Farewell & Thanks to Wendy Cliff

NRNY recently said goodbye to one of its longest-serving officers. After eight years in Northern and Yorke region, Wendy Cliff has headed north to the sand and surf of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Engaged as a Senior Community Nature Conservation Officer, she is now managing Sunshine Coast Council’s Conservation Volunteer Program.

Wendy was a familiar face across the region having worked as a ranger in all three districts. Starting as a rookie ranger at Mount Remarkable National Park, she moved to Innes National Park and then to the Mid North District, as a ranger based in Burra. Wendy came to Clare as Team Leader Community for Lower Mid North District, before moving into the regional Volunteer Support role. She also served as the Region’s Health & Safety representative and Chairperson of its WHSW Committee. Having worn so many hats, Wendy was a great asset in the Clare office.

Wendy’s passion and joy for working with volunteers was evident from the very first day she started in the role as N&Y Volunteer Coordinator. She understood the value of volunteer services to the protection and enhancement of the Region's natural resources and worked hard behind the scenes to firstly bring knowledge to the surface that there are over 115 groups servicing NRM in the Region.  

The launch of “Volunteers in Action” – a Wendy Cliff creation and an incredibly successful publication – provided targeted information to the broader regional community by way of promoting volunteer opportunities, sharing stories of group successes, and posting training and grant opportunities for all volunteer groups. And when the NY website was revitalised in mid-2014, it was a must on Wendy’s list that every single volunteer group was mapped and listed – to demonstrate that anyone, anywhere in the region can find a group to join as a member or for a single social day out.

The legacy Wendy leaves as she now moves to live closer to her family in Queensland is a strengthened capacity of volunteer groups to continue the fantastic work they do in all areas of Landcare, coastal management, catchment management, heritage restoration, education, national parks and more, knowing that the hours and work they put in is making a concerted difference to the protection and enhancement of the natural environment of the Northern and Yorke region.

- Article by Lorraine Edmunds and Louise McIntosh.

Farewells and thanks have come in from across the region:

'Wendy’s skills are too numerous to mention... I miss her thoughtfulness, her care and generosity and her friendship. I wish Wendy all the luck in the world with her new role on the Sunshine Coast...not that she’ll need it!' - Jeannine

"Thanks for all your great work ensuring that staff followed the proper protocols! It was great to have a staff member I could ring to ask questions related to friends of parks grant opportunities and the necessary paperwork that had to be filled in for volunteers." - Sarah

"I loved working with her, she made it fun and was always very helpful." - Holly

"Wendy will be greatly missed by NRNY staff and the many volunteers with whom she worked so closely. We wish her well in her new life where ‘it is beautiful one day, perfect the next’!" - Lorraine

"In addition to a hectic workload, Wendy voluntarily took on the unofficial role of social convenor for staff in the Clare Office which involved in organising a suite of events, often with a charity as a net beneficiary. Her effort in organising the Relay for Life was outstanding. Wendy was held in high esteem by all and sundry including her work colleagues, the community and the volunteers who she supported with her work. She understood that our hardworking volunteers deserve thanks and recognition for their contributions.  Wendy pulled together a Thank You event for Volunteers at Artisans Table in  Clare that was well attended by volunteers from around the region." - Trevor Naismith, NY Regional Manager.

The Future of the Friends of Parks Inc.

"Our AGM is scheduled for May and it is my strong belief that the future of the Incorporated Association hangs in the balance. Repeated calls for expressions of interest in nominating for the Board have received little or no interest or response to date. Without a management committee overseeing the Friends of Parks brand in the market place and being the point of advocacy for the Friends of Parks movement across the State, I’d suggest the longer term future of a state-wide volunteer organisation whose objective is the health and welfare of national parks is seriously at risk. In this day and age, National Parks must be argued for, cared for and nurtured as the precious public assets that they are for all South Australians, not to mention of course the plants and animals."

- David Mitchell, President of Friends of Parks Inc.

Meetings to discuss the future of FOP Inc. are being held in the Adelaide Mount Lofty Ranges region, with meetings in the other regions to be confirmed pending interest.

If you would like a meeting for the friends groups of the Northern & Yorke Region, please register your interest with Pam Smith (81244784 or pamela.smith@sa.gov.au). If enough interest is generated, the meeting will take place in Clare in early April.

Friends of Innes National Park recognised for efforts

Between them they have notched up 120 years of service and hundreds of hours voluntary work, but a love of the Yorke Peninsula has been the common motivation for a group of eight Friends of Innes National Park recently presented service awards for their efforts.

Among the recipients were Val and Trevor Lloyd (20 years each), Joyce and the late Peter Yeomans (20 years each), Geoff Leech (10 years), Wendy Marshall (10 years), Sam Zefara (10 years) and Brian Thomson (10 years).

The group were presented with the service awards at the Friends of Innes National Park Annual General Meeting on February 10.
Natural Resources Northern and Yorke ranger-in-charge Mark Davison said the work undertaken by the Friends group is invaluable.

For more information about the group and how to join, contact dewnrNRNYvolunteers@sa.gov.au.

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.

Parks Week in Northern & Yorke

Parks Week is an annual celebration of the important role that our parks play in contributing to the health of our communities. A range of fun & free events - with some added site-seeing ideas - are taking place across our local Parks: Mambray Creek, Alligator Gorge and Innes National Park.

