Dear Member Groups,

You or your members may be interested in the following, apologies for any cross-postings. Please forward relevant items to your members who may be interested. These emails are only sent to the group contact, and to Landcare support staff where listed.

REMINDER: SECRETS FOR SUCCESSFUL GROUPS TRAINING - Gippsland

We have now run eight successful sessions of the new Secrets of Successful Groups training program with support the Department of Sustainability & Environment (DSE).  The program is designed to assist Landcarers with improving the capacity and health of their groups and networks.

Sessions are open to all landcarers, Friends of etc, and are intended for anyone who is or wants to be involved in the decision-making of their group or network. All attendees enjoyed the sessions and recommended them to others so come along!

Each session covers two or three topics from a number of available modules including:

•           Legal Duties of Committee Members

•           Employment & Employer Responsibilities

•           Effective Decision-making

•           Health & Safety

•           Managing the Books

•           Volunteer Recruitment & Succession

The last two sessions have been confirmed for the following locations, please see the link for full session details:

Lakes Entrance – 5 December – 10:30 AM – 3:30 pm – Fisherman’s Club, Lakes Entrance 3909: http://www.landcarevic.net.au/ftla/documents/secrets-to-successful-groups-training-2012/secrets-to-successful-groups-training-lakes-entrance-2012/at_download/file

Traralgon – 6 December – 10:30 AM – 3:30 pm – DSE Office, 71 Hotham St, Traralgon 3844: http://www.landcarevic.net.au/ftla/documents/secrets-to-successful-groups-training-2012/secrets-to-successful-groups-training-traralgon-2012/at_download/file

Lunch and refreshments provided. To RSVP for these sessions, please email ftla@vff.org.au or call 03 9207 5527 with your top preferences for sessions topics and the session location.

PARKS VICTORIA 2012-13 HEALTHY PARKS HEALTHY PEOPLE GRANTS

Applications close 17 December 2012

2012-2013 Healthy Parks Healthy People Grants:

•           Help local groups to deliver projects which protect and enhance the natural, cultural and heritage values of parks and reserves;

•           Provide diverse recreational, educational, cultural and tourism opportunities of importance to local communities;

•           Facilitate the involvement of the wider multicultural community in environmental and recreational projects; and

•           Increases community awareness and understanding of parks and their values.

Healthy Parks Healthy People Grants are available to community-based groups/not for profit organisations such as (but not confined to):

•           friends groups

•           service clubs

•           cultural groups

•           migrant resource centres

•           schools

•           historic societies

Prospective applicants should contact the relevant Ranger In Charge for the park or reserve in which your group is planning to undertake the project to obtain an application form and to discuss the proposal. The application can be filled in with the assistance of local staff and must be endorsed by the Ranger In Charge prior to submission.

Projects must be completed by 31 May 2014.

For further information go to: http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/get-involved/healthy-parks-healthy-people-grants Please phone 13 1963 if you are unsure of who to contact or for any further advice.

PERPETUAL PHILANTHROPIC GRANTS

Perpetual is able to distribute more than $50 million each year on behalf of the charitable trusts that are under management. Non-profit organisations have the opportunity to apply for grants from those trusts. Applications close: Friday 14 December 2012

Applicants must have DGR status or tax concession status (check your ABN record to see if you have tax concessions http://www.abr.business.gov.au/Index.aspx e.g income tax exemption.

The assessment criteria is based on the governance of the organisation, such as evidence of strategic goals and objectives and realistic, measurable and achievable outcomes, including societal impact

For more information, visit http://www.perpetual.com.au/philanthropy-funding-opportunities.aspx.

MOBILE PHONE RECYCLING – SAVE THE GORILLAS!

With the Christmas season upon us, if you are giving or getting a new mobile phone, consider recycling the old one.

Some of the minerals used in mobile phones are mined in highly vulnerable areas such as African rainforests and the mining impacts endangered species such as gorillas, so the more phones that are re-used rather than bought new the better. Mobile phone should never be thrown in the rubbish, where they could end up in landfill as they're not biodegradable so they won't break down. Even if they aren’t recycled into new phones there are still many valuable components that can be recovered.

