I’m pleased to share that our annual Grassroots Grants program is now open, with $120,000 available for community landscapes projects. It’s always great to see the range of projects that community groups, councils and schools can put into action thanks to this funding.
I know that some of the existing grant projects are waiting on rain (aren’t we all?!) to get revegetation works complete but many others have been making great progress over the past months including with pest plant and animal control, and biodiversity and agriculture workshops. See our story further down for more details about our grants.
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This week myself and other staff, along with our Chair Peter Treloar, are showcasing the EP to our Australian Government funding partners. Every five years we go through a funding process with the Australian Government that has resulted in key biodiversity and agriculture projects funded within our region.
Pictured left: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water representative Keith Armstrong with Peter, myself and our Operations Manager Seb Drewer.
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This week’s visit has been showcasing our environmental projects including our current Sheoak Grassy Woodland recovery project at Streaky Bay as well as previous projects like Whibley wattle conservation near Tumby Bay, EP Blue Gums at Yallunda Flat, and saltmarsh revegetation and Hooded Plover conservation across the region.
Our current environmental projects are funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust, which we deliver as a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
And lastly, some news that isn’t easy to write. Our team were deeply saddened by the passing of former colleague Fred Pickett earlier this year. We pass on our condolences to his family. We have some more details about Fred in an article below. He will certainly be missed, not only as an expert on pest control but as a dear friend to many of us. Please note that this newsletter does include a photo of Fred.
All the best,
Jonathan Clark
General Manager,
Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board
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Showcasing our region and projects to funding partners at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. |
Staff updates & committee opening
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Our western and eastern districts have welcomed new landscape officers recently.
In the western team, Olivia Edkins has been working out of our Streaky Bay and Ceduna offices. Olivia jumped right into shorebird surveys when she started in February after recently graduating with an Honours degree in ecology and conservation with a focus on Striated Grasswren in fenced reserves.
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In the eastern team, Rafe Bridge joins us in our Cleve office after working as an environmental graduate in the Kalgoorlie mining industry.
Having grown up on a SA farm at Pinnaroo, Rafe is enjoying the opportunity to work with local landholders on our priority issues.
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Risk, Audit and Finance Committee opening
We have an opening for an External (Independent) Member on our Risk, Audit and Finance Committee. This is a two-year term which includes payments on a sessional basis.
This committee provides advice and comment to the Board in the areas of risk management, internal controls, annual financial statements, compliance, internal and external audit, fraud control and policy.
Expressions of interest to fill this committee position are open until April 4. See our vacancies page for full details.
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Applications are now open for our Grassroots Grants program. Grants of up to $15,000 are available for local projects or events that focus on at least one of our regional priorities of water, sustainable agriculture, pest plants and animals, biodiversity and community.
Our Chair, Peter Treloar, says this grant program is about inspiring the community to become actively involved in the sustainable management of Eyre Peninsula’s natural resources.
“These grants are designed to give the Eyre Peninsula community a helping hand with projects that are focused on managing or improving our local natural resources or providing education about our priority issues,” Mr Treloar says.
“Current grants are seeing community groups, schools and local council’s work on a range of projects including weed control and rabbit proof fencing at Point Boston by local landholders; revegetation works at Pildappa Rock by Wudinna District Council; and Port Neill Primary School’s marine biology education and awareness project.
“It’s inspiring to see how our community is invested in our local landscapes and I look forward to seeing the range of projects that applicants put forward from this call-out.”
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At Wanilla, community members Chris and Sally Deslandes have been leading a project to protect the habitat for the nationally threatened Metallic Sun Orchid and Southern Emu-wren.
In conjunction with other community members and Lower Eyre Council, they have coordinated flora and fauna surveys, completed pest plant control and monitored for feral cats.
“The emu wrens have only been sighted in this area since last year and we’re not sure why they have migrated to this spot, so this project has been about sustaining what is here to support the emu wren habitat,” Chris Deslandes says.
Applications for this year's grants are open until May 4. For further information including application form, FAQs and guidelines see our Grassroots Grants page.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the below article does include mention of and a photo of someone who has died.
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In Memorial: Fred Pickett
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Last month, many of our staff attended a memorial service for former landscape officer Fred Pickett, who passed away suddenly in late January.
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Fred worked with us for 15 years until retiring in 2024. During that time he had a real impact on many projects, in particular our pest plant and animal control programs. Many landholders across lower EP would’ve worked with Fred on control programs and would know he always made time to have a chat and make sure people were heard.
His eye for spotting pest plants has well and truly been noticed since retiring but Fred also made a massive impact on his colleagues as a friend who looked out for others with his caring and thoughtful nature. He will be dearly missed.
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The plan is now ready for implementation by our Aboriginal Engagement Officer, Kristina Miletic (pictured), with the first step being the formation of an Aboriginal engagement committee.
Kristina is keen to get feedback from Aboriginal people across the EP about the establishment and structure of this committee. If you would like to provide input or find out more, please contact Kristina on 0407 484 421 or kristina.miletic@sa.gov.au by April 4.
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Focus on Elliston groundwater
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As part of the project, a range of researchers have been busy gathering data in the region. This includes:
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CSIRO installing 54 loggers in sinkholes around Elliston. The data collected from these loggers will let researchers know when recharge occurs, helping them to quantify the rainfall needed to recharge groundwater. Read more about this in a story from CSIRO.
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Flinders University undertaking geophysical surveys. Data will inform groundwater modelling and analysis, including risks of saltwater intrusion.
The project is jointly funded by the Australian Government ($2m) and South Australian Government ($300,000), with Australian Government funding provided through the National Water Grid Fund. We have been providing ongoing support to this project.
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April 1 & 3: Carbon farming workshops
Our introduction to carbon farming workshops began this week with two more to be held next week in Port Lincoln and Wudinna. Registrations are still open.
April 10: Tangaroa Blue environmental stewardship workshop
We’re pleased to be supporting Tangaroa Blue with this workshop to focus on identifying local beach clean-up sites for marine debris monitoring - including a visit to our long-term monitoring site at Bolingbroke. Find out more.
April 29: Elliston bird workshop
Join us for a fun and informative day, learning about local bird species in the Elliston area. This is a free workshop but RSVPs are essential. Find out more.
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