Ross will talk about:

• Plant ID & plant communities
• Sensitive management techniques to promote healthy populations of native plants
• Sensitive and alternative weed

         management/suppression techniques

• Plant uses
• Orchids, herbs and creepers, life cycles, management and threats

This should be a fantastic event and I encourage everyone who is interested to register. 

Event Details.
 
Date:        Thursday 24th September 2026.
 
Time:       10.15 am registration for 10.30am start.  Finish 12.30pm
 
Venue:     The Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve.  Meet at main entry carpark. 
Google maps link:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/7NK4A2tsvZLjAnA68

For further information and to register please email joel.geoghegan@basscoastlandcare.org.au

Please register by Monday 21st September 2026.
 Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring your own water. 

We invite members of the local community to attend an informational session on the H5 Bird Flu (H5N1 Avian Influenza)
The session will cover the current situation and latest developments, how to identify signs of H5 infection in birds and wildlife, and what to do if you suspect an outbreak.
Please join us to stay informed, ask questions, and learn how to report and manage the evolving situation.
There will be four events held, please click the links below to view flyers for each events.

• French Island Hall (9/9)
  
• Grantville Rec Hall (10/9)
• Bass Hall (23/9)
• Newhaven Information Centre (24/9) 
  

In 2024, the Bass Coast Landcare Network in partnership with the South Gippsland Landcare Network, Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network, Gippsland Threatened Species Action Group and  a group of scientists launched the first major reassessment of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm (GGE) populations since the 1980s census. Landholder surveys, field verification, review of historical records and the development of a new “GGE Census” App were used to reassess the species across South and West Gippsland and see what may have changed in 40 years.

​The project found that:
- GGE persists across much of its core range — often in the same pockets for many decades.   
- Old family knowledge, community records and modern apps can track a species that is almost never seen.
- Dry survey conditions may have reduced detectability.
- Ongoing monitoring is important to continue to track how the species is tracking.
- Low than expected response rates may mean GGE populations still remain undocumented.

The GGE Census App remains open. Please continue reporting:

- GGE sightings
 - Gurgling sounds underfoot
- Areas of suitable habitat on your property

Because most GGEs occur on private land, every landholder observation matters.

To download the free App: Search for ‘Giant Gippsland Earthworm’ in your app store. Look for the App with the cartoon worm logo.

Download the GGE snapshot article for further information on the results of this project. 

​Join us at this exciting webinar to learn more about the ‘Biodiversity Benefits of Farm Dams and frogs of Bass Coast’.  

Joining us to share their expertise at this webinar will be RMIT ecologist, Dr Kristian Bell and Melbourne Water Waterwatch Coordinator, Jane Petch.
Dr Kristian Bell will speak on the:

• biodiversity benefits of fencing off and revegetating in and around farm dams
• what preliminary research data is being observed on Bass Coast dams.

Jane Petch will speak on

• frog species found in the Bass Coast region, including threatened frog species
• the ecological role of frogs in healthy ecosystems
• Frogs and farm dams

 
This will be a very informative and practical webinar session and we look forward to meeting you all online. 

Date: Tuesday 30th June 2026.
6.30 pm to 8.00 pm- Webinar presentation
 Location: Online.  Event details and link to online webinar will be emailed through upon confirmation of registration.
 Registrations by Mon 29th June via:  https://forms.gle/maU5n1vKiSFFPUHQA
For more information please email: joel.geoghegan@basscoastlandcare.org.au

This June as part of our Partnerships against Pests project, BCLN will be hosting two community sessions. The first session on Tuesday 2nd June 7-830pm 'Tech tools for tackling Invasive Species' will be a webinar, focusing on some of the current technology, apps and platforms available that can play a role in Invasive species Management. The second session will be an on-ground demonstration day at the River Garden in Bass on Friday 5th of June, on 'Best Practice Rabbit Management' where our Invasive species team will give live demonstrations on rabbit proof fencing, fumigation and bait laying. Click on the read more tab below for more details and for the links to book your place. 

For the first webinar session, Peter West (Feralscan Coordinator), from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Vertebrate Pest Research Unit will show us how to use the FeralScan website and mobile App to record rabbit problem areas to identify priority areas for future control programs. Our Invasive Species team member, Jack Harriss (Project officer) will explain how they use these programs to assist in general Invasive species management. Our Education, Training and Communications Manager Lisa Wangman will give a demonstration on how to use the Inaturalist platform and app to identify species. This session will help landholders understand the range of modern tools available and how they can be utilised, with plenty of time for questions, discussion and information sharing.
Registered participants will be sent the link before the session, to register click here.

