What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Connecting Country

Home
Australia
Castlemaine, VIC
Connecting Country

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

We're a community-based group connecting people and landscapes to achieve a sustainable and healthy environment across the Mount Alexander Region.

Connecting Country is a community-based organisation whose long-term objective is to connect people and landscapes to achieve a sustainable and healthy environment. It is our vision for the people of the Mount Alexander region of central Victoria to be proud of the beautiful, productive, healthy and diverse landscapes, habitats, forests, waterways, flora and fauna that we have supported and created. Connecting Country’s operations are based on four key elements;
• On ground works to increase and enhance native vegetation and habitat through grazing change, revegetation, and pest plant and animal control.
• Community engagement through education events, an active website and volunteer involvement.
• The implementation of a long-term shire-wide annual monitoring program for birds, arboreal mammals and vegetation.
• Providing support for our 30 local Landcare and Friend groups. More information about Connecting Country is available at: www.connectingcountry.org.au

13/10/2026

CALLING ALL CITIZEN SCIENTISTS

Are you looking for ways to engage more with nature? Do you want to learn more about the conservation values of your property, the plants and animals that call it home or how the restoration works you are doing are changing over time? This field day is for you!

Citizen science programs are invaluable at collecting a vast array of data in areas not often being monitored by formal programs. Apps and artificial intelligence (AI) are making it easier for those with limited ecological knowledge to get more involved in collecting and contributing biological data. Added to biodiversity databases, this information supports greater understanding of the state or our environment and supports more informed decision in how we care for it.

At this special field day, ecologists from Biolinks Alliance and Connecting Country will collaborate to provide information and practical demonstrations about various monitoring techniques applicable to citizen science.

The day will include both indoor and outdoor practical components and some walking will be involved.

When: Sunday 25 October
Time: 10am-2pm
Where: Barkers Creek Cricket Club

More information and bookings: https://connectingcountry.org.au/measuring-nature-a-look-into-biodiversity-monitoring-field-day/

The day will include both indoor and outdoor practical components and some walking will be involved.

09/10/2026

EVERYONE'S TALKING ABOUT INVERTEBRATES!

There are two presentations coming up in the district focusing on spineless wildlife. All are welcome to attend.

Tuesday 13th October - 7.30pm Newstead Community Centre

Ecologist Dr Lynda Wilson will give an illustrated talk on NATIVE BEES. Lynda has developed a deep knowledge of native bees and has photographed over 70 species on her property near Drummond. Lynda is guest speaker at Newstead Landcare’s AGM on Tuesday 13th October at Newstead Community Centre, Lyons Street Newstead at 7.30pm. The AGM will be brief then Lynda will introduce us to these extremely important insects. There will be a cuppa afterwards. Gold coin donations appreciated.

Monday 19th October - 6pm, Ray Bradfield Room

Michael Barkla will give an illustrated, free talk 'Life from the beginning (according to invertebrates)'. He is drawing on observations over many years in the Box-ironbark forest. There will be a very brief AGM beforehand. The AGM and presentation will be at the Ray Bradfield Room 33 Forest Street Castlemaine (next to Victory Park and the IGA Maxi Car Park), starting at 6pm on Monday 19th October. Followed by a light supper.

Photo: Native Bees (Lasioglossum species) on Diggers Speedwell flower, taken by Patrick Kavanagh

06/10/2026

ONE PLACE LEFT! We've had a spot open up for the upcoming Chemical Users Skills Set Course on Saturday 17 Sept.

The Chemical Users Skills Set is the industry standard for training in chemical use, storage and handling and incorporates a blend of theory and practical training and assessment and is a prerequisite to the 1080 & PAPP Vertebrate Pest Training. On completion you will be eligible to apply to Agriculture Victoria for an Agricultural Chemical Users Permit (ACUP).

