Turia Pitt Launches Gwydir Women of Mettle – Forging Leaders Project

The launch of the Upper Gwydir Landcare Association

project “Gwydir Women of Mettle: Forging Leaders 2014”

proved to be an outstanding success.

The popularity of guest speaker Turia Pitt proved

overwhelming, with tickets selling out days prior to event

held at The Roxy, Bingara on Thursday 13th March.

UGLA Chairperson, Will Cannington, welcomed the capacity

crowd and used the opportunity to detail the significant

projects being carried out by the organization.

One such project, ‘Gwydir Women of Mettle’ is an excellent

example of the impact that the projects undertaken by UGLA

have, not only within the Gwydir Shire, but across region.

Participants who had travelled from as far north as

Goondiwindi and as far south as Willow Tree, spoke

extremely highly of the event, noting that the experience

had been well worth the trip.

All those who attended could not help but be motivated by

Turia’s extraordinary strength, bravery and determination to

turn her horrific experience into something positive. Turia

suffered severe burns while competing in an ultra-marathon

in the Kimberley in 2011. The burns, combined with endless

surgeries, would have stopped even the most determined in

their tracks.

However, as the 26-year-old athlete shared her remarkable

story with the crowd, it became increasingly apparent that

she won't be beaten.

"The fire has turned my life upside down; I don't want it to

have any more impact," she said. "It was a couple of

seconds. What's that compared to a lifetime?

"That's not to say any of this is easy. There have been some

very dark times. And it’s alright to feel that way because it is

part of being human" she said.

Noting that “it’s not realistic to feel good all of the time,”

Turia shared the mantra that she now says she lives by: “I

may feel bad today but I won’t always feel this way.”

Having inspired the audience with her presentation, Turia

answered questions before signing copies of her book

“Everything to Live For” which she credits as having “helped

her heal from the inside out.”

www.ugla .com.au

Groundcover The newsletter of the Upper Gwydir Landcare Associat ion

Autumn 2014

Ins ide :

Continued page 2...

Koalas & How We Can Help

Engineered Woodlands Bring

the Birds

Steve Par ish to Vis i t Barraba

Funding Opportunit ies

Nat ive Veg Reforms

L-R The UGLA team with Turia Pitt—Bob Muir, Will Cannington,

Ian Armstrong, Turia Pitt, Brooke Kelly and Frances Young.

Days prior to arriving in Bingara, Turia had been named the

NSW Premier’s 2014 Woman of the Year. Premier Barry

O’Farrell commended Turia’s nomination by noting that “her

story is astounding and her contributions are truly inspiring.”

Despite her busy schedule, Turia took the time to visit

Bingara as testimony to the validity of the ‘Gwydir Women of

Mettle’ project. Days after leaving, Turia commenced a

3716km Variety Cycle from Sydney to Uluru.

The evening with Turia Pitt presented the opportunity to launch UGLA’s exciting program of events for 2014.

The project has been made possible from funding through Caring For Our Country – Community Landcare Grants program, an Australian Government initiative which funds environmental management of our natural resources.

Future events include subjects ranging from social media, succession planning, living life to the full, sustainable gardening and cob pizza oven making.

Further details are available on the UGLA website: www.ugla.com.au

From page 1...

Groundcover The newsletter of Upper Gwydir Landcare Associat ion

Page 2

Steve Parish Workshop at Barraba

Acclaimed photographer, naturalist and publisher, Steve

Parish, will lead a weekend workshop during the 2014 Frost

Over Barraba Arts Festival. This workshop aims to broaden

and enhance ‘capture’ skills of landscape, plant and animal

photography.

The event covers choosing your camera and kit to suit your

budget and aspirations, producing sharp images, expanding

your knowledge of the natural environment, understanding

animal behaviour to get that shot; managing natural and

artificial light and colour content, designing high impact

images including the use of RAW files.

Event includes field trip and Steve will process some of the

images taken by participants, showing how to set up a

simple workflow and use the digital darkroom. For all skill

levels.

Steve Parish’s creative journey Steve will also share his story while showing images of his

work on Friday 27 June at the Playhouse Theatre. Cost $7 per

person. 6.30-8.00pm. See full event program on above

website.

Nature Photography

Workshop with

Steve Parish

SATURDAY 28 JUNE—SUNDAY 29 JUNE

BARRABA

Cost $295 per day. Meals and field trip transport included. Numbers limited. See below for details.

