BULLETIN November 2024
In this Edition
We are delighted to reveal a new look for the Bulletin, the Wodonga Urban Landcare Network newsletter.
This much enjoyed resource has been revamped in conjunction with our recent website upgrade. Bulletin content is now included on the website wodongalandcare.org.au, along with other resources and information.
We invite you to explore both the Bulletin and website and we trust you’ll find some items of interest or events to join in.
Please click the item buttons and links below for more information.
There are often longer articles and photos for you to explore.
We’d love to hear your feedback or suggestions about the Bulletin. Please consider emailing your thoughts through to info@wodongalandcare.org.au.
We hope you enjoy browsing the new look Bulletin.
– Jo Vincent, Network Facilitator
Wodonga Urban Landcare Network (WULN)
network news
You can also find these and other news items on the website: wodongalandcare.org.au/news
Calling for Nominations - WULN Board
We need you!
Following on from the special general meeting where WULN's new constitution was adopted, we are now calling for nominations for the new Board.
WULN is governed by a voluntary management Board elected by the Network and consists of no more than nine persons, with a minimum of five persons. The Board is the front line of Network governance, enabling the day-to-day functioning of the Network, ensuring the Network’s legal and financial obligations are met and supporting WULN to pursue its vision and mission.
The Board will make key decisions about planning, resources, and strategic direction of WULN.
We need you to help shape the direction of Landcare in Wodonga.
If you have skills in human resource management, finance and business management, environment, law, marketing, IT, leadership, volunteer management, business or strategic planning then please consider nominating for our Board that will have both skills based and member representatives.
Nominations are now open and our Board election will be held at our AGM on the 27th November 2024.
Birds on Farms Event in the Wodonga Hills
Birds were in abundance at our recent Birds on Farms event at "Regal Downs" in the Wodonga Hills.
Our hosts Christine and Peter were generous with their knowledge and time and walk leader Ben Humphries from BirdLife Australia assisted us immensely with our bird watching and identification skills.
It's Turtle Nesting Season!
If you are lucky enough to see a turtle nesting or laying eggs, please take a photo (make sure your location/ georeferencing is ON) and contact Turtles Albury Wodonga so they can swing into action and head down to undertake nest protection which will prevent foxes from eating the eggs.
Perhaps you might like to join this dedicated group and learn how to record turtle sightings on the citizen science app TurtleSat and protect nests.
See the Turtles Albury Wodonga group listing on the Wodonga Landcare website and follow their Facebook page.
Student Landcarers Helping to Care for Wodonga reserves
We appreciate the great job done by Grace Christian College Wodonga students whose recent volunteer efforts in a WREN reserve helped to tidy up tree guards, remove rubbish and contribute a bunch of citizen science nature observations.
We even saw an echidna!
Native Sensory Garden Taking Shape at Leneva Enviro Hub
The Leneva Enviro Hub now has the beginnings of a native sensory garden thanks to a recent planting effort by Parklands Albury Wodonga rangers and volunteers.
Invasive Garden Escapees to Avoid in Your Yard
Lots of locals love gardening but some of us are unintentionally planting species that jump fence-lines and wreak havoc in our local parks and reserves.
Read on to find out about these problematic plants, the threats they pose and suggested plant alternatives.
Upcoming WULN events
Wodonga Landcare AGM and Network Gathering
This is a great opportunity to reflect on the year past, be involved in the governance of our organisation moving forward and connect with other members and friends in a relaxed atmosphere over a meal.
The AGM will include voting in the new Board as well as our annual awards presentation.
Followed by a meal and then two presentations:
- Albury Wodonga Connected Communities
- Wodonga Retained Environment Network
All welcome - come along for some or all of the evening, including dinner.
Environmental Volunteer Managers event
DEECA's statewide EVM Grow event will be streamed online or join us at the Wodonga hub event with morning tea, lunch and an afternoon presentation from a local environmental educator.
This event, for paid and unpaid managers of environmental volunteers, is a great opportunity to learn, share and connect at our Wodonga hub with other environmental volunteer managers across the north east.
Want to check or keep up to date with our events?
You’ll find them in Event listings on the Wodonga Landcare website.
You can also find our events, and those of other sustainability and environment groups and organisations across our region, on Ecoportal.net.au.
Other news
Be alert for signs of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Learn how you can help Birdlife Australia and the Australian Government by looking out for early signs of Avian Influenza (H5N1) in our local wild bird and mammal populations.
BirdLife Australia have developed a website and information sheet that tell you about the symptoms of bird flu in birds, what you need to do if you find a sick or dying bird, and how to report any suspected cases.
FrogID Week - jump in!
The seventh annual FrogID Week is underway, from November 8th to 17th, 2024!
FrogID Week, hosted by the Australian Museum, is Australia's biggest frog count. Held annually, it's when anyone with a smartphone can help record frog calls through the free FrogID app, and help better understand frogs and environmental health around the country. It aims to monitor frogs populations and distributions over time, helping us to understand how frogs and their ecosystems are responding to a changing planet.
From croaks and barks, to whistles and bleats, every frog species makes a unique sound.
Using the free FrogID app, you can record the frogs calling around you and help count Australia’s frogs.
The WULN Bulletin is sent monthly to email subscribers and members.
A big thank you to volunteer news editor, Beck Humphries, for her generous contributions and patience in helping to revamp our news!