Nature's Voice edition 10
Welcome to the fourth edition of Nature's Voice for 2011. Nature's Voice arrives as an easy-to-read email and aims to keep you on top of important nature conservation issues throughout Victoria. You can also read Nature's Voice online as a flipbook. And if you haven't already signed up to receive Nature's Voice please take the opportunity to do so now by joining our |
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Edition 10, October-November 2011
Landmark decision protects Alpine National Park from grazing
The Federal Government's decision to pass regulations that will protect the Alpine National Park from damaging cattle grazing will restore good management to one of Australia's most loved and important national parks.
The decision follows the release of a much-awaited report into the Victorian Government's 'scientific' alpine cattle grazing trials, roundly criticised by environment groups as a waste of time and money.
Firewood decision an attack on our parks
A decision by the Baillieu Government to allow firewood collection in national parks along the Murray River is deeply worrying.
The decision would see an amendment made to the National Parks Act that would allow firewood collection in both the Barmah and Gunbower national parks.
Fire and biodiversity symposium
This week the VNPA joined forces withy the Royal Society of Victoria to hold a 'Fire and Biodiversity in Victoria' symposium.
Attended by 100 scientists, government fire managers and conservation groups the symposium was a great success.
Alcoa wins 50 year extension for Anglesea coal mining lease
The Victorian Government has given Alcoa the green light to extend its antiquated brown coal mining lease at Anglesea for another 50 years.
The Anglesea heathlands are incredibly important to nature conservation in Victoria, home to more than 700 different plant species and a third of all orchid species found in Victoria.
Join us at the Backwards Under Baillieu march - Sunday 13 November
In just one year Premier Baillieu has taken Victoria decades backwards on the environment.
Cattle have been allowed to trample our national parks, new wind farms are being blocked, endangered species habitat logged, and our Green Wedges are being threatened.
Flawed Murray-Darling plan sparks walkout
Environment groups have condemned the Murray-Darling Basin Authority's proposal to return just 2800GL of water to the environment.
VNPA Riverside Rescue Coordinator Nick Roberts said it was clear the MDBA was walking away from its obligation to produce a Basin Plan using the best available science.
Report offers hope for riverside habitat
On World Rivers Day we launched our 'Riverside Rescue' report, highlighting the poor health of riparian habitat along Victoria's rivers and streams.
Compiled by scientists from Monash University the report draws attention to the significant damage caused by cattle trampling valuable riverside habitats and fouling waterways.
Serendip decision still pending
Residents fear the negative impacts of a proposed high-density housing development opposite the internationally recognised Serendip Sanctuary near Lara have been overlooked.
They say an independent report on the issue points to a detrimental outcome for Serendip Sanctuary if the housing development is allowed to proceed.
Bandicoots need homes too
Melbourne is growing, and urban sprawl is eating into natural areas and green wedges, impacting on some of the most endangered habitats and species in Victoria.
Our new report, 'Melbourne's Urban Expansion - Threatened Species on Our Doorstep', aims to ensure planners consider the survival of threatened species as well as the needs of people.
Have a say on fire management
A consultation draft of the Department of Sustainability and Environment's new Code of Fire Practice has been released, with public input open until 9 December 2011.
Well-informed public input is important, as the code will guide fire management for the next decade.
Great Victorian Fish Count - it's time to take the plunge
Yes, it's on again! Our Reef Watch program is organising its seventh annual statewide census of Victoria's reef fish populations.
Reef Watch Coordinator Wendy Roberts is confident the event will build on the success of last year's count, which attracted around 400 divers and snorkellers from across the state.
Focus of VEAC marine inquiry too narrow
Almost 90 per cent of Victoria's coastal waters have been left out of a new inquiry into threats facing the state's marine environment.
"The State Government's new marine investigation is far too narrow and only focuses on 11% of coastal waters already protected in marine reserves," said VNPA Marine and Coastal Project Officer Simon Branigan.
App nets guilt free seafood
You can now shop for 'ocean friendly' seafood with a new iPhone app that allows quick and easy decisions about which seafood is sustainable.
The app is a fully mobile version of the Australian Marine Conservation Society's printed and online consumer guide, covering more than 100 kinds of seafood.
VNPA AGM a big night out
The VNPA's 59th Annual General Meeting (11 October) attracted 75 members and visitors.
Guest speaker Dr John Morgan of La Trobe University spoke about the challenges of both conserving Victoria's native grasslands and interesting people in them.
Explore Victoria's parks with new pocket guides
There's an exciting new feature on the VNPA website.
We're progressively putting updated versions of Geoff Durham's 'In Parks' articles - regular items in our Park Watch journal since 2001 - on the site to encourage more people to visit and appreciate Victoria's parks.
VEAC vacancies
Expressions of interest are being sought for vacancies on the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council.
Visit the Department of Sustainability and Environment website for details or phone 9637 8539.
Wyperfeld guide launched online
Spring and early summer are great times to visit Wyperfeld National Park, but to enjoy it fully you need a comprehensive guide to its flora, fauna and human history.
And now Geoff Durham's outstanding guidebook to the park has been republished online in an easy-to-use flipbook format
Sylvia Creek logging on hold
On 19 September the Supreme Court extended an injunction halting logging of the Sylvia Creek forest near Toolangi until February next year, after state logging agency VicForests agreed to the moratorium.
Local conservation group MyEnvironment Inc is challenging the legality of VicForests' logging operation on the grounds that the area is habitat for the endangered Leadbeater's Possum.
Shipwreck Coast threatened
Corangamite Shire Council has proposed a radical amendment to rezone more than 1000 hectares of private land adjoining Port Campbell and Great Otway national parks for possible tourism development.
The amendment lists 11 sites from 50 to 300 ha on 25 km of the Great Ocean Road from Moonlight Head to Peterborough.
Green Walks in the Park
Green Walks in the Park is a fun, active and healthy walk program for individuals, families and friends. Walks are free and suitable for all ages.
For more information visit heartfoundation.org.au/greenwalks or phone 1300 36 27 87.
Bushwalking and activities
See our events page for walks, excursions, new leaders briefing, film night and corrections to the program.