This edition of SNaC is jam-packed with awards and competitions. Good luck with your entries and nominations!

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1 SNaC E-News Update - No. 130 Sydney Nature Carers Group - Caring for Sydney's Natural Environment Dear SNaCers, This edition of SNaC is jam-packed with awards and competitions. Good luck with your entries and nominations! What are you going to do to celebrate this month s Environment Events? World Animal Day is on Thursday 4 th October and it s Ride to Work Day on Wednesday 17 th October. National Water Week is on from the 21 st -27 th October and National Organic Week runs from Friday 5 th Sunday 14 th October. If there s anything you'd like included in the next SNaC bulletin, or if you've got any feedback, I'd love to hear from you. me at nicola.dixon@cma.nsw.gov.au. Members can also post any upcoming events or information directly to SNaC@yahoogroups.com. Warm regards, Nicola. Please note that headings in the summary listing are linked to the relevant information below. NEWS 1. Cancel delivery of phone books to your home How do you use your phone books? As door stops and paper weights? If the hefty tomes end up lying around unused and unwanted, why not cancel their delivery altogether? It s made easy at If you are a business, please call or bookdelivery@sensis.com.au 2. Endangered ecosystems make the list Leading Australian environmental scientists have helped to establish the first global list of threatened ecosystems at an international conservation summit. This momentous advance in global conservation creation of a Red List for whole ecosystems rather than just threatened species was adopted by the 2012 IUCN World Conservation Congress held at Jeju island, South Korea, (September 6-15). Read more: 3. Opportunity for input Enhancing bushfire hazard reduction in NSW Discussion Paper The NSW Government established the Independent Hazard Reduction Panel to review the bushfire hazard reduction program in NSW and to provide recommendations on potential enhancements. To facilitate community engagement, the Panel developed a discussion paper. Councils and the community are invited to make a submission about the paper. Submissions close 5 October Love. Not Loss. We are now in the International UN Decade of Biodiversity ( ) and the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication has proposed that a more effective approach to communicating biodiversity might be "to tell a love story" i.e. that we might do better to develop "the love" than to talk about "the loss" message of biodiversity. The Commission s website promotes this approach. The material on the website is aimed at conservationists and environmentalists that are hoping to stimulate a different way of educating and communicating. There is a series of fun video clips that provoke discussion on how to effectively and lovingly communicate stories about the natural world.

2 5. The implications of climate change for Australia s biodiversity conservation A CSIRO study has found that climate change is likely to have a major impact on Australia s plants, animals and ecosystems that will present significant challenges to the conservation of Australia s biodiversity by Climate change will magnify existing threats to biodiversity, such as habitat clearing, water extraction and invasive species. Future climate-driven changes in other sectors, such as agriculture, water supply and electricity supply, could add yet more pressure on species and ecosystems. The study highlights the need to start focusing more on maintaining the health of ecosystems as they change in response to climate change, from one type of ecosystem to another. This could need new expectations from the community, possibly new directions in conservation policy, and new science to guide management. 6. Opportunity for input Noisy Miner nomination as Key Threatening Process The Australian Government s Threatened Species Scientific Committee is seeking comment on its assessment of "Aggressive exclusion of birds from potential woodland and forest habitat by overabundant Noisy Miners Manorina melanocephala" for listing as a Key Threatening Process under the EPBC Act. The Committee welcomes the views of experts, stakeholders and the general public on nominations to further inform its nomination assessment process. The public comment period closes on 12 October ClimateWatch iphone app Earthwatch Australia is excited to announce that the long anticipated ClimateWatch iphone app is now ready. This FREE app means you can record your observations in real time and anywhere, even if you have poor mobile signal. Through GPS, date and time stamps you can accurately record while bushwalking, at the beach or in the local park. With loads of new features, some exciting additions include being able to submit real time photos, compare your observations against species information for accurate recordings, listen to bird, frog and mammal calls to identify species. ClimateWatch is the first project of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and with the addition of the new iphone app, recording will be even easier and more accessible to everyone who enjoys the outdoors. The app is currently only available on iphone but a Google Android version is on the way. To find the app simply type ClimateWatch into the App Store search or visit this direct link. EVENTS 8. Young people on Mars - Saturday 6th October The Ryde-Hunters Hill Flora and Fauna Preservation Society is inviting all curious and creative kids to a special event at the Visitor Centre in the Field of Mars Reserve on Saturday 6 October. The program includes an explorer quest, a BBQ, and bush art and craft. Date: Saturday 6 th October Time: 11am 4pm Location: Pittwater Road, East Ryde (car park opposite Buffalo Creek Reserve). The Visitor Centre is 200 metres up the main drive. For further info and registration please contact Alfred at rhhffps@gmail.com or on River Health program seeks volunteers across Georges River and Cooks Rivers Volunteers are needed to participate in the Community River Health Monitoring Program, which gauges the ecosystem health of the majority of the Botany Bay catchment. Sampling will take place in

