Plants and Animals

Box ironbark ecology course

Nagambie, 5th - 9th October 2009

Applications are open for land managers, educators, naturalists, landholders, local government and those interested in better understanding the ecology of this unique ecosystem.

The program is a state and federally funded training initiative.

The course

The course brings together leading researchers and experts to share up to date knowledge and thinking about this landscape in change.

It is field based and participants will work in small groups. It emphasises ecological understanding and relationships and techniques that improve observation and data collection skills which can then be applied to other areas.

Ecology brochure 2009 (PDF - 492 KB)

Learning outcomes Participants will gain: a better understanding of the distribution, natural values and ecological processes of Box Ironbark landscapes, past and present an understanding of the impact of human use on the ecosystem, past and present practical skills in observation, description, survey, analysis, interpretation, map reading and ecosystem monitoring of flora, fauna, geomorphology and soils opportunity to apply new skills and to collate and communicate information collected from the field resources to help plan for enhanced ecologically sustainable management outcomes for Box Ironbark remnants on private and public land.

Program

This 5 day course (Monday-Friday) commences on Monday 5th October and concludes on Friday 9th October, 2009.

Topics:

• Distribution and history of the Box Ironbark ecosystem including indigenous use and post settlement impacts
• Introductory sessions on geomorphology, soils, fauna and vegetation communities
• Flora and Fauna of the region - how to read the landscape, search for and identify the plants, reptiles, birds, mammals and invertebrates that inhabit Box Ironbark communities
• Detailed study of ecological interactions between landscape, soils, plants and animals and implications for management.
• Survey skills and project planning.

• Field study projects conducted by participants with guidance from course instructors
• Data collection and interpretation techniques to assist management
• An illustrated presentation by a leading researcher
• Spotlighting & bat trapping (weather permitting)

• Jerry Alexander started his working life as a field geologist and then moved to fauna survey, particularly mammals, reptiles and amphibians. For nearly 30 years he has been involved with wildlife research and applied manangement in the Victorian Central Highlands, East Gippsland, Northern Plains, Alpine and Box Ironbark ecosystems.
• Sue Berwick has experience in vegetation survey and mapping, including Box Ironbark communities. Sue has developed and delivered training in native vegetation identification and condition assessment.
• Cathy Botta is a soil scientist and educator who works with communities in agricultural landscapes. Her special interest is in helping people better understand their own soils and the effects of land management on soil health.
• Andrea Canzano is an entomologist with experience in insect conservation and invertebrate biodiversity assessment in Victoria. She is particularly interested in the ecology and conservation of the Eltham copper butterfly.
• Garry Cheers is an experienced naturalist who lives and works in Box Ironbark country. His special interest is in birds of fragmented landscapes.
• Paul Foreman is a botanist and forester who has a particular interest in Box Ironbark, Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands ecosystem flora, and private land conservation.
• Lindy Lumsden is a wildlife biologist who has a special interest in Box Ironbark ecosystem fauna. Her passion is bats, their ecology and introducing them to people.
• Deanna Marshall is a senior flora officer with DSE based at Bendigo. She is involved in overseeing threatened species and ecological communities recovery plans and engaging local communities in conservation activities in the North West.
• David Meagher is an environmental scientist with a special interest in the ecology of mosses and liverworts of south-eastern Australia.
• Neville Rosengren has surveyed the geomorphology and geology of conservation sites in most parts of Victoria. He is particularly interested in the modes and dynamics of landscape evolution.
• Kate Stothers is a landholder in the Box Ironbark region and Nature Conservation Coordinator with the Department of Primary Industries. She is interested in Box Ironbark ecology, management and education.

• Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc.
• City of Greater Bendigo
• Department of Sustainability and Environment
• Department of Primary Industries
• Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority
• North Central Catchment Management Authority
• Parks Victoria