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Bush Regeneration and the new Federal Award system.

Bush Regeneration is covered by an industrial award for the first time.

You can read more about it in this excerpt from the next AABR newsletter (Download PDF).

We suggest that all those in the industry, workers and employers, have a look and see how it may affect you.

Call for ‘Stories’ of Northern Region Bush Regeneration Projects

The Northern NSW/ SEQ regional group of AABR will be holding an event with a difference this year.  On Sunday 17^th October it will host a two-hour showcase of 8  Powerpoint presentations, each 10 minutes, of some of the many exciting bush regeneration projects being carried out in the region. Following this, there will be a short guided walk around the venue, the Pottsville Environment Park.

To select an interesting range of projects, the regional group is calling for proposals from anyone – member or non-member - who thinks they might have an interesting bush regeneration story to tell. We are hoping to represent a wide variety in the final selection, including community or government-run, coast or inland, and projects from both NSW and south-east Queensland. These proposals should just be an outline, no more than 2 pages or 2Mb file, and should include a summary of the project, plus reference to prior condition, causal problems, treatments and results. Please include at least one low-file size set of ‘before & after’ photos. Although the final presentations needs to be in Powerpoint, the outline can be in any convenient electronic format.

The final selection will include projects that:

- provide a very interesting example of bush regeneration (i.e. either outstanding results or an unusual case which has implications for regen in the region)

- have good ‘before and after’ photos and other records of positive changes on the site since treatment

- are based on ecologically sound bush regen approaches.

- can be converted into good Powerpoint presentations.  We can help you with this.

Outlines should be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Monday Sept 13^th.

Myrtle Rust

Myrtle Rust (Uredo rangelii) is an important pathogen of plants in the family Myrtaceae. The disease has been detected on the NSW Central Coast and a quarantine zone has been declared for Gosford & Wyong local government areas.
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/plant/myrtle-rust, the website of  Industry & Investment NSW, has a lot of information on the disease. Keep a look out for Myrtle Rust and report anything unusual to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

EVENTS

The AABR workshop on Van Klaphake identification guide to 'Eucalypts of the Sydney Region' on July 10th & 11th was a great success. Thanks to all those who attended and helped out at the event. If you are interested in attending one of Van's courses on Eucalypts, Grasses or Sedges & Rushes in 2011 please contact us.

The Australian Museum has a series of exhibitions and events on the theme of biodiversity. AABR members will be eligible for a 20% discount for many of the events.

Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc (ANPC) 8th National Conference. Planning conservation to achieving restoration: A conference for everyone involved in conserving Australia's unique flora and native vegetation.  28 September to 1 October 2010, Perth WA. For more details see www.anpc.asn.au/conferences/2010/

Nature Conservation Council of NSW Annual Conference and Environment Awards 2010. Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 October 2010.  For more details see www.nccnsw.org.au

The Ecological Society of Australia will hold it's 50th annual conference in Canberra on December 6th to 10th. More information at www.esa2010.org.au/Symposia.html

The What's On 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.

RESOURCES

Robin Buchanan, author of the classic text 'Bush Regeneration', has completed an updated and expanded version 'Restoring Natural Areas in Australia'. The book is available through AABR for $44 and at the discounted price of $40 for AABR members. Postage is $9.00. Orders can be placed via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

An excellent companion is the new, third, edition of The National Trust of Australia (NSW) Bush Regenerators Handbook. This edition  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

The Restoring Biodiversity Industry Association held a series of forums for the NSW natural area restoration industry last year. The 13 presentations and supporting information from “Innovations In Ecological Restoration” are now available on a CD. You can receive a copy by joining RBIA. A summary of the presentations and more information on the RBIA can be found at www.restoringbiodiversity.org.au

Many of the management guides for environmental weeds that were on the old WEEDS C.R.C. website are now available in the Resources section under Management Guides.

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 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 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...