Cradle to Coastlines March 2022

Protecting and enhancing our region’s natural resources

What bats live in Kelcey Tier?

Page 10

MARCH 2022

cradle to coastlines

CRADLE TO COASTLINES

IN THIS ISSUE Page 3 Keep soil covered to support your "underground livestock" Page 4 Which crayfish do you have?

Page 5 King Island threatened birds project Page 6 Foxglove invasion Page 7 Eucalyptus forests in heatwave Page 8 The Latham's Snipe Project

4

Page 9 New resources available for farmers Page 10 What bats live in Kelcey Tier?

Page 11

Dealing with climate anxiety

Page 12

Sea Spurge biocontrol roll-out

Page 13

CCA office waste audit

Page 14 Supporting community group capacity Page 15 Grants & oppportunities Page 16 Events & activities

3

12

Front cover: Lesser Long-eared Bat. Image: Lisa Cawthen. Full story page 10.

LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE CRADLE COAST NRM 16 FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, EVENTS AND NRM ACTIVITIES. 1-3 Spring St, Burnie Tasmania 7320 03 6433 8400 www.cradlecoast.com www.facebook.com/CradleCoastNRM/

KEEP SOIL COVERED TO SUPPORT YOUR "UNDERGROUND LIVESTOCK" Soil health has been defined as the "the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living system, within ecosystem and land-use boundaries, to sustain biological productivity, promote the quality of air and water environments, and maintain plant, animal, and human health" (Pankhurst et al., 1997).

Many Cradle Coast producers face numerous obligations when producing a crop, as processors attempt to ensure consumer requirements are met.

Unfortunately, these pressures to ensure short-term gain can lead to long-term pain, if soil health is overlooked.

Let’s get back to basics, and “keep it simple”: Our soils are the most valuable natural asset we have access to, and are the very foundation of our survival. We have the capacity to restore, rejuvenate and rehabilitate soil; we just need a basic recipe to apply.

Does that sound a bit deep? Well that’s appropriate, because as it happens, the livestock that are underground are the most valuable livestock of all!

By establishing multi-species autumn cover crops and multi species pastures, we provide valuable microbes and bacteria with habitat and nutrients in the soil. This living soil biota is directly responsible for healthy and efficient plant growth. Vegetable crops and livestock productivity improve, and ultimately, we all benefit.

Cover cropping is not new. Diversity in pastures is not new. But this basic recipe of keeping the soil covered and improving the salad bowl for our above and below-ground livestock, is vitally important. If we attend to these basic needs, the benefits are exponential.

Multi-species cover crop where cotton tea towels were buried.

To demonstrate microbial activity, cotton tea towels were buried at 150 mm at seeding of three different cover crops.

Compare results after 10 weeks. Left: heavier seeding rate at 100 kg/ha; Centre: standard seeding rate at 50 kg/ha; Right: single species rye grass.

For many years, Ali Dugand has been collaborating with producers to get a better understanding of the challenges and barriers surrounding crop production, and a “back-to-basics” approach has proven to be the best option for adoption.

As Agriculture Project Coordinator for the Cradle Coast Authority’s Natural Resource Management team, Ali is often found in the paddock, looking at “keep it simple” methods to improve soil structure, and advising about erosion control.

Get in touch with the Agriculture Project Coordinator, Ali Dugan for more information: adugand@cradlecoast.com

Have you heard of the “Soil your undies!” citizen science project?

Run by soil scientists at the University of New England, farmers bury a pair of white cotton undies, and dig them up eight weeks later.

Less cotton remaining = more microbial activity = healthier soil!

p. 3

WHICH CRAYFISH DO YOU HAVE??

Tasmania has a high diversity of crayfish fauna with approximately 37 species in 4 genera, many of which are listed as vulnerable or threatened. Cradle Coast Authority, with support from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, is currently running a project with agricultural landholders to protect and improve the habitat for the Giant Freshwater Crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi; GFC) in 6 priority areas.

The GFC is the largest freshwater crustacean in the world and is unique to northern Tasmania. It can grow up to 6 kg and up to a metre in length. Its colour can vary from dark brown-green to black or blue. A GFC can be distinguished from any other Tasmanian crayfish by the ridge running down the middle of the rostrum (the pointed structure between the eyes).

