Issue 106

Dear Chris

Wheatbelt NRM would like to thank everyone who stopped by our tent at the Dowerin Field Days. It was great to speak with so many people across the region interested and involved in Natural Resource Management.

For those of you with a special patch of bush that needs looking after, scroll down to funding and find out more about Wheatbelt NRM's Bushcare grants which have recently opened.

There are also three exciting employment opportunites at Wheatbelt NRM including a Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, Evaluation Production Officer and Finance Officer. Scroll down to opportunities for more information.

Kind regards,

Wheatbelt NRM

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Events

Wheatbelt NRM Annual General Meeting - Pencil the date!

The Wheatbelt NRM Annual General Meeting is taking place on Thursday 27 October 2011.

The guest speaker will be Professor Paul Hardisty, Global Director of EcoNomics™ and Sustainability for Worley Parsons.  EcoNomics™ is a service which embeds profitable sustainability into all aspects of the project delivery life cycle.  Paul has over 20 years of experience advising corporations and government on environmental and social sustainability.

Watch this space for more information regarding the day.

General News

Good Turnout for Yilgarn Fieldwalk

There was a good turnout for the Post Seeding Fieldwalk organised by Bodallin Catchment Group. Some 42 farmers, sponsors and speakers had an enjoyable and informative afternoon. It was followed by a family BBQ with partners and children bringing the numbers up to 50.

The fieldwalk centred on the Winderosion Project site located at Clint Della Bosca’s and funded by Wheatbelt NRM. This project compares various treatments including continuous cropping with full stubble retention, chemical fallow and the use of weed seeker technology, cover crop for enhanced residue, ploughing. The treatments are now sown to wheat across the treatments, half with tynes and half with discs.

Discussion compared the use of discs and tynes for handling stubble. Even on the enhanced cover crop treatment there was no real trouble getting through the stubble, although it did clump up a bit with the tynes. Regarding the chemical fallow treatment, Caroline Peek of DAFWA referred to Michael Robertson’s (CSIRO) research and farmer experiences in the Northern Agricultural area to begin the discussion. Michael reports of an average yield benefits range from 0t/ha – 1t/ha depending on soil type and subsoil constraints such as soil acidity or other barriers.

Another point of interest was the demonstrations of twin sowing and summer sowing of Margurita pods at Tim and Jo Popes.  Brad Nutt of DAFWA explained that the idea of this is to provide a cheap method to establish legume pasture.

Courtney Piesse and Gina Gapper of Elders walked us through the trials of newly released Canola varieties pointing out the attributes and differences of each.

The day finished with a very enjoyable get together over a BBQ and refreshments, joined by some partners and children. This gave everyone the chance to chat with the speakers and sponsors and answer Chris Gazey’s survey on soil acidity.

Carbon Farming Brings Fields of Opportunity for Regional Australia

Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) LEGISLATION - The legislation to underpin the CFI was passed by Parliament on 23 August 2011. This legislation aims to provide long-term certainty to participants of the CFI and underpin the environmental integrity and market value of carbon credits. The legislation was amended to clarify that determined native title interests (including non-exclusive native title) will hold a consent right in relation to CFI sequestration projects.

The CFI Administrator will be operational in three months’ time, from the start of December 2011. Project proponents can then register to participate and open an account in the national registry of emissions units. Where CFI methodologies are available, project proponents can begin applying for approval of their projects.

Methodologies for landfill gas, reforestation, manure management and savannah burning have been developed and are currently being assessed by the interim Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee. The Government is working with stakeholders to develop other methodologies including for reduced fertiliser use, increase in soil carbon, restoring rangelands, revegetation and avoided deforestation.

CONSULTATION PAPER ON ENABLING INDIGENOUS PARTICIPATION - The Government has extended the consultation on enabling Indigenous participation in the CFI until 9 September 2011 to allow more time for stakeholders to provide input. The consultation paper covers how Indigenous landholders can participate in the CFI and outlines outstanding issues in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land. Further information is available on the Department’s website. All submissions which are not confidential will be placed on the website shortly. We will keep you updated on the progress and outcome of this process.

REGULATIONS ON POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE LIST - The Government has released exposure draft regulations for public consultation. These draft regulations deal with activities that would be considered additional and eligible to participate in the CFI and activities that would be ineligible. The commentary explains the criteria for assessing activities for inclusion on these lists and provides more detail on each listed activity.

