Update from SGLN Chair, Jillian Staton.

March was incredibly busy for SGN, in particular the grant-writing team.

Three grants were submitted. The first was an application to the South Gippsland Shire Council's Community Grant Program to assist with a weed identification and control program we plan to run next financial year. The others were made to the State Government's Community and Volunteer Action Grants program and focus on the Bunurong Coast which is a Biodiversity Response Planning Focus Landscape.

One Action Grant involves a remote camera project to monitor wildlife and feral pests on public and private land, while the other carries on from our successful fox and rabbit control project which closes in June this year. We would like to support landholders to continue the work done by contractors, and to further help biodiversity through long term weed control.

Our Presidents Pizza Night was well attended and covered a lot of ground. Almost all our Landcare Groups were represented, and the discussion could have gone far longer than the allocated 1.5 hours. I was very appreciative of everyone's contribution, and would particularly like to thank Andrea for organising the catering.

Despite the terrible weather, our Corner Inlet Cluster Group Meeting (which had been rescheduled because of COVID) finally went ahead. Representatives from Agnes River and Franklin River Landcare Groups and Friends of Stockyard Creek all attended. This area is so important for the health of Corner Inlet, so it's great to see the enthusiasm for Landcare-based activities. One item that was discussed was the possibility of forming a larger group that combines these groups, and would also welcome people from the Foster area. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in joining this proposed group, please contact Alex Daraio (alex@board.sgln.net.au).

Bad weather also threatened our Dung Beetle Field Day which was held in Toora on 23 March. We weren't able to venture out into the paddock as planned, but the presentation by Russ Barrow from Charles Sturt University was very well received. Contact Cassie if you would like to hear the discussion, or are interested in dung beetles generally (we will be establishing a dung beetle nursery in Fish Creek in the near future).

Please keep in touch. Our staff are here to support you: their hours and links to their email addresses are below:

Andrea Clifford: Landcare Facilitator works Monday, Tuesday, Thursday. Email: andrea@sgln.net.au

Cassie Wright: Projects and Education works Monday, Tuesday, Thursday. Email: cassie@sgln.net.au

Susan Koci: Bunurong Project Officer, works Thursday, Friday. Email: pestanimals@sgln.net.au

Vicky Pedlow: Administrative Assistant, works Tuesday. Email: admin@sgln.net.au

You can also contact me at jillian@board.sgln.net.au.

Thank you.