ANPC WORKSHOPS: Identifying Plants of Grassy Ecosystems, (ACT Region), 10 & 11 November

Workshop One: Grass Identification: Registrations closed
Tuesday 10 November (Canberra)


Workshop Two: Plants of Grassy Ecosystems (beginners) Registrations open
Wednesday 11 November (Canberra)


There are still a few places available for workshop two: Plants of Grassy Ecosystems. For more information and to check availability please contact the ANPC office this week on 02 6250 9509 or email: anpc@anpc.asn.au

QLD NATURAL RESOURCES AWARENESS GRANTS:Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management

Grants of up to $5000 (excluding GST) are available to community natural resources management groups for the development of small projects that promote the importance of natural resources. Grants of up to $10,000 will be considered where projects are a genuine collaboration between two or more organisations.

Grants are for one year only and this year’s theme is ‘Reducing our carbon footprint’.They are not intended to fund core, on-ground natural resource management activities. Projects should be educational and of general interest, and should encourage people to become involved in natural resource management activities during World Environment Day on 5 June 2010.

Applications close Friday 18 December 2009 and more information is available at http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/funding/nr_awareness_grants/index.html

EPBC ACT: Current finalised priority assessment lists available

The Finalised Priority Assessment List (FPAL) for species, ecological communities and key threatening processes for the assessment period commencing 1 October 2009 is now available at http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/pubs/priority-assessment-list-2009.pdf.

In accordance with Section 194(G) of the EPBC Act, the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) considered all nominations that satisfied the regulations, and prepared a Proposed Priority Assessment List (PPAL). The Minister established the FPAL after considering advice from the Committee. The nominations on the FPAL will be assessed by the Committee within the scheduled timeframe (see list), and the Minister will decide whether each species, ecological community or key threatening process warrants listing based on the Committee’s advice.

COURSE: International Certificate in Botanic Garden Management in the Asia Pacific Region, Singapore, 5 - 20th March 2010

Working individually and collectively botanic gardens are in a strong position to help address the primary conservation and development challenges of our time: biodiversity loss and climate change. This new two-week training course covers major present-day themes of practical conservation work at botanic gardens. It is designed to help representatives from the Asia Pacific region involved in botanic garden and arboretum management (in particular horticultural staff and mid-level managers) refresh their existing skills, understand global environmental policy, explore new ideas and engage with botanic garden experts from around the world.

The course is run by BGCI, BGANZ and Singapore Botanic Gardens. The deadline for receipt of course and scholarship applications is 30 November 2009. For more information click here .

PLANT IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOPS: 10 & 11 November, Canberra

Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc.

presents

Identifying Plants of Grassy Ecosystems

(ACT Region)

Workshop One: Grass Identification for beginners
Tuesday 10 November (Canberra)

Aim: To introduce participants to the characteristics of grasses, and provide the skills and information required to positively identify some common genera. The first half of the day involves presentations, microscope work and identification keys. The afternoon session includes a field trip to an ACT Reserve, where participants will become familiar with field characteristics. By the end of the day participants will be become familiar with at least six abundant and widespread genera of the ACT.

Venue: Australian National Botanic Gardens & an ACT conservation reserve


Workshop Two: Plants of Grassy Ecosystems for beginners
Wednesday 11 November (Canberra)

Aim: To introduce participants to grassy ecosystems, their diversity and ecology. We will use some of the most commonly encountered plant groups: daisies, lilies, orchids, wattles and eucalypts to introduce you to the best identification resources (printed, on-line, and interactive). You will also learn how to access the experts through the identification services of the major herbaria. Along the way we will de-mystify identification 'keys', and introduce you to useful field characters to look for. The afternoon session includes a field trip to an ACT Reserve.

Venue: Australian National Botanic Gardens & an ACT conservation reserve


Workshop Fees - per workshop
(includes catering, transport, information pack, hand lens & GST)

ANPC member: $110/day *Concession (ANPC member): $85/day
Non-member: $120/day *Concession (non-member): $95/day

*Concession is for non-employed: volunteer community group members, full-time students, pensioners.


Registration forms available from the ANPC:
Ph: 02 6250 9509
Fax: 02 6250 9528
Email: anpc@anpc.asn.au


Registrations close: 5:00pm Wednesday 4 November 2009
(numbers are limited so register early)


Workshops supported by an ACT Environment Grant, the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, The Australian National Botanic Gardens and Friends of Grasslands

AVAILABLE NOW: Plant Germplasm Conservation in Australia

On Friday 4 September Professor Lesley Hughes, Professorial Fellow, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University; and the Australian Representative on the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change launched Plant Germplasm Conservation in Australia, at the Native Seed Forum at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne. The following has been taken from Professor Hughes' Speech in launching the book:


"we need many tools in our arsenal to deal with the inevitable impacts, many of them negative, that climate change will bring. This book is one of those tools, and an incredibly important one.

One of the important features of the book is its emphasis on the role of germplasm conservation, in all its forms, for conservation practice, both now and in the future. Ex-situ conservation will never take the place of good in-situ conservation practice, but aims to complement and enhance it, with the ultimate objective being to support the survival and continued evolution of species in self-sustaining populations in the wild.

We won’t be able to save everything, but tools like these will give us a much better shot".

Plant Germplasm Conservation in Australia
Edited by C.A. Offord and P.F. Meagher
Published by Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc. (ANPC) in partnership with Australian Seed Conservation and Research (AuSCaR)

Available now from ANPC for AUD $39.95 (plus postage and handling)
Ph: 02 6250 9509 or email anpc@anpc.asn.au

PUBLIC CONSULTATION: NSW State Plan and Native Vegetation Act

Review of the NSW State Plan

The NSW Government is reviewing the State Plan. For more information and to have your say visit the Community Forum Page.
Submissions open until Wednesday 16 September.

Review of the Native Vegetation Act 2003

The Minister for Climate Change and the Environment is seeking written submissions on the review of the Native Vegetation Act to determine whether the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and whether the terms of the Act remain appropriate for securing those objectives.

To provide comments download the Discussion Paper or email inquiries to NVact.review@environment.nsw.gov.au Written submissions can be sent to: Mr Tom Grosskopf Director Landscapes and Ecosystems Conservation Branch Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water PO Box A290 SYDNEY SOUTH, NSW 1232
Submissions close 23 September 2009

INTERNATIONAL: Draft GSPC targets for 2010 - 2020

At its last meeting, the Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity requested that a revised and updated Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) be developed going beyond 2010, taking into account current and emerging environmental challenges on plant diversity, within the broader context of and consistent with the new CBD Strategic Plan. In May 2009, the CBD Secretariat, together with the Global Partnership for Plant Conservation (GPPC) organized a GSPC Liaison Group Meeting, which was hosted in Dublin by the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland. At this meeting a first draft of a revised GSPC, including an update of the current targets for the period 2010-2020, was developed.

The revised GSPC is now available on the CBD website for peer review, and can be accessed at: www.cbd.int/gspc/gspcreview. Comments are invited until 1st October 2009.

CONGRESS: Biennial BGANZ Congress, Plan(e)t Priorities: Regional Realties, Mackay, 8 - 11 October 2009

The BGANZ (Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand) Congress hosted by Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens aims to recognize the role and responsibilities of Botanic Gardens as a resource for the future preservation of species, and to support the global effort to retain significant and regionally important plant materials. A series of guest speakers, workshops, keynote presentations and discussion groups will explore these issues.The Congress is expected to attract 200 people from across Australia, New Zealand and further afield. Registrations close 30 September.

CALL FOR ARTICLES: Australasian Plant Conservation

Australasian Plant Conservation is a forum for information exchange for all those involved in plant conservation. Each edition contains a range of articles on plant conservation issues which reflect the interests of the range of ANPC's membership. Regular features include lists of the latest relevant publications, websites, conferences, field work and workshops. It is currently received by more than 700 individuals and organisations within Australia and worldwide.