3 streams and foreshore sites in the Georges River and the Cooks River. Volunteers receive FREE training in macroinvertebrate (waterbug) monitoring during sampling. Community organisations, school groups and Bushcare groups are encouraged to volunteer The next round of sampling for the Georges River will be: - Sunday 7 October from 9am to 1pm at Mill Creek, Menai - Saturday 13 October from 8am to 4pm at Appin - Saturday 3 November from 9am to 1pm in Morgans Creek in Revesby The next round of sampling for the Cooks River will be: - Saturday 6 October from 9am to 1pm at Coolibah Reserve, Arncliffe - Sunday 21 October from 9am to 1pm at Freshwater Park, Strathfield Access to these sites is mildly difficult therefore volunteers must have a moderate level of fitness. Volunteers must bring a long-sleeve shirt and gum boots. Bookings for this event are ESSENTIAL. For Georges River bookings, please contact the Georges River Combined Councils Committee (GRCCC) at or info@georgesriver.org.au. For Cooks River bookings, please contact Claire Evans at riverhealth@georgesriver.org.au 10. ParraCan Parramatta Eco-fest Saturday 13 th October ParraCan is organising an event to help people take time to get close to and appreciate nature. Come along for a day of creative community people power action, renewable energy and fun. Music, displays, giveaways and a community picnic will all make for a fun and informative day. Other highlights include live native and farm animals, bush poetry, cooking courses, a ruminations art walk in the Rose Garden, no dig gardening, face painting, worm farming demonstrations, learning how to save power in your own home, permaculture basics, a heritage seed and plant sale, how to grow vegetables and a demonstration solar power station. Date: Saturday October 13 Time: 9am-4pm Location: Rumsey Rose Garden, Parramatta Park, Pitt St, Parramatta. For more information contact ParraCAN or Note: There will even be a bicycle valet to look after your bikes so please ride and enjoy the day. 11. Floating Landcare Saturday 20 th October Volunteers are needed for bush regeneration and clean up activities at Milsons Passage. In return for volunteering, participants will receive morning tea, a tasty lunch, the loan of tools and gloves, instruction from professionals about bush regeneration and transport by boat to and from the activity location from the meeting point for no charge. Date: Saturday 20th October 2012 Time: 8:45am till 2pm. Location: Meeting at the boat ramp, Deerubbin Reserve, Mooney Mooney RSVPs are essential - To register as a Floating Landcare participant at Milsons Passage or to receive the 2013 Floating Landcare Activity Calendar (ready in December) send an with Floating Landcare in the subject line to rebecca.mooy@cma.nsw.gov.au with your name, contact phone number, , group name/organisation you volunteer with/or work for (if applicable) alternatively call Rebecca Mooy on to leave you details. Please register early as places are limited.

