News and Events

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!