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Sustainable Farms

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24.01.2022 Today we are delighted to be partnering with West Hume Landcare for a field day on protecting paddock trees. It's fitting that today is #ThreatenedSpeciesDay, because paddock trees are incredibly important as habitat and refuge for threatened species such as squirrel gliders and superb parrots. We would also like to acknowledge that today is extra special because it's our first "in real life" event since the pandemic began. It is really lovely to be back in the field on thi...s glorious sunny day near Burrumbuttock, spending time & discussing paddock trees with others in our community. Here's why its so important to protect paddock trees: our research has shown that they are important "stepping stones" in agricultural landscapes, allowing species to move between patches of vegetation. stock love paddock trees for shelter! big paddock trees help improve soil structure by reducing wind and water erosion, as well as returning nutrients to the soil through decomposing animal droppings and leaf litter they often flower heavily and are great for pollinator and insect diversity.

23.01.2022 Sisters who SHINE has been running school holiday programs this holidays for young rural girls. We were delighted that Kathie, Sustainable Farms engagement officer based at Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre, was able to spend a day with the girls helping them learn more about healthy waterways and all the wonderful waterbugs that live in our dams!

23.01.2022 Reminder about our Lunchtime Powerful Pollinator FREE Webinar this Thursday at 12pm. We are partnering with Wheen Bee Foundation to discuss: Find out how pollinators can play a role in healthy grazing and cropping enterprises... Discover how to encourage pollinator populations on your property An overview of our new planting guide and how it can be used on farm. Hear from Anna Carrucan from Wheen Bee Foundation, Professor Saul Cunningham ANU Fenner School of Environment & Society and our very own Ecologist Angelina Siegrist. This webinar will be recorded. If you are unable to attend the live event, please register to receive the recording, or sign up to our newsletter. https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/powerful-pollinators-the-ro

22.01.2022 Today is National Ag Day National Ag Day encourages all Aussies to join in & celebrate our wonderful food & fibre & the men, women & families behind it - our farmers! We our farmers at Sustainable Farms and couldn't do our research without them!... #sustainablefarms #AgDayAU

22.01.2022 Did you know that fallen timber has a range of benefits: Nutrient cycling into the soil Reduces erosion Supports microclimates & retains localized moisture ... Site for re-colonization of ground cover plants following fire and other disturbances. Provide shelter, habitat, and food for native species. Keeping fallen timber and dead trees in the landscape is one of the best things you can do for ecosystem health on your farm - particularly after fire. Find out more in our new fact sheet - download it here: https://www.sustainablefarms.org.au//Fallen%20timber%20and Amber Croft

22.01.2022 These grey teal ducklings are SO CUTE! Did you know that many duck species nest in tree hollows? Big old trees with hollows critical for wildlife like birds, possums, bats and reptiles are becoming harder to find, particularly in agricultural landscapes. While these trees really are irreplaceable, it is lovely to see some breeding success from the use of nest boxes in an environment with adequate food and water but lacking natural hollows.

21.01.2022 Our 2021 Sustainable Farms calendar is available now! Each month in the calendar features a stunning photo and story from a landholder about their favourite tree on their farm. The calendar also showcases the wildlife that call these trees home. We have a limited number of calendars available for free to landholders in the Sustainable Farms project area! Find out how to get a copy here: www.sustainablefarms.org.au/info/calendar ... *Note: landholders who have Sustainable Farms' monitoring sites on their property will automatically receive a calendar in the mail.

21.01.2022 Brilliant birds: discover the birds that love our farms. Free Lunchtime webinar Fri 4 September 12.00-1.00pm. Join Sustainable Farms ecologist Dave Smith and BirdLife Australia's Ben Humphries, for a webinar to: Find out more about how Sustainable Farms & Birdlife Australia monitor birds on farms and in backyards, and why it's important.... Discover the tips & tricks the experts use to identify birds. Participate in a live ID session: send us your pics or audio recordings before the webinar (contact details below) and Dave and Ben will identify some of these during the webinar. Register via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/brilliant-birds-discover-th For enquiries and to submit bird photos/audio for identification, contact: Kathie Le Busque, ANU Sustainable Farms on E: [email protected] or P: 0408443261 This webinar will be recorded. If you are unable to attend the live event, please register to receive a link to the recording, or sign up to our newsletter (https://sustainablefarms.us18.list-manage.com/subscribe). Prior to the event, participants will be sent instructions on how to sign in. #savingourspecies #birding #birdsonfarms ANU Fenner School of Environment & Society Crested Shrike-tit by Dave Smith

20.01.2022 On a glorious day near Cootamundra last week, a pair of superb parrots were busy exploring the hollows in this big dead tree! Part of a remnant patch of vegetation on a hilltop, these trees are "superb" habitat for this vulnerable species Landholder Chris Main from Pinchgut Creek Pastoral Company hopes to enhance the remnant vegetation by planting some understory species, to help encourage smaller birds to take up residence too.