Mambray Creek

• Friday 13th March - 'Meet the Park Ranger' Q&A, 4pm onwards at the Mambray Creek Campground.
• Saturday 14th March - 'Mambray Creek Walk & Activity' guided walk, 5pm at Mambray Creek Day Visitor Area.
• Sunday 15th March - 'Water Wirra Loop Walk' with the Park Rangers, 10am at Mambray Creek Day Visitor Area.

Alligator Gorge

• Saturday 14th March - 'Alligator Gorge Walk' with the Park Rangers, 10:30am at Alligator Gorge Car Park.

Innes National Park

• Spot the endangered species, like the Tammar Wallaby, Mallee Fowl, Heath Goanna, Western Whip Bird, and Coastal Raptors.
• Enjoy the Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park, go surfing, catch a fish (not in the Sanctuary Zone!), or laze the day away on one of our many pristine beaches.
• Explore the Inneston historic village and associated walking trails, or book one of the heritage accommodation options.
• Get back to nature and camp in one of our bush camping grounds.
• Look for dolphins in Dolphin Bay.

Volunteer Training Grants Closing Soon

Grants for free training to support volunteers and volunteer managers still open.

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 are available on the Office for Volunteers website or by phoning 1300 014 712.

Applications close 5pm, Friday 13 March 2015.

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.

Free Chainsaw Courses for Northern & Yorke

TAFE SA have secured funding for training volunteers in regional areas.

Northern & Yorke Natural Resources are working with TAFE SA to set a date in May to run 'Chainsaw Operation & Maintenance' and 'Pole-saw Operation & Maintenance' courses for 8-10 volunteers, with the option to complete the 'Fell Small Trees' course, depending on interest.

If there is interest in the first two courses only, then it will be held on Saturday 9th to Sunday 10th of May. If there is sufficient interest in the 'Fell Small Trees' course then the three courses will be held Saturday 15th to Monday 17th of May. The location of the training is to be confirmed, but likely in Clare.

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

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

• Sunday 22nd March 2015 – Belair NP and field trip to Laratinga Wetland, Bald Hill Rd, Mt Barker.
• 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

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 and laptop (if you have one). If you require a GPS let us know.

Morning tea will be provided. BYO lunch.

To register you interest contact the Natural Resources Centre via dewnrNRNYvolunteers@sa.gov.au or 8841 3400 by Monday the 10th of March with your name, contact details & if you are bringing your own GPS.

2015 Coles Junior Landcare Garden Grants

Applications 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.

Premier's certificate of recognition for outstanding volunteer service

Do your volunteers go above and beyond? Ever wondered how you can let them know they are appreciated? You can! Nominate them for an award - the Premier's Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Service.

The Premier's Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Service is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the outstanding efforts of volunteers and to promote the importance of volunteering to the community.

South Australian based volunteer-involving organisations and community groups are encouraged to nominate one or more of their volunteers to recognise and reward excellence and significant achievements.

Submit your nomination for this certificate for awarding at a one-off event or at key recognition events such as during National Volunteers Week, on Volunteers Day, at your Annual General Meeting, or even at a morning or afternoon tea for volunteers.

Eligibility

The Office for Volunteers will consider all nominations against the following criteria:

Volunteer has made significant contribution to the community through their ongoing commitment and dedication to volunteering; and has demonstrated leadership and promoted volunteerism within the community.

Nominating is easy, read the Premier's Certificate of Recognition for outstanding volunteer service guidelines and complete the online nomination form.

Nominations close 5pm, Friday 27 March 2015

For more information, please contact: Office for Volunteers on 1300 014 712 or via email ofv@sa.gov.au.

RAA Regional Safety Grants

2015 RAA Regional Safety Grants open on Monday 2 March 2015.

RAA's Regional Safety Grants offer community groups in Regional South Australia and in Broken Hill the opportunity to apply for funding to enhance safety in their community.

The aim of RAA’s Regional Safety Grants Program is to:

• Improve the lives of South Australians in regional communities and reflect our desire to enhance the safety and security of South Australia’s regional areas and communities.
• Provide opportunities for the local community to implement a project, program or activity targeting local safety and/or security issues.

RAA will consider applications from the minimum value of $500, inc. GST, to the maximum value of $5,000, inc. GST.

For more information visit the RAA Regional Safety Grants website.

Applications close 5pm Tuesday 31 March 2015. 

Caltowie Corridors of Green Landcare Group Grant Success

Congratulations to Caltowie Corridors of Green Landcare Group who have won a $17,000 Landcare grant to fence off livestock from the Appila Springs in an effort to preserve native vegetation and support revegetation efforts. They will also be using the grant to control weeds in the area. This has been a long time coming for the group who have been wanting to do this for years to compliment the work they do in the Corridors. The Appila Springs are privately owned, so they are working with the landowner and Natural Resources Northern & Yorke in a joint stakeholder project.

For more information, contact:
Kate Abraham (Kate.Abraham@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 Bee

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 at 8-10am in day light savings and 9-11am in the darker months.

Upcoming working bees are:
Saturday 14th of March, 8am-10am
Saturday 28th of March, 8am-10am
Saturday 11th of April, 9am-11am
Saturday 25th of April, 9am-11am

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