[Note: This website is managed by volunteers and is updated as best we can. We try to add things of  interest and use to bush regenerators. If you find links that don't work or have ideas about other content please let us know via the Contact Us link (top left of the page).]

Ticks and Lyme Disease

Radio Nationals 'Background Briefing'  had a programme on Ticks and Lyme Disease on Sunday May 12th, now available as a podcast. More here.

 

AABR Draft Philosophic Statement on Ecological Restoration

AABR is calling for comments on its 'Draft Philosophic Statement on Ecological Restoration'. Please have your say on this important document that will help guide our work and interpretation of restoration for our industry sector. Closing dates for comments emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it is May 31st 2013.

AABR's AGM results - a clear vote for change

Over 40% AABR members voted at the recent AABR AGM, with a large majority (97%) supporting the change strategy proposed by the Committee.

More information is in the latest AABR News.

 

Plant Identification Courses

We are pleased to announce that Van Klaphake is back!

And he is running his famous identification workshops on plants of the Sydney Region.

AABR will host his courses again this year. Sedges & Rushes is on June 22 & 23rd and Eucalypts on July 20th & 21st.

All are held in Earlwood in Sydney.

AABR members will get priority in bookings and a discount on the course cost.
To book and for any enquiries please email Paul at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Representatives for Bushfire Management Committees

The Nature Conservation Council is seeking people to nominate as representatives for the NCC on Bush Fire Management Committees across the State. They are seeking expressions of interest for the following Bush Fire Management Committees:New England, Gwydir, Narribri/Moree, Tamworth, Liverpool Range, Greater Taree, Gosford, Hawkesbury, Muswellbrook, Singleton, Wollondilly, Lithgow, Macarthur, Southern Tablelands, Lake George, Riverina Highlands, Mid Murray Zone, Corowa/Berrigan, Lower Western Zone, Coonamble/Walgett, Bogan/Warren, South West Slopes Zone, Mid Lachlan Valley, Barwon/Darling, Central Darling, Cobar, Newcastle City.

Visit the NCC website for more information and application details.

Ecological Restoration Framework

Developed for SE Queensland, it has much that is applicable to ecological restoration generally. There are 3 documents: Code of Practice, Guidelines and Methods, to be found here.

Frog ID App

Ku-ring-gai Council and Macquarie Uni hve developed an app to help identify frogs in the Sydney area.  It is Android based and is free.  http://bit.ly/103aEnZ

 

Weeds News

Bio-control of weeds.

This is the most recent newsletter of the Environmental and Aquatic Weeds Biological Control Taskforce. It has the latest on agents for Madeira, Cats Claw Creeper, Lantana and several other species of weeds.

Weeds of National Significance

The Australian Weeds Committee has declared an additional 12 Weeds of National Significance (WoNS). These weeds have been selected based on their economic, environmental and social impacts and their potential to spread:
•         African boxthorn
•         asparagus weeds
•         bellyache bush
•         brooms
•         cat’s claw creeper
•         fireweed
•         gamba grass
•         madeira vine
•         opuntioid cacti (inc. prickly pear)
•         sagittaria
•         silverleaf nightshade
•         water hyacinth

Declaration of a weed as a WONS has significance for it's prioritisation in control programmes and the potential for accessing funding.

In the future the focus for all states will be on reducing the risk of spread to new areas while managing outlying infestations.

For more information visit Weeds of National Significance.

 

Ming Asparagus Fern, Asparagus retrofractus, has established in SE Queensland. More information at the technigro website.

Sicklethorn, Asparagus falcatus, has been found in Strathfield & Pittwater LGAs in Sydney. Work is underway to eradicate it.

 

Grants

There is also a Grants section in Resources on this website.

Caring for our Country

The Federal Government will continue the Caring for our Country program, providing $2.2 billion from 2013-14 to 2017-18. The next five years will draw on the findings of a review of the previous round. There will be a focus on activities that address emerging priorities in natural resource management and strengthen the focus on the marine environment.

From July 2013, Caring for our Country will be delivered through two specific streams—one dedicated to sustainable environment, and the other to sustainable agriculture.

 

Legislation

Bush Regeneration and the Federal Award system.

Bush Regeneration is covered by an industrial award. You can read more about it here (Download PDF). We suggest that all those in the industry, workers and employers, have a look and see how it affects you.

Herbicide off-label permits

The two main off-label permits for herbicide use affecting Bush Regenerators have been renewed until 2020. PER9907.pdf & PER11916.pdf

 

Myrtle Rust

The Commonwealth Govt. site www.myrtlerust.net.au has a lot of information on the disease and links to the main management documents.

Those working in bushland should keep a look out for Myrtle Rust. In NSW report anything unusual to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. In Queensland notify Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23. In Victoria please call the DPI on 1800 084 881 or email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

EVENTS

[Note: This section has information on events organised by AABR and other organisations. If you would like to publicise an event please forward details to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Members, subscribers and non-members are welcome to attend all AABR events.]

