_ Bingi Babbler

Binginwarri Landcare Group Newsletter No. 13                                                                       Monday 23thd July 2012

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Co Chair:  Kevin Heggen                      5185 1322      [email protected] 
Co Chair:  John McClumpha                 5185 1455      j[email protected]
Secretary: Jenny Wolswinkel                5186 1340      [email protected]      
Newsletter: Kaye Proudley                    5185 1398      [email protected]
Social Secretary: Margaret Ferguson   5185 1358      [email protected]       5185ssFerguson________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Previous Issues

Newsletter No.5
Newsletter No.6
Newsletter No.7
Newsletter No.8
Newsletter No. 9
Newsletter No.10
Newsletter No. 11
Newsletter No. 12

It’s time again for a catch-up from your hard-working Binginwarri Landcare Committee, to let you know what has been on recently and what is on soon.  There’s a lot going on, as you’d know by now, having seen our Activities Calendar posted out recently by our Chair, John.  In fact it has now had further additions (and appears attached to the email this comes with) in its newest edition so be sure to mark the changes on the one hanging on your fridge!  That is where you put it isn’t it?   Isn’t it???    Like….to make sure you don’t miss any of our events?  I understand it is looking very crowded, but we now have TWO Special Interest Groups within our normal calendar.  Don’t be put off, just select those things that may be of interest to you.  Don’t see anything of interest?  Let us know & we’ll try to oblige!!

YYLN Co-ordinator
Okay, so first cab off the rank is sad news for us as Landcarer’s L Unfortunately, Dan Garlick, the YYLN Co-ordinator, will be moving on to another position with the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority in Leongatha, not immediately but gradually and will be here for YYLN’s AGM.  It is very good move of course for Dan – more job security and better pay - just what a young family man needs, so we can’t blame him.  It’s just a pity for this area to lose another great young man doing a fabulous job.  I’m sure I speak for all our members when I wish Dan all the very best in his new role, and thank him for the marvellous effort he has put into his role in his relatively short time with us.  He leaves us in an even better position than the good one Paul left us in, so we are in a fairly secure position at present.  If you have any questions for Dan, or would like to speak to him, he can be contacted on 51682 5073

It’s a bit like Groundhog Day (the movie) isn’t it?  We’ve just been there, done that with Paul Martin.  Wouldn’t you think the government would wake up to the massive losses our country has, each time they don’t offer long-term job security, properly fund (or even sack) these knowledgeable people working for the good of our land?

Apology
Second cab leaving the rank is a possible apology from me – your editor!  Some saw it that I was a bit grumpy in my last email to you all cancelling our last two events.  That was not how it was intended.  I thought I was just trying a bit harder to get your attention, so sorry if it came across badly.  We will be going to re-schedule the LFW & TFN day sometime early next year.

For Sale - Roosters
The third cab must be the strangest request we’ve had to date!  Someone wants to re-home a large 2 y.o. Bantam Rooster called Herbert who has a handsome blue/black tail, feathers on his legs, a brilliant orange head & neck and a black & orange spotted breast!!  And then there’s Percy – A cute, medium, 1 y.o. Bantam Rooster with no vices!!  He has a blue/black tail, golden head & neck with a golden spotted black breast & feathered legs.  To offer these lads a good home please phone Margaret Ferguson on 5185 1358.                  THEY ARE FREE.

Peoples Choice Award
Fourth: As part of this year’s National Landcare Awards, Landcare Australia are including a People’s Choice Award.  All finalists are in the running for this award and it is based on the number of votes they receive on-line.

As you should know by now, Libby Balderstone from the Woodside Landcare Group is a finalist for the National Primary Producer Award.  To vote for Libby in the People’s Choice Award, go to http://www.landcareonline.com.au/nationalawards/priprod_vic_elizabethbalderstone.php                         (Don’t you hate computers that make this silly-looking spacing?!!)

Encourage as many people to vote as you can – Libby would be a worthy winner of both awards.

Binginwarri Biodiversity Project
THE BINGINWARRI BIODIVERSITY PROJECT sounds very grandiose but is a very simple idea and a most important one, that is explained below by our Co-Chair John McClumpha in the following statement –

Biodiversity Project Statement

In the year 2011 Landcare celebrated its 25th anniversary. As part of this celebration groups within the Landcare organisation were offered the availability of grants to undertake a specific project to celebrate the anniversary. The Binginwarri group decided to undertake a biodiversity study into the flora and fauna of our area which we consider to be quite diverse for such a limited area. We applied for and were successful in obtaining a grant to commence the undertaking of this project

---

We have titled the project the Binginwarri Biodiversity Project (BBP).
Now this may sound like a very technical title and a very technical subject. This is not the case. The project is basically about identifying plants and fauna in our area and at the same time learning a little about these plants and fauna and the area in which they exist. It only needs to be as technical as each member wishes to make it. So please do not be put off by the title or the contents below. It is designed to be fun as well as educational for everyone.

The definition of Biodiversity can be as simple or complex as one requires, so let’s keep it simple. Biodiversity is the diversity of plant and animal life in a particular habitat (or in the world as a whole).

What’s it all about

The following is a brief explanation of what the project is about and how it is to work. More detailed information re the implementation can be found in separate documents referred at the end of this document.

The project can be considered in 2 sections.

1.      Plant identification and EVC establishment
2.      Fauna identification and distribution.

Plant Identification and EVC establishment

Why, How, Who

Why identify the plants in our region?

In order for the area to be maintained and revegetated it is important that we understand the biodiversity of the area we live in. The indigenous biodiversity has been established over thousands of years by nature to suit the climate, soil conditions, geographical aspect, etc. of the area and hence the plants which are indigenous to the area are the best indicators as to what makes a healthy area and so it is important that we learn to recognise what these plants are so that we can maintain these plants and revegetate the area with the same species of plants in order to maintain the correct balance of biodiversity in the area. That is let us use nature as our indicator rather than guessing what plants to plant in the area and chance that they may or may not grow and may or may not fit into our biodiversity.

We see this aspect of the project as an educational tool for members by increasing general education about plant identification in the area for all those who wish to be involved.

Why identify all plants?

By identifying all the plants in the area allows the exotic (non indigenous) plants to be identified as well as the indigenous plants which in return allows removal of these exotics and prevention of planting of these exotics to help maintain the correct biodiversity.

How

It is proposed that via group outings and individual member sessions plants will be identified in selected areas. Plants to be identified shall include native trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses and shall include exotic plants found in the area. The information collected shall be listed on field sheets along with photographs of the plant and then transferred to a database so that we can maintain a centralised record of our findings. Photographing the plant is important in allowing plant identification away from the site and to give other members a visual account of the plant. For those members who do not have a camera we have purchased a camera for members use on this project.

Who

Anyone can join in the project. You do not need to be a botanist or even be able to identify one species of plant. There are people in the group and resources available outside the group who can assist in identifying plants in the area. But by joining in you will be able to learn how to identify plants and learn the identity of the plants in the area.

EVC Identification

Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) is the term used for identifying an area based upon the types and species of plants found in that area. The EVC’s are the basic mapping units used for biodiversity planning and conservation assessment by the DSE throughout Victoria.

This is a simplified explanation of an EVC. There are many other factors such as plant formation, density, soil conditions, geographical aspects, etc. which are also used in establishing the EVC for an area.

For those interested in further information on EVC’s visit the DSE website and follow the link to EVC. http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/conservation-and-environment/native-vegetation-groups-for-victoria/ecological-vegetation-class-evc-benchmarks-by-bioregion

The DSE have allocated EVC’s to our area however due to limited resources have only been able to do this on a broad scale basis. We aim to break the Binginwarri area into smaller scale areas to reflect a more accurate indication of the area EVC’s.

EVC’s shall be allocated based upon the field results mentioned above. Either members in the group or utilising persons briefed in EVC allocation from outside the group, as the need dictates, will make this allocation.

This may all sound rather technical but again it is an educational tool which members can choose to be involved in or not.

Fauna Identification and Distribution.

In this aspect of the project we aim to identify the types of fauna, which live in our area including defining the areas they habit, and the density of population in that area.

