�No. 85, September - October 20��

LandchatLandcare in the Southern New England, No. 85, September - October 20��

Diary DatesWoodland Week activities ..............24 Sep - 4 OctPasture Update Day ..................................... 11 OctRaymond Borland Bequest Grants ............ 16 OctHolistic Management course .................26-27 OctMember survey closing date ...................... 28 OctRural Women’s Network Field Trip .........18 Nov2012 Landcare Adventure .....................26-27 MarSustainable Farming Tour USA ............May 2012

Southern New England Landcare...Our VISION is for a vibrant, socially and economically healthy community existing in a healthy, productive and biodiverse environment.

Our MISSION is to foster community participation in sustainable natural resource management.

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at the heart of our community

Continued on page �

Balala -Brushgrove Landcare Group: NSW Community Group Champions!The NSW State Landcare Awards were held at Parkes on Tuesday 6th September, and Balala - Brushgrove Landcare Group took out the 2011 Toshiba Community Group award!

Delighted members Jody McNally (Chairperson), Geoff McNally and Jill Moore-Kashima represented the group at the awards.

“I believe it is the strong community spirit and down to earth friendly attitude of members that makes it such a great landcare group”, said Ms Jody McNally.

Balala - Brushgrove landcare group is located in the region between Uralla and Kingstown with some 35 members ranging from those with large holdings to those with hobby farms.

The group was first formed in 1989 by some concerned and innovative graziers who wanted to tackle issues of weed invasion and pasture decline.

Since its inception the group has actively engaged the community in pasture and soil projects, trials and workshops with focuses ranging from soil health, grazing management, erosion control and riparian and waterway health.

The group published a booklet entitled ‘Pinrush and Grazing Management Trials Summary Technical Report 1991-1998’ (Dr Christine Jones, 2006) which has been such a popular reference for New England farmers that a second edition was printed.

The most recent trial conducted by the group has been looking at bentonite clay as a soil additive to improve the water holding capacity of the groups predominantly granite soils. This initial trial is ongoing to 2013 and will hopefully have some interesting results which may lead larger scale trials.

The group has always been strong in sharing ideas and information and always has a thirst to learn more.

The group is currently focusing on wetland health and welcomes everyone to an exploration day on 23rd October (details in this Landchat).

2Landchat - Landcare in Southern New England

Continued from page �

Wet Patch Exploration DayDo you have a wet, boggy or reedy patch on your land?

Chances are it is a significant wetland. So what?

Come along and explore the significance of that wet patch on your farm. How can you make the most of it? To fence or not to fence? To graze or not to graze?

The answers to these questions and many more will be explored at a Wet Patch Exploration Day in the Balala-Brushgrove area west of Uralla and everyone is welcome.

Speakers include:

Nic Cobcroft (Wetlands Specialist, HiCUB/SNELCC

Peter Metcalfe (Environmental Biologist)

Dorothy Bell (Wetlands botanist, UNE)

Bob Haworth (Wetlands Geologist/Geographer, UNE)

The day will begin at intersection of Kingstown Rd & Retreat Rd (20 km along Kingstown Rd from Uralla) at 10 am Sunday 23rd October 2011.

We will be visiting a number of local wetlands throughout the day.

BYO gumboots. A BBQ lunch will be available for a small donation to cover costs. Tea and coffee will be provided.

For more information contact: John Davidson 6772 1296 or Jody McNally 6778 7109, email mcnally.kyeema@gmail.com.

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A group of around 30 from the New England North West travelled down to Parkes in early September to attend the 2011 NSW Landcare and Catchment Management Forum, Muster and Landcare Awards.

With assistance from the Border Rivers Gwydir CMA and Northern Rivers CMA, Regional Award winners and other community members travelled by coach, to Parkes, where they spent three days contributing to discussions on the future of Landcare, listening to speakers on topics ranging from human health and our food, to the carbon farming initiative, and seeing first-hand landcare projects in and around the Parkes district.

A highlight was the inspiring presentations by the awards finalists, which culminated in a night of festivities at the Awards presentation dinner.

