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Well done Trees Please on over 20 years of volunteering at The Cedars!
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Every wondered why people give up their time and volunteer when life is just so busy? Check out this video with group Trees Please Inc. who have been protecting the biodiversity at the famous artist Hans Heysen’s Hahndorf property, known as The Cedars, since 1998. You will quickly see that the history, art, and the environment (and a gourmet shared lunch!) is what keeps bringing this group back every week, and you’ll also hear about the social, fitness and wellbeing benefits volunteering has! If you would like to know more about volunteering opportunities in the Hills and Fleurieu region, contact Dana Miles.
Want to see more of what the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board has been up to? Subscribe to our new YouTube channel.
Photo: Communications and Engagement Officer Dana Miles (centre) and Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator Sophie Bass (right) from the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board talking to Trevor Curnow from Trees Please!
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Fire recovery project coordinator Katrina Warner ready to help 15,550 plants go to their new homes. |
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Cudlee Creek Fire Recovery plant giveaway a huge success
A big thank you to all the landholders who came to our glant giveaway at Woodside for Cudlee Creek fire recovery. It was a great day, involving 18 staff members and 12 supporting organisations. By the end of the day, 15,550 plants had been collected by nearly 200 landholders. We look forward to seeing all these wonderful native seedlings being planted throughout the fire affected areas. Check out this short video of the day.
This event was part of the Local Economic Recovery Program which is being delivered in a partnership between the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board and Primary Industries and Regions SA. It is co-funded by the South Australian and Commonwealthgovernments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Still need more plants?
Trees for Life are offering a 50% discount on seedlings ordered through the 2021 Tree Scheme for collection in April 2022. Orders close 31 August 2021. The Tree Scheme is celebrating four decades of helping put native plants back into South Australian landscapes!
The Kersbrook Landcare Group also has plant sales scheduled for August 7 and September 5. Check out the details here.
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The wellbeing benefits of participating in Landcare
For decades, those involved in Landcare have testified to a greater sense of self, both physically and mentally, resulting from an enhanced link with their local community and environment. This, in turn, has boosted community wellbeing and it has long been the desire of the Landcare movement to quantify the significance of these benefits.
Now, newly published findings by KPMG Australia, in partnership with Landcare Australia, indicate Landcare volunteers enjoy substantial improvements to their mental and physical wellbeing – with a significant decrease to their healthcare costs. 46% of survey respondents reported an improvement in mental resilience, and 90% of survey respondents reported experiencing a stronger connection to their community.
Read more!
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Heritage Agreement Small Grants now open!
The Revitalising Private Conservation in South Australia Program is expanding the number, extent and quality of protected areas of native vegetation on private land in South Australia.
The small grants provide funding for vital conservation work for owners or managers of private land with native vegetation under a Heritage Agreement. The grants are also open to aspiring Heritage Agreement landholders.
Landholders will be eligible for up to $10,000 to improve and protect their existing or proposed Heritage Agreement area.
More information about this Small Grant round can be found on the Nature Foundation website.
Applications close August 2.
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Don’t forget your driplines!
What happens to your old drip lines, drip pipes and dripper tubes?
Did you know that instead of sending them to landfill, you can take them to YCA Recycling? The coils are processed and turned into plastic flakes, which are then supplied to local manufacturers to make more drip lines. Well done on this great initiative YCA!
Get in touch with YCA Recycling on admin@ycarecycling.com or on 1300 503 882.
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On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme – Round 3 2021-22
South Australian primary producers in drought affected areas can now apply for a new funding from the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme.
You may be eligible for a rebate of 25% (maximum $25,000 ex GST) for the cost of purchasing and installing new on-farm water infrastructure for livestock and permanent horticulture that either addresses animal welfare needs during periods of drought, or assists primary producers to be more resilient for future droughts by protecting permanent horticulture assets.
The maximum rebate of $25,000 is available per business enterprise across rounds 1 to 3 of this scheme and includes previous applications to the On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme.
Further information on the program and eligibility criteria can be found at PIRSA.
Applications close July 30 2022.
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Nominate today for the Landscape SA Excellence Award!
Nominations are now open for the newly created Landscape SA Excellence Award, an initiative of the Minister for Environment and Water. Environmental and Aboriginal organisations across the state are being invited to submit nominations of individual community members or groups that are involved in delivering projects that achieve landscape scale outcomes aligned with the Landscape South Australia Act (2019).
The winner will receive $5,000. Projects should demonstrate at least one of the following: partnerships and collaborations across different sectors; Industry or community leadership; and innovation or adaptation. Projects may cover work in any of these areas: bushfire recovery, sustainable primary production, agricultural resilience, landscape restoration, pest plant and animal management, water management, over-abundant native animals, climate change or drought.
For guidelines and nomination forms, please contact Mica Balela, mica.balela@sa.gov.au or 846 36156.
Nominations close July 28.
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Tax rebates for undertaking Landcare works
Did you know that preparing your farm business for fire risk can be claimed in your tax return?
Primary producers are eligible for a number of tax rebates for undertaking Landcare works. Basalt to Bay Landcare Network has been working closely with the Australian Taxation Office to produce simple, easy to read fact sheets to help landholders get the rebates they are entitled to.
