You are invited to attend this exciting field day event on farm dams. The day will include an expert presentation from Dr Martino Malerba, senior lecturer at RMIT University.  ​

Martino will be presenting on a decade of work on how to manage farm dams to maximise productivity while improving carbon and biodiversity. These projects involved hundreds of landowners installing floating sensors (called “Pondi”) to monitor greenhouse gas emissions, and AI technology to monitor wildlife. 
 
Martino will also introduce the Floating Wetlands project, funded through Melbourne Water with additional support from the Grower Group Alliance through the Ripple Effect Project, which has established multiple demonstration study sites on dams at two Bass Coast farms. 
 
We will also be going on a farm walk to look at one of the floating wetland dam sites on our host property.  

Event Details.

Date:                                Friday 27th March
 
Time:                                10.00am morning tea for 10.30am start.  2.00pm finish time. 
 
Venue address:            Property of Camilla and Joby Graves, Woodleigh.  Address details to be        
                                              provided upon confirmation of registration. 

Morning tea and lunch provided.
 
To register click on the following link: https://forms.gle/KgkUQrAVqmDa9FhQ8
 
For further information email joel.geoghegan@basscoastlandcare.org.au

Grant Sims is sixth generation farmer running the family farm in Northern Vic. The farm comprises 8500 acres of dryland and some irrigation.
The Sims farm has been utilizing no-till since the early 80's.  In 2008 the family stopped using granular synthetic fertilizers and started using biological liquid fertilisers. They also stopped using seed dressing, insecticides and fungicides, unless absolutely necessary.

The Sims have a strong focus on diversity and grow cereals, companion, and cover crops, and have integrated grazing into their system. They have seen many positive changes in the health of their soils and plants and conduct many on-farm trials.
This field day will focus on multi species for pastures and cropping, and we will ensure there is ample time for discussion and questions.

Date: Tuesday 17th February 2026.
9.30am registration and morning tea
Morning session- 10am to 12 pm- Hall based presentation and discussion
12pm to 12.45pm-Lunch
1pm to 2.30pm- Afternoon farm walk
 Location: Yannathan Public Hall- 227 Heads Road, Yannathan.
 
Registrations by Fri 13th February via: https://forms.gle/AHY5fmSUhm8Gbvd2A
​
Light morning tea provided, BYO lunch.  

For more information, contact:
Joel Geoghegan, Bass Coast Landcare Network, 0409 705 652

Join us to learn about the Bass Coast multi species pastures demonstration project.  

​Hosted on the Almurta property of Janette and Andrew Allen, this is a 3-year demonstration looking at the cost/benefit of multi species pastures.  The recently established demonstration is being actively supported by Jade Killoran from Healthy Farming Systems who will be attending this field day as guest speaker.   Declan McDonald from Regen Soils will also be in attendance to support the field day. 

This field day will focus on:

• Introduction to the property vision and the integration of multi species pastures into farming systems
• Introduction to the demonstration site- demonstration site purpose, design and planning.
• Summary of works to date.
• Demonstration site farm walk and talk session facilitated by Jade Kiloran. 

 
Date: Thursday 12th February 2026.

12 pm- registration and light lunch

12.30 pm to 4 pm- presentations and farm walk

Light lunch provided.
 
Location: Locality of Almurta.  Event location details to be emailed upon conformation of registration.
 
Registrations by Mon 9th February via:
https://forms.gle/79UqMHR2bivMCma1A

This will be a very informative and practical field day session and if you’re thinking of further integrating multi species pastures into your farming systems we encourage you to attend. 

BYO- coffee mug and camp chair. 

For more information please email: joel.geoghegan@basscoastlandcare.org.au

The BCLN Board invites member groups to submit potential funding ideas to advance the pursuit of BCLN's purpose. This exciting opportunity has become available as a result of the BCLN Community Projects Reserve being assessed as having capacity to provide a funding sources for community projects, research projects and donations that align with the strategic objectives and priorities of BCLN and will progress the achievement of key areas of focus. Funding ideas that help to target activities that currently have limited alternative funding sources, or require seed funding for new and innovative ideas will be highly regarded. Applications close February 13th.
Click here to learn more, and to download an application form.

Get ready for the Landcare Prize 2025 at the Kernot Community Hall! Join us for a Gala Champagne Opening on Friday, 14th November at 7pm, where we'll announce the winning artists. The art show will be open to the public on Saturday, 15th and Sunday, 16th November from 10am to 4pm. A gold coin donation will get you in over the weekend.
This event supports the Bass Coast Landcare Network Public Fund, a non-profit dedicated to conserving biodiversity within Bass Coast. Expect an incredible array of art from both experienced and emerging artists of all ages and delight in knowing your purchase will help the planet.
Entries are now open and close on November 5th. Submit your entry online here.
Opening night tickets are $20 and exhibiting artists are free.  Secure you tickets here.
All subjects, mediums, and styles are welcome, including paintings, sculpture, and photography on any theme. For an entry form, email landcareartprize@gmail.com
Artists of all ages and abilities are invited to compete for a total prize pool of $2650. For enquiries, call the coordinator Janice Orchard at 0419 301 363.
This incredible event is sponsored by Bass Coast Shire Council and the Bendigo Community Bank.

