Tippara Springs Good for-the-environment Friday

If you are looking for things to do, or plan to visit Yorke Peninsula this Easter, why not consider doing something for the local environment by taking part in a coastal revegetation planting day?

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Community Ranger Danielle Calabro is looking for volunteers to help with the Tippara Springs Coastal Restoration project at Tippara Rocks on Good Friday.

“With the beautiful backdrop of Tippara Rocks, on the coastline north of Balgowan, it’s a great way to spend a few hours this Easter, while doing something valuable for the environment,” Ms Calabro said. Revegetation works will take place at disturbed areas on the back of the dunes and along track scars made when vehicles cross the dunes to get to the beach. “The plantings will stabilise the dunes and encourage visitors to stick to the main track when exploring the area. It is a natural resource that is here for everyone to use and enjoy.”

Local residents and visitors are invited to come to the working bee from 10am on Friday 3 April.

The day will end with a free sausage AND FISH sizzle. Happy Easter and safe travels to all.

For more details please contact Danielle Calabro on 0427 427 370 or the Natural Resources Centre Clare on 8841 3400.

Free Vegetation Monitoring Workshops

Free for Volunteers & Landholders in Northern & Yorke Region.

Would you like to learn monitoring techniques for a revegetation or restoration project you or your group are starting/working on?

Vegetation monitoring allows land/project managers to measure progress in conserving native vegetation and evaluate their efforts. It can be used for both remnant (remaining) vegetation management and revegetation projects.

This workshop will be delivered by Anne Brown from Greening Australia. It will teach you techniques used in Rapid Assessment & Bushland Condition Monitoring (developed by NCSSA).

The training is 1 day (5 hours, includes breaks) with a maximum of 10 participants. Participants will be sent more information & pre-reading prior to workshop.

Workshops will be held on:
• Tuesday 19th May – Mulbura Park, Mulburra Park Road, approx. 6 km NNW of Port Vincent
• Wednesday 20th May – Neagles Rock Reserve, Clare
• Thursday 21st May – King Tree Paddock, Wirrabara Forest

Learning Outcomes:

• Photo-point methodology
• Determining vegetation cover & structure
• Growth & success monitoring
• Recruitment
• Restoration success

To register your interest contact the Natural Resources Centre on 8841 3400. We will need your name, email or postal address and preferred workshop location.

The Future of Friends of Parks Inc.

Thoughts from - David Mitchell, President of Friends of Parks Inc.

"In our last newsletter back in November I said that I believed the future of Friends of Parks looked shaky if the Board couldn’t attract some new blood. Since that time I have, with some of my colleagues and DEWNR staff assisting, been taking a travelling road show to member groups in an attempt to promote interest in and support for the Board’s 3 year strategic business plan. Sessions have been well-attended and there has been considerable interest shown by regional member groups outside Adelaide.

This year’s annual general meeting of the association at Para Wirra (please note that we have put the date of the meeting back to 25th May) is an especially significant event with the future of the Friends of Parks organisation at something of a crossroads. As a peak community group with over 30 years’ experience working in parks, it is crucial that we evolve and adapt to the changes that are happening around us.

It is therefore essential that we appoint a Board with the set of skills now required to take the organisation into the future; receiving nominations for the key office holder positions, with the vacancy of President, is especially important. In addition to the other mandatory office holders we are also seeking to appoint a Board member with skills and experience in marketing, publicity and promotion. If you’ve been able to attend one of our travelling road show workshops you will realise how important the Board believes the promotion of the Friends of Parks brand throughout the wider community is. It is an attractive brand, one that has ready appeal in the market place, but we have to promote and profile it, so our objective of the management of the State’s Parks and reserves is maintained.

The Board is also very eager to have more representation of regional groups and is looking for regional nominations. To facilitate this we are working with DEWNR in exploring how we can use video conferencing that will increase participation without the travel involved. I am hoping that we can get some phone conferencing facilities happening at the AGM also – if we can do this at Para Wirra we might be able to have about four regional members join in the meeting.

