Hello Members, Staff, Board and Associate Members,
Project Sprout update
Thank you to all the group coordinators and individual members for your assistance with logistics for Project Sprout. Most community planting events have now been completed with new faces attending at almost every event and many indicating they would like to come again or better still join a group! While not all plants are in the ground yet, we have made huge inroads towards what will be over 7,300 plants in the ground! We have had 198 registrations for our events held so far with an attendance rate of 84% (167 attendees). I look forward to getting the final statistics to you in August.
Landcare Australia have advised us that the BUPA/ Landcare Australia funded Healthy Cities Grants will be reopening very shortly for their 2025/2026 program. To determine if WULN should apply again to support our Landcare groups with their planting program, I am seeking feedback from coordinators and group members about the program. Please take the time to fill in this short survey. It should take you 5-10 minutes at the most. The survey can be found here
Farewell morning tea for Heather
A final reminder that we’re gathering for morning tea this Thursday, 3 July, with Heather Davies, who has recently finished up in her admin role with WULN.
Click for details and to register.
Membership renewals (for unincorporated groups)- update
Thanks to everyone who has renewed their membership – or become a member – as part of our annual renewals process.
We will be in touch with coordinators with an update in July to confirm the current members of your group.
For co-ordinators please encourage those in your group who have been involved or attending regular working bees and have not yet become members to take the plunge and join here
A reminder – our new system will allow those joining to become members from the date of registration/payment of membership fees, with their renewal due on the same day in 12 months time. So there is no reason for prospective members to put off joining!
Policy update
The delegation policy has been updated. The policy clarifies decision-making authority across all levels of our organisation and ensures that responsibilities are appropriately distributed.
View the policy directly here or via the policies page on the website.
Chemical Use
40L of chemical (glyphosate 360 g/L) was purchased approx. 18 months ago with Healthy Rivers funding. At a similar time I sent out an update reminding coordinators of the chemical use policy and on the request of a number of groups, we purchased/ procured a range of safety equipment and created/ shared a number of resources.
WULN chemical use procedure. A hard copy of this “pack” is located in the Willow Park Shed with the chemical.
A google form to record chemical use.
Generic risk assessment for chemical use.
Community Spray and Water Unit- Instructions for borrowing and Use.
I was disappointed to find that that while 40L of chemical has been used there were 0 entries in the register. While some groups may have their own chemical recording system, I am fairly sure that most do not. As a means of managing the use of chemicals in a public place and in turn reducing risk, I am urging those who have a current chemical user qualification and who use chemicals on their patch to please record all chemical use.
Nest Box “audit” about to commence.
Greg Sharp is a member of Friends of Wodonga Landcare and has very kindly offered to undertake an “audit” of the location and condition of nest boxes across our patches. Greg will be checking location, type and condition of nest boxes and recording these on a register. We will then assess how much work/ funding is required to repair or replace any damaged nest boxes, as well as recording any new nest boxes which have been installed. Greg will contact coordinators before he ventures onto your patch to be briefed on any local information or issues.