COMMUNITY SMALL GRANTS: Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands

Communities in Landscapes SMALL COMMUNITY GRANTS are now open for expressions of interest from community groups and schools in Box Gum Grassy Woodland areas.

Communities in Landscapes (CiL) has invited community groups in the Central West, Lachlan and Murrumbidgee catchments to apply for grants to boost biodiversity in their local area. Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW) CiL project officer, Tony Cox, said grants up to $3000 (GST included) are available from CiL’s Community Small Grants Scheme.“The aim of the project is to benefit the critically endangered box gum grassy woodland environments which sustain a variety of important native plant and animal species, “Mr Cox said. “These woodlands contain valuable resources which can provide economic and environmental benefits to the whole community.“Healthy box gum woodlands contribute to the productivity of farms by providing shelter and pasture for stock, habitat for animals and insects which eat pests and pollinate crops and in the management of rising water tables and salinity.“As part of the big picture CiL is working with landholders to develop cross-property plans and now we’re looking to community groups to complement the work we’re doing at that larger scale.”CiL aims to identify and protect more than 55,000 hectares of endangered box gum woodlands which can be identified by their main trees species - white box, Eucalyptus albens; yellow box, E. melliodora and Blakely's red gum, E. blakelyi.Financial support is available to projects which raise awareness or support good management of box gum grassy woodland and the species it supports.

Applications for the CiL Community Small Grants Scheme close on December 24 with forms available from http://cil.landcarensw.org.au/smallgrants or community woodlands officer, Kristy Lawrie, 0457 953 778.

RESEARCH GRANTS: Australian Flora Foundation for funding in 2012

The Foundation expects to support between two and four projects at $5000 - $12,000 each in 2012 with possible extension into 2013.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications for grants to support original scientific projects on the biology and cultivation of Australian plants are invited from research workers in Australia.

Applications are in two stages. Preliminary applications of two A4 pages should indicate the purpose of the project, the likely costs and the research protocol. The institution or company to which the applicant is attached, a contact phone number and email and postal address must be included. Please use the form provided at http://www.aff.org.au/AFF2_Call_for_applications.htm . Preliminary applications will be accepted until 21st March 2011.

ANPC: Call for articles for APC 19(4), March-May 2011, Plant conservation on Aboriginal / Indigenous lands

Australasian Plant Conservation (APC) is the quarterly bulletin of the Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc. (ANPC). Our members, and the wider readership of the bulletin, come from disparate sectors: science, policy, land management, community groups, the revegetation/restoration industry, and ecological consultancies. The Network, and the bulletin, provide an all too rare opportunity for these sectors to talk to each other and share the rich and growing body of practical and scientific knowledge. We try to transmit new science results in plain language, and to draw out the practical lessons of local projects and case-studies to make them relevant for others. A style-guide is available from the Editor.

In APC issue 19(4), March—May 2011, we aim to look at plant conservation activities on land owned and/or managed by Aboriginal / Indigenous communities. This includes land that is held under native title, various Land Rights regimes, land in the Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) network, and traditional lands that communities are helping to manage. Relevant plant conservation activities include native vegetation management to retain habitat value and component plant species; conserving species traditionally used as food or medicinal plants or for cultural purposes; and actions related to the recovery of plant species or ecological communities listed under state and national environmental laws. Articles may focus on any aspect of plant conservation, including planning, partnerships, education and on-ground activities.

We also hope to have overview articles on the recognition and value of traditional knowledge, and we would be interested in articles on good practice in work between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people and organisations on conservation issues. Articles should be no longer than 1200 words. Where possible, they should be illustrated with one or two photographs that have been cleared with the appropriate people for publication, and have appropriate captions and photographer credits.

The deadline for articles will be 12 February 2011. If you would like to submit an article, please contact Rosemary Purdie, Editor, Australasian Plant Conservation, by email (Rosemary.Purdie@environment.gov.au).

TRIN: Interactive Field Day, 9 December, Cairns

When: Thursday 9 December 2010, 9.30am till 4pm

Where: Australian Tropical Herbarium, James Cook University, Cairns QLD

Join us for a hands-on experience with the latest range of biodiversity technology and identification products focused on Northern Australia. Product developers and scientists will be on hand to engage with users at a variety of interactive booths and talks, including:
identification keys for mangroves, rainforest plants, orchids, rodents, corals and other talks on PDA technology, knowledge exchange, rainforest tree barcoding, and mammal decline and other resources and applications that support biodiversity management, such as DERM mapping and GIS, Australia’s Virtual Herbarium, Australian Plant Name Index, Australian Plant Census and Australian Plant Image Index.

For further information and to register go to: www.taxonomy.org.au/fieldday2.html

CONFERENCE: 23rd Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society Conference – Call for Papers now open!

The 23rd Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society Conference will be held at The Sebel Cairns, Queensland from 25 – 30 September 2011.

Abstract submission for the 23rd Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society Conference (APWSS 2011) is now open. The theme for APWSS 2011 is "Weed Management in a Changing World". They invite you to submit an abstract on one or more of the following sub-themes:
Threats and risks in the Asian-Pacific region
Sustainable weed management in the Asian-Pacific region
Weed solutions for the Asian-Pacific region
Economics of weed control in the Asian-Pacific region

Super Earlybird discounted registration is also now available. To save AU$150 on your registration, register online now. To submit an abstract, register or for further information please visit http://www.apwss.com/ or contact apwss@eventcorp.com.au.

ANPC: Annual General Meeting, 26 November 2010

When: Friday 26 November 2010

Where: Land and Water Board Room (opposite the Herbarium)

CSIRO, Christian Road, Black Mountain, Canberra

All financial members are welcome and if you would like to participate via phone conference please contact the office at least a week before the meeting. Please RSVP to the ANPC Office by Friday 19th November.