You are encouraged to attend the AGM if at all possible...
This will be my last contribution to the Newsletter as President. Having served on the Board for ten years and been President (and Secretary) since 2008 I think it’s time to move on to new challenges and clear the way for some fresh approaches. So, new beginnings for the Board and I have to say for the Friends of Parks organisation as a whole. Thank you for your support and my sincere appreciation of all the volunteer work you do without which our parks and heritage sites would be so much the poorer. Friends of Parks is a unique body in South Australia with its connection to our parks, DEWNR and the wider community; please help keep it strong and healthy for the future."

The meeting for the friends groups of the Northern & Yorke Region will be held on Tuesday the 14th of April at the NEW LOCATION of the Function Room of the Clare Town Hall from 1-3pm. Please register your interest with Pam Smith (81244784 or pamela.smith@sa.gov.au).

National Volunteer Week - Give Happy, Live Happy!

Natural Resources Northern & Yorke will join thousands of organisations around the nation to mark the 26th anniversary of National Volunteer Week in Australia (11 – 17 May).  This year’s campaign theme “Give Happy, Live Happy” is all about recognising the positive benefits of volunteering to health and wellbeing.

Natural Resources Northern & Yorke celebrates the happiness created by the 1,500 volunteers in this region; without them we would not be able to service the community with the management of our natural resources through the provision of on-ground activities.

Natural Resources Northern & Yorke are hosting the 2nd National Volunteer Week Celebration Event, this year in the coastal town of Wallaroo with a celebration lunch and workshops for volunteers on Friday 15th of May, 9am – 5pm at the Wallaroo Community Sports Club, Wallaroo. The workshops will include Grant Writing for Beginners, Social Media: Exploring the Possibilities, and other workshops to help your group make the most of your abilities to build up and out!

All volunteers engaged in managing our natural resources in the Northern & Yorke Region are invited to attend. Numbers are limited. Please send your responses and queries to dewnrNRNYvolunteers@sa.gov.au or 8841 3400.

Trees for Life Threatened Flora Project - Upcoming Schedule

April
• ‘Hart’ Blyth: Protection of Acanthocladium dockeri via broadleaf and bulbous weed control.
• ‘Yakkalo’ Spalding: Protection of Lachnagrostis limitanea via broadleaf weed control.

May
• Sevenhill: Protection of Caladenia argocalla via lavender control.
• ‘Yakkalo’ Spalding: Protection of Lachnagrostis limitanea via broadleaf weed control.
• 'Topham’ Sevenhill: Protection of Caladenia argocalla via lavender control.

To register your interest, contact Erica Rees 0408 812 677  ericar@treesforlife.org.au

Free Chainsaw Courses for Northern & Yorke

TAFE SA have secured funding for training volunteers in regional areas in Chainsaw, Brushcutter and Polesaw Operation & Maintenance. Courses in Port Moorowie and Clare have been arranged for the month of May.

Port Moorowie - will be held on the 16th-17th of May.

Clare - will be held on the 23rd-24th of May at the TAFE SA Clare office.

Please register your interest by the 13th of April to the Natural Resources Centre via dewnrNRNYvolunteers@sa.gov.au or 8841 3400 with your name, contact details and course preferences. From the feedback received a date will be set and sent to all interested, along with course registration forms.

Introduction to Birdwatching Workshop

EXCLUSIVE TO FRIENDS OF PARKS VOLUNTEERS

Naturalist John Gitsham is running a one day workshop including theory and field trip on the art of birdwatching.

• Sunday 19th April 2015 – Morialta CP and field trip to Thorndon Park Reserve, Hamilton Tce, Paradise.
• Sunday 17th May 2015 – Goolwa and field Trip to Beacon 19 Goolwa Barrages/wetland, Goolwa.

Start 9.00am – Lunch – Finish 4.00pm.
Workshop program includes a morning lecture/theory and then a field trip in the afternoon. BYO lunch, binoculars, and bird guide book if you have them.

For further information contact John Gitsham on 0438 900 393 or email your interest to pamela.smith@sa.gov.au

Spiny Daisy Recovery Team

The Spiny Daisy Recovery Team are looking for a member of the community to join the team! The team arrange working bees in wonderful places and meet twice a year, rotating locations between Laura, Telowie, Gladstone, and Caltowie. The next meeting is in July in Laura.

Contact Erica Rees on 0408 812 677 or ericar@treesforlife.org.au if you are interested in becoming a member or even just interested in lending a hand at the working bees.

Friends of Spring Gully Working Bees

Keen to join in the buzz of the Friends of Spring Gully working bees? They're the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month starting from 9am-11am.

Upcoming working bees are:

• Saturday 11th of April
• Saturday 25th of April
• Saturday 9th of May
• Saturday 23rd of May

For more information contact Julie Aamodt, jnjaamodt@gmail.com

FREE Snake Awareness Seminar

The Natural Resources Centre in Clare is hosting SPADE Snake Catchers and Education's Snake Awareness Seminar on Saturday the 30th of May from 10am-2:30pm at the Hall of the Lutheran Church at 5 Sabine Street in Clare.

The information presented will cover all you need to know about working out bush with the local snake population, from their importance in the ecosystem, to venom and how it works, to the most important first aid and emergency response. The seminar will also debunk common myths, provide a standard operating procedure should you come across a snake, as well as a list of South Australian snake species.

SPADE Snake Catching and Education is a company operating out of South Australia's Barossa Valley. Their goal is conservation through education.

For more information visit http://www.spadesnakecatching.com.au/

To book your place email dewnrNRNYvolunteers@sa.gov.au

Fancy a trip to the city with a bit of a splash?

The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary is one of the gems you’ll find in Port Adelaide. A resident pod of 40 bottlenose dolphins call the Port River home, while another 300 visit the area regularly. 

On Saturday the 11th of April from 12pm – 5pm, the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary are hosting a Dolphin Day event at the Lighthouse Square in Port Adelaide.

Dolphin Day is a fun family friendly event where you can learn about, participate and enjoy the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary while spending a fantastic day out with the family by (or on) the water! 

• Take a dolphin cruise – 20% discount on adult tickets with the Dolphin Explorer (11.30am and 1.30pm)
• Follow the Dolphin Trail to win great prizes including a Swim with Dolphins experience
• Archie Dolphin Ranger Cruise - $4 (limited availability)
• Kids Area – Free shark obstacle course bouncy castle, dolphin tattoos, fun dolphin games and activities, meet Splash the Dolphin, SeaStar Rock live on stage show, and more…
• Visit the information stalls, touch and learn tables, the whale disentanglement boat, dolphin activity stalls and much more!
• Visit the SA Maritime museum – 25% discount on entry fees
• Find out about volunteer opportunities, how to get involved or get your school involved
• WIN a money can’t buy dolphin experience with the Sanctuary staff during a water patrol
• Outdoor Movie Night – Happy Feet 2 – The City of PAE free movie night.  Enjoy free face painting and popcorn from 5 – 6.30pm and movie screening from 6.30pm.  Food stalls will also be available

For more info visit: www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/dolphinday
Support the ADS Action Group: www.facebook.com/AdsActionGroup

State Volunteer Awards

The State Volunteer Awards recognise the invaluable work volunteers, community organisations and businesses contribute to the South Australian community.

Nominations can be made in the following categories:

• Joy Noble Medal — honours individual volunteers and is South Australia's highest distinction for recognising the outstanding efforts of an individual volunteer within the State.
• Premier's Award for Corporate Social Responsibility — acknowledges the invaluable contribution of South Australian businesses to the community through philanthropy, partnership and volunteer programs.
• 'The Andamooka' Community Project Award — recognises community projects where the contribution of volunteers has resulted in significant community benefit.