Register at www.frostoverbarraba.org.au/

workshops1.html

Food Gardens in Schools Grants Open

Schools are encouraged to apply for grants of up to $3500 to

establish edible gardens. The NSW Environmental Trust’s

Food Gardens in Schools Program aims to increase

knowledge on sustainable living through growing and

harvesting food.

Food gardens can include vegetable and fruit crops. Up to 38

grants will be awarded across NSW. Applications close 16

May 2014. Guidelines and application form available at

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/

FoodGarden.htm

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Page 3

“This places trust in landholders to manage their property

sustainably while maintaining environmental standards.”

Ms Parker said the NSW Government had

already made major changes to lift the

regulatory burden on farmers while maintaining

environmental protection.

“Last year the new Native Vegetation Regulation

allowed for more clearing exemptions and

rationalised the rules around clearing for

dwellings, fences and sheds and the clearing of

planted native vegetation.

“In addition, we’ve made the common sense

decision to declare yellow mimosa a feral native

species so it can be cleared without onerous

approvals and we’ve improved landholder’s

ability to protect their properties from bushfire.

“The codes have already been subject to on-ground testing

and consultation but we are seeking input from everyone to

ensure they are workable and deliver real change on the

ground.

“The codes will be supported by an ongoing education and

support by the Office of Environment and Heritage, while

Local Land Services will continue to provide advice and

assistance with native vegetation management.”

Minister for Western NSW Kevin Humphries said the codes

are on exhibition until 26 May and he encourages everyone

to read the material and make a submission.

“Each code provides practical instructions on what

vegetation can and cannot be cleared, how much clearing is

permitted and under what circumstances. If the proposed

clearing is consistent with the relevant code, it removes the

need to apply for approval in the form of a Property

Vegetation Plan. If a proposed clearing activity is consistent

with conditions outlined in an order, then no approval will

be required,” he said.

Further reforms underway include the modernising of the

State’s biodiversity legislation. The codes and information on

making a submission are available at

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/vegetation/

The deadline for making submissions is 26th May 2014.

Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner and Environment Minister

Robyn Parker have announced that the first three self-

assessable codes for clearing under the Native Vegetation

Act 2003 are on exhibition and open for

comment.

The announcement follows the release of the

Government’s biodiversity offsets policy last

week, which will provide revenue streams to

farmers who wish to manage parts of their

property for environmental outcomes.

The codes on exhibition are:

Managing invasive native species (INS) - this code relates to native plants that have

regenerated thickly or invaded vegetation

communities where they did not previously

occur. They can reduce habitat for native

animals, cause soil erosion and reduce native

pastures for stock. The draft code allows for management of

these species by clearing of dense infestations of INS. The

goal is to create a ‘mosaic’ of native vegetation and allow the

regeneration of a range of native plants.

Thinning of native vegetation - this code allows for

the removal of some smaller trees and shrubs to maintain

the structure of thickened native vegetation. A number of

smaller trees and shrubs are protected as part of the

process. Bigger trees are always protected. Thinning may

also encourage native pasture and allow for stock to be

grazed.

Clearing of isolated paddock trees in cultivated

areas allows the removal of some paddock trees to allow

for more efficient agricultural production. Rare species of

trees and those containing homes for important threatened

animals cannot be cleared. The draft code requires the loss

of paddock trees to be balanced by ‘setting aside’ some

existing areas of native vegetation or allowing natural

regeneration to occur.

Mr Stoner said the codes were the next step in the NSW

Government’s reform of native vegetation management.

“The introduction of these three codes will help ensure we

strike the balance between conservation and efficient

agricultural management,” Mr Stoner said.

“These codes apply to low impact clearing activities for

invasive native scrub, isolated paddock trees and thinning,

and importantly remove the requirement for a property

vegetation plan (PVP) in many cases.

Native Vegetation Reforms for NSW: Have Your Say

“We are

seeking input

from everyone

to ensure the

reforms are

workable and

deliver real

change on the

ground…”

9 species on average in un-planted control sites. Figure 2

shows that overall there was an average of double the num-

ber of bird calls recorded per 10 minute count in engineered

woodland sites compared to un-planted control sites (viz.

average 288 calls/recording at EW sites vs. 142calls/

recording at control sites).

