Streambank Erosion Mitigation Workshop

Hear about different methods for reducing stream bank erosion on your property, from engineering solutions to low-cost options. Learn more about the erosion process and dicsuss your erosion issues with the experts.

Tarcutta RSL

Grass Identification Workshops - Yanco

Recognising Grasses - 15 October Yanco

1-day workshop at Certificate II level costing $225

Designed to help people recognise common weedy, native and desirable introduced grasses within an area and understand what they may indicate about the environment and management of a site.

Participants will develop the skills and knowledge to recognise 12-16 grasses using only a few features and collect useful samples for identification.

ABARES Bega Regional Outlook Conference

Attending the ABARES Bega Regional Outlook conference is your opportunity to hear from speakers across four sessions on economic, agricultural, environmental and regional development issues relevant to your region.

29 August 2012

9am-5pm

(Registration from 8.30am)

Landcare 'Community Call for Action' Released

UPDATE: The documents are now available for download below.

The “Community Call for Action” which builds on the “Australian Framework for Landcare”, has been released.

The framework was developed in 2010 to support the resilience and growth of the Landcare movement up to 2020. It provides the vision and aspirations for the future of the Landcare movement as well as highlighting Landcare achievements to date.

Humour break - I'm Farming and I Grow it

If you're looking for a quick pick-me-up or a break from work, check out this humorous Youtube music video by a group of young farmers from the US - I'm Farming and I Grow It [5]. It's sure to put a smile on your face!

Vote for Australia’s favourite environmental hero!

Taking place in Sydney during Landcare Week [7], the 2012 National Landcare Awards celebrate the passion and diversity of Landcare, a grass-roots movement of farmers and community volunteers who protect and restore Australia’s land and coast.

Biological Farmers of Australia - Roadshow in Albury & Bungendore

The charismatic and knowledgeable US farmer, soil health expert and author Gary Zimmer will be in Australia next week to present at the Biological Farmers of Australia’s (BFA) annual roadshow on how to farm more productively and profitably.

Volunteer Grants 2012

Volunteer Grants 2012
Volunteer Grants 2012 recognises the valuable work of Australia’s volunteers. This initiative forms part of the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to organisations whose volunteers assist disadvantaged communities and encourage inclusion of vulnerable people in community life.

UMCCC Biennial Forum and Field Trip

UMCCC Biennial Forum and Field Trip

National Tree Day - Wagga Wagga

National Tree Day

Wagga Wagga City Council and Wagga Wagga Urban Landcare is hosting a National Tree Day activity at a parcel of land on Oura Rd (next door to Camp Kurrajong). This location has been selected because in the past it has been used as a racing track and we would like to rehabilitate the degraded land.

Conservation Farming Workshop

Murrumbidgee CMA are hosting the following FREE one-day Conservation Farming workshops.

Wednesday 29 August 2012 - Wagga Wagga RSL Club

Friday 31 August 2012 - Ardlethan Bowling and Recreation Club

Both workshops will run from 9am to 4pm

Scholarships available for rural people

Rural Scholarships

Rural Scholarships [14] are granted to those actively making a difference in their rural community. There are no age or course limitations. It is essential however, that applicants demonstrate a commitment to creating a better future for rural NSW. Winners will receive $5000 for a full-time scholarship or $1500 for a part-time scholarship. Of the 40 scholarships awarded this year, areas of study included fields as diverse as agriculture, education, health and engineering.

JB Fairfax Award for Rural Journalism

This award [14] encourages students who are passionate about rural issues to turn their passion for writing into a career. The winner receives a $10,000 grant as well as internships with Rural Press and the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

For more information visit rasf.org.au [15]

Applications close 30 September 2012

T: 02 9704 1234 E: foundation@rasf.org.au [16]

Landholder survey on landscape connectivity

Cecile van der Burgh and is a PhD Student at Charles Sturt University, currently conducting a study on how different experts prioritise areas to support connectivity in different fragmented landscapes.

Land managers involved in Landcare hold important expertise that she would like to include in her study, there is more information about the survey in the Letter to Landholders below.

