Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall with a trout at Malpas Dam southeast of Guyra.
No Trout About It
The NSW trout fishing season started on Saturday, 2nd October with expectations it will be the best in years. “Rain over the key trout spawning period in late autumn and early winter has hopefully resulted in good natural recruitment, which also bodes well for the next few seasons,” said Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall. He said there were many popular trout fishing locations across NSW, including a range of productive streams in the New England area, the Thredbo and Eucumbene Rivers in the Snowy Mountains, and the Fish River near Bathurst. “It is important all anglers check they have a current and valid NSW Recreational Fishing Licence, and that anglers are aware of the rules associated with recreational fishing, particularly during times of COVID. For more information visit the Marine Area Command – NSW Police Force page or www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/home/covid-19.
RASF Grants
The Royal Agricultural Society Foundation (RASF) is offering up to $25,000 in grants for projects that can provide long-term social or economic benefits to regional areas in NSW. Applicants must identify a need within the community and partner with a local community organisation to be eligible, before creating a clear plan that outlines how they intend to complete the project. Previous projects range from rebuilding areas of showgrounds impacted by bushfires to local education workshops and social programs that give back to the community. Applications for the 2022 RASF Community Futures Grant Program close on Friday, 31st December 2021. Visit rasf.org.au to find out more and apply.
High Value Conservation Areas
The NSW Government has opened nominations to identify and protect Areas of Outstanding Biodiversity Value (AOBVs) on both private and public lands across the state. “Local communities or private land-holders can now conserve areas that would otherwise not be captured or recognised through any other legal instrument, such as in National Parks,” said Environment Minister Matt Kean. Once identified, AOBVs are an ‘automatic priority’ for investment by the Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT), meaning landholders can access funds to manage the land for conservation. Identified by rigorous scientific assessment, AOBVs are designed to conserve high value conservation sites, threatened species or critical habitats. This includes climate refugia, migratory pathways or areas with a high variety of biodiversity values.
As the weather warms up, bearded dragons (pictured) and blue tongue lizards have been spotted around Parkes.