Victorian National Parks Association | Environmental conservation organisation

Victorian National Parks Association

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25.01.2022 It's devastating to see the decline of the iconic platypus in real-time. Dedicated conservation actions & resources are desperately needed to protect remaining wild populations. That's why Victorian Minister for Environment Lily D'Ambrosio MP & Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes must support this listing.... Read more of the fate of platypuses: https://vnpa.org.au/can-allow-platypuses-drown-victoria

25.01.2022 Victorian National Parks Association is excited to be a virtual stallholder for this years Day by the Bay Festival, an online program of stories, science, art and music to celebrate Port Phillip Bay! Join our Project Office Nicole for a workshop on Saturday 10th October to make your own sea slug (BYO polymer clay, unless you are a City of Wyndham resident and can register to be sent a free pack). We are also holding a Virtual Fish Count on Thursday 1st and Saturday 3rd Octob...er. To see the full schedule of events and to book at spot go to www.events.humanitix.com/day-by-the-bay-online Places are limited so get in quick! This year Day by the Bay Festival is part of the inaugural Victoria Nature Festival: www.vic.gov.au/victoria-its-our-nature

25.01.2022 Have you always wanted your own crazily colourful pet sea slug? Well, tomorrow at 2pm you can learn how to make your own with our Project Office Nicole! Book your spot here: events.humanitix.com/day-by-the-bay-online (You can get polymer clay at craft stores, or make your own playdough with just flour, salt, oil, water and food colouring just like this: www.bestrecipes.com.au/re/no-cook-playdough-recipe/v7a0hvfx)... Victorian National Parks Association is excited to be a virtual stallholder for this year’s Day by the Bay Festival, an online program of stories, science, art and music to celebrate Port Phillip Bay! Full schedule here: events.humanitix.com/day-by-the-bay-online This year Day by the Bay Festival is part of the inaugural Victoria Nature Festival: www.vic.gov.au/victoria-its-our-nature @

25.01.2022 We're live now with Nicole from the Victorian National Parks Association learning about AND MAKING our own fabulously flamboyant sea slugs (AKA nudibranchs). Join us now to discover these colourful marine creatures that call our Great Southern Reef home! Learn more about Port Phillip Bay at daybythebay2020.com

25.01.2022 This is *VERY GOOD NEWS* for the rare Orange-Bellied Parrot. Driven to the brink of extinction, these distinctive parrots breed in Tasmania and grace Westernport Bay and Victoria's south west coast during winter. What an incredible testament to the conservation efforts of those involved.

25.01.2022 How's World Octopus Day going for you? Love it or eight it? This impressive Maori Octopus was captured (on camera!) on the ocean floor of Port Phillip Bay by Matt Testoni Photography who had this to say about photographing the amazing creature: "This individual was over a metre wide with tentacles spread and probably weighed in at almost 10 kilograms. ... Feeding mainly on fish and crustaceans the octopus employs its colour changing skills to stay nearly invisible amongst the rocky seafloor. Only when they move is it easy to spot one!" Want to get to know our underwater worlds better? Sign up to our ReefWatch program > www.vnpa.org.au/reefwatch Reposted from Matt Testoni Instagram

25.01.2022 This forest and everything that lives in it and depends on it could be protected in a new national park. If Victorian Labor accepted expert recommendations they were given over a year ago https://vnpa.org.au/wonders/ Wombat Forest Image: Sandy Scheltema

24.01.2022 Wow! Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Budj Bim Landscape through this unique live stream event led by Budj Bim Tours who will explain how Traditional Owners used the waterways to create one of the oldest forms of aquaculture. A little background here: vnpa.org.au/world-heritage-for-budj-bim/ This event is part of the inaugural Victoria Nature Festival: vic.gov.au/ournature