The ANPC is currently seeking articles for the next edition of the bulletin Australasian Plant Conservation with the theme of Local Government and Plant Conservation. If you know of or are involved with any Local Government projects where the main objective is native plant conservation (eg. threatened species/ecosystems, revegetation/rehabilitation,remnant vegetation management) - please consider promoting these projects through the ANPC. The deadline for articles is 27 November and author guidelines can be found at: http://www.anbg.gov.au/anpc/pdffiles/APCGuideContrib.pdf

To view previous issues:
http://www.anbg.gov.au/anpc/australasian_plant_conservation.html#previous%20issues

Contact the ANPC Project Manager for more information (02) 6250 9523 or anpc@anpc.asn.au

NEW PUBLICATION: 'Plant Germplasm Conservation in Australia, strategies and guidelines for developing, managing and utilising ex situ collections'

Edited by C.A. Offord and P.F. Meagher

Published by Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc. (ANPC) in partnership with Australian Seed Conservation and Research (AuSCaR)

Launch, Friday 4 September, 2009 at the Native Seed Forum, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne.

In 1997 the ANPC produced the 'Germplasm conservation guidelines for Australia - an introduction to the principles and practices for seed and germplasm banking of Australian species'. Given the advances in germplasm conservation over the past decade and a call to document these, the ANPC recognised the need to update the guidelines. In partnership with AuSCaR, the ANPC has produced 'Plant Germplasm Conservation in Australia, strategies and guidelines for developing, managing and utilising ex situ collections' (2009). The new publication provides up-dated guidelines and standards for the capture, storage and use of wild plant germplasm for long-term conservation in Australia, including the recovery of threatened plant species and the conservation of genetic diversity in the face of climate change. The guidelines will also be useful for shorter-term projects in the restoration and revegetation industry and community sectors.

For more information on 'Plant Germplasm Conservation in Australia' please contact the ANPC office 02 6250 9523 or anpc@anpc.asn.au

CONFERENCE DATE CLAIMER: Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc., 8th National Conference 2010

From planning conservation to achieving restoration

28 September to 1 October 2010, Perth, Western Australia


(photo: David Coates)

NATIVE PLANT ID WORKSHOPS (ACT): Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc. (ANPC)

In late October or November (to be confirmed) 2009 the ANPC will hold two, one-day plant identification workshops in the ACT:

Plant ID - native grasses (beginner - intermediate)
Plant ID - grassy woodlands (beginner - intermediate)


For more information contact the ANPC office 02 6250 9509 or anpc@anpc.asn.au

REVEGETATION PUBLICATION: 'Recreating the Country'

Recreating the Country
A blueprint for the design of sustainable landscapes
By Stephen Murphy

Published by Ballarat Region Treegrowers, Recreating the Country challenges landholders and land managers to consider new ways of thinking about how we might reverse the inexorable decline and disappearance of Australian plants and animals from rural landscapes. While integrating conservation and production has become the catchcry from foresters to dairy farmers, what can be done practically?

This book provides the ‘stretch goals’ and the blueprint for ways of adding habitat and designing more wildlife-friendly properties. It’s set to become the bible for a new form of revegetation – the biorich plantation. Integrated with other forms of vegetation, these plantings would aim to enrich habitat potential across rural landscapes, not just for a lifetime, but in perpetuity.

The book can be purchased for $20 and $5 postage, visit the Australian Forest Growers website.

SYMPOSIUM, WEEDS: Celebrating 20 years, Managing Weeds in a Climate of Change, 10th Queensland Weed Symposium, Yeppoon, Qld, 26 - 29 July 2009

The Weed Society of Queensland's 10th Qld Weed Symposium is an opportunity to network with peers and contemplate the future of weed management.

In 2009 the Weed Symposium returns to Central Queensland where delegates will have the opportunity to consider managing weeds in a climate of change and celebrate 20 years of practical, safe and efficient weed control.

EPBC ACT: Interim Report of the EPBC Act Review and call for public comment

The Australian Government is currently running an Independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. The response to the discussion paper has been extensive and in order to identify the broad range of significant issues raised in public submission, an interim report has been prepared. The Interim report of the EPBC Act review outlines the major themes raised in public submissions, the consultation process and the Senate committee inquiry.

As part of the review process they are now seeking public comments on the interim report in general and in particular, on a number of specific areas identified in the report. The report is open for public comment until Monday 3 August 2009.

