You are invited along to this exciting online zoom field day on ‘disruptive technology’ and how it can be used to help you make on-farm management decisions.  
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You are invited along to this exciting online zoom field day on ‘disruptive technology’ and how it can be used to help you make on-farm management decisions. 
 
Online field day topics include:
 

• What is disruptive technology?
• How can it help you transition in a changing climate?
• Drones on Farm
• Data Farming Tools
  • NDVI
  • Google Earth
  • Digital Elevation and Maps

Event Details.

Date:             Thursday November 5th, 2020
 
Time:             10.30am to 12pm
 
How to join:   Zoom link to join online will be provided upon registration.          
 
RSVP is essential by Monday 2nd November.   To register for this event or if you require further information please email: joel.geoghegan@basscoastlandcare.org.au

​The Growing Southern Gippsland project is funded through the Victorian Centre for Climate Change Innovation, Bass Coast Landcare Network, RMIT University and Federation University Australia.

Are you interested in learning more about managing weeds in a regenerative agriculture system?  Do you want to find out what weeds in your landscape are telling you about your farm and landscape?  ​

Are you interested in learning more about managing weeds in a regenerative agriculture system?  Do you want to find out what weeds in your landscape are telling you about your farm and landscape?  Join us for this exciting online webinar featuring regenerative agriculture expert Declan McDonald who will explain the ‘big picture’ approach to weed management and how it can save you time, effort and money.  

Event Details

Date:                           Thursday 29th October 2020.
Time:                          10.30 am to 12.00 pm.    
Zoom Link:                Zoom link will be forwarded through to you upon confirmation
                                      of registration.

Please RSVP for this event by Monday 26th October 2020.
 
To register please email Joel Geoghegan on joel.geoghegan@basscoastlandcare.org.au
or phone on 0409 705 652 for further information.

This project is supported by PPWCMA through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare program in partnership with Bass Coast Landcare Network.
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Dan and Amelia Bright from Amber Creek Farm & Sawmill operate a mixed farming business growing free range pigs and a timber milling operation. Join us to hear how they have designed their farming system for resilience in our changing climate.
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Topics include:
• Dan Bright on the design of Amber Creek farm including the benefits of using local sources of waste as a resource, and regenerative methods for soil improvement
• Amelia Bright on how the Prom Coast Food Collective supports local farmers and reduces food miles
• Renewable energy options for farmers including the latest on rebates, with Chris Barfoot from the Latrobe Valley Community Power Hub

Click 'read more' for more information and to download the event flyer

Are you interested in transitioning to a ‘Regenerative Agriculture’ system on your farm, and want to take the first steps?
These two workshops are designed to help you with your first steps along the regenerative agriculture journey. Regenerative agriculture expert Declan McDonald will be facilitating the two workshops:
• Session 1- ‘Introduction to regenerative agriculture in the Southern Gippsland grazing landscape’ (September 17th)
• Session 2- ‘Transitioning to a regenerative agriculture system on your farm’ (October 1st)
Registrations are essential by September 11th. Click the flyer for more information and registration details.

After 33 years, Phillip Island Landcare Group is excited to finally have a home to store their resources.
The group’s recently acquired caravan used on planting days and for exhibitor/expo events was the driving force behind the construction. Other items the new shed will store include tree planters, guards and stakes and it will also proudly display Landcare memorabilia and honour boards. It may also provide a venue for committee meetings in the warmer months.

Welcome to our August update for the River Garden, our flagship community gathering and education site for BCLN! We will now be sharing monthly updates on all things River Garden. 
You may have seen things happening from the highway at Bass, rows of swale garden beds across the contours of the hill with espaliered fruit trees and annual vegetables, growing trials which have so far included hops and sweet potato, an orchard and nuttery, a Nursery business 'Coll’s Plants' (you can order online here https://www.collsplants.com/) and space for so much more. Many of you would not be aware of how this all came to be so in this first monthly update we will take you back to the beginning. 

​Kongwak Hills Landcare Group (KHLG) have recently spent time, money and effort to improve the visitor experience to the Kongwak Pioneer Reserve, with assistance from Mick Green at Drift Media.
The pre-existing Geotour experience was best enjoyed by downloading the Geotour application and following the prompts; however, in the six years it has been active it has
only been downloaded 1,300 times. The app has now been upgraded so that the tour and all of its audio content can be enjoyed together with Google Earth maps of each track in the Reserve providing details of length/distance in metres and elevations with attached track profiles in graphical display.
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The new upgraded facility is easily accessed by using your phone, providing you have installed a QR code reader. (We used QRbot). Simply open your QR code app and use your phone to scan the QR code shown here. The QR code will take you directly to the Kongwak Hills page on the Bass Coast Landcare Network site. Scroll down until you come to the heading, Pioneer Reserve-Interactive Tour and Track Maps. From here you can download the Geotour, Google Earth maps and the Track Maps.
Kongwak has a good data phone signal strength so it is now easy to download the interactive tour and maps and enjoy.
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In the near future, for ease of access, decals highlighting the QR code will be placed around the Reserve, in R.N.Scott Reserve Pavilion, on the information Board outside the old General Store and will be available in tourist and information outlets highlighting the QR code.

​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.