Dieback in Dandenongs forests and gardens

A presentation by Forest Pathologist
Ian Smith on dieback in the
Dandenongs and how to cope with it
Thursday 2 September, 7.30 – 9 pm
Monbulk Living and Learning Centre,
21 Main Rd, Monbulk
Ian has over 40 years’ experience in the field of
forest pathology research in Victoria investigating
diseases that threaten plantations, nurseries,
forests and gardens.
In this talk Ian will discuss his experience with the
complex factors involved with dieback and their
potential involvement in the dieback of Mountain
Ash in the Dandenong Ranges. In particular he
will talk about two significant diseases (Armillaria
and Phytophthora), currently causing tree disease
in native forests and home gardens, and their
potential interaction with crown loss. He will
discuss the disease triangle and how this
conceptual model helps in the development of
potential control measures.
Dr Alex Maisey will introduce the
presentation and briefly describe the
Volunteer Innovation Project, of which this
presentation is a part
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, attendees will
be limited. Please RSVP to Bill Incoll,
bincoll@melbpc.org.au to secure a place

Almost a Hallston local, Rob Waddell runs Grand
Ridge Propagation and Nursery in Seaview.
Join us at this education event and get ready for a
great season of planting! Rob’s tips and strategies
for successful tree and shrub growing on your
properties won’t go astray.
What to expect?
• A casual and positive evening
• An education session on tree planting, species
selection plus pre and post planting tips
• A 10 minute intro by Brita from Intrepid Landcare
of the volunteer crews ready to plant your trees
• Network, social chats and general HRAG
catch up!
What to bring?
• Nibbles and drinks
• Pen and paper
• Your action plan that you started at the 101
event and may have continued to develop

Woodlands or mines:
​our line in the sand
The last strip of significant woodland left in Bass Coast Shire is under threat from a surge in sand mining activities.
​
Under the Victorian Government’s Strategic Extractive Resources Areas proposal, sand mining would take precedence over conservation of this fragile habitat and the wishes of local communities.

Once these forests are gone, they’re gone forever.

But it’s our call, and we’re drawing a line in the sand.

This rare woodland is too precious to lose.

​With the support of 14 environmental and community groups, plus the Bass Coast Shire Council, we call on the Victorian Government to preserve this fragile coastal corridor from the ravages of sand mining.

The Government’s own research reveals 700 years’ supply of suitable sand, almost all of it outside woodland areas. ​​

​We can win this “once in forever” opportunity.
(And tell our children how we won.)

Explore deep time ecology and delve into issues facing southern Westernport on a self-guided bicycle tour of the old swamplands of Koo Wee Rup and the coastal reserves of Tooradin.

The rapid pace of urban expansion and climate change pose a major threat to remnant vegetation and wildlife in the south Westernport landscape, which was once a buffer and sponge that protected the coastal edge of Westernport Bay. Monash Urban Lab is undertaking a multi-disciplinary design investigation in association with Healesville to Phillip Island Nature Link (HPNL), which focuses on water quality, habitat and ecology, and opportunities for restoration and recreation projects in this highly modified wetland complex.

Self-guided Tour

Begin at Bunyip Railway Station, end at Tooradin.
Distance: 37km, one way
Bicycle: 2 hrs (or 4 hrs return)
Car: 30 mins by car (or 1 hr return)
Click here to view directions on Google Maps
Please note – tour route includes a mix of quiet gravel roads and busy sealed 100km roads.
Event: Panel Discussion

Join members from Monash Urban Lab and HPNL for a panel discussion in Tooradin.
28 March, 2.00pm–3.00pm
Tooradin & District Sports Club
62 South Gippsland Hwy, Tooradin VIC 3980

Dr Russ Barrow is a researcher from Charles Sturt University and the ‘Dung Beetles Ecosystems Engineers’ project. Russ will talk about: benefits of beetles, beetles found in Gippsland, beetle ID, how to live capture and relocate.

Dan and Amelia Bright from Amber Creek Farm & Sawmill operate a mixed
farming business growing free range pigs and a timber milling operation. Join us
to hear how they have designed their farming system for resilience in our
changing climate

Topics include:
• Dan Bright on the design of Amber Creek farm including the benefits of using local sources
of waste as a resource, and regenerative methods for soil improvement
• Amelia Bright on how the Prom Coast Food Collective supports local farmers and reduces
food miles
• Renewable energy options for farmers including the latest on rebates, with Chris Barfoot
from the Latrobe Valley Community Power Hub

ONLINE FIELD DAY
Using Waste as a Resource,
and Renewable Energy Opportunities for Farmers
The Growing Southern Gippsland project is funded through the Victorian Centre for Climate Change Innovation,
Bass Coast Landcare Network, Bass Coast Shire Council, RMIT University and Federation University Australia.

Sympathetic towards providing land for native wildlife? Uncertain about how best to go about this and what incentives may be on offer? Our presenters will take you through options that may suit your circumstances including offsets, covenants, Land for Wildlife, Wildlife Gardens, Landcare and being part of a biolinks strategy. This workshop will give insight into financial and other incentives currently on offer or in the pipeline to help support nature links and biodiversity on private land. 1 pm Registration and networking 1:20 pm Introductions – Pat Macwhirter President HPNL

1:30 pm Ben Cullen – Trust for Nature Covenants
2:15 pm TBA – Environmental Offsets for VicRoads and other developers
2:45 pm Elizabeth Fraser OA – Cardinia Shire Biolinks, Gardens for Wildlife and experiences as a Trust for Nature Covenantor
3:15 pm Andrew Troedel – Bushfire challenges and wildlife corridors on Buneep Park
3:30 pm Afternoon Tea
4:00 pm Glen Brooks-McMillan – Farming Conservation Incentives
4:30 pm Marijke Bever-Price – Landcare incentives to assist biodiversity
5:00 pm Close
Cost $20 waged or $10 unwaged, payable on the day, afternoon tea provided
Please RSVP to: Pat Macwhirter patvet@bigpond.com by 26 March 2020 for catering purposes

INVITATION
On behalf of the Organising Committee, we take great pleasure in inviting you to join us for the 2020 AORA Annual Conference – Pathways to Sustainable Growth, to be held at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley from 1 – 3 April 2020.

With presentations from domestic and international experts and Australian industry leaders, we will explore the theme of this year’s conference: Pathways to Sustainable Growth. The three major segments to be explored include the vision and long-term strategy for the industry, methods to engage the community in improved outcomes, and the continued effort to build best practices and a knowledgebase around effective and profitable organics recycling.

This event will provide industry stakeholders with access to prominent experts in the field of organics recycling as they share their expertise and knowledge, demonstrate their apparatus and techniques, and showcase their innovative ideas.

Delegates will be spoilt for choice with a variety of presentations, panels, equipment demonstrations and networking opportunities alongside a comprehensive trade exhibition.

We invite you to take advantage of early booking discounts and register as soon as possible.

We look forward to meeting you in the Hunter Valley this April.

Healesville to Phillip Island Nature Link Workshop

‘Organic Weed Control, Leaf Litter and Bushfire Recovery’

Healthy soil microbiology and invertebrate microfauna are critical for agriculture and wildlife alike. Having planned, landscape-wide, core areas and links with healthy leaf litter and soil microbiology that can repopulate damaged soils is critical for soil health as well as bush fire control and recovery.

Presenters

Dr Mary Cole PhD MAIA, MAIEA, MSAA, MGAIAC

‘Reducing fire risk through nature link design and management’
‘Organic weed control and soil health’

Andrew Kelly, Yarra River Keeper

‘Rewilding with Leaf Litter, through cores and landscape links – from Healesville to Phillip Island.’

…with practical demonstrations of how these principles are applied

Cost $20 waged or $10 unwaged, payable on the day, afternoon tea provided

Please RSVP to: Pat Macwhirter patvet@bigpond.com by 6 Feb 2020 for catering purposes

Celebrate World Wetlands Day at Boneo Park

About this Event
World Wetlands Day is celebrated internationally each year on 2 February. It marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971.

Join us at Boneo Park to Celebrate the day with a great lineup up talks, workshops and activities. All profits to go to Birdlife Mornington Peninsula.

Schedule for the day:

7 am – 8 am “Early birds” lake walk with Birdlife Australia

8 am – 9 am Wetland walk with Boneo Park wetland restoration team

9 am – 10 am “Late risers” lake walk with Birdlife Australia

9.30 am – 10 am Puppet show with Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network

10 am – 10.30 am Smoking ceremony – Bunurong Land Council

10.30 am – 11.30 am Sean Dooley (aka The Birdman) talk.

Sean is a well known author of books such as The Big Twitch and Cooking with Baz and is currently editor of Australian Birdlife magazine. He was also the National Birdwatching Champion and presenter on ABC Melbourne radio.

10.30 am – 11.30 am Dipping for bugs with Western Port Biosphere

11.30 am – 12.30 pm Nature Walk with Bunurong

12.30 pm – 1.30 pm Bunurong workshop

12.30 pm – 1.30 pm Nature walk with Western Port Biosphere

1.30 pm – 2.30 pm Swamp and Scrub walk with Boneo Park wetland restoration team

1:30 pm – 2:00 pm Puppet show with Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network

2:15 pm Start of the ‘World Wetlands Day’ World Cup qualifier

Other information:

Ticketed entry only. $5 + booking fee for adults. Kids under 13 FREE.

Arilla Restaurant and takeaway cafe open from 9:00 am for breakfast, lunch and drinks (NO BYO ALCOHOL)

Please wear closed shoes for walks, and BYO binoculars, hat and sunscreen.

** Note – the event will still go ahead but without the Birdlife Australia walks if the day is a Total Fire Ban Day. The event will be cancelled completely if a Code Red is declared.