Ranges within the Grampians.
http://natureglenelg.org.au/current-projects/restoration-of-southern-grampians-wetlands/restoration-trial-at-brady-swamp-on-public-and-private-land/

Information and Registration: Rose Thompson 08 8797 8181 <rose.thompson@natureglenelg.org.au>
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Grow West Community Planting Day
930am-4pm Sunday 19Jul15
Lot7 IronbarkRd Rowsley3340 Melways 7B5

Grow West have conducted community planting days in the Bacchus Marsh area for the past 10 years in partnership with VNPA, local landholders and the Friends of Werribee Gorge & Long Forest Mallee. The event has an excellent reputation and plant survival rates have been high (in most years at least 80%).

Registration: http://growwest.com.au Closing Monday 13Jul15
Information: http://www.growwest.com.au/resources/docs/Community%20Planting%20Day%20Info%20Kit%202015.pdf
Contact: Emma Muir 03 5368 7256 .0412 685 404 <peteremma15@bigpond.com>
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Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Tree Planting
10am-12pm Sunday 26Jul15
The Flume (Warrnambool Foreshore)

National tree planting event, as part of the ‘Reveg the Flume’ project. BBQ provided at the end. A great, fun day for all.

Information: Kate McInnes <wclg@live.com.au> http://www.wclg.com.au
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Regent Honeyeater Project 2015 Nestbox Monitoring and Planting Weekends
Lurg Hills near Benalla

The Regent Honeyeater Project is one of the most active volunteer conservation projects in the nation. It has engaged a whole farming community in restoring remnant box-ironbark habitat for endangered species still living in the district, and attracted ongoing support from a wide cross section of the community to help farmers with the on-ground works. The massive scale of the tree-planting work has enormous benefits for landcare as well as for wildlife. The almost 900 hectares of restored habitat is reducing salinity and erosion problems, and improving water quality, stock shelter and natural pest control.

Threatened Species Planting weekends:
There are another 25-30 sites being restored for threatened species like Regent Honeyeaters, Grey-crowned Babblers, Squirrel Gliders and Brush-tailed Phascogales, and needing all the help we can muster. Join in for some great weekends away in the country – achieving results that will last a lifetime.
1&2Aug, 15&16Aug, 29&30Aug, 12&13Sep and 26&27Sep15

Information/MailingList additions: Ray Thomas 03 57 611 515 .0427 936 369 <ray@regenthoneyeater.org.au> http://regenthoneyeater.org.au/index.php
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Project Hindmarsh Community Planting Weekend 2015
15-16 August Dimboola

Project Hindmarsh will be at Antwerp on the bank of the Wimmera River, about 20km north of Dimboola. 12,000 Indigenous plants will be planted and other direct seeding undertaken.

Registrations: through Hindmarsh Landcare Network website http://www.hindmarshlandcare.org.au/
Information: Steve Hemphill 0429 006 936 <hln@hindmarshlandcare.org.au>
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Hamilton Field Naturalists Club walk at Mt Rosea (North Grampians)
Sunday 23Aug15

Meet 9am at the Hamilton Visitor Centre
Mt Rosea, not far south of Halls Gap, has amazing rock outcrops and slopes. It is 1009 metres high and gives 360 degree views at its summit

Information: <hamiltonfnc@live.com.au> or http://hamilton-fieldnaturalists-club-victoria.org.au
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Australian Plants Society Wilson Park Plant Sale
9am-4pm Saturday 5Sep15
Wilson Botanic Park, Princes Hwy, Berwick Melways 111B7

A wide variety of native plant stalls, food stalls, kids craft activity, specialist book stall, native flower display.
Information: Ian Chisholm <secretary@apswilsonparkberwick.org.au> http://www.apswilsonparkberwick.org.au/
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Bendigo Native Plants Group Flower Show
10am-430pm Saturday&Sunday 5&6Sep15
Rotary Gateway Park, 26HighSt, KangarooFlat.

Information: Sandra Birch <bendigonativeplantgroup@yahoo.com.au> 0400 149 319
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South West Soils Conference 2015
Wednesday&Thursday 9&10Sep15
Colac Otway Performing Arts & Cultural Centre, Cnr Rae&GellibrandSts, Colac

Focus on soil health and how agricultural activities can impact on its ability to make a profit. It will help provide practical and hands-on information to assist farmers and service providers to work towards improved soils.
Conference registrations limited so get in early! Special discounted rate for landholders and community groups. Tickets available from 1Jun15.

Information: http://www.swsc.com.au/ http://www.facebook.com/SouthWestSoilsConference
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APS Yarra Yarra Native Plants Expo
10am-4pm Weekend 12&13Sep15
Eltham Community & Reception Centre, 801MainRd, Eltham Melways21J6

Information: Mike Ridley 03 9435 8404 <apsyarrayarra@gmail.com> http://www.apsyarrayarra.org.au/
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Anglesea and Aireys Inlet Wildflower and Art Show
10am-430pm Weekend 19&20Sep15
Anglesea Memorial Hall, McMillanSt, Anglesea

The show includes spectacular displays of native flowers and opportunities for people to take guided walks and bus tours to visit the bushland and flora reserves to see indigenous flowers in their natural habitat. There are also native plants books on environmental subjects, cards and various forms of craftwork for sale. Small entry fee.

Information: Chris Morrissey is the Show Convenor 03 9853 9269 or 03 5263 3131 <admin@angair.org.au>
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