Congratulations to Balala-Brushgrove Landcare Group, represented by Jodie and Geoff McNally and Jill Moore-Kashima, who won the Community Group Award.

Congratulations also to our other finalists, and thanks to the following for representing our area: Tanya and Leslie Patterson, Gordon Williams, Gordon and Valma Bell, Helen Schwarz, Bruce Whan, Sonia Williams and Bec Ballard.

Congratulations to Parkes and District Landcare and the Lachlan and Central West CMAs for hosting the event.

Many thanks to New England North West Landcare Regional Landcare Facilitator, Jennie Coldham for a superb job in organizing the bus and accommodation for our contingent and to the CMAs for assisting with costs – this was a great opportunity to network and build links between Landcarers across our region.

Report from Murrimbidgee Landcare Inc Chair Professor Ted Wolfe Hello everyone,

I attended the second and third days of the NSW Landcare Forum in Parkes on September 6 and 7.

Contrary to my expectations, I enjoyed it very much. I was somewhat wary because the program featured speakers who were belief- and idea-driven, with little balancing content from the scientific-technical side.

However, I accept that the Landcare movement depends on passionate people with the beliefs and energy to steer a course that is midway between techno-optimism and enviro-pessimism.

Much of the Forum was about the future and many of the speakers were indeed persuasive about the need to lessen our dependence on chemicals, pills, corporations and growth.

My conclusions, as a scientist and now as a Landcarer, are that evidence (from science) and beliefs (from passionate people) are not mutually exclusive.

Both are needed to make intelligent decisions about the future on topics such as the use of fertilisers,

The National Landcare awards will be held in Sydney in 2012 where Balala - Brushgrove Landcare Group will represent NSW and compete for the prestigious national title.

For further information on the group please contact Jody at mcnally.kyeema@gmail.com or 6778 7109 (ah).

Above: Jody McNally receives the �0�� Com-munity Group Award on behalf of our very own Balala-Brushgrove Landcare Group!

Celebration of Landcare the 2011 Landcare & Catchment Managment Forum

�No. 85, September - October 20��

VALE John Winter-Irvingpharmaceuticals (pill-popping?), beneficial microbes, carbon trading and landscape regeneration.

Some of the talks at the Forum, such as the one from Richard Neville (former editor of the naughty 1960s OZ magazine) were most entertaining, while Ian Thompson (DAFF, Landcare champion) demonstrated his understanding of what Landcare is all about and Garry Reynolds (Caring for our country) outlined an inspiring vision for Landcare (creating a land ‘fit for heroes’, in line with the centenary of ANZAC 1914-18). Rob Gell (National President of Greening Australia) was a capable and well informed chair of two important panel discussions (The Future for Landcare and the Carbon Farming Initiative).

All speakers were informative. Several provided ‘quotable quotes’, such as:

Mandi Stevenson (Landcare NSW Chairperson) - "Landcare is taking on the role of the 'sentinel chickens'" and "Landcare - a grassroots organisation with our boots on the Minister's table."

Richard Neville - "The future isn't what it used to be."

Allan Curtis (Professor of Environmental Management, CSU at Albury) - "Landcare has made a difference, it has not had its day, the job will never be over."

Tom Nicholas (Healthy Soils Australia Chair) - "If you don't claim the carbon that you fix (in your soils and vegetation), then someone else will."

Tony Windsor (Parliamentarian) - "We don't want the foot-soldiers of Landcare to be left behind by the bureaucratic process," (in dealing with water and carbon).

Clockwise from right:

New England North West Landcarers take a break at the first day of the forum; Jody McNally holding the Balala-Brushgrove Community Group Award is congratulated by other SNELCC members; Elvis joined the fun and frivolity at the Awards night; Landcare Man was captured in this shot among several swooning Landcare Coordinators and Facilitators - he has a long-standing reputation as being quite the chick magnet!

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It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected loss of our highly esteemed and hard working Chairman, John Winter-Irving.

John died while working on one of the six properties that he ran with the help of his wife Ona on behalf of the family partnership.

John was in the third year of his Chairmanship of Southern New England Landcare and has been a dedicated worker for Landcare and particularly for SNELCC for close on 20 years.

