Landcare & Community News |
Welcome to the May 2020 issue of the Greater Sydney Landcare & Community News.
This edition features a range of opportunities that you can do from home.
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IMPORTANTDue to current COVID-19 restrictions the National Landcare Conference has been postponed and will now take place Wednesday 10 March - Friday 12 March 2021. The deadline for the call for abstracts has been extended until Wednesday 1 July 2020. Check HERE for full details. | | Join Land for WildlifeAre you a landholder who is interested in a free site assessment to help you identify areas on your land rich in habitat and biodiversity? Land for Wildlife LFW is a voluntary property registration scheme that is not legally binding, and will give you a full onsite assessment, including a flora survey, weed control advice and access to grant opportunities, workshops and newsletters. If you are interested in joining LFW, please complete the online Expression of Interest form. | | | | Attention horse ownersWith travel around the state changing in response to COVID-19, it is important for horse owners to be aware of the regulations governing the movement of horses in NSW. Read more about these requirements HERE
| | | | Running dry: water conservation attitudes and behaviours in Greater Sydney and BathurstUniversity of Sydney students are conducting a study that compares the way the Sydney community conserves water in relation to their Bathurst neighbours and want to hear from you. Visit HERE for more details and a link to the survey. | | | | Invasive InsectsThe Invasive Species Council recently developed a 'risks and pathways' report about the types of overseas insects that pose the greatest risk to our country and also how they might arrive. Visit the report HERE. | | | | | Are you a pig owner?Do you have a pet pig, a rescue pig, are a hobby pig farmer or commercial producer or know someone who does? By completing this survey HERE you will help us to help you to protect your pigs from pests and disease. *All responses are anonymous and confidential. Conducted in partnership with Charles Sturt University, NSW DPI and Local Land Services
| | | Things to do during COVID-19 | |
Conservation from your couch: five ways to help animals from homeVisit HERE to explore how you can make a big difference to our native plants and animals from the comfort of your own home. Create a connected online Landcare communityA great opportunity to virtually set up a community group, share stories and events and check out what others are doing. Visit HERE to connect to Landcarer, a great new online resource for those in the Bushcare/Landcare community. Getting connected with Facebook- Check out the Lane Cove Bushcare Facebook page for virtual tours of Bushcare sites.
- Visit the Sutherland Shire Council Bushcare Volunteers Facebook page for updates on what they are doing in this region.
- Birdlife Australia has kicked off a regular live series on their Facebook page to help anyone who is now finding themselves 'Birding at Home'. Check it out HERE.
| | | | | Keep an eye out for Parthenium weed!The Parthenium weed has been found in suburban Engadine in the Sutherland Shire which is the first time this weed has been seen in Sydney. It's important for us all to be vigilant and keep an eye out for this highly invasive pest plant that can cause severe dermatitis and respiratory problems in humans and invade pastures and crops, causing serious impacts for the agricultural industry.
Visit HERE for more photos and a detailed description of this weed. Call the NSW DPI Biosecurity helpline on 1800 680 244 if you see this weed. | | | Discover the Junior Landcare Learning Centre!Check out a raft of 30 minute environmental activities that align with the school curriculum. Visit HERE for access to the full list of acitivites. | | | | | Keep your kids chirpy at home! Are you looking for at-home activities to keep everyone chirpy? The team at BirdLife have lots of resources that are fun AND you can learn about amazing birds and places. Click HERE to access materials for kids and a "parent pack".
| | | How to make a frog hotelLearn to create frog habitat in your backyard with help from the Australian Museum's frog expert Jodi Rowley. Visit HERE for full details. | | | | | The Gardenate App will help you and the kids plan your vegtable garden and will also help you to select what to plant in your region during May. Click HERE for access to the app. | | | Do you keep chickens?Visit HERE for a video developed by Dr Lou Baskind, District Vet for South East Local Land Services on how to keep healthy backyard chickens. More information can be found HERE. | | | | Become a Citizen Scientist! | | The Australian Citizen Science project finder - click HERE to find a project. Birdlife AustraliaThe first of the biannual surveys for swift Parrots and Honeyeaters has been cancelled and so while you are at home, Birdlife Australia would like you to monitor for critically endangered Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater in your backyard from 9 - 24 May. Visit HERE for more details. | | | The Australian Museum would like you to join one of their virtual expeditions as an online volunteer for DigiVol. Volunteers will get the opportunity to delve into the museum's collection and help to transcribe data from your home. Visit HERE for full details on how to get involved. Capturing Climate ChangeThis is an opportinity to share what you are seeing in your climate-changed corner of the world. Share your images and see what others are capturing HERE. Who's living on my land?Check HERE for a citizen science tool to help landholders monitor the native and pest species on their property.
| | | Voting is underway!Time is running out to have your say in the 2020 Local Land Services (LLS) Board elections! If you're an LLS ratepayer visit HERE to register today!
| | | | Sydney edible garden virtual trail The physical trail has been postponed until 2021. BUT you can now buy tickets to the 2020 Virtual Sydney Edible Garden Tour until June 30 HERE. | | | | International Compost Awareness Week (Australia) - 3-9 May“Better Soil, Better Life, Better Future”. Includes a composting photo competition from 3-29 May. Click HERE for more information. | | | | Wetland Education and Training Webinar - May 14Sign up for this webinar on urban constructed wetlands coordinated by Sydney Olympic Park in association with Society of Wetland Scienctists HERE. | | - NSW Local Land Services has opened the Supporting our neighbours - public land boundary fencing program to help bushfire-affected landholders with the cost of rebuilding boundary fences adjoining public lands. Private landholders who share a boundary with public land and were impacted by the recent bushfires are eligible to receive up to $5,000 per kilometre to contribute to the replacement of damaged boundary fences. Grants can be issued retrospectively to cover costs already incurred. Click HERE to apply or call 1300 778 080.
- The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment have opened the Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery Program that provides funding to support the immediate survival and long-term recovery and resilience for fire-affected Australian animals, plants and other natural assets. Applications close at 11.30 pm on 28 May. More information HERE.
- Macpac Fund for Good: Up to $10,000 for Environmental Projects. If you are part of a not-for-profit organisation working on environmental or social causes related to the outdoors, you may be eligible for a Macpac Fund for Good grant. Your activities need to be based in New Zealand or Australia, or their territories. For more information on the types of funding we provide, or to apply for a grant, please fill out this application form. 4 rounds are held each year - round 2 closes 30 April, round 3 closes 31 July.
- Keep an eye on the Wettenhall Environment Trust's Small Environmental Grant Scheme, with four rounds every year. Grants are usually under $10,000 and focus on flora and fauna conservation or threatened mammal conservation. Click HERE for more information,
- The Sunrise Project Small Grants - up to $5,000. The focus is on reducing the impact of coal and gas industries on ecosystems.
- Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal - 'Tackling the tough times together grants' are always open. These grants help communities access the resources they need to support one another through the ongoing effects of drought. Grants of up to $20,000 are now available across drought-affected communities nationally. For more information, click HERE
| | This project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust. | | |
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