Participants will be entered in a draw to win one of six $50 book vouchers.

If you'd like to take part in this study, the survey is available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G38XJSP [18]

The deadline for responses is this Saturday 18 August 5pm.

The Country Web - Women Crossing Boundaries

The Number 57 edition of The Country Web has the theme 'Women crossing boundaries' and is available now [20].

This edition showcases many women from throughout New South Wales who are shining their light in various industries and jobs that up until recently have been seen as traditionally male areas.

Some of the women featured include: farmers, geologists, painters, mechanics, electricians, engineers, shearers and rangers. They come from industries such as grains, forestry, mining, automotive and public relations.

Grants to Voluntary Environment, Sustainability and Heritage Organisations

The 2012-13 round for Grants to Voluntary Environment, Sustainability and Heritage Organisations (GVESHO) has now been announced.

The GVESHO program helps eligible community based organisations to value, conserve and protect Australia's natural environment and historic heritage and to promote sustainability by assisting with their administrative costs.

The Changing Face of Landcaring

A Landcare survey has found 93 per cent of the farmers questioned practise landcare on their farms, and 73 per cent feel they're part of the movement.

That's despite attendance at Landcare meetings and events falling away in recent years.

Jewels in the landscape: managing significant native vegetation remnants - Moree

This two day workshop, run by the Australian Network for Plant Conservation, will provide participants with the skills required to plan, implement and monitor a project to manage and restore grassy woodland remnants.

Learning will be through a combination of theory presentations and field-based activities. The workshop has a particular emphasis on managing grassy woodland remnants but is relevant to the management of other vegetation types.

Fish Habitat Action Grants

Habitat Grants are Now Open
The Habitat Action Program:

Plant identification for grassy ecosystems - Deniliquin

This two day ANPC workshop will introduce participants to grassy ecosystems, their diversity, ecology and provide the skills and information required to positively identify a range of common grassland plants.

Jewels in the landscape: managing significant native vegetation remnants - Scone, NSW

ANPC 9th National Conference

The Australian Network for Plant Conservation (ANPC) 9th National Conference Plant Conservation in Australia: Achievements and Future Directions will held in Canberra, from 29th October to 2nd November 2012.

Lachlan Fold Wildlife Action Group meeting

The Lachlan Fold Wildlife Action Group will be meeting at 2pm Monday August 20th at the Conapaira Hotel (Rankins Springs pub).

Guest Speaker: Matt Cameron will be speaking about his Glossy Black Cockatoo research.

iPhone and iPad apps for Australian agriculture

NSW DPI have compiled a list of useful iPhone and iPad apps for Australian agriculture. The list is available to download below. For more information visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre [30]

Crops, Rumps and Wooly Jumpers: Working Together

Wednesday 22nd August

Location: Joyes Hall

Pine Gully Road

CSU Wagga Wagga

8:30 am to 4.00 pm

Crops, cattle and sheep - come along and have your say!

You are invited to participate in a innovative farming forum based on ABCs Q & A program and the SBS Insight program.

A six member farmer panel have been specially selected to share their experiences covering a range of farming systems across the region.

New option for control of Windmill Grass

Downloadable below is a new permit from DPI for the control of windmill grass in summer fallow.

2012 Science Forum - Forbes

Registrations are now open for the "Soaking up Science" Forum on the 14th and 15th August 2012 in Forbes.

The forum will be held over two days and boasts a program filled with interesting and diverse speakers with sessions be run concurrently covering the themes of Biodiversity, Community, Land and Water.

Speakers have been drawn from innovative land managers, government departments and educational institutions.

The evening dinner will be one of the highlights with the Iron Chef style cook-off between the two finalists of the Carp recipe competition "If you can't beat em - eat em", with Iain Hewitson (celebrity chef) as the guest speaker.

Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation Grants

The NSW Environmental Trust is calling for applications to the Restoration and Rehabilitation program.

Applications close on 31 August 2012.

