1. Restoring landscapes across the Mount Alexander region Connecting Landscapes Biodiversity Fund 2012-2017 1

2. 2 Connecting Landscapes The Connecting Landscapes Across the Mount Alexander Region program is supported through funding from the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund. $2.488 million over 5 years – June 2012 to July 2017 Aim: To increase the extent and improve the condition of native vegetation across 1,600 ha across the Mount Alexander region by assisting landholders with the implementation of 10 year stewardship agreements.

3. 400 ha of biodiversity plantings 320 ha of direct seeding and 80 ha tubestock plantings Remnant vegetation protection and habitat enhancement activities to occur across 1,200 hectares Invasive plant and animal control over 1,600 ha 10 year management plans for sites On-ground Works

4. SEWPaC Targets Year 1 12/13 Year 2 13/14 Year 3 14/15 Year 4 15/16 Year 5 16/17 Total Reveg 400 HaPrep only 100 Ha 400 Ha Remnant protect & enhance 1200 Ha 200 Ha250 Ha 1200 Ha Invasive plants & animals 1600 Ha 300 Ha350 Ha 250 Ha1600 Ha Fencing 40 km10 km 8 km7 km5 km40 km Community Ed5 events 25 events Monitoringcontinue implementing long-term monitoring program (nest boxes, birds, vegetation) On-ground Works

5. 5 Project Management Project Manager – Jarrod @ 3 days/week Team Leader - @ 5 days/week Starting late 2012/early 2013 Annual employment of a “Connecting Country Works Crew” 4 crew members @ 4 days/week for about 10 mths Plus the Team Leader Starting early 2013

6. Crew will collect seed in summer, fence in autumn, plant in winter, finish up in spring, another new crew will start and so on. Training (formal and on the job) and career path advice Plan to lease a CC vehicle (new purchase required) Need depot and equip – talking to CMA re: Flood equip Works Crew

7. 7 Priority Areas: 8 linkage zones

8. Landholders can choose to sell carbon credits Need to keep planting records Need to meet eligibility criteria Connecting Country won’t be involved in selling carbon – this is a decision for the landholder Landholders refer to the Carbon Farming Initiative website for details Landholders consider using a Carbon Broker Carbon credits

9. Coordination of community education and awareness raising activities including website, community & staff training, speakers, field days and volunteer planting events. Proposed yearly activities include: volunteer planting days education and training events carbon related training events 9 Community Engagement and Education

10. Continuation of the existing landscape scale monitoring program (nest boxes, birds & vegetation quality). Monitoring of the revegetation and management changes through conducting site assessments prior to and after undertaking on-ground work. Other opportunities? E.g. Honours projects? 10 Monitoring Program

11. Further information: Jarrod Coote 5472 1594 jarrod@connectingcountry.org.au 11 Questions