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Hi [FIRST_NAME],
Quick dates to pencil in
May 13th Wednesday – Meeting – Biodiversity Act – Anchorage
June 5th – Hindmarsh Island Landcare Nursery celebrating 750,000 plants
June 27th Saturday - Bluff Community Planting Festival
July 6th Monday–5.15pm Crown Hotel – AGM (Advance notice)
We're excited. Our new Community Biodiversity Nursery Hub (site). A collaboration with the City of Victor Harbor.
After nearly three years of planning, persistence, and plenty of passion, we’re excited to share some big news…
The City of Victor Harbor is now finalising the administrative process to secure a fantastic parcel of land on Martha Close, Victor Harbor — the future home of our community nursery.
It’s a substantial site, and while our nursery will occupy around 2,000 m², we’ll be sharing the space alongside the Community Garden Group. Together, this creates a wonderful opportunity to develop not just a nursery, but a thriving community hub.
The site has enormous potential. We’re already envisioning a demonstration garden of local native species, including the propagation of important wetland plants — a space that inspires, educates, and showcases what’s possible in our region.
Before we get there, there’s heaps of groundwork to do. Preparing the site will involve:
- Removing feral tree species
- Addressing stormwater and flooding considerations
- Connecting essential services
- Installing fencing, irrigation, shedding and shelters
It’s a big job — but an exciting one.
Our next step is moving into the design phase, working closely with Council and drawing on everything we’ve learnt from our pop-up nursery, as well as the incredible knowledge within our network — from fellow nurseries to our own members.
And this is where you come in.
If you have experience, ideas, or simply a passion for creating something special, we’d love to hear from you.
📩 Reach out to the management committee at: hello@biodiversityvictor.org.au
Let’s build something truly meaningful for our community and environment — together.
Nursery Update: It's like a Jungle
Our nursery gurus are legends. With some seedlings outgrowing their 50mm forestry tubes so much, they are being 'up-potted' to the next size.
With now over 9,000 seedlings, they'll start going out from next month for various projects across the region. Can you imagine what the gurus will achieve in the new nursery with more space and benches? (Photo thanks: Jo Seater)
(Photo acknowledgement ABC Australia)
Supporting Deep Creek Fires Recovery and Resilience 🌿
The recent fires through Deep Creek National Park have had a significant impact on our region.
According to National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia, more than 4,500 hectares were burnt, including an estimated 98% of neighbouring Talisker Conservation Park.
Importantly, around 60% of Deep Creek National Park remains intact — a vital foundation for natural recovery.
Supporting Recovery
While natural regeneration will occur, some areas will need targeted revegetation, particularly to support vulnerable species such as the southern emu-wren.
We’ve reached out to local NPWS Rangers, offering unallocated seedlings from our nursery to assist with recovery efforts. Encouragingly, the team has already visited, expressed strong interest in our stock, and is now working through species requirements.
A big shout-out to our nursery team — your hard work is already making a difference.
Learning from Fire
The scale and proximity of this fire to homes and key infrastructure is a timely reminder of the importance of thoughtful vegetation planning.
Our colleagues at the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife are leading important work through their FireWise program — national research into strategic native plantings that both reduce bushfire risk and enhance biodiversity. https://fnpw.org.au/project/fire-wise
There’s growing evidence that what we plant — and where we plant it — matters.
A recent ABC News story highlighted a home protected by carefully chosen, low-flammability plantings (including native pigface), while many surrounding properties were lost.
Looking Ahead
We’re fortunate to have full access to the Foundation’s FireWise research and look forward to applying these insights as we develop our new nursery and future projects.
This is a challenging time for our region — but also an opportunity to:
- Support ecological recovery
- Strengthen community resilience
- Promote smarter, fire-aware planting practices
Together, we can help shape a landscape that is both rich in biodiversity and better prepared for the future.
Lousy image – but great projects for '26-'27
We’re thrilled to share that we’ve been successful in securing a significant State Government grant through the Coastal Infrastructure Local Government Grants program.
This funding opens the door to a range of exciting projects that will roll out across the upcoming growing and planting season — and we’d love for our members to be part of the journey.
These projects will bring together a fantastic mix of partners, including Council, service clubs, environmental groups, and local schools. It’s a great opportunity to strengthen community connections while making a real impact on our local environment.
There’ll be a variety of ways to get involved — from light-touch planning to helping deliver on-the-ground outcomes. Nothing too onerous, just meaningful contributions where you can.
Keen to be part of it?
We’d love to hear from you.
📩 Get in touch with the projects team: hello@biodiversityvictor.org.au
Let’s make this planting season one to remember 🌱
Upcoming meeting & guest speaker – May 13th @ Anchorage
Join us for an informative and engaging evening as we combine a short general meeting with a fantastic guest presentation.
We’re delighted to welcome Michael Cornish from the Australian Land Conservation Alliance, who played a key role in shaping South Australia’s new Biodiversity Act through his submission work.
Michael will take us “under the bonnet” of the Act — unpacking what it means in practice and how it can work for you, whether you’re a landholder, farmer, business owner, or community member passionate about the environment.
There’ll also be plenty of time for questions and discussion, so bring along your thoughts.
This is an open event — members, friends, and anyone in the community are warmly welcome.
Event details
📍 Anchorage - Flinders Parade Victor Harbor
📅 Wednesday, May 13th 2026
🕡 5 pm - 6.30pm
🕣 Afterwards, join us for drinks and a meal in the bistro (at cost)
A great way to connect and continue the conversation
To secure a seat book https://www.biodiversityvictor.org.au/events
(Photo thanks: Jo Seater, Michael Cornish, Loreto Cameron)
2026 Bluff Community Planting Festival – have you registered?
Excitement is building as preparations ramp up for one of our favourite community events of the year — the Bluff Community Planting Festival.
It’s shaping up to be a fantastic morning. The Rotary Club of Victor Harbor will be firing up the BBQ trailer, and a barista coffee van will be on site to keep everyone warm and caffeinated.
Bring your family and friends and be part of something meaningful — helping restore vegetation at the iconic Bluff while connecting with others in the community.
As with last year, we’re putting out a call for members to step into the role of “planting guides.”
You’ll help community participants learn the right way to plant seedlings, giving them the best chance to thrive.
We’re also looking for a few extra hands to assist with event set-up in the morning — if you can help, we’d really appreciate it.
📩 Let the projects team know at: hello@biodiversityvictor.org.au
Event details
📍 The Bluff – above Petrel Cove (look for the signs).
📅 Saturday, June 27th 2026
🕡 9.30am - 12.30pm
Please register to assist us with logistics. https://www.biodiversityvictor.org.au/events
Meet our 'dynamo chair' – Loreto Cameron
For Loreto, being part of Biodiversity Victor Harbor is about more than volunteering — it’s about making a lasting difference.
“Being involved as a volunteer has been both satisfying and rewarding. Knowing I can be part of the solution, not the problem, means that in years to come, I can look back and say — I did my bit.”
It’s a powerful reminder that everyone has something to offer. No matter your age, background or ability, there’s always a role to play. Our group prides itself on being flexible, inclusive and welcoming — a place where people can contribute in ways that suit them.
And the benefits go both ways.
When you give your time, you’re not just helping the environment — you’re finding purpose, building friendships, and staying connected. Volunteering offers a meaningful break from the everyday routine and a chance to be part of something bigger.
Want to Take the Next Step?
If you’re interested in being part of the inner workings of the group, helping shape our direction and bring ideas to life, we’d love to hear from you.
Our Management Committee brings together a great mix of skills and perspectives — and with a capacity for up to 10 members, there’s plenty of room for passionate people to get involved and help keep things running smoothly.
📩 Keen to learn more? Reach out to Mark Richards at:
markrichards@biodiversityvictor.org.au
Why not start with a chat and a coffee?
(Photo thanks: Loreto Cameron)
Advance notice of AGM (Yes, it's that time 🌿)
It’s that time of year again — our Annual General Meeting is on the horizon.
But don’t worry… just like last year, we’re planning to keep the formalities short, sharp and to the point, leaving plenty of time for something far more interesting — a great guest speaker.
And this is where we’d love your input.
Who should we invite? What topic would you actually like to hear about?
(Interesting is the key requirement!)
If you’ve heard a speaker recently who inspired you, challenged your thinking, or simply made you want to learn more — let us know.
Come Along & Get Connected
The AGM is also a great chance to:
- Catch up with familiar faces
- Meet new members
- Hear what’s been happening behind the scenes
- Be part of shaping what comes next
💡 Got a speaker idea?
We’d love to hear it. Send suggestions to hello@biodiversityvictor.org.au
More details to come soon — but for now, pop it in your calendar and come along for a relaxed and engaging evening with the group.
📍 Crown Hotel - Victor Harbor
📅 Monday, July 6th 2026
🕡 5.15pm - 6.45pm
🕣 Afterwards, join us for drinks and a meal in the bistro (at cost)
What a Night – Community, Penguins & Passion 🐧
Wow — 172 people turned out on a wet Monday night to pack out the Victa Cinema for a special screening of Meet the Penguins.
The evening didn’t stop at the film. We were treated to a fascinating presentation from Stephen Hedges and Seiji Hino, sharing insights into our local penguin population and the work being done to better understand and protect them.
Even more impressive — the night raised over $500, which has been donated to the Friends of Granite Island and the Penguin Citizen Science Group. A fantastic result for conservation in our region.
A huge thank you to Anita and Andrew for hosting such a memorable evening.
And the good news doesn’t stop there…
They’re already planning the next event for November — and if this one is anything to go by, it’s not to be missed.
Great community, great cause, and a great turnout — we can’t wait for the next one 🌿
750,000 seedlings and counting. Top effort 
This World Environment Day, our wonderful friends at the Kumarangk Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group will be celebrating an incredible milestone — 750,000 seedlings propagated and more than 80 sites re-vegetated over the past 35 years.
It’s an outstanding contribution to the health of our region and a true testament to what committed community action can achieve.
If you’ve never visited a thriving community nursery, this is the perfect opportunity.
Head over to their nursery on Randal Road, Hindmarsh Island between 9:00am and 10:30am for a guided look behind the scenes — see how it all works and gather ideas and inspiration.
While you’re there, take a wander through the nearby Ferryman's Reserve — a beautiful demonstration garden and important seed source supporting the nursery.
From 10:30am, continue the morning at the CLLMM Research Centre on Barrage Road, where guest speakers will share the group’s history, achievements, and lessons learnt along the way.
For a young and growing group like ours, this is truly inspiring stuff.
📍 Nursery – Randal Road Hindmarsh Island / CLLMM Barrage Road Goolwa
📅 Friday, June 5th 2026
🕡 9am - 10.30am
Got a topic you’d love to see covered? We’d love to hear your ideas!
Pop an email to hello@biodiversityvictor.org.au
PS
Ask your family and friends to join. Click here
Caring for our environment
It's free. No obligation
Best wishes
Management Committee
(crafted with the assistance of ChatGPT)
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