EVENT: Tasmanian Fungi Festival

The Tasmanian Fungi Festival will be held in Hobart 26-30 April 2012.

The festival is a unique gathering of people who are passionate about fungi. Activities include: symposium on fungi conservation and management, field trip, variety of workshops, and a debate entitled ‘Eating wild fungi: Fun or foolhardy?’

For further information visit the Fungimap website.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Community Action Grants

The Australian Government is seeking applications for 2012-13 Community Action Grants from local community groups to help them take action to conserve and protect their local environment.

Local community, farming and Indigenous groups can apply for a grant between $5,000 and $20,000 to fund projects that encourage active participation and build the skills and knowledge of the community to protect and restore our environment and natural resources.

Projects may include hosting a local field day, developing natural resource management plans, educating land owners in sustainable agriculture techniques and on-ground works.

Applications close 27 March 2012.

For more information visit http://www.nrm.gov.au/funding/cag.

REQUEST for assistance from Serrated Tussock managers

The University of Queensland is developing a model that looks at the potential spread of serrated tussock based on social, economic and environmental factors. In doing this the project team is interested in knowing how you control your serrated tussock and your motivation for doing so.

There are 2 ways you can participate:

1. Follow this link to an online survey which should take you approximately 10 minutes to complete.
2. Participate in a telephone interview with a member of the research team. This will take approximately 30 minutes of your time. Contact k.cousins@uq.edu.au to book an interview. 

Find out more about the project here.

NEW PUBLICATION: National Environmental Grants Guide

The 2012 edition of the National Environmental Grants Guide – an annual directory of environmental grant and funding opportunities from around Australia – is now available.

The Guide lists grant and funding opportunities available from the Australian and State Governments, corporate giving programs as well as the major Australian philanthropic funds and trusts.

Sourced from Urban Environment News.

NEW PUBLICATION: Indigenous Land and Water Management, special issue of Ecological Management & Restoration

A new special issue of Ecological Management and Restoration on Indigenous Land and Sea Management is now freely available online.

The papers showcase how indigenous and non-indigenous Australians are working together in remote parts of central and northern Australia to develop innovative land and sea management projects. These projects combine indigenous and non-indigenous scientific knowledge and methods, highlighting the seldom documented voices and the input of indigenous peoples into conservation work.

NEW PUBLICATION: Climate change in Oceania, special issue of Pacific Conservation Biology

The most recent issue of Pacific Conservation Biology is a special issue on climate change in Oceania.

Articles include:

• Is Australia ready for assisted colonization? Policy changes required to facilitate translocations under climate change by Burbidge et al. 
• What hope for biodiversity in the face of anthropogenic climate change in Oceania by Kingsford and Watson. 
• Climate change, variability and conservation impacts in Australia by Prowse and Brook. 
• Climate change impacts on the terrestrial biodiversity and carbon stocks of Oceania by Wardell-Johnson et al.
• Climate change in Oceania - A synthesis of biodiversity impacts and adaptations by Kingsford and Watson.

View full table of contents here.

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS: Draft management plan for public comment

The Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) has released for public comment the 2011 – 2021 Draft Management Plan.

Highlights of the 2011 – 2021 Draft Management Plan
•A new vision, mission statement and brand for the ANBG
•Strengthened programs in horticultural and conservation research
•Focus on conservation programs of national significance such as alpine and grassy woodland ecosystems
•Emphasis on state-of-the-art practices in biodiversity science and information management, horticulture, education and visitor services
•A range of new development opportunities
•Expanded education programs
•A range of new promotional activities

To view the 2011 – 2021 Draft Management Plan and provide feedback go to the website.
Comments on the plan must be sent by 31 January 2012.

CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY: Showcasing native plants in the farming environment

A native plant nursery is to be established at the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga, as part of a demonstration site for sustainable farming practices. The nursery has received $15 000 in funding from the CSU Sustainability Grant Program, administered by CSU Green.

