Fossils push back snake origins by 65 million years

Snakes have been slithering on Earth far longer than anyone ever realised.

Palaeontologists have described the four oldest-known fossils of snakes, the most ancient of which was a roughly 25-centimetre reptile called Eophis underwoodi that lived about 167 million years ago.

The remarkable fossils from Britain, Portugal and the United States rewrite the history of snake evolution, pushing back snake origins by tens of millions of years.

Until now, the oldest snake fossil dated from about 102 million years ago, says University of Alberta palaeontologist Dr Michael Caldwell, who led the study published in the journal Nature Communications..

Scientists say snakes evolved from lizards, and a number of previously discovered fossils of primitive snakes featured small back legs.

The fossils described in the study did not include entire skeletons, but the researchers say all four may have had some form of reduced forelimbs and hind limbs.

But that does not mean they walked.

"It seems probable that they were slithering, so to speak, though the limbs might still have been used for grasping," says Caldwell.

Article from ABC Science, visit their website for the full article.

New weeds declared in South Australia

The State Government has declared an additional 24 weeds, including highly inflammable buffel grass and sweet pittosporum, to reduce the impact of pest plants across South Australia.

Sustainability, Environment and Conservation Minister Ian Hunter said the declaration of the weeds under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 is in response to requests from the Natural Resources Management (NRM) Boards and follows consultation with communities and industry.

"I have prohibited the sale of all these plants, and made the control or destruction of some of them enforceable,” Mr Hunter said.

"New weeds are creating new risks for primary production, natural assets and public health and safety, so plant declarations must reflect these developments.

"Biosecurity SA and weed experts from the eight NRM regions have been comprehensively reviewing the declared plant schedule to keep weed management programs in line with current needs. This includes new policies on 51 weeds."

Five formerly declared plants, including onion weed, have been removed from the declaration because legislative backing is no longer needed for regional control activities, while the state policies on 22 other declared plants such as Salvation Jane have been updated.

“An important change is the declaration of buffel grass, an introduced grass that has invaded the semiarid rangelands and is encroaching southwards,” Mr Hunter said.

“Buffel grass is known as a transformer weed in rangelands as it can change the character of the vegetation over wide areas.

“Other plants now prohibited from sale anywhere in South Australia include invasive garden plants such as gazania, sweet pittosporum and white arum lily, with some exemptions for known sterile cultivars.

"The regional NRM Boards have asked me to declare these weeds now so that we can minimise their spread by coordinated management. We aim to protect native vegetation, productive lands and the community from weed impacts.”

In addition to the statewide bans, the declaration of the pest plants will assist the NRM Boards to control the following specific species causing problems within their region:

• Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Region – ornamental fountain grass, silverleaf nightshade, swamp oak, arum lily and gazania.
• Alinytjara Wilurara NRM Region - buffel grass, African rue and carrion flower.
• Eyre Peninsula NRM Region - carrion flower, Lincoln weed, silverleaf nightshade, bifora, fountain grass and buffel grass.
• Kangaroo Island NRM Region - bluebell creeper, Lincoln weed, silverleaf nightshade and Italian buckthorn.
• Northern and Yorke NRM Region – nightstock, Lincoln weed and buffel grass.
• South Australian Arid Lands NRM Region - African rue, buffel grass and carrion flower.
• South Australian Murray Darling Basin NRM Region - gazania, nightstock, silverleaf nightshade, buffel grass and white weeping brooms.
• South East NRM Region - apple of Sodom, Lincoln weed, spiny rush, gazania and white weeping brooms.

The new policies on these weeds are available on the PIRSA website.

Find out how to download the new, user-friendly, South Australian Weed Control app.

Further information on declared weeds is available from Biosecurity SA on 8303 9620 or at your regional natural resources centre.

Friends receive grant money to assist in projects

Congratulations to the Friends of Spring Gully CP & Friends of Burra Parks as recipients of the latest round of DEWNR Volunteer Support Grants.

Friends of Spring Gully Conservation Park have been working hard at reducing the weeds in Spring Gully for the protection of threatened species in the Park. This grant will assist them in purchasing equipment and contractor support in those diffcult too reach places.

For 3 years, the Friends of Burra Parks have undertaken an annual trip to Bimbowrie Conservation Park to undertake traditional stone restoration of buildings, including Mawson's Hut. This grant will fund another trip up to Bimbowrie to continue this work.

In 2013 the Friends of Burra Parks won the DEWNR Volunteer Outstanding Achievement - Volunteer Group Contribution Award for this project.

For more information, contact:

Friends of Spring Gully CP - Jim Scott (james.scott6@bigpond.com).

Friends of Burra Parks - Bob Lamb (8581 8255 or rivercharts@bigpond.com).

Image of Dean Chilman plastering the window reveal at Bimbowrie CP.

Stranded dolphin and calf rescued at Levens Beach

A stranded adult dolphin and calf were successfully returned to deeper water near Levens Beach Conservation Park on Lower Yorke Peninsula last Saturday (10 January, 2015).