4 12. FREE presentation: An introduction to Sydney s frogs and Vietnam s amphibians Thursday 18 th October Dr Jodi Rowley is an amphibian biologist from Sydney who also spends much of her time climbing mountains in Vietnam in search of rare, poorly known and previously unknown species of amphibian. Jodi will give an introduction to the familiar frogs of Sydney, and provide images and stories of the amazing amphibians she has found in the remote forests of Vietnam. Date: Thursday 18 October Time: 6:30pm Location: Cove Room, Lane Cove CivicCentre 48 Longueville Rd Bookings essential, to Lane Cove Council on by 17 October. 13. Help protect Sydney s bandicoots from predators Saturday 27 th October Visit one of Sydney s hidden wonders, North Head Sanctuary - a spectacular area of endangered banksia bushland, diverse birdlife, military remnants with magnificent views of the harbour and the beautiful northern beaches - to lure and catch bandicoot predators on camera. Until the 1960s, bandicoots were abundant throughout Sydney. Rapid urban development depleted their habitats and the dense vegetation they need to shelter from predators. Now with the Earthwatch Bandicoots on the Brink conservation teams, you can help protect the bandicoots. Spend a day with Wildlife Ecologist, Cameron Radford from the Australian Wildlife Conservancy to learn about the threats facing the bandicoots and use scent lures to attract and film predators. During your research you may stumble across some lesser seen species including water dragons, frogs, tawny frogmouth, masked lapwing (and if in the right season, with their chicks), echidna, and spot the largest remaining part of Sydney s Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (an Endangered Ecological Community in NSW). Date: Saturday 27 October (family team) Cost: $49 Funds go towards continuing this crucial research. To sign up visit Introduction to Wildlife Watch - Saturday 27 th October Learn the tips and tricks of spotting and recording native wildlife in the field with local naturalist Andy Burton. Early start for the best bird watching opportunities. Bring water, sun protection and appropriate footwear. Morning tea provided. Date: Saturday 27 October Time: 8am 12pm Bookings essential to Lane Cove Council on by 25 October. 15. Official opening of The Habitat community garden and nursery: Saturday 3 rd November The Habitat community native plant nursery and food garden is now open every Wednesday and Saturday from 10am to 4 pm. The official opening is on Saturday November 3rd. There is still a lot of work to do before the opening and volunteers are very welcome to visit and get involved. The address is Santa Rosa Park, Quarry Road, Ryde. For more information, contact Bev Debrincat, IEWF & RNC Alliance & Habitat Network on or at bev.debrincat@iewf.org 16. SAVE THE DATE: Sydney urban water management seminar and workshop 30 th November

5 The Water Sensitive Urban Design in Sydney Program is pleased to invite you to attend a seminar and workshop on Urban Waterways and Water Management in at Macquarie University on Friday 30th November. The seminar (1-5pm) will present the findings of research currently being undertaken by the major universities in Sydney. The workshop (5-6pm) will address future directions for research in Sydney on urban water management. Further information on speakers and topics available soon. GRANTS, AWARDS & COMPETITIONS NSW Environment Awards Nominations close Wednesday 10 th October The 2012 NSW Environment Awards celebrate and acknowledge the inspiring contributions, campaigns and achievements made by grass-roots environmental groups and individuals over the past year throughout NSW. The awards ceremony will take place during the Nature Conservation Council of NSW Annual Conference on 27 October at midday. The 2012 awards will be presented by Penelope Figgis AO, Director of ACIUCN, the Australia Committee for IUCN, and a leading member of the Australian environment movement for over 30 years. All deserving community-based environment groups are eligible and groups can nominate themselves or their members for the awards. More information about the awards and nominations: For further information, please contact Shaun Gilchrist, NCC Outreach Officer on (02) (Tue/Thu) or sgilchrist@nccnsw.org.au. 18. Annual NSW Coastal Management Awards Nominations close Friday 12th October The Annual NSW Coastal Management Awards publicly recognise and acknowledge the contributions of individuals, groups, organisations and agencies towards the ecologically sustainable management of the NSW coastal zone. Nominations for the following categories are now open: Ruth Readford Award for Lifetime Achievement Innovation Community involvement Local Government Student research Public Good Award The awards ceremony will take place at the 21st NSW Coastal Conference, to be hosted by Kiama Municipal Council at The Pavilion, Kiama on 6th 9th November The theme for this year s Conference is NSW Coastal Management Coming of Age? Further information on the conference and the awards, including application guidelines and form, can be found on the website Community Building Partnerships Program Applications close Tuesday 30 th October Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations and local councils are invited to apply for funding to build and improve community facilities in their local area under the NSW Government's CBP program. Grant funding of $200,000 will be made available for every electoral district with an additional $100,000 for electorates identified with higher unemployment rates. Applications close on 30th October National art and photography competition Entries close Friday 9 th November. The 6th annual WetlandCare Australia s National Art and Photography Competition is now open. It offers great prizes including cash, art packs and books for works that showcase Australia s diverse wetlands and waterways. Entries are invited in the Youth and Open categories for Artwork and Photography. Entries close Friday 9 November, To enter visit: or call