They are very slow-growing and long-lived. They live mainly in in logs, deep pools or along undercut banks.

In contrast, the “burrowing crayfish” are species of Engaeus and are small crayfish under 10 cm. Within this genus there are 15 known species, 13 of which only occur in Tasmania. Most species of Engaeus live their entire life within a burrow system in a muddy bank, seepage or peaty area. The distinctive chimneys at the entrances to the burrows are all that most of us will ever see of a burrowing crayfish.

The Tasmanian burrowing crayfish are also mainly found in the north of the state. Some of the species are quite widespread, like E. fossor, pictured here, but most have restricted ranges. The Burnie Burrowing Crayfish (E. yabbimunna), and the Central North Burrowing Crayfish (E.granulatus) are EPBC-listed threatened species.

Burrowing crayfish have a narrow body and claws that open vertically rather than horizontally to the body, allowing for larger claws in the confined space of narrow tunnels.

Threats to all crayfish include damage to streambanks from stock and machinery; land clearing and loss of vegetation and shading; runoff and pollution entering the waterways; sedimentation from erosion and runoff; introduced species such as mainland yabbies that can introduce disease or prey on native crayfish; and climate change which might result in increased flood events and bushfires.

Giant Freshwater Crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi) and Erichson’s Burrowing Crayfish (E. fossor) Photo: Ryan Francis

Burnie Burrowing Crayfish (E. yabbimunna) Photo: Ryan Francis

The NatureTrackers project, Claws on The Line (new website coming soon!) aims to monitor the threatened Central North Burrowing Crayfish and its relatives. You can record your observations of crayfish chimneys in iNaturalist, or get in touch with the CCA NRM team for more information.

A big thank you to Ryan Francis for allowing us to use his great photos of burrowing crayfish.

p. 4

KING ISLAND

THREATENED BIRDS PROJECT Current surveys on King Island for two of Australia’s most endangered birds are giving cause for hope. The King Island Brown Thornbill and King Island Scrubtit are among the top five Australian bird species considered most likely to become extinct within 20 years if we do not take action.

A long and successful history of beef and dairy farming on the island has seen approximately 70% of native vegetation cleared, putting pressure on these two birds, and many other native species.

However, surveys undertaken so far, with funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, are showing that the KI Brown Thornbill is being found in greater numbers and in more locations than previously estimated, whilst the KI Scrubtit still survives in increasingly important remnant patches of vegetation.

Vegetation mapping is also being greatly improved by this work, supporting conservation action planning.

With the King Island Brown Thornbill also being listed in the 100 priority species for action and investment in the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Strategy, the information collected about current strongholds and habitat requirements of both birds will be critical in developing and implementing effective conservation action to ensure that we avert another extinction disaster.

Photos by Barry Baker: Top: King Island Brown Thornbill Bottom: King Island Scrubtit p. 5

FOXGLOVE WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT?

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is an environmental weed that appears to have spread rampantly in recent years, popping up in new locations and blanketing many exposed areas. Though it is likely impossible to eradicate the weed, it is still very important that land owners and land managers control it and reduce its spread.

The focus should especially be in stopping foxglove spreading to areas with high conservation values like intact native vegetation, reserves and national parks.

FACTS: Type of Plant: A biennial erect herb with a single flower stalk up to more than 1m high.

Growth Habit: Foxglove is a hardy plant which can grow up to 2m in height. It usually produces a rosette of large, fuzzy, grey-green leaves in the first year and flowers in the second.

Dispersal: Foxglove reproduces from seed and wind or water can transport these. Also spread by dumped garden waste. Bumblebees have increased their pollination and spread.

Weed Impact: Foxglove is extremely poisonous.

All plant parts must be handled with extreme care. Foxglove is able to rapidly spread and totally exclude native flora and fauna.

CONTROL METHODS: Wear gloves, as the entire plant is poisonous.

Grow alternatives (especially natives) in your garden and elsewhere.