These differences were not always so obvious – in 2009

when the trees were quite small there were no apparent

differences in the number of bird species recorded in EW

sites compared to the control sites. However as the trees

have grown and provided more substantial habitat, bird spe-

cies richness has apparently improved. Figure 3 demon-

strates this trend of increasing bird diversity, it shows a sum-

mary of the bird survey results averaged from three sites

that were recorded in both 2009 and 2013. On average there

were 9 species detected per call recording on all three sites

Groundcover The newsletter of Upper Gwydir Landcare Associat ion

Page 4

Engineered woodlands are whole-of paddock, wide-spaced

tree plantings engineered to integrate traditional agricul-

ture with income producing trees.

It’s been more than six years now since the original engi-

neered woodland project demonstration sites were estab-

lished across the northern inland region. Most of them have

established well and have dramatically transformed their

local landscape. The changes have not just been aesthetic

either – local biodiversity indicators have definitively im-

proved.

One of the objectives of the project was to enhance biodi-

versity on the demonstration sites. Birds were chosen as

indicators of overall biodiversity. To monitor changes, bird

species diversity and abundance were regular assessed on a

number of the sites (see insert). Bird call monitoring com-

menced in 2009 soon after the sites were established and

then periodically up until the

final assessment last year

(2013).

On all sites in 2013 there was a

consistent trend of higher bird

activity (as indicated by num-

ber of calls/recording) and

higher bird species richness

within engineered woodland

sites compared to adjacent

unplanted control sites. Figures

1 and 2 summarises the results

from the 2013 engineered

woodlands bird surveys. Figure

1 shows that overall there was

an average of almost 14 spe-

cies of birds recorded per 10

minute count in engineered

woodland sites and only about

Engineered Woodlands – Definitely More Birds!

Above: An aerial view of the engineered woodland established at “Blaxland” Wollun, photo taken September 2012 (Photo: C Street).

rosellas, magpie, butcherbirds, noisy miner, galah, Willie

wagtail etc. However changes have been pointed out by Dr

Debus with more woodland dependant species now making

an appearance such as a variety of smaller honeyeaters, par-

dalotes, wee-bill and whistlers. The trends in the data so far

suggest that the engineered woodland bird communities will

improve further as the trees mature and more habitat re-

sources develop on the sites.

Groundcover Autumn 2014

Page 5

(EW and control) in 2009 however in 2013, 13 species on

average were recorded in EW sites whilst the score at con-

trol sites remained at about 9 species per recording.

Note that collectively there were over 50 species of bird re-

corded from all of the EW bird surveys.

At this stage the bird communities of the demonstration

sites remain dominated by common farmland birds such as

INSERT:

Landholders used a high qual-

ity digital recorder to record

bird calls from representative

fixed survey points within their

engineered woodlands and in

adjacent un-treed paddocks

(control sites). During each

survey period (late autumn

each year) a 10 minute call

recording was made on three

separate mornings at each

survey point. Bird call re-

cordings were then assessed

by well-known UNE ornitholo-

gist Dr Stephen Debus, who

could readily identify the bird

species calling and how many

calls were made per unit time.

Groundcover The newsletter of Upper Gwydir Landcare Associat ion

Page 6

www.savethekoala.com/ also provides further information:

Koala populations in the Mulgalands of Queensland, the

Pilliga scrub in New South Wales and the Strzelecki Ranges in

Victoria are probably fairly secure, but are under threat from

either grazing, logging, land-clearing (and now mining).

Last year, Australia cleared approximately 600,000 hectares.

There are approximately 100,000 koalas left in the wild. In

the 1920s, approximately 3,000,000 koala skins went to

market for the fur trade.

Observations in the Pilliga Scrub identified Tiger Pear is

causing koala deaths. This weed gets into the koalas feet and

the animals die prematurely.

Extinction of the koala is not imminent, but it is possible. If

you sight a koala, please record you sighting on the 'Koala

Map' and add to the existing database of known habitats for

our inland and coastal koalas.

https://www.savethekoala.com/koala-map

A koala may need attention if:

It is sitting on the ground.

It makes no effort to move when approached.

The eyes look gummed up or have a discharge.

The bottom is wet or dirty.

It is obviously injured or unconscious.

If injured koala is on the ground:

Place a sturdy box or laundry basket over the koala, with a

heavy object on top to contain it until help arrives.

Do not attempt to move the koala. It may seem quiet but

could recover and turn on you, inflicting serious injuries.