NATIONAL TREE DAY: Sunday 2 August & Schools Tree Day Friday 31 July

National Tree Day is Australia's largest community tree-planting event. In its 14-year history more than 2 million volunteers have planted over 13 million native trees and shrubs! Tree Day aims to inspire, educate and recruit Australians to actively care for our unique land and create future generations of committed environmental custodians.

Planet Ark is currently seeking individuals to register and run local tree planting and bush regeneration sites. For more information or to register see the Planet Ark website: www.planetark.org

THREATENED SPECIES: Northern Territory - Threatened Species Art & Photography Competition 2009

The Threatened Species Network is seeking artists and photographers to enter this year’s NT Threatened Species Art & Photography Competition.

The theme is ‘threatened species, their habitats and their threats in the NT.’ It is open to all ages and for all mediums with great prizes on offer. Individuals as well as community groups and schools are invited to submit works. Entries close 24 August 2009.

Works will be on display at the Darwin Entertainment Centre Gallery from 7 - 10th September with an official opening and winners announced by Ms Alison Anderson MLA. A selection of winning entries will then be on display at the Alice Springs Desert Park.

Please contact TSN for more details on (08) 8941 7554 or savannas@wwf.org.au

FORUM, Native Seed 3 & 4 September 2009

A 'Native Seed Forum' is to be held at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne as part of the celebrations for the conclusion of the first phase of the Millennium Seed Bank Project in Australia. The dates for the forum are 3rd and 4th September 2009.

The aim of the forum is to deliver to a wider audience the results of nearly ten years of seed conservation work in Australia with help from the Millennium Seed Bank Project, Kew. The forum will also be used to launch 'Plant Germplasm Conservation in Australia' a new text for practitioners and researchers working in the field of ex situ plant conservation. The book is published in partnership with the Australian Plant Conservation Network and launched in time for Threatened Species day on Monday 7th September.

Registration closes 24 July or until sold out. For more information contact Tom North 08 9480 3969 Thomas.north@bgpa.wa.gov.au or Meg Hirst (Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne) 03 9252 2379 Megan.Hirst@rbg.vic.gov.au

LANDCARE: National Network of Landcare Coordinators to Continue

In June the Australian Government announced that the national network of local Landcare coordinators will continue. A total of $33.6 million funding is committed over four years to this project under the Caring for our Country Program.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr Tony Burke said, 'the decision followed extensive discussions with local Landcare groups and strong representations from a number of MPs'. From next year as a result of this up to 56 Landcare coordinator positions will be funded across Australia.

INTERNATIONAL: Plant Conservation Day 18 May - Celebrating the world's plants and taking action to conserve them

May 18th is Plant Conservation Day - a global celebration, dedicated to preserving, protecting, and conserving plants for people and the planet. On the Plant Conservation Day website www.plantconservationday.org you can find all sorts of information about plant conservation and Plant Conservation Day celebrations. Check out the 'Learn More' section to find out why plants are so important, why they need to be conserved, and learn what you can do to help.

PEST ANIMALS: 'Rabbitscan' National Rabbit Threat Mapping and Awareness Campaign

The Rabbitscan Challenge is to record data about rabbits from at least 5000 sites across Australia that have rabbits (e.g. rabbits seen, evidence of rabbit dung and warrens identified) during May 2009. Your help is needed to find and record the data.

So far over 1500 people have registered and almost 850 surveys have been conducted using the RabbitScan Google Maps data capture tool - multiple sites are welcome to give a more accurate understanding of the presence or absence of rabbits and their impacts on your landscapes.

Landholders, Council Officers, Landcare group members, Regional Body bodies anyone who knows where rabbits live, should record all the rabbit spots in your district. More records are needed for rural areas as much of the data so far has come from urban areas.

Sightings can be recorded at the RabbitScan website, www.rabbitscan.net.au, or via SMS, simply SMS the following details to 0421 690 892:

1. Rabbit numbers spotted (range from 0-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40 seen over a km walk or drive)
2. Location/s of sighting/s an address or GPS point
3. When seen (date)
4. Senders name and phone number or email

PLANT GUIDES (QLD): 'Plants of Capricornia' by Melzer and Plumb

More than 600 native species are described and photographed in this guide to the plants of the Capricorn Region of Central Queensland: trees, shrubs, mistletoes, vines, grasses, sedges, orchids, and other herbaceous species. Included are keys to species in each genus and human usage and ecological notes. Rhonda Melzer is a Plant Ecologist and Botanist employed as Principal Conservation Officer at Qld Parks and Wildlife Service, Rockhampton. Joel Plumb is a retired School Principal, well known local naturalist and photographer, and past president of the Rockhampton branch of the Society for Growing Australian Plants. To order a copy of 'Plants of Capricornia' visit the Capricorn Conservation Council website.

CONSERVATION ON PRIVATE LAND: Papers from the ANPC Second National Forum

Did you miss the ANPC Second National Forum Minding our own biodiversity: Conservation on private land, which was held on 30 April - 1 May? Don't despair, because ANPC members will still be able to read the papers from the Forum in the June-August 2009 issue of the ANPC Bulletin Australasian Plant Conservation. If you're not yet an ANPC member, click here to find out how to join. Membership is for a calendar year - if you join during the year you'll get all four copies of Australasian Plant Conservation for the calendar year as well as immediate access to the other ANPC benefits including discounted conference and workshop registration.

EPBC LISTING NOMINATIONS: Public Comment, Cumberland Plain Woodlands EPBC Act Nomination

The Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage & the Arts and the Threatened Species Scientific Committee are currently assessing a nomination to uplist the Cumberland Plain Woodlands ecological community from endangered to critically endangered under the Australian Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Further work is required before the Threatened Species Scientific Committee is in a position to provide the Minister with sound scientific advice on whether or not the ecological community qualifies for uplisting under the Act. The nomination is currently available for public comment. The Department welcomes views from experts, stakeholders and the wider community on the nomination to further inform its nomination assessment process. The public comment period closes on 18 May 2009.

RESTORATION: Global Restoration Network’s Search for the 'Top 25' Australasian Ecological Restoration Projects

Large and increasing efforts are being made to rectify the enormous negative landscape transformations that have occurred in both Australia and New Zealand (Australasia) over the last 200 years. The Global Restoration Network (GRN) has compiled a 'Top 25' list from a recent search for the most outstanding restoration projects in Australia and New Zealand. The aim was to highlight projects that might inspire and encourage restorationists throughout Australasia and elsewhere across the globe. Included in the list (no. 14) is the Greening Australia Restoring Grassy Groundcover project led by ANPC Committee member Dr. Paul Gibson Roy.

CONFERENCE, RESTORATION: 'Making Change in a Changing World', SERI 2009 World Conference on Ecological Restoration, Perth, 23 - 27 August 2009

The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) International meetings provide an essential international forum for scientists and practitioners who look to restoration as a means to conserve the planet’s dwindling biodiversity and failing ecosystems. These meetings provide a critical platform to assist us in defining the principles of restoration, understanding goals and milestones, debating what ecosystem functions to measure and closing the gap between the science of restoration ecology and the practise of ecological restoration.

With a focus on Making Change in a Changing World, the local conference organising committee hope to engage the debate on the impact of a changing world on our restoration capabilities. With this focus, SER International 2009 aims to accommodate as many interests as possible. The meeting will host an array of themes representing current research and global restoration practice. Themes that are relevant, of high focus and contemporary in Australia will also be part of the SER International 2009 program.

CONFERENCE, CLIMATE & ECOLOGY: 10th International Congress of Ecology, Brisbane, 16 - 21 August 2009

INTECOL (the International Association for Ecology) holds international meetings every four years. An INTECOL meeting is the major forum for the global community of ecological scientists and practitioners.

The tenth INTECOL meeting in Brisbane in 2009 has a theme of Ecology in a Changing Climate, Two Hemispheres, One Globe. Ecologists from around the world will explore how global climate change has impacted, and will further impact, ecosystems and their vital services to human communities. They will explore unique features of ecosystems in the southern and northern hemispheres but look for common elements in a search for solutions to this looming problem.