In his role as Chair he was able to bring a perspective that balanced traditional agricultural with alternative environmental approaches.

John had a great interest in grazing management and over the last couple of years had been full of enthusiasm and excitement over the results that he and Ona were achieving through

implementation of the techniques and practices learnt through the AIMS workshops and focus groups.

He and Ona had been developing and working on a long term biodiversity plan on their home property ‘Noorilim’ at Wongwibinda for many years, and were beginning to enjoy the fruits of their labour in waterway and vegetation protection, and tree planting.

John recently spoke, at a local Landcare meeting about the ultimate impressive effect of continuous tiny steps over many years.

John was not only involved with Landcare at the group and network level, he represented Southern New England Landcare at the regional level, and through his role as Deputy Chair of New England North West Landcare Network Chairs, he ensured that Landcare had a strong voice in order to retain and build support from our CMAs.

Few of us at SNELCC will forget John’s ready smile and infectious laugh, his enthusiasm, and his dignified and thoughtful approach to his job as Chair.

We will miss him greatly. He leaves behind a huge hole in the Wongwibinda and wider New England districts that will not be easily filled.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes to his wife Ona, his daughters Alice, Airlie and Sarah, and to his mother Pat and sisters Coco and Rhea.

�Landchat - Landcare in Southern New England

The coming of Spring has set off a flurry of activity in the HiCUB project with new activities taking place all over the Tablelands.

The highlight of the next few weeks will be ‘Woodland Week’, where activities ranging from woodland walks, tree planting, bushcare to spotlighting are open to all.

Community Co-ordinator, Brenda Shepherd, said “This is an excellent opportunity for parents to give children on holiday a new and exciting experience, learn about and become more aware of their bushland’s plants, animals and birds.

“All activities are free and details of times and meeting locations are on the HiCUB website at www.hicub.org.au, or can be seen on posters around the towns,” she said.

Open Day @ DrummondStarting with an Open Day at Drummond Park on Saturday September 24th, there will be wildflower walks and Bushcare toursfollowed by a free barbecue lunch then after that, a Wildflower and Fauna Search, led by fauna ecologist Phil Spark, through Drummond Park andSnowgums Woodland.

Spotlighting @ UNESaturday evening, starting from the Northern Car Park of the University at 6.30pm, Phil Spark will lead a spotlighting expedition- this is an

opportunity to see possums, gliders and perhaps a Boobook owl.

Bush regeneration @ UrallaUralla will be the focus for Sunday 25th with bush regeneration on Mt Mutton then again on Friday 30th with a nestbox building workshop at 4 pm.

Mrs Shepherd said, “Nest boxes, for birds, sugar gliders and possums will be pre-cut for people to assemble and learn all about their value and maintenance.

“There will be dinner catered by the newly-formed Lions Club, then everyone can follow Phil Spark on the spotlighting expedition to Mt Mutton,”she said.

Expedition @ Ben LomondBen Lomond Landcare group have joined with the HiCUB team to put on an expedition, starting 2.45 pm, led by Dave Carr and Phil Spark, to a pristine site for native vegetation at the railway cutting.

There will be a super campfire dinner at 6 pm at Ryanda Creek Rd followed by Phil Spark leading a spotlighting tour on the Brothers. The dinner requires registration at the SNELCC office please, 6772 9123.

Woodland Walk @ WalchaWalcha Town Common will be the site for a woodland walk, starting 9.30am, led by botanist Lachlan Copeland and Phil Spark, to find out

all about the plants and animals in the area.

Family Day @ ArmidaleArmidale Tree Group Grassy Woodland Field Day, on Saturday 1st October, at Mike O’Keefe Woodland, 80 Mann St. will provide a great family day with guest speakers on native plants and birds, grassland trials, direct seeding, wildflower planting, jumping castle, community tree planting, advice, plant sales and a free barbecue.

Grand Finale @ WalchaFinale of the week is the official launch by Hon Richard Torbay of the Apsley River Corridor Works at Walcha on Tuesday 4th October. There will be a bumper morning tea from 10.30 am on the riverbank followed by the opening and a planting of grasses and shrubs down near the water’s edge.

