L2021-24 Victorian Landcare Facilitator Program “Granite to Goulburn Conservation Alliance project”

We are pleased to announce that the Euroa Arboretum’s application for a part-time Landcare Facilitator for a project titled “Granite to Goulburn Conservation Alliance” was successful. The alliance comprises Euroa Arboretum (lead organisation), Strathbogie Ranges CMN and Longwood Plains CMN with the Facilitator funding, through the Victorian Government, running for three years from 2021/22 to 2023/24. Each of the three groups will be allocated approximately one day a week. Our aim is to work as a team but also to have our own priorities.

The key work areas that the Longwood Plains CMN had identified and are consistent with the guidelines include developing a Strategic Plan, developing a Website, and running a Farm Planning course in the Longwood area.  Mapping and recording of the last two decades of works to create a history including the funding source and years, and the state of the vegetation now is also a priority.

We will identify landholders who have sites older than 10 years and that require more vegetation, and apply for funding to enhance and improve the conservation outcomes in these old sites. We anticipate applying for funding for a field day to promote best practices in site preparation for on-ground projects, and also for a farm dam bus trip visiting sites that were funded in 2013/14 and learning from the experiences of the landholders involved.

We have started communicating with MLA (Meat and Livestock Australia) and Melbourne University regarding Carbon Storage 2030 – 10 million hectares by 2030.

Most importantly we will be communicating with our landholder through our newsletters, local media and soon to be launched website.

We thank the Victorian Government for providing this Facilitator funding to support our Network in promoting sustainable land management practices to protect and enhance biodiversity in the Longwood Plains.