Land managers amongst our readership may be interested in the post by Ian Lunt on the analysis of grazing studies that Josh Dorrough has just completed.
Filed under the cateogry Managing Grasslands 0 Comment(s) Tags: fencing, grasslands, grazing, grazing studies in grasslands, Ian Lunt, Josh Dorrough, native grasslands, VVP
Congratulations to all groups who have received funding and especially to those on the VVP. Keep an eye out for the next round.
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith recently announced the 80 groups receiving funding of up to $10,000 each, totalling up to $700,000, for small projects focusing on practical actions to achieve environmental outcomes in their local areas.
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Filed under the cateogry News 0 Comment(s) Tags: Communities for Nature, grants, VVP
In the lead up to the Lake Bolac Eel Festival last year, a group of walkers and artists followed the route mature eels take from Lake Bolac down Salt Creek and the Hopkins River to the sea. The migration story of the Kuyang, or short finned eel, is one of nature’s marvels. Read the rest of the story here
See the work of the artists at the Warrnambool Art Gallery Sat 9th February–Sun 7th April 2013
The Eel Festival is on again on 23 March 2013 and there looks like there are some great activities.
Filed under the cateogry Art and Culture, Events 0 Comment(s) Tags: Eel Festival, Eels, Lake Bolac, VVP
Come along and join in to discover the natural wonders of our native Volcanic Plains Grasslands on Saturday November 24th at 10am at the Hawkesdale Racecourse Reserve.
Flora specialist Dr Geoff Carr, will be presenting a talk and leading a tour of the old Hawkesdale Racecourse/Golf club Reserve. This is a great opportunity to discover the wonders of this important native grassland remnant and to learn about it from a very highly regarded ecologist.
Light refreshments supplied. Some flora ID materials supplied. Enquiries to Matthew Talbot, Secretary 5560 7210
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Filed under the cateogry Events 0 Comment(s) Tags: grasslands field day, Hawkesdale, native grasslands, VVP
It is grassland walks time again! Here is a list of great activities close to Melbourne. I suggest you book in, in case there is a cancellation due to bad weather etc.
Where the contact is WMCN it refers to Western Melbourne Catchment Network Inc.
Thursday October 11 Maidstone St, Altona & Laverton Nth Grassland Meet at: Maidstone Street, Mel ref 54 C7 Time: 10am—12noon Contact: WMCN 0447 133 334
Sunday October 14 Innovative Grassland Management Iramoo Grassland, St Albans Playhouse Ave, Mel ref 25 J3 Time: 10am -12noon Contact: Helen 0408 032 052
Saturday October 27 Maidstone St, Altona & Laverton Nth Grassland Meet at: Maidstone street Mel ref 54 C7 Time: 10am—12noon Contact: WMCN 0447 133 334
Saturday November 10 Wildflower Photography Walk, Iramoo Grassland, St Albans Playhouse Ave, Mel ref 25 J3 Time: 10am -12noon Contact: Helen 0408 032 052
Sunday November 11 PLEG, Bushes Paddock Mel Ref 221 H5 Time: 10.00am—12.00pm Contact: 0438 277 252
Wednesday November 14 Mt Rothwell 5 Mt Rothwell Road, Little River Melways key map 11 C10
Time: 10am -12.00noon Contact: WMCN 0447 133 334
Thursday November 15 Paramount & Mt Derrimut Grasslands Foleys Rd, Derrimut, Mel ref 25 C11
Time: 10am—12noon Contact: Martha 9249 4717
Sunday November 18 Paramount & Mt Derrimut Grasslands Time: 10am—12noon Foleys Rd, Derrimut, Mel ref 25 C11 Contact: Martha 9249 4717
Thursday November 22 Fitzgerald Rd, Gilbertson’s & Derrimut Grasslands, Werribee Zoo
Time: 10.30am—3.30pm Start: Melways ref 39 H6. Park in Swan Dr. Contact: WMCN 0447 133 334
Sunday November 25 Fitzgerald Rd, Gilbertson’s and Derrimut Grasslands, Werribee Zoo
Time: 10.30am—3.30pm Start: Melways ref 39 H6. Park in Swan Dr Contact: WMCN 0447 133 334
Wednesday November 28 Mt Rothwell 5 Mt Rothwell Road, Little River Melways key map 11 C10
Time: 10am -12.00noon Contact: WMCN 0447 133 334
Filed under the cateogry Events, Uncategorized 0 Comment(s) Tags: grassland walks, native grasslands, volcanic plain, VVP
The Lismore Land Protection Group is running another of their night events on Friday October 12th 2012. It starts with a free BBQ at 6pm followed by a presentation by Peter Marriot about ‘Moths of the Victorian Volcanic Plains’ and then a spotlight walk looking for nocturnal fauna. It will be held at ‘Titanga’. Hamilton Highway, Lismore.
