Volunteers eNews

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	1 August 2014

In this issue

•	Tarcowie Landcare Group lead school students in tree planting
•	Formby Bay Environment Action Group recognised with a National Surfing Reserve Award
•	Nominations are being sought for the Friends of Parks Inc Awards
•	Introducing Sarah Voumard, Community Ranger
•	Free camping for Campground Hosts
•	National Tree Planting Days at the Gleeson Wetlands
•	Making plant choices easier with new online tool
•	Ever wanted to be a lizard researcher? Join the Tiliqua Lizard Crawl
•	Office for the Ageing Community Grants
•	Would you like to assist in the protection of our Threatened Orchids?
•	Students helping to replant in the Bangor fire zone
•	Friends of Telowie Gorge CP hunt for fungi post Bangor fire
•	A ‘remarkable’ effort sees local land revegetated
•	Volunteering Opportunities

Calling all Photography Pros and Social Snappers!

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke invites residents, visitors and guests of the Northern and Yorke Region, South Australia to submit photos that show us what the region’s environment and natural resources mean to you.

Enter photos in the following categories:

Natural resource management
Coast
Education
Sustainable agriculture
National parks
Pest management
Healthy soils
Landscapes
Biodiversity – native plants and animals
Catchment and water
Caring for country
Volunteering

Attach a title and a little story (50 and 200 words) to go with your photo.

PRIZES
The winner will receive a two night stay in selected heritage-listed accommodation in either Innes National Park, The Dutchman’s Stern Conservation Park or Mount Remarkable National Park, valued at up to $370.

All category winners will receive a 12 month national park pass.

All winning photos will also feature in the 2015 Natural Resources Northern and Yorke calendar.

ENTERING IS EASY - Email your photos to dewnr.northernandyorkecommunications@sa.gov.au.

All entries must be received by 11:45pm on 14 September 2014.

Winners will be announced on 4 October 2014.

Please read the rules, terms and legal conditions on our website. before submitting your photos.

Tarcowie Landcare Group lead school students in tree planting

On Friday 13th June, 60 primary school students from the Booleroo and Orroroo Schools joined forces with Tarcowie Landcare group and other volunteers who drove up especially to help plant trees on Bob Arthur’s property.

Many of the students involved had attended the event the year before so they were skillful at planting. Those unsure were assisted by the volunteers present, who were happy to help pass on their knowledge to the younger students.

Although it rained for most of the day, this didn’t dampen the spirits of those who attended; with over 1100 planted on the Friday (and 3500 planted over that long weekend). It was seen by all a hugely successful weekend.

For more information about the Tarcowie Landcare Group visit their website or Facebook page.

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Formby Bay Environment Action Group recognised with a National Surfing Reserve Award

The Formby Bay Environmental Action Group (FBEAG) have been involved in coastal restoration for the past 22 years. They have been working at reducing the impact on coastal areas at popular surf breaks on the west coast of SYP, including the Daly Heads National Surfing Reserve.

In recognition for the FBEAG’s ongoing and outstanding dedication to improving the coastal environment, the Daly Heads National Surfing Reserve received the 2014 National Surfing Reserve of the Year Award.

The group have installed pathways, steps to address access issues, and undertaken revegetation and weed control in degraded areas to protect and restore these fragile areas.

They have established a native plant nursery at Corny Point where the FBEAG and other community members are raising tube stock for coastal rehabilitation. The group have been successful in receiving funding through the State NRM and Northern & Yorke NRM Community Grants, along with community fundraising events. This has enabled them to purchase the infrastructure to establish the community nursery and undertake on-ground works.

Deborah Furbank, Team Leader Community says “Community involvement in this project has been overwhelming and the Formby Bay Environmental Action Group have done a terrific job in bringing members of the community together with a joint focus.”

“This award gives the some well-deserved recognition for their hard work over the years”

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Nominations are being sought for the Friends of Parks Inc Awards

Nominations are still being sought for the following Friends of Parks Inc Awards:

Best Biodiversity Project recognises a Friends of Parks group that has made a significant contribution to biodiversity conservation and the natural environment.
Friends Group Achievement of the Year recognises a Friends of Parks group that has excelled in a project or other activity that has significantly contributed to the conservation of our natural and built environment and heritage.
Most Supportive Liaison Ranger / Volunteer Support Ranger / Staff Member recognises an individual that has provided exceptional support to their local friends group/s.

Nominations close on Thursday 28th August

For more information, please contact David Mitchell, President, FoP Inc on 8251 1088 or at dm_mitchell@bigpond.com.

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Introducing Sarah Voumard, Community Ranger

My name is Sarah Voumard and my roles is Ranger (community) working in the Southern Flinders / Upper North District of the Northern and Yorke Region.

I work with Friends of Parks groups, landholders, the upper north NRM group and schools to achieve positive environmental outcomes and education.

Outside of work I am active in my local community through my involvement in the Yongala CFS and the Orroroo Netball club.
In my spare time I like to be on the family farm, at the beach or catching up with friends.

I appreciate good music and talented performers and I am looking forward to seeing the Chooky Dancers perform at the Keith Michelle theatre later this month.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions on how Natural Resource Northern & Yorke can assist your community, or to talk about your projects or activities.

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Free camping for Campground Hosts

If you love camping, want to share your passion for the great outdoors, and will enjoy the benefits of free camping in our most prestigious parks, then become a campground host.

Campground hosts are volunteers who are stationed in national park campsites around the State, supporting park rangers and its visitors throughout the year.

As a campground host you will:

welcome campers
share information about campsite rules, facilities and attractions
provide visitors with general information about local flora, fauna and natural/cultural attractions
regularly check on facilities and ensure the campground is kept tidy
liaise with the rangers regarding site conditions, facilities and any visitor issues.

We are seeking Campground Host(s) for the September/October School Holidays (19th Sept - 7th Oct) at:

Innes National Park - based at Pondalowie Bay Campground and/or Stenhouse Bay Campground
Mt Remarkable National Park - based at the Mambray Creek Campgorund

For further information on the campground host program, visit the website.

To register your interest contact the Natural Resource Centre on 88413400 or email.

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National Tree Planting Days at the Gleeson Wetlands

Students from the Vineyard Lutheran and St Joseph’s Schools in Clare, swapped the classroom environment for the wetland environment, when they attended the National Tree Planting Day at the Gleeson Wetlands on the Friday, 25th August.

85 students, with approximately 35 community members, braved the wintery conditions to get their hands dirty (and feet wet), to plant a variety of trees and bushes around the wetlands.

The planting continued the following Sunday (27th August) with the community members, who were a mix of locals, Lions Club Members, council workers and government employees.

Despite the clay ridden soil, approximately 1000 seedlings were planted overall, a great effort by all.

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Making plant choices easier with new online tool

Plant Selector+ is a new online tool available from the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide.

It is a website designed to help choose the right plants for the right areas in South Australia. Plants recommended include Australian native and exotic species. They are non-invasive and require minimal supplementary water once established.

Detailed information is provided about each plant including suitability for different landscape types, soil and light preferences, physical appearance, growth habits, attraction for native fauna, common landscaping uses and other qualities and cautions. Additional information about trees includes suitability for a variety of urban placements and purposes.

Find the Plant Selector+ on the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide website.

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Ever wanted to be a lizard researcher? Join the Tiliqua Lizard Crawl

Nature Foundation SA is calling for participants to help them locate and protect Burra’s resident endangered species, the Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard.

With only approximately 5,000 remaining, and found only in the Burra region, Flinders University has been conducting research into the species and want to determine the most effective method for locating the lizards and their burrows. This research event by Flinders University is taking place on Nature Foundation SA’s property, Tiliqua Reserve.

Did you know? Pygmy Bluetongues can’t build their own burrows and so rely on spiders to do the hard work for them…eating the builders if they’re still in there!

At the Tiliqua Lizard Crawl you can learn more about these fascinating lizards and have the option of three different research activities. You can help locate their burrows and find them using a tiny camera called an Optical Fibrescope, sink artificial burrows and/or make plasticine models of lizards for an experiment which tests whether bird predation differs between plots with different grazing pressure (and different levels of grass cover).

