Quote of the Month

"Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”

-  H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Subaru 4WD Club - Hard yakka in the Southern Flinders

The Subaru 4WD Club of South Australia was established in 1976 by a group of passionate Subaru owners. Today the club has grown to include different makes and models of 4WD and AWD’s

The Club is a family friendly group of like minded people who, through the club, enjoy exploring the great outdoors, camping, nature, social outings, monthly meetings, magazine, learning technical advice, guest speakers and discounts at our supporting businesses.

We have been volunteering with National Parks since 1998, this being our 16th year.

The club started volunteering after a chance meeting between Stuart Beinke who was head ranger at Mt Remarkable at the time, and we have been at it every year since.

Over the years our group has completed volunteer work at Mount Remarkable, Telowie Gorge, Mt Brown, The Napperby Block, Dutchman’s Stern, Innes, Cleland and Ngarkat (with 4WDSA).

In 2013 the group contributed 164 volunteer hours in Dutchman’s Stern Conservation Park & 84 volunteer hours in Mt Remarkable National Park.

"We travelled through some absolutely beautiful scenery clearing tracks as we went. I think we crossed every ridge top in the Southern Flinders Ranges!" said Bernie Vogelsang, describing their trip in Mt Remarkable NP.

Ethan (aged 12) described his experience, "I thought the Dutchman’s Stern trip was awesome and I would love to do it again, and I think the best part about the Dustman’s stern trip was driving up the hill to land’s end."

We have members trained in chainsaw operation, poisons handling and use, plant identification and Senior First Aid, we have been successful in obtaining grants that have allowed us to buy our own chainsaws (with PPE and tools), loppers, hand saws and first aid kits.

Our skills and experience are diverse, putting our hand to most tasks, becoming self-sufficient and trusted by parks staff, something we are very proud of.

We are very keen to continue our relationship with National Parks for the long term, assisting where we can.

For more information about the Club or how to become a member contact:

www.subaru4wd.asn.au
www.facebook.com/Subaru4wdClub
http://www.youtube.com/user/sa4wdclubtrips

Subaru 4WD Club of SA
PO Box 310
UNLEY SA 5061
subaru4wdclub@gmail.com

Bruce McLean 82509240
Paul Shinks 82635384

We extend an invitation for you to attend one of our meetings to get to know us better. We usually meet on the first Friday of the month at 7:30pm at the Adelaide High School, entry is from the North West Door.

Become a BEST volunteer

Are you passionate about conserving and preserving our region’s threatened flora and fauna?

Are you looking for a volunteer role that will take you to amazing locations?

Then join the BEST network!

The Biodiversity and Endangered Species Team (BEST) was formed by the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR), Northern and Yorke Region in 2005.

BEST is a passionate, enthusiastic, friendly and dedicated volunteer group who work on the ground to conserve and protect our region’s biodiversity.

BEST held their annual general meeting in Clare on 16th February. The day began with an information session about landscape management presented by Andy Sharp, Landscape Coordinator for Natural Resources Northern and Yorke, followed up by a presentation on Native Bee Ecology by Susanne Richards, native bee enthusiast and author of South Australian native bees – a glimpse inside their world.

Jim Scott stepped down as president, a role he has held since the group’s formation in 2005. Jim was highly-commended for his drive and commitment to the BEST and fortunately will remain an active member.

A new steering committee was elected, encompassing Bec O’Leary (Watervale) as president, Mick Higgins (Mt Bryan East) as vice president, Jo Napper (Clare) as treasurer and Wendy Cliff as secretary.

Proposed activities for 2014 include the Trees for Life Threatened Flora Project; activities at Innes National Park in spring; a biological survey in the Mt Remarkable National Park; and a GPS and mapping workshop. Further information on these activities will be published in future editions of this ENews.

Register your interest or join the BEST network by contacting Wendy Cliff, Volunteer Support Officer or the Natural Resources Centre, Northern and Yorke on 08 8841 3400

Success for the Friends of the Hooded Plovers

The Friends of Hooded Plovers is an active volunteer group based along the coast of the Yorke Peninsula.

Volunteers have been busy monitoring and improving the breeding success of Hooded Plovers for the past six months.

Deborah Furbank, Team Leader Community said, "We now have18 reported fledglings on Yorke Peninsula! Five of these would not have even hatched without the dedication of volunteers."

