Dear Friends
Welcome everyone to the September 2006 edition of FoMM’s newsletter. Quite a number of things are happening Mt Majura and FoMM wise. I would like to keep you informed on the progress of works conducted by members of our group, on campaigns and on up-coming events.
- Stay informed on FoMM’s events – Subscribe to our mailing list!
- Woody Weeds Working Bee – Sunday 17 September
- Dragonfly moves on
- Champion for the Environment campaign
- Leap into Frogwatch this spring
- Discover life on the wild side: Early Bird Walk. Sunday 22 October
- DancePlant at the Cotter this Saturday 9 September
- Help please – Placing posters at park entrances
Stay informed on FoMM’s events – Please subscribe to our mailing list!
Apparently some people haven’t got the message that we’ve switched to a self-contained mailing list at the beginning of this year. I would urge those of you, who would like to receive information on FoMM events, and who haven’t done it yet, to subscribe to our Website based mailing list. It’s easy, takes a few minutes of your time and would save me a lot of my time. You will receive the newsletter and one or two updates per month; you will not be flooded by a flurry of e-mails. If you don’t wish to receive FoMM news anymore, you can unsubscribe by yourself – no need to ask me to remove you from the mailing list. Please be aware that announcing FoMM events at the park entrances and elsewhere is not guaranteed!
Subscribe here. After you have completed the subscription you will receive an e-mail asking for confirmation. If you do not receive confirmation, please contact web@majura.org or contact me if you need help (admin@majura.org).
Woody Weeds Working Bee – Sunday 17 September
If you can, join us for our first Woody Weeds Working party this season.
When: Sunday, 17 September 2006, 9.00 am – noon
Where: near Phillip Avenue / Kellaway Street nature park entrance; look out for the P&C trailer
Bring: sun protection, sturdy boots, and full body covering clothing; all equipment will be provided
Aim: To remove environmental woody weeds in the nature reserve
Method: Search and destroy by cutting and dabbing with round-up
Introduction for novice weeders: be early for an induction on target weeds, method and OH&S
Visit our Website for more information and to view the locality.
The next Woody Weed Working Bee is planned for Sunday 15 October, same time and location.
Dragonfly moves on
I’m pleased to inform you that local designer Fiona of EdgeDesign agreed to help us with two interpretative displays at the Majura dams. The displays will inform the community on the habitat value of the sites and the work conducted by volunteers to improve the surrounds of the dams. They will be payed from money left from our ACT Environment grant to rehabilitate the dam sites. There are also plans to construct a small bridge to protect the inflow gully at the lower dam from further erosion by pedestrian traffic. Furthermore a trial began recently to regenerate the heavily eroded area above the lower dam.
Champion for the Environment campaign
We are running a campaign aimed at people who regularly run or walk along the Casuarina trail. Under the slogan “Stay Fit and Help the Environment“, we ask walkers and runners to share water with the eucalyptus seedlings recently planted at the former sheep camp up on the ridge. There is also the possibility to empty water into the containers stored at the site.
Last month members of FoMM planted 45 tree seedlings of Bundy, Apple box, Scribbly gum and Yellow box – the four eucalyptus species that grow at the sheep camp area. The seedlings were planted well below the ridge level so that the maturing trees will not obscure the views and will create an open canopy for sugar gliders to move around. So, come along, enjoy a spring walk with friends and family, water a tree seedling and observe the trees growing!
Leap into Frogwatch this spring – Find out about our local frogs and learn to identify them
Frogwatch is an exciting community activity that is open to everyone with an interest in frogs. It aims to involve large numbers of volunteers to undertake frog monitoring in the ACT and region. FoMM members have been involved in this annual frog snapshot from the very beginning of the program three years ago. They monitored the frogs at the twin dams and other sites in the Mt Majura Nature Reserve. How to get involved? To participate, simply come along to one of the free Frogwatch training events, where you will learn all about our amphibian friends. You will receive your free Frogwatch Kit that includes all you need to know to participate in the ACT and Region National Water Week Frogwatch Census in October 2006. See far below for more details on the Frogwatch training events.
For more information, to reserve your place at any of the Frogwatch Training Events, or to register your participation in the Frogwatch Census, please contact ACT Frogwatch Coordinator Rachelle McConville on 6278 3309 or e-mail waterwatch@ginninderralandcare.org.au
Discover life on the wild side: Early Bird Walk – Sunday 22 October
Join ornithologist and bird surveyor Anthony Overs for an easy walk to observe – and hear – some of the many birds that call Mount Majura home and enjoy a spring morning in the magnificent woodlands.
When: Sunday 22 October 2006, from 7.30 am (sharp) to 9.30 am
Where: Meet at the Antill Street park entrance opposite Canberra Carotel
Bring: Your own binoculars if you have them.
Places are strictly limited! Please book by phone 6249 1514 or e-mail bump@webone.com.au.
If you find that you can’t make it after you’ve booked, please un-book to give others a chance! Pending on interest we might ask for a second group leader.
DancePlant at the Cotter this Saturday 9 September
Get together with friends and family to help re-green the Cotter area with native trees, shrubs and grasses, followed by an evening of entertainment by local DJ’s. Greening Australia is assisting with the planting. BYO suitable clothing for planting.
When: 1:30 pm – 4.30 pm planting, 5.00 pm to midnight dancing
Where: Cotter Bend
RSVP essential: Phone 02 6296 6400 or email info@sactcg.org
DancePlant is a drug and alcohol-free event. Food and drinks can be purchased at the Cotter from 5 pm. The event is supported by The Conservation Council of the South East Region and Canberra and The Southern ACT Catchment Group.
Help please – Placing posters at park entrances and community board
I’m looking for someone who could place posters at the park entrances / community board at least in October when I’m away. If you walk regularly in the reserve or live close to a park entrance please consider whether you could help out. I could send you a poster via attachment, or you can download it from our Website or I could drop some at your place. The posters should be placed about a week to 10 days before the event. Please contact me if you can help. Thanks.
Warm regards
Waltraud
Friends of Mt Majura co-ordinator
Frogwatch
Key Frogwatch dates for spring 2006:
- July 2006 – Registrations open for the 2006 Frogwatch Training Events and Census
- 26 September – Introductory Training Seminar at the Australian National Botanic Gardens
- 27 September – Advanced Frogwatch Field Trip to Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve
- 5 October – Introductory Frogwatch Training Seminar at the ANBG (REPEAT)
- 5 to 31 October – