News and Events

Looking At Landcare - Bill Archer, Trundle Soils Workshop, Trundle Drum Muster, Schools Eco Day

Mon, 21 May 2012 04:50:00 GMT

Looking at Landcare - 18 May 2012

Hello Landcarers

It is with great sadness this week that I report the passing of our dear friend in Landcare Bill Archer.

Bill has been with us for many years and it almost seems inadequate to refer to him as a “tireless volunteer”, as that term just doesn’t do him justice. Bill was always the “can do” man, being there to lend a hand at everything. He wrote funding applications, co-ordinated projects, ran National Tree Day, talked to school groups, ran meetings, planted trees and cooked barbeques.

He truly was a man of the people though, giving not just his time to Landcare but also to Life Education, the Parkes Show, Parkes High School and TAFE and to any other cause that needed a good bloke to give them a hand.

I have many special memories of Bill – one of which really demonstrates just how giving he was. It was last year at the huge Landcare Kids Carnival that we ran as a part of the Landcare Forum. We had three hundred kids milling about ready to start activities and a presenter on one of our activity stands had not showed. I turned around to Bill and asked him if he might be able to step in – with a minutes notice! – And he immediately said “yes what do I need to do”. It was there he spent the whole day; teaching kids how to make percussion instruments out of recycled materials! And the kids had a great time! That was our Bill, always ready to help.

He had a special place in his heart for kids, and it is so great to see that Central West Lachlan Landcare and schools of Parkes and Forbes are involved in environmental activities in an ongoing way – which I think Bill has more than contributed to. It has been a hard twelve months for Central West Lachlan Landcare with the loss of two of our best, but rest assured we will be continuing our activities in their memory.

Bill’s family has asked for donations to Can Assist in lieu of flowers. If you would like to make a donation, Marg at the office can help you out. The office is open between 1230pm and 300pm weekdays.

Alas the show of Landcare must go on – and we know that Bill would want it so.

We have a Soils workshop in Trundle on the 31^st May with Dr Maarten Stapper and Guy Webb – its free and fully catered but you will need to book at the office on 0268624914.

The Trundle Drum Muster is also on on the 5^th June. You will need to book your drums in by calling Jenny Goodsell on 02 6869 9249 – and by doing so you can go into the running for a $100 drinks and dinner voucher at the Trundle Services Club.

Eco Day – one of Bills favourites- is also on the horizon – the 27^th July. Letters of registration have gone out to all of the schools, so we look forward to seeing your nominations for this great day.

Until next week, Vale Bill – we will miss you.

Our best wishes and love to Vicki and family.

Looking At Landcare - NPA & Stan's Block; CWLL Meeting; Eco Day; Social Media; LCMA CAP

Fri, 11 May 2012 03:43:00 GMT

Looking at Landcare - 11 May 2012

Hello Landcarers

Next Tuesday our mates in the National Parks Association will be meeting setting up shop – in a bio-survey sense – at Stan’s Block, adjacent to the Parkes Soccer Fields. Stan’s bock is an area that Central West Lachlan Landcare has taken charge of, with the aim of managing this area to improve and then maintain its biodiversity.

The National Parks Association are helping us out by providing some technical expertise to identify the plants and animals that live there. Into the bargain, any Landcarers that would like to further develop their skills in flora and fauna id can go along on Tuesday. If you would like to be involved contact leader Martin Bell Ph:(02)68623771 or on mobile 0429346596.

Next week will also see the monthly meeting of Central West Lachlan Landcare. Starting at 630pm at the office, committee members will meet to discuss some strategy for the months ahead. On the agenda will be looming activities such as Eco Day – to which all local schools will be invited, which is held on the 27^th July and activities associated with National Tree Day.

These activities really do draw on the people/ volunteer power of Central West Lachlan Landcare, so if you would like to donate yourself to these events please make sure that you give Marg or Christie a call at the office on 0268624914. They are also great fun, so when you do come along and help out, you won’t even notice that you are working, I promise! If you are part of a school that would like to be involved in Eco Day and want more information, call me on 0268163214.

For those of you that use social media you may be noticing that this is a growing area for organizations such as Central West Lachlan Landcare. If you are on Facebook, please make sure that you friend us, and while you are at it, have a look for some of our other Landcare mates on there such as LachLandcare, Central Tablelands Landcare, Upper Lachlan Landcare and Little River Landcare.

Social media really is a great way for us to get our message out there, and it is with this in mind that members of the committee spent some time with Marita Sydes of Central Tablelands Landcare this week, talking over and having a try at some of the possibilities. Look forward to some very interesting Landcare info online in coming weeks as the committee members try out their new skills! Thanks go to Marita for her expertise.

Committee person Margaret Haddin was involved in a LachLandcare executive meeting this week to discuss the involvement of Landcare in the Lachlan CMA’s Catchment Action Plan.

The “CAP” is a good opportunity to further the relationship of Landcare and the CMA, and we look forward to the development of this as the CAP progresses and beyond this process.

Until next week, do make sure you check us out at www.parkeslandcare.org.au, visit Parkes Landcare on Face book - and if you are that way inclined, see us on Twitter!

Happy Landcaring!

Looking At Landcare - Soils Reference Committee; Parkes Ag N Chat; NPA Walks; Lachlan CMA; Carp Recipe Comp

Fri, 11 May 2012 03:33:00 GMT

Looking at Landcare - 4 May 2012

Hello Landcarers

It has been another week of strange weather hasn’t it but it does look like we are on a downward trend to getting colder. Plenty of little bits and pieces on the Landcare radar this week, so make sure you get yourself involved.

The Soils Reference Committee we talked about last week is up and running and Christie is very pleased that she has some good enthusiastic people to guide this important project.

Parkes Ag N Chat Group was on again this week and held a successful meeting with quite a few new members. Karen Roberts from DPI gave a very interesting presentation updating the group on the latest agriculture apps and equipment for iphones, ipads and other devices.The next meeting will be on Wednesday 30th May and for further information contact Kath or myself on 6816 3200.

One of our key partners the National Parks Association Lachlan Valley Branch will be hosting a Medium 4km walk at Gunning Gap National Park on Wednesday, 9th May. For more information, contact walk leader – and the hero of many a kid’s excursion! - Ray Martin on 6852 2572 or 0429 133 046. The National Parks Association Lachlan Valley Branch will also be conducting a Bio-survey Day at Stan’s Block (Parkes) on Tuesday, 15 May. This is a partnership project with the NSW Department of Lands and us here at CWLL. Call Martin if you would like to go along – you are sure to learn a lot!

The Lachlan CMA in partnership with Industry and Investment NSW, CSIRO and Greening Australia, will be hosting the Forage Shrub for the Future seminar and field day on 10 May 2012, at the Condobolin Agricultural Research Station. Special guests for the day are, Professor Phil Vercoe, from the University of Western Australia, Dr Jason Emms, from Adelaide SARDI. For further information, contact Nick Hill, Catchment Officer on 6895 1111 or email nick.hill@cma.nsw.gov.au. If you’d like to head over a car will be going from the Parkes office of Lachlan CMA so call Kath to book a seat - 6816 3200.

I mentioned last week that the "If you can't beat 'em - eat 'em" Recipe Competition is on and requesting entries. If you want to play a part in getting rid of Carp in the Lachlan River in an inventive way you need to put on your thinking caps and submit your inventive Carp recipe for a chance to hook yourself $3,000 cash or one of the many great prizes on offer. Recipes will be judged by celebrity chef Iain Hewitson (Huey) - yes the big bloke from the TV! - at Lot 31 Restaurant, Cowra NSW in May 2012.

Finalists will have the opportunity to meet Huey in an Iron Chef style cook-off in Forbes in August 2012. For further information, contact 1800 885 747 or email lachlan@cma.nsw.gov.au, but hurry, entries close on 11 May.

Until next week, happy Landcaring.

Looking At Landcare - Recipe Competition, BlazeAid, Farm Day, Meetings

Thu, 10 May 2012 03:08:00 GMT

Looking at Landcare - 20 April 2012

Hello Landcarers

Those of you with a cooking bent will be pleased to hear of the Lachlan CMA’s latest venture. This is "If you can't beat 'em - eat 'em" a Recipe Competition with a twist!

If you loved the carp comp we joined forces with the Lachlan CMA on last year and you want to play a part in getting rid of Carp in the Lachlan River, well put on your thinking caps and submit an inventive Carp recipe for a chance to hook yourself $3,000 cash or one of the many great prizes on offer. Recipes will be judged by celebrity chef Iain Hewitson (Huey) at Lot 31 Restaurant, Cowra NSW in May 2012. Finalists will have the opportunity to meet Huey in an Iron Chef style cook-off in Forbes in August 2012. Download an Entry form now. For further information, contact 1800 885 747 or email lachlan@cma.nsw.gov.au. But hurry, entries close on the 11th May. Our mates to the East – Little River Landcare have yet another innovative workshop coming up.

You are invited to Women in the Landscape, a unique opportunity to network with the rural women of the Little River Catchment and surrounding districts on Saturday, 28th April 2012 at Yeoval Baptist Church, from 9am - 4pm. The day will be filled with inspirational deliveries from unique women from across the landscape. For further information, contact Little River Landcare Group on 6846 4569 or email office@littleriver-landcare.org.au

Need some help getting over the damage caused by the recent floods? Blazeaid could be for you. BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with farmers and families in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods. Working alongside the farmers, volunteers help to rebuild fences that have been damaged or destroyed, as well as lifting the spirits of farmers who are often facing their second or third flood event after years of drought. For more information, visit www.blazeaid.com

This year is of course Australian Year of the Farmer and what better way to really celebrate this than getting involved with Farm Day? FarmDay offers a brilliant opportunity to share in the spirit of the year - so mark the 26th and 27th May 2012 off on your calendar and sign up to register for FarmDay2012. For more information, visit www.farmday.com.au

The Landcare meeting for this month has been postponed due to Anzac Day.If you are a member and have an issue that you would like raised at the next meeting – and remember that this committee represents you, contact the office on 02 6862 4914. Committee members have been working on some future planning for Landcare using such outlets of the Environmental Hub, so the next , meeting should be a good one!Don’t forget to check us out on FaceBook, Twitter and the website on www.parkeslandcare.org.au

Until next week, happy Landcaring.

Looking At Landcare - EnviroHub, Workshops, Landcare News

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 05:12:00 GMT

Looking at Landcare - 6 April 2012

Hello Landcarers

The Envirohub met this week for its regular meeting. The EnviroHub is I guess the partnerships arm of Central West Lachlan Landcare – it is a forum where those organisations with an interest in natural resource management across the Central West Lachlan area can meet to discuss projects around mutually agreed outcomes. Sounds complicated doesn’t it!!

In a nutshell, if you are an organisation with some ideas, resources and plans – and just need some partners, then the Hub is the spot for you. This meeting was attended by Matthew Bailey from Parkes Shire Council, Rawson Leach representing Forbes Shire council, Martin Bell from the National Parks Association, Kath Mann from the LCMA), Margaret Haddin - our former chair, Danielle Littlewood Regional Landcare Facilitator from Central West CMA, Teagan Lundy-Stern from Northparkes Mines and our new Project Officer Christie Elemam.

The group is looking to capitalize on the deductible gift recipient status of Central West Lachlan Landcare, to be able to invest in a wide range of environmental projects.

DGR status means that CWLL is able to offer full tax deductibility for any donations made. It is a great asset for a community group such as ours to have this status, and we hope that it will attract donations and participation from a wide range of partners. The meeting also gave the group the opportunity to hear from the Central West Regional Landcare Facilitator Danielle Littlewood. Danielle informed the meeting that there will be information sessions held over the next few months regarding the Federal Carbon Farming Initiative – a focus area for the Regional Landcare Facilitators – so these workshops will be hosted by Danielle in the Central West and Leanne Leihn in the Lachlan.

With the support of the Central West CMA, CWLL also has some funds set for aside for more soils based workshops in the coming months. Watch this space for information regarding a core group to become the basis for these soils events. If you are really keen - with just that little snippet of information - ring Marg or Christie on 02 6862 4914.

Don’t forget that those of you who want to be on the front foot with regard to Landcare news, should keep your eyes on the website. Marg really does keep this up to date with regard to events and dates for the diary, so pop it into your favourites. The website is www.parkeslandcare.org.au. If you are group with some news to tell this is a great forum for you as well – just send the articles on in to Marg on pdlsc@bigpond.com and she will be able to load them on for you. The website really is a forum for Landcarers to communicate, so please make sure that you get the information you need onto there. Most of the information that goes onto the website is also fed through to the Facebook and Twitter pages and can also make it into the bi monthly newsletter. Let us know what you are up to and we can spread the word!

Until next week, have a lovely, holy and safe Easter, and Happy Landcaring.

Looking At Landcare - Ag N Chat, CWLL re-badging, CWLL Membership, Kids Teaching Kids, Trundle

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 02:13:00 GMT

Looking at Landcare - 30 March 2012

Hello Landcarers

Lots on this week – it’s a busy time of year that’s for sure. The Landcare supported Ag n Chat group met on Wednesday with special guest speaker Councillor Barbara Newton. It was great to see everyone there and hear from Barbara of her work on council and her inspiration for being there. Ag n Chat will happen each month - the last Wednesday - and it does help if you book in to either myself or Kath at the Lachlan CMA on 02 6816 3200. The group would love to attract more rural women – so come along and check it out – and bring a friend, for a great cuppa and some lovely company.

Hope that by now some of you have managed to check out the new signage on the Central West Lachlan Landcare office. This is all part of the re – badging for Central West Lachlan Landcare – and you will note that we are also using our new leaf logo design. As a matter of fact too, if you haven’t checked out inside the office yet, please call in.

We are aiming to make this office space much more exciting and usable to Landcare members, which includes a new large screen and new meeting table and chairs. With the help of the Lachlan CMA we also have a Community Action Grant in for some resources such as a new marquee, school resources and some other display materials.

