Issue 101

Dear friend

A fantastic workshop entitled "Designing Resilient Farming Systems" is taking place in Fremantle on July 8th. We recommend anyone with an interest in managing land resources that builds biodiversity, improves production, generates financial strength and improves the quality of life for those who use it. Scroll down to our events section and find out more!

And for those with an interest in Wheatbelt Fauna you will find a brilliant camera trap snap by Phil Lewis, WWF of a young rock wallaby below. The rock wallabies are found on only two Western Australian islands, a few isolated locations in the Pilbara and Goldfields, and at seven sites in the Wheatbelt.

You'll find these items and much more below.

Kind regards,

Wheatbelt NRM

Web Version

Events

Re-vegetation of “The Triangle”, Mount Brown, York

Community tree planting day
Shire of York/ Friends of Mt Brown
Friday 24 June (time tba on Tuesday am)

Contact Tyhscha Cochrane at the Shire of York for more information on 9641 2233
 

Designing Resilient Farming Systems

WITH ALLAN SAVORY

Fri 8th July - Maritime Museum, Fremantle
Thurs 7th July - Field Day with Bruce Ward

Monetary and ecological profit can co-exist. Your Decision-making and Management is the key

These powerful learning and networking events aim to positively challenge your thinking and your role in pursing profitable, sustainable business. Monetary profit and ecological profit can co-exist. Your decision-making and management is the key.

COST: flat price of $75 Bugs & Biology Group members, $100 non-members, $120 ticket inc B&B membership
MORE INFO: www.bugsandbiology.org / harcourt@katel.net.au / 08 9823 1577
BOOKINGS: send your completed registration form (below) to admin@mig.org.au or fax 9928 1540
Proudly hosted by the Bugs & Biology Grower Group and with thanks to our sponsors

Holistic management is a systems-thinking approach to managing land resources that builds biodiversity, improves production, generates financial strength and improves the quality of life for those who use it. Land managers in WA and around the world are using the framework to make grazing, land management and financial decisions that positively impact on their profitability, land health and productivity.

Allan Savory, who founded the concept, will be presenting the seminar along with four other highly acclaimed speakers. Savory, who began his discovery working as a wildlife biologist in Rhodesia in the 1960’s, developed the idea after investigating the causes of desertification. He concluded that the spread of deserts, loss of wildlife and the resultant impoverishment of people related to the way that people made decisions, whether they were on the land or not. Tony Lovell, a chartered accountant with over 25 years experience, will be presenting on the economics of decision-making. Lovell has been working with holistic management educator Bruce Ward in Australia since 2005, and has set up a company to identify and develop revenue streams within whole-farm businesses as a means to develop resilience.

Click here to download the registration form

Innovation Generation Conference

GrainGrowers is bringing its annual Innovation Generation Conference to Fremantle, WA from 11 – 12 July 2011, with an optional Agricultural Innovation Generation Study Tour travelling from Perth to Geraldton from 13 – 15 July 2011.

The Innovation Generation Conference provides a forum for young people, aged 40 years and under, working in agriculture either as a primary producer or agribusiness professional to connect with their peers and established leaders in their field. Innovation Generation tackles industry issues impacting on youth in agriculture and provides attendees with the opportunity to collaborate and network, whilst developing their broader industry knowledge and skills. There are plenty of networking opportunities available throughout the Conference with Dinner Functions held at the Fremantle Markets, WA Maritime Museum and Fremantle Prison!

This year, Innovation Generation attendees can broaden their experience by choosing to attend the TM Agricultural Innovation Generation Study Tour from 13 – 15 July 2011. The study tour will provide attendees with an opportunity to see innovation in practice and further develop networks within Australian agriculture by getting on farm and inside leading agribusinesses – importantly, sharing ideas is one way of further developing the industry we work in!

For only $445, delegates will receive 3 nights accommodation, all meals, access to all Conference sessions and three Dinner Functions. Registrations will close on Thursday 9 June 2011, so we encourage people to get in quick to join the Innovation Generation!! To register, visit https://www.ors.net.au/GGAJuly11.html  or for more information visit the GrainGrowers website www.graingrowers.com.au You can also view all the action from the 2010 Innovation Generation on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOzs4knrocw

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact GrainGrowers on 1800 620 519 or contact via email – enquiry@graingrowers.com.au 

Click here to download the invitation

Click here to download the Conference Program

General News

DEC undertakes urgent black-flanked rock wallaby recovery actions

Environment Minister Bill Marmion has announced that urgent measures are under way to assist two key Wheatbelt rock wallaby populations while an investigation is conducted into their decline.

Mr Marmion said a key population of the species at Nangeen Hill near Kellerberrin had declined and there was concern the population would be lost without intervention from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC).

The Minister said the exact cause of the decline was not known. Predation by foxes, drought and potential weed toxicity as the rock wallabies grazed on plants they normally avoided, are among the causes being considered.

Preliminary results from a survey at Mount Caroline Nature Reserve near Kellerberrin have also indicated significant decline in the rock wallaby population. The Minister said DEC was undertaking recovery actions and investigations at both of these important sites.

"DEC has stepped up fox baiting at Nangeen Hill and Mount Caroline from once every four weeks to fortnightly," Mr Marmion said.

