The star of this month’s #PeopleOfNRM is none other than the king of the garden, Costa Georgiadis!

Hailing from Sydney as a Greek Australian, Costa grew up among a diverse range of backyard gardens where pot plants were passed around, bits snapped off and propagated as a form of currency. His grandmothers instilled in him their love for cooking while his grandfather, a market gardener, shared his knowledge on composting and building a rich and thriving soil foundation.

After studying landscape architecture at the University of New South Wales, Costa saved his pennies and ventured off on a ‘holiday’ to Europe which became home for three years. This opened him up to working on rooftop gardens, community composting and wetlands.

Although Costa holds a passion for music and a love for sport, his life revolves around sustainable gardening – especially the kind you can eat!

Costa is well known as the friendly, bearded face of Gardening Australia, and gained fame when he set up a verge side community garden in front of his home. This project has since evolved into a combination street library, native plant garden, compost system and bathtub worm farm.

When it comes to tackling projects in your own garden, Costa’s tips are simple; get to know your garden, know what you can plant and experiment!

This can mean investigating the plants, insects, animals and bugs that inhabit your garden space. Also looking at where the light comes in throughout the day and how this effects activity in your garden.

Knowing what to plant can be dependent on the time of year, the climate where you live and the kind of soil you’re working with. Soil can be nourished and built up by composting with food scraps, which also helps cut down your household waste! Win, win!

And when it comes to getting experimental, why not grab some of your favourite greens and attempt propagation? A jar of water near a light window will do the trick for some plants, and before you know it you might have the beginnings of your very own vegetable garden !

Costa is also a huge advocate for chickens and says there are options for mobile coops that can be easily transported around the yard. Chickens usually like space to wander and generally prefer a friend, so two is always better than one!

You can watch Costa on the small screen and get more sustainable gardening tips & tricks by tuning into Gardening Australia on ABC! Happy gardening!

Phoebe Royce – Communications Officer

Sources:

https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/factsheets/my-garden-path—costa-georgiadis/10816208

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-10/gardening-australia-costa-georgiadis-tips-for-covid-19-isolation/12132902

https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/triplej-breakfast/costa-georgiadis-on-how-gardening-grows-positivity-and-improves/12626846

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The western pygmy possum can be defined by its bright cinnamon colour, which sets it apart from its grey relatives.

Their ears and eyes are large, and their tail is long and covered with fine scales rather than fur. Their hind feet are made of broad toe pads and opposable first digits. Adult pygmy possums can weigh up to 21 kilograms, making them one of the larger possum breeds.

Habitat loss and lack of food have contributed to the species’ vulnerability, which is listed as endangered in New South Wales. They can also be found in southwestern WA, wheatbelt areas of South Australia, Kangaroo Island and as far east as Victoria. Semi-arid woodland and shrubland dominated by bottle brushes, melaleuca, banksia and grevillea are the most desirable habitats for these furry little friends.

A diet of nectar, pollen and insects see this possum travelling mostly at night, usually alone. However, being nocturnal means sharing the night with predators like quolls, snakes, owls, foxes and cats.

Western pygmy possums can conserve energy and food by entering torpor when the weather becomes colder. They sleep on their bellies with their ears folded over their eyes and their tails folded underneath their bodies.

Throughout the year, pygmy possums can breed and give birth to litters of four to six offspring. The female has a front-opening pouch with six teets and will carry her young for much of their early lives with them attached to a teet each.

Offspring are born blind and leave the pouch around 25 days of age, becoming fully weaned at 50 days. Females will reach sexual maturity at 12 to 15 months of age.

Source: https://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:afd.taxon:20cf2b3c-3f38-4110-8c9f-32da03484256

Jarna Kendle – Bushcare Officer

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You may have heard the term ‘carbon farming’ being used, but what exactly is it, and what does it mean for you?

Carbon Farming is basically farming in a way that captures and holds carbon in vegetation and soils. The term summarises changing agricultural practices that increase the carbon sequestered in soil and vegetation and decrease atmospheric carbon. There are several ways to achieve this, and as with most things, there is no silver bullet solution that will work for every farm enterprise.

Carbon is not a static element; it exists within a carbon cycle. A typical farming business will increase carbon stores at certain times of year (i.e. while crops are growing) and release it at others (stubble breakdown after harvest). Carbon Farming aims to increase the carbon stored in the system and identify ways to slow down the system’s carbon cycle rate, storing it for a greater length of time.

There are many ways that this can be done. For example, increasing perennial vegetation in the farming system through shrub-based forages or planting shelterbelts. Another option for some landholders may be growing an opportunistic summer crop that extends the number of months of living roots in the soil.