The second session we are hosting is a demonstration day on Best practice management of Rabbits at the River Garden in Bass. Our Invasive Species team of Aaron Stephens (Coordinator) and Jack Harriss (Project officer) will do demonstrations of rabbit proof fencing, how to lay bait stations and manage a baiting program, as well as fumigation of burrows. This session will help landholders better understand techniques and timing for control, with plenty of time for questions, discussion and information sharing. Come along to this free session with a yummy lunch included, learn from our staff and from other participants on what works in the Bass Coast landscape. 
Click here to register your place to help with catering this session. 

For more information or any booking queries please email the organiser Lisa Wangman on lisa.wangman@basscoastlandcare.org.au or see the flyers below on each session. 

​Welcome to the Giant Gippsland Earthworm interactive resource, with the Stage 2 component developed as part of the recently completed ‘Threat Mitigation and Soil Hydrology for the Giant Gippsland Earthworm’ project.  

We encourage you to navigate through the interactive which includes video resources on the project, information on the Giant Gippsland Earthworm and all project final reports, including a fact sheet which summarises the findings of the pilot Hydrology Study.  There is also case study information on ‘Managing cattle, sheep and Giant Gippsland Earthworms’ on a Moyarra regenerative agriculture farming property.  Look out for the video and the downloadable fact sheet.  

To access the web based interactive click on the following link:  https://drift.media/interactive/gge_hydrology/index.htm

This project received grant funding from the Australian Government Saving Native Species Program.

Bass Coast Landcare Network has been successful in securing funding to run a 2026 Whole Farm Planning Course. 

The program will run during May and June 2026 over 1 online session, one in person half day session and 4 longer in-person sessions.  The in-person sessions will be hosted in local halls and local farm properties and include numerous farm walk sessions.
What will the Whole Farm Planning Course look like? 
​
Course facilitator- Peter Ronalds from Inspired Ag Solutions.  Supported by Joel Geoghegan and Robbie Gray from Bass Coast Landcare Network. 

Pre Course session.
Climate Adaptation Plan webinar- 1.5 hours.
Date and time:  6th May 2026.  6.30pm to 8.30pm
Facilitated by Joel Geoghegan and Robbie Gray.  Supported by Peter Ronalds. 
Venue: Online. 
 
Day 1.
Review of Climate Adaptation Plans (CAP)- SWOT analysis, strategic intent, risk assessment, impacts, action plan- 2.5 hours
Date:  22nd May 2026
Time: 9.30am- 12.00pm
Facilitated by Joel Geoghegan and Robbie Gray. Supported by Peter Ronalds. 
Venue: To be advised.  Likely Bass Hall.
 
Day 2.
Introduction to property planning with water as primary focus – Introductions, distribution of aerial imagery (farm maps & laminate sheets), Farm vision, values & goals, biosecurity, identifying natural assets (capital), commence detailing farm maps, discussion.
Date: 29th May 2026
Time:  9.30am to 2.30pm
Facilitated by Peter Ronalds, supported from Joel Geoghegan and Robbie Gray.
Venue:  To be advised. 
 
Day 3.
Planning around soil productivity & health, grazing, identifying risks (CAP) and risk management, land capability and classing, land degradation, discussion.
Date:   5th June 2026
Time:  9.30am to 2.30pm
Facilitated by Peter Ronalds with support from Joel Geoghegan and Robbie Gray.
Venue: To be advised.
 
Day 4.
Farm design with water as a focus, trees on farms, biodiversity, firewise planning, pest plant and animal management, discussion.
Date:  12th June 2026
Time:  9.30am to 2.30pm
Facilitated by Peter Ronalds with support from Joel Geoghegan and Robbie Gray.
Venue: To be advised.
 
Day 5.
Farm water supply, documenting your farm vision, short, medium & long term goals, risk management review, complete your farm map & action plan, final discussion. Incorporate review of Climate Adaptation Plans (CAP) identified risks and action plan.
Date:  19th June 2026
Time:  9.30am to 2.30pm
Facilitated by Peter Ronalds with support from Joel Geoghegan and Robbie Gray.
Venue: To be advised.
​
Cost.
Participants will be required to contribute funding support to cover the costs of course resources, estimated to be approximately $100 per participant.
Note numbers are limited, landowners who submit and EOI first and satisfy the course requirements will be prioritised. 

For further information contact Joel Geoghegan from Bass Coast Landcare Network on
joel.geoghegan@basscoastlandcare.org.au 

To register your expression of interest for this Whole Farm Planning Course click on the link below:
https://forms.gle/tP486Dde3CtaBhvi8