Soil health is the basis of productivity and sustainability. By using nutrients effectively, managing ground cover, plant health and soil carbon, a healthy soil can reduce erosion, salinity, nutrient runoff and emissions, as well as improving water use efficiency and quality. The West Gippsland Healthy Soils -Sustainable Farms project aims to build farmers awareness around soil health constraints, improve knowledge around managing soils, plants, nutrients and grazing, leading to improved practices based on the information gained. Demonstration sites showcasing best practice and innovation have been established and selected participants are supported in undertaking management plans to suit their particular property and areas of concern. Information and practical experience is shared through discussion groups, field days, web based communication, regional forums and the Gippsland Sustainable Agriculture Network (GSAN).

SGLN has contributed by running a number of events and demonstrations for this project during the five years the project has been running. Here are the links to the resources for the events and trials.

SoilKee Renovator – Soil Pasture Demonstration

Farming off the grid – a field day held on Nov 14th on the property of Bruce Whittaker and Jillian Staton, Liptrap
The Healthy Soils Sustainable Farms project is supported by the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

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South Gippsland Landcare Network

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and meet. The South Gippsland Landcare Network stretches from Mt Best to Mt Lyal, and along the prom coast. It’s made up of 16 local groups working to preserve and protect the natural environment, while also enhancing the long-term sustainability of farming in this part of Victoria. We’re proud to work across both Bunurong and Gunaikurnai country, and to recognise the rich history embedded in this land we now share. As a network, we’re a diverse group – made up of primary producers, hobby farmers, tree changers, backyard gardeners and environmentalists of all sorts. This page is part of our community, so we welcome feedback and input from anyone who’s interested in having a voice here.
South Gippsland Landcare Network
South Gippsland Landcare Network
Confused about Acknowledgement of Country?

A Welcome to Country or an Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners recognises the continuing connection of Aboriginal Traditional Owners to their Country.

This map (https://achris.vic.gov.au/weave/wca.html) allows you to find out who the formally recognised Traditional Owners are for an area.

1. Search for a location
Enter a location (such as a street address or the name of a town) into the search window located on the toolbar above the map.

2. Hover and click on the map
When the map has navigated to that location, hover your mouse cursor, and left click, over the location where your event or function will be held. It will display the name of the formally recognised Traditional Owners of the area.

This name can be referred to for Acknowledgements.

Click on the map to bring up information about the formally recognised Traditional Owner corporation and the Traditional Owners represented for Acknowledgements.

3. Click on the links provided to contact the formally recognised Traditional Owners corporation
Links are provided (where available) which take you to the corporation’s website to arrange a Welcome to Country ceremony.

4. Show formally recognised Traditional Owners boundaries (if desired)
Click this button on the toolbar to toggle on/off map layers that show the formally recognised Traditional Owners boundaries.
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South Gippsland Landcare Network
South Gippsland Landcare Network
This SGLN publication is relevant to all areas lucky enough to have koalas. It's an easy read with some great photos and tips for living compatibly with these much-loved marsupials.
https://www.sgln.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/SGLN_Koala_Brochure.pdf
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South Gippsland Landcare Network
South Gippsland Landcare Network
Working bee at Hamann's Bush Reserve

Members of the Arawata and Nerrena Tarwin Valley Landcare Groups combined forces last month at a twilight working bee at Hamann's Bush Reserve in Leongatha North.

The main purpose of the working bee was to tackle the problem of sweet pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum). Although native to Australia, sweet pittosporum is a serious problem when it extends outside its natural range. As well as creating a dense canopy, it releases chemical inhibitors (saponins) which prevent indigenous plants from growing beneath. It is also highly flammable.

There was a lot of discussion at the working bee about the best way(s) to kill sweet pittosporum. The following methods were used:

Remove by hand
Hand removal is only recommended for very small plants, ensure the root system is removed and the disturbed area is covered over with mulch to reduce spread of other weeds.

Cut and paint
Cut plants off at ground level and immediately paint the stump with an undiluted glyphosate based product. This is useful for larger seedlings that are too hard to hand pull but should not be attempted on trees with trunks greater than 50mm as they are likely to resprout.

Drill and fill
Drill holes 2-3 cm deep and about 5 cm apart, at the base of the trunk. Fill the hole immediately with an undiluted glyphosate-based product. This technique should be used for plants greater than 50mm in diameter and is best done in active growth stage which is late spring and mid-autumn.

Please send in photos of your get-togethers to admin@sgln.net.au - we'd love to publish them.
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