24.01.2022 Visiting the world-renowned & mighty glorious Grampians/Gariwerd National Park this summer? Did you know that today’s forestry-free Grampians National Park was only established in 1984? Way back in 1952, when the Victorian National Parks Association formed, Victoria had only 13 national parks and no National Parks Act. ... Today we now have 45 national parks including the Grampians 26 state parks, 13 marine national parks, 11 marine sanctuaries and numerous others. More here: www.vnpa.org.au/our-impact Large waterfall in the Grampians Sascha Wenninger/Flicker

23.01.2022 This is exciting! Our marine citizen science program ReefWatch has just launched its newest project Marine Life of Victoria and you can take part from home! Learn more about Victoria's marine life and contribute to its conservation simply by sharing your images! Find out how here>> www.vnpa.org.au/marine-life-of-victoria ReefWatch - Victorian National Parks Association iNaturalist.org

21.01.2022 What a week for Westernport! Today is our last day to present our case to the panel. Click on 'Crib Point IAC - Hearing Link' at www.engage.vic.gov.au/crib-point-IAC... Last week our independent experts spoke of potentially devastating impacts from AGL’s crib point gas terminal on our beloved marine life. On behalf of VNPA and partners Environment Victoria Environmental Justice Australia Save Westernport No AGL gas, experts have so far given evidence to the independent panel on: Significant uncertainties (not yet addressed by AGL) pose risks of serious ecological damage. Toxic chemicals have the potential to impact over large distances of Westernport. Clear connectivity between Crib Point and the nearby shoreline has been denied by AGL (this has impacts on wetland habitats). The suite of effects from the FSRU ship operations and discharges, (incl. temperature changes, toxicants and sediment disturbance) could affect a high diversity of different community types on the seabed. Impacts from similar projects have been omitted from this environmental assessment. Inadequate soil testing done to assess environmental impacts, and sampling frequency does not align with state and national standards. Social impacts of the project, including the dismissal of community sentiment Huge gaps in the assessment of impacts on marine wildlife. Sign up to our email list to keep across the campaign: www.vnpa.org.au

21.01.2022 UPDATE: AGL Energy downplays level of pollution emissions from proposed Westernport Bay gas import terminal. Listen to our inquiry submission live at 3:15pmengage.vic.gov.au/crib-point-IAC

21.01.2022 It's good that action is being taken to legally list the platypus as threatened see the Premier's announcement: www.premier.vic.gov.au/protecting-our-iconic-platypus But it's sad that even our most well-known and globally-recognised icons are at risk like this. And as we see with Victoria's ever-growing list of threatened species, the real test is in reversing the decline Lily D'Ambrosio MP Dan Andrews.... Darren Puttock, Flickr CC

20.01.2022 National NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples. The theme this year Always was, always will be. #NAIDOC2020 Victoria has been quietly undergoing a radical change with most of our national parks now having formal, or sometimes informal, joint management agreements with Victoria’s various Traditional Owner groups. You can read about some of these agreements and how they have been reached in our recent Park Watch magazine here: www.vnpa.org.au/traditional-owner-joint-management Gunaikurnai scar tree near the Princes Highway, Bairnsdale. Photo: Phil Ingamells

20.01.2022 BLOOMING HECK! Sales close at midnight! As part of the campaign to protect 60,000 hectares of wildlife habitat in new national parks, we created a set of posters to help bring attention to the forests of the central west. Buy yours at https://vnpa.org.au/posters/

20.01.2022 You may not be able to get to the beach, but you can spend some time this weekend learning about our marine environment from home. In Episode 5 of our Marine Podcast Series, continue to listen about the legacy that led to a world-first system of marine protected areas in Victoria, including hearing from Geoff Wescott, who has been deeply involved with shaping coastal and marine environmental policies for our state. Listen or download the six-episode Marine National Parks pod...cast on our website: www.vnpa.org.au/marine-national-parks-podcast There are also links to your favourite podcast apps Spotify or iTunes.