Carbon Farming can help manage land, water, plants and animals, improve ecosystem resilience and address landscape restoration challenges like climate change and food security.

There are more significant benefits to increasing carbon in the soil and vegetation than greenhouse gas storage and avoidance. Increasing carbon in the ground, namely increasing soil organic carbon (a measurable component of soil organic matter), can increase soil growing potential. Organic matter –including soil organic carbon – positively contributes to nutrient retention and turnover, soil structure, moisture retention and availability, degradation of pollutants, and carbon sequestration. Organic matter plays an essential role in soils’ physical, chemical and biological function.

Carbon Farming offers landholders an opportunity to receive financial incentives for reducing their carbon pollution. However, Carbon Farming activities should also deliver multiple economic and environmental co-benefits. In November 2020, the State Government released a new WA Climate Policy. A key element of this policy is a $15 million Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program.  One of the program’s key objectives is to unlock the potential for Carbon Farming activities across the South West agricultural zone. Further, the program will look to support rural businesses to establish Carbon Farming projects that deliver priority environmental, community and economic co-benefits.

( For further information and program developments keep an eye on this page:  https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/carbon-farming/western-australian-carbon-farming-and-land-restoration-program )

There is an opportunity to improve soil organic carbon in the Northern Agricultural Region. NACC NRM’s Growing Great Ground project offers incentives for establishing ground covers that may increase organic matter in our soils. We also have an upcoming Soil Carbon Roadshow, which will provide information on building and managing carbon on-farm. Come along and learn how-to integrate Carbon Farming on your property, why its important, the benefits, constraints and what is next in this space!

If you are interested in carbon farming, soil organic carbon or ways to increase carbon in your soil, please contact NACC NRM’s RALF team by contacting Annabelle.garratt@nacc.com.au or lizzie.king@nacc.com.au or by calling us on (08) 9938 0100.

Annabelle Garratt & Lizzie King – Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitators

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How’re we doing? A recent look at our achievements as a region against the goals of our regional NRM strategy.

Across the current regional natural resource management (NRM) plan (NARvis) and our previous regional NRM plan from back in 2005, there are 524 goals, targets and strategic actions. There were 390 listed goals targets and strategic NRM actions in the 2005 plan and 134 in NARvis.  A tremendous amount of progress has been made towards achieving these goals. In total, across both plans, 78% of listed goals, targets and strategic NRM actions have been achieved or partially achieved!

As an example, one of the goals under the Aboriginal Custodianship section of NARvis was to undertake 25 management activities on sites of cultural and heritage significance by 2020. This was related to a similar goal in the 2005 plan, to ensure that priority places of cultural and heritage significance are managed for the benefit of future generations. The Aboriginal people and NRM organisations in our region have completely smashed this goal out of the park!

Nearly 200 registered heritage sites have been listed on the Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System and 65 sites were prioritised in 2007 according to YMAC report ‘Audit of Priority Heritage Sites in the Yamatji Region’. Site audits were completed for all priority sites, and 6 management plans developed by 2009. Works at these and other priority sites have been undertaken through the Midwest Aboriginal Ranger Program (~30 management actions per year),  Bundiyarra Environmental Health Program, Capacity-building for Indigenous Prison Inmates project (420 ha across multiple sites) and the various Aboriginal ranger programs run by local Aboriginal corporations and businesses like Kwelena Mamakort Aboriginal Corporation, Western Mulga and Badimia Bandi Barna Aborginal Corporation. Information on how to report an Aboriginal heritage site or damage to a site is now available on the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website. There is also a government-funded grants program dedicated explicitly to Preserving our Aboriginal Sites.

We are currently updating the regional NRM plan, including drafting new targets under each of the eight themes – Aboriginal Custodianship, Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Change, Coastal & Marine, Community Capacity, Invasive Species, Sustainable Agriculture and Water. We’ve held a series of online workshops with technical experts under each theme throughout February (see group photo from our terrestrial Biodiversity targets meeting).

We will be sending the proposed new targets around for public comment in March. Keep an eye out the online survey – we would love to hear from you.

If you’d like more information about our review of the goals, targets and strategic actions in NARvis and the 2005 plan, or you would like to read more examples of targets being achieved click here.

Amanda Bourne – NARvis Project Officer

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2021 is looking to be an exciting year for the Murchison House Station carnaby population!

NACC NRM, together with Murchison House Station owners, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), Birdlife and the Geraldton Regional Herbarium are teaming up to try and solve some of the mysteries that surround the northernmost known carnaby flock.

