Hello Eaglehawk Neck Coastcare team.
As always there is lots to do.
The Aussie Bird Count started today and runs from the 20th – 26th October, you can register here:
https://aussiebirdcount.org.
The Great Southern Bioblitz is on over the long weekend Oct 24th-26th, so if you are keen to do some citizen science, head to inaturalist, download the app, sign up to the great southern bioblitz, and start searching.
If you need some help getting started, I will be at The Tessellated Pavement carpark area on Oct 24th between 2 and 3pm, and the Blowhole carpark area on Sat 25th between 10 &11am.
More information at:https://www.inaturalist.org/
Upcoming activities in November:
Eaglehawk Neck Coastcare will be at the Eaglehawk Neck Market on Saturday Nov 8th 9.30-1pm. Would anyone like to help out on our table for a couple of hours?
Coastcare is planned for Sunday November 9th 10am -midday, however the tide will be super high at that time, not suitable for beach nesting bird monitoring.
If the weather is OK I propose we do some work on the Teralina coast track, raking, weeding and cutting back blackberries, watering and tending to our plantings.
Meet at the Officers Quarters carpark at 10am. Wear appropriate protective clothing and gloves and if you would like to cut and paste blackberries, bring secateurs.
We have our usual Officers Quarters Historic garden weeding activity on Thursday Nov 13th, 10am start. Morning Tea is provided, but feel free to bring a snack to share. BYO hat, protective gloves, kneeling pads and garden tools.
Volunteer Program Plan
I am in the process of reviewing our ENCG Volunteer Program Plan (VPP) agreement with NRE, which sets out where we can work, and what ENCG activities are permitted over the next three years. As per previously we are guided by NRE and any work we undertake in the Coastal Reserves and the Historic site needs to be approved and within their guidelines.
This also means we are covered by their insurance when undertaking approved Coastcare activities.
The agreement is quite specific, and I will have a copy available to read when it is finalised.
It covers what we can and can’t do in the historic site, restrictions in Aboriginal sites, and, at the penguin colony, where we do not have any permission to undertake activities.
As part of the VPP, I am in regular correspondence with NRE ,so they are aware of upcoming ENCG activities, or anything we might require help with, such as blackberry slashing at the Historic site.
Sarah McMeikin will be our new PWS on ground contact person, and Emmalene Maher is the Regional Volunteers Co-ordinator for groups in the south of Tasmania.
NRE has re-iterated that all volunteers should be aware of the group guidelines, and that our 2 activities each month are the only activities permitted, and only ones covered by insurance, that is the Quarters Working bee on the 2nd Thursday of the month, and The Coastcare activity on the 2nd Sunday of the month.
I am in the process of making sure we are covered for the Hall Market by either NRE or by Landcare.
The VPP also covers requirements such as first aid, incident reports, safety briefings, and risk assessments.
Volunteers with NRE must be registered, and have had reviewed the new child safety guidelines.
If you need to review or complete the requirements for Volunteering with NRE. Please head to :
https://nre.tas.gov.au/about-
We are also a Landcare group, and some of you were able to meet with Amy Henson, or Landcare group volunteers co-ordinator, at Nature Networking and Nibbles.
Amy is helping us with anything that doesn’t fall within the reserve system, as well as with information, support and funding opportunities.
A message from Friends of Tasman Island (FoTI)
FoTI’s main fundraiser for the year is their Lighthouse calendar.
A beautiful spiral bound fine art wall calendar, large size (297 x 420mm, A3) printed single sided on premium 250gsm recycled paper. The ‘frame-worthy’ selection of twelve stunning lighthouse artworks by renowned Tasmanian artists and those less known, all Tasman Island volunteers, makes this calendar a perfect, lasting gift.
Don’t miss out, pre-order your calendar/s now. Printed in Hobart for delivery in early November.
Funds raised from sales will help the group continue their amazing work on restoring the built heritage and natural values of Tasman Island.
Price includes postage within Australia $17.65)
https://wildcaretas.org.au/
If you would like to get in Touch with FoTI and become a member, here are the ways to contact them.