19.01.2022 Last chance to order your nature-inspired art! Sales of our posters and fine art prints close at 11.59 pm As part of the campaign to protect 60,000 hectares of wildlife habitat in new national parks, we created a set of posters to help bring attention to the central west.... Order yours at https://vnpa.org.au/posters/

19.01.2022 We welcome today's Victorian Government "Investment in Nature"budget which includes (much needed): $18 million investment in feral deer control $52 million for parks infrastructure upgrades in urban areas... $48 million for Landcare & other environmental programs $16 million for coast and some significant bushfire spending $92 million in carbon planting a significant investment which will create positive biodiversity spin-offs Many of these projects will both enhance & protect the environment, while increasing regional job opportunities. These funds are in addition to last week's announcement of $23 million to build a new visitors centre & establish a 50k hectare biodiversity sanctuary at Wilson's Prom. More detail Lily D'Ambrosio MP #nature #conservation #vicnationalparks #biodiversity

19.01.2022 We're sure Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio MP knows time in nature brings happiness & inspiration into our lives, while warding off depression, anxiety & stress. We're not sure why she hasn't accepted the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council's expert advice to create 60,000 hectares of new national parks for Victorians. https://vnpa.org.au/forparks... #forparkssake #vicnationalparks #nationalparks #biodiversity #wildlife #forparkssake #WombatForest #Pyranees #MtCole #WellsfordForest #threatenedspecies #nativewildlife #nativeplants #centralwest #centralwestforests #nature #conservation #newnationalparks #community #bushwalking #endnativelogging #greaterglider #MtColeGrevillea

18.01.2022 Hey Wild Families - It’s wildflower season. You could turn your next family adventure in to a wacky wildflower wander and discover these colourful delights of the bush. You may find a wildflower photographer, illustrator or a mini botanist in your midst. Check out our Wild Families wildflower activity sheet for some great tips. https://vnpa.org.au//2/11/Wild-Families-2017-September.pdf

17.01.2022 Designed for the air As part of the campaign to protect 60,000 hectares of wildlife habitat in new national parks, we created a set of posters to help bring attention to the forests of the central west. Buy yours at https://vnpa.org.au/posters/

17.01.2022 Just an hour or so north-west of Melbourne, a series of forests, rivers and small mountains stretch from Beaufort to Bendigo. They’re the home of beloved wildlife like koalas, wombats and greater gliders. And they contain the headwaters of several rivers, including the beautiful Lerderderg. You can join the campaign to immediately protect these forests as new national parks by making a tax-deductible gift at vnpa.org.au/new-parks... Photo: Nolans Crossing, Wombat Forest, Sandy Scheltema.

17.01.2022 Can we interest you in some ripper ideas for your Wild Family to connect with nature at home during these school holidays? Then download this activity sheet now! www.vnpa.org.au/wild-families-nature-at-home-activity-sheet And check out all our other Wild Families resources (including that And that good old back up colouring ins!) here: www.vnpa.org.au/wild-families

17.01.2022 Tall, dark and handsome As part of the campaign to protect 60,000 hectares of wildlife habitat in new national parks, we created a set of posters to help bring attention to the forests of the central west. Order yours at https://vnpa.org.au/posters/

17.01.2022 A bit of brightness in our lives!

16.01.2022 The Andrews Government is not "getting things done" for Victoria's natural environment. 21 June 2019: Govt-appointed experts recommend 60,000 hectares of native forests for protection in national parks/reserves in the west. 21 June 2021: These forests are still being logged. ... After two long years, and reasons this good, it's unclear why they can’t make the decision to permanently protect these incredible places. Tag Lily D'Ambrosio MP Dan Andrews and add to the list of reasons to #createnewparks in the central west! https://vnpa.org.au/toolong/