Over the next 12 months, surveys have been planned to help identify population composition and important vegetation as well as scoping out new nesting hollows. This research is vital to the ongoing conservation of the species as a whole.

Federally listed as an endangered species, the carnaby’s Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) has suffered significant population declines in recent years due to habitat loss and fragmentation throughout the wheatbelt. Black Cockatoos are dependent on surface water, forage in proteaceous heathland and nest in hollows found in large, old eucalypt trees. Their diverse habitat requirements mean that they rely on conservation programs’ ongoing support to ensure their survival.

Records of Carnaby’s breeding at Murchison House Station date back to the 1970s and current owners Callum and Belinda, say they sight the birds at the station homestead between October and January each year.

NACC NRM Bushcare Officer Jarna Kendle says the initial surveys conducted in 2020 confirmed about 80 individual birds and two new nesting hollows with young chicks.

“The station has wonderful nesting habitat for cockatoos with plenty of ancient river gums, reliable fresh water and abundant food sources,” said Jarna.

“This year we are crossing our fingers and toes in hopes that we find many more chicks!”

Jarna Kendle – Bushcare Officer

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The Western Mulga Aboriginal Rangers have been hard at work picking seed for future propagation and rehabilitation purposes.

Seed collection and replanting is integral to restoration of damaged ecosystems. Seed from multiple species have been collected across sites in the Midwest by Western Mulga for future projects across the Northern Agricultural Region.

Some of the seeds collected so far have included Eucalyptus sp, Acacia sp and other local provenance plants.

Aboriginal rangers find great pride in these landcare practices.  Picking and then propagating seeds for future activities which support the rejuvenation of country enables Aboriginal rangers to restrengthen their connection to country.

Western Mulga rangers have been through the entire process with these seeds, from collection to cleaning, storing, treating, propogating, growing and replanting the seed back into country.

The team has planted well over 100,000 plants, propagated over 50,000 and will continue to collect for future generations. At the same time, this ranger team takes the opportunity to teach future generations about seed collection and country.

Taj Mamid – Aboriginal Administration Trainee

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The past three years have seen the Midwest Aboriginal Rangers working hard in gaining qualifications in Conservation and Land Management.

In early December, NACC Aboriginal Administration Trainee Taj and Midwest Aboriginal Ranger Program Coordinator Bianca headed to Wedge Island to attend a Rangers graduation ceremony!

The day commended Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) rangers as well as former Kwelena Mambakort Aboriginal Corporation (KMAC) trainees, Caleb Shaw and Jordan Jackamarra, for achieving their Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management.

Before the presentation commenced, Yued elder Charlie Shaw performed a Welcome to Country followed by a smoking ceremony.

Lead by KMAC trainee ranger Christopher McPhee and his family, the KMAC ranger team created a public cultural mural, providing a safe area to discuss traditional stories and reflect on the pride of caring for country.

The NACC NRM team congratulates Caleb Shaw and Jordan Jackamarra on their achievements and would like to thank both DBCA and KMAC for organizing the event while supporting the next generation of environmental custodians.

This program is supported by NACC NRM through funding from the National Indigenous Australians Agency.

Taj Mamid – Aboriginal Administration Trainee

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Our very first #PeopleOfNRM for 2021 is Georgina Anderson, a Field Ecologist at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy in Mt Gibson!

After graduating from Murdoch University with a Bachelor of Environmental Science in 2012, Georgina hit the ground running, starting her career on a one-year environmental education project in Lombok, Indonesia.

It was then that Georgina made the move to Western Australia to work in threatened species conservation, first with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions (DBCA) and then with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC).

Growing up in an environmentally-minded family and spending a lot of her childhood in Indonesia, it was only natural that through her close contact to wildlife, Georgina formed an appreciation for the environment.

“I’d say I’m evenly split between calling Tasmania and Western Australia home – there’s nothing quite like bush-walking and camping in soggy and cold alpine areas, as long as at the end of it I can come back to WA to dry off.”

Georgina has worked as a Field Ecologist at Mt Gibson Sanctuary for three years and is currently devoting most of her time to translocating nine regionally extinct mammals into their feral predator-free fenced area. Translocation projects allow for threatened or endangered species to thrive and re-populate within the safety of the sanctuary’s fences.

The Mt Gibson Sanctuary has allowed Georgina to immerse herself in and grow an appreciation for the semi-arid environment, while also providing opportunities to travel and work around the state.

“Working on the Mt Gibson Mammal Restoration Project has taken me to some beautiful places, like the islands in Shark Bay, and has also given me the incredible opportunity to work closely with some of WA’s most threatened fauna,” says Georgina.