Options include:

• Re-use: give your old phone to a friend or family member who needs one
• “They're Calling on You!”: Zoos Victoria and the Jane Goodall Institute have developed a program where phones are refurbished and resold at low prices to disadvantaged community groups internationally. The money is used for conservation of gorillas and other primates. For more information and to send in your phone go to: http://www.zoo.org.au/get-involved/act-for-wildlife/theyre-calling-on-you
• MobileMuster: This is the Australian mobile phone industry's official product stewardship program. Phones are broken down into their components and then recycled. The program accepts all makes and models of mobile, including handsets, batteries and mobile accessories. Just pick up a free reply paid recycling satchel from participating Australia Post outlets, or download a free reply paid mailing label at http://www.mobilemuster.com.au/recycle-a-mobile/post-them-in/ .

FROM THE LAST NEWSLETTER

AWARDS, GRANTS, OFFERS & OPPORTUNITIES

COMMUNITIES FOR NATURE GRANTS 2012

The Communities for Nature 2012 Small Grants are now open, for applications up to $10,000. Applications close 19th December 2012.

The Communities for Nature grants program seeks to:

• support practical community action to deliver measurable environmental outcomes;
• support community groups and volunteers undertaking works of primarily an environmental nature; and
• support communities with relevant and timely information to assess priorities at the local level to determine the best returns in undertaking on-ground works.

Communities for Nature grants are targeted towards local community groups and organisations, including schools. Projects that will be completed by 31 May 2014 are eligible for funding.

Projects are expected to address local environmental issues such as:

• Biodiversity and habitat preservation (preservation of areas known for their biodiversity and habitat values),
• Threatened species recovery,
• Sustainable management of native wildlife,
• Revegetation (of areas that enhance existing habitat or connectivity) ,
• Cleaning up waterways (creeks, wetlands, streams, rivers and seas),
• Control of weeds and pest animals

Applications close at midnight on 19 December 2012.

For additional information please see the Communities for Nature Funding Guidelines and the Frequently Asked Questions on the webpage or call the Grants information line during business hours on PH: 1300 366 356.

http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/conservation-and-environment/biodiversity/communities-for-nature-grant-program

CARBON FARMING EXTENSION AND OUTREACH GRANTS

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is currently seeking applications for project funding under the Extension and Outreach Program, as part of the Australian Government’s Carbon Farming Futures Program.

The Extension and Outreach grants funding will deliver information that is clear, consistent and current for farmers, land managers and their key influencers using a mix of traditional and new extension services.

Extension and outreach activities supported by the program will assist farmers, land managers and key influencers to reduce land sector greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon in the landscape and participate in the CFI by:

• providing technical information and support about integrating carbon management into whole farm planning and farm performance
• sharing new research and farm techniques for the property and farm business, including those generated through the Carbon Farming Futures programs
• increasing communication resources and channels available
• creating tools and information systems to improve knowledge of land sector emissions
• enhancing productivity and environmental sustainability.

To be included in the first assessment, applications need to be received by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry by 5.00 PM AEDT on Wednesday, 19 December 2012.

For more information go to: http://www.daff.gov.au/climatechange/carbonfarmingfutures/extensionandoutreach email EandO@daff.gov.au or phone 1800 283 940.

INDIGENOUS CARBON FARMING FUND: GRANTS OPEN

The Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund assists Indigenous Australians to participate in the Carbon Farming Initiative.

