Recognising our volunteers for International Volunteer Day - December 5th

International Volunteer Day (IVD) is a day for volunteers and volunteer based organizations to celebrate their efforts, to share their values, and to showcase the difference they make in their communities.

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke (NRNY) appreciates that volunteering connects communities and is vital for the achievement of natural resource management and conservation outcomes.

The Northern & Yorke Region has approximately 115 community groups and over 350 individually registered volunteers. It can be estimated that this equates to 1,500 - 2,000 volunteers, with a volunteering effort valued at over $1 million annually.

We would like to thank all our volunteers for their efforts & contributions in 2014 and look forward to supporting you in 2015.

The following is a snapshot of volunteer achievements in 2014:

• Shack owners at Pondalowie partnered with NRNY staff in a major clean-up, removing rubbish that had been in the surrounding dunes for more than 30 years. Read more.
• Port Victoria & Cape Elizabeth community members worked with the Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division (AARD) to rally support and awareness about damage occurring in the Tippara dune system and started taking action. Read more.
• More than 30 landholders came together to successfully remove close to 7000 feral goats and more than 2750 rabbit warrens across high biodiversity value areas in the Eastern Rangelands of South Australia. Read more.
• More than 20 local projects received a total of $145,000 in funding through the NYNRM Board's Community Grants program. Read more.
• Peterborough grazier Neil Sleep was awarded a NRM Quiet Achiever Award in recognition of his work in creating a sustainable property and a willingness to share his knowledge. Read more.
• Solomontown Primary School students got their hands dirty to assist in the revegetation of areas affected by the Bangor fire. Read more.
• Friends of Mt Remarkable celebrate their 25th Anniversary and Friends of Troubridge Island & Yorke District Conservation Parks both celebrate their 25th Anniversary. 

FBEAG continue cliff care projects

The Formby Bay Environmental Action Group propagated 3000 indigenous plants in 2014 in their Community Nursery. These were then planted out in three locations during the winter.

Volunteers from Corny Point, Formby Bay, Marion Bay, Warooka and Yorketown schools worked at Gravel Bay, Mystos and Baby Lizards.

Members of the Yorkes Junior Surf Club and students ensured the next generation of coast carers are positively impacting this fragile environment.

Approximately twenty three adults and bus loads of young people were involved in the plantings at the three cliff top locations. Steps and paths were also built at Mystos and Lizards.

For more information contact Geoff Rogers at gjrogers@adam.com.au

Walking Trails Support Group on foot in 2014

Many assume the group’s title suggests recreation is its only interest.  In fact it has two -

• interpretation of the natural environment and interesting places 
• providing sustainable safe access to these locations for ordinary people.

The most memorable experiences of the Flinders Ranges are gained on foot by being close to nature.

Our activity stemmed from the production by the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia’s Explore the Flinders Ranges in 1995.

The second substantially upgraded edition of Explore the Flinders Ranges was recently launched in Quorn in October. Significant contribution to the book has been made, by group members in Northern and Yorke, to walks on Mount Brown and The Dutchman's Stern.

This year marking upgrades were completed on Mount Brown, and with support from the District and assistance from locals, new interpretation panels will be installed on the summit.  Some heavy lifting required!  Any volunteers?

Consolidation and maintenance works on Mount Brown and the Dutchman’s Stern have been undertaken annually for twenty odd years usually in April/May. While Adelaide based we do have a number of very welcome local members and information can be found on www.walkingtrailssupportgroup.org.au.

Photo: End of day on Mt Brown, with a 4.5 km walk back to cars

Malleefowl survey at Innes shows good breeding activity

An annual survey of Malleefowl at Innes National Park on November 1 shows there are seven active Malleefowl mounds in the survey area, and that is positive news for the endangered species, according to National Malleefowl Recovery Team chairperson Sharon Gillam.

Conducted by Natural Resources Northern and Yorke, the survey of a 2.6 square kilometre area found that while numbers were slightly lower than the previous eight monitoring seasons, Malleefowl activity was still "reasonable".

"With seven active mounds we can safely say there would be seven pairs of birds in the survey area," Ms Gillam says.

Read more about this story on our website.

For a sense of adventure join the Friends of Althorpe Island CP

The Friends of Althorpe Island Conservation Park began in 1996 and have been committed to the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of Althorpe Islands Conservation Park.

Our diverse group visit Althorpe Island several times a year either by boat or helicopter and like every year, 2014 is turning out to be another successful year.

A total of 17 members volunteered 696 hrs and Althorpe Island’s African Boxthorn and Tree Mallow continue to decrease in numbers. We also monitor the coastal wildlife eg; Sea Eagle, Osprey, Australian Sea Lions and assist in the Small Penguin research.

Althorpe Island was first sighted by Matthew Flinders in 1802 and in 1879 a lighthouse was established to guide mariners in western Investigator Strait. Members of FoAICP stay in the former Head-keeper’s cottage and our hot water solar panels along with our electrical solar panels/wind generator makes our accommodation very comfortable.

Anyone interested in joining this adventurous group, for a $15 dollar annual membership fee, is invited to contact our membership officer Andrew Mills at millsy10@adam.com.au.

Michiel Lucieer
(FoAICP)

Pictured are two members and African Boxthorn being removed.

Have your say about the NRNY Volunteer Engagement Strategy

Natural Resources Northern & Yorke (NRNY) have been progressing with the development of a Volunteer Engagement Strategy.

NRNY acknowledges the valuable contribution of their volunteers and is committed to facilitating community involvement in managing our natural resources. This Strategy will provide direction for NRNY to achieve an effective and consistent approach to engaging with their volunteers.

The Strategy’s development is now at the volunteer and external stakeholder consultation phase and NRNY would like to invite their volunteers and stakeholders to provide comment.

To ensure your views are considered, please make a submission to the Volunteer Support Officer at:

• Post: 2/17 Lennon St CLARE SA 5453
• Email: dewnrnorthernandyorkevolunteers@sa.gov.au
• Phone: 8841 3400

Consultation closes: 5th December 2014

Yacka Moorundie Landcare Group informed our community in 2014

2014 saw the Yacka Moorundie Landcare Group host a series of three Information Sessions.  These were held on 14th August, 25th September and 9th October 2014.

All three sessions were held in member’s shearing sheds or shearer’s quarters and commenced with a barbeque tea.  The aim of the three information sessions was to get back to basics and encourage people to come along and hopefully become members.  Each session had approximately 25 attendees, with a lot of different faces at each meeting.

Speakers at these sessions included:

• Grant Roberts - African Rue
• Warren and Barbara Fargher on their involvement in the Ecosystem Management Understanding (EMU) on Wirrealpa Station in the Flinders Ranges
• Ron Sandercock on Xanthorrhoea;
• Brendon Bevan who spoke about his life as manager and tourist operator on Arkaba Station in the Flinders Ranges
• Anne Brown from Greening Australia who outlined The Native Vegetation Act;
• Ian Falkenberg - Owls
• Susanne Richards - Native Bees
• Luke Elstone, our local Policeman who spoke on Rural Watch
• Trevor Naismith who spoke on his experiences when farming in a National Park in England’s Lake District
• Ruth Sommerville and Natalie Sommerville who informed us of two impending grants and they encouraged people to apply for funding. 

The Yackamoorundie Landcare Group would like to thank the Lower North Natural Resource Management Group for supporting and funding the three Information Sessions.

We would encourage anyone who is interested in the environment to join us.  The Yackamoorundie Landcare Group believes it is important to educate the children of today about the environment. Consequently, we like to lead by example.

Joining the Yackamoorundie Landcare Group is easy!  Just email the Secretary, Judith Sommerville , President, Ian Radford or our Treasurer, Ann Hammat.

For more information, please view our website       yackamoorundielandcaregroup.com.

Photo: Our first session in August at Trengove’s Shearing Shed. Pictured are Warren and Barbara Fargher from Wirrealpa Station in the Flinders Ranges, Ron Sandercock and Grant Roberts.

DEWNR seeking your feedback on volunteer recognition initiatives

DEWNR is undertaking a review of current volunteer recognition initiatives in order to recommend a way forward that will recognise our volunteers in a way they most value.

Please find below a link to our survey, designed directly for volunteers.

Your feedback would be most valuable to help us make any appropriate changes to the way DEWNR recognises and thanks our volunteers.

The surveys closes 5pm Friday 12 December 2014.

Survey for Volunteers
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/78GKS98

Friends of Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park expression of interest

In 2001 the Conservation Council of SA called for expressions of interest to form a Friends of Gammon Ranges National Park.  A Friends group was set up, but after a year or so interest faded and the group has been in limbo ever since. Recently the Friends received a substantial bequest and the group is hoping to re-ignite interest so that the bequest can be wisely used in the Park.

In October I met with the District Ranger (Lindsay Brown) and Adnyamathana Senior Ranger (Arthur Coulthard) at Balcanoona to discuss possible uses for the bequest. Several proposals were outlined. It was agreed that the Friends group should reform to assist the Park Management in whatever project was decided.

It is hoped that a meeting of interested persons can attend a public meeting in Adelaide in February 2015 at a date and venue to be confirmed.

If you are interested and would like to attend and hear more then please record your expression of interest by contacting me by email prior to 31st December 2014.

If there is sufficient interest shown I will arrange a venue and date and get back to you with that information.

Graeme Oats – gdoats@bigpond.net.au

Further information about Vulkathunha-Gammon Rangers National Park.

Biodiversity & Endangered Species Team AGM & Information Session

Saturday 7th February

10:00 am – 4:00 pm (lunch provided)

AGM will be starting at 10 am, followed by 3 speakers - more information to come.

Barbara J Long Function Room (adjoining Town Hall), Clare

Everyone is welcome!

There is no cost to be involved with BEST and no commitment needed, come along and volunteer with us when you can.

RSVP: by 23rd January to dewnrnorthernandyorkevolunteers@sa.gov.au or 8841 3400

Become a Green Army Sponsor – Round 2 closes soon!

Landcare Australia is encouraging Landcare groups to identify projects in need of additional resources and apply to become a Project Sponsor in the Green Army Programme.

The Programme can provide a supervised, mobile and well equipped team of ten people to undertake natural resource management projects. Typical Landcare group projects involving land rehabilitation, revegetation, and native habitat protection are well suited to host Green Army teams.

Applications for the 2nd Round of Green Army projects must reach the Department of the Environment by 9th December 2014.

For more information visit their website or contact Landcare Australia’s Green Army project officer directly on 02 8440 8805 or greenarmy@landcareaustralia.com.au to discuss your ideas.

Another productive year for Tarcowie Landcare Group

The Tarcowie Landcare Group has had another very positive & productive year for 2014 with 35 volunteer members participating in projects on private properties & parklands in the Tarcowie area. 

A total of 1410 volunteer in-kind hours for the year included revegetation projects, pest & weed management, seed collecting, growing tubestock in our nursery, monitoring threatened flora species & native bird & mammal activity. 

Our revegetation projects included a planting day held in June with the help of local schoolchildren from Booleroo & Orroroo schools which is always a fun day for Landcarers & children alike. 

Revegetation projects focus on creating linkages & connectivity by expanding & enhancing areas of good quality remnant vegetation using plants grown from local seed collected around the project sites.

NRM funding plays an integral part in our contribution to the biodiversity of the Tarcowie area. 

June Jenkins, Secretary of the group,  says she finds revisiting project sites from 10 years ago is immensely satisfying & hopes that school children involved in our work understand & appreciate the necessity & benefits of protecting & maintaining our precious biodiversity for the health of our planet & future generations.

New members & project sites are always welcome. 

Contact June on 86586119 or june.jenkins@westnet.com.au for further information. You can find us on Facebook.

2015 Rotary Leadership in Conservation, and Volunters of the Parks Awards - nominations now open

Rotary Volunteer/s of the Parks Award - 2015

The Volunteer/s of the Parks Award is awarded by the Rotary Club of Burnside Inc, to an individual or couple who exemplify the spirit and dedication of the Friends of Parks movement.

The award is open to Friends of Parks volunteers. There is no ‘minimum years of service’ required.

In selecting the successful nominee(s), the Selection Panel will consider the:

• Outstanding Service demonstrated by the nominee (eg innovation in program or technique, excelled in leadership, project development etc)
• Positive impact made by the nominated person to the parks system and to the Friends of Parks organisation

Rotary Leadership in Conservation Award for DEWNR Employees - 2015

The ‘Leadership in Conservation Award’ is awarded by the Rotary Club of Burnside Inc, to recognise the dedication of Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) staff members. 

The award is open to all staff working with DEWNR. There is no ‘minimum years of service’ required.

In selecting the successful nominee, the Selection Panel will consider the:

• Outstanding service demonstrated by the nominee (eg innovation in program or technique, excelled in leadership, project development etc)
• Positive impact made by the nominated person to the parks system
• Support to volunteers or other community groups

Nominations
Nominations can be made by an individual volunteer, volunteer group, agency staff or community member.

A nomination form must be completed and returned by 28 February 2015.

Nomination forms can be requested via email.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr Peter Neale  -   0413 738 558, or Mr Will Danby - 0408 151 003.

Request for feedback on the NYNRM Plan – draft Business Plan 2015-2018

The Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management (NRM) Board invites community members and stakeholders to provide feedback on its draft 2015-2018 Business Plan.