The list of eligible activities includes the early dry season burning of savannah areas greater than 1 km sq and the management of feral camels (these methodologies are still being considered by the interim Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee as noted above).

The Government is now seeking comments from all interested stakeholders on the draft regulations on positive and negative lists. The consultation runs until 16 September 2011 and we would welcome your feedback. Where possible, the submissions should use the template available on the website and be lodged via email to cfi@climatechange.gov.au.

For further information on the CFI, see www.climatechange.gov.au/cfi.

National Wildlife Corridors Plan (NWCP)

The NWCP is;.

• a key element of the Australian Government’s new approach to landscape-scale management.
• part of the response to issues impacting our biodiversity and natural resources, such as climate change.
• intended to guide creation of wildlife corridors to build connectivity and resilience to climate change and promote natural storage of carbon
• is intended that discussions with stakeholders, including through the Advisory Group, will occur as the Plan and the pilot projects progress over the next three years.

Advisory Group members have been selected on the basis of experience and expertise from science, industry, environmental non-government organisations, natural resource management bodies and Indigenous groups.

The NWCP will relate to the following land sector package measures: Carbon Farming Initiative, Biodiversity Fund, Natural resource management for climate change.

Further information about the Advisory Group is available on the National Wildlife Corridor Plan website at www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/wildlife-corridors

Funding

Bushcare Grants now open!

Do you have a special patch of bush that needs looking after?
Wheatbelt NRM wants to help communities and land holders to protect their local natural areas.

The Wheatbelt NRM Bush care Grants will support community organisations and individuals to manage and undertake on ground works which will manage remnant bush and protect the important biodiversity values of the region.

Grants are available up to the value of $15,000 for works including revegetation, fencing of remnant bush and pest control.

Closing Date:
To be considered for funding applications must be received or postmarked on or before 15th October 2011. Applications received later than this date will be assessed individually pending adequate funds (if any) remaining from the assessment.

Application form
Click here to download the application form

For more information
Please contact Mick Davis on 9690 2250 or email mdavis@wheatbeltnrm.org.au

Be Natural Landcare grants program

Landcare Australia and Be Natural are pleased to launch a $125,000 grants program that will provide funding to voluntary environmental community groups across Australia. This grants program will enable groups to continue their great work in tackling local environmental issues by providing funding to help with the continuation of on-going projects.

The Be Natural Landcare grants program will provide grants of up to $5,000 to 25 local groups to help with the projects which have not received funding in the last 12 months. Through the grants program, groups will also be encouraged to find innovative ways of attracting more volunteers to their group and projects.

Download the Guide and Application, or visit the Landcare Australia website for more information.

If you are considering an application and need some advice or assistance on a project in the Avon river basin, contact Mick Davis at Wheatbelt NRM on 089 690 2250 or email mdavis@wheatbeltnrm.org.au

Opportunities

RIRDC Rural Women's Award 2012

The RIRDC Rural Women's Award 2012 is now open!

The peak national award that recognises Australia’s most inspirational rural women is now open to applications. The 2012 RIRDC Rural Women’s Award provides financial assistance, mentoring and access to a nation-wide network of business and community leaders for the selected winners.

Applications can be downloaded and submitted online from the RIRDC website: www.rirdc.gov.au

Applications close on World Rural Women’s Day, 15 October 2011.

Positions available at Wheatbelt NRM

Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator

Based in Northam
General Division Level 5
$72,663 - $80,308
Fulltime fixed term contract through to 30 June 2013

An exciting opportunity exists to join a team of reputable natural resource management professionals. This position has responsibility for coordinating monitoring and evaluation activities in Wheatbelt NRM projects and programs. The position also coordinates and leads the Wheatbelt NRM's ongoing adaptive management cycle to support the organisations ability to undertake continual improvement across all programs.

An ability to communicate with a variety of stakeholders and an understanding of the concepts relating to program monitoring and evaluation will be highly regarded.

Ideally the applicant will have experience in monitoring and evaluation activities and an understanding of the management of natural resources of the Wheatbelt.

Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management Incorporated (Wheatbelt NRM) is an independent community-based organisation leading natural resource management (NRM) endeavours within the Avon River Basin.

