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Hi *|FNAME|*. Welcome to our Winter Landcare news update for 2023. The BRRVLN (Border Ranges Richmond Valley Landcare Network) team collate semi-regular updates on upcoming opportunities, projects and events. We hope you find something of interest in this edition. If you don't wish to receive these emails, please unsubscribe in the footer below.
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Korinderie Ridge Regen Week
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The Korinderie Ridge Co-operative have set a date for the 20th annual Regen Week - a great opportunity to be a part of a long term conservation project in Northern NSW.
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Have your say about River Health
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Interested in joining a Wetland Group?
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Welcome to the Casino Wetland Group, a vibrant community dedicated to preserving and conserving our precious wetlands in the Casino region. If you have a passion for nature, and water ecosystems, and a desire to positively impact our environment, then you've come to the right place.
Our sub-group, operating under the larger umbrella of Landcare, is committed to protecting and restoring the unique wetland habitats that play a vital role in supporting diverse flora and fauna.
Join us in our mission to safeguard these invaluable ecosystems and foster a stronger connection with the natural world. Together, we can make a significant difference for future generations to come
Expression of interest meeting set for August 30th 2023 at the Casino Community Centre.
Register Here: https://forms.office.com/r/ytUZhrDmni
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Sounds of the Bush – Using acoustic monitoring in fauna conservation
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A Science in the Pub style event with presentations from David Newell, an ecologist from Southern Cross University with a long history in using acoustic monitoring devises to inform conservation efforts for threatened species and Mark Ambrose, an ecologist from Border Ranges Richmond Valley Landcare, sharing Landcare's koala acoustic monitoring project the event will carve the path for citizen scientists to become involved in a Richmond catchment wide koala monitoring program deploying monitors in the landscape and analysing and validating the data. This program contributes to strategic planning for conservation action for our Northern Rivers koalas. Presentations followed by a Q& A session and general discussion.
- Thursday 17 Aug
- 6:00pm - 8:00pm (AEST)
- Location: Kyogle (venue will be provided on registration)
- Places are limited and registration is essential
To register, please go to https://form.jotform.com/231848804728062 or email mark@brrvln.org.au
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National Landcare Network
NAIDOC Webinar
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Join the National Landcare Network For Our Elders - celebrating NAIDOC Week, and acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements.
Facilitator Natalie Sommerville (Landcare South Australia) will be joined by Elders from across the National Landcare Network.
Hear from Landcare Elders as they share their stories of connection to Country, Culture, and Community, and their Landcare stories.
'For Our Elders' will be livestreamed from 12pm AEST Wednesday12th July via zoom and facebook.
RSVP via Eventbrite for links and further information.
Presented by the National Landcare Network.
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Boxing Clever - Building Nest Box Monitoring Capacity Through Citizen Science
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BRRVLN, with financial support from WiRES, has started an exciting new project to train Citizen Scientists in monitoring artificial hollows, and collecting data which will be used to inform future conservation work.
It is thought that some 17% of Australian native wildlife depend on tree hollows for at least part of their life-cycle, including approximately 300 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Hollows provide shelter, refuge from predators, and raising young.
The catastrophic fires of 2019/20 destroyed many of the old (it can take 100 years for hollows to form) hollow-bearing trees, a resource already seriously depleted by logging and land clearing for agriculture and development. In response to these fires, a series of projects across the Northern Rivers resulted in the installation of hundreds of nest boxes and Hollow Hogs (artificial hollows created in living trees by a skilled arborist using specialised equipment) in fire affected areas.
A round of monitoring in the year or so after installation showed a remarkable uptake of these hollows by native species, even in some of the most fire-ravaged areas. This data provides a valuable tool for future projects, informing the selection of future sites and using the most effective artificial hollow designs.
So far, Under the Boxing Clever project, 20 volunteers have undergone training and are now out and about checking artificial hollows. The data they are collecting is being collated (also with the assistance of a volunteer) and will be used to make important decisions about how future projects proceed.
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Citizen Science Training Day – Rappville 2023
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Upper Richmond River Festival 2023
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18 events were held in April and May to raise awareness of the condition of the Upper Richmond River, the need to protect and enhance our river system and actions being taken to improve water quality and habitat.
Events included field trips to view erosion works installed over the last few years, education on the important role of riparian zones and wetlands, river stories, community tree plantings and a photography competition that reflected locals’ connections to the river.
Go to BRRVLN’s Facebook page for news about different events.
Thanks to festival partners Richmond Riverkeeper and Rous County Council, Casino Food Co-op, Soil Con NSW, North Coast Local Land Services
The festival was made possible by funding from the National Landcare Program.
We are hoping that the Festival will grow in 2024 to incorporate a larger part of the Richmond River catchment.
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Tecoma stans (Yellow Bells) and Giant Devils Fig targetted in the Larnook area
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The Border Ranges Richmond Valley Landcare Network was provided some funding through the NSW Government – North Coast Weeds Action Program to support Mackellar Range Landcare members and Landholders in the Larnook / Cawongla communities with targeted ‘Containment listed’ weed management activities.
As part of this project BRRVLN and Rous County Council held a weeds workshop at the Larnook Public School on the 5th of April attended by 22 people discussing best practice weed control and weed priorities for the area.
6 properties received small grants to get assistance in undertaking control of priority ‘Containment listed’ weeds with a focus on Tecoma stans (Yellow Bells) and Giant devils fig covering 19 hectares.
For more information on weed management go to NSW WeedWise
The objective of this funding is to:
- promote and enhance community capacity for weed management
- enhance understanding of Biosecurity duty with relation to weed management and the priorities identified within the North Coast Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan
- contain / manage impacts of widespread weeds with a focus on ‘containment; listed weeds in the target area.
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Weeds from top to bottom: Tecoma stans, Cockspur coral tree, Giants Devils Fig, Cestrum, Pepperberry, Groundsel, Asparagus vine, Golden Rain tree.
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Landslips - Landcare Steps up
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The devastating floods of February and March 2022 resulted in hundreds of landslips across the Northern Rivers. While there were waves of community effort and support services being rolled out to assist with flooded homes and devastated primary industry properties, landholders affected by landslides on conservation properties seemed to fall through the gaps. Reaching out through the Landcare community, we found many landholders overwhelmed and at a loss as to what to do.
So, four Landcare networks united to slide into the landslip realm and muster support tailored to this issue. Accessing funding from WWF, Northern Rivers Community Foundation and North Coast Local Land Services we set off on a steep learning curve, facilitating landslip assessments with soil conservationists, bush regenerators and geoengineers and commencing the challenging journey of stabilization and remediation.
To date we have acheived:
- 49 Landslide Remediation plans developed
- Over $300,000 of on the ground remediation works
- Over 3 ha of earthworks completed
- 1.5 ha of sediment control
- 8.5 hectares of weed control
- 5 ha of tree planting
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Jagun Alliance currently have job opportunities available. Please spread the word.
Jagun Alliance are looking for:
2 x Ranger (Aboriginal identified). Applications close next week on Monday 10 July
1 x Project Manager. Applications close next week on Tuesday 11 July
Position Descriptions available:
https://www.jagunalliance.org.au/work-with-us
Any enquiries can be directed to Jagun Alliance's Program Manager Richard Geddes. You can reach Richard on 0477 290 594 or richardgeddes@jagunalliance.org.au
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Position Available - Project Manager Richmond Landcare Inc
Project Manager – Nature-Based Solutions – Building Flood Resilience in the Lismore Catchment
Company/Organization: Richmond Landcare Inc
Location: Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
Remuneration: $100,000 to $110,000 full-time, 3-year, fixed term, plus superannuation
More information here
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Volunteers completing restoration works
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Kyogle Landcare’s dedicated team is currently working on multiple projects to enhance our environment.
Key initiatives are –
- Enacting the Flying Fox Camp Management Plan in partnership with Kyogle Council. The aim is to extend the roosting habitat. To date over 4000 trees have been planted!
- Work is continuing along a gully that leads into Fawcett’s Creek. This involves control and removal of invasive weed species and planting native species in their place. This work was made possible by a Fish Habitat Action Grant from DPI.
- Weed control and strategic plantings are taking place from the Barry McPhail bridge to halfway along the showground. This area will have over 1000 native species replace the invasive weeds that dominate the site. This has been made possible by a grant from the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife.
- With funding from Rous County Council we are eradicating Job’s Tears from the entire length of Horseshoe Creek (approx. 18 km)
- We have also received another grant to undertake the removal of Madeira Vine, Balloon Vine, Night Jasmin & Devil’s Fig from a 1.2 km section of Upper Horseshoe Creek.
As well we continue to supply trees that grow over 3m for free to the community.
It’s not all work. Join us to meet like-minded individuals.
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Kyogle Landcare Nursery
Alcorn Park Kyogle
Open Tuesday and Saturday 9am -11am
Plants:
$1 each for members
$2 each for non members
For a limited time some trees that grow over 3 metres are free to Kyogle shire residents (T&C's apply)
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Roseberry Creek Landcare Group
Community Resilience Fire Trail Project
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Roseberry Creek Landcare is poised to oversee contractor works to clear an old fire trail linking Roseberry Creek to Grevillia - up, over, and down onto Summerland Way at Grevillia, reducing travel time by Grevillia Fire Brigade and northern brigades to Roseberry Creek. The trail also passes under the western side of Mt Ida, prone to lightning strikes, previously a site for backburning. Adjoining trails along the top saddle will be cleared, and dropping south and north, providing safe turnarounds and further emergency access options to Roseberry Creek or The Gorge.
The community of Roseberry Creek rallied to write letters of support to be a core part of the Community Resilience submission for a Local Government Recovery Grant which was delivered by Kyogle Council. Seven Landholders have given permission to have the fire trail cleared through their properties for use by emergency services. Our single road valley was fortunate to escape the Border Fire of 2019. Imminent restoration of the fire trail has lifted our community spirits.
Follow on events & projects are building our community capacity to manage our fire landscape and safety for all.
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Friends of the Koala Raises Alarm as Koala Car Hits Surge in the Northern Rivers
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Friends of the Koala, the leading koala conservation organisation in the Northern Rivers, is deeply concerned about the alarming rise in the number of koala car hits in the region. The organisation is urging the public to exercise heightened caution while driving to avoid further harm to all wildlife. If you see a koala that looks injured, dead or is close to a road, call their 24/7 rescue team (02 6622 1233) immediately.
Over the past month, Friends of the Koala has witnessed a distressing surge in koala car hits across the Northern Rivers, with six koalas dying just this week due to vehicle strikes. These incidents not only pose a significant threat to the survival of koalas but also highlight the urgent need for increased awareness and responsible action from drivers.
The organisation offers the following recommendations:
1. Reduce speed: wildlife is often difficult to spot from a distance, especially at night, and can cross the road unexpectedly. Lowering your speed will give you more time to react and avoid collisions.
2. Be cautious: Pay extra attention when driving through areas identified as wildlife habitat, or where signage indicates recent sightings.
3. Report every koala you see close to a road immediately, whether they appear healthy, injured or dead.
4. If you can, stay with the animal until a rescuer attends. If you cannot stay, try to be as exact as possible about the location: specific addresses, GPS points or landmarks are incredibly helpful.
6. Save the phone numbers of Northern Rivers wildlife rescue organisations in your phone, so you are ready to report any sightings
Koalas - Friends of the Koala 02 6622 1233
Instagram Facebook
Other wildlife -
Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers 6628 1866,
WIRES 1300 094 737,
Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers 02 6672 4789
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Roseberry Creek Local Signs Conservation Agreement
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Firestories Reflections from Northern Rivers locals on the 2019/2020 bushfires A group of creatives have documented people's experiences as part of the Fire Stories project, delivered by Kyogle Family Support Services and funded by the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund. Stories have been recorded in written and audio format.
The creative team behind the project are: Jarrah Dundler, Anastasia Guise, Jodie Harris, Ben Belle, Jimmy Malecki and Daniel Taylor. There's a wonderful diversity of voices and experiences represented, the team have done a beautiful job capturing them. It's well worth checking out via link Stories | Fire Stories.
One story to highlight is that of Gullibul Elder Aunty Kali - an inspirational force for our region's threatened wildlife species
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New Book - Weed Biosecurity Priority Weeds of the Far North Coast NSW
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Rous County Council have recently released a new book, Weed Biosecurity: Priority Weeds of the Far North Coast NSW. This free resource supports residents in the Far North Coast, NSW, to identify more than 80 priority weeds (under the Biosecurity Act 2015) that could be in their own backyards. The book also provides information about what weeds look like, control techniques, and the biosecurity duty we all share as a community. Together, we are working to protect the region from the threat posed by some of the most invasive weeds and help reduce the negative impacts on our environment, economy, and way of life. To download your free Priority Weeds copy, go to www.rous.nsw.gov.au/weed-resources.
For further information visit: rous.nsw.gov.au/ or follow us on facebook.com/RousCountyCouncil
Copies also available from the BRRVLN Office.
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Photos of Tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum), an Eradication species, and a weed of concern on the Far North Coast.
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Grants are available via the following programs, currently open or opening soon:
Habitat Action Grants forecast to open on 1st of August – good to get project ideas and quotes ready. Stay tuned and see guidelines from last years program at Habitat Action Grants (nsw.gov.au)
- Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants - contribute to the success, vibrancy and wellbeing of remote, rural and regional communities nationwide. Opens 11 July, closes 10 August.
- ANZ Seeds of Renewal - helping to build vibrant and sustainable rural communities and ensure the ongoing prosperity of regional Australia. Opens 12 July, closes 10 August.
- Strengthening Rural Communities - Round 18 (announced late November 2023):
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Need help with an erosion problem?
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Private Land Conservation Agreements for properties with Koala habitat
WWF-Australia, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, the Biodiversity Conservation Trust and Envite Environment have partnered to invest funds and incentivise permanent conservation agreements for landholders to protect, restore and manage koala habitat on their land in the Northern Rivers.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Privately owned land within the Northern Rivers shires / Councils - incl Lismore, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley.
- Minimum 20 hectares of moderate to good condition koala habitat (koala records, mapped koala habitat, presence of preferred koala food trees)
- Exceptions will be considered for smaller sized properties with resident (breeding) koala populations and other conservation values
- Be willing to enter into an on-going conservation agreement with BCT
Funding of up to $45,000 over 3 years is available for eligible activities within the conservation area, with on-going support options thereafter. You may also be eligible for discounts on Council Rates and Land Tax.
This funding can support qualified contractors to undertake native vegetation restoration planning, weed control, fencing, pest animal control, revegetation, fire management, repairs to existing features such as tracks to maintain the conservation area and project or grant management support.
For more information contact: Fiona Dawson | Koala Habitat Restoration Ecologist | Envite Environment - Ph 0427 957277 fionad@envite.org.au
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If you would like to share your events, project news and opportunities with the broader Landcare community in the next issue of the BRRVLN e-news please send your article to landcare.support@brrvln.org.au
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Our office location and hours
40 Summerland Way
Kyogle
Tuesday and Thursday 10-2pm
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