A lot of this can be done by day-to-day observation by individual members. It can also be done during group outings such as Walk, Talk and Gawk outings and our bird day outings.

For night sightings and to record the less obvious fauna we have purchased 4 motion sensor cameras. These cameras will trigger when they sense motion in front of them and are also capable of taking photographs in the dark.

The cameras can be set up at suitable locations to record activities of fauna, particularly those that are nocturnal or not usually observed when humans are present. We will hopefully find animals which we do not know are or rarely seen in the area.

They can also be used to monitor particular aspects such as;

• Viewing nesting boxes over a period to determine the usefulness of a nesting box
• Viewing old wombat burrows to see if they are still used by wombats or have become a home for rabbits or foxes
• Observe what uses and the frequency of usage of established animal tracks
• Etc.

From these findings we can establish a database of;

·        What fauna live in the area
·        The density of these fauna in particular areas
·        The habits of the fauna

This information along with the plant distribution in the area can be used to assist in maintaining areas for our indigenous fauna and by continual monitoring over a period of years will show any trend in changes to fauna population and habit. This will allow necessary action to be instigated to ensure the continuance of a balanced biodiversity in our area.

Future

Although the grant issued was for a 12-month project it is the Groups intention to continue this programme over the forthcoming years to build up a comprehensive database which can be used as a reference base for the Binginwarri area biodiversity.

Associated Documents

The following documents are referred.

Guidelines to plant identification in the field
Plant Identification field sheet
EVC classification sheets
Fauna Record field sheet
Project Database

Any queries relating to this project should be directed to either of the following;

Kevin Heggen               5185 1322       [email protected]

John McClumpha         5185 1455       [email protected]

Bird Watching Days
   As part of the above project, and for longer-term monitoring of our area, we are also running bird-watching days in the area.  The first report on what birds we found in our walk earlier this month is written by Dallas Wyatt (attached to the email this is sent with.)  If you fancy learning how to observe birds, or already know and just want to amble with us, please come along to any bird days on our Activities Calendar.

Next item is possibly what might become a regular feature of our newsletter.  It would be good to have some feedback so tell us if you like it, or if you do, just send in your entries to the editor, for ~

THE BINGI COOK’S CORNER:

First couple of recipes are from Melissa who attended our AGM where this idea was discussed and she literally couldn’t wait to get home to put in some of her favourites!!  Good on you Mel, we like your enthusiasm.

Nutty Hummingbird Cake
 
The classic pineapple & banana cake with the addition of macadamia nuts.  This cake is so simple to make, tastes better each day and keeps up to 5 days.
 
 
100g macadamia nuts, chopped
3 cups self-raising flour
1 cup caster sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
1/4 cup desiccated coconut
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3 ripe bananas, peeled & mashed
3 eggs
300ml. light vegetable oil or extra light olive oil
440g can crushed pineapple, lightly drained
2 tsp vanilla extract
 
Preheat oven to 160 deg C/140 deg C fan forced.  Grease and line the base and sides of a 24cm spring form cake pan.  Place the nuts onto a flat tray and roast for 5 minutes.
 
Place the flour, sugars, coconut and cinnamon into the mixing bowl of a stand mixer and mix for 1 minute to combine.  Add eggs, oil, pineapple, vanilla & roasted nuts.  Mix for 1 minute on medium speed.  Add the pineapple and mix until thoroughly combined.
 
Spread into the prepared pan, smoothing down the top.  Bake for 1 hour - 1 hour 10 minutes or until firm.  Allow to cool completely before icing sides & top.  Scatter with extra coconut.
 
Cream cheese frosting
250g cream cheese, softened
150g butter, softened
2 cups icing sugar mixture
2 tsp finely grated lemon rind
 
Place all ingredients into a mixing bowl and beat until smooth.