Position documentation is available below:

Position Description

Key Results

Advice for applicants

Job application form

Applications close 5pm WST Friday 23 September 2011

For further information or an application package please contact Rebecca Palumbo at rpalumbo@wheatbeltnrm.org.au or on 9690 2265.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evaluation Production Officer

Based in Northam
General Division Level: 4
Salary Range: $65,320 - $69,033
Fulltime fixed term contract through to 30 June 2013

An exciting opportunity exists to join a team of reputable natural resource management professionals. This role has dual responsibility for the production of evaluation DVD's for the current Wheatbelt NRM program as well as the management of a data base for the recording of traditional knowledge. An ability to communicate with a variety of stakeholders, in particular the aboriginal community and an understanding of the concepts relating to program evaluation will be highly regarded.

Ideally the applicant will have experience in the production of audio/visual publications using Final Cut software and an understanding of the management of natural resources of the Wheatbelt.

Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management Incorporated (Wheatbelt NRM) is an independent community-based organisation leading natural resource management (NRM) endeavours within the Avon River Basin.

Position documentation is available below:

Position Description

Key Results

Advice for applicants

Job application form

Applications close 5pm WST Friday 23 September 2011

For further information or an application package please contact Rebecca Palumbo at rpalumbo@wheatbeltnrm.org.au or on 9690 2265.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finance Officer

Based in Northam
General Division Level: 2
Salary Range: $50,557 - $54,900
Part time fixed term contract through to 30 June 2013

An exciting opportunity exists to join a team of reputable natural resource management professionals. This position share's responsibility for coordinating finance activities in the organisation. Working closely with within a team the position will develop into HR, property lease management and general administration duties as required.

An understanding of the concepts relating to ethical finance and a working knowledge of MYOB will be highly regarded.

Ideally the applicant will have an eye for accuracy, a natural affinity for working with numbers, and working as part of a lively NRM team.

Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management Incorporated (Wheatbelt NRM) is an independent community-based organisation leading natural resource management (NRM) endeavours within the Avon River Basin.

Position documentation is available below:

Position Description

Key Results

Advice for applicants

Job application form

Applications close 5pm WST Friday 23 September 2011

For further information or an application package please contact Katie Barr at kbarr@wheatbeltnrm.org.au or 96902267.

Publications

Drivers of Practice Change

On the 16th of August the Australian Bureau of Agricultural &
Resource Economics & Sciences (ABARES) released the
preliminary national survey results of “Drivers of Practice Change
in Land Management in Australian Agriculture”. This survey was
conducted for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries
to help inform the review of the Caring for Our Country Program
(CFOC).

While caution should be exercised in interpreting survey results,
this is some of the most interesting research of its type that I
have seen and it provides some timely data to help inform the
review of CFOC.

While these are preliminary results, they did highlight a number of important factors such as;

• Financial and environmental factors rated highly in influencing land management
• Improving soil quality was the major environmental motivation.
• Landcare along with farm productivity groups was the most valued source of support.
• The National Landcare Program had the highest level of recognition by farmers of current and previous Australian Government NRM programs.
• Farmers indicated that financial limitations were the most limiting factor in the uptake of NRM practices.

For more information go to: www.abares.gov.au/

Click here to download the publication

Focus On

New species of Wheatbelt spider

The chance discovery of an unusual looking spider in the backyard of a Grass Valley home has lead to the identification of a new species of arachnid.

John Cornish noticed an unusual white headed, black and brown-legged spider on his back veranda in July.

Using a jar, he carefully captured the spider and took it to the Department of Environment and Conservation's Northam office.

Staff then called upon spider expert Mick Davis from Wheatbelt NRM, who soon realised the significance of the discovery.

"This spider has been nicknamed the albino trap door spider, and is about the size of a 50 cent piece," Mick Davis said.

"We've handed it to the WA Museum, which has identified it as a new species of trap door spider from the Idiopidae family."

Mark Harvey is the WA Museum's curator of arachnids and myriapods.

He said the species was similar to a group of spiders found further north at Ballidu and Eneabba.

"The difference is in the way they mate, and the structure of the male pedipalp which transmits sperm to the female," Mark Harvey said.

"The spider is venomous, but is not considered dangerous."

Mark Harvey said the spider was yet to be formally named.

Wheatbelt NRM's Mick Davis said the discovery raised the question of whether there were other species in the area waiting to be discovered.

"The finding is significant, as it highlights the richness of our wheatbelt backyards - where something never seen before can literally just walk up to your back door," Mick Davis.

"It's fantastic people like Mr Cornish are keeping their eyes open and making the effort to find out more about our unique biodiversity

"If people reckon they have seen something unusual and want to know more, we'd love them to contact us on 9690 2250 or email mdavis@wheatbeltnrm.org.au