When it comes to getting the community involved in biodiversity conservation, Georgina says it’s as easy as putting your hand up to help out local organisations.

“Get yourself out there and get involved – you will learn a lot, whether you’re helping out with trapping mammals, digging in pitfall traps or entering stacks of data.”

To find out more about AWC’s Mt Gibson Sanctuary, check them out at www.australianwildlife.org/where-we-work/mt-gibson/.

Phoebe Royce – Communications Officer

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In December, The Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitators (RALF’s) from all over the State congregated in Perth for a professional development catch up.

This provided a worthwhile opportunity to meet and learn from some innovative landholders and landcare-related businesses as well as a chance to catch up with fellow RALF’s, discuss common challenges and learn from each other’s experiences.

The first site visit was to the UWA Shenton Park Field Station, to check out a project being developed by Future Green Solutions. Eight years ago, Luke Wheat was looking for a solution to divert organic waste from landfill whilst creating a useful commercial end product. From humble beginnings in a Geraldton backyard, Future Green Solutions has developed the Black Soldier Fly organic waste process.

More information, including details of the by-products, can be found here. They are set to commercialise in 2021. If all goes well, there are potential opportunities to run regional satellite modules. This could significantly impact organic waste management and provide a win for the environment by keeping more organic waste out of landfill. 

The afternoon saw us head up to Wanerie. First stop Worrolong Produce, where Tom Mitchell, his wife Emma and their two daughters produce citrus and pumpkins. The Mitchell’s have been taking a more biological approach to their farming business since 2012.  As well as maintaining groundcover, using compost extracts and reducing cultivation, they have eliminated fungicides from their operation, and massively reduced their use of pesticides. The Mitchell’s also use soil moisture monitoring technology on their property.  This provides real-time soil moisture data for the citrus trees, allowing informed decisions to be made on irrigation requirements, and increasing their water use efficiency.

We then headed over the road to meet the neighbours, Mary Ann and John O’Connor. They also farm citrus and pumpkins. The O’Connor’s have 7 soil moisture monitors installed on their property and have been involved with a 2018 Smart Farms Small Grants project. The project, delivered by Perth NRM looked at improving producer irrigation and nutrient management capabilities.   

For NACC NRM RALF Lizzie King, some highlights included seeing the adoption of technology that improves NRM outcomes; having an opportunity to discuss common challenges with other RALF’s and; being inspired by new ideas to follow up in 2021.

A huge thanks to all of the RALF’s and NRM regions, especially Graham McAlpine of Perth NRM for pulling together a successful schedule.

If you would like more information, please contact our RALF team:

Annabelle Garratt (E) Annabelle.Garratt@nacc.com.au or (P) 0448 986 879 or Lizzie King (E) Lizzie.King@nacc.com.au or (P) 0447 361 335

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This month the NACC NRM Biodiversity team have been busy assessing potential sites for on-ground work as part of the Malleefowl protection project.

NACC NRM Bushcare Officer Jarna Kendle headed out in the field last week joined by Ian Pulbrook from Greenoil Nursery to check out sites that may be eligible for NACC’s Gnow or Never incentives.

The sites are all within the known habitat range of Malleefowl and are under pressure from degradation and without intervention, many could deteriorate and impact arable soils within the farm’s production system.

On-farm revegetation offers many benefits including controlling erosion, reducing rising water tables, slowing down secondary salinity, limiting downstream sedimentation and providing healthy habitats for native flora and fauna – just to name a few!

NACC’s Malleefowl protection project aims to restore and safeguard habitat for these incredible birds while simultaneously working with landholders to achieve positive outcomes for both the environment and agriculture. To date, this project has provided incentives that have led to the strategic revegetation of 225 hectares of degraded land. In addition, 690 hectares of bushland across the Northern Agricultural Region has been fenced and protected as part of this project.

Planning is an essential part of on-farm revegetation and to help landholders achieve the best outcomes, NACC NRM and Gundawa have teamed up to deliver two workshops planned for February. ‘Setting On-Farm Revegetation Priorities’ will be held in Dalwallinu on the 3^rd of February and Morawa on the 4^th of February and will feature guest speakers Dean Revell, Jenny Borger and Dustin McCreery.

To find out more about NACC NRM incentives or to register your interest in our workshops, please contact Bushcare Officer Jarna Kendle at Jarna.kendle@nacc.com.au or by calling (08) 9938 0108 or 0448 984 899.

Jarna Kendle – Bushcare Officer

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