The aim of the Restoration and Rehabilitation program is to facilitate projects to prevent or reduce pollution, the waste stream or environmental degradation of any kind, run by community organisations and State and Local government organisations. Through these projects, the Trust also aims to improve the capacity of communities and organisations to protect, restore and enhance the environment.

2012 NSW Landcare Group Survey

The NSW Department of Primary Industries is responsible for administrating the NSW Landcare Support Program and is responsible for providing information on the Landcare movement to the NSW government. They are conducting a survey of NSW Landcare groups.

The information gathered via this survey will be used for the following:

1) To provide accurate information of the total number of groups and individuals to the NSW Government.

2) To enhance the information in the Landcare Group summary reports published on the Landcare NSW website (www.landcarensw.org.au [36])

3) To enable groups to respond to two projects being funded by the NSW Landcare Support program - the NSW Landcare Insurance project and Beta Testing for the NSW Landcare Gateway.

Herbicide Resistance Crop Drives

NSW DPI and Dr Chris Preston from Adelaide University invite you to join them on a crop drive across the region focussing on managing herbicide resistance. The drive will also look at other topical issues around the region such as nutrition, disease management,varieties and more.

Australian Farmer of the Year Awards - Nominations close soon!

The Australian Farmer of the Year Awards celebrate the highly professional, innovative and sustainable approach of our farmers, showcasing their passion and raising the profile of the important role they play in Australia.

The Awards are designed to promote a positive image of Australian farmers, inspire and encourage career choices and investment interest in Australian agriculture.

Grains Research Update - Griffith NSW

GRDC Grains Research Update

9am - 1pm

Wednesday August 1st

Griffith Ex-Servicemen's Club

Lunch provided

Registration: $44

See attachment for more information

WANTED: Feral Photos

Invasive Animals CRC Photography Competition 2012

The 2012 Feral Photos competition is a free photography competition open to all members of the public.

Invasive Animals CRC are looking for the best original photographs of pest animals, pest animal damage, and pest animal control or monitoring activities in Australia. Colour, black and white, sepia-tone, remote camera and panoramic photos will all be accepted.

Entries close 30 September 2012

More information is available from the CRC website [41].

Conservation Tillage Refundable Tax Offset

From 1 July 2012, a 15% refundable tax offset (RTO) is available on the purchase of new conservation seeding equipment.

For more information go to: www.daff.gov.au/climatechange/carbonfarmingfutures/rto [43]

The Paddock Providore - 100 Mile Dinner

The Paddock Providore 100 Mile Dinner is being held to celebrate the Year of the Farmer and to showcase the fantastic local produce in this wonderful food producing region.

CRAVE Riverina Food Festival Meeting - Coleambally

Expressions of Interest in being involved in a local Food Festival for October.

A call goes out to locals interested in being a part of the Riverina version of the renown Sydney CRAVE Food Festival each October. Last year a Riverina team of chefs won the 100 Mile Food Challenge where a whole gour-met meal was produced for a long lunch using produce from within a 100 mile radius.

Meeting on Thursday 2nd August 7pm at the Coleambally Community Club

Sutton Landcare meeting

The Environmental history of Locust and Grasshopper Outbreaks

The next meeting of Sutton Landcare is on Tuesday 14 August at 7.30 pm at Sutton school.

NSW & ACT Twitchathon 2012

One state

701 bird species

$25,000 for conservation

Every year across NSW hundreds of passionate birdwatchers race around the Australian bush trying to win a unique sporting event called a Twitchathon. As a race it can be fiercely competitive, not just in terms of the birds seen, but also in terms of the funds that are raised for conservation.

DPI Weed Training Calendar

Downloadable below is the latest version of NSW DPI's Weeds Training Calendar which now includes dates for the Vertebrate Pest Management Course, Weed Movement, Machinery Inspection and Cleaning and the SMARTtrain AQF V Chemical Application courses.

Gungoandra Gap Field Day

Post rehabilitation field day

Observe:

soil stabilisation
vegetation ID (walkabout with Lauren van Dyke from K2C)
returning bird life

Afternoon tea available

Murrumbidgee Landcare