16.01.2022 Yellow-faced honeyeaters, with their gold-streaked eyes, are a tenacious and active bird. Mum built this neatly woven nest from mosses and other understory forest matter, and she and her male partner will feed and tend to their young together. Their time is spent poking about in flowers looking for nectar, pollen and seeds and harvesting insects from tree foliage.... They migrate north along the Great Divide each autumn and return south each spring often converging in noisy flocks which include smaller birds sharing their flight path. These yellow-faced honeyeater chicks are hungry for new national parks in the forests of the central west. National parks are free from logging, mining and inappropriate land use. They help conserve and protect threatened wildlife and plantlife. Add your voice www.vnpa.org.au/forparks Yellow-face honeyeater, Wombat Forest Image: Sandy Scheltema Photographer

16.01.2022 We recommend checking out the inaugural Victoria Nature Festival so many free virtual activities (including a couple from us!) here: www.vic.gov.au/ournature

14.01.2022 Gas company AGL wants to set up a huge floating gas import terminal at Crib Point, smack bang in the middle of protected wetlands in Westernport Bay. Will you donate to stop the project? Visit vnpa.org.au/stop-agl... Hearings are right now underway into the environmental assessment prepared by AGL, and the company is using its deep pockets to bring in all kinds of legal and scientific experts to argue that their project is environmentally sound. But the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) that AGL has prepared is a poor excuse for an environmental assessment. It lacks scientific rigour and is not, according to our marine scientist experts, considered reliable for environmental decisions and management, being largely self-serving opinion and without solid supporting evidence. Your urgent gift today will help fund top legal and scientific advisers to interrogate the weaknesses and dangers in AGL’s assessment. We need your help if we are to stop this terminal from going ahead. Donate at https://vnpa.org.au/support/stop-agl/

14.01.2022 It's been such a delight seeing fish count crews coming back together to be part of one of our favourite marine citizen science events, the Great Victorian Fish Count! If you are keen to join in, there are still 4 weeks to go. Check out https://vnpa.org.au/programs/great-victorian-fish-count-3/ for opportunities to take part. Images: Corinne Telford and Ting Ting Lee

13.01.2022 This week is our week. To shine a spotlight on just how unfit for purpose AGL's environmental assessment is for their gas import terminal proposed for our Westernport Bay. Working together with other environment and community groups, this is our chance to call our experts to talk to the panel on the impacts on marine ecology, chlorine toxicity, greenhouse gas emissions, safety hazards and oil spills. Tune in to the public hearings this week and show your support for Western...port. Tuesday will feature our marine ecology expert speaking to VNPA's biggest concerns for this project - marine ecology. Visit the link here and click on 'Crib Point IAC - Hearing Link' to join online from 10am and cheer us on. www.engage.vic.gov.au/crib-point-IAC

11.01.2022 Fungi are fundamentally important organisms. They're not just some kind of bizarre accessories in the landscape, but rather fungi underpin pretty much every terrestrial ecosystem on the planet. Join Victorian ecologist Alison Pouliot in this foray into the Kingdom Fungi.

11.01.2022 A hulking-great floating gas import terminal, smack bang in the middle of protected wetlands in Westernport Bay? Every action and every voice in opposition to the Crib Point Gas Import terminal is important. When you choose to protest about this facility by making a donation, you give nature a voice. Donate at vnpa.org.au/stop-agl

11.01.2022 Last Friday night's marine & coastal awards ceremony recognised the incredible efforts of individuals, groups & orgs who dedicate their time & lives to protecting Victoria's marine wonderlands. Kent Stannard was recognised for ‘Outstanding Individual Achievement’ for taking white shark research to the public. Fam Charko (self-declared ‘girl with gills’) was awarded the ‘Emerging Marine & Coast Leader a marine biologist & science communicator who continues to inspire ...& motivate others. VNPA extends a heartfelt congratulations to the winners, finalists & entrants for all of their incredible dedication. Sea more www.marineandcoastalcouncil.vic.gov.au//victorian-marine-a Daniel Pelaez Duque, Unsplash.