Chunky Potato, Corn & Bacon Soup
Serves 6
 
1 tbs olive oil
30g unsalted butter
4 slices bacon, rind removed
1 leek (white part only), chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
2 tbs plain flour
1L (4 cups) chicken stock
20 small chat potatoes (about 650g), finely diced
200g canned corn kernels, drained
2 egg yolks
300ml sour cream
2 tbs chopped flat leaf parsley
 
Heat oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, add bacon and cook until just starting to crisp.  Reduce heat to low, add leek and onion, and cook for 5 minutes or until softened but not browned.  Stir in flour and cook, stirring, for a further minute, then add stock.   Increase heat to medium-high.  Add the potatoes to the soup and simmer for 6 minutes or until the potatoes are starting to soften, then stir in corn.
Mix together egg yolks and sour cream in a bowl, add a little hot soup and combine well.  Pour egg yolk mixture back into the soup and stir for a further 1-2 minutes over low heat - do not boil.  Season with salt and pepper and stir in parsley just before serving.

The last recipe for this edition is from Margaret, another enthusiastic cook!

Microwaved Curried Rice

1 cup white, long-grain rice
1 onion diced
2 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons curry powder
2 cups warm water
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup frozen corn
1/4 red capsicum, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 chicken flavoured stock cube

Place onion, butter & curry powder into a casserole dish, microwave for 2 minutes on high.

Add all other ingredients, stir together in dish.  Microwave for 10 minutes on medium.

Stir.  Microwave for a further 10 minutes on medium.  Stir and stand for 5 minutes.

Serve

You can add celery, broccoli or cauliflower florets, but it may need a little longer cooking.

And now for a bit of art and culture coming soon to Yarram -
“Ravel your World--celebrating the Eucalypt in the year of the forests”                

The Country Women’s Association of Victoria (CWA Vic) and Re-Science have brought science, sewing and stitching together in this unique exhibition hosted by the Yarram Courthouse Gallery. August 2nd – to 28th.

The Ravelling the World exhibition features elaborately hand-crafted models of molecules and traditional artworks.  The exhibition celebrates the International Year of Forests and the International Year of Chemistry through our iconic Eucalyptus trees.

Each of the more than 200 CWA Vic volunteers involved in the exhibition has used their own expertise to produce an exhibition, which is far greater than the sum of its parts. Plant molecules – like chlorophyll, which gives plants their green colour – have been modelled in 3D splendour; some molecules stretch out over three metres in length. These large installations offer a sneak-peak into the microscopic world of plants and what goes on deep inside the green leaves, proud trunks and thirsty roots. Traditional artworks create a bridge between stitching and science.

Carly Siebentritt from re-science, says “The aim of the project is to take science to different audiences, there’s a lot of science and technology found in any activity or hobby. You don’t have to go to a museum to engage in science.”

Ravelling the World is touring regional Victoria in 2012.

This event is brought to you by re-science and the Country Women's Association as part of the Inspiring Australia initiative.

Who: Country Women’s Association of Victoria and re-science
What: Exhibition
Where: Yarram Courthouse Gallery, Yarram
When: 2 August – 27 August 2012 Open 10-3pm daily, closed Wednesday.

Gallery Contact: Jenny Davies 51 851 233

Gardening Tips
To finish off our newsletter we have some gardening tips passed on from Margaret Ferguson

Kaye, her cousin Marcia and I travelled up to Lakes Entrance a couple of months ago to hear Jerry Colby-Williams speak on Organic Gardening. Although we were a little late getting there he was a very interesting speaker, but not entertaining enough to keep Kaye awake for all of it!!

I find that I have a huge problem with slugs in my new veggie garden, and this works very well. You do need to re-apply after rain or watering of course, but I don’t think you can over-do it, does not seem to harm any plants at all and my worms don’t seem to mind either although I am using a spray bottle to apply rather than a watering can.....I am now waiting to see if my lettuce will be coffee flavoured!!

Recipe for Slug & Snail killer 1 part strong espresso coffee liquid from a plunger or percolator to 10 parts water.

Spray all around and over plants to be protected;  works very well if done late afternoon.

And so folks, that once again brings us to a close.  Don’t forget; I’m always on the lookout for your input.  Fancy writing an article for publication?  Got a photo you want to share?  Got an opinion you’d like to put?  Please share it with us, send it to the editor now.



Kaye Proudley ~~ Newsletter Editor
5185 1398.   0409 803 341.   [email protected] 

(Please ring or email me if you want to be unsubscribed from the newsletter.)