Agricultural Chemical Skill Set Course
When: Saturday 17 October, 8.30am – 4.30pm
Where: Sutton Grange Hall, 921 Faraday-Sutton Grange Rd., Sutton Grange VIC
Cost: $50

More Info & Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DPBDZ

Morning tea & lunch provided.

17/09/2026

This months Bird of the Month takes a deep dive into scent and pheromones in birds. Always new and exciting things to learn about our feathered friends!

Photo shows Red-breasted Parakeet having a chat and wafting his perfume, leading to questions about birds and pheromones. Photo by Jane Rusden.

To read the full Bird of the Month Article head over to the Connecting Country website via the link below.

https://connectingcountry.org.au/bird-of-the-month-article-scent-pheromones-in-birds/

BirdLife Castlemaine District Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group North Harcourt & Sedgwick Landcare North Harcourt & Sedgwick Landcare Castlemaine Landcare Group Mount Alexander Sustainability Group Mount Alexander Wildlife Watch BirdLife Australia

14/09/2026

Golden Point Landcare Inc. is inviting you to learn more about South African W**d Orchid (Disa bracteata).

Learn key identifying features of the plants as well as practical control techniques that you can implement on your property.

When: Sunday 20 September 2026

Time: 10:00 am–1:00 pm

Location: Gravel Pits off Ammons Rd (off Golden Point Rd) , Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park.

RSVP: [email protected] or 0423 900 590

11/09/2026

Don't forget to get along to the final event for the Feathery Festival hosted by Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club and BirdLife Castlemaine District this Friday 11 September! A very informative free talk presented by researcher Hannah Faraone.

For full details head over to the Connecting Country website via the link below.

https://connectingcountry.org.au/news-events/

Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group Castlemania Castlemaine Landcare Group Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests North Harcourt & Sedgwick Landcare Mount Alexander Shire Council Mount Alexander Sustainability Group Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group

10/09/2026

For those lucky enough to have secured tickets for this evenings Feathery Festival event In the Company of Birds, you will have the chance to win this master piece as a door prize donated by artist and panel guests Jane Rusden. Tickets $5 for 1 or $10 for 3. All proceeds go to Connecting Country.

North Harcourt & Sedgwick Landcare Harcourt Valley Landcare Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group BirdLife Castlemaine District Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group North Central CMA

09/09/2026

BirdLife Castlemaine District will be selling this amazing Powerful Owl merch at In the Company of Birds Feathery Festival event tomorrow night.
Designed in Castlemaine. Printed in Melbourne. 100% organic cotton. Proceeds go to BirdLife Australia. Tea towels $25
Tote bags $30.

If you missed out on tickets to In the Company of Birds, and want to get your hands on some merch, keep an eye out on the BirdLife Australia online store!

BirdLife Castlemaine District Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group Castlemaine Landcare Group Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests Newstead Natives Nursery Mount Alexander Shire Council Nature Network

05/09/2026

Looking for something to do this Sunday? The Feathery Festival is in full swing! Take some time out to connect with nature and discover how you can support our local flora and fauna.

For more info on the Feathery Festival head over to the Connecting Country website via the link below.

https://connectingcountry.org.au/events/

BirdLife Castlemaine District Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group Castlemaine Landcare Group Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group Newstead Natives Nursery Mount Alexander Sustainability Group Mount Alexander Shire Council Friends of MAINfm 94.9

04/09/2026

Excited to announce that this wonderful event is SOLD OUT! Thanks to all for your support. If you miss out, don't fret! There are other exciting Feathery Festival events happening from Sept 5 - 11. Head over to the Connecting Country website via the link below for more info.

https://connectingcountry.org.au/events/

Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group Castlemaine Landcare Group North Harcourt & Sedgwick Landcare Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests Mount Alexander Sustainability Group Mount Alexander Shire Council North Central CMA Nature Network

Address

Room 15, 233 Barker Street
Castlemaine, VIC
3450

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(03) 5472 1594

Website

http://www.connectingcountry.org.au/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Connecting Country posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Connecting Country:

Want your organization to be the top-listed non profit organization in Castlemaine?