CSU Green communications officer, Ms Nicole Maher, said the grants offer a great opportunity for the CSU community to implement creative and interesting ideas to enhance the sustainability of the University. “By providing material for biodiversity plantings across Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, the native plant nursery will help the University meet its goal of having 20 per cent of all its land used to increase biodiversity by 2015,” she said.
The nursery will also play a key role in research into the potential benefits of native shrubs and herbaceous legumes to farming systems.

For the full article please go to: http://news.csu.edu.au/director/latestnews.cfm?itemID=B8DAC4B2E824A5DBE47E8F57A126F866

NEW ONLINE PUBLICATION: Ticking the Box: Flaws in the Environmental Assessment of Coal Seam Gas Exploration Activities

Produced by the Environmental Defenders Office

The coal seam gas (CSG) industry in NSW is expanding rapidly. At the same time, the community is becoming increasingly concerned that the legal regime that regulates the exploration and extraction of coal seam gas does not ensure a thorough environmental assessment of such activities.

This publication argues that the legal process applying to CSG exploration lacks independence and rigour in terms of the assessment of potential environmental impacts. As a result, the Reviews of Environmental Factors (REFs) provided to comply with this process are of poor quality, and often constitute a fairly generic lists of impacts. The publication outlines the nature of the problem and illustrates, through some case studies, the deficiencies in the legal process. In light of these problems, legal reform to the assessment of CSG exploration is necessary.

To download a free copy, please go to: http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/pdf/pubs/ticking_the_box.pdf

SURVEY: Bell Miner Associated Dieback Project

Eucalypt dieback - Bell Miner Associated Dieback (BMAD)

Tree dieback may have various causes, may be natural or human - activity related, and may be of seasonal, short term or long-term duration. This survey form is designed to collect information on the current extent and distribution of tree dieback in the Blue Mountains WHA or nearby areas, in particular where associated with bell miners. Other instances of dieback are also of interest and can be recorded, except that directly related to bushfire. To gain a picture of current patterns of any dieback it is important that observations describe the current condition of trees (i.e. within the current month of recording) separately from longer term conditions and activities.

Identifying where dieback occurs is an important step in improving the management of forests. By identifying the threat, targeted management to improve biodiversity and forest heath, and to mitigate hazards and other possible unwanted outcomes arising from dieback, can be developed and actioned.

To obtain a copy of the survey forms please contact Bryony Horton by email: bryony.horton@environment.nsw.gov.au

Form are to be returned by Friday 23rd December.

EVENT: 25 years of the Australian Alps Program

19 and 20 November

The NSW National Parks are organising an event at Kiandra in Kosciuszko National Park to celebrate 25 years of the Australian Alps Program. ACT Parks are also organising a guided walk along the Alps walking track as part of the same 25th celebrations. Other events at various venues are also planned. These events span locations across the Australian Alps' two states and the ACT, so be sure to come along!

Details for programs can be found here. Please note - bookings are required for some events, and recommended for all of them.

GRANTS: Roadside Vegetation Implementation Project (RVIP)

Applications are now open. The project is designed to assist local councils undertake priority roadside vegetation management works as identified in Roadside Vegetation Management Plans or other equivalent management plans.

Objectives of the RVIP
* to allow for the protection, revegetation and regeneration of large areas of linear reserves across the State;
* to improve environmental condition and enhance ecological corridors in NSW;
* to provide funds to regional councils and help regional economies; and
* to add value to a considerable investment already made by the Environmental Trust which funded councils to prepare RVMPs in 2005.

A total of $1.3 million in funding will be available to NSW local councils. It is strongly recommended that all councils refer closely to the Roadside Vegetation Implementation Project - Guideline for Applicants prior, and during completion of their application form. This document provides details on eligible councils and activities. For more information visit the website.

All applications and supporting documentation should be provided by COB, Friday 2 December 2011 via email to: RVIP@lgsa.org.au
Further information from Kirsty McIntyre Project Manager - Roadside Vegetation Implementation Project, Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW ph: 9242 4055 or kirsty.mcintyre@lgsa.org.au