Permaculture Out West

ATA Bulletin: Help the ATA install a wind monitoring system in Sunshine

Help the ATA install a wind monitoring system in Sunshine

In 10 days the ATA will start work installing a 34m meter high wind monitoring system at the Sunshine Energy Park in Melbourne’s west. The system will be used to record wind data for 12 months as part of a site assessment of a potential wind energy development at the site.

We need four or five volunteers to help with a variety of tasks over two days. No experience is required, and it is a great opportunity to learn about wind monitoring, wind energy and wind turbines from a couple of experts, Craig Memery (ATA’s wind energy specialist) and Trevor Robotham (Sun Wind and Power, wind and solar energy installer).

Schedule
The installation will take place Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th of Feb, from about 9:30am until 5:30pm (subject to weather conditions and site access).

To minimise management and site access issues, volunteers will be required for a minimum of 4 hours at a time. Lunch and a transport allowance will be given to those who are available for a full day (6-8 hours).

There may also be the opportunity to help with preparations on Monday the 15th, and additional site visits to test the system later in the week or on the weekend.

Tuesday 16th tasks include:
loading (offsite) and unloading (on site) of equipment
preparing ground anchors and tower base
preparing and assembling the tower and gin pole
fitting and aligning sensor mounts
raising, levelling and lowering the tower
Wednesday 17th tasks include:
fitting the sensors and signal cables (3 anemometers and 1 wind vane)
wiring up and programming the data logger
raising and levelling the tower
connecting and configuring the wireless communications
testing and commissioning the entire system
Additional tasks over both days include:
documenting of system configuration and site data
head scratching, problem solving and troubleshooting
ideally we will have someone to take photos and/or video at all times so we can document the whole adventure in ReNew and on our website
we need a designated safety officer, at all times on both days (one volunteer could perform both of these roles)
What to bring
enclosed footwear
long sleeve shirt
sun, rain and wind protection
hot and cold weather gear
bring snacks to eat during the day as food cannot be purchased on or near the site. Lunch will be provided for full-day volunteers
drinking water will be provided on both days.
Personal Protective Equipment (hard hats, high vis vests and gloves) will be provided, please advise if you can bring your own
camera or digicam
Interested?
To volunteer, or for more information, contact Craig Memery on craig@ata.org.au or 9631 5418 before 12:00PM, Wednesday 10th Feruary..

Carbon Neutral e-news February 2010

If you are having difficulty reading this newsletter click here

Carbon Neutral e-news
February 2010

In this issue
>> Carbon Neutral 2009 Annual Report
>> Effectively managing your IT and carbon emissions willl save you more than just money
>> Carbon Neutral goes ‘carbon neutral’
>> What happened in Copenhagen?
>> Energising WA Conference
>> Sydney goes green with solar
>> UN International Year for Biodiversity
>> Accredited carbon offsets
>> Carbon Neutral gift certificates help to revegetate rural Australia
>> Green wash ALERT
>> Hottest decade on record
>> Global Footprint Network
>> Meat production and greenhouse gas emissions research
>> Understanding Carbon Seminar Melbourne 2010
>> Carbon Neutral helps leading media company go green
>> Business carbon news straight to your inbox
>> Buildings to get energy efficiency rating similar to appliances
>> Living Greener government website
>> Follow Carbon Neutral on Facebook
>> VIDEO: What’s Carbon Neutral really all about?
>> Things you can do at home to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Carbon Neutral 2009 Annual Report
To see our new 2009 Annual Report click here >
Effectively managing your IT and carbon emissions will save you more than just money

Carbon emissions management, is now firmly embedded in many organisations and has moved beyond a feel good activity to a due diligence matter. Soon, carbon will be budgeted and controlled in the same way as business finances, with the identification of initiatives to reduce emissions and, of course, costs. Benefits of managing carbon emissions include waste reduction and better control of resources, enhanced public relations as well as meeting future regulatory requirements. Many businesses however are focused primarily on the cost savings and other financial benefits carbon management can bring an organization. One clear focus area is information technology (IT).

Carbon Neutral can help your business take control of your energy costs with its Carbon Reduction Programmes. To find out more call: 1300 851 211

> Click here to find out more

SGA Newsletter February 10

Sustainable Gardening Australia Newsletter, Edition 82: February 2010

Get Festive with Great Green Gifts!