For example, Tasmanian endemic Speedwell (Veronica formosa), Native Indigo (Indigofera australis) or Melaleuca pallida.

Hand pulling is possibly if plants are just starting to appear. If any flowers seeds are present, cut the tops off first and bag them for removal or burning before pulling plant.

Grubbing (summer, spring and autumn). Hoe in young plants and remove older plants.

Collect and dispose of flowers and seeds before grubbing out plants.

Mulch can be effective emerging seedlings.

in

smothering

Foliar spray (summer, spring and autumn).

Glyphosate is registered in Tasmania for Foxglove use. Do not use herbicide when plant is under stress as it will not be effective.

Information adapted from Tamar Valley Weeds Strategy working group, for more information please visit www.weeds.asn.au/.../view-by-common-name/foxglove/

N.B. Always check the herbicide label before use.

p. 6

IN HEATWAVE CONDITIONS, TASMANIA’S TALL EUCALYPT FORESTS NO LONGER ABSORB CARBON Some confronting research about Tassie’s forests was released recently, finding that during heatwaves, Southern Tasmania’s tall eucalyptus forests switch from taking in carbon to pumping it back out. This is bad news for carbon emissions, and also for the resilience of these vital forests.

A messmate stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua) forest was monitored during a three-week heatwave in November 2017.

Under these conditions, the forest became a net source of carbon dioxide, with each hectare releasing close to 10 tonnes of the greenhouse gas over that period. A year earlier during more normal conditions, the forest was a net sink for carbon dioxide, taking in around 3.5 tonnes per hectare.

During the 2017 heatwave, the temperatures soared well outside the forest’s comfort zone. In the hottest part of the day, the leaves on the trees closed their stomata to reduce water loss, and inadvertently shut down photosynthesis.

As the world warms, these forests will be pushed outside their comfort zones more and more frequently. They can only endure so many severe heatwaves, and at some point, the forest will not be able to recover.

Eucalyptus obliqua forest near Mole Creek.

While we work to slash emissions, we also need to explore ways to make these vital forests more resilient. There is work under way to test promising new methods for making future forests better able to cope with warmer temperatures. In giant kelp forests, scientists look for individual plants with better heat tolerance and breed them. For forests like the southern Tasmanian Eucalypt forests, forest managers may need to sow seeds of plants with a provenance in the warmer end of their range.

Summarised from an article in The Conversation by Tim Wardlaw Research Associate UTAS ‘In heatwave conditions, Tasmania’s tall eucalypt forests no longer absorb carbon’, 18 February 2022. The full article and research paper can be found here: www.theconversation.com/in-heatwave-conditions-tasmanias-tall-eucalypt-forests-no-longer-absorb-carbon-176979

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THE LATHAM’S SNIPE PROJECT The Latham’s Snipe Project is run by a group of passionate ornithologists to better understand the ecology of the Latham’s Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) and their use of wetlands. This year’s National Survey Results suggest that we have a couple of hotspots for Latham’s Snipe in Tassie, including at Smithton (91 snipe recorded) and central Tasmania (85 snipe).

Latham’s Snipe. Photo: Margot Oorebeek

Latham’s Snipe is a medium sized wader which breeds in Japan and migrates south for the non-breeding period. A significant component of this project is determining where the birds go, and why they choose specific locations. The goal is to identify key staging and wintering sites, so these can be better protected or managed.

In Australia, Latham’s Snipes occur in permanent and ephemeral fresh or brackish wetlands with low vegetation (e.g. swamps, flooded grasslands and around other water bodies). They are tolerant of disturbance, and can be found in human-modified landscapes and close to human activity. They roost in grass around the margins of wetlands during the day, and forage for a range of invertebrates in soft mud of wetlands and in damp soil of grasslands at night.

The Latham’s Snipes begin to migrate north in February, and the last birds leave northern Australia in May. Very few records of Latham’s Snipes exist between their breeding and non-breeding grounds. There are a couple of records from the Philippines and Taiwan, but too few to determine the species’ migration routes, or stopover sites.

For more information about the Latham’s https://lathamssnipeproject.wordpress.com/

Snipe

Project

SPITTLEBUGS Have you noticed foamy blobs on native plants this summer? The acacias of Narawntapu N.P seem a hot spot for them.