 

Landcare Afloat

There are regular bushcare activities along the Hawkesbury River in Sydney. The next event is Greater Mackerel Beach on June 15th. All the details are here.

Bushfire Conference

The Nature Conservation Council of NSW presents its 9th Biennial Bushfire Conference on 4th & 5th June at 37 Reservoir St, Surry Hills, Sydney. Info at this website.

 

Bushcare's Major Day Out

Sunday September 8th is the date for this years countrywide Day Out. Get your Bushcare or Landcare group involved! Info on the net here or on Facebook.

 

Queensland Landcare Conference

24th annual Queensland Landcare Conference, 27 – 29 September 2013, Warwick Qld

 

NSW Weeds Conference

The 2103 NSW Weeds Conference will be held on 9-12th September in Corowa (Murray River region). More info here.

 

Sydney Weeds Professional Forum

The Sydney Weeds Committees are hosting a one day technical forum for weed management professionals and operational staff working across the Greater Sydney and Blue Mountains region.

AABR is sponsoring the event which will be held on Friday 18th October 2013. The venue will be the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre, Surry Hills.

More information as it becomes available.

 

RESOURCES

Contact bush regenerators

Want to contact bush regenerators and others working in the industry? The Bushregeneration and VCN listservers are available as a forum for discussion and ideas. Look in the Networks section.

 

OH&S

“In Safe Hands” is an Occupational Health and Safety tool kit for conservation volunteers.  It is now available on line at the Conservation Volunteers Australia Website.

 

Australasian Plant Conservation

This is a edition of Australasian Plant Conservation, the newsletter of the Australain Network for Plant Conservation. The theme is Landscape Restoration with articles on regeneration and reconstruction.

 

Volunteer Co-ordinators Network Manual Updated

The Sydney Metro Catchment Management Authority has updated the Volunteer Co-ordinators Network Manual as part of a project to volunteer training and supprot material. The new edition has been published by the SMCMA and is now available here. It includes 39 new case studies.

 

Revegetation Guides

New Revegetation Guides from Greening Australia for a range of veg community types.

 

BioNet website launched

The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage has launched the BioNet website. It replaces both the old Atlas and BioNet sites and provides access to government held information on flora and fauna in NSW. The new site can be accessed at http://www.bionet.nsw.gov.au.

 

New national soil database

Traditionally, soil records have only been available in hard copy and, with data managed differently by the states and territories, the records were sometimes difficult to locate.

The Australian Collaborative Land Evaluation Program partnered with Esri Australia to overhaul existing information systems and has developed a publically accessible interactive mapping website for national soil data management and delivery, the Australian Soil Resource Information System (ASRIS).

Australia’s national soil databases can also be accessed through an iPad app called SoilMapp.

 

Queensland Weed ID App.

The Weed Society of Qld has released "Weeds of Southern Queensland" in App form

 

Weeds of Northern Australia: A field guide by Nicholas Smith

More information here and the book can be purchased from The Environment Centre NT.

Published by the Environment Centre NT, it describes 150 weeds of Northern Australia and provides information to help land managers identify and eradicate weeds. The guide has photos and descriptions, distribution maps, detailed botanical drawings and ecological information and recommended control methods.

Conservation Biology for All

Oxford University Press has made the textbook Conservation Biology for All, edited by Navjot S. Sodhi and Paul R. Ehrlich, Oxford University Press (2010), available on the internet. Download the 350 page book (6.4 MB) for free at: www.mongabay.com/conservation-biology-for-all.html

The National Trust of Australia (NSW) Bush Regenerators Handbook

The third edition of The National Trust of Australia (NSW) Bush Regenerators Handbook includes updated details on environmental legislative requirements and a new section on OH&S. Printed on recycled paper, it contains all the drawings of weed control methods included in the previous edition, enhanced with colour photographs. The handbook also includes information on weeds of national significance.

The  Handbook is available for $30 + GST from the National Trust via (02) 9258 0176 or E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . or mailed to National Trust of Australia (NSW) GPO Box 518, Sydney 2001 and through the National Trust s website www.nationaltrust.com.au

 

Report: Effect of garden plant escapes

AABR has produced a report with WWF-Australia on the effect of garden plant escapes on bushland in Eastern Australia. Click here to download the Report (1.2MB PDF). The report is based on information from those working in remnant natural areas. Many respondents are AABR members.

Bush Regenerators' pay and working conditions

Bush Regenerators' pay and working conditions and other pressing issues facing the Bush Regen industry. Email discussion on the Bush Regeneration list server identified over 30 urgent issues which need addressing. Click HERE to read more. Click HERE to find out how to subscribe to the list server.

The Volunteer Coordinators Network Group

The Volunteer Coordinators Network Group is for members of the Volunteer Coordinators Network or those who'd like to join. Any professional coordinator or facilitator of a community environmental program is eligible to join. Examples are Landcare, Bushcare, Dunecare, Streamwatch, Waterwatch, Saltwatch, etc. Run by AABR as a service to the Volunteer Coordinators' Network (Natural Areas). Read more...