The United Nations (doers of good all over the world) have declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity, and we couldn’t be more excited! Biodiverdsity is essentially the variety of life on earth, and we humans have the ability to protect it or destroy it. Australia is a recognised global hotspot for biodiversity, with over 85 distinct bioregions that sustain 22,000 native plant species, 86,000 insect species, 800 bird species, 900 reptile species and much else besides. To celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity, and help you get pumping in your patch, SGA are kicking of the year with some biodiverse backyard bushfoods, allowing you to have your habitat and eat it too!

http://www.sgaonline.org.au/info_bushfood.html

Gardening in 2010 – New Yard Resolutions

We’ve all been there – 12.05am on the first day of the New Year always seems the perfect time to make bold announcements about what we are or are not going to do for the upcoming year. But, as the Dutch Courage wears off and January turns to February, New Years Resolutions seem to fade into the past like slurred verses of Auld Lang Syne. So, this year, instead of making a series of personal resolutions you won’t keep, why not turn your attentions to the garden? To give you a kickstart, we’ve whacked together a list of New Yards Resolutions – ten top tips for the patch and the planet in 2010. No bad singing, cheap champagne or party hats required!

http://www.sgaonline.org.au/newyards.html

Food Security – A Global Problem with Local Solutions

Food security is a term that, like global warming and climate change, we are going to hear a lot of in 2010, and with good reason. But, unlike a lot of earth threatening issues that seem just too big for an individual to make a real difference, there is so much each and every one of us can do to ensure food security for our families, our communities and the planet. Find out about food security, and how we can all make a difference here.

http://www.sgaonline.org.au/info_security.html

Parsley – Grow Your Own Garnish

As herbs go, parsley is generally not regarded as one of the more exciting plants in the patch, but the reality is far different. Like the author, parsley is versatile, good looking, hardy, easy to grow and doesn’t drink much (ok, that’s where the similarities ended). Have a go at growing your very own garnish this month. Parsley – you can’t go past it.

http://www.sgaonline.org.au/yy_parsley.html

Early Blight of Tomatoes

As our tomatoes begin to bear the fruits of their (and our) labours, unlucky gardeners may notice this little blighter about the place. As attractive fungi go, Early Blight of Tomatoes ain’t going to win any prizes, and can be downright disastrous to toms at this time of year. Get up close and personal with this freaky looking fungus here:

http://www.sgaonline.org.au/info_tomatoblight.html

Cool Tips for a Hot Month of gardening – February in your Patch

As we ease back into the new year after a lovely break, it’s time to hit the patch with a wee bit of planting and a whole lot of planning. Brave the heat and show your garden you care this month – hug a tree, whack a weed, maintain your mulch, watch your watering and fix up fallow beds. For all your fab Feb tips and tricks, check out this month’s February in your Patch, perfect for wherever you happen to be across Australia!

http://www.sgaonline.org.au/info_inyourpatch_february.html

Mary Trigger – SGA CEO is G Magazine Eco Hero!

“Faster than a speeding snail!
More powerful than a home made chilli spray!
Able to leap tall poppies in a single bound!”
Our very own Mary Trigger is now officially a sustainability superhero!

The unsung guru of the gardening world, SGA CEO Mary Trigger has been named as one of G Magazine’s Top 20 Eco Heroes, an accolade that celebrates Australians paving green paths, inspiring others and achieving big things in sustainability. Mary has been recognised for her fantastic work at the helm of SGA, and the great work she, and the organisation, have done in bringing sustainability to gardeners across Australia.

On the award, Mary said “I am truly honoured by this accolade, and while SGA have achieved great things so far, there is a lot more to come from this organisation and my fantastic team. After all, we do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children”. Good on you Mary, we always knew you were a legend!

The SGA Crew Head to the Zoo – Werribee Workshops Autumn 2010

Sustainable Gardening Australia is presenting a series of four workshops at Werribee Open Range Zoo (VIC) during Autumn 2010. These workshops have a Werribee Plains focus and are designed to encourage participants to become more sustainable within their own backyards and local community. Each workshop will focus on a different topic such as Sustainable Garden Design; Garden Plants for the Werribee Plains; Creating Habitat Gardens and Gardening in Low Rainfall Areas.

Workshops are $10 each, or $35 for all 4. Included in the workshop cost are zoo entry and walking tours that will be conducted in the Zoo’s sustainable gardens. Local friends groups will also be on hand to assist participants in learning about the uniqueness of the Werribee Plains area. Please refer to the flyer below for details of each workshop.

Click here to book a workshop.

Click here for more information, session times and dates etc.

Shop til you drop… in the comfort of your own home!

Sustainable Gardening Australia is proud to announce that we have boldly leapt into the 21st century with the launch of our very own ONLINE SHOP! There are a range of products available, including our enormously popular Yummy Yards book and our fantastic SGA Companion Planting Chart, with more SGA items being added weekly. Our secure online payment system (thanks NAB) and prompt shipping service (thanks Helen) mean that the SGA Online Shop is the place to be for all your sustainable gardening purchases. Check it out today… http://sgaonline.cart.net.au/

Become an SGA Champion of Change… make a difference today!

People are becoming increasingly concerned about climate change and the state of our planet. But what to do to make a difference? By gardening sustainably we can all make a positive contribution to the health of our planet. Signing up as an SGA Champion of Change can have an immediate and lasting impact on our environmental footprint. With your help we can influence government to adopt more sustainable practices in your community. Read all about it and register online at www.sgaonline.org.au/champions.html

Talk it up!

Got a gardening question you need answered? Want to connect with other gardeners in your neck of the woods? Want to have a yarn about the bigger issues, share some photos, and make some new friends? Well, SGA has just the thing! Check out our online discussion forum, with hundreds of members just itching to have a chat and discuss your (gardening) problems. So go on, what are you waiting for… get chatting at www.sgaonline.org.au/phpbb/

PLEASE – TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

We now have over 10,000 subscribers to Cuttings, but we’d like a lot more. So please spread the word – Cuttings is free and there are no strings attached! www.sgaonline.org.au/spreadtheword.html

DIARY DATES

For all event & workshop information go to http://www.sgaonline.org.au/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=18. To advertise a gardening event for free, contact helen@sgaonline.org.au

CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE GARDEN CENTRES

For a full list of SGA Certified Garden Centres visit www.sgaonline.org.au/certifiedgardencentres.html

SGA is a Carbon Neutral Organisation

Transport is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in Australia (Australian Greenhouse Office). Research has shown that trees, over time, absorb carbon dioxide emissions. SGA staff record their fuel consumption each year and plant the equivalent number of indigenous plants to offset those emissions. To find out how many trees you need to plant check out the Carbon Neutral Program Calculator at www.carbonneutral.com.au. More info at www.sgaonline.org.au/carbonneutral.html

Visit SGA on the web at www.sgaonline.org.au

Ethical Update – Jan 2010 – Sustainable Living Festival events

Update. January 2010

New Years resolutions …

A new year – a chance for a fresh start. Even though almost a month has passed, it’s not too late to take on some healthy challenges. The ‘Good Guide’, as US web resource, has put together 5 key resolutions for the new year with the theme ‘Live Well, Do Well’.

Number 1 is to ‘research products’ – find out about the things you buy and delve deeper into the issues that you are concerned about. Use our print guide and database as a starting place. Find out more about the Good Guide’s other four resolutions here.

Join us at…

Sustainable Living festival
Join in the Festival ’s Main Event at Melbourne’s Federation Square from 19-21 February. Showcasing a huge range of exhibitors, talks, workshops, art, films and performances celebrating and inspiring sustainable communities. > Download Main Event Highlights Guide

Pre-festival events
The Festival has expanded its program with a range of new local events. Visit local sustainability events in your town, suburb or street during the fortnight from 6-21 February. > Download Local Events Highlights Guide.

Find out more at http://festival.slf.org.au

Ethical Consumer Group events

‘Shopping with a Conscience’ City Supermarket Tours
Tuesday 9th & Tuesday 16th February 5.45pm-7.30pm

Talks:
Consumer Power – Making the Change
Saturday 20 February 2pm, Feast Tent

Living Zero Waste – Beyond A Disposable World
Sunday 21 February 2pm, Feast Tent

> Download ECG Events Guide for details

Feast hub
As in previous years, we’ll be based in the Feast Hub on the main event weekend, located next to the Feast Outloud Stage where food related presentations and talks are held. It’s a place to find further resources on issues related to food and everyday consumerables. We’re looking for people to help out in this space over the course of the weekend. Contact Nick if you’re interested. nick@ethical.org.au

News….

Western Australian GM ban lifted
Western Australia has become the third Australian state to allow farmers to plant genetically modified canola crops. The decision brings WA into line with NSW and Victoria, where farmers have grown GM canola commercially since 2008, and leaves only two states, South Australia and Tasmania, with bans on GM crops. more.
(See Genethics for a register of GM-Free Farms, Businesses and Councils, to help you find GM-free products and services.)

Kraft to buy Cadburys
British chocolate firm Cadbury is likely to end the six-month takeover battle by accepting the $21 billion bid from the US food giant Kraft Foods when Cadbury shareholders vote on the proposal on February 2. If succesful, this will create the world’s largest maker of chocolate and sweets. more.

Green & Blacks to expand fairtrade range
28 Jan 2010. Organic chocolate maker Green & Black’s has pledged to switch its entire worldwide food and beverage range to Fairtrade by the end of next year. Green & Black’s chocolate is certifed organic but only it’s Maya Gold has been certifed Fairtrade as well. (Green & Black’s is owned by Cadbury and so it’s unclear whether Kraft will continue with Cadbury’s plans to increase it’s Fairtrade range if the takeover goes ahead). more.

Coming up ….

New print guide
The 2010 edition of ‘The Guide to Ethical Supermarket Shopping’ will be available in mid February. With updated company information, a more detailed rating system, and two new categories – Alcohol and Office Supplies – it might be just the thing to help you navigate through the issues connected to your everyday purchases. Pre-order from the website.
Shop Ethical! iPhone app
For all you gadget-fiends out there, you’ll be able to check out the guide on your iPhone or iPod-Touch. Available soon.

Ecomarket & Community Hub
The Friends of the Earth Eco Market project, originally focusing on a regular sustainable alternative to supermarket shopping, now includes the setting up of a Community Hub with cafe, food co-operative & grocery store. A weekly Saturday market style operation will start at the South Melbourne location in early to mid 2010. More info on the project is available here

Events ….

Kick Reflex out of Native Forests
27th Feb 2010 – Boycott Woodchipping Campaign Launch. Japanese paper giant Nippon Paper this year purchased the Maryvale Mill, where seven of every ten trees logged in Central Gippsland and the Central Highlands are pulped for the manufacture of paper products, including Reflex paper. These forests are vital habitat for threatened species, water catchments for both local communities and Melbourne, and if left intact, are safe and efficient carbon banks in a time of climate crisis. It is time to protect these forests. Contact lauren.caulfield@foe.org.au or call 9419 8700 for more info.

Carrot Mob in Melbourne
What is “Carrotmob” I hear you say? … “a method of activism that leverages consumer power to make the most socially-responsible business practices also the most profitable choices”. Sounds good. Hows it work? You with a bunch of others turn up to a designated store at a particular time and buy a lot of whatever you want (need). The store has committed to spending a percentage (say 20%) of all the revenue brought in on the day on energy-saving measures or something similar and earth-friendly. It’s pretty simple. Buy things you already buy. Help make the world a better place. The Melbourne mob will be hosting a ‘Carrotmob – Your Vote to Launch It’ event on the 13th Feb. more at http://melbourne.carrotmob.org or on the wider movement http://carrotmob.org
T10 – the Transition Decade – Launch
We now stand on the edge of major ecological tipping points that could manifest over the next decade. At the same time Australians have a long history in demonstrating an ability to overcome enormous challenges when faced with great adversity. Get ready for the Safe Climate Decade 2010 – 2020. The launch of this 10 year campaign to restore a safe climate is on Sunday 14 February at 12pm in the Melbourne Town Hall. More at www.t10.net.au

Quote…

“Man is born free and everywhere is in chain stores” ……………… Graffitti

———————–

See news and print guide updates at http://www.ethical.org.au/news
To view this newsletter online go to www.ethical.org.au/newsletters/jan2010.html

To unsubscribe from our newsletter please visit our website www.ethical.org.au/newsletter/

Poultry Sale at Bacchus Marsh 28th February

The Footscray & District Poultry Club Sussex Club is holding a poultry sale at their clubrooms in Bacchus Marsh on the 28th February.

The location is Poultry Pavilion Harness Track, Balliang-Bacchus Marsh Rd in Bacchus Marsh.

Melways Map 333, A12.

For more information go to the Helmsman Auction explained and Latest Auction Listings at http://www.marshchooks.webs.com

The Age of Stupid

The Age of Stupid is a climate change film by the same director of McLibel.

The Western Region Environment Centre has organised for showing on Feb 10 showing at the Sun Theatre starting 7pm.

If you’re interested in attending, please send an email to wrec@envirowest.org.au (preferred) or ring 9731 0288.

See attached poster.

Age of Stupid poster-2010

Chicken moulting

The laying hen

Mature birds normally undergo one complete moult a year, usually in autumn; however, this can depend on the time of the year the bird started laying. Natural moulting usually begins sometime during March-April and should be completed by July when egg production recommences. The three main factors which bring about moulting are:

physical exhaustion and fatigue
completion of the laying cycle. Birds only lay eggs for a certain period of time
reduction of day length, resulting in reduced feeding time and consequent loss of bodyweight.

Eleven months continuous production is expected from pullets hatched in season, so that if a flock of pullets commenced laying in March at six months of age, they should continue laying until the following February, although the odd bird may moult after laying for a few weeks. These few birds however should begin laying again after June 22 (the shortest day of the year) and continue in production until the following autumn. Pullets coming into lay in June should lay until the following April thereby giving 11 months continuous egg production without the aid of artificial light. Pullets coming into lay in spring (August) should lay well into April (nine months) but unless artificial lighting is provided, most of them will moult during May and June.

Moulting and nutrition

Cessation of lay and moulting indicate that the birds’ physical condition is deteriorating and is therefore unable to support egg production, continued nourishment of their feathers and body maintenance. Feathers contain protein and are more easily grown when laying ceases because of the difficulty in assimilating sufficient protein for both egg and feather production. During the moult the fowl still requires a considerable amount of good quality food to replace feathers and build up condition.

Good layers and moulting

The time at which a laying hen ceases production and goes into moult is a reliable guide as to whether or not the hen is a good egg producer. Poor producing hens moult early (November-December) and take a long time to complete the process and resume laying i.e. they will hang in the moult and be out of production for a long period – from six to seven months. Poor producers seldom cast more than a few feathers at a time and rarely show bare patches.

Moulting takes place in a particular order. Feathers are confined to definite tracts or areas of the body surface, with bare patches of skin between. The first plumage is lost from the head and neck, then from the saddle, breast and abdomen (body), then the wings and then from the tail.

While the first feathers are being dropped from the neck and body, good layers will often keep laying, but when the wing feathers begin to drop, laying usually ceases.

Vacation moults, neck moults or partial moults

Old feathers are usually retained by a laying bird which lays regularly. Should a hen cease production for any other reason than for mild sickness or broodiness it will lose its feathers.

If a hen ceases production during spring or summer, it may moult one or two primaries, then stop moulting and come into lay again. This is known as a vacation moult. When the hen starts its full moult later in the autumn, it will drop the next feather in sequence and moult in order of the remaining primaries.

A neck or partial moult is sometimes experienced by a bird without any loss of production, but if the moulting extends beyond the neck moult stage the hen ceases production.

The presence of ‘pin’ feathers (new emerging feathers) usually indicate a short or partial moult.

After moulting, the second year of egg production will be between 10 and 30% less than that achieved by the birds in their first year of lay. This is because the rate of lay is lower and the birds cease to lay earlier in the following autumn. Birds which have moulted twice and are laying for their third year will lay only 70 to 80% of their second years eggs i.e. about 60% of their first year’s production.

See http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/27_2709.htm

Fruit tree budding workshop 21st February

Always wanted how to create your own fruit tree using grafting? Then this is the workshop to come along to.

We’ll have our resident orchardist and POW member Richard show how to bud or graft a fruit plant onto rootstock. You get to keep the tree!

Location: Maidstone Community garden, 21 Yardley St, Maidstone.

Date: Sunday 21/02/10. Starts at 10am.

Cost: Free to POW members, $15 for non-members

ATA: Help spread the word on sustainability at the Sustainable Living Festival 2010

Help spread the word on sustainability at the Sustainable Living Festival 2010

Want to help spread the word about sustainability with the ATA?

If you would like to promote renewable energy and sustainable building at Melbourne’s biggest community based sustainability event, please come along and help out on the ATA stand at the Sustainable Living Festival at Federation Square in Melbourne.

The Sustainable Living Festival in its eleventh year will continue to celebrate the best examples of ecological and social sustainability. The event will fuse interactive workshops, talks, demonstrations, artworks, exhibits, films and live performances. In recognition of the climate situation, the Main Event will be inspired by the theme: Get Ready for the Safe Climate Decade!

ATA’s stall will be providing information on sustainable living and will be showcasing ATA’s publications, including ReNew and Sanctuary magazines. We’re looking for more helpers who can offer to assist in 2-hour timeslots.

We will need helpers on:

Friday February 19, 10am-6pm
Saturday February 20, 10am-6pm
Sunday February 21, 10am-6pm
For more information on the festival go to www.festival.slf.org.au
If you can help out please email Seamus Balkin on seamus@ata.org.au or ph: (03) 9631 5406.

Braybrook Community garden

A number of meetings are going to be facilitated by VillageWell at the Braybrook communitygarden to gather ideas for how the Braybrook Community Garden can best be utilised now, and in the future.

Public meetings will be held in February and March. Please have a read of these flyers to find out more.

Braybrook Community garden – February meeting

Braybrook Community garden – March meeting

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