The following tax rebate fact sheets are available for primary producers:
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New survey to understand how farmers use and dispose of silage wrap
Dairy Australia, with funding from the Australian Government’s National Product Stewardship Investment Fund, is taking the next steps to help farmers recycle their silage plastic waste. Work is underway to implement a system that collects and recycles 100% of silage wrap by 2030.
As part of the investigation, Dairy Australia is interested in farmers’ current practices and preferences for a future recycling scheme. The survey results will inform the design of future recycling schemes and help produce a recycling program with real solutions for farmers across Australia.
The survey will take less than 15 minutes to complete and is an opportunity for farmers to help shape the best outcomes for the future. This information will be used to make recommendations on a collection and recycling scheme for silage plastics, including wrap, pit covers, netting and twine. All results will be kept confidential.
The data is being collected by MRA Consulting Group on behalf of Dairy Australia, and aggregated results will be shared with Dairy Australia and the project's working group.
Read more or take the survey here.
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Improving vineyard resilience
In May this year, Mary Retallack from Retallack Viticulture presented a workshop to the Adelaide Hills Wine Region on improving vineyard resilience and replanting with natives.
Check out this video from the day, courtesy of Jon Bourke.
The Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board was a proud supporter of this workshop.
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‘Feral’ podcast talks all things invasive species
A new podcast series from the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions is being hosted by former ABC Landline journalist Prue Adams (pictured). It includes episodes on invasive species, pest animals and surveillance.
Listen now.
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Nominate for a 2021 SA Landcare Award
Landcare SA is inviting nominations for the 2021 SA Landcare Awards. These recognise individuals and groups in South Australia for their outstanding contributions to preserving the unique Australian landscape.
Nominate now!
Nominations close August 16.
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COVID update
Due to State Government restrictions introduced on July 20, the Mt Barker and Willunga offices of the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board will be closed for a week.
We will still be contactable by email and phone.
For enquiries please email hf.landscapeboard@sa.gov.au or phone 8391 7500.
Stay safe everyone!
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Events and training opportunities
In resonse to COVID, events may be moved online, postponed, or cancelled at short notice-please contact the relevant event organiser for more information.
Healthy soils webinar series – Limestone Coast Landscape Board
July 28. Improving productivity on Sandy Soils presented by Dr Melissa Fraser @ 7:00pm
August 18. Improving productivity on Clay Soils presented by Dr Melissa Fraser @ 7:00pm
Livestock Advisor Update for Southern Australia
July 28-29 – now online
This online event will provide you with practical, ready to apply knowledge of current tools and technology. The event will be beneficial to anyone who has an interest in livestock research, development, tools, extension, technology and support and making industry connections.
2021 Grassland Society of Southern Australia - Annual Conference
28 July-28 August – online
The Grassland Society invites you to the 2021 Annual Conference. It will take place online via Zoom from 6.30pm - 8.30pm AEST every Wednesday evening for four weeks. The theme will be Green Gold – profiting from pastures.
Barossa Improved Grazing Group Water Catchment Workshop
August 4
This workshop will showcase and communicate the innovative rainwater capture strategy of on-farm lined catchments. You’ll hear from Mark Scobie, a leading Coorong farmer who was the first farmer in the region to gain approval to construct a lined catchment, and Tracey Strugnell, a Coorong community engagement officer who was the key driver of the Coorong water security project that focused on the development of lined catchments. Brian Hughes, local PIRSA consultant will also share his knowledge on lined catchments at the workshop.
2021 National Landcare Conference
August 4-6 – now online
Major themes include sustainable agriculture, environment and climate change, community partnerships in action and Landcare impact.
Ag Excellence Forum
August 9 – Barossa Novotel
The Ag Excellence Forum & Awards is South Australia’s premier Grower Group event. Forum2021 provides a dynamic arena for grower groups, government and industry stakeholders to share experiences, develop new ideas and foster trends within the innovation, technology and extension space.
Stepping into Leadership 2021
Women Together Learning (WoTL) and Primary Industries and Regions SA invite you to participate in their Stepping in to Leadership program, which enables women in agriculture and agribusiness across South Australia to participate in professional development and building personal leadership skills.
Bury your Undies and Learn about Soils
The Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board invites you to participate in ‘soiling your undies’ …..to learn about soil health. Why not get the dirt on your neighbours and ask them to soil their pants too and compare your results?
Volunteering SA & NT
Find out more about free and low cost training for volunteers, volunteer managers/co-ordinators and volunteering-involving organisations.
Get bushfire resilient with free webinars
Build your knowledge ahead of Fire Danger Season by listening to industry experts from CSIRO, CFA, Flinders and La Trobe Universities, Universities of Melbourne and Woollongong, as well as clinical psychologist Dr Rob Gordon OAM in a series of informative webinars.
SANTFA has decided to cancel the 2021 Conference scheduled for the 2nd of August in Clare in light of the current COVID restrictions. The board is endeavouring to devise an alternative event and will advise in the coming weeks.
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If you have a story or event to promote, please email the Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator for the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, Sophie Bass, at sophie.bass@sa.gov.au.
The Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator Program is funded by the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.
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