Here's hoping that it comes off – as these resources will be a real bonus for the committee and members. Marg is working hard at the moment putting together the latest version of the Landcare newsletter. If you have some photos or a story that you would like to share with the membership then please send them in to pdlsc@bigpond.com and attention them to Marg Applebee.

Local teachers this week have had the chance to hear more about the Kids Teaching Kids program from KTK educator from Melbourne, Michelle Sanders. It has been great to have Michelle in the region and we are really looking forward to seeing how local schools go at the conferences to be held at Caragabal Public School and Corinella Public School. If your school hasn’t been involved yet, you really are missing out – and I would encourage you to talk to any school that has participated – there really are so many benefits, not the least of which being the confidence and leadership skills that students develop. Every Kids Teaching Kids school I am involved with makes me realise that the future of the environment is in really great hands. Call me on 0268163214 if your school would like to know more.

Congratulations this week too, to the Trundle community on the airing of Country Town Rescue. It was great to see the program and note that there were many Trundle Landcarers amongst the people involved. I think that communities like Trundle could really teach the larger towns a thing or two about community spirit and getting things done.

Until next week, happy Landcaring.

Looking At Landcare - CAP, Ag and Chat, Soil Carbon Workshop, Kids Teaching Kids

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 03:10:00 GMT

Looking at Landcare - 23 March 2012

Hello Landcarers

First of all a big thankyou to the Landcarers who supported the Lachlan CMA’s Catchment Action Planning workshop this week. It is really crucial to get local input into these higher levels of planning, so it was great to see a good roll up.

If you were not able to make it please don’t forget that you can still go online to www.lachlan.cma.nsw.gov.au and follow the links to the 2012 CAP section and complete the online survey. If you don’t have internet access then just drop into a Lachlan CMA office and they will be able to print the survey out for you.

The Lachlan CMA, Centacare and Partners in Grain are being supported by Landcare in the running of the Parkes Ag and Chat group, and this group will meet again next Wednesday at GreenParkes nursery in Parkes from 10am. Come along and enjoy some good company and increase your understanding of farm practices.Aimed at rural women, these groups are great for networking – you might remember we had a few Ag N Chat groups going a couple of years back. If you would like to come along contact Kath or myself at the Lachlan CMA on 02 6816 3214.

This past week has been a busy one for Central West Lachlan Landcare with members being involved in the consultation of Lachlandcare for the CAP, the Regional Landcare Facilitator steering committee meeting, the regular meeting of Central West Lachlan Landcare, the Combined Traders Field Day AND the Dr Maarten Stapper Soil Carbon workshop.

The last item was conducted with the support of Little River Landcare, and we are very grateful for their fantastic support – they are a great Landcare neighbour, and it is great to pool resources on projects such as this one.

We must also thank Danielle Littlewood – the Central West Landcare Facilitator, for her help too, in getting this project happening – registrations for which, filled to capacity! We look forward to running more workshops of this type.

New Project officer Christie Elemam is also now up and running! She has some great ideas already, and we are very much looking forward to getting these cracking. Drop in on a Thursday and say G’day. A reminder too that if you are not paid up to date on your membership subs, you need to do so soon. Keeping your membership details and payments up to date will ensure that you are able to stay in touch with all that is happening.

A reminder to teachers that the Lachlan CMA will be hosting some FREE Kids Teaching Kids professional development sessions next week in Parkes (Middleton Public School) and Cowra (Mulyan Public School). The sessions will run for just an hour and a half and will give some great insight into the whole process – which is a great one I might add! Schools have really got a lot out of participating as Kids Teaching Kids not only helps students to gain new environmental skills, but also leadership and communication skills – it really does help them to shine!

If you would like more information contact Catie Guise on 0268519526 or me on 0268163214.

Until next week, Happy Landcaring!

Looking At Landcare - Catchment Action Plan Meetings, Soil Carbon Workshop

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 03:40:00 GMT

Looking at Landcare - 16 March 2012

Hello Landcarers

Well the flood has started to move down the river but the activities of Landcare just keep coming.

It’s a busy time over the next week, with the community consultations for the Lachlan Catchment Action Plan taking a big role centre stage. If you are a landholder or a community person with some ideas on what’s important and needs to be looked after with regards to our natural resources, then you really need to be at these meetings. And there won’t be a consultation meeting held in every town of the catchment, but there will be one held in Parkes.

This will be on the 20 March from 6pm to 9pm – and it includes finger food and refreshments.

Make sure you come along and have your say. Lets face it, if you don’t have your say then you wont have a right to complain later – so bring your friends, bring your family and speak up. You will need to rsvp – and maybe the easiest way to do this is to call the Lachlan CMA office in either Parkes 02 6816 3200 or in Forbes on 02 6851 9500.

If you genuinely cant make the meeting but would like to have your say then head to the CAP survey at www.lachlan.cma.nsw.gov.au. As Landcarers we really need to have input into the planning of the CMAs – otherwise its just going to carry on without us – being proactive is the absolute key – hope to see lots of you there.