Natural Resouces Northern and Yorke ranger-in-charge Innes National Park, Mark Davison says the successful operation was thanks to the quick thinking of a member of the public who alerted SA Police (SAPOL) to the live, stranded dolphins.

Read more about this story on our website.

Caretakers re-focus on the collection at Martindale Hall.

Presentation of the Martindale Hall collection as an accessible, authentic experience for visitors has kept the new caretakers of the iconic Clare Valley property busy during January.

Open seven days a week from 11am-4pm, Martindale Hall is in the hands of caretakers Sharon and Mick Morris who also operate the nearby Mintaro Maze.

Read more about this story on our website.

Baiting for biodiversity on Yorke Peninsula

Hooded plovers, malleefowl, goannas and lambs will all be beneficiaries of three landscape-scale baiting programs for both foxes and rabbits being coordinated across Yorke Peninsula, if past results are any indication.

Yorke Peninsula landholders and community groups will have access to free rabbit bait and discounted fox bait in January and February as part of a coordinated baiting program being led by Natural Resources Northern and Yorke (NRNY).

Read more about this story on our website.

Yorke Peninsula farmers watch out for threatened goanna.

From Corny Point to Foul Bay, farmers and locals are keeping a watchful eye out for the locally endangered Heath Goanna, as part of a special study on Southern Yorke Peninsula.

Once found in southern Australia from Perth to Sydney, the Heath Goanna has largely disappeared from the Australian mainland.

”I would really like to thank landholders for allowing us to set up monitoring sites on their land and for reporting sightings past and present,” said Natural Resources Northern and Yorke (NRNY) Regional Ecologist Lee Heard.

More than thirty landholders are taking part in the Heath Goanna Study, with seventy monitoring sites established on Southern Yorke Peninsula. The project is funded by the Australian Government and Northern and Yorke NRM Board.

Read more about this story on our website.

Upper North Farming Systems Precision Agricultural Day

19th February 2015

Blacksmith Chatter - 7 First St, Orroroo

Trade Show 9.30AM -1.00PM

Technical Presentations 1.20 - 4.30PM

Networking 4.30PM - 5.30PM (Bar Open)

UNFS will be holding its inaugural Precision Agriculture Day on the 19th of February 2015 bringing together the businesses that provide infrastructure and support to enable the adoption of precision agriculture practices in your livestock and cropping enterprises.

The morning session will comprise of a trade show with each business having a short allocated time slot to present on their products and free access to all businesses during this time session.

The afternoon session will be a series of non-commercial technical presentations on the different areas that precision agriculture can be implemented into your business and how to take the steps to adopt the technology and improve your productivity and profitability.

AM - Trade Displays & Presentations

• TruTest
• AgriPartner Consulting
• Gallagher
• Topcon Precision Agriculture
• Precision Cropping Technologies
• Ag Byte
• SPAA
• Blackmores Power and Water
• AgTech Services
• CR Kennedy Precision Agriculture
• The Alpha Group
• Stockman Telemetry Systems
• Leader Products
• Cousins Merino Services
• Pringles Crouch - John Deere

PM - Technical Presentations

• Remote Monitoring of Stock and Water
• Variable Rate Cropping
• Inter-row Sowing
• Controlled Traffic Farming
• Managing livestock on an Individual vs Flock Scale
• Property Planning using Aerial Imagery
• What’s New and Where is Precision Agriculture Research Heading?

Admission: Free for UNFS Members. $20 for non-members.

Lunch included. Bar Open at end of day, drinks at own cost.

Please Note: This venue holds a maximum of 80 people. Reservations can be made. Afternoon session will be limited to 80 persons on a reserved place / first in basis.

Contact: Ruth Sommerville: 0401042223, unfs@outlook.com.au

This event has been funded by Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC)

Vegetation Monitoring Workshops

Free for Volunteers & Landholders in the 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 teach you techniques used in Rapid Assessment & Bushland Condition Monitoring (developed by NCSSA).

Learning Outcomes:

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

Delivered by Anne Brown from Greening Australia.

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 at:

• 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

To register your interest contact the Natural Resources Centre via dewnr.nrny@sa.gov.au or 8841 3400 with your name, email, postal address and preferred workshop location.

Trees for Life Threatened Flora Project - upcoming schedule

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

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.

BEST are hosting a GPS & mapping workshop

Saturday 21st March

9 am - 2 pm

at the NY Natural Resources Centre, 2/17 Lennon St, Clare.

Would you like to learn:

•  the basics to using a GPS
• how to download your GPS points
• using DEWNR's online mapping program - NatureMaps

Bring along your GPS (if you have one).

Morning tea will be provided. BYO lunch

To register you interest contact the Natural Resources Centre via dewnr.nrny@sa.gov.au or 8841 3400 with your name, contact details & if you are bringing your own GPS.

Nature Foundation SA grants open

NFSA is now open to receive grant applications within the following:

• PhD/Masters Grand-Start Scholarship Program

• Honours Year Grand-Start Scholarship Program

Each grant is to a maximum of $1,500.00, to assist Honour students undertaking field research.
For both of these programs, NFSA encourages research that informs the management of its nature reserves.

• Community Education and Awards

Grants are available to any education-based program involving the interlinking of conservation and science.

• Conservation Research on NFSA Properties or in association with NFSA Projects.

NFSA encourages research that informs the management of its properties: Witchelina, Tiliqua, Para Woodlands, Cygnet Park Sanctuary and Hiltaba. Please review the property information on our website, or call 1300 366 191 for more specific information about NFSA properties.

Applications close Monday 2nd March 2015

All grants are subject the normal NFSA Grant Guidelines. Guidelines and Application Forms can be found at http://www.naturefoundation.org. Enquiries: NatureFoundationSA@nfsa.org.au or (08) 8340 2880

Volunteer Training Grants opening soon.

Grants for free training to support volunteers and volunteer managers will open on Monday 9 February 2015.

The 2015 Volunteer Training Grants program recognises the value of providing free training for volunteers and volunteer managers and is designed to boost their skills and experience to meet the needs of local communities and services.

Funding from the $100,000 Volunteer Training Grants program is available to eligible South Australian volunteer resource centres, councils, suitably qualified training providers and not-for-profit incorporated community organisations.

Grants of up to $10,000 will contribute towards the cost of training to assist volunteers and volunteer managers who are from not-for-profit incorporated community organisations to:

• get the skills and qualifications they need
• meet the identified training needs of the local community.

Guidelines and the online application form will be available from 9 February on the Office for Volunteers website or by phoning 1300 014 712.

Applications close 5pm, Friday 13 March 2015

Biodiversity & Endangered Species Team AGM and Information Session

07 February 2015

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

10:00 am – 3:30 pm (lunch provided)

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 asap to dewnrnorthernandyorkevolunteers@sa.gov.au or 8841 3400.

Annual General Meeting 10:00 - 11:00 am

Information Session 11:30 am – 3:30 pm

• Update on the Alligator Basin Survey Project
• Fire in our Environment by Stuart Beinke.
• The impact of sheep grazing activity on burrowing spider populations and pygmy blue-tongue lizards (Tiliqua adelaidensis) in the mid north of South Australia by Jess Clayton (PhD Candidate, Flinders University)
• Threatened & Threatening! Invasive cactus ‘hooks up’ with iconic Flinders Ranges rock-wallaby by Lorraine Edmunds (NRNY Communications & Engagement Coordinator & Arkaroola Conservation Projects Officer)

World Wetlands Day 2015: Wetlands for Our Future

On 2 February 2015, youth are enticed to experience wetlands for themselves!

The future of humanity depends on wetlands. This ecosystem provides and purifies our water, while replenishing the groundwater. It also provides the rice and fish that feed billions of people, acts as a natural sponge for protection against flooding and drought, ensures coastal protection as sea levels rise, and helps fight climate change.

Yet the general public are largely unaware of these vital benefits. If anything, wetlands are equated with wasteland; something to be filled in or converted to other uses. In fact scientists estimate that 64 % of the world’s wetlands have disappeared since 1900.

For World Wetlands Day 2015, we’re asking for your help in turning the tide and helping to create awareness of just how essential wetlands are for our future. 

Learn more about how you can get involved on the World Wetlands Day website.

Take a picture in a wetland location between 2 February and 2 March 2015. Upload it on the World Wetlands Day website starting 2 February 2015 for a chance to win a free flight to a wetland location anywhere in the world. Open to 15-24 year olds.

2015 Rotary Club of Burnside Awards still open for nominations

Nominations close 28th February

Volunteer/s of the Parks Award

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.

 Leadership in Conservation Award

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 staff members.

The award is open to all staff working with the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources. There is no ‘minimum years of service’ required.

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

2015 Coles Junior Landcare Garden Grants

Applications open on February 2, 2015 and close on March 27.

Since 2008 the Coles Junior Landcare Garden Grants program has been providing grants of up to $1,000 to schools and youth groups to help create gardens in their grounds or community, such as bush tucker gardens, water wise gardens or veggie gardens.

These programs encourage students to learn about the environment through “outdoor learning” and interaction in developing their own school gardens.

All schools, kindergartens, daycare centres, and youth groups (e.g. Scouts) are eligible to apply for a Coles Junior Landcare Garden grant.

For more information, visit the Junior Landcare website.

Seeking a Green Army Supervisor

Arid Nature Corridor, Roxby Downs

Start date February 9

The Green Army is an Australian Government initiative that supports local environment and heritage conservation projects across Australia.

We are now seeking to employ a Supervisor who will be responsible for the safety, welfare, training and supervision of Green Army participants completing conservation activities. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a project that focuses on pest plant and animal management, native plant and wildlife management and fencing

This is a fulltime 6 month contract with the possibility of future contracts.

For success in this role you will need knowledge and experience in the application of Workplace Health and Safety policy and procedures, sound knowledge of practical conservation activities, experience in remote locations, excellent people management and training skills, good organisational and computer skills, and the ability to complete simple reports in a timely manner.

Remuneration is between $45,000 and $47,000 plus salary packaging (can be up to an extra $5,000 depending on circumstances).

For more information and to apply, visit the Conservation Volunteers Australia website.