The extreme effects of the recent drought has been felt by

everyone, including local koala colonies.

Over the last month, 3 koalas have been rescued by

concerned citizens and assessed at Bingara Veterinary Clinic,

in consultation with the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital and

WIRES Koala Specialist Carer Denise Friedman of Uralla. Local

residents have also reported other stories of sick and injured

koalas being seen and their fates unknown.

The rescued animals have suffered from various degrees of

dehydration, starvation and Chlamydia. One young male has

sadly since died despite his initial improvement, cause of

death attributed to the effects of prolonged starvation.

In a good season, eucalyptus leaves contain a high

percentage of water, but as drought conditions persist,

koalas will seek additional water from water sources such as

dams and creeks. Contrary to popular belief, koalas do drink,

but coming out of their tree top homes can be dangerous to

koala for a variety of reasons.

In 2012, the Australian Government listed koala populations

in Queensland and New South Wales as Vulnerable. Habitat

shrinkage and fragmentation, bushfires and dry times have

lead recently to many koala deaths, as have dog attacks and

motor vehicle collisions.

Historically, since European settlement, the hunting of koala

for the fur trade in the great depression resulted in the local

extinction of koalas in many areas. The remaining colonies

are indeed precious.

The establishment and maintenance of wildlife corridors,

such as outlined in the Brigalow Nandewar Biolinks Project,

are very positive steps toward ensuring local survival of

many wildlife species, including the koala.

Findings of a local study of koala habitat funded by Border

Rivers Gwydir CMA in 2012 include:

The trend for koalas to preferably use trees on the edge of

remnants was further reinforced, with all but two recorded

in the edge trees or narrow linear corridors.

Populations suffering food shortage become stressed which

can make them more susceptible to disease and retrovirus.

Planting more River Red-gum and Bimble-box trees, and/or

protecting natural regrowth of trees from stock is considered

essential. Trees in proximity to watercourses will be more

valuable to a koala in a dry time, so preference should be

given to these locations.

The Australian Koala Foundation website,

Helping our Local Koalas

Groundcover Autumn 2014

Page 7

Keep all people and domestic

animals away to reduce stress on

the koala.

If an injured koala is on the road:

Try to move it off as quickly as

possibly ... remembering to put

your own safety first.

If you see a dead koala:

Check whether it is a female with

a baby in her pouch, as the baby

can often be saved.

Do not remove the baby from the pouch. Koala orphans need specialist care to survive.

REMEMBER: Do not move, pick up or cuddle a sick or injured koala. It can inflict serious injuries with teeth and claws. Handling also causes the koala unnecessary stress.

For further information or advice please consult or contact:

The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital http://www.koalahospital.org.au

WIRES New England 02 67784994 or 0412106785

WIRES Central Northern 1300 131 554

Year 12 students who demonstrate a passion for the

environment are encouraged to nominate for the Future

Leaders Environment Awards.

The Awards recognise and reward young Australians who

have shown outstanding environmental leadership. The

Awards also aim to inspire and engage youth in

Do You Know a Young Enviro Leader?

environmental issues. Schools throughout Australia may

nominate Year 12 students for the Awards. The winner of

the Award will receive a fully funded Fellowship to

participate in an Earthwatch Expedition to Australia or New

Zealand. Closes 1st July; visit www.futureleaders.com.au.

For regular updates on

our programs, events and

grant opportunities, Like

us on Facebook.

What’s on and When is it on?

10 May Like Chocolate for Women event, The Roxy, Bingara

16 May Food Gardens in Schools Grants close

19 May Inspiring Influential Women with Catherine Marriott, The Roxy,

Bingara

22 May Biolinks Field Day, Glenroy, Bingara

26 May Submissions for Reforms to NSW Native Vegetation Act close

25 June Social Media Workshop & Presentation, The Roxy, Bingara

28 June-30 June Nature Photography workshop with Steve Parish, Barraba

To the Landholder

Upper Gwydir Landcare Associat ion Autumn 2014

Address: 35 Maitland Street (PO Box 108), Bingara NSW 2404

Telephone: 02 6724 2052 | Mobile: 0427 291 073

Frances Young: cso@gwydir.nsw.gov.au | Brooke Kelly: ugla@gwydir.nsw.gov.au

www.ugla.com.au | www.facebook.com/ugla.landcare

Groundcover is funded by Community Environment Grants,

under the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program