"It is so rewarding to be working on a project where we are actually making a difference and potentially bringing a species back from the brink of extinction!"

Fencing established by volunteers around nest sites has made a huge difference in areas such as Balgowan, where all eggs spotted in nests hatched successfully to produce little fledglings that will form part of the next generation of successful hooded plover populations.

Other areas which haven't been as successful will hopefully improve with time and continued volunteer effort to protect nesting sites.

Bird banding commenced this year, so keep your eye out for orange flags on the upper leg of the adult birds. These flags will provide valuable information on the movement of Hooded Plovers and will be entered into the Birds Australia "My Hoodie" database.

Aboriginal Rangers at Point Pearce took part in Hooded Plover training in January, and will keep a look out at Point Pearce and Wardang Island.

If anyone would like training on how to enter sightings into the data portal, or to volunteer to be a part of the Friends of Hooded Plover group, please contact Deborah Furbank, Team Leader Community Yorke District via email or 0421 617 177.

What is a Campground Host?

If you love camping and want to share your passion for the great outdoors, then become a campground host.

Campground hosts are volunteers who are stationed in national park campsites and support the park rangers with the management of the park and its visitors throughout the year.

As a campground host you will:

• welcome campers
• assist visitors to select a camp site
• 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.

Campground Host at Innes National Park

We are seeking Campground Host(s) to be based at Pondalowie Bay Campground and Stenhouse Bay Campground, over the school and/or public holiday periods. Free camping provided.

For further information on the campground host program, visit the website or email. If you would like to register your interest for Innes National Park, email or phone the Natural Resource Centre on 88413400.

Pondalowie partnership cleans up

Shack owners at Pondalowie recently partnered with Natural Resources Northern and Yorke staff in a major clean-up, removing rubbish that had been in the surrounding dunes for more than 30 years.

Innes National Park Ranger in Charge, Mark Davison said, "this clean-up was driven by the Pondalowie Shack Owners Association and it was great to be able to work alongside them to help restore this environment."

“We removed about 3.5 tonnes of steel from the dunes around the village – a lot of this was dumped before the area was declared a National Park in 1973,” he said.

The rubbish collected at Pondalowie included old rainwater tanks, boat jigs, sheet iron, cray pots and wire. Smaller items included bottles, cans, tyres, wood and rope were also found.
Rubbish in coastal zones damages dune, beach and ocean habitats, can injure wildlife and create a hazard for people enjoying coastal environments.“

Brenton Chivell, President of the Pondalowie Shack Owners Association co-ordinated 18 shack owner volunteers to join Mark Davison, John Churchill and Jacob Beinke from Innes National Park for the clean-up.

“The great turnout is testament to how much the shack owner’s care about their little piece of paradise. They’re passionate about protecting it for future generations and it’s great for us to be able to support these kinds of initiatives,”' Mr Davison said.

Another clean-up is planned for late April/early May to remove a similar amount of rubbish in a gully behind the village.

To find out more or to get involved, contact Mark Davison via email or 0427 347 064.

Bye-bye birdies: Help BirdLife Australia farewell the shorebirds

Did you know over 5 million shorebirds migrate from Australia to breed in the Arctic – for some that can be a 30,000km return journey!

To celebrate this incredible journey BirdLife Australia is launching an exciting nationwide event, Farewell Shorebirds, focusing on the fascinating lives of some of the 35 species of birds. Farewell Shorebirds will run from 10 April until 10 May, concluding on World Migratory Bird Day.

Highlighting the captivating story of the shorebirds’ annual global migration from Australia to the Arctic, Farewell Shorebirds will explore why the birds make this incredible journey and how they rely on Australia’s wetlands, coastlines and estuaries for their survival.

With (five) weekly web broadcasts on our interactive website, events and activities run by our branches, observatories and reserves, Farewell Shorebirds, will allow bird lovers of all shapes and sizes to learn more about shorebirds, follow their progress as they begin their travels, and to see live updates on the birds’ right up to China and Korea!

To receive updates and for your chance to win some fantastic prizes visit www.farewellshorebirds.org.au.

A new blog site for the State Herbarium

Check out the State Herbarium's new blog site at
http://know.ourplants.org

We use this site to post stories and notices of activities, including volunteering opportunities, undertaken by Herbarium staff and our volunteer workforce.

If you join as a 'Friend' you will receive automatic notifications of new entries to the site.

