SUCCESSFUL ENVIRO FUND IN THE NAMBUCCA FOR ROUND 8

2006 - 2007

Nambucca Valley Conservation Association will receive $32,708 to prepare 8 educational kits to "Raise awareness of organic & interactive systems as sustainable alternatives to Genetic Engineering." 

Missabotti Bed & Bank Stabilisation -NVL will receive $16,572 on behalf of Missabotti Landholders to "control erosion & improve habitat along 2km of the stream."

It seems that Envirofund is getting a bit more farmer friendly. NRCMA are continuing down the path of focusing in the best areas & leaving rest to do their best.                                                                   Round 9 opens 5th Feburary 2007.

If you are interested in getting a project up & would like help contact the office soon. A project will take a number of weeks to develop into an application that has any chance of success. We have to get permits if required, indigenous advice, expert appraisal & form a clear picture of what is to be done at what price to achieve the outcome. 

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

OUR NEW " RESOURCE KIT FOR RURAL LANDHOLDERS"

NVL together with Maclay and Hastings Landcare have produced a "Resource Kit for Rural Landholders" funded by the National Landcare Program through the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority. The kit pulls together basic information relevant to landholders, that is normally scattered across organisations into one easy to use guide. The information is specific to these three valleys. Two sections are devoted solely to lists of resources for gathering more information on topics of interest and contact details of the appropriate people in Government Departments and other relevant organisations. The kit is available free to Landholders, and copies are available at Landcare Offices in each Valley.

A RESOURCE KIT FOR RURAL LANDHOLDERS

In The Nambucca, Macleay and Hasting Valleys

If you live on the land or you are thinking talking up rural life on the mid north coast, this kit is for you. 

The kit pulls together basic information relevant to living on the land that is normally scattered across organisations into an easy to use guide for landholders in these three valleys.

The kit briefly describes the natural resources ( soils, water, native vegetation, pastures) and major factors that impact on them (climate, drought, fire, weeds) specific to this area.

The kit also provides a selected guide to resources where you can find more detailed information about the enterprises you work with or to better understand your land.

The contact section in the kit lists contact details for Government departments and organisations relevant to living on the land.

A Supplementary Pack is also available for more detailed information on agriculture enterprises and managing your natural resources.

Landcare on the Mid North Coast together with the National Landcare Program and the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority provide this kit to landowners FREE.

For more information contact:-

Nambucca Valley Landcare   02 65 647 838  

Macleay Landcare Network   02 65 622 076  

Hastings Landcare Inc.         02 65 864 465

LANDSCAN -WORKSHOPS

Free resources & equipment. Half price aerial photo's & soil tests. Morning Tea provided, bring your own lunch.

LAND CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT  - 5th & 6th DEC at South Arm Hall, starting at 9.30am.

Have a look at your property as a whole, read the strengths & weaknesses of your land, adapt to climate change & avoid land degradation.

TWO DAYS -$60 (per property )

Delivered by NSW Dept of Primary Industries. Limited places available. Ring Landcare on - 02 6564 7838

BUFFALO FLY & DUNG BEETLE FIELD DAY

What a success! There were only 3 people registered for the day but 61 turned up. this shows the growing concern in the Valley as Buffalo Fly numbers increase. NVL received funding from the National Landcare Program to build a buffalo fly trap which has now been built & placed at the Bowraville School Farm to test the fly trap over summer. We will let you know how it performs.

Lex Turner from Qld DPI talked about the biology of the fly & control techniques.

Pam Wilson, the Dung Beetle expert from NSW DPI, explained how chemical treatment for buffalo fly can affect dung beetle numbers & other ways of helping Dung Beetles to survive. She also showed trapping techniques for releasing the beetles elsewhere to help increase numbers.

 SOIL AND LAND PLANING WORKSHOPS FOR NORTH COAST LANDOWNERS

Landscan and Climate Instability

According to climate models the North Coast is getting warmer with more intense weather events and longer dry spells in between. Managing land is challenging at the best of times but climate change makes things harder. Management plans that worked in the past may fail or lead to new problems. By looking at parts of your property will respond to these pressures it is possible to manage your land to minimise problems and to achieve better long term production.

Under the scheme supported by the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority, a series of specially adapted "Landscan" workshops are being offered through the Dept Of Primary Industries. "Landscan 1" focuses on interpreting the landscape to determine the capabilities of the land. An aerial photograph is provided at half price and used to look at the strengths and weaknesses of different parts of your property. Long term processes are examined and clues from the landscape or the vegetation are used to identify possible problem areas.

Land and climate cannot be divorced  from soil. The "Landscan 2" workshops provide subsidised soil integrate chemical, physical and biological indicators of soil fertility. Factors limiting your production are revealed and importantly, those parts of your land are identified that will repay the investment you make in remedies.