20.01.2022 Our new booklet, Ten ways to improve natural assets on a farm, highlights some of the ways that farmers can create havens for wildlife, shelter for stock and lovely, well-vegetated areas on their farms. In this article three of our ecologists, Dan Florance, Dave Smith and Colleen O'Malley, share some of their insights into the multiple benefits that can come from planting shelterbelts, protecting rocky outcrops or fencing farm dams. Read more at www.sustainablefarms.org.au//towards-healthy-farms-healthy Photo: Ecologists Dan Florance and Dave Smith discuss riparian restoration with a farmer.

19.01.2022 Such great news Greta Valley Landcare Group - it gives us so much hope that the good work done by groups and individuals can have promising outcomes - we all need a little bit of joy and good news this year

18.01.2022 This week is #nationalscienceweek and even though many of us are at home there is still loads we can do to get involved . Check out the website for some great resources and activity sheets ... https://www.scienceweek.net.au/diy-science/

18.01.2022 We're celebrating the small but mighty pollinator this week Pollinators include: bees and wasps butterflies and moths,... beetles birds and many more... Talk about heavy lifters, these little critters play an important role in pollinating plants in our cropping, horticulture, and floriculture industries! There are some great online events for Australian Pollinator Week happening this year, join in here https://bit.ly/3oUy3u7 Sustainable Farms have a handy brochure for anyone wanting more information on what to plant to encourage pollinators: https://www.sustainablefarms.org.au/re/powerful-pollinators #OzPollinatorWeek #PollinatorWeek #pollinators #sustainablefarms #biodiversity

18.01.2022 Why is sustainable beef production important to you? The Australian Beef Sustainability Framework wants to know! By completing their online survey, you can help shape the sustainability in the Australian beef industry. You only have till Friday Nov 13 to complete the survey: http://ow.ly/yOIt50C9S62

17.01.2022 This NAIDOC week is a time to listen and learn from the voices and stories of First Nations Peoples. This year’s theme, Always Was, Always Will Be, encourages us to celebrate the true history of our country. #alwayswasalwayswillbe

17.01.2022 A cold but inspiring day discussing farm dam enhancements with Landholders Ian, Jo and John north of Morundah with YACTAC and Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc.

17.01.2022 Come work with us! We are looking for a researcher in agricultural adoption and economics to join our team. The perfect candidate will be interested in exploring the adoption of improved management of natural assets on farms in parts of NSW and northern Vic. The role will involve research & publication as well as direct consultation with farmers - it's an opportunity for some really exciting work! Applications close 7 October - find out more: https://buff.ly/2RM59gz

16.01.2022 We had a huge response to last week's Brilliant Birds webinar with Sustainable Farms ecologist Dave Smith and Birdlife Australia's Ben Humphries. Thank you to everyone who joined us! A recording of this webinar is now available to view online. We also received lots of great questions from webinar participants, so we've provided answers to many of your questions too! View the recording and see the Q&A's here: ... http://www.sustainablefarms.org.au//discover-birds-love-ou See more

16.01.2022 The National Landcare Program have announced Smart Farms Small Grants: Round 4 . These grants are available to support projects to increase farming, forestry and fishing communities' awareness, knowledge, skills and capacity to adopt best practice sustainable agriculture . More information is available below

15.01.2022 This is great to see, as are the gorgeous crops and pastures that we've seen while out and about doing field work these last few weeks Of course good seasons are also a great opportunity to build resilience in the landscape, through protecting and enhancing natural assets like native vegetation and shelterbelts!

14.01.2022 Soil is the backbone of good biodiversity - both above and below the ground. Join in for this 4 part webinar series from Soil Land Food to learn more on: Balance the physical, biological & chemical aspects of your soil to maximise your farms productivity... . Learn skills to navigate & read through your farm enterprises soil tests. For more info & tickets https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-making-sense-of-soil-t

14.01.2022 Join this Ovens Landcare Network webinar on Wednesday evening for some practical tips on planting new paddock trees.

12.01.2022 Last week our senior field ecologist, Dr Mason Crane, started a new role with NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust. Mason has been working at ANU for nearly twenty years, and has made a huge contribution connecting farmers & science, as well as contributing to ecological knowledge of agricultural landscapes in NSW. Thank you Mason for your hard work and insights, and we look forward to continuing to work with you in your new role!

11.01.2022 Spot the difference! These are two of our farm dam study sites on the same property in North East Victoria. One dam is fenced, revegetated and has logs for habitat; the other is accessible by cattle. Our ecologists are comparing the biodiversity and water quality at dams like these across the Sustainable Farms project area. ... Find out more at: www.sustainablefarms.org.au//enhancing-farm-dams-webinar-r

10.01.2022 ANU Sustainable Farms and the Wheen Bee Foundation are hosting a FREE Webinar! Join ANU Fenner School of Environment & Society Professor Saul Cunningham, Sustainable Farms ecologist Angelina Siegrist and Anna Carrucan from Wheen Bee Foundation , for a webinar to: Find out how pollinators can play a role in healthy grazing and cropping enterprises... Discover how to encourage pollinator populations on your property An overview of our new planting guide and how it can be used on farm. Link below Bring your questions! For enquiries and to submit any questions prior to the webinar, contact: Tamara Harris, ANU Sustainable Farms on E: [email protected] This webinar will be recorded. If you are unable to attend the live event, please register to receive a link to the recording, or sign up to our newsletter https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/powerful-pollinators-the-ro #savingourspecies #nativepollinators