There are only 60 places available so register quickly to make sure you don’t miss out!

Event Details

Sunday 7th September

10:30AM – 4PM

Tiliqua Reserve, 10km North-East of Burra

Lunch, tea & coffee provided

$25 Adult, $15 Concession, $50 Family of four (10% discount for NFSA members)

What to bring: As you will be crawling through paddocks;
gumboots, kneepads (for those that might need them) and
wet weather gear is recommended.

For further information or to register, please call 8340 2880 or email naturefoundationsa@nfsa.org.au.

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Office for the Ageing Community Grants

Grants for Seniors and Positive Ageing Grants programs reflect the State Government’s vision to bring the community together to create an all-ages-friendly state as outlined in the recently released, Prosperity Through Longevity: South Australia’s Ageing Plan, Our Vision 2014-2019.

Grants for Seniors

Funding to increase options for older people to participate in group and/or community activities, generally through the purchase of equipment or small scale program support.

For more information see guidelines & application form.

Funding round closes on Friday 8 August 2014.

Positive Ageing Grants

Funding to support projects that promote and progress the development of more positive community attitudes towards ageing and older people.

For more information see guidelines or expression of interest form.

Funding round closes on Friday 12 September 2014.

If you need further information you can contact the Office for the Ageing via email, (08) 8204 2420 or PO Box 196 Rundle Mall Adelaide SA 5000.

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Would you like to assist in the protection of our Threatened Orchids?

The Trees for Life Threathened Flora Project is seeking volunteers in assisting in the protection of the threatened flora in our region.

Sept 1: Protecting Pterostylis lepida - Halbury Parklands, Wakefield. Re-peg and mark grids.

Sept 8: Protecting Pterostylis lepida - Halbury Parklands, Wakefield. Orchid count.

Sept TBA: Protecting Pterostylis lepida - Halbury Parklands, Wakefield. Cape Tulip control.

Sept 23-25: Protecting Acanthocladium dockeri - All sites, Mid-north. Monitoring, collect cuttings.

Sep TBA: Protecting Lachnagrostis limitanea - Yakkalo, Spalding. Slash grass, Broadleaf weeds.

Sep TBA: Protecting Caladenia argocalla - Sevenhill and Spring Gully CP, Clare Cape. Tulip, Woody weeds.

Sep/Oct TBA: Protecting Caladenia argocalla - All sites, Clare. Monitoring

Oct: Protecting Acanthocladium dockeri - Hart, Blyth. Broadleaf weeds.

Nov TBA: Protecting Pterostylis despectans - Hallett. Monitoring.

Nov TBA: Protecting Lachnagrostis limitanea - All sites, Mid-north. Monitoring and native grass seed dispersal.

For more information or to register you interest, contact Erica Rees 0408 812 677.

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Students helping to replant in the Bangor fire zone

Solomontown Primary School students, in partnership with Forestry SA and the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, are getting their hands dirty to assist in the revegetation of areas affected by the Bangor fire in January and February this year.

Read more about this story on our website.

Photo Caption: Josh McKay and Savannah Whittaker of Solomontown Primary School take part in revegetating areas affected by the Bangor Fire.

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Friends of Telowie Gorge CP hunt for fungi post Bangor fire

Friends of the Telowie Gorge Conservation Park gathered on July 14 to go on a fungi hunt organised by Natural Resources Northern and Yorke, to identify fungi growing in the fire affected area.

Fungi regrowth in the area affected by the Bangor fire and floods earlier this year is a positive sign that the environment is on track to recovery, according to Natural Resources Northern and Yorke.

Read more about this story on our website.

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A ‘remarkable’ effort sees local land revegetated

A total of 90 hectares of land on 10 private properties west of the Mount Remarkable range were revegetated during May and June thanks to a collaborative effort by landholders and Natural Resources Northern and Yorke.

As part of the Mt Remarkable to the Sea: Upper Spencer Gulf Coastal Riparian Linkages project funded by the Australian Government, staff from Greening Australia worked alongside landholders to plant out 9000 seedlings.

Read more about this story on our website.

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