ON Saturday, May 10, the Willowmavin Landcare Group held a successful field day educating attendees on farm dams and effective management.
Thirty-four enthusiastic farmers and land owners attended the event held out on president Frank Hajdu’s property in Willowmavin, where they were presented research and information from Dr Martino Malerba, a senior lecturer at the Centre for Nature Positive Solutions, RMIT and Iain Woxvold, an Ornithologist at the University of Melbourne.
Topics of discussion included the benefits of improving farm dams, practical steps to improve farm dams, financial benefits of well-managed farm dams, teal carbon and avoided greenhouse gas emissions, secondary income through carbon and biodiversity credits and the importance of improved farm dams for wildlife.
Mr Hajdu said the field day received a positive response and attendees valued the knowledge shared by the guest speakers.
“There was very positive feeling about the information that was provided on the day from the people that were there. They all seemed very appreciative and very engaged in what we’re talking about,” he said.
The event was one of many to come by the recently revived Willowmavin Landcare Group, with Mr Hajdu stepping into presidency having realised its need for local land owners.
“Over the last 30 years, I think maybe a lot of the people there were involved in Landcare had gotten older and drifted away and a lot of the groups have just slowly petered out because there was not enough effort done in recruiting new people,” he said.
“That was happening with our group, it was not really doing much anymore. I saw a potential there as I investigated what Landcare is capable of doing.
“I got the local community engaged, I spoke to my neighbours and I found out why they hadn’t joined in the past and what issues they wanted addressed.”
Realising the area was interested more in environmental issues rather than a sole focus on farming concerns, Mr Hajdu revived the group to focus on those needs.
While farm dams were a passion point for Mr Hajdu, he said members have the opportunity to attend monthly meetings to address their areas of concern and those will be investigated to see how assistance could be provided.
“You make your Landcare Group what you want it to be. If your issue is rabbit control and you don’t feel like you’ve got enough resources to do that, then you can bring that to your Landcare Group and they can then address that issue,” he said.
“If you don’t get involved, then you’re on your own figuring out these issues.”
People interested in joining the Willowmavin Landcare Group can call Frank Hajdu on 0415 880 244. Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month in Kilmore.