Get Involved - Volunteering Opportunities

4 RIVERS PROJECT - REVEGETATION

Melrose -  Willochra Creek

Monday 26th - Friday 30th May 

& Monday 2nd - Friday 6th June

Assisting in the restoration of the Willochra Creek with revegetation activites.

Food and shared accommodation is provided, own transport to Melrose required.

Further opportunites for revegetation activities in July/August along the Wakefield River near Auburn, more information to come.

Register your interest with Jennifer Munro, Natural Resources Management Officer, Water. 

GLEESON WETLAND RESTORATION

Gleeson Wetland & Hutt River in the Clare township

We are seeking volunteers to assist with several planting and weeding days in June/July or ongoing involvement as part of a wetlands care group.

Volunteer days will be held from 9am -1pm and a free bbq lunch will be provided for all those involved.

Exact dates will be set closer to winter, as activities are dependent on autumn rainfall. If you would like to be involved please register your interest and I will keep you informed once dates are decided.

To register or to find out more information on the project please contact Leah Feuerherdt on 0427 333 013.

This is a joint project between Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council, Rural Solutions SA & Natural Resources Northern & Yorke.

CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS - BROOKFIELD CP WILDLIFE RESEARCH

KANGAROO & WOMBAT WARREN SURVEYS

Brookfield Conservation Park, Fri 9th - Mon 12th May

This program is graded easy to medium. Walking on average up to 3 kilometres each day on unmarked tracks in the Park. Most locations are relatively flat and open.

Shared Accommodation & meals provided

Visit the website for more information.

CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS - BROOKFIELD WOMBAT CONSERVATION WEEKEND

Brookfield Conservation Park, 3rd - 4th May & 5th - 6th July

Volunteers will be involved in wombat warren and vegetation surveys involving the collection of data (documenting location using GPS, collecting scat samples, recording measurements of warrens).

Shared Accommodation & meals provided

Visit the website for more information

Events

AUSTRALIAN PLANTS SOCIETY OF SA - AUTUMN PLANT SALE

Wayville Showground, Saturday 26th April 10am - 5pm & Sunday 27th April 10am - 4pm.

Not only do we have many thousands of plants available – many of them rare and unusual, but we can offer advice from horticulturalists and soils experts, books on gardening which are seldom available in bookstores, propagation workshops and much more. 

Further information is available on our website

PORT AUGUSTA BIRDLIFE - CAMP OUT

Witchelina Station, 25th - 27th April

Meet at 11am at Lyndhurst Pub for a camp out weekend at Witchelina Station.

For further information contact Peter 8642 5723, Greg 8648 6630 or Bernie 0419 863834.

Port Augusta birdlife is an affiliate of BirdLife Australia

PORT AUGUSTA BIRD OBSERVERS - FIELD TRIP

Horseshoe Range, 18th May, 8 am - 12 pm

Meet at Quorn Pool at 8:00 am

Port Augusta Bird Observers are an Affiliate of BirdLife Australia.

GLUEPOT RESERVE - ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION COURSES

An Introduction to Macro Photography: 5th - 6th April

An Introduction to Scientific Botanical Illustration: 17th & 18th May

GPS and GIS Workshop: 24th & 25th May

For more information read the course brochure.

Grants Open

WATERLOO WIND FARM COMMUNITY FUND

The Waterloo Wind Farm Community Fund has been set up by EnergyAustralia to provide financial support for projects that will provide lasting benefits to the local community.

We welcome proposals that aim to:

• Build community pride
• Benefit the environment
• Support the local economy

The fund is all about helping people to implement local initiatives that aim to improve outcomes for the local community.

Applications close 5pm Friday 11th April 2014.

For more information visit the website or contact Hannah Rantanen, 0408 547 869.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT SA GRANTS

Community Benefit SA invites applications for one-off project grants to develop and strengthen communities across metropolitan, rural and remote regions of South Australia.

Grants aim to improve the well-being, quality of life, community participation and life management skills of disadvantaged individuals, families and communities.

Average grant amounts are $10,000 with a maximum of $50,000 for some projects.

Projects can include equipment, short term programs, facility upgrades or strategic improvements for non-government community service providers.

Funding guidelines are available from the website.

Applications are accepted at any time.

Eligible organisations are strongly encouraged to contact CBSA on 1300 650 985 to discuss project proposals.