AGM Event Showcases Climate-Ready Revegetation Research
On the evening of Thursday 17 November, Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council (USLC) welcomed forty-five Landcarers from across the district to the National Theatre in Braidwood for their annual general meeting. The topic for discussion: ‘How can our district be climate-ready?’
With representatives from Braidwood Urban, Bombay, Sheep Station Creek, Taylors Creek, and Upper Deua Catchment Landcare in the room, ULSC kicked off the AGM by recapping a busy year filled with cultural burns, native propagation training, creek restoration workshops and, of course, tree planting!
Landcare crowd tuning in to the special AGM event and climate-ready researchers Melita Milner and Mary Appleby. ©L O'Loughlin
The 2022-23 Committee was then welcomed in, including the new Chair Larry O’Loughlin, some ongoing members and a couple of new faces. Outgoing Chair Jane Ambrose was thanked for her efforts and for taking on a new role as Secretary, and long-standing Committee member and outgoing Treasurer, Phil Thackway, was congratulated for his many years of service.
When the AGM concluded, USLC launched into a special presentation of its latest climate-ready revegetation research. The research was conducted as part of a Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Project, supported by the Australian Government’s Bushfire Recovery Program for Wildlife and their Habitat.
The project was undertaken by local researchers Mary Appleby and Dr Melita Milner, with the pair presenting their findings to the room. Mary and Melita outlined some startling stats detailing which common local tree and shrub species are considered likely to tolerate future climate conditions in 2070. It’s far fewer than anticipated, but the researchers highlighted several strategies to build species’ resilience going forward.
To wrap up the formal proceedings, Local Coordinator Erin Brinkley highlighted USLC’s 2023 vision to establish a community nursery and start propagating climate-ready tubestock in the district. Vanessa Bunn and her wonderful team from Vanilla Catering followed, dishing out a delicious dinner for attendees.
LINK TO MARY & MELITA'S POWERPOINT SLIDES
Upper Shoalhaven Climate-Ready Revegetation Project
Map of four climate subregions within the study area (roughly equivalent to Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council) and graph summarizing the research results. Reference: Appleby, M and Milner, M, 2022, Climate – Ready Revegetation In The Upper Shoalhaven Landcare District, Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council, Braidwood NSW .