This foam is the product of the nymph stage of an insect in the family of true bugs called Cercopidae – Froghoppers and Spittlebugs. Aptly named, since their bubbly secretions look like spittle.

The “spittle” is actually urine secreted by the bug as it drinks the plant’s sap. A North American spittlebug (presumably quite similar to an Australian one, although we do have some endemic species) can bubble out 150-280 times its body mass of this frothy urine every day. The bubbles form a type of cocoon around the nymph for protection as it grows. Eventually it produces one big bubble, hides inside it and transforms into an adult.

Spittlebugs are not thought to damage plants, but if they gather in large numbers in your garden, and you’re worried, they can be hosed off.

Top: An adult spittlebug in the subfamily Aphrophorinae Photo from the online Field Guide to the Insects of Tasmania, used with permission

Bottom: Spittlebug foam on a Coastal Wattle at Narawntapu N.P

p. 8

and

results

of

the

national

surveys

visit:

NEW RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR FARMERS Updates have recently been provided for Land Tasmania’s very useful “Enterprise Crop Suitability Maps” (ESMs) and related climate layers. Completely new datasets for several pasture crops have been added to the available layers on LISTmap, as well as updates to previously available ESMs and modelled climate projections.

To find the new layers, go to LISTmap, and “Add Layer”. Look under “Farming” for the ESM layers for 32 different Tasmanian crops. These layers combine soil, topographic and climate data to identify the places that are currently “well suited”, “suitable”, “suitable (with intervention such as soil management or frost protection)” and “unsuitable” for that crop.

If you then look under the “Farming Climate Change” section, each ESM crop has two available layers that show the land suitability under future climate in 2030 and 2050. The climate parameters are based on Climate Futures for Tasmania projections under the Representative Concentration Pathways scenario 8.5, i.e. for a future climate with little curbing of CO2 emissions – RCP 8.5.

In the example below for growing Sparkling Wine Grapes at a property in Penguin, the location is currently classified as “well-suited”, but by 2050, warming temperatures push the average growing season temperature into the “suitable” class, >15.2C.

As part of the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, a Tasmanian pilot of the Farming Forecaster tool is being run in northern and southern Tasmania. Real time weather and soil data will be available through an app, in order to assist graziers to understand pasture availability and varying climate conditions. Currently the Farming Forecaster works for some regions in NSW, but Tasmanian data will be available soon. p. 9

WHAT BATS LIVE IN KELCEY TIER? The Devonport City Council NRM team recently organised a bat search night in Kelcey Tier, with Tasmanian bat expert, Lisa Cawthen, invited to give a presentation and lead the hunt.

The bats that made an appearance, identified by their high frequency calls recorded on the night, were: Eastern Falsistrelle (Falsistrellus tasmaniensis) Long-eared Bat (Nyctophilus sp.)

Large Forest Bat (Vespadedus darlingtoni) Chocolate Wattled Bat (Chalinolobus morio)- probable Little Forest Bat (Vespadelus vulturnus) – probable Southern Forest Bat (Vespadelus regulus) – probable

The participants were very excited to learn about the area’s bats, an under-appreciated part of the ecosystems around us.

Lisa Cawthen recently told the Advocate that there are eight species in Tasmania. They are all nocturnal, and all eat insects and other invertebrates. Each Little Forest Bat is estimated to eat up to 1000 mosquitos every night, if they’re available! That’s an excellent pest control service.

Threats to our batty friends include feral cats, climate change, wind farms, and habitat loss including (and especially) the loss of large, old, hollow-bearing trees, in which bats like to roost.

Top right: Participants at the bat search night in Kelcey Tier Bottom right: Eastern Falsistrelle Photos by Lisa Cawthen Left: The call record of an Eastern Falsistrelle recorded at Kelcey Teir.

Devonport City Council is organising more bat discovery tours in March, but they are very popular and there is already a waiting list! If you have missed out, but would like to learn more about bats, there is this handy reference booklet by Lisa Cawthen*. *The author notes that you should always avoid handling bats, but if you must handle a bat, wear gloves; it’s possible the bat could carry a virus that is harmful to humans or you could transmit a virus to a bat. When the photos for the booklet were taken, it was not common practice to wear gloves and we didn't have a good understanding of how to handle bats safely while wearing gloves.

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PATHWAYS TOWARDS CARBON NEUTRALITY - VIDEO BY ASSOC. PROFESSOR MATTHEW HARRISON UTAS Carbon farming is a hot issue right now, with many of our large agricultural industries and companies in north-west Tasmania having committed to substantial emissions reduction targets including Meat and Livestock Australia (net-zero by 2030), Fonterra (net-zero by 2050) and McCains (50% reduction in CO2 by 2030).

But how do farmers and industries reduce their carbon emissions? What does it mean to be carbon neutral and what are the benefits and costs of carbon farming?

Rainbow over cropland Wynyard

Associate Professor Matthew Harrison has 20+ years of experience in greenhouse gas emission mitigation and climate change adaptation in agriculture systems. Follow the link below to watch a presentation from Dr Harrison which explains what carbon neutrality really means and the steps that farmers can take to mitigate, avoid and remove greenhouse gas emissions from their production systems and the benefits in doing so.

‘Carbon farming is just good practice: if done well it can sustainably improve profitability, even in the absence of carbon payment schemes.’

Check out Dr Harrison’s presentation here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnNNfFbY7Nw

DEALING WITH CLIMATE ANXIETY This is a scary time for lots of people. The threat of climate change, if drastic action is not taken, could lead to massive changes in our way of life, many extinctions across the natural world, and even the collapse of human civilisation. Understandably, 75% of us are worried or anxious about climate change.

The Climate Council have written up a summary of some useful advice for dealing with climate anxiety. www.climatecouncil.org.au/dealing-climate-anxiety-tips-tools-resources/

1.

Take action: Feeling like you’re making a positive difference, either by changing something in your own life or community, or encouraging politicians to change their attitude, can be

4.

Move your body: Exercise helps with all types of anxiety, whatever the cause.

very helpful.

2.

3.

Take a break: But if it gets very overwhelming, you might need a break from taking action, and especially a break from the news and social media.

and solutions being proposed all the time. Focus on the good stuff. Climate solutions and good news stories are published every Friday on the Climate Council’s Instagram and Facebook.

Have fun: Continue to seek positive experiences and find joy where you can. Having fun makes the hard work worth it.

5.

Focus on solutions: There are many positive stories out there,

6.

Talk it out: Lean on the people around you; our relationships are key to our mental well-being. But if you need professional assistance, don’t be shy - GPs can give referrals.

For urgent mental health assistance phone Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline 13 11 14 p. 11

SEA SPURGE

BIOCONTROL ROLL-OUT Some of the Cradle Coast’s beautiful beaches will hopefully be looking even better soon, as an exciting new weapon against Sea Spurge takes hold.

The CSIRO has developed a biocontrol for Sea Spurge (Euphorbia paralias), which is a French fungus called Venturia paralias. North-west Tasmania has been selected as one of the trial locations for the biocontrol, and it has been released at several sites over the summer.

Droplets of the biocontrol suspension after spraying on a Sea Spurge plant.

Sea Spurge is a highly invasive European plant that has spread all around the southern coastline of Australia. It invades the habitat of bird species like Hooded

Plovers,

Little

Terns,

and

Pied

Oystercatchers, who need open sand for nesting. It also competes with native dune plants that are the food and habitat of native species.

The new biocontrol has been carefully tested by scientists over several years, and it is specific to Sea Spurge; it does not pose a risk to other plants, One of the biocontrol release sites near Devonport

animals or humans.

Participants in the biocontrol roll-out were sent containers of dried fungus, which they mixed with water to make a suspension of the fungal spores in water. This was then sprayed onto plants at each target site.

In a few weeks, it will be time to check on the fungal growth at the trial site. Although the biocontrol will not completely eradicate the weed, it will hopefully reduce the health and density of the infestation, making management easier.

