CONFERENCE: Fungimap VI, Denmark, WA

14th to 19th July 2011

Fungimap VI will consist of a day of fungal talks on July 15th followed by three days of forays and workshops. Forays will include a day trip to the Valley of the Giants to see the giant red tingle trees. Registration is $250 (member), $300 (non member) until end of Feb 2011, and $300 (member), $350 (non member) afterwards. Click here for more information visit or call 03 92522374.

TRAINING: Wetland Hydrology Course - Restoring the Basics

Location: Hunter Wetlands Centre, Hexham, Newcastle, NSW
Date: February 16-18, 2011
Cost: $980 (plus GST) per person for the 2 day course

The 2.5 day course is designed for practitioners, technicians and managers who have an interest in wetland management and/or restoration and desire further training beyond the basics. The course emphasises the importance of water movement, which is similar worldwide. As such, the physical form is emphasized over individual ecological species. While the course is specifically designed for coastal wetlands, the fundamental lessons are equally applicable to many other landforms.

Please go to the website for more information. To book or for further questions, please contact Dr William Glamore w.glamore@wrl.unsw.edu.au or on (02) 8071 9868.

NEW PUBLICATION: Vegetation, Fire and Climate Change in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area

This new booklet summarises science of fire and climate change in the Greater Blue Mountains. The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area comprises seven national parks, plus Jenolan Caves reserve, and covers just over one million hectares from the edge of the Hunter Valley to the Southern Highlands. It is one of the most fire-prone regions on earth and adjoins long stretches of urban areas. These features present significant management challenges for DECCW. In addition, climate change may increase the frequency and intensity of fires in the region, adding to these challenges.

Dr Kate Hammill and Dr Liz Tasker (Fire Ecology Unit, Biodiversity Conservation Science Section) together with the NSW Environmental Trust and PWG (Blue Mountains Region) recently published this 74 page, full-colour booklet on the vegetation, fire history and climate change projections for the region. As well as the extensive written information, it also contains ten colour maps and many beautiful photographs. The booklet will improve access to the scientific information that underpins many aspects of fire and biodiversity management in the area for managers and the public.

The booklet can be downloaded from the DECCW website. Hard copies are available from Kate Hammill (kate.hammill@environment.nsw.gov.au) or Liz Tasker (Liz.tasker@environment.nsw.gov.au). The booklet will also be available from the NPWS Heritage Centre in Blackheath and Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens.

WEEDS: Weed Society of Victoria Seminar

Contentious Perspectives on Weeds (a series of seminars)

Thursday 14 April 2011 - Melbourne

The Weed Society of Victoria presents its annual seminar (and AGM). Come along and hear speakers offering some very different perspectives on weeds. To view the program (and to book for the seminar), please follow this link to the program flyer. For all inquiries about the seminar, please contact the Secretary, Ros Shepherd, email: secwssv@surf.net.au

CONFERENCE: Education and the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation

22-28 October 2012 in Mexico

The focus will be on how gardens can address all targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. If you are interested please visit www.bgci.org/education.congress

MYRTLE RUST: Tasmanian Directive

All nursery stock from mainland Australia must now be treated with an appropriate fungicide prior to import into Tasmania. If you are a business exporting nursery stock into Tasmania, please contact Daniel Jackson from Tasmania DPIPWE ph (03) 6233 4626 or email Daniel.Jackson@dpipwe.tas.gov.au regarding this requirement.

TRAINING: Communities in Landscapes

Training in topics such as:

• Seed Collection and Storage for Professionals




• Cultural Assessment of Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands (BGGW)




• Identification and Assessment of BGGW




• Restoring Landscape Connections in BGGW

Will be offered in 2011. If you would like to attend or want further information on these and other events call Toni McLeish on 02 6229 7119.

MYRTLE RUST: Found in Queensland

Myrtle rust has recently been found in a small number of production and retail nurseries in South East Queensland. Biosecurity Queensland is working with industry to investigate the origin of the infected plants and the current location of any plants that have been sold to the public.

If you suspect myrtle rust on your property notify Biosecurity Queensland on

13 25 23 or call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

CONFERENCE: 16th NSW Weeds Conference – Making a Difference – from coast to coast

18-21 July 2011 at the Pacific Bay Conference Centre, Coffs Harbour

WHY ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?

-See new technology in action
-See first hand the weed management challenges on the north coast
-Meet with and learn from other weed managers
-Learn the latest development in weed management, policy, research, new incursions
-Chance to network with others working in weed management at social functions
-To gain an understanding of the latest technology and research findings
-Understand new weed threats
-Appreciate the broad depth of experience and knowledge of people working in weed management disciplines

Registration will be available in February 2011. Costs will be from $630.00 to $700.00 (early bird & standard). For more information visit the website.

WORKSHOP: Renewal after Fire: Bushfire Management Workshop

Saturday 5 - Sunday 6 February 2011
10am to 5pm at the Tuggeranong Community Centre

The Nature Conservation Council of NSW invites you to a workshop exploring the recovery of the natural environment after Canberra’s 2003 bushfires. It will include a field trip to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve as well as lunch and afternoon tea. RSVP by January 28th on 9516 1488 (Ann Miehs) or amiehs@nccnsw.org.au

PUBLICATION: A Guide to Private Conservation in NSW

Australia’s biodiversity cannot be conserved adequately in the public reserve system. Public reserves such as national parks account for a small fraction of all land in Australia. Without conservation on private land much of Australia’s biodiversity may be lost.

This is why government and non-government organisations are working towards encouraging landholders to take steps to conserve some or all of the natural features of their properties. A range of private conservation mechanisms have been developed in the hope that more of Australia’s biodiversity can be preserved.

This publication will help you understand the different private conservation options available and help you decide which option would be most suitable for your property. Download this free publication from the EDO website.

2011: International Year of Forests

2011 is the International Year of Forests (Forests 2011). The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.

On the UN website, you will find information regarding events being organised throughout the International Year as well as interactive web tools and resources to promote dialogue on forests.