​Have you heard people talking about regenerative agriculture, and wondered exactly what it is, and whether it could work on your farm?
A series of eight short videos on the key principles of regenerative agriculture have just been released by three local Landcare networks (Bass Coast, South Gippsland and Western Port Catchment) and the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
Hosted by soil scientist Declan McDonald, the videos explain what regenerative agriculture is and how the principles can be applied on all farm types and landscapes within the Western Port Catchment, including beef, dairy, sheep, chickens, horticulture and vineyards.
Topics covered include: introducing regenerative agriculture, minimising soil disturbance, maximising crop diversity, keeping soil covered, maintaining living roots systems year round, integrating livestock and trees and how farmers can transition to regenerative agriculture.
The videos can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/regenagriculture or on the partner websites. Click 'read more' for the full story!

Landcare Victoria has announced the appointment of Andrew Maclean as its new CEO to guide an exciting period of growth for the organisation.
The role of the CEO will be to build stronger partnerships, attract new funding sources and shore up ongoing employment and support for Victorian Landcare Facilitators.
 
Mr Maclean said he wants Landcare to be recognised as having a key role in sustainable land management in Victoria.
“Over the past 30 years, Landcare has earnt its place at the frontline of biodiversity protection, sustainable agriculture and recovery from bushfire and drought.
Landcare’s unique strength is its deep roots in regional communities.
My role as CEO will be to unlock the knowledge and passion of grassroots volunteers by bringing new methods to the table that ensure Landcare remains relevant and strong.”

South Gippsland Landcare Network (SGLN) is working with neighbouring Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network (LCLN) and the Natural Environment Program of DELWP on a project to protect Giant Gippsland Earthworms and three species of burrowing crayfish (Warragul, Strzelecki, and Narracan).
We have a wonderful resource available in the following two websites, which have recently been updated. They are full of interesting photos, facts and videos of these cryptic animals (and there’s even a David Attenborough video!).
www.giantearthworm.org.au
www.burrowingcrayfish.com.au

If you are wondering whether you might have these species on your property, have a look at the Expression of interest form which is available on both websites. By answering the questions and referring to the map you can see whether your property may provide suitable habitat. If it does, you can complete the form online and we will get in touch to chat about it further.
Suitable properties will have a site visit from Dr Beverly Van Praagh, and landowners will receive advice on how to manage the area around the colonies. If on-ground works (such as fencing to prevent cattle pugging and disturbing the earthworms) is required SGLN have funds available to help protect these species.
For more information, please contact Cassie from SGLN at cassie@sgln.net.au or 0448 739 559.
This project was funded with the support of the Victorian Government.

If you’re wanting to understand more about the climate change information that’s available for Victoria, learn how the climate has already changed, see what Victoria’s climate might be like in 2050 and beyond, or even where you’d start in looking for this information; DELWP is running two climate science webinars in late June that are just for you!

Webinar 1: Climate change in Victoria – past, present and future
Date: 1-2pm, Wednesday 24 June 2020

• Victoria’s climate has already changed
• Future climate projections
• Resources available – using the decision tree to find what you need
• Victoria’s Climate Science Report 2019
• Regional information: Victorian Climate Projections 2019 Regional reports, data tables
• Communicating Climate Change
• Planning for uncertainty
• Q&A with the DELWP project team

Join via this link on the day: MS Teams Live Event (no need to pre-register)
 
Webinar 2: Victorian Climate Projections 2019 – findings and tips for interpreting
Date: 1-2pm, Friday 26 June 2020

• What do the projections say for Victoria?
• What are the benefits of local-scale climate data?
• How to understand and work with the different sources of uncertainty in projections
• Top tips to interpret the projections correctly
• Lots of time for Q&A with DELWP and CSIRO scientists

Join via this link on the day: MS Teams Live Event  (no need to pre-register)

​Click 'read more' for more information.

Phillip Island Landcare Group have just sent out their 2020 planting day flyer, with 4 planting dates between June and August.
What better way to break the isolation blues, than to get out in the fresh air and plant trees?!  These events will still follow appropriate social distancing guidelines and food handling for that delicious BBQ at the end!

Please be sure to RSVP to any plantings you are interested in.

Click on the flyer to download the full size.

​BCLN has recently acquired a Kawasaki 4wd Side by Side mule to help the Works Crew and Pest Animal team efficiently deliver our contract work and also help out with revegetation work.
We will also be taking delivery of a Quick Spray unit, which will help the team out with weed control and spot spraying in difficult to reach places throughout our Landcare network. As part of OHS responsibility to our staff team we have recently engaged HART training to run a side by side vehicle course. 13 of our staff were put through the training over a two day period. Click 'read more' for the full story.

Clinton Tepper is a forester and farmer who operates Camaray Farm in Buln Buln.  Over 5 years ago Clinton set up a demonstration plot with and planted 3 species of trees at wide spacings integrating high value timber, crops and livestock.  The trial has been successful and is now best known as the flagship for multi storey farming (MSF).  ​

You are invited to join us through Zoom for this virtual field day, where we will explore the Rapid Soil Assessment Tool (RSAT) and how you can use this simple
in-paddock assessment to further inform your nutrient and pasture management
decisions. Agronomist Chris Alenson, who helped develop the tool, will be guiding us
through the RSAT process. There will be plenty of time to ask questions and discuss how you found the RSAT. 
In preparation for this event you will be required to watch a series of RSAT videos (30
mins) and also have trialled the use of the RSAT on one of your own paddocks (up to 2 hours).
​This event will be held on Friay 26th of June, from 10am-12pm. Please email joel.geoghegan@basscoastlandcare.org.au or phone 0409 705 652 for more information.​

​Learn about the importance of soil health, and how to improve your soil, including incorporating compost into your soil.
To celebrate International Compost Awareness Week, compost processor Biomix will be hosting two online webinars with highly regarded soil scientist, Declan McDonald. You may choose between Home Garden soil health, or Soil Health for the Paddock, with each webinar giving you the opportunity to submit questions to Declan in advance, for him to answer in the presentation.

To register, email Vanessa at vanessa@biomix.com.au and include the webinar session you would like to attend. Please also include any questions you would like Declan to answer.
Registrations close midnight, Thursday May 7, 2020.
​
Click the flyer below for further information.