Otway Agroforestry Network

27/08/2026

08/08/2026

Unfortunately the new deadly strain of bird flu is in our region. You can find government guidelines on the spread of bird flu at birdflu.gov.au. The site also explains what needs to be reported. Don’t forget to apply biosecurity measures particularly when travelling to farms, rural properties or bird sanctuaries. Don’t touch any dead birds you find. Take a photo and report on the hotline 1800 675 888

Birdlife.org.au is another useful site, you can donate or raise awareness of their actions to protect our birds.

14/07/2026

Remember when? Photos from the archive: Collecting black walnuts at Bambra Agroforestry Farm in 2021. Black walnut (Juglans nigra) has a slow growth rate, preferring 1000 mm or more of annual rainfall and well drained alluvial soils. A deciduous tree that is allelopathic to many broad leaf weeds in pasture. Best situated on river flats or adjacent to a waterway. A beautiful dark timber that is highly valued for a range of uses, including as a premium cabinet-making timber

26/06/2026

Events Archive - Lower Blackwood LCDC

25/06/2026

“These animals are already on a knife’s edge of survival. They're skinny, their immune system's low, they're not getting enough to drink or eat.”

25/06/2026

What’s your view on the “forestry wars”?

The Forestry Wars are undermining the future we all want.

Whilst it is obvious that planted and naturally regenerated trees on farmland could produce timber whilst also controlling land degradation, locking up carbon, enhancing biodiversity and supporting family farming, the ongoing forestry wars are doing nothing to help engage or encourage the farming community to plant and manage trees for timber.

And, low impact harvesting of some native forest could help restore ecological function and improve their climate resilience.

War is not the answer. We can do better than that.

Rowan Reid
Forest Scientist and TreeGrower
Author of “Heartwood – the art and science of growing trees for conservation and profit”
www.agroforestry.net.au

NOTE: The worst thing government can do is subsidise the planting of trees - whether by industry or farmers. If they really want to help build confidence and drive innovation and investment they should start by buying logs from those who have actually grown them and do the research and market development work so we can learn what we need to do to grow quality timber.

29/05/2026

Our latest newsletter is out! Find it on our website www.oan.org.au, or in your email inbox if you are a member. Updates, opinion articles and great photos. Don't miss it!

19/05/2026

Special free event for our members next Saturday afternoon.

An opportunity to tour Bambra Agroforestry Farm with other members.

This is a free event for paid-up members of the Otway Agroforestry Network.

Email Rowan at [email protected] for directions.

To check your membership status go to: https://www.oan.org.au/Main.asp?_=Renew%20membership . Click on "Renew you membership" When you enter your details you will see an expiry date for your membership at the bottom of the page.

If you can't remember you password hit "Forgotten Password" If your membership has expired renew online in order to attend this event.

New members are welcome to join the network particularly if you have an interest in the Greater Otway region: from the Bellarine Peninsula in the east to Warrnambool in the west and north to Ballarat. See: www.oan.org.au/Main.asp?_=Join for details.