Hello Members, Staff, Board and Associate Members,
It’s officially spring and the wattle is announcing that warmer weather is not far away. While we have had rain and sadly flooding of later, longer term forecasts are predicting an El Nino event with warmer and drier weather than usual this spring/summer. While longer term weather forecasting is becoming more and more upredictable (read here- anything could happen!), I would encourage you all to start thinking/ planning about maintenance for your plantings if warmer weather arrives.
We now have two “bladders” to assist with watering as well as the option to borrow a trailer mounted water storage unit from Council. Please be aware that Council also use this unit so booking it is essential and if its hot and dry its availability could be limited.
Plant order lists will be sent out to Coordinators soon. Please start thinking about what your patch needs and your groups capacity to undertake and maintain plantings. If you need any assistance with looking at locations or plant selection please reach out to me ASAP.
A very warm welcome goes out to two new staff: Chris Allen joins us (for a just a few hours each week) as the Seed Bank Project officer. Chris will be working on design of our seed production areas as well as supporting outcomes and actions from the recent North East Seed Sector Forum. We also welcome Beck Humphreys as the new casual Our Native Garden Nursery Hand, supporting propagation at the Nursery. We are excited to have you join the Team!
I would also like to thank our Equipment Committee who rocked out an audit, clean up and refresh of the shed and first aid kit. We have purchased a second battery operated auger, two smaller auger bits for the battery drill and a double charger, thanks to our grant from BUPA/ Landcare Australia and disposed of some older equipment as well. Thanks for your time and effort with this work!
Please note that I am heading off on leave from the 1st to 30th October. If there are any burning issues or concerns you have before I head off please get in touch as there won’t be anyone backfilling my role I am away.
READ ON- we have some fantastic events coming up with some incredible presenters and. we would love to see you there.
Jo
WULN AGM and Network Gathering
This years AGM, followed by our Network Gathering and complementary lunch will be held on Sunday 27th September 10.30m-1pm.
This is an opportunity to reflect on the past year’s achievements, hear about exciting projects and plans for the year ahead, and connect with the people helping to care for and improve our local environment.
We are seeking new Board members and I would encourage you to consider this opportunity. We cannot operate without the commitment of volunteers to run the organisation. The position description is here.
We will be welcoming Albury City Council’s Leah Warburton – Urban Forest Officer and Leanne Hunichen – Supervisor Trees and Streetscapes to present on the newly adopted Urban Forest Strategy which charts a greener future for Albury. The strategy outlines the current challenges with regard to canopy cover in Albury and provides a guide to tree planting and detailed implementation plan as the city responds to climate change and ongoing urban growth, setting a target for 30% urban tree canopy cover in Albury by 2050.
All WULN members, supporters, partner organisations and friends are welcome to attend, as well as members of the community – you don’t need to be a WULN member.
Please register here if you would like to attend the AGM.
WULN Awareness Table at Bunnings Spring Launch – EOI’s
We have an opportunity to hold an “awareness table” at Bunnings Spring Launch on the 10th October. We recently held a stall at White Box Rise and it was a great opportunity to connect with the general community and chat to people who may not have connected previously with Landcare about who we are and what we do.
More details to come about exact times etc but at this stage we are just seeking EOI’s from members who are keen to help host a stall and promote all of our groups and activities. If you would like to help out for an hour or so on the 10th October please email lily@wodongalandcare.org.au indicating if you would prefer mornings or afternoons, so we can prepare a roster.
Patch pollinator audits
We have a new tool to assist with planting planning!
Jess Robinson- Gardens 4 Wildlife Project Officer has created a pollinator audit which helps us review our existing plantings on our patch or in our garden to help determine what additional plants we might require for future revegetation works.
A number of group coordinators have the forms and will be completing the audit and providing feedback on the process.
If you would like to get involved in the SPRING audit with your group or perhaps even use this tool in your habitat garden then please get in touch with Jess to obtain the form and the resource document.