09.01.2022 Did you know the word Brolga is a variation of Burrualga? Burrualga is a Gamilaraay name for this graceful bird, famed for its elaborate courtship moves. Another important note: public feedback on protecting Brolga populations around wind farm projects is now open. Brolgas are listed as vulnerable in VIC, NSW & SA.... Check out the Victorian Government's draft ‘Brolga Assessment and Mitigation Standards for Wind Energy Facilities’ & have your say

09.01.2022 Bushwalkers would be well aware of the soil-borne plant pathogen causing die-back of our natives. Our NatureWatch program is proud to report back on a decade-long citizen science project investigating the impact of Phytophthora cinnamomi on our iconic Austral Grass Trees in the Brisbane Ranges National Park. Read more of the findings and the full report here: https://vnpa.org.au/a-decade-of-community-passion-for-a-na/... Thanks to the many volunteers contributing many hours of monitoring, we have really increased long-term knowledge of this serious problem. And a timely reminder to stick to marked tracks and remember to thoroughly clean and sterilise your walking boots with a mixture of 70% methylated spirits and 30% water.

09.01.2022 There is overwhelming evidence on why marine protected areas are recognised as one of the best tools for protecting marine biodiversity. In Victoria, our marine national parks and sanctuaries are fully protected in no-take areas. However, they only cover a mere 5% of our state's marine waters and there are no government plans to improve the situation to meet the global benchmarks of 30% protection. We need far more of our marine environment fully protected.... The Conversation article on the most recent science: www.theconversation.com/75-of-australias-marine-protected-a Read more about Victoria's marine protected areas on our website: www.vnpa.org.au/marine-national-parks-and-sanctuaries/

09.01.2022 "Profoundly different'. The greater glider revealed as three, not one, species. Protection across the state, including strongholds like Wombat Forest, is now more important than ever. cc: Lily D'Ambrosio MP #forparkssake protect the #greaterglider in forest refuges: https://www.vnpa.org.au/forparks... #vicnationalparks #nationalparks #biodiversity #wildlife

09.01.2022 Two years ago the Dan Andrews Government was handed an expert report. It recommended protecting 60,000 hectares of wildlife habitat in new national parks & reserves in Victoria’s central west. After two years habitats are still being logged & mining explorations approved. ... It's unclear why the Andrews Government can’t make the decision to protect these incredible natural places. Join us & remind Lily D'Ambrosio MP why we need new national parks across the Pyrenees Ranges, the Wombat, Wellsford & Mt Cole Forests. https://vnpa.org.au/toolong

08.01.2022 An ancient form of camouflage? A way to spot their kind from far away? Researchers are discovering that platypuses aren't the only glow in the dark native animal. On another note - did you know protecting habitat in #nationalparks is one of the most effective ways to protect our native treasures?

08.01.2022 From today AGL’s controversial gas import terminal for Westernport Bay will be put under the microscope for the next 10 weeks of public hearings. Tomorrow Victorian National Parks Association, Environment Victoria and Save Westernport's opening submission will be presented by our barristers, revealing some of the flaws of AGL's environmental studies that we will highlight over the coming weeks chlorine discharge and the failure to address potentially major concerns on the i...mpact to sensitive wetland habitats and marine wildlife including penguins and whales. You can watch the live reading of our submission from 3.15-4.15pm Tuesday 13 October over Zoom. Details here: engage.vic.gov.au/crib-point-IAC Read more on the EES process here: vnpa.org.au/hearings-to-expose-fatal-flaws-in-agls-controv/

07.01.2022 The Prom gets a helping hand Wilsons Promontory National Park will get a predator-proof fence, a wildlife research station, and more care for nature in a $23 million dollar announcement today https://theage.com.au//wilsons-prom-to-get-6m-fence-to-kee... #promcountry #nationalparks

07.01.2022 AGL's application to discharge wastewater and chlorine from a proposed floating gas terminal into Westernport Bay's wetlands which are Ramsar listed for their international biological importance is the first of its kind in Victoria. Dumping the equivalent of 47 kilograms of chlorine a day into this high conservation area must not be allowed to proceed.