Mrs Shepherd said, “This is a significant event for Walcha as a major project inside the levee will improve the water flow and quality, improve the biodiversity of the stream as well as making the area so much more attractive for the locals and visitors.”

Spring is a great time to get out and appreciate the woodlands around these high country towns, so put on your boots, grab a hat and water bottle and join in these activities during Woodland Week.

Woodland Week!

5No. 85, September - October 20��

Above: The graceful beauty of Eucalyptus dalrympleana. Photo by Nic Cobcroft.

�Landchat - Landcare in Southern New England

Engineered woodlands are whole paddock, wide-spaced tree plantings engineered to integrate traditional agriculture with income producing trees.

The project established 17 demonstration sites during 2007 and 2008. On each site, fixed tree monitoring transects were established to follow the fate of the plantings each year.

Tree measurements have continued on all of these sites during the winter of 2010 and/or 2011 (except for the Inverell North site which has changed ownership and is no longer part of the project).

After 4 years the average survival rate is about 80% and varies from 40% at Thomas Lagoon to 95% at the Duri site (see Figure 1). Most losses occurred in the first year of establishment (which is common for most tree plantings) although the drought season of 2009/2010 saw a further 10 to 15% loss rate for most tableland sites.

Tree growth rates on most sites have been very good, averaging approximately 90 cm per year in height growth. Height growth ranges from an average 51 cm/year at the Thomas Lagoon site to 140 cm/year at Duri (see Figure 2). Variation in height growth is largely attributable to site factors (e.g. frost, soil type, drainage) and establishment practice

(particularly the success of early weed control). The tallest trees range from 5 to 8 m on each site in 2011. Virtually all sites now have trees large enough to allow access for grazing, with some sites (e.g. at Wollun) having had sheep grazing as early as the second season after establishment.

Tree survival rates have not been equal across all species, particularly after the 2009/2010 drought season. Generally all of the principal slopes species (river red gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis, mugga ironbark E. sideroxylon and Chinchilla white gum E. argophlioa) survived the dry very well with losses averaging just 2 to 5% between 2009 and 2011. However there was variation in drought losses amongst the principal tableland tree species (manna gum E. viminalis, shining gum E. nitens and snow gum E. pauciflora). Shining gum appeared most susceptible to drought with losses averaging 16% on each tableland site between 2009 and 2011 (see Figure 3), despite individual trees being well established and often 3 to 5 m tall at the point of death. Manna gum was most resilient with a loss rate of just 4% and snow gum was intermediate with an average of 8% losses between 2009 and 2011.

One of the findings of the project is the confirmation that shining gum must be used with caution in farm tree plantings on the Northern Tablelands of NSW. Despite rapid

Engineered Woodlands Project How are the trees going?Figure 1. Engineered Woodlands Project - average tree survival on each site in the first 3 to 4 years after planting (winter 2011)

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Figure 3 Engineered Woodlands Project - death rates (largely due to drought) of the 3 principal species planted on 8 tableland sites between 2009 and 2011.

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growth rates (highest of all tableland species) the species has proven somewhat frost sensitive and intolerant of drought. It is best suited to mid-slope positions (susceptible to frost on lower slopes and valley floors and susceptible to dryness on upper slopes and ridges) on sites with deep soils and good rainfall.

Fortunately for the Engineered Woodlands project all demonstration sites had a mix of species planted and even with significant losses of individual species on some sites, the vast majority now have well stocked belts of trees providing good shade, shelter and other important ecosystem functions to their landscapes.

The Engineered Woodlands Project was an initiative of the Northern Inland Forestry Investment Group (NIFIG) a sub-committee of Regional Development Australia - North-ern Inland – Co funded by the Namoi CMA for sites within the Namoi catchment and the Border Rivers/Gwydir CMA for sites within the Gwydir catchment.

�No. 85, September - October 20��

How Relevant is Southern New England Landcare?Your thoughts are needed...

How relevant is Southern New England Landcare to your needs or the needs of your farming business?

