gippslandscapes podcast

This week, Gerard speaks with two guests about the remarkable Chain of Ponds in the Perry River catchment. Simon Hieslers from HVP Plantations and John Hick from conservation group Trust For Nature talk about the Chain of Ponds, their histories with them, the work they have been doing and the motivation for being involved in the first place. Links mentioned in this episode: WGCMA Chain of Ponds Page: https://www.wgcma.vic.gov.au/our-region/projects/protecting-our-ponds Trust For Nature webpage: https://www.trustfornature.org.au/ A pretty neat video of the Chain of Ponds https://vimeo.com/402793620 This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Gerard speaks with Denison dairy farmer, John Ryan who has an eye on both his farm and the future. Topics discussed: Just how does John classify the type of farming he does? Is it organic, bio-dynamic? What exactly? The farm as a filter for the Thomson River. Farming with a clear eye on what consumers will want: sustainability. This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Gerard speaks with landholders Coral and Kevin Hughes from South Gippsland who have been working to improve the environment long before Landcare was even thought of (they started back in the mid 60s!) We also hear from Planet Ark's Sarah Chaplin about its research into the impact of landscape, including trees on our sense of self. Topics discussed: 1.South Gippsland landscape Work on farm over 60 years PLanet Ark research Links mentioned in this episode: planetark.org https://www.wgcma.vic.gov.au/getting-involved/landcare This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Gerard spoke with Manager of the Gippsland Lakes program at the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, Sean Phillipson about the multitude of projects aimed (and succeeding) at making the Gippsland Lakes that little bit better. Topics discussed: The history of the Love our Lakes program The challenges with manaing such a large system The variety of programs and the multitude of successes that the Love our Lakes program has overseen. Links mentioned in this episode: Marty Potts podcast https://media.zencast.fm/gippslandscapes-podcast/11.mp3 Naus family podcast https://media.zencast.fm/gippslandscapes-podcast/9.mp3 This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Gerard spoke with Melissa Wartman from the Blue Carbon Lab. It's a collaborative project working around the country looking at sequestering carbon in those coastal fringes and wetlands that abound in Australia. It's a fascinating interview about the work that the team is doing and the potential for it in years to come. Topics discussed: What is Blue Carbon Can landholders make money from it? How does the humble tea bag help scientists save the planet? Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.bluecarbonlab.org/ https://twitter.com/BlueCarbonLab https://www.thebluecarboninitiative.org/ This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Gerard spoke with farmer Darry Hook from Bass Coast about his ongoing commitment to Landcare and the community. Topics discussed: Landcare scene around South Gippsland/Bass Coast The appetite for Landcare in the wider community The benefits of tree planting for the individual This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Gerard visited the trial site of a recently funded Smart Farms Small Grants program at Woodside. It's a story of trying something different on a small section of the farm to see if it will help the business withstand future droughts and climate change AND make a quid along the way. He spoke with inventor and operator of the Soil Kee Renovator, Nils Olsen, which is being used to plant out the paddocks and landholder Sandy Gordon. Topics discussed: Soil Kee Renovator Being paid for sequestering carbon The hopes of the farmer involved Links mentioned in this episode: Soil Kee featured on Landline: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-08/dollars-from-dirt-the-farmer-making-money-from-healthy-soil/11486346 Round Table discussion at Climate Risk in Agriculture Conference https://vimeo.com/354779684 This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Gerard spoke with Michael Hobson from the Yarram Yarram Landcare Network about the recent grant it has recieved under the Federal Governments, National Landcare Program 'Smart Farms, Sall Grants' initiative. The The Corner Inlet Broadleaf Seagrass Restoration Project will plant 5 hectares of Broadleaf Seagrass (Posidonia australis) using scuba divers at a site off Port Albert, Victoria. This project will be delivered via an existing partnership between the Yarram Yarram Landcare Network, the commercial fishing industry of Corner Inlet and the University of Western Australia. Thisre storation technique will involve harvesting shoots from healthy donor meadows of Broadleaf Seagrass and transplanting the material to a site nearby in a checker-board arrangement. Over time, the plants will spread as the seagrass coalesces along the ocean floor. It complements our existing efforts to restore 200 hectares of broadleaf seagrass at other sites on Corner Inlet using sandbags to aid seagrass growth. By heading underwater, the team will be able to restore broadleaf seagrass year-round as opposed to a two week window during summer that they are currently limited to. It's a fbulous project and Michael is an articulate advocate for both this project but also the wider impact of Landcare. Topics discussed: The emergence of declining sea grasses in Corner Inlet Methods employed to regenerate the area The importance of the land based Landcare projects to the success of this on water project. Links mentioned in this episode: Video looking at Sea Grass Restoration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y14gzf4-YA4 WGCMA Corner Inlet Connections Project Page https://www.wgcma.vic.gov.au/our-region/projects/corner-inlet-connections This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Gerard spoke with Sam Shannon from the WGCMA. Sam is the Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator about the recently announced Smart Farms, Small Grants which will see two local Landcare Groups get very busy and one local contractor take his extraordinary invention to all parts of the country. Topics discussed: What is the Smart Farms, Small Grants initiative. Yarram Yarram Landcare Network's plan to explore cover cropping and soil carbon in Gippsland's Coastal Plain. Nils Olsen's SoilKee inovation. Yarram Yarram Landcare Network's initiative to replant sea grasses in Corner Inlet South Gippsland Landcare Network's plan to demonstrate the effectiveness of multi-species pasturage and regenerative grazing management practice. Links mentioned in this episode: https://vimeo.com/354779684 Round Table featuring Nils Olsen https://www.facebook.com/ABCGippsland/videos/981675222178453/ Sea Grass rehabilitation at Corner Inlet. This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode of Gippslandscapes, Gerard caught up with Daniel Bright, a Fish Creek farmer who along with partner Amelia is raising pigs, caring for the land and running a profitable business. Daniel has some fascinating things to say about farming in an era of climate change and, having come from a dairy farm, the difference between dairying and something like pig farming. You'll also find a few references to farming in South Gippsland with an eye to the African plains of the Serengheti! The business philospohy of Amber Creek Farm Achieving small goals with big results Being a price maker as opposed to a price taker Links mentioned in this episode: www.ambercreekfarm.com.au wgcma.vic.gov.au This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm