Northern and Yorke Volunteer Newsletter March 2013 · Natural Resources Northern and Yorke...

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Volunteer Newsletter | 1

Volunteer Newsletter

March 2013

Rockin the Reserve, one tree at a time

The volunteer day will be held at Rocks Reserve, kicking off with an interactive session detailing the history of the riverside habitats in the area.

Riparian habitats are those important areas of bush land that sit alongside the river.

DEWNR water officer, Jennifer Munro says that since European settlement, there has been significant degradation of these areas that are home to important plant, animal and bird species.

We re trying to get the stretch of the Wakefield River in the Mid North back to good health, she says.

Rockin the Reserve will bring some focus to the area at Rocks Reserve as a significant part of the Wakefield River and hopefully

Rockin the Reserve is a volunteer day that gives punters an opportunity to learn more

about important local habitats along the Wakefield River

give people some ownership - so they too will want to contribute to getting those riparian habitats up to scratch.

Following the interactive session, people will be given the opportunity to plant important native trees and shrubs along the riverside.

It s a proactive approach, Jennifer says. It ll be a way for people to make an immediate contribution and hopefully want to keep promoting the health of the Wakefield River.

Rockin the Reserve will be held on 17th May 2013 and is a part of the Wakefield River Project.

For more information or to RSVP your participation, please contact Jennifer Munro on (08) 8636 2361 or email [email protected]

Did you receive your copy of the

Northern & Yorke Yakka Magazine

last month? If not then please

contact the Natural Resources Clare

office on 8841 3400

CONTENTS

Wakefield River Catchment Project ........................1

BEST efforts to keep weeds at bay .......................2

Exciting plant discovery near Melrose ..........................3

Local Treasure at Halbury Parklands..................................4

On ground on the Yorke Peninsula .....5

Fowl play at Innes ..6

New centre opens in Clare ..7

Free websites for volunteers..8

Read on to learn more...

FEB WAS YAKKA

MONTH!

In an effort to make sure all our records are up to date, could all active volunteer groups please ensure completed copies of the following:

Project form & risk assessment

Volunteer attendance diary for 2012 (including hours & works completed)

Most up-to-date group contact list (including group position holders)

Volunteer registration forms (if you have not filled out one please do)

A copy of your 2013 work plan are sent to the Volunteer Support Ranger, 2/17 Lennon Street CLARE SA 5453 or by fax 8841 3411 or scanned copies via email to [email protected]

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Staff Newsletter | 2


March 2013

BEST efforts to keep weeds at bay

Port Clinton and Bird Island Conservation Parks provide important habitat for numerous

bird species, particularly migratory wading birds. In 2012 large scale weed control was

undertaken for both agave in Port Clinton and boxthorn at Bird Island. In 2013 we will

revisit these sites to get any stragglers.

provided at the Port Clinton Caravan Park free, thanks to CVA and the N&Y NRM Community Grant. For volunteer traveling from Adelaide, they may like to arrange through CVA transport to Pt Clinton.

To make a whole weekend of it, CVA will also be running a community workshop on Saturday 13th April at Pt Clinton and again on Sunday 14th April at Point Turton. Topics will include basic digital photography, attracting volunteers and plant identification. A light lunch will be provided. For further information and bookings (for catering purposes) please contact CVA by phoning 8212 0777 or email [email protected]

For further information about the planned weed work for Port Clinton and Bird Island Conservation Parks and to register your interest in helping out, please contact Jacob Beinke, Ranger, Yorke District on 8854 3200 or email [email protected]

Written by Deb Davis

In 2012 the Biodiversity & Endangered Species Team (BEST) applied for a community grant through the Northern & Yorke Natural Resource Management Board for weed control at both Port Clinton and Bird Island Conservation Parks, and to contribute to the inaugural fairy tern census being held along the Yorke Peninsula coastline. BEST were successful in being granted funds to not only complete the fairy tern census, but also to fund weed control works at Pt Clinton for agave (excavation and drill and fill), and boxthorn removal at Bird Island (cut & swab).

Most of the hard work has been done, but there is still a need for follow up of reoccurring weeds. BEST have used the remaining funds to purchase some more chemicals and personal protective equipment. BEST have also partnered with Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA), as part of their Caring for Country grant, which supports volunteer groups across the state working on coastal conservation projects.

From the 12th to 16th April 2013, a working bee will be held Pt Clinton and Bird Island Conservation Parks. Accommodation will be

Coastal Communities

Environment Program

Community Workshop

Join with other community groups, Local

and State Government Staff, Natural

Resources staff, school representatives and

other interested people in your region to

learn about:

Basic digital photography

The new kind of volunteer

- how to attract them

Native plant ID- Anne Brown, Greening Australia

Port Clinton- Saturday 13th April

11am- 4pm- Community Hall,

Cumberland Road

Point Turton- Sunday 14th April 11am- 4pm- Sportsman s Club, please

contact CVA for directions

Includes a light lunch

RSVP: Monday 8th April 2013

For further information and bookings

(for catering purposes) contact us

Office Ph: 8212 0777 or email

[email protected]



March 2013

Exciting plant discovery near A newly-discovered population of one of our region s most

enigmatic threatened plants - the Spiny Daisy

has been confirmed

in the Southern Flinders Ranges.

The discovery takes the number of known natural occurrences in the world to six.

In August last year, field naturalist Robbie Bates was searching for native plants east of Mount Remarkable when he came across the distinctive silvery-grey shrubs growing along a roadside.

His amazing find has since been confirmed by the SA Herbarium.

The Spiny Daisy Recovery Team met recently at Melrose and took the opportunity to check out the newly-discovered population.

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Ecologist, Jean Turner, says the Spiny Daisy is unusual as it doesn t seem to produce viable seeds, despite the fact plants flower prolifically.

Spiny Daisy plants reproduce by suckering. Genetic testing has shown that all the shrubs at any one site are genetically identical, but each of the five populations tested so far is distinct from each other, Ms Turner said.

We don t know why the plants occur in such isolated populations and it will be interesting to have the Melrose population tested to see if it is different from all the others.

The sixth population makes the future prospects of Spiny Daisy slightly more secure, but even so, it remains critically endangered and the Recovery Team will continue overseeing its long-term conservation.

Spiny Daisy (Acanthocladium dockeri) was first collected in central western NSW in 1860 during the Burke and Wills expedition. A second collection was made in the South Australian Riverland in 1910.

It hasn t been sighted in either of these areas since, and was presumed extinct until its rediscovery in 1999 by Laura landholder, Paul Slattery.

Despite extensive searches, only four additional populations had ever been found ahead of the recent discovery near Melrose.

All six Spiny Daisy populations occur in the Northern and Yorke NRM region, scattered from near Hart in the south to the northern-most population near Telowie.

The Spiny Daisy is listed as Critically Endangered under the Commonwealth s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and is Endangered in SA.

Opportunities for volunteers to help the conservation of this species include working bees for site management and translocation plantings, annual population monitoring, and involvement in the recovery Team.

Jean encourages anyone who wants to know more about the Spiny Daisy and its conservation to contact the Natural Resources Centre at Clare on (08) 8841 3400.

Written by Jean Turner

DEWNR staff member Dan Hanisch and David Potter,

member of the Spiny Daisy Recovery Team and the Blyth-

Brinkworth Revegetation Committee, at the Melrose site.

Photo by Jean Turner

Spiny Daisy population Melrose, December

2012



March 2013

Many of the plants occurring at the Halbury Parklands are considered to be regionally threatened as well known botanist, Bob Bates, has discovered since conducting three surveys over the past decade. Thirty-eight species are considered to be threatened in the region. At least 14 different orchid species are known to be in the Parklands. This number continues to increase as local people find more orchids. There is even an orchid that is named after the Parklands; the Halbury Greenhood Orchid. This orchid is endemic to the local region and is critically endangered.

The plants within the parklands provide food and shelter for a countless number of animals and insects. Several of these creatures are critical to the survival of many plant species and vice versa, for example some of the orchids can only be pollinated by one type of insect. If one of these insects become extinct, so too will one of the orchids. Also some of the butterflies found in the area can only survive on a very restricted number of plant species. Many of our native birds have very specific requirements to survive and these can only be provided by fully intact remnant vegetation. This makes Halbury Parklands critically important for their survival.