Applications close 5pm 12 December 2012 (AEDT)

Category 1 - Feasibility and Assessment grants up to $50,000 are available to assist Indigenous organisations and individuals undertake feasibility assessments and develop carbon farming project ideas. Funding is available to:

• investigate opportunities under the Carbon Farming Initiative through training and support activities
• assess the feasibility of a carbon farming project idea
• seek specialist advice
• explore partnership opportunities for carbon farming businesses

Category 2 - Business and Project Development grants up to $300,000 are available to Indigenous organisations and individuals with an existing feasibility assessment or business plan to implement carbon farming businesses. Funding is available to:

• employ a carbon farming project manager
• progress carbon farming business development
• seek specialist legal, contractual, governance or business development advice
• implement carbon farming projects and to assist in the establishment of carbon farming enterprises and related activities

For more information go to: http://www.environment.gov.au/cleanenergyfuture/icff/index.html

EVENTS & INFORMATION

PARKS HAVE IT: YOUNG PEOPLE, ENVIRONMENT AND VOLUNTEERING, WHEELERS HILL

Young people who volunteer and organisations who work with them are invited to this forum which will explore young people’s engagement with the environment through volunteering. There will be a key note speaker followed by a panel discussion, examples of best practice and an interactive workshop - with a tour of Jells Park at lunch!

When: Wednesday 5 December 2012 10am-3pm *12pm: Tour of Jells Park

Where: Madeline’s At Jells, Jells Park Waverly Road – Wheelers Hill, VIC 3150

Cost: Free, but bookings are essential, places are limited to the first 50.

Bookings: email: nivy.balachandran @dpcd.vic.gov.au with the words, 'Parks RSVP' in the subject line. Include your first and last name(s), organisation, email address, and any dietary or accessibility requirements.

2013 FTLA ANNUAL FORUM AND AGM + Workshop EOI!

The FTLA Annual Forum and AGM is on Friday 22nd February 2013 at Level 16, Marland House, 570 Bourke St, Melbourne.  As part of the Annual Forum we hold a number of workshops and if your group or network has a really great project or learning that you would like to share with the rest of the world we would be really interested in hearing from you!

All members are invited and observers are welcome. Also, if there are particular topics or interests you would like to see covered please let us know and we will try to source speakers!

VIC: For more events in your region go to: http://www.landcarevic.net.au/events AND / OR http://www.landcareonline.com.au/donate/events-calendar/. For bushwalking activities check out http://vnpa.org.au/page/bushwalking-and-activities/event.

IS: For more events in your state go to: http://www.landcareonline.com.au/donate/events-calendar/

GET INVOLVED: SUBMISSIONS & CONSULTATIONS

TRUST FOR NATURE (VICTORIA) BOARD: EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

The Minister for Environment and Climate Change is seeking applications for members of the board of trustees of Trust for Nature (Victoria).  Six positions are being advertised and, following appointment, the Trust will elect a Chairperson from among the trustees. Application forms are available the DSE website: www.dse.vic.gov.au/about-dse/on-board/board-vacancies#current.

Expressions of interest will close at 5pm on Monday, 26 November 2012.

DRAFT VICTORIAN WATERWAY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY – OPEN FOR SUBMISSION

The draft Victorian Waterway Management Strategy has been released for public consultation and available http://www.water.vic.gov.au/environment/rivers/draft-victorian-waterway-management-strategy

Submissions close on 7 December at 5pm.

The draft strategy includes important direction for waterway management in Victoria including:

• a vision, guiding principles and management approach
• an integrated approach for managing rivers, estuaries and wetlands
• a framework for regional decision-making with community input
• an adaptive and flexible approach to address challenges of drought, flood, bushfire and the potential impacts of climate change
• aspirational targets for on-ground works and improved waterway condition in priority areas
• specific actions to deliver improved waterway management

NEWS & RESOURCES

COPIES OF PAST LANDCARE MAGAZINES AVAILABLE

The FTLA has a number of copies of past Victorian Landcare magazines available if you would like to use them for promotional purposes. We are happy to send them out in batches of ten or more. Let us know if you would find them useful.

LANDCARE IN FOCUS

The current edition of Landcare in Focus is available to read on the websites www.farmonline.com.au and www.landcareonline.com.au

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These newsletters are compiled from many sources, and thank-you to those who supplied the information.

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