The 2015 State Volunteer Awards will be presented at a special ceremony held at the Festival Theatre on South Australia's Volunteers Day, 8 June 2015.

For more information visit the Office for Volunteers website.
Nominations close: 5pm, Friday 1 May 2015.

Starting a Vegie Patch from Scratch

Need an Easter project for your garden? How about starting a vegie patch from scratch? Click on the link below to read ABC Gardening Australia's Sophie Thomson's tips and tricks to get you stated.

http://www.startsatsixty.com.au/living/starting-a-vegie-patch-from-scratch

NatureMaps - free online mapping site

NatureMaps makes accessing environmental information easy for the community and in particular those involved in natural resource management.

Using NatureMaps you can display a range of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) datasets such as:

• NatureLinks corridors
• Vegetation – coverage, vegetation community information
• Protected areas – Conservation Parks, RAMSAR sites
• Soil profiles and characteristics
• Landscapes – Australia’s bioregions, landuse
• Management boundaries – NRM region, hundreds
• Heritage
• Fire history
• Planning and management
• Topography – contours, watercourse
• Latest aerial imagery
• Search for and retrieve information on selected features
• Print or save a custom map in PDF format
• Hyperlink to additional resources

To find out more go to http://www.naturemaps.sa.gov.au/

Nominations now open for the 2015 SA Landcare Awards

Landcare SA are calling on community groups, networks and individuals who participate in community Landcare and Coastcare activities to nominate for the 2015 State and Territory Landcare Awards in the following nine award categories:

• Individual Landcarer
• Landcare Facilitator or Coordinator
• Innovation in Sustainable Farm Practices
• Partnerships with Landcare
• Coastcare Award
• Junior Landcare Team
• Young Landcare Leader
• Indigenous Land Management
• Landcare Community Group

To make a nomination or for more information visit http://www.landcareonline.com.au/landcareawards

Entries close 31 May, 2015.

All winners at a state and territory level will proceed as finalists to the National Landcare Awards in 2016! The State & Territory Landcare Awards are supported by Landcare Australia through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.

Peterborough Art and Cultural Festival

Enjoy fabulous exhibitions and events at the Peterborough Art and Cultural Festival. Be delighted and intrigued by the Papier Mache/Wireworks exhibition and admire quilts and superb needlework by Patchworkers. Enjoy tours of the Print Shop and see the collectables display.

A festival market will be held on Saturday the 4th of April.

Enjoy live entertainment, browse the collectables and visit the community garden.

Visit The Men's Shed on 4 and 5 April and check out their 3D printers that will be used to construct a replica of the last working passenger steam train.

Please note: most exhibitions are open daily from 10am to 4pm and have various entry fees. Refer to website for further information.

http://www.ourpeterboroughsouthaustralia.com.au/

A History of Wauraltee & District Unveiled

The Friends of Wauraltee have been working towards displaying the history of the Wauraltee Area and at long last, on Easter Sunday we are having our grand opening. Meredith Liebelt has played a large part in collating information and photos for the display, in fact she has collected far more than needed, so a book has been published, that will be released on the day for $20.

Please come out to join everyone on Easter Sunday 5th at the Wauraltee Hall at 1 pm for a sausage sizzle, 2pm ribbon cutting ceremony at the historic signage shed near the Wauraltee Hall, book signing, followed by afternoon tea – all for a gold coin donation.

The cost of the signs was generously donated by the old Wauraltee Tennis Club.

To boost our funds we are having a market day at the Wauraltee Hall on Easter Saturday from 9am to 2 pm (sausage sizzle, bric-a-brac, jams and plants) you never know what you might find. On Saturday night at 8 pm the Wauraltee Hall will come alive with dancing. We will be playing old style music as well as a bit of rock and roll. Everyone welcome.

- Article by Loise Wakefield.

For more information contact the President Leith Illman on 88322862.