The draft Business Plan is part of the Northern and Yorke NRM Plan which sets out long term strategies for managing regional NRM assets including:

• Healthy soils
• Viable water resources
• Healthy coastal, estuarine and marine ecosystems
• Healthy terrestrial ecosystems
• Minimal pest impact
• Community driven NRM

The draft plan outlines the Board’s investments in these assets.

Submissions are due by 16 January 2015.

Visit our Have your say page on the website for the feedback form and online submissions.

For more information about the draft Business Plan, please contact the Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Centre on 8841 3400.

Landcare Hero Honour Role - open for nominations

As we continue to celebrate Landcare’s 25th year, we’d like to acknowledge Landcarers who have been involved for 25 years or more. And that’s why the Landcare Hero Honour Roll was borne – to promote and celebrate the significant contributions landcaring legends have made to their region and community.

Take Paul Marshall for example. Paul started out in Landcare in 1988 with Men of the Trees, where he helped revegetate the surrounds of Queensland’s North Pine Dam. Today, he supports and facilitates Bushcare groups in the Southern Highlands of NSW.

We’ve received an impressive array of nominations so far and are getting in gear to send out personalised certificates and limited edition lapel pins.

Nominations close on December 31 – If you’d like to share your experiences or know someone who deserves to be celebrated, make your nomination today!

The Norman Wettenhall Foundation - Small Environmental Grant Scheme

The objectives of the Small Environmental Grant Scheme is to support biodiversity conservation projects in Australia that are concerned with one or more of the following:

• monitoring and recording data
• community education
• community capacity building (training)
• research and science

Applicants from non-academic organisations can apply for up to $10,000.

Grant round opens 8th December 2014. There are no closing dates, as the round will be closed when the maximum number of applications has been reached.

Visit their website for more information on your eligibility and how to apply.

Community Voices Program 2014

The Office for Volunteers Community Voices Program partners community groups with students from Flinders University to produce short documentaries or online video commercials for volunteer recruitment and community education. The films can then be screened online, used for public presentations and in other creative ways to help your organisation to achieve its goals and promote volunteering.

Eligibility: Organisations must be community based, not-for-profit and incorporated (or auspiced) to be eligible to apply.

For more information and details on how to apply, contact the OFV on 1300 014 712 or complete the online application.

Applications close 5pm, 12 December 2014.

Volunteering in SA 2014 Survey report released

The Volunteering in South Australia in 2014 survey report conducted by Harrison Research and involving more than 1,500 respondents aged 15 years or over, reveals that volunteer participation in South Australia continues to remain high.

The 2014 report results show that more than 900,000 South Australians donate their time and energy to contribute to the community. 

Approximately 48% of respondents volunteered formally with a local community organisation or group, while 44% volunteered on an informal basis, for example helping a neighbour with their grocery shopping.

These efforts contribute to an estimated 1.7 million volunteer hours per week.

Other interesting results from the 2014 survey are that:

Volunteering is more common amongst those who:

• are female
• are aged between 35 and 54 years
• are in paid employment
• are university educated
• were born in Australia
• reside in a couple family and are married or in a de facto relationship.

Welfare and community groups dominate the types of organisations at which people volunteer (35%), followed by sport and physical recreation (31%), education and training (18%), religious groups (13%), health (7%) and emergency services (6%).

The top three drivers for volunteering include: 'to help others or the community' (40%), 'giving something back' (19%) and 'personal satisfaction' (14%).

The proportion of regional respondents engaged in formal volunteering in 2014 remains significantly higher (61%) compared to metropolitan respondents (44%).

The single biggest reason cited for those who did not formally volunteer was 'work commitments' (44%) followed by 'family commitments' (24%).

The majority of respondents (97%) see some benefits to the community from volunteering - 25% felt that 'it builds community spirit and facilitates social cohesion', 24% stated that 'people get help they would otherwise not get', and 19% believed 'many community projects would cease to exist.'

Friends of Private Bushland Dinner, AGM & Planning Meeting

Monday 12th January.

5pm for a shared meal, 7.30 for meeting

at Fay and Jim Truemans’ home
7 Tester Drive, Blackwood

Bring: food and drink for a shared meal (BBQ available). Bring your choice of drinks and a folding chair.

All committee positions in the group will be up for re-election,
including the President.

Come along with some good ideas for the 2015 calendar
of events, including speakers and places to visit, or bring
your wish list of what topics you would like covered in talks
or field days.

Contact: Fae or Jim – 8278 9359

Note: Event cancelled if Catastrophic Fire Danger Day. In this case, ring Peter Reed (8379 4323/0429 674 340) for more information and alternative arrangements.

For more information about the Friends of Private Bushland visit their website.