6 21. Australian Nature writing competition Entries close Friday 16 th November The Nature Conservancy s biennial Australia Nature Writing Prize is now open. The prize was created to promote and celebrate the art of nature writing in Australia as well as to encourage a greater appreciation of Australia s magnificent landscapes. The $5,000 biennial award will go to an Australian writer whose entry is judged to be of the highest literary merit and which best explores his or her relationship and interaction with some aspect of the Australian landscape. The deadline for submissions, which are capped at 5,000 words, is 16 November The winner will be announced next March in Melbourne. LANDCARE NEWS 22. National Landcare Conference opening address The opening address to the National Landcare conference, given by Dr Conall O Connell, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, is now available. Conference papers are expected to be released in the next two weeks and should be available at Soil carbon workshop Tuesday 9 th October 2012 The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority invite you to a one-day soil carbon workshop. This hands-on workshop will provide you with the latest information on carbon from a local, state, national perspective. You will develop an understanding of the principles of the carbon cycle. It will enable you to identify the components of soil organic carbon and its importance in agricultural systems. For more information go to or contact Vanessa Keyzer on (02) or at vanessa.keyzer@cma.nsw.gov.au 24. What s on your plate? breakfast seminar Tuesday 16 th October The Australian Organics Recycling Association invites you to their inaugural breakfast seminar to consider the long term regulation, management and use of recycled organic materials. Invite attached. 25. National Landcare Facilitator September/October e-newsletter To see the latest newsletter from the National Landcare Facilitator, go to REMINDER Be Natural Landcare grants APPLICATIONS CLOSE Friday 26 th October If you re interested in getting a local environmental project off the ground, like a community garden, greening an urban space or inner-city veggie patch, the Be Natural Landcare Grants could be just for you. 20 grants of up to $2,500 are available for volunteer community groups to work on projects such as building local community gardens or creating indoor edible gardens within community centres while aiming to get more volunteers involved across community oriented environmental projects. 27. REMINDER Yates Junior Landcare Backyard Challenge Be Natural Landcare grants APPLICATIONS CLOSE Friday 16 th November

7 If you re interested in getting a local environmental project off the ground, like a community garden, greening an urban space or inner-city veggie patch, the Be Natural Landcare Grants could be just for you. 20 grants of up to $2,500 are available for volunteer community groups to work on projects such as building local community gardens or creating indoor edible gardens within community centres while aiming to get more volunteers involved across community oriented environmental projects Sydney s Nature Carers (SNaC) is a group of people who take an active interest in the natural environment within the Sydney Metropolitan region. The network has been formed to allow on-ground environmental groups and interested community members to share ideas and knowledge, and discuss their experiences with others who are similarly involved. There is no cost involved in joining. If you would like to participate in the group, please your name and details to SNaC-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. DISCLAIMER:The Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority includes material in this bulletin in good faith generally as supplied by activity proponents. Accordingly, the Authority does not necessarily endorse anything included above. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the relevance, accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of this bulletin in respect of any particular user s circumstances. Users of this material should satisfy themselves concerning is application to, and where necessary seek expert advice in respect of, their situation.