How important are the services we offer? What services could we offer into the future?

What changes would most improve our organisation?

Southern New England Landcare is currently in high demand from the many organisations and individuals who value our member network in order to offer information, education, research, or incentives to achieve environmental outcomes.

As always, Southern New England Landcare’s primary goal is to provide valued and relevant services to our MEMBERS, and to this end we are seeking YOUR opinion on how services could be improved.

We are asking members to complete a short survey questionnaire online at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/SNELCCMemberSurvey

If you would like your thoughts and ideas included in the final report to the Board at the AGM in November, please take the survey by COB Friday 28th October 2011.

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Over the past months Southern New England Landcare has taken several opportunities to promote its members achievements to those who are influential in making the decisions which impact on our farming operations. Below is a quick recap on each of these events.

In the field with Ross Garnaut

The Garnaut Climate Change Review (www.garnautreview.org.au) has helped shape governments climate and carbon policy. Thus we felt it important to showcase local projects that highlight the role that farmers play in the carbon cycle.

Ross King and Shane Andrews presented the Lower Apsley Carbon project results; Tim Wright Judi Earl and Christine Jones presented the findings of the grazing trials – highlighting the role of pastures and grazing management in the sequestering of soil carbon. In addition the work of Land Water Wool Northern Tablelands project was use to show that any carbon policy should sure it has a whole picture result, so that an improved ecosystem, not merely sequestered carbon is the end result.

Many thanks to Tim and Karen Wright for hosting the day, and making the opportunity available.

A dinner with General Major Michael JefferiesGeneral Major Michael Jefferies AC, AO(Mil), CVO, MC(Retd) ex Govenor General, now Chair of Outcomes Australia (www.outcomesaustralia.org.au) an independent non political organization that brings together Australians who are passionate about implementing proven solutions that deliver better results.

Southern New England Landcare: Influencing those with Influence

Their Soils for Life project is currently investigating the best possible interventions for the regeneration and sustainable management of Australia’s land and waterways, so it was indeed a great opportunity to highlight the work being done in our region, have our members learn about the Outcomes Australia project and generally get to discuss these issue with a new audience.

Many thanks to all those who made themselves available to attend the dinner on such short notice, and a particular thanks to John Winter-Irving and Tim and Karen Wright.

On farm with Tony Abbott Southern New England Landcare also accepted an opportunity to discuss the carbon issue with the Leader of the opposition Tony Abbot, Barnaby Joyce, and Senator John Williams, during their recent visit to the New England.

Using the Taylor’s property “The Hill” as our backdrop, we showcased the many years of landcare work undertaken, which has provided

not only economic and biodiversity benefits, but has improved the carbon sequestration at the farm level. In particular we used the Engineered Woodlands project and its findings, as well as the Land Water Wool project, to highlight the importance of supporting the community model of landcare to promote ownership and adoption of change resulting in improved outcomes at the farm and regional levels.

Many thanks to the Taylor family for hosting the day (in the midst of shearing) and to Kentucky Public School for catering.

8Landchat - Landcare in Southern New England

Staff changesYou will notice a few changes in and around the SNELCC office over the next few months.

Alice Devlin will be on extended leave, as she takes a secondment working on contract with the Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA for the next few months. Alice has built a great rapport with many of our groups and members, and we all wish her well as she learns new skills. We are hopeful she will return early in the new year!

Bec Ballard will be on medical leave for October and November – we all wish her a speedy recovery. Bec’s mastery of project management will be sorely missed over this time, so please bear with us as we adjust!

And Lucy Chapman has headed off for a month tripping around Australia with her family, but will be back on board mid October.

To help us cope with all the changes, Robyn Brazier, who has been working with us for several months now will do a few extra days a week over the next month in the front office.

Ellen Nyberg, will be working full time taking on some of Alice’s HiCUB roles, and general support for the HiCUB project and the SNELCC office.

The rest of the HiCUB team are working flat out with a very busy spring, and Emily Ingram will join us on a casual basis to assist with the numerous field days and expos that are occurring over the next few months.

