Dear Friends,
Welcome to the September edition of the FoMM newsletter. Did you know that a FoMM Committee meets occasionally to discuss and plan the group’s activities, and what we want to focus on in the year/s ahead? Do you have some ideas and suggestions? Are you interested in contributing more to the Friends of Mt Majura? If so, you are invited to the next FoMM committee meeting to be held this Monday 11 September at 9 Selwyn St Hackett. We would love to see you there. If you can’t make it, don’t worry, just reply to this email and we will put you on the contact list for future meetings, and/or you can put your thoughts in the email. Your contribution would be greatly appreciated!
See you on the mountain.
Jo Lynch, FoMM Secretary
Working Party @ The Fair and Aboriginal Aspects of Land – Sunday 17 September 2017, 1pm to 4pm
Come along to a special working party at the National Tree Day planting area east of The Fair. Hear about the importance of Mt Majura and Mt Ainslie to the local Aboriginal people from Ngunawal Elder Wally Bell who will be joining our working party at 2.30pm to demonstrate working with the environment in a culturally aware way, and will talk about the significance of the area to Aboriginals for thousands of years.
Where: Meet at the nature park entrance, intersection Tay Street and Ian Nicol Street, The Fair, North Watson.
Bring: Sun protection, sturdy shoes, long sleeves and pants and garden gloves if you have them. Tools and afternoon tea will be provided.
Enquiries: Email
Click here for more information
Aboriginal axehead found on Mt Majura. (Photo: Waltraud Pix). Further info here
Wildflower Walk – Sunday 15 October 2017, 2pm to 4pm
Explore the wildflowers that are blooming this season on a stroll with local ecologist Michael Doherty. Enjoy the beauty of the Mt Majura reserve, its grasses, trees, and views whilst you go and learn about the different species found in the grassy woodlands and open forest of Mt Majura. An updated plant species list of Mount Majura / Mount Ainslie will be available for a gold coin donation.
Where: Meet at the Antill Street Nature Park entrance opposite Carotel, south of The Fair in North Watson.
Bring: Sun protection, a camera and magnifying glass if you have them. Wear suitable clothing for the expected weather, and comfortable and appropriate footwear.
Enquiries: Email
Click here for more information
Scrambled Eggs, Goodenia pinnatifida. (Photo: Waltraud Pix). View Mount Majura’s Floriade – Visit FoMM Flickr galleries with pictures of flowering orchids, forbs, shrubs
Bird Walk – Sunday 22 October, 8am to 10am
Walk through the woodlands with bird enthusiast Peter Miller to spot, observe, listen to, and learn about the amazing variety of Mt Majura’s birds in Spring. With over two hundred recorded species, Canberra and the surrounding region has the richest bird life of any Australian capital city. Roughly half of these – 112 species – have been recorded on Mt Majura!
Where: Meet at the nature reserve entrance Tay St / Ian Nicol St, in The Fair, Watson
Bring: Sun protection and wear appropriate clothing for the weather and a Gold Coin donation for a Mt Majura bird species list.
Recommended: Binoculars, a bird guide or app* if you have them. *See for instance Michael Morcombe & David Stewart apps for Android and Apple. If you have an interest in our feathered friends (and some foes) check out the website of the Canberra Ornithologists Group (COG) which has heaps of information on the distribution, seasonal occurrence and breeding of birds, brilliant photographs taken by COG members and even records of bird calls of several species.
Enquiries: Email
Click here for more information
Spotted Pardalote, Pardalotus punctatus. (Photo: Harvey Perkins)
Other news and events:
Woodlands & Wetlands Trust Community Open Day for Threatened Species – Saturday 9 September 2017, 12pm to 4pm
Open afternoon to celebrate Threatened Species Day, at Forde Community Centre (entry off Zacharov St, Forde, Gungahlin, behind Frankies café). Drop in to learn about threatened wildlife and the Trust’s work at Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary. Nature displays, information, meet a Bettong, artist-in-residence. Twilight tour for families and bird walk in Sanctuary. Bookings for tour/walk required here.
Environment, planning and sustainable development issues in the ACT – Tuesday 26 September, 12pm to 2pm
Do you have any questions on the ACT Government’s work on environment, planning and sustainable development issues? This is your chance to ask Director-General of the Environment Planning and Sustainability Directorate, Ben Ponton in person. This Environment Exchange held by the Conservation Council ACT Region will be held at the Renewables Innovation Hub 19-23 Moore Street Turner ACT. Click here for more information and to register.
Biodiversity Offsets: are they working in the ACT? Tuesday 31 October 2017, 12pm – 2pm
How do we measure outcomes? Are they adequately reported? Who is accountable? Case studies and discussion. This Environment Exchange held by the Conservation Council ACT Region will be held at the Renewables Innovation Hub 19-23 Moore Street Turner ACT. Click here for more information and to register.