The night stalk and BBQ will be held regardless, but the moth survey will be weather permitting. Wear warm clothes and sturdy footwear, and bring a torch and folding chair if possible. RSVP: By October 10th to Elle at 0402 500 580 or llpgelle@westnet.com.au
Filed under the cateogry Events, VVP Grasslands, Victorian Grasslands 0 Comment(s) Tags: volcanic plain, VVP
If you are interested in native grasslands or even in small mammals then you may appreciate these two small youtube clips. Colleen Miller is a great advocate of our native grasslands, especially the ones close to Melbourne. Colleen is also the part time facilitator for the Western Melbourne Catchments Network Inc. and showed a BBC film crew a good site to film.
Follow the link from the network’s website http://wmcn.org.au/WMCN/ to the two short grassland films which are part of the BBC’s Secrets of Our Living Planet Series.
The footage was filmed at the Mt Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretive Centre and after watching and hearing an Eastern Quoll munching on an insect, you may be encouraged to book a tour and see the animals in action for yourself http://www.mtrothwell.com.au/
Filed under the cateogry Threatened Species, VVP Grasslands, Victorian Grasslands 0 Comment(s) Tags: bandicoot, grasslands, Mt Rothwell, native grasslands, native mammals, predator control, volcanic plain, VVP
Recent research into flupropanate use has shown that its effect on native grass species is dependent on the application rates and other site-specific variables. The management of broadleaf weeds and annual grasses was also seen to improve the likelihood of native grass recovery after flupropanate application.
Flupropanate is a common herbicide used to manage serrated tussock infestations, but can also impact native grass species.
The Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party commissioned DPI Weed Sciences to conduct trials and table a report on the non-target effects of flupropanate on a range of native and improved pasture species.
Field trials were set up at Balliang West, Werribee and Oaklands Junction in Victoria where varying flupropanate rates were applied during 2009. Measurements of basal cover were recorded for the different rate applications of flupropanate over a 604 to 660 day period.
The overall effect of flupropanate differed between the trial sites and this may have been influenced by the initial seed bank and composition of the pasture as well as soil characteristics. It was also noted that the management of annual and broadleaf weed species reduced competition and allowed some native species, such as stipa, to regenerate post flupropanate application.
This research supports the message from the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party that encouraging strong, competitive pastures, such as native grasses, to regenerate through control of annual and broadleaf weed species also helps to out-compete vulnerable and slow growing serrated tussock seedlings. Successful management of serrated tussock needs to include strategies such as herbicide application, competition planting, physical removal and spread prevention techniques.
For more information on this flupropanate field trial, please contact Charles Grech – Research Scientist Weed Sciences on 03 9217 4120 or charles.grech@dpi.vic.gov.au
More information on effective serrated tussock management can be found on the National Best Practice Management Manual for Serrated Tussock. For a copy, please contact Alison Head 5366 0028 or alison.head@dpi.vic.gov.au
This article has been taken with permission from ‘Tussock Times”
Filed under the cateogry Managing Grasslands, Uncategorized 0 Comment(s) Tags: best management, native grasses, native grasslands, volcanic plain, VVP, weeds
Temperate grassland of the VVP
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
“The native grasslands of Victoria’s Volcanic Plain are listed as critically endangered under the Federal Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
The listing, reserved for species and ecosystems one step away from extinction, is a recognition of just how close Victoria’s grasslands are to being lost forever. Home to more than 25 nationally threatened species and already recognised as one of Australia’s 15 National Biodiversity Hotspots, the ecology of the Victorian Volcanic Plain has suffered terribly since European settlement.
Ninety-two per cent of its original native vegetation has been cleared and the few remaining patches, often on rocky outcrops unsuitable for intensive agriculture, continue to be destroyed through a combination of raised bed cropping and modern rock-crushing machinery.
In Melbourne’s outer western suburbs, which still retain intact patches of grassland, urban development and weed invasion are ongoing threats.”
Read the full article:
Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain (PDF – 2 pages, 187kB)
Filed under the cateogry Education Resources, Fact Sheets, Flora and Fauna, VVP Grasslands 0 Comment(s) Tags: grasslands, vegetation, VVP
Indigenotes - September 2008
IFFA President wins Landcare Award
“In September IFFA’s President, Brian Bainbridge, won a 2008 Port Phillip & Western Port Landcare Award for Caring for Community Groups. This award is made to a community member, coordinator or facilitator who is
effectively providing support and capacity building for two or more volunteer-based community environment groups (eg Landcare, friends of groups, Waterwatch, etc.) in the region.”
Read the full article:
Indigenotes – September 2008 (PDF – 12 pages, 784kB)
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