The Atlas of Living Australia is Australia’s national biodiversity database and is the largest mapping database of invasive species in Australia. 

BioCollect is a field data collection tool in which users can freely set up and collect data for their own projects, as well as enabling data to be easily copied into the ALA and be made accessible to others who need to use it.

The Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) and BioCollect training will be delivered via free webinars in August and September 2020 via four on-line webinars.

The training, facilitated by Peter Brenton and Matilda Stevenson from the CSIRO, is being provided in an interactive train-the-trainer format and is not being offered to everyone in the first instance. The expectation is for people trained in these sessions to deliver training and user support within their local communities.

Once the initial train-the-trainer course is complete, participants can apply for a $500 grant to assist in delivering an on-ground training workshop in their community.

Preference will be given to participants based on the following criteria:

a) Occupy a volunteer or professional role which would enable them to deliver training to community members;

b) Have the capacity to deliver training and provide support to community members within areas of Victoria affected by serrated tussock or gorse (infestation maps attached);

d) Have at least a basic to moderate experience in computers and web-based applications.

If you would like to take part please follow the link to complete the application https://forms.gle/oCvHQC5e6SZuxfPCA

This project is coordinated by the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP) with support from the Victorian Gorse Taskforce (VGT).

For further information, please contact:

Martin Deering – Leading Biosecurity Officer – Serrated Tussock Agriculture Victoria | Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions  
14 Mineral Water Drive, Daylesford
martin.deering@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Landcare Victoria has announced the appointment of Andrew Maclean as its new CEO to guide an exciting period of growth for the organisation.

The role of the CEO will be to build stronger partnerships, attract new funding sources and shore up ongoing employment and support for Victorian Landcare Facilitators.

Mr Maclean said he wants Landcare to be recognised as having a key role in sustainable land management in Victoria. “Over the past 30 years, Landcare has earnt its place at the frontline of biodiversity protection, sustainable agriculture and recovery from bushfire and drought. Landcare’s unique strength is its deep roots in regional communities.”

“My role as CEO will be to unlock the knowledge and passion of grassroots volunteers by bringing new methods to the table that ensure Landcare remains relevant and strong.”

Mr Maclean said he joins Landcare Victoria at a pivotal time, given that groups and networks must reapply for state funding for Facilitators via a competitive process later this year. “Facilitators and project officers are the lifeblood of our Landcare groups. They underpin successful projects and we will support our members every step of the way to ensure they secure the funding they so desperately deserve.”

He has identified other priority areas for Landcare Victoria, including stronger ties with the agriculture sector and broadening Landcare’s reach beyond taxpayer-funded activities into market-based approaches.

Mr Maclean sees opportunities for Landcare to be better recognised for its contribution to sustainable agricultural production and he is particularly excited by the prospect of carbon farming and biodiversity stewardship funding.

He will commence in his new role on July 22 and joins Landcare Victoria from Southern Gulf NRM in Queensland.

Landcare Victoria Chair, Terry Hubbard said he was delighted to welcome Andrew as CEO and his appointment coincides with several other key initiatives that will strengthen Landcare in the state.

“Andrew brings over 20 years’ experience in the natural resource management field from Victoria and North Queensland. His previous roles within the Victorian Government and as CEO of Southern Gulf NRM mean that he is ideally positioned to guide Landcare Victoria in this exciting new phase.”

“Landcare Victoria is working with consultants RPS to complete a study that will determine the economic value, or return on investment, that every single dollar of Landcare spending provides, in addition to launching the Victorian Landcare Fund to attract new investors in sustainable land management.”

Funding for the CEO position was made possible via the support of two philanthropic trusts: Jim and Heather Phillipson (Rendere Trust) and Joanne and William Crothers (Upotipotpon Foundation).

The Winter 2020 issue (#78) of the Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management magazine, which is a feature of the Landcare and emergency recovery has just been published on the Victorian Landcare Gateway, and is available at Issue 78 Winter 2020.

Among the stories in this issue of the magazine are:

• Fire recovery lessons from South West Goulburn Landcare and Leigh Catchment Group
• Community response to drought in Millewa-Carwarp
• Landcare network driven fire recovery after St Patrick’s Day fires
• Deer fencing to protect biodiversity after Bunyip fire
• Landmate support to landowners after natural disasters
• Tom Croft’s farewell to Landcare.

To access the PDF of issue #78 of the Landcare magazine go to PDF Issue 78 Winter 2020