Beechworth Urban Landcare and Sustainability

Title: Strategic Planning Meeting re Sustainability with Ann Roberts, Sustainability Victoria Location: The Rectory, opp Beechworth Neighbourhood Centre Description: Following on from our discussion at the AGM re our 2030 Vision for Indigo Shire we are having a strategic planning meeting to help us formulate a plan to achieve these goals in the future. Come and join the discussion and share a meal with us. Light meal provided RSVP Donna on 03 5728 3238 or Joy on 03 5728 1413

Start Time: 18:00 Date: Thursday November 24th NEW DATE

Title: BULS planning meeting – Biodiversity programs Location: Rectory, Ford St Beechworth (next to Christ Church). Description: We hope to put together an overarching rehab/reveg plan that shows priority areas within our landcare boundary. One of the biodiversity staff members from DSE Wodonga will be there to help us set priorities and strategies for on-ground works in line with threatened species, habitats, degraded high weed areas etc. This will then help us target our funding applications. RSVP Donna on 03 5728 3238 or Joy on 03 5728 1413 Light supper included Start Time: 19:00 Date: 2011-11-14

A new solar farm able to generate enough energy for 12,000 households has just come online in the south of France.

The Les Mées solar farm in the department of Alpes-de- Haute-Provence features six Siemens photovoltaic (PV) power plants with a combined peak output of 31 megawatts. The project developer is Delta Solar, a subsidiary of Eco Delta Développement (EDD).

French solar farm to produce enough energy for 12,000 homes | Energy.

Fay and Charlie Robinson present the third workshop in the ‘Grow Your Own Food’ series which covers food production over the Summer months. Topics will include:

• Suitable vegetables to grow for our region;
• Succession planting;
• Organic pest control;
• Making a solar dehydrator;
• Mulching;
• Water conservation;
• Saving and using vegetable seeds.

A limited amount of free vegetable seeds will be available for participants. Contact Charlie via megamouth [AT] activ8.net.au for full details and directions.

 Did you drop by to say hello? We had grapefruit and silverbeet seedlings for sale, as well as lovely sausages with chutney. There were also some free seeds, and plenty of info to be had.

This article is about the UK and fracking (for shale gas), but I suspect the same principles (or lack of them) could apply to coal seam gas…….

The UK’s lack of fracking regulation is insane | George Monbiot | Environment | guardian.co.uk.

The humble backyard vegie patch is back in vogue in the suburbs of Australia. But can growing spuds and greens in the cities really avert a coming food crisis?

Can our cities ever be self-sustaining? – Features – ABC Environment Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Great video on building a compost heap

ABC OPEN – Projects – Whadyaknow – Contributions – Composing Compost.

We will have a stall at the Beechworth Farmer’s market this weekend. Drop in and pick up some information, say hi, and support us by buying a local sausage sandwich with chutney. Memberships are also due in September so bring along your $20 ($15 for concession) and renew your membership – or sign up if you’re not a financial member. Due to changes in Landcare funding this year  we no longer receive any funds to run the group, so we rely 100% on memberships to pay our insurance and run events. So please do join up – at $20 for individuals/families it’s a great deal. Members receive the Landcare magazine, and of course get in free to all our events!

Rock up at 10am on Sunday morning to the Beechworth Skate Park and help us plant some trees and plants. BYO garden gloves!

The major environmental news this week was Environment Minister Tony Burke’s plans to update Australia’s environment protection laws. But there are concerns he may be introducing new flaws.

He’s got the World Heritage in his hands – Blog – ABC Environment Australian Broadcasting Corporation.