Nominations for 2 normal Committee positions are now open. These are to be in writing, signed by 2 members of the Network and accompanied by a written consent from the candidate. Please send nominations to the Secretary by the close of business on Friday 19th November (Secretary, ANPC, PO Box 1777 Canberra City 2601 or faxed to ANPC at 02 6250 9528).
For clarification of the duties of the positions please contact the Secretary, Phil Ainsley (ph: 0428 560 085, email: phillip.ainsley@sa.gov.au), or for membership status of nominees or nominators contact the ANPC office anpc@anpc.asn.au.

TRAINING: Managing Constructed Wetlands & Aquatic Plants

This is a 2 day Wetland Education and Training (WET) Program offering a hands on, experiential approach. It will focus on case studies and learning techniques for the rapid identification of aquatic plants as well as best practice for wetland design and construction. Also included are hydrology, pollution, safety, access and maintenance.

Where: Sydney Olympic Park Cost - $600
When: 17-18 November

For more information http://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/173588/WET-Nov2010_Final.pdf

CALL FOR COMMENTS: Threatened Species Act review (NSW)

Your views are being sought to help shape the way threatened species are managed in New South Wales. Under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment is required to review the Act every 5 years 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 assist you in formulating your views the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water has prepared a background paper. The paper is not comprehensive, however it does provide some guidance to the major components of the Act. It may be useful as a communication tool with your organisation/membership. Responses need not be confined to the questions contained in the paper. A copy of the background paper can be downloaded from http://tracking.involvecrm.com/?ADMwMDAxQzAwNDFhMTM1M2FiZS0zM2IxLTQxNmUtYTNhOS1jMGFhYTRjZDQxMjMvMjU1ODAwNjdodHRwOi8vd3d3LmVudmlyb25tZW50Lm5zdy5nb3YuYXUvY29uc3VsdC9EZWNQdWJsaWNDb25zdWx0YXRpb24uaHRt
Written submissions should be directed to Threatened Species Conservation Act Review, Director, Landscapes and Ecosystems Conservation Branch, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, PO Box A290, Sydney South NSW 1232 or e-mail mailto:tscact.review@environment.nsw.gov.au%3cmailto:tscact.review@environment.nsw.gov.au>, by 5pm on Wednesday, 17 November 2010.

ANPC: Hurry places still available for Translocation Workshop, 5 November

The Translocation of Threatened Plants Workshop

When: Friday 5th November, 2010
Where: Tweed Bicentennial Environment Park, Centennial Park, Pottsville, NSW

Have you been involved in, or would you like to be involved in, the planning, approval or implementation of a translocation project for threatened flora? Then this workshop is relevant to you.

Registrations close Thursday 28th October
For further information regarding content, costs, registration etc can be found at: www.anpc.asn.au and go to the current workshops.
Or phone the ANPC Office: 02 6250 9509

GRANTS: National Science Week Project Grants (2011)

Australians interested in running a science event or activities for their local community are being urged to apply for a National Science Week grant for 2011.

The National Science Week 2011 grants round opens on Friday 1 October 2010 and closes on Friday 22 October 2010 at 5:00pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time.

Grants are available to individuals and organisations interested in delivering a science event or activity for their local community. Applications regarding new and exciting event ideas are always welcome. Grant applications and further information can be found on the National Science Week grants website or contact your State or Territory Coordinating Committee for advice on running a Science Week event.

In 2011, National Science Week will run from 13-21 August.

OPEN DAY: Australian National Botanic Gardens, 40th Anniversary - 24 October

40th Anniversary Open Day, Our Garden Party
Australian National Botanic Gardens
Sunday 24 October (10am – 4pm)

Listen to live music on the Eucalypt lawn, journey behind the scenes to visit the nursery, cryptogam herbarium, Australian national herbarium, display glass house and library.

Events include market stalls, live entertainment on the Eucalypt lawn main stage, talks, workshops and entertainment at the Rock Gardens Focus Tent, children’s craft activities and discovery walks, Friends of the Gardens talking about their contributions to the Gardens and behind the scenes talks in areas such as the nursery, the herbariums and the display glass house.
Be entertained explore, indulge, discover and relax at the Open Day Garden Party and dress up in your favourite spring outfit and enjoy high tea in the gardens.

For lots more information and details about programmes, transport etc can be found here.

BIODIVERSITY: Convention on Biological Diversity – Nagoya, Japan 18-29 October

The 193 signatory nations to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will be meeting in Nagoya, Japan from 18-29 October after pledging eight years ago to cut species loss “significantly” by this year. With studies showing that global diversity is reaching crisis point, conservation leaders are hoping this meeting will give the green light to a new set of international agreements to help protect biodiversity.

Lack of money for conservation projects is a key reason why governments have failed to meet their 2010 targets. Several proposals for mustering funds are up for discussion this week.

Agreement on the general ambitions looks likely, but large international rifts over conservation funding and access to the genetic resources of ecologically rich nations are threatening to derail the negotiations over how to achieve them. One fundraising mechanism gaining support is the phasing out of subsidies that are harmful to biodiversity.

But there is likely to be tense debate on a proposed legally binding agreement to tighten rules for access to nations' genetic resources, such as plants that potentially produce pharmaceuticals. Developing countries want the rules to cover products that have been generated in the past, but companies and developed countries say that only products worked on after the regulations are legally implemented should be affected.

Djoghlaf (executive secretary of CBD) is optimistic that countries will agree to a set of core principles, and then set a timetable for hammering out the finer details by 2012. "I can't imagine closing the meeting without agreement on the access and benefit sharing scheme," he says.

Notes from http://www.nature.com/news/2010/101011/full/467764a.html