06.01.2022 We're live and counting fish for science with Nicole from the Victorian National Parks Association! Join in and meet some of the fishy faces of the bay! We're diving in with the The Nature Conservancy Australia's awesome Pope's Eye Reef Cam in Port Phillip Bay. Grab a fish survey sheet: https://connectedtoportphillip.com//Copy-of-Fish-Count-sur Common species reference sheet: https://connectedtoportphillip.com//Copy-of-Fish-of-Popes- Guide to local fish species for the Great Victorian Fish Count: https://connectedtoportphillip.com//Copy-of-Fish-Count-Gui

05.01.2022 An opportunity to roam the amazing native grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plains this spring from the comfort of your home! We are campaigning for better protection for these critically endangered ecosystems, so if you like what you see, please visit our website to find out how you can help>> vnpa.org.au/our-critically-endangered-grasslands-need-to-b/ This event is part of the inaugural Victoria Nature Festival: vic.gov.au/ournature

05.01.2022 A hulking great floating gas import facility, smack bang in the middle of protected wetlands at Crib Point in Westernport Bay? Every action and every voice in opposition to the Crib Point Gas Import terminal is important. When you choose to protest about this facility by making a donation, you give nature a voice. Donate at vnpa.org.au/stop-agl

05.01.2022 What are you looking at here? Lyrebird habitat and freshwater springs and creeks in Sherbrooke Forest rutted up and destroyed by wallowing deer These heartbreaking images highlight the urgent need to list and manage deer as a pest species. It’s been 2 long years since a weak draft deer control strategy was released. Ask Lily D'Ambrosio MP and Jaclyn Symes to share a definitive deer control plan here - https://vnpa.org.au/protect-action/feraldeer... Dandenong Ranges National Park. Meghan Lindsay

04.01.2022 You're invited to a screening of 'The River Moorabool' the story of why The Moorabool is Victoria’s most flow-stressed river. "The river needs a more resilient and environmentally secure future with greater flows and improved catchment management, including more riparian revegetation." We say: Protecting the headwaters in Wombat Forest in a new national park would also be a great start www.vnpa.org.au/centralwest ... Links for more info or to attend a screening of this film: Ballarat - 26 June: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-river-moorabool-ballarat-ticket Geelong - 3 July: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-river-moorabool-geelong-tickets

03.01.2022 Imagine the Prom as an "island" of native wildlife, habitat free from predators. "You’d hope down the track, you’d be in a position to reintroduce some of those species in a safe space where they can flourish. Matt Ruchel, VNPA Executive Director... #nationalparks #vicnationalparks

03.01.2022 #NAIDOC2020 Hear stories of Sea Country from Damein Bell, CEO of Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners’ Aboriginal Corporation, and Gunditj Mirring staff in episode 6 of our podcast series on marine protected areas in Victoria: www.vnpa.org.au/marine-national-parks-podcast The episode was produced in collaboration with Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations, Gunditj Mirring and Victorian National Parks Association. Photo: Cape Bridgewater by russellstreet, Flickr CC

03.01.2022 Surly scalyfin, graceful rays & wonderful wrasses are some of the species people have so far encountered in this year's Great Victorian Fish Count. Our state's largest marine citizen science event, the Fish Count's 2020 theme is "Exploring our home turf" celebrating the local coastal places we love & can't wait to visit again. Find events in your home turf, & details on how to register www.vnpa.org.au/fish-count. The Fish Count runs until 13 December. ... Photo credit: Ian Scholey

01.01.2022 Whether you're a forest fiend, rock rambler, desert dweller or pink lake lover there's something for everyone in Victoria's national parks. Find your natural treasure in our list of parks: http://vnpa.org.au/parks

01.01.2022 The wild winds almost a fortnight ago have been devastating and our thoughts go to everyone who was and still is impacted. While community safety and wellbeing is the priority, we are also joining local and state conservation groups calling for an assessment of the impact of the storms on the national parks, conservation areas, wildlife and habitats of the areas affected in the Dandenong and Macedon Ranges.