Chris Whackett will continue with on ground project inspections and support, and Mahri Koch, formerly Community Support Officer with GLENRAC at Glen Innes, will work for three days a week, until the end of January, to ensure that the outcomes of our Cross Catchment CSO contract with Border Rivers Gwydir and Northern Rivers CMAs can be fulfilled.

We hope you will bear with us during this time of staff and board upheaval - we will do our best!

Board changes With the sudden and unexpected loss of Chair, John Winter-Irving, Vice Chair Steve Harvey has taken over the leadership of your organistion.

Current Board members ask that you all consider nominating to stand for a directorship of Southern New England Landcare at the upcoming AGM, to be held Thursday 11th November.

If you would like to discuss what is involved please call any of our current Directors - Steve Harvey, Karen Zirkler, Sally Wright, Richard Maclean, Michael Taylor, Caroline Street, or the Executive Officer Sonia Williams.

Renewed supportOver the past year there has been a renewed focus on supporting Landcare from both the State and Federal governments, and Southern New England Landcare has been active in ensuring that there is a grass roots perspective presented to governments as they go about implementing their intentions.

Regional support Several Regional Landcare Facilitators (RLFs) who are directly answerable to the landcare community have been employed by a partnership of Landcare Networks across the New England North West.

Jennie Coldham, former Landcare Co-ordinator for Granite Borders Landcare has been working as the Tablelands/Slopes RLF, and has been tasked with providing support to the five Landcare networks and their staff, and developing cross regional projects. She also operates as an interface with the CMAs to put a Landcare perspective forward at every opportunity.

State SupportLandcare used to be strongly supported at the State level, however since the advent of the Regional NRM bodies (CMAs in NSW), no State level coordination for Landcare has occurred. This has resulted in differing levels of support for Landcare, depending on which CMA area you are in.

Landcare NSW is a body which has operated over the past few years to ensure that landcare has a say in how various programs are rolled out. Through regionally endorsed representatives, your views help shape a case for Landcare support, which was recently recognized by the announcement of $2 M over four years to help support Landcare activity across NSW.

Federal SupportCommunity Action Grants provided under Caring for our Country (CfOC) provide simple funding for small scale group projects.

Are you missing out on e-news?Those of you reading this newsletter will know it contains valuable information about events that are happening in the area as well as funding opportunities that may be available.

The problem is… lots of things are going on in between each edition of this newsletter that may be of interest to you. So, how do we let you know?

Many of our readers are already benefiting from the solution – e-news, sent by email.

SNELCC has a fortnightly e-news email which promotes events and opportunities for you and if we have your email address we can add you to this fortnightly broadcast.

The e-news is very brief and contains no attachments to be downloaded, instead it contains links to our website for further information.

If you are not receiving e-news and would like to, please contact the office today and provide your email address: mail@snelcc.org.au or phone 02 6772 9123.

Please note that we do not share our email distribution list with anyone.

Changes in the SNELCC Office

�No. 85, September - October 20��

Large scale projects are funded under the Open Call round of CfOC, and last week projects funded via the department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) were announced.

There were a large number of projects awarded to Landcare Networks, and the New England North West region received funding for seven projects, equating to 25% of funds received in NSW! Well done to our Landcare Coordinators and RLFs who put these complex applications together to address issues identified by you. See box for details of project that will occur in our area.

Please watch further editions of Landchat for how these will be rolled out. We are still waiting to hear the results of CfOC project funded via the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water Population and Community (SEWPAC).

Pest Animal Management and Landholder Engagement in New England NSW $190,300:NEW ENGLAND NORTH WEST LANDCARE NETWORK CHAIRS INC

This project will reduce the threats to endangered ecological communities and threatened species in the NSW New England region. The project will raise awareness about the impact of pest animals such as pigs, foxes, wild dogs and rabbits on natural assets and agricultural production. Landholders will be engaged in cooperative programs to control and manage these pests.

Developing and Delivering Sustainable Farms in the Southern New England Region $162,800:SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND LANDCARE LTD

Sustainable farm practice for landholders workshops and a recognised sustainable grazing course will improve grazing management and native vegetation enhancement and protection. Landholders will devise action plans to increase soil carbon content and improve the extent and condition of native vegetation on their properties.