THE GREAT AUSSIE FUNGIQUEST Although it’s always a bit sad to feel the summer ebbing away, the onset of autumn means one good thing: it’s fungi time!

This year, a new fun fungi bioblitz is happening around the country. From 25 Feb to 25 March, we are invited to join in with FungiQuest, and record all our fungi sightings.

“This project aims to harness citizen science to continue mapping the distribution of Australian fungi. With only about 24,000 species identified and named out of approximately 250,000 species in Australia, and limited knowledge about the distribution of those that have been identified, there is much to be discovered about our precious macrofungi!”

Find out more here: https://www.biosmart.life/ausfungiquest

Australian Black Morel, Morchella australiana, growing in moss on Three Hummock Island

It will be fun for adults and children, with a new platform on the Questagame app (https://questagame.com/thebasics for info on how), and chances to win prizes. Questagame will also link to iNaturalist.

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CRADLE COAST AUTHORITY OFFICE WASTE AUDIT

Cradle Coast Authority team getting involved with our office waste audit.

Cheryl from People Improvers.

The Cradle Coast Authority team took the time to reflect on our own environmental footprint this week by undertaking an office waste audit. We collected all our waste for three weeks and laid it out on a large tarpaulin to see what we had produced.

Cheryl from People Improvers helped us identify ways to reduce our waste, recycle more and ensure we are thinking about both our planet AND the hard-working people in waste management who deal with our waste at the end of the line.

Since our audit we have immediately started a system to collect all our office organic waste for composting, have identified ways to reduce our plastic waste and recycle more soft plastics and have many other actions in motion.

Are you interested in learning how you can improve your home or office waste? www.rethinkwaste.com.au/

DID YOU MISS THE 2021 TASMANIAN LANDCARE CONFERENCE? Many of the presentations from the conference are now available to view on YouTube including DR VISHNU PRAHALAD talking about Tidal Marsh Restoration; PROF DAVID LINDENMAYER - Restoring natural assets on farms; AUNTY PATSY CAMERON - Revival of Country or DR CAYNE LAYTON - Giant Kelp Restoration.

Catch up on the conference here: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVFt5PhQ7458kOCP6xUfWUHGuv6G9jjsg

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SUPPORTING COMMUNITY GROUP CAPACITY We have a huge army of amazing NRM volunteers across our region, contributing to the protection and enhancement of the natural values that we all love. These volunteers contribute in a variety of ways; providing expert advice, physically weeding a local area or a remote location, educating their community on natural values, regenerating degraded areas, writing funding applications, monitoring wildlife and much more.

Cradle Coast Authority wants to ensure we continue to support these valuable NRM volunteers who contribute so much to looking after our region and its inhabitants big and small.

We have just provided sponsorship for 16 individuals from 10 community NRM groups to undertake First Aid training over the next six months.

We have assessed our Community Capacity Small Grants Round 1 and are pleased to announce nine successful projects: ORGANISATION

GRANT NAME

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Wynyard Landcare

Revegetation supplies for Fossil Bluff Conservation Area

Tree guards and stakes to support Fossil Bluff Conservation Area biodiversity planting.

King Island Field Naturalists

Maintenance of Pegarah Nature Reserve

Weed control by contractor and purchasing native plants.

King Island Landcare

New weed control equipment

Replace backpack sprayers for weed control.

Friends of the Fish Pond Inc.

Signage for Ulverstone coastal reserve

Graphic design for two info signs on natural and cultural values of the coastal reserve at Ulverstone.

Sisters Beach Wildcare

Sisters Beach Nature Trail stage 1a

Protecting local paperbark woodland from storm surge , erosion and expand woodland area. Grant to provide seedlings, stakes guards, gravel, PPE and First Aid kit.

SPRATS

GPS and UV steriliser

Purchase new GPS units for remote weed surveys and UV water sterilisers for volunteer safe drinking water in remote locations.

Friends of Don Reserve

Interpretive signage for Don Reserve

Purchase and install 2 signs highlighting its values including - threatened ecological communities (Melaleuca ericifolia swamp forest and Eucalyptus ovata forest and woodland) and threatened fauna including the Swift Parrot.