Landcare chairs from across the catchment will be also gathering together on the 21^st of March to talk specifically to the Lachlan CMA about the CAP and how both organisations can work more closely together. Looking forward to lots of great ideas coming out of these consultation forums. The other exciting thing happening next week are the Soils workshops happening in conjunction with Little River Landcare.

One of these will be held in Peak Hill on 22 March, and will feature the renowned scientist Dr Maarten Stapper, and Guy Webb from Gaia Consulting. This workshop will focus on soil carbon and will include a theory and paddock component.

Best of all, this entire workshop is FREE – and is a great opportunity to see Dr Stapper if you haven’t seen him in action already. He really does make you think about the soil and its links to our health, and his passion for the subject has to be seen to be believed. We have had him at a workshop in Parkes before, and he was also part of the Landcare Forum we hosted last September. Call Marg at the Office on 68 624914 if you would like to book in for this day – you would be mad if you missed it!

If you would like any more information please head to the website at www.parkeslandcare.org.au or check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

Until next week, happy Landcaring.

Looking At Landcare - Flooding, Landcare Projects Officer, Community Action Grants, LCMA Cap, Ag N Chat

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 03:16:00 GMT

Looking at Landcare - 9 March 2012

Hello Landcarers

I’m writing this week’s column from a flood soaked Forbes district, anticipating the flood peak that is yet to arrive.

Hope that all of you who have been in the path of the water have been able to keep the damage to a minimum and get your livestock high and dry. The cleanup is next I guess, and those are never fun.

Our Landcare Projects officer Christie started work this week – what a week to commence! It is great to have her on board -she brings a wealth of experience in working with community groups and some fantastic legal and funding skills. It is always nice to be able to welcome a new person to the Central West Lachlan Landcare family and we look forward to all that Christie will bring to us! Christie is sorting out her regular hours and days with chair Margot, and we will advise of these when they are confirmed, so that you can all pop in and say hello!

Don’t forget that Community Action Grants are still open – time is getting away though. If you have a small project you would like to try and get funded then head to www.nrm.gov.au and check out the applicants guide and lists of past funded projects.If you need some ideas talk to the CWLL office on 02 6862 4914 or call Kath or I at the Lachlan CMA office on 02 6816 3200.

The other big news coming up is the community consultation being held for the Lachlan Catchment Management Authority Catchment Action Plan. This is your big chance to have your say on what you feel about what’s important in the catchment so that this can be factored into planning. The Lachlan CMA is a key partner of Landcare and so what happens with them and in their planning really does affect us. Therefore we need some really good Landcare representation at these meetings – so please take the time to come along – and please also spread the word amongst your friends, neighbours and family.

Details of the community consultation meetings near to us are: - West Wyalong- Services & Citizens Club, Gladstone St, 12th March, 6pm - 9pm, Condobolin - RSL Club, 15th March, 6pm - 9pm, Boorowa - Ex-Services Club, 16th March, 4pm - 7pm, Parkes - Services Club, 20th March, 6pm - 9pm and Cowra - Civic Centre, 23rd March, 4pm - 7pm. All meetings will be serving some refreshments and a light meal – so you will even be fed and watered – but you will need to register either online at www.lachlan.cma.nsw.gov.au or toll free on 1800 885 747.

Ag N chat recommenced in the Parkes area last week, and we are looking to keep these meetings going on a monthly basis. This time the meetings are being co-ordinated by the Lachlan CMA, Partners in Grain and Centacare and being supported by Landcare. These are a great outlet for rural community women to learn more about some of the intricacies and mysteries of farming and to share a cuppa. As Richard from Partners in Grain put it last week, it’s a chance to find out exactly why our husbands spend so much money on chemicals! Anything that helps address the mystery of that is great in my book! If you are interested contact with Kath or I at the LCMA office on 02 6816 3200.

Until next week, Happy Landcaring.

Looking At Landcare - Parkes Ag N Chat, NPA, Clean Up Australia Day, CAP Plan

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 02:51:00 GMT

Looking at Landcare - 2 March 2012

Hello Landcarers

I cant quite believe it is March – and that we don’t seem to have managed to have a summer this year.With all the wet weather this week it’s a good chance to read the paper and check out the Landcare website at www.parkeslandcare.org.au and catch up on all that is going on.

This week saw a raft of activities happen such as the Parkes Ag N Chat Group who held a get together at Greenparkes Garden Centre, Forbes Road, Parkes at 10am on Wednesday. This group is a great chance to extend your knowledge and increase your understanding of farm practices while catching up with the girls. All welcome – including children. If you didn’t get a chance to attend this time don’t worry, Ag n Chat will happen again next month. For further information contact Kath or Nina at the Lachlan CMA on 6816 3200.

Our mates at the National Parks Association Lachlan Valley Branch also held a survey of weeds vegetation and birds at Stan’s Block followed by an easy 3km walk on Wellington Road Reserve. This group is proving to be a great Landcare partner and we would encourage all Landcarers to attend a walk or meeting and see what the NPA is all about. If you would like more information contact the president Martin Bell, 6862 3771 or 0429 346 596.

This Sunday, 4 March sees the annual Clean Up Australia Day – a great day for the family to take some real hands on environmental action. In Parkes the clean up will commence at 9am and finish at 12pm and you register on the day. Allocation of areas and the distribution of litter bags will be carried out at the main check point at Lions Park. All participants in the Clean Up are invited to enjoy a sausage sizzle afterwards at Lions Park. For further information, contact Michelle Bickett at Parkes Shire Council on 6861 2372.

The Lachlan CMA is now preparing to upgrade the Catchment Action Plan in 2012. A process has been designed to give you the opportunity to express whats important for you in the catchment – and we all live in one! - and to help identifiy directions for the natural resources of the catchment. The first step of this process is a survey now available on the Lachlan CMA website. To start informing our future directions on how we can continue working together to make a difference for our catchment, please complete the online survey at www.lachlan.cma.nsw.gov.au

In coming weeks there will be community meetings held across the catchment, and we would like to encourage all Lachlan Landcarers to try and get to one.

If you are ever at a loose end and are wondering whats going on with Landcare here in the Parkes and Forbes area, you can go straight to the website (parkeslandcare.org.au/news-and-events/diary-dates.html) or check out our Facebook and twitter pages.

Until next week, try and stay dry – and happy Landcaring!

Looking At Landcare - CANFA Field Day, Landcare Project Officer, Landcare Newsletter, CAP, Combined Traders Day

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 02:43:00 GMT

Looking at Landcare - 24 February 2012

Hello Landcarers

Lots on in Landcare as usual – this week alone we had the once again highly successful CANFA field day at the racecourse in Parkes, with Central West Lachlan Landcare playing a key role.

Chair Margot Jolly, Andrew Francis from Parkes Shire Council and I also had the privilege of interviewing several fantastic candidates for the Landcare Project Officer position.

This role is obviously a huge pair of shoes to fill – being the role of Gerald Carnie, whom we lost tragically last year – but we are very pleased to say that we had a very hard time making a choice as the candidates were of an extremely high standard. Stay tuned for an announcement soon of who the new project officer will be! Very exciting!!

Our Support Officer, Marg Applebee has been very busy putting together the Central West Lachlan Landcare newsletter – and it looks absolutely fantastic. Inside are articles on current projects and upcoming events, there are thanks to our former Chair Margaret Haddin and some information on the community action grants.Keep an eye on the mailbox or the email inbox for your copy – in the new improved format!

Lachlan Landcarers need to keep the 20^th March free so that they can pop along to the community consultation session for the Lachlan Catchment Management Authority’s Catchment Action Plan. If you would like to register your interest for this event head to the Lachlan CMA website at www.lachlan.cma.nsw.gov.au and look for the CAP 2012 tab.

Any schools who have not as yet registered for Kids Teaching Kids in 2012 need to do so soon. Kids teaching Kids is a fantastic program that allows kids to learn great environmental, research and leadership skills as they develop a creative session to spread their environmental message – and then present this at a conference run entirely by kids! Last year we had a lot of local schools involved – and we are hoping that we will get even more this year. If your school would like to join in the fun – just call me at the Lachlan CMA on 02 6816 3214 and I will be able to clue you in!

We will also once again be hosting Eco Day at the Central West Livestock Exchange in Forbes this year – which will give local schools an opportunity to learn more about the environment – and do some great tree planting activities are well. Schools are encouraged to put a big red circle around the last Friday in July – which is also National Schools Tree Day.

Don’t forget too the Combined Traders day to be held on the 21^st March at the Parkes racecourse. This is always a great event with an excellent range of practical displays – all of local suppliers – so please make sure you get along and support it.

Another reminder about Community Action grants – being due the 27^th March.

If you have a small project that you would like to find some funds for, check out www.nrm.gov.au and have a chat to us for help and ideas. Until next week check out the website at www.parkeslandcare.org.au and of course visit us on FaceBook and Twitter!

Until next week, happy Landcaring.

Looking At Landcare - EnviroHub, CANFA No Till Field Day, Community Action Grants

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 02:24:00 GMT

Looking at Landcare - 17 February 2012

Hello Landcarers

Lots happening in the world of Landcare this week. On Wednesday we had meetings for the Landcare committee and the Environmental Hub group, kicking off with lots of planning for the activities that will happen throughout the first part of the year.

One of the topics under discussion was the CANFA No Till field day which will be held on the 23^rd February at the Parkes Racecourse. Central West Lachlan Landcare is a partner in the event, so keep an eye out for us out there.

Another highlights will be the Lachlan CMA site which will have the rainfall simulator and soil pit – a very interesting display for any landholder, highlighting the fact that first, you need to understand your soil.

School should take note that students get in to the field day for free, so we would like to encourage all schools to consider taking a trip out there – especially in the Year of the Farmer.

The week saw the opening of the Community Action Grants – the bread and butter small grant fund for Landcare. Community Action Grants are a small grants component of the Australian Government's Caring for our Country initiative that aims to help local community groups take action to conserve and protect their natural environment. The grants are targeted towards established local community-based organisations that are successfully delivering projects to support sustainable farming and/or protect and enhance the natural environment.

Projects grants of between $5000 and $20 000 (GST exclusive) to take action to help protect and conserve Australia's natural resources and environment are available.

The grants are available to groups currently operating in the environmental and sustainable land management sector, as well as to established and emerging Indigenous organisations.

Individuals are not eligible to apply for Community Action Grants.

Community Action Grants will fund activities such as educating farmers in sustainable agricultural techniques, holding field days, improving land management practices, recording and using traditional ecological knowledge, developing natural resource management plans, increasing and improving biodiversity, reducing critical threats to native habitats, reducing the spread and impact of Weeds of National Significance, tree planting and other revegetation activities and reducing the impact of vertebrate pest animals and increasing wildlife habitat – just to name a few!

If you would like to know more about the Community Action Grants it is a good idea to go to the website at www.nrm.gov.au. If you have a project idea and would like to run it by us, contact the office on 02 6862 4914. If you are serious, make sure that you have a clear idea of what you would like your project to achieve and have some accurate budget figures and quotes.

It is also crucial that you commit to the fact that there will be progress and final reports that will need to be completed for your project. It is really important that project proponents understand this, as without this commitment, you may as well not apply.

Until next week – check us out on the website, Facebook and Twitter and keep an ear out for the radio shows.

Happy Landcaring.

Looking At Landcare - Environmental Hub Meeting, CWLL Meeting, Clean Up Australia Day

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:51:00 GMT

Looking at Landcare - 10 February 2012

Hello Landcarers

First of all, big congratulations to Bill Archer on being recognised at Parkes Shire Councils meeting for his services to volunteering - in Bill's case, for Life Education and Landcare primarily but also with Neighbourhood watch and numerous other organisations.

In a prior life Bill was also a surf lifesaver so he really has dedicated a lot of his life to helping others. So well deserved and congratulations Bill!

Next week sees a couple of important meetings for Central West Lachlan Landcare. The Environmental Hub will be held on WEDNESDAY, 15 FEBRUARY - 9.45am for a 10.00am start. Please RSVP if you will be able to attend by COB Monday, 13 February. On the agenda will be discussions on Stan’s block and the weeds trailer and identification of projects with Lachlan CMA funding. If you are an organisation with an interest in natural resource management that is yet to be a part of the Hub, make sure you give Marg a call at the office on 02 6862 4914 and find out more. We are very keen to make this group really drive investment in the environment in our area and to do this we need all of the key players to be involved.

Next Wednesday night we will also be holding the next committee meeting of Central West Lachlan Landcare at 6:30pm at the Landcare office. Here we will be discussing the new Landcare Support Officer position as well as some potential projects for the year. This will be the first meeting for the year so it will also be a great catch up for all members – hopefully everyone is ready and raring to go.

Members need to keep an eye on the website for the kick off of the Community Action Grants this year. We still think that these will be happening in March so if you have a project that you would like funded start to collect some costings and details and when the time comes you will be ready to go.

Clean Up Australia Day is coming soon – and of course as usual there will be events in Parkes and Forbes and hopefully some of the smaller towns and villages. This is a great day to involve the whole family and get the kids thinking about the environment and their role in protecting it. If we instil these thoughts earlier, there will be less need for us all to chase funding and complete remediation works down the track – prevention as they say is so much better than cure.

March will also be the month for the Lachlan CMA to consult the community on its new Catchment Action Plan. If you want a say on what’s important for you in the Lachlan you really need to make sure you get to one of these meetings – there will be some advertising go out in the next few weeks so keep an eye on the papers.

Until next week, Happy Landcaring.

Looking At Landcare - Climatedogs, CANFA Field Day, Solar Grant, Year of the Farmer

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:44:00 GMT

Looking at Landcare - 3 February 2012

Hello Landcarers

Back to school this week, so we now know that 2012 is really here. Hope that you are all enjoying this cooler weather – climate change seems to be well and truly with us this summer!