"They are also providing supplementary food and water as well as engaging researchers and conservation groups to determine the condition of other populations and potential causes for this decline."

The black-flanked rock wallaby (Petrogale lateralis lateralis) is a threatened species under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and is listed as vulnerable according to World Conservation Union (IUCN) criteria. The rock wallabies are found on only two Western Australian islands, a few isolated locations in the Pilbara and Goldfields, and at seven sites in the Wheatbelt. Most of the Wheatbelt sites are small reserves with relatively small populations. The two major sites are Nangeen Hill and Mount Caroline nature reserves which have held more than 100 and more than 300 animals respectively in recent years.

Carbon Farming Initiative

The Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee is currently considering proposed Carbon Farming Initiative offset methodologies for Savanna Burning, Capture & Combustion of Landfill Gas, and Management of Camels in the Australian Rangelands. All three of these focus on avoided emissions and are open for public consultation until the 30th June 20011.

Proposed methodologies

Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Savanna burning
Avoided emissions from savanna burning
Open for consultation
Deadline for public comments 30 June 2011

Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Capture and combustion of landfill gas
Avoided emissions from legacy waste deposited in landfill
Open for consultation
Deadline for public comments 30 June 2011

Northwest Carbon Pty Ltd
Management of large feral herbivores (camels) in the Australian rangelands*
Avoided emissions from feral animals
Open for consultation
Deadline for public comments 30 June 2011

For more information on the CFI, including the proposed legislation and further information on offset methodologies go to: www.climatechange.gov.au/government/initiatives/carbon-farming-initative/methodology-development/methodologies-under-consideration.aspx
 

Funding

Applications for Community Action Grants 2011-12 are now open

Community groups around Australia can now apply for small grants to help fund local environmental and sustainable agriculture projects. Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Dr Mike Kelly, today announced that $5 million will be available through the 2011-12 Community Action Grants round.

“Community Action Grants are helping rural, urban and Indigenous community groups around Australia take action to conserve and protect their local environment and natural resources,” Dr Kelly said.

“Grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 are available to help local community groups undertake activities such as planting trees, revegetating landscapes, rehabilitating dunes, removing weeds, controlling pests, holding field days, recording traditional ecological knowledge and improving sustainable land management practices.”

Since Community Action Grants were announced in 2009, 877 projects have received funding worth more than $15 million (GST exclusive).

“We have listened to feedback from the community and this year eligibility has been broadened to include all local community groups that deliver environmental and sustainable agriculture projects,” Dr Kelly said.

“Eligible community groups may include rotary clubs, surf clubs and scout groups, in addition to Indigenous, Landcare, Coastcare and other local community groups.

“The Australian Government is committed to supporting local community and volunteer groups which play a vital role in restoring the landscape.”

Community Action Grants are part of the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country initiative. Funding allows volunteers and local community groups to contribute to the Caring for our Country priority areas of protecting biodiversity and natural icons, coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats, and using sustainable farm practices.

Applications for the 2011-12 Community Action Grants will close Monday 1 August 2011

More information on Caring for our Country and Community Action Grants, including how to apply, is available at http://www.nrm.gov.au/cag/index.html or by calling 1800 552 008.

Opportunities

Seedlings available

• 400 Acacia acuminata seedlings
• 30 Acacia meisneri and
• 50 Allocasuarina huegeliana are available

All seedlings are priced at $1 each.

If you would like to purchase any of the above please contact Eric Ayling by emailing: ayfo@wn.com.au

2011 PRIME MINISTER'S ENVIRONMENTALIST OF THE YEAR & 2011 ENVIRONMENTAL MINISTER'S YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Sponsors: Australian Government & the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

2011 Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year and 2011 Environment Minister's Young Environmentalist of the Year Awards are open for entry to recognise an outstanding contribution to a Sustainable Australia.

Self-nominations and nominations on behalf of another individual and organisations are accepted. Nominated individuals and organisations must have achieved outcomes that have:
• made a significant contribution to a Sustainable Australia
• influenced understanding or appreciation of sustainability, in Australia and/or overseas, and
• provided leadership or inspiration in the field of sustainability.

Find out more about 2011 Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year and 2011 Environment Minister's Young Environmentalist of the Year Awards
 

Publications

Wheatbelt NRM Newsletter (Djeran - Makuru)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

• Nyungar Working on Country Workshop
• Djeran Makuru update
• Saia oat cover crop smothers weeds and protects soil against wind erosion
• Bushcare grants hit the ground
• New Conservation Plan for the Southwest Australia Ecoregion
• Growing SantoriniA serradella creates a more sustainable farming system whilst filling a niche on sandy soils
• Avon Master TreeGrowers update

Click here to download the Newsletter

Focus On

Georgia Trainor

Professional Practice student with Wheatbelt NRM

Georgia is a third year Curtin University student studying Agribusiness (Marketing) at the Muresk Campus in Northam. She has previously worked in the Growers Service Centre at CBH and enjoys many of the aspects involved in working with producers. Currently, Georgia is working in the communications area of Wheatbelt NRM and is looking forward to finding out about the many facets of Natural Resource Management in the Avon River Basin.

Georgia believes that this opportunity to complete her professional practice at Wheatbelt NRM will provide valuable insight into sustainable farming and will equip her with a broad range of knowledge for the future.