Symposia will represent all scales of ecology from individual organisms to landscapes, and report on a diversity of ecosystems from marine to freshwater aquatic systems and terrestrial ecosystems from arid to rainforest and from polar to tropical.

The meeting will bring expert ecological commentary on a range of vital processes including land and water use, sea level change, restoration of ecosystems, biotic invasions, changing water patterns, urban ecology and fire ecology. It will include discussions on long term monitoring of ecosystems, on incorporating ecological knowledge into policy, on integrating indigenous knowledge into conventional science, and on communicating ecological information to a broader community.

While the meeting will attract an international attendance the ecological research of the two host countries, New Zealand and Australia will be on display, and visiting delegates will have the opportunity to appreciate both the unique biotas of these two countries and the strong basic and applied research effort applied to regional ecological issues that could be translated to other regions.

WEEDS, RIPARIAN: Habitat Management Guide, Weed management in riparian areas: south eastern Australia

Riparian corridors are particularly susceptible to weed invasion and are often invaded by multiple weed species. This susceptibility to invasion is a result of the natural disturbance processes associated with flooding, favourable environmental conditions and the continued input of weed propagules from upstream and adjacent areas. The impacts of human activities have also increased the likelihood of weeds establishing in riparian areas.

However, well designed weed management programs can achieve positive outcomes in riparian areas.

The CRC for Australian Weed Management Habitat Management Guide, Weed management in riparian areas: south eastern Australia is designed to provide assistance to managers of riparian areas in planning their weed management programs, and in so doing, highlight some of the challenges inherent in riparian weed management. Background material is provided about riparian areas and the weed species typically found in riparian areas in south-eastern Australia, particularly Victoria.

The steps required to develop an effective riparian weed management program are described. These steps outline general principles but do not provide management prescriptions for individual weed species or riparian sites.

While complementing other recent weed management guidelines, the information in this document highlights the central role played by water flow, particularly flooding, in shaping riparian areas and their weed management.

WEEDS, RAINFOREST: Habitat Management Guide, Rainforests: Ecological management principles for strategic management of weeds in rainforest habitats

Weeds in rainforest habitats have traditionally been considered as impacting only around edges and in highly disturbed areas. However more recently managers and researchers have discovered rainforest weeds can often occur in relatively intact rainforest habitat, greatly altering native community structure. Weed invasion is now becoming a major issue in the management and conservation of tropical forests.

A species-by-species approach to management becomes more difficult and costly with each new introduction, particularly as biological, ecological and spatial information is often sparse. The logistical difficulties involved in detecting, controlling and eradicating weeds in rainforest habitats means that resources are not available to deal with each species individually. Rather, a range of strategies are necessary for management, including focused management of high-risk single species, strategies that target suites of species, and strategies that target entire landscapes.

The CRC for Australian Weed Management Habitat Management Guide, Rainforests: Ecological management principles for strategic management of weeds in rainforest habitats focuses on the ecological processes that govern weed invasion in rainforest habitats and the ecological principles for strategically managing them so as to minimise weed introduction and spread.

RAINFOREST WORKSHOPS (QLD): Brisbane Rainforest Action and Information Network (BRAIN) workshops

The Brisbane Rainforest Action and Information Network (BRAIN) is conducting the BRAIN 2009 Rainforest Workshops:

• Saturday, 13 June - Fungi of the Rainforest
• Sunday, 19 July - Propagation of Local Rainforest Plants
• Sunday, 23 August - Gardening with Rainforest Plants
• Sunday, 18 October - Flora and Fauna of the Rainforest
• Sunday, 22 November - Cooking with Rainforest Plants

For further information visit the BRAIN 2009 Rainforest Workshops page of the BRAIN website.

GRASSLAND WORKSHOPS, WALKS & TALKS (ACT/NSW): Friends of Grasslands (FoG) activities

Grasslands and grassy woodlands were the most extensive vegetation community in Australia two hundred years ago. Today, some grassland communities in south-eastern Australia are more threatened than Australian rainforests. You can find out more by participating in Friends of Grasslands regular activities which include:

• trips to grassland sites
• providing help to landowners and grassland managers
• hands-on conservation work
• slide nights and other presentations
• workshops
• education programs and community liaison

EUCALYPT & GRASSES WORKSHOPS (NSW): Eucalypt and grasses identification workshops various Sydney locations

Van Klaphake (who has produced several botanical identification publications) is conducting workshops for some local councils in the Sydney region. Please note that there are costs for these courses and that you should contact the council staff members listed below if you would like to attend.

• Hawkesbury Council, August 29 and 30 Eucalypt identification workshop, contact Martin Gauci 02 4560 4525, confirm venue with Martin
• Kuring-gai Council, August 8 and 9 Eucalypt identification workshop, contact Jocelyn Chenu 02 9424 1079, confirm venue with Jocelyn
• Willoughby Council, June 27 and 28 Grasses identification workshop and August 17 and 18 Eucalypt identification workshop, contact Judy Morris 02 9777 7876, confirm venue with Judy
• Pittwater Council, August 22 and 23 Eucalypt identification workshop, contact Lavinia Schofield 02 9970 1365, confirm venue with Lavinia, http://www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/environment/whats_on/eucalyptus_identification_workshop

BOOK REVIEWS: Would you like to do a review of one of the following recent CSIRO publications?

CSIRO has recently published the following books:

• Australian Saltmarsh Ecology
• Flora of Australia Volume 44A: Poaceae 2

If you would like to do a review of one of these volumes, please let APC Editor Rosemary Purdie (Rosemary.Purdie@environment.gov.au) know; just provide your name and a hard copy postal address. The person who does the review gets to keep the copy of the book.

INTERNATIONAL: Fiji Islands Conservation Science Forum 5 - 7 August 2009

The Wetlands-International Oceania, Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wide Fund, Govt. Fiji, USP and Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area are organising a Fiji Islands Conservation Science Forum from 5 - 7 August 2009 at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Suva, Fiji. The Forum provides the opportunity for students, researchers, scientists, naturalists and scholars to present some of their research findings to the general public. PACINET (Pacific Islands Network for Taxonomy) is planning to coordinate a Systematics/Taxonomy session in support of the FICS forum. All taxonomists (including parataxonomists, ethno-taxonomists and systematics) who have worked on Fijian biodiversity are invited to be part of this inaugural event. For further information contact Posa A. Skelton, Coordinator - PACINET, USP/SPC/SPREP, Suva, Fiji, Tel. +679 3232708 or Mb. +679 908 9286, email: skelton_p@usp.ac.fj or posas@spc.int

Please register for ANPC News updates!

Welcome to the new ANPC News! Keeping up to date with the latest news about plant conservation is easy - just subscribe on the left of this page to receive email or RSS updates. By subscribing you will receive an update whenever news items are added to this web page, which will be approximately once every 1-3 weeks. Contributions are welcome - to find out how, scroll down to 'Contribute your news' on the left side of this page.

Register now for ANPC National Forum on conservation on private land, Halls Gap, Vic. 30 April - 1 May 2009

Don’t miss this timely forum! Register NOW! Registrations close Friday 17 April.
For further information, program, and registration visit ANPC Conferences.

Review of the National Biodiversity Strategy - submissions invited by Friday 27 May 2009

The Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council, on behalf of the Commonwealth and all state and territory governments, is inviting public comments on the draft Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010–2020. The draft strategy is an important national policy document that will guide how governments, the community, industry and scientists manage and protect Australia’s plants, animals and ecosystems over the next ten years. Submissions are invited by Friday 27 May 2009 - for information on how to make a submission visit the Biodiversity National Strategy Review web page. Commencing from Monday 30 March, public information sessions are being held around Australia.

Public Consultation - nomination to list the Inland Grey Box Woodland ecological community under the EPBC Act 1999

The nomination to list the Inland Grey Box Woodland ecological community under the Australian Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 is currently under assessment. As part of the assessment process a technical workshop was held in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, in March 2008. The Australian Government welcomes views from experts, stakeholders and the wider community on the nomination and the technical workshop report to further inform its nomination assessment process. The public comment period closes on 21 April 2009. For further information visit Inland grey box woodland ecological community - Comments on nomination.