Speaking of climate, I came across a great animation series on the NSW DPI website. Called Climatedogs, the series features working dogs and uses them to explain the complex phenomena that drive climate variability in NSW. We have “Ridgy” – aka sub tropical ridge, “Enso” – El Nino southern oscillation, “Indy” – Indian Ocean diapole and “Sam” – Southern Annular mode. Check out the climate dogs on www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/resources/climate-and-weather - they will definitely help you get a better grasp of how all of these systems work.

There are a lot of different things happening training wise at the moment for all of you likely Landcarers. Traditionally this time of year is peak time for consultants and trainers, CMAs and Landcare running courses and field days and this February and March are very much the same.

The big one coming up for the end of February is the return of the CANFA conservation Farming field day and conference to Parkes. There will be a lot of publicity in coming weeks, but make sure that you keep the 23^rd February free and patronise this great event – in which Central West Lachlan Landcare (i.e. Parkes and Districts Landcare if you aren’t yet used to the new name) will be a partner.

Coming up in March with the Lachlan CMA will be meetings to talk about the new Catchment Action plan, that sets down the priorities for environmental investment in the Lachlan. If you would like a say stay tuned, as we have some dates coming up fast to give you this opportunity. The Murray Darling Basin Authority has released their draft plan and it is open for comment. We are all part of the Basin, so if you would like to have a say on what happens, please take the time to head to www.mdba.gov.au/draft-basin-plan and comment. This really is your chance to shape how the outcomes of this plan pan out.

Schools who haven’t as yet seized upon solar power have the chance to do so with a $50,000 solar grant now available to each school in Australia to install grid connected solar power. What a fantastic opportunity! Visit the website www.energymatters.com.au for more information on how to apply for this grant.

And those of you who bought The Land newspaper last week would have got a great little magazine on 2012 being Year of the Farmer. There will be lots of Year of the Farmer themed events happening this year – including the Kids Teaching Kids conferences that were so successful last year for many local schools. Its not a bad website either www.yearofthefarmer.com.au , so hop on and have a squiz.

With all these websites you are going to need a rainy day or two to check them all out – so lucky there are a few on the horizon! While you are at it check us out on the web on facebook and on Twitter – and don’t forget to tune into the radio show on 2PK and 2LVR.

Until next week, Happy Landcaring!

Looking at Landcare - Planning, Conservation Tillage Refundable Offset, Community Action Grants

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:36:00 GMT

Looking at Landcare - 27 January 2012

Hello Landcarers

Just about back to school already – where did those holidays go?

Landcare has commenced some planning for the new year with a meeting held last week for a few of us to get together and think about some directions for Central West Lachlan Landcare and the Environmental Hub. Thanks to Kath from the Lachlan CMA for her involvement – and it was also great to have Bill Archer our Vice President in attendance.

A reminder should go to all members as well that we are always on the lookout for ideas for projects and for ways to educate people about the environment. If you have a good idea then all you need to do is share it with us by calling 02 6862 4914.

We don’t doubt that there are many great ideas out there – so please let us know if there is something you would like the committee to pursue. Likewise if you have any concerns you would like raised at the local, regional or even state level about Landcare, let us know. As a committee we do need to be representative of you, our members.

At the Federal level of Landcare and natural resource management, the New Year has brought new buckets of funding for natural resource management at a high level through the Clean Energy Futures Fund, and most inevitably focused on climate change and carbon farming.

Many of these buckets of money are for large-scale projects, but components of them will filter down in areas such as carbon sequestration – or storage – at the farm level.

The farmers amongst you will be interested to know that tax wise, there are also other changes coming such as the conservation tillage refundable tax offset (RTO) of 15% of the cost of the purchase of an eligible no till seeder.

For more information you really do need to contact your accountant or the ATO but the information I have seen describes an eligible no till seeder as any of the following -

Tine machines fitted with minimum tillage points designed to achieve minimum soil disturbance and less than full cut-out.
Minimum tillage points designed to achieve minimum soil disturbance and less than full cut-out include narrow points, knife points or inverted 'T' points.
Disk openers with a single, double or triple disc arrangement.
Disc/tine or disc/blade hybrid machine.

This could be worth investigating if you are in the market for some new gear, and as we know with machinery every little bit does help.

The grapevine also relates that the Community Action Grants (CAGs) – for small projects of up to $20,000 will be opening earlier this year – maybe March, as opposed to the usual August.

Have a think and see if there is anything that you or your group might be able to apply for – but be aware that it will probably need to be a project that can be completed within twelve months – as we are moving from a Caring for our Country cycle of funding to one under the Clean Energy Fund.

In the past we have had local projects through CAGs looking at projects ranging from fencing and tree planting to training courses and grazing management systems.

I have also seen projects approved for earthworks – which is very rare these days in funded projects.

So, if you have something that you have wanted to do for some time, a CAG might be just the funding bucket for you.

Until next week, Happy Landcaring.