Pictured above, participants at the first field day on Phillip Island.
​Click the read more tab below for the full story. ​

​Hear from various BCLN staff at these days, who will share their extensive experience in weed spraying, woody weeding, community programs, rabbit and fox control.
BCLN’s Works Crew Leading hand, Bill Barry will show samples of various weeds, answer your questions and discuss the most effective control methods and timing to get better impact for your weed control efforts.
The BCLN Invasive Species team, will share information on control programs and methods, featuring Jack Harriss, on Rabbit control programs including exclusion fencing techniques, as well as Aaron Stephens, who will share information about fox control programs.
BCLN’s Robbie Grey, Operations Manager, will also facilitate a short session on working together, discussing needs and pooling resources for better impacts on controlling invasive species.
Each of the days will include a guided walk at a local reserve, highlighting some of the local weeds, demonstrating removal techniques, and discussing impacts across the region.
This free series has been made possible with funding from Agriculture Victoria through the Partnerships against Pests program for the BCLN project, ‘Building capacity against complacency’.
 
To book your place at the third session in Wonthaggi on Thursday 6th November, please use the link below to get to our booking page. 
https://www.trybooking.com/DGWOF
The last session in the series will be confirmed in the coming weeks.  This will be an online webinar focussing on new Tech, Apps and other ways we can identify, map and manage invasive species. Also due to be released soon is an online, Bass Coast specific Weed calendar, all part of the BCLN project.
 
Please check the Bass Coast Landcare Network News and Events web page for updates and confirmation of dates, locations and details for events in the series 

Climate Action Attitudes Story Time sessions for young families is a partnership between Bass Coast Adult Learning, BCLN and Myli Libraries, designed to empower families with a can-do approach in making a positive impact on our planet. These engaging sessions are hosted by our own Lisa, Education Training and Communications Manager, and Teacher/Project Manager Harriet Pellizer from BCAL. Lisa shares books, games, toys and crafts with the children, while Harriet shares information with parents and carers on how we can all take meaningful steps, no matter how small, towards sustainability at home. There are four sessions, Recycling Rockstars, Eco Energy Heroes, Climate Kids Changing the Change and Climate Kids Community Champions, at each of the Wonthaggi, Cowes, Inverloch and Grantville branches of the Myli libraries. Sessions are aimed at preschoolers aged 2–6 years, but all little ones accompanied by a parent or carer are welcome. For session dates at times of your closest library, click on the links below for more information, or just arrive at the dates and times below to join in the fun!
Wonthaggi Library on Monday 6th, 13th October and 10th, 17th November all starting at 10.30am.
Inverloch Library on Wednesday 1st and 15th October, 5th and 12th November all starting at 10.30am.
Cowes Library on Thursday 9th, 23rd, 30th October, 5th and 27th November all starting at 10.30am.
Grantville Library on Thursday 13th November, Wednesday 19th November, Wednesday 3rd December, Thursday 11th December all starting at 10:30am.

​Hear from various BCLN staff at these days, who will share their extensive experience in weed spraying, woody weeding, community programs, rabbit and fox control.
BCLN’s Works Crew Leading hand, Bill Barry will show samples of various weeds, answer your questions and discuss the most effective control methods and timing to get better impact for your weed control efforts.
The BCLN Invasive Species team, will share information on control programs and methods, featuring Jack Harriss, on Rabbit control programs including exclusion fencing techniques, as well as Aaron Stephens, who will share information about fox control programs.
BCLN’s David Bateman, Executive General Manager, will also facilitate a short session on working together, discussing needs and pooling resources for better impacts on controlling invasive species.
Each of the days will include a guided walk at a local reserve, highlighting some of the local weeds, demonstrating removal techniques, and discussing impacts across the region.
This free series has been made possible with funding from Agriculture Victoria through the Partnerships against Pests program for the BCLN project, ‘Building capacity against complacency’.
 
To book your place at the second session in Outtrim on Friday 7th November, please use the link below to get to our booking page.  
https://www.trybooking.com/DGROC
The next two sessions in the series will be confirmed in the coming weeks.  An online webinar focussing on new Tech, Apps and other ways we can identify, map and manage invasive species is also in planning for November, as well as the release of an online, Bass Coast specific Weed calendar, all part of the BCLN project.
 
Please check the Bass Coast Landcare Network News and Events web page for updates and confirmation of dates, locations and details for events in the series at https://www.basscoastlandcare.org.au/newsandevents For enquiries on this series, please contact Lisa Wangman on lisa.wangman@basscoastlandcare.org.au