“The outcomes of Holistic Management are miraculous…...in terms of our climate situation Holistic Management is going to be one of the key tools we have at our disposal,” according to Tim Flannery in a recent ABC interview. The imperative to increase biodiversity, regenerate soils and build soil carbon, improve water use efficiency and increase productivity are all well recognised, and according to Dr Judi Earl, Holistic management provides a process to achieve all of these outcomes. Judi Earl has long held the view that grazing livestock, managed appropriately, are the most powerful tool we have to regenerate our grasslands. Now, scientists such as Tim Flannery and Peter Cosier from the Wentworth Group are beginning to concur, having both recently visited Tim and Karen Wright’s property “Lana” to see that potential for themselves. In a recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald, Flannery stated, “I believe that in a world facing a food shortage and a climate crisis, livestock represent a potent weapon in the fight to stabilise our climate.”On 26 and 27 October, Judi will be presenting the first module of the Holistic Management program on “Billabong” Inverell. “Billabong” is managed holistically by Glenn

Morris, a long term advocate of healthy soils and regenerative land management. The training program has been revised so that at least 50% of the training is outdoors, on the land. Participants not only get to hear the theory from a well recognised teacher but also see for themselves how holistic management can be practically applied from a range of experienced holistic managers.Numbers are strictly limited in the program to allow all participants the opportunity to generate ideas and create plans that deal specifically with your issues on your land with your resources. Ten days of face to face interaction over three training sessions and follow up in a 12 month period ensure participants have a sound knowledge of holistic management and can effectively apply the principles to their own unique situation.Join the industry leaders in understanding the principles of regenerative land management and profitability by enrolling now. The program is FarmReady approved and rebates are available for multiple registrations.For more information on the benefits of holistic management visit www.holisticmanagement.org. For more information on the training program or to register call Judi on 0409 151 969 or email judi@aimsag.com.au.

Holistic Management Opportunity

�0Landchat - Landcare in Southern New England

What’s new & happening?Rural Women’s Network kicks off!The first workshop for the DAFF funded, Southern New England Women Adapting to Changing Landscapes program was held on the 13th of September at the Wicklow Hotel in Armidale.

A dynamic group of women with a range of backgrounds and from properties as far south as Yarrowitch and north of Guyra met to learn about ‘Managing Climate Risk’. NSW DPI Agricultural Climatologist, Michael Cashen, travelled from Wagga Wagga to present the PROfarm accredited course to the network participants.

The group learned about Australian Climate Influences, including four mischievous climate dogs, named ENSO, Indy, Sam and Ridgy. Have a look at the Victorian DPI website for more information http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-managment/weather-climate/understanding-weather-and-climate/climatedogs.

The group looked at 100 years of local rainfall and temperature data for Armidale and Uralla and talked about potential climatic changes that may be possible in the future. We also discussed potential local repercussions and reviewed the vulnerability of our region in terms of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity to climatic changes.

Participants were also shown some of the great features available from the Bureau of Meteorology website www.bom.gov.au that can be utilised to help make decisions on farm.

There has been fantastic feedback from the group participants about the day and we are already looking forward to the next workshop in November. There are still a few places available in the program so if you would like to join the network contact the Southern New England Landcare office.

The next workshop will be on the 18th of November. The “Making the Most of It” bus trip to Guyra will cover topics such as grazing enterprises, income diversification including pastured eggs and organic potatoes. Guest speaker,

Annette Cowie, UNE will also join the group to talk about food miles and what this means for agriculture. This will be a great day ‘out in the field’, looking at what some women are doing in agriculture at Guyra.

Community Project PlanningThrough valued support from the Namoi CMA two community meetings are being held, as this edition of Landchat goes to print, to discuss potential environmental and sustainable agriculture projects for the upper Namoi catchment.

The Glen Morrison and Woolbrook/Bendemeer meetings will allow landholders and community members to discuss potential issues in their area as well as develop ideas for future projects. As funding opportunities become more targeted we are required to plan projects in advance. Community meetings are a great way to do this. They are also a great opportunity for everyone to get together and catch up.

The Glen Morrison meeting will include a kick the dirt session looking at a revegetation project that was planted three years ago. Guest speaker Shane Andrews will talk about tree establishment and species selection.

The Woolbrook meeting will celebrate ‘World Rivers Day’ with guest speaker Anna Cronin, Riparian officer, Namoi CMA highlighting the importance of riparian management and rehabilitation. Felicity Baker, Namoi CMA will talk about current funding available through the CMA and their new Catchment Action Plan.

The project ideas developed through these get-togethers will be submitted to the CMA for potential inclusion in future programs. There may also be some prospective project submissions for next years federal Caring for Our Country Community Action Grant program.

A summary of the project themes identified at the meetings will be included in the next edition of Landchat. Stay tuned.

Landcare Adventure 2012Hosts GWYMAC at Inverell have managed to secure Major General Michael Jeffries for the Landcare Adventure next year so please put the dates in your diary: 26th & 27th March 2012.

Raymond Borland Bequest Grants availableIndividual grants of up to $30,000 are now available to support community groups and other organisations undertake projects that will repair and rehabilitate degraded non-urban land and non-tidal waterways in NSW. Landcare Australia and the Raymond Borland Bequest are providing total of $300,000 (excluding GST) for the grants.

All community groups or organisations involved in caring for and managing our landscapes and rivers are invited to apply. The grants are particularly targeted towards established local community-based organisations that are successfully delivering projects to protect and improve the natural environment in non-urban areas. Individuals and commercial business organisations are ineligible to apply for these grants.

The grants are to be used by community groups and organisations for projects that contribute to repairing or rehabilitating degraded areas of land or rivers.

Applicants must submit an application to Landcare Australia by Sunday, 16 October 2011.

More information and the application form is available from www.landcareonline.com.au

Please direct any queries regarding the grants or proposed projects to Dr Shane Norrish on 02 9412 3083.

��No. 85, September - October 20��

Featuring: Bob Freebairn, Managing tropical grasses for livestock

Greg Lodge, Developing sustainable pasture systems

Mick Duncan, Get the facts–understanding soil fertility

Paddock sessions

Register now - Contact Carol Harris 0458 206973, email carol.harris@dpi.nsw.gov.au or Jennie Coldham 0427 260258 , email jennie@gblc.org.au

Holistic Management

TrainingPresented by Judi Earl

at InverellCommencing

26-27 October10 day program over

12 months $2,750 pp includes all materials Farm Ready approved Rebates available for multiple registrations

Contact 0409 151 969 or

judi@aimsag.com.au

�2Landchat - Landcare in Southern New England

POSTAGE PAID

AUSTRALIAIf undeliverable return to Southern New England Landcare Level 1, 3/119 Beardy Street, PO Box 85, Armidale 2350. Tel 02 6772 9123, mail@snelandcare.org.au, www.snelandcare.org.au

LandchatPrint Post Approved PP 255003/09214

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LandchatLandcare in the Southern New England, No. 85, September - October 20��

New England Mutual is gratefully acknowledged for their support in the production and distribution of this newsletter.

Southern New England Landcare appreciates generous support from Caring for Our Country, Armidale Dumaresq Council, NSW Environmental Trust, the Border Rivers Gwydir CMA, and the Northern Rivers CMA, and is sponsored by Landmark (Armidale) and Wesfarmers Federation Insurance.

Landchat presents a forum for the expression of a range of opinions.

The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily represent those of Southern New England Landcare or its employees.

While every effort is made to publish accurate information, Southern New England Landcare and its employees do not accept responsibility for statements made and opinions expressed in this newsletter.

Annual General Meeting6:30 pm Thursday 10th November 2011

Uralla Community Centre (cnr Hill & Maitland St)All members are invited.

Please contact your group’s SNELCC Representative if you wish to accompany them

to the meeting. Dinner will be provided for a small charge.

Please RSVP by Tuesday 8th November 2011

for catering purposes.Tel 6772 9123 • mail@snelandcare.org.au

www.snelandcare.org.au