Who we are:



Brunswick Valley Landcare is a volunteer community organisation supporting Landcare & Dunecare groups and landholders in the Brunswick River Catchment of New South Wales. Click <here> to learn more about us.

To contact CSO Wendy Gibney: 6626 7028 or
wendy.gibney@byron.nsw.gov.au

Click <here> to read or download the BVL April 2009 Newsletter.

To read or download a copy of the latest BVL Enews, click <here>

Send web site contributions to abegg100@gmail.com

Database trial will monitor
restoration of vegetation

EnviTE, Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare and Byron Shire Council have developed a customized database for monitoring and Evaluation of the Restoration of Vegetation (MERV). The package has been funded by the Natural Resources Advisory Council (NRAC) and is currently undergoing a formal trial. NRM practitioners interested in Monitoring and Evaluation (M + E) are encouraged to download the package and participate in the trial.

Objectives of the trial include flushing out operational problems, getting feedback on use of MERV from different NRM stakeholders as well as assessing whether MERV can facilitate the implementation of M + E and identifying future improvements to the software. Feedback to the trial should be submitted by 26 June 2009 to merv@envite.org.au.

Users need a version of Microsoft Access to run the software. User Documentation is provided as part of the installation. There is no charge for downloading and using MERV. It is hoped that use of program will ultimately increase returns on NRM investment through increased and improved monitoring, evaluation and reporting on NRM project outcomes.

More about MERV can be found at http://envite.org.au/MERV.html

It's tree planting time - but check you have the right species

It's tree planting time, and it is important to ensure that you are planting the appropriatye species. There are often significant differences between species found in the upper, middle and lower catchments.

Species lists are available for the Mullumbimby Creek sub catchment and riparian zones around Mullumbimby. A species list is also available to asist those wanting to increase biodiversity in gardens in Mullumbimby.

As part of BVL's Environmental Trust Education project 'Protecting biodiversity in a coastal hot spot', BVL will be developing and distributing species lists suited to different areas in the Shire over the next two years.

If you would like any of these lists to help you with your species selection for plantings, please contact Judy MacDonald, BVL Project Officer. Phone 6684 5390 [Wednesdays and Thursdays] - or email to
judymac@aapt.net.au

Focus on rainforest rehabilitation
As part of the Big Scrub Dissemination Project (funded by Environmental Trust) key learning documents have been developed with EnviTE that focus on three main aspects of rainforest rehabilitation:
1. Site assessment and planning
2. Weed control
3. Monitoring and evaluation
These very useful documents can be downloaded from EnviTE’s website (front page) at http://www.envite.org.au/

Membership renewal
You can download a form here <renewal_form.pdf> and send it with your cheque or money order to the Membership Secretary, Brunswick Valley Landcare, PO Box 6 Brunswick Heads 2483. Why not take advantage of the two or five-year renewal option?

Bookshop titles have been updated
A revised edition of Rainforest Trees and Shrubs and a new combined edition of Mangroves to Mountains, are among new titles available from the BVL Bookshop. To check what's available click <here>

Landcare volunteers Anne Mullins (foreground) and Kaye Groves at a recent planting near the Heritage Park tennis courts, one of several recent plantings at the site. Photo by Lucinda Cox.

Nina Bishop sent in the photo below of an earlier planting, showing that Landcare welcomes volunteers of all ages!