09.01.2022 A new study that has found that the cute critter we have always known as the sugar glider is actually three distinct species! Those that occur in remnant woodland on farms across the Sustainable Farms study area are no longer known as sugar gliders at all! These are now called Krefft's gliders. More than 300 live and preserved sugar glider specimens were assessed and genetically analysed, resulting in the identification of the three different species: the sugar glider (Pe...taurus breviceps) that occurs only in coastal areas of southeastern Australia, Krefft's glider (Petaurus notatus) to the west of the Great Dividing Range, and the savanna glider (Petaurus ariel) in northern Australia. Read the full story: https://theconversation.com/a-rare-discovery-we-found-the-s

07.01.2022 Don't forget to send in your mystery bird photos or audio recordings for ID during our Brilliant Birds webinar next Friday 4th Sept! Simply email them to our Engagement Officer Kathie at [email protected].... If you'd like to register for this lunchtime webinar with Sustainable Farms ecologist Dave Smith and BirdLife Australia's Ben Humphries, simply click the link below for full details. (Limited places available)

07.01.2022 Exciting news! Today we launch our new booklet, highlighting ten projects farmers can undertake to enhance natural assets on their farms The booklet is available for FREE to landholders in our project area. Click here to find out how to get your hands on a copy! http://sustainablefarms.org.au/ten_ways The Ten Ways booklet is underpinned by 20 years of long-term studies on farms, & by the hundreds of conversations between farmers & our ecologists. ... It covers: Protecting paddock trees Looking after rivers, creeks and wetlands Improving farm dams Protecting native pastures Making a plan for managing natural assets ... and more! Copies are limited, so if you live in North East Victoria, NSW Murray-Riverina, South West Slopes or Central West, visit http://sustainablefarms.org.au/ten_ways to find out how to get your copy.

07.01.2022 Do you have a fenced dam on your farm? ANU Fenner School of Environment & Society PhD student Michelle Littlefair is studying frogs in farm dams and is looking for some more fenced dams - ideally with some vegetation around - in the NSW South West Slopes region. If you have a fenced dam and would like your dam to be part of the study, please get in touch by direct message and we'll put you in contact with Michelle!

06.01.2022 Last chance to submit a photo of your favourite big tree, which could feature in our 2021 calendar! Just send us a photo of your tree with a few words about why it's special to you. Closing date Sun 23 August. More info: http://sustainablefarms.org.au//farmers-favourite-tree-cha... Dave Smith, Sustainable Farms

06.01.2022 Spring is in the air! So it is a perfect time to be thinking about the amazing pollinators that are so important in our farming landscapes Did you know that flies are actually really important pollinators? (Remember that fact next time one is buzzing around trying to land on your lunch!) Or that 1 in 3 mouthfuls of food that we eat relies on pollinators? You can find out more about pollinators in the recording of our recent webinar, a collaboration with Wheen Bee Foundation and ANU Fenner School of Environment & Society. Watch the webinar recording here: https://buff.ly/3kMc85s

03.01.2022 Caught on camera: Suzannah, our Communications Manager out in the field. She’s been out hearing how and why farmers have protected and improved natural assets such as dams and shelterbelts on their farms. We can’t wait to share our farmers inspiring stories with you!

02.01.2022 Meet Clare, one of Sustainable Farm's team of biodiversity field officers, based in Wagga Wagga NSW. Clare's love of the natural world was sparked by growing up on small farms in the UK. Her career as an ecologist has led her to follow opportunities around the world, from the intertidal mudflats of England, to the wilds of Scotland, and conservation projects in Cyprus. It was 15 years ago that Clare came to Australia and discovered a curiosity and passion for Australian wildlife that now sees her managing research projects across the box-gum grassy woodlands of south-eastern Australia.

02.01.2022 New funding is available to landholders in the Riverina region to help protect the Critically Endangered Plains-wanderer, through the 'Paddocks for Plains-wanderers' program. The Plains-wanderer is a small ground-dwelling bird found in the sparse native grasslands of the Riverina region. Due to their excellent camouflage they can be very hard to spot! 'Paddocks for Plains-wanderers' is an initiative of the Riverina Local Land Services and Murray Local Land Services. Click he...re to find out more: www.lls.nsw.gov.au//INCENTIVE-PACK-2019.20-Plains-wanderer #plainswanderer #threatenedspecies #saveourspecies

02.01.2022 Have you gotten your hands on our "Ten ways to improve the natural assets on a farm"? They are available online here https://www.sustainablefarms.org.au//towards-healthy-farms The booklet is a great introduction to caring for on-farm natural assets ... It outlines ten ways in which you can improve natural assets on your farm - to help protect the unique biodiversity of the box-gum grassy woodland. Local Land Services NSW Threatened Species Recovery Hub ANU Fenner School of Environment & Society Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment