Mitta Valley Landcare hosted a presentation by ecologist Audrey Beard on 18^th June 2023, discussing the wonderful world of fungi, their role in our environment, and the diversity of fungi species present in the Mitta Valley and surrounds. Audrey started with a slideshow presentation talking about the different types of fungi, the ways some species have been used by humans for food and medicine, and how they interact with plants and animals in our ecosystems.

In particular, the presentation discussed how ‘mycorrhizal’ fungi form partnerships with native trees to provide them with extra nutrients and water, and how looking after these fungi improves soil health, saves water, and boosts plant health, in the bush as well as on farms. In addition to the talk, Audrey and helpers had set up a colourful display in the centre of the room showing specimens of many of the types of fungi found in the Mitta Valley region.

Following the presentation, the 40 attendees went on a guided walk in the Fern Gully looking for local fungi and found many different species, learning their names and what their role in the environment was. Afterwards everyone shared a delicious lunch and got to ask Audrey all the questions they had about fungi.

Thanks to the Mitta Valley Landcare volunteers who hosted the event  and to the Murray Darling Healthy Rivers Program (funded by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water) for funding this event.

Author: Audrey Beard

An eroded gully off Yabba Road, Tallangatta South, has been fenced off and planted out with 4oo local indigenous species, on the property of Stuart and Sue Read. 

The grant received included 471 metres of wildlife friendly fencing and the planting of native species which will help to stabilise the gully and prevent further erosion. The vegetation will also assist in filtering the runoff from Yabba Road and supports biodiversity

Species planted by the landholder include acacia melanoxylon (blackwood), bursaria spinosa, callistemon sieberi (river bottlebrush), Blakely Red Gum, rosemary grevillea, prickly tea tree, spiny headed mat rush, tree violet and poa labillardieri (common tussock)

Land care Facilitator, Simon Felliafe coordinated the plantings and delivered tube stock to the Read’s property in September 2023. Over 1.18 hectares of land has been fenced off and revegetated.

Author: Secretary Robyn Scales 0427 495 864

This project is supported by Mitta Valley Landcare, through funding from the Australian Government’s Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program.
Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers – an Australian Government initiative.

A dairy property along the Mitta River has fenced off 2.5 ha of boggy lagoon to restore a thriving wetland. Alice describes it as a ‘farmscape’ as opposed to a landscape project, with over 1000m of fencing completed, planting 2500 native species, and the removal of willows.

This wetland project will provide a filtration mechanism preventing dairy and other farm contaminants from flowing into the Mitta River. It will also encourage habitat for the Growling Grass Frog and other wetland species.

An important issue in designing this farmscape has been ensuring that the trees planted on the property did not impede vision and road safety was maintained, especially with large vehicles coming in and out daily, and 3 small children on the farm. 

Emmaline Bowman from Stem Landscape Architecture and Design helped Alice and Justine design the Project, which has a flood overlay, drainage plans and suggested native planting lists that support biodiversity. Our Landcare facilitator, Simon Felliafe, also worked along side Alice to achieve this outcome.

The Mitta Valley Landcare group ran a planting day at the property in September 2023, where 18 land carers and family friends came to assist. Congratulations to Alice and Justin Colclough on achieving this wonderful Project, in an area which was underwater for 12 weeks following the floods of 2022 on the Mitta River.

Author: Secretary Robyn Scales 0427 495 864

This project is supported by Mitta Valley Landcare, through funding from the Australian Government’s Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program.
Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers – an Australian Government initiative.

Over four hundred native trees and shrubs were planted by Vicki and Graham Anderson in September 2023 at their Tallandoon property. Species included Rosemary Grevillea, River Tea Tree, Prickly Tea Tree, River Shea Oaks, Blackwood, Mountain Swamp Gum, River Red Gums, Eucalyptus Viminal, Natural Hemp and Spiny Headed Rush. The Andersons also fenced off 1.05 hectares of the wetland to prevent pest and animals and domestic stock from grazing the area, completing  670 metres of wildlife friendly fencing.

This project to restore and protect their wetland was funded through the Murray Darling Basin Healthy Rivers Program. This wetland will make a difference for insects, frogs, bird life, and protecting the natural plant species that already exist at the site. “We are carefully watching the plantings grow and cannot wait for the future views of this area”, stated Vicki and Graham.
 

Thankyou to Mitta Valley Landcare Inc. for auspicing this project and Simon Felliafe for his advice and support.

This project is supported by Mitta Valley Landcare, through funding from the Australian Government’s Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program.
Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers – an Australian Government initiative.

On Friday 30^th September, Mitta Valley Landcare coordinated a planting day at Springpol, on the Dartmouth Road, Dartmouth. This project involved revegetating a gully running into the Mitta River. Eight hundred native species were planted by a team of Mitta Valley Landcare volunteers and property managers Chloe Giltrap and Tim

To establish this site, a mix of plants were chosen to thrive in a soil contrast of very dry to very wet, soggy ground, with an emphasis to support the exiting banks and create habitat. The plant list consisted of Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle), Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood), Callistemon sieberi (River Bottlebrush), Eucalyptus camphora (Mountain Swamp Gum), Eucalyptus globubas (Blue Gum), Eucalyptus radiata (Narrow-leaf Peppermint), Kunzea ericoides (Burgan), Leptospermums brevipes (Slender Tea Tree), Leptospermum continentale (Prickly Tea Tree), Lomandra longifolia (Spiny Headed Mat Ruch), and Poa labillardierei (Common Tussock). The plan for revegetation was completed by Audrey Beard. 

A total area of 1.46ha was revegetated. The area was already fenced off with wildlife friendly fencing. (-36.518625, 147.451135) The area is characterised by woody grass lands and has existing river red gum, blue gum, and stringy bark trees along the near bye Mitta River. The area has also been habitat for barking owl and platypus.

Catering was provided by Dartmouth Hotel.

Report by Libbe Paton

This project is supported by Mitta Valley Landcare, through funding from the Australian Government’s Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program.
Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers – an Australian Government initiative.