For over 10 years, volunteers with support of Trees for Life, have been helping control bridal creeper and African boxthorn, which threatened the biological diversity of the Parklands. Volunteers have also assisted in installing rabbit proof fencing, installation of signage, removal of rubbish and recording of plant species. Although the Friends of Halbury Park group no longer meets as an official group, there are still a number of volunteers who head out to Halbury Parklands and assist with conservation works. They are always looking for an extra set of hands, so if you have some spare time, and would like to assist in conserving this important patch of remnant vegetation, then please contact Erica Rees, Threatened Flora Officer, Northern & Yorke, mobile 0408 812 677, or email at [email protected]

Adapted from P. Tucker, Trees for Life, Friends of Halbury Parklands Newsletter February 2001

Local Treasure at Halbury Parklands Halbury Parklands are especially important because they comprise one of the very few

remaining areas of intact mallee/native pine woodland in the Wakefield region.

Halbury, between Balaklava & Auburn along the Pt Wakefield-Auburn Road

Halbury Greenhood Pterostylis sp. Halbury

Halbury Parklands

Photo by June Njelke



March 2013

On ground on the Yorke Peninsula There s been some natural regeneration since the installation of fencing and a bit of weed control work, but the Ardrossan

Grasslands and Stansbury Grass Tree sites are needing a bit more help on the ground.

Ardrossan Grassland

This 2.5Ha Council reserve in the centre of Ardrossan contains an area of Open Tussock Grassland that is now the only representative remnant left on the Yorke Peninsula. Surveyed in 1994, the Biological Database records show in excess of 50 native species were identified at the quadrat site with many more species located within the reserve itself.

With the assistance of the DC of Yorke Peninsula, NRM Board Community Grant funding was obtained in 2008 to fence an 1800 square metre section of the reserve to allow regeneration of the grassland. The reserve had been mowed regularly up until that time. Native grasses, herbs and shrubs have since regrown to their full potential and have flowered and set seed for the first time in many years.

As a reserve in the middle of a township, agricultural and garden weeds have inevitably found their way into the grassland and volunteers are needed for minimal disturbance weed control on the site. Weed species of concern include Wild Sage, Thistles, Gazanias, Freesias, Wards Weed, Onion Weed, Flag Iris, Thread Iris and various Medics.

Stansbury Grass Tree Site

Inland from Stansbury, on privately owned land, a 6.2 Ha Heritage Agreement site protects the last remaining stand of Xanthorrhoea semiplana ssp. tateana grass trees on Yorke Peninsula. Situated on the crest of a sand dune in a cropping paddock, the site contains hundreds of these locally endangered Xanthorrhoea.

Mature plants of both Acacia cyclops and Boneseed have been found within the site and, although these mature plants have been removed, monitoring and follow-up control of both these environmental weed species is essential. Veldt Grass (Ehrharta sp.) is also found on-site and a management plan for control of this invasive species needs to be finalised.

Since the HA site was originally fenced, recruitment of Xanthorrhoea seedlings has been impressive but the site needs ongoing protection from potential invasions of environmental weeds.

Written by David Sloper

Ardrossan Grassland (left) and Stansbury Grass Tree Site (right)

Photos by David Sloper

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

If you would like to assist with on-ground works at one or both of these sites, on ground works include minimal weed disturbance work, installing tree guards and site condition monitoring, then please contact David Sloper, Natural Resource Management Officer, Yorke Peninsula, phone 8821 1555 or email [email protected]



March 2013

Fowl play at Innes

The malleefowl is an unusual Australian bird that lays its eggs in a large mound made from sand and leaf litter.

Deborah Furbank, Community Liaison Officer for Southern Yorke Peninsula, says mounds in a previously-established grid at Innes are visited every year, and are assessed to determine whether they are being used by malleefowl to incubate chicks.

Six volunteers worked with DEWNR staff, splitting into three groups to visit 47 malleefowl mounds as part of the National Malleefowl Monitoring program, Deborah Furbank says.

Surveyors record potential threats such as signs of predators or competition, providing valuable information about the breeding activity and the survival of the bird. Between nine and eleven active mounds have been recorded each year since surveying began in 2006.

Nine mounds were found to be active this season, including one mound that had no previous recorded activity, highlighting the importance of revisiting the 24 extinct mounds in the area every five years.

Deborah Furbank says the reuse of the inactive mound could be attributed to the intensive fox baiting that has been occurring at

Malleefowl monitoring at Innes National Park in November has proven fruitful, showing new activity in what was previously an unoccupied malleefowl mound.

Innes National Park as part of the tammar wallaby reintroduction since October 2003.

Surveying this year found no fox or rabbit scats were present at any of the malleefowl mounds.

The results of this season s monitoring show that malleefowl breeding activity remains consistently high on the Innes Grid in 2012, says Deborah Furbank.

Malleefowl are currently listed as endangered on the Yorke Peninsula and are in decline across southern Australia, mainly due to loss of suitable bushland.

Written by Deborah Furbank

A not so pretty flower?

Have you seen this weed? Don t let it s pretty yellow flower deceive you, this plant,

commonly known as a Flax-leaf Broom, and is in fact a listed as a Weed of National

Significance (WoNs). This specimen was spotted along the Riesling Trail at

Sevenhill, where the Rielsing Trail Committee is planning to start a control program.

Flax-leaf Broom is an aggressive invader of native vegetation, eventually forming

dense infestations that smother the natural vegetation and prevent regeneration of

native species. Once established, broom species can completely transform

ecological communities by excluding native species, altering fire behaviour and

harbouring feral animals such as rabbits, foxes and cats.

Caution needs to be used in its removal due to the risk of spreading its seed. The

hard-coated seeds persist in the soil for many years, and follow-up removal of

seedlings is required.

If you have seen this weed elsewhere in the region, please report it to the Natural

Resources Centre, Clare on 8841 3400. Photos by David Potter



March 2013

New centre opens in Clare

Deb Davis, Acting Volunteer Support Ranger will be returning to her position, Ranger Kangaroo Island West District at the end of her contract on 1st March 2013. Once confirmation on Cristina Vicente s movements have been received, then efforts can be made to fill the position.

Riverton office closure:

Our Riverton office closed at the end January with staff formerly based in Riverton now working from Clare, based in Unit 6/13 Lennon Street.

Clare office shuffle around:

To make room for our colleagues from Riverton, there has been a slight shuffle around of staff in the Clare office. The Volunteer Support Ranger, along with other Community Engagement staff, who was previously located in Unit 6, are now located in Unit 2, along with Reception & Business Support, while Unit 3 hosts Public Lands and Sustainable Landscapes. Staff phone numbers have remained the same.

The Northern and Yorke natural resources management region would like to farewell Lynne Walden, who has left her role as Regional Manager to pursue other opportunities.

Lynne has been a highly respected and valued DEWNR staff member and has made a significant contribution to the management of natural resources through her role as Regional Manager, and in her prior role as General Manager of the Northern and Yorke NRM Board.

Chief executive of DEWNR Allan Holmes thanked Lynne for all of her efforts during her time as Regional Manager, particularly in assisting with the regional integration of 2012.

From January 29 2013, Craig Nixon will act as Regional Manager until a new Regional Manager has been appointed.

Deb Agnew, Manager Community Engagement, Planning & Evaluation, has also left our organisation to pursue other opportunities. John Peet, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer is currently acting in her position until further notice.

The new Natural Resources Centre at Clare was opened by former Minister Paul Caica on the 18th December 2012, marking the beginning of further accessible DEWNR services in the Northern and Yorke region.

Are you now

using the new

Volunteer

Management

Forms? By now most you should have heard about the Volunteer Management Framework (VMF). Put simply, it is a management system that is enacted whenever a volunteer activity is endorsed by a DEWNR manager. As soon as a manager endorses volunteer(s) working in DEWNR business, then the agency has a 'duty of care' under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The VMF does not have to be a scary or onerous thing . For most of the volunteer groups, you most likely are doing the right thing, just some of the form formats have changed. The old pink forms have been replaced by Form 1, and all groups need to make sure they complete Form 2 Hazard Identification & Risk Management. There are also a number of other new forms / templates that can be adopted by groups.

It is important that each group maintain a record of all volunteer activities, including attendance, hours and outcomes. Please try get a copy of this information, including any completed forms, work plans, contact lists to the Volunteer Support Ranger at least once a year. For most groups, this can be done around the time of your Annual General Meeting.

In an effort to get our volunteer records up-to-date, you may also be asked to fill out a volunteer registration form so that copies of all volunteer registration forms can be scanned an uploaded on our system. So please be patient as we try an update our volunteer information.

N&Y Regional Team Update .

The centre is part of a network that delivers natural resource management advice, and provides access to Parks passes and information and water advice.

The launch of Northern and Yorke regional centre follows the opening of the Kangaroo Island, South Australian Arid Lands, Eyre Peninsula, South East, South Australian Murray Darling Basin, Alinytjara Wilurara and Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges centres.

During the launch, which was attended by representatives from community groups, local government and members of the public, Mr Caica acknowledged the importance of the region on an economic and ecological scale to South Australia.

The Minister emphasised that the centre s presence would help foster a better relationship between government and

community, and provide a more direct means of communication.

Northern and Yorke NRM Board Presiding Member Caroline Schaefer said the opening provided the community with reason to celebrate.

This centre is a place for people to come with ideas and a passion for helping the biodiversity of their region, she said.

They ll find friendly faces and like-minded people who will want to help them get their ideas off the ground.

That s the value of natural resource management to this community.

This is a meeting place and a starting point for sustainability and productivity to happen.

Written by Natalie Oliveri



March 2013

Upcoming volunteer opportunities . MARCH 15-20th CVA project at Pt Clinton, phone CVA Team Leader Kathryn Hastie 0409 183 924

APRIL 12-16th CVA/DEWNR combined project at Port Clinton & Bird Island Conservation Parks, phone Ranger Jacob Beinke 8854 3200

MAY 17th Rockin the Reserve, information, exhibits and tree planting, all part of the Wakefield River project, contact DEWNR s Water Officer Jennifer Munro on 8636 2361

Free websites and promotional materials for community groups

The Office for Volunteers in partnership with the University of South Australia s (UniSA) School of Communication are running an innovative program to produce a range of free communication and promotional materials for not-for-profit community groups. Through the Sustainable Online Community Engagement (SOCE) program, UniSA students work with community groups to help them build their own website, produce a range of promotional materials (including DVDs, e-newsletters and brochures) and market their organisation and services.

The websites can be hosted for free by the University and are put into a content management system so that organisation members without web development skills can easily update and maintain their web presence. Alternatively, the website and a cut-down version of the content management system can be given to the organisation to host elsewhere.

Feedback from community participants has been very positive. A recent survey of community groups who participated in the SOCE program showed that 75 per cent of respondents thought their website had achieved what they had hoped more exposure and the provision of information to a broader audience.

Dr Denise Wood, UniSA Senior Lecturer, who manages the program, said the SOCE program was a win-win for both the university students and the not-for-profit community groups. The students gain valuable professional practice skills through service learning, while the community groups benefit from the services provided. Community group members also appreciate having the opportunity to contribute to the students learning experience.

Apply now! Applications for projects for first semester are open now. For further information and to register visit the SOCE website at www.communitywebs.org or contact the SOCE coordinator by phone 8302 4683 or email [email protected].

Adapted from the Office for Volunteering Newsletter January 2013

Volunteer Information

Grants, grants, grants Caring for Country 2013-14 The Community Landcare Grants are small grant available through the Sustainable Agriculture stream of the Australian Government's Caring for our Country initiative. Grants between $5000 to $50 000 (GST exclusive) are available to help local community-based organisations and groups take on-ground action as well as build their capacity and skills to manage their natural environment and productive lands. Visit: www.nrm.gov.au/funding/agriculture/clg Due 20 March 2013

Grant Guru Community Website Grant Guru Community is Australia s largest free, searchable listing of nation-wide grants and funding programs for community based and not-for-profit organisations. Visit: www.community.grantready.com.au to see what is available.

GrantsLINK This federal government directory has information on federal, state and local government funding. Visit: www,grants.myregion.gov.au

South Australian local councils A variety of grants are available through local councils. Contact them direct for more information. Visit: www.lga.sa.gov.au

Grant Search Australia This database contains approximately 3,000 sources of financial support for various projects. This site has a subscription fee. Visit: www.grantsearch.com.au

Volunteering Australia This site has information on grants available specifically for the volunteer sector. Visit www.volunteeringaustralia.org

Our Community grants database This site provides a comprehensive listing of grants from around Australia and internationally. For a fee you can subscribe to get access to the EasyGrants newsletter and database. www.ourcommunity.com.au/funding/grant_main

http://www.communitywebs.org

http://www.nrm.gov.au/funding/agriculture/clg

http://www.community.grantready.com.au

http://www.lga.sa.gov.au

http://www.grantsearch.com.au

http://www.volunteeringaustralia.org

http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/funding/grant_main



March 2013

Moldex Gas mask canisters The following Recall notice was issued nationally. Please check that the following cartridges are not in use or stock. Moldex Metric Inc Gas & Vapour Chemical Cartridge PRA number: 2012/13384

Date created: 22nd November 2012

Pygmy blue tongue art exhibition

6 June to 17 July 2013 Co-sponsored by the Pygmy Bluetongue Conservation Committee

This is an art exhibition to raise awareness of the endangered Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard, indigenous to the Burra region of SA.

Contact: Lis Jones Ingman, Exhibitions Coordinator, Burra Regional Art Gallery. Email [email protected], or phone 0405 412 991.

LITTLE LIZARD DREAMS Found in native grasslands, the pygmy bluetongue makes its home in unused spider burrows, after first eating or evicting the spider that dug the burrow. First identified in 1863, the pygmy bluetongue was long thought to be extinct until in 1992 one was found dead in the stomach of a road-kill snake.

Artists are encouraged to create works that celebrate this unique little lizard .don t be limited in your interpretation of the theme

it doesn t have to be a lizard in a landscape or a natural science rendering (though it could be if you wanted!)

Creative thinking caps on!!

has updated the botanical names of many species featured in the original book, and expanded its coverage with an additional 120+ species.

The New Blue also features a very informative Introduction with details of plant communities, illustrated descriptions of flower types, definitions of botanical terms, and links to useful web-based resources. While focused on the wider Adelaide region the book is a great reference for other areas, and includes many species found in Northern & Yorke district.

For the past 24 years, the original It s Blue With Five Petals has been my botany bible and constant companion on field trips. I ve learned so much about plant structure and the distinguishing features of species from Ann s drawings and descriptions.

I highly recommend the 2nd Edition of It s Blue With Five Petals: Wildflowers of the Adelaide Region and guarantee you will learn much from it. Even if you own the 1st one, this is a "must have" addition to your personal or work library.

At $49.95 (plus postage) this book is great value-for-money. Order it on-line from Ann Prescott, via www.itsbluewithfivepetals.com.au

Written by Jean Turner

Book Review - It s Blue with Five Petals

After being out of print for several years, Ann Prescott s landmark plant identification book It s Blue With Five Petals: Wildflowers of the Adelaide Region is hot off the press in a revised and updated 2nd Edition. I ve just received my copy and it s as good as I expected! While slimmer than the 1st

Edition, that s entirely due to the use of different paper.

The 2nd Edition is jam-packed with new information, whilst still featuring the clear, instructive botanical drawings and concise species descriptions characteristic of Ann s previous books.

As the title suggests, your adventure in identifying plants starts with the flower colour and number of petals. More than 1400 carefully composed botanical illustrations will help pin-point or narrow your mystery plant. Ann

http://www.itsbluewithfivepetals.com.au



March 2013

Staff Profile .Sarah Voumard

Volunteer Profile .Graham Lawrie Your Name? Graham Lawrie

Where are you from? Halbury

How are you involved in volunteering in Natural Resource Management? I have always been interested in the bush and it was part of the reason we bought the land we did in Halbury, as it bordered with a patch of native vegetation. Initially it was Ken & Barb Bailey and Doug Bickerton that got us interested, then Peter Tucker and Andrew Allanson, who were Trees for Life officers, who put an enormous amount of work into conserving Halbury Park. Trees for Life have always nurtured us; other helpers include, The Native Orchid Society of S A, and The Threatened Plant Action Group

Where is your favourite nature getaway and why? Althorpe Island. I always dreamt as a child growing up in Tumby Bay, to get out to the islands in the Spencer Gulf. I was at a Trees for Life workshop sitting next to Erica Lawley talking, and she spoke about being a wife of a lighthouse keeper, and living on Althorpe Island. I got involved with the friends of Althorpe Island. I just love being amongst the sealions, fur seals, mutton birds, short-tailed shear waters and cape barren geese. I am also interested in studying rock parrots.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Helping with the Balaklava Church of Christ SWAP Shop(a second hand store), working in the Balaklava

Graham Lawrie undertaking weeding at Halbury Park Photo by Judith Lawrie

Where are you from? I was raised on a farm North of Jamestown.

What is your position with DEWNR? I am a graduate park ranger with DEWNR. In this position I am able to assist with lots of different DEWNR projects in different regions of South Australia. I am involved in park maintenance, conservation, revegetation, flora and fauna surveys, fuel load assessments, compliance, fire fighting, asset management, pest plant and animal control and liaison with friends of parks groups.

How do you volunteer in your community? Currently I am not volunteering in the community. I move to a new region every 6 months which makes it a bit difficult to commit to a community group. The most recent volunteering I have done was in Adelaide last year. I volunteered in the kitchen at Moore street. Here volunteers cook a three course meal for people who are homeless or are living in shelters in Adelaide. I helped at Moore street with my sisters Catholic youth group.

Where is your favourite 'nature getaway' and why? It s hard to pick a favourite nature get away! I love the beach and I also love the ruggedness of the Flinders Ranges. Arkaroola is one of my favourites. The scenery is beautiful and the Sprigg family worked like trojans to boost the yellow footed rock wallaby population and control pests such as goats there. I went to Arkaroola last year and had a lovely time. Reg Spring took me on informal tour (so he had some company for the drive) out to the airport to collect a bus load of tourists who flew in. Along the way we had a good chat about Arkaroola and he pointed out different plant species. The staff are very friendly at Arkroola and the views from lookouts and the air are stunning. There are lots of opportunities for tourists to become more informed about the history of the area, its geology, the astronomy and the fauna and flora. Arkaroola is fairly remote which is another reason why I love the place!

What do you like to do in your spare time? I like to go home to the family farm in my spare time and do some sheep work or take the dogs for a run. I enjoy attending country events such as horse races and rodeos. I love riding horses, walking and swimming at the beach, and playing netball.

Sarah Voumard, Graduate Ranger, at Piccaninie Ponds partaking in a fish survey. Note the oversized waders which had to be held up with a spare pair of fire braces!

Neighbourhood Shed (its like a Mens Shed), helping in the church and keeping up with 13 grandchildren who live close by.



March 2013

Photos by Jan Aamodt

To contribute to the next volunteer newsletter: [email protected]

Photo of the month

At first glance it looked like an oversized caterpillar when Jan Aamodt, Friends of Spring Gully & BEST volunteer, looked out his front window at Sevenhill in early February. But on closer inspection it was 11 Rainbow Bee Eaters all perched in a row

A message from our Volunteer Support Team

We hope you have enjoyed reading our NEW look volunteer newsletter. If you have a story you would like to share or a project you would like to promote, then let us know.

If you are not already on our newsletter distribution list and would like to, or would like to be removed from our distribution then please contact the Volunteer Support Ranger.

This newsletter, along with other DEWNR regional volunteer newsletters, are available for download at http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/Work_With_Us/Volunteering_with_DEWNR/Volunteer_news

p: 8841 3446 f: 88413411 e:

[email protected]

Or drop in and visit us at Unit 2/17 Lennon Street Clare SA 5453

Disclaimer.

While reasonable efforts have been made to

ensure the contents of this publication are

factually correct, the Department of

Environment, Water and Natural Resources

makes no representations and accepts no

responsibility for the accuracy of the

contents. Reference to any company,

product or service in this publication should

not be taken as a Departmental endorsement

of the company, product or service.

You can contact the Volunteer Support Ranger

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/Work_With_Us/Volunteering_with_DEWNR/Volunteer_news

Northern and Yorke Volunteer Newsletter March 2013 · Natural Resources Northern and Yorke...

Documents

Transcript of Northern and Yorke Volunteer Newsletter March 2013 · Natural Resources Northern and Yorke...