Live Well Tasmania

Fencing biodiverse shelterbelt

Provide funding for a fence around a new native biodiverse shelterbelt at Live Well Property at Oldina.

Mount Roland Rivercare

1000 trees 2022

Planting 1000 native biodiverse seedlings across the Kentish municipality in 2022 in two stages. This will support purchasing seedlings, mats, stakes and guards for stage 1 autumn 2022.

Wynyard Landcare Fossil Bluff biodiversity planting.

Volunteer Friends of Don Reserve. p. 14

GRANTS & OPPORTUNITIES WOOLWORTHS JUNIOR LANDCARE GRANTS To kick-off the school year, Landcare Australia and Woolworths are calling on primary schools and early learning centres to apply for a Woolworths Junior Landcare Grant. With 1,000 grants on offer this is a great opportunity to secure funding for your school’s environmental project.

These grants, of up to $1,000 each, inspire kids from across the country to get hands-on with projects that focus on sustainable food production, improving waste management practices or enhancing native habitats.

Who Can Apply: Australian primary schools and early learning centres (preschools, childcare centres and kindergartens).

NOW OPEN, closes Friday 18 March 2022.

For more information visit:

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS AND POSTERS FOR THE 2022 NATIONAL LANDCARE CONFERENCE The call for abstracts and posters will soon close for the 2022 National Landcare Conference. The 2022 theme is “The Power of Landcare|Shaping Our Future” which affirms the importance of looking to the future when addressing the issues and opportunities open to Landcare and NRM. OPEN NOW, submissions close 13 March 2022.

For more information or to submit an abstract please visit: www.nationallandcareconference.org.au/202 2-call-for-abstracts/

www.juniorlandcare.org.au/grant/2022-woolworths-junior-landcare-grants/

GENERAL JEFFERY SOIL HEALTH AWARD CASH PRIZE OF $20K Individual farmers, land managers, extension specialists or educators may be nominated.

Nominees will be recognised for activities including undertaking and promoting good management practices, raising awareness about the importance of maintaining and improving soil health, and/or educating others about soils.

If you know someone in Australia who deserves recognition for helping improve soil health and inspiring others — it may even be you — nominate them for an award today.

GROWING SEEDLINGS? We have hundreds of flat-packed unused 1 litre milk cartons available to give away to community groups, schools or individuals who may want them.

Could be useful for growing seedlings, sheltering very small plants or.. storing hundreds of litres of milk.

Please contact Hannah if you would like some hsadler@cradlecoast.com.

p. 15

Nominations close April 17 2022.

For more information or to nominate for an award please visit: www.landcareaustralia.org.au/soilhealthaward/

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES WHAT

WHERE AND MORE INFO

WHEN

Tassie Biological Farming Round Table

Deloraine Ticket cost: $40 – Available to purchase via

Thursday, 10 March 2022 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

https://events.humanitix.com/tassie-biological-farming-roundtable?_ga=2.191885923.855866320.16448046381386563451.1600907476&fbclid=IwAR3jkM_D9JaXToO8ZgWDRjXkA2oc2ZZ-MLMJK86RUSBi54V95-nw9rTUZQ

Great Aussie Fungi Quest

Online and outside. Find out more here: https://www.biosmart.life/ausfungiquest

25 Feb - 25 March 2022

Ecofest – A festival of Sustainable Living

Camp Clayton https://www.ecofesttas.com.au/

Saturday, 9 April 2022 9:30am - 4pm

Ag Innovation Expo

Hagley Farm School Free ticketed event – register via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-aginnovation-expo-tickets-269318237097 Contact Ossie Lang: ossiel@rmcg.com.au

28 April 2022 9am - 4pm

Where? Where? Wedgie!

Raptor surveys around the state https://naturetrackers.com.au/

13 - 15 May 2022 27 - 29 May 2022

National Landcare Conference

Darling Harbour, Sydney and online.

Abstract submissions close Sunday 13 March https://nationallandcareconference.org.au/

23 - 25 August 2022

1-3 Spring St, Burnie, Tasmania, 7320 03 6433 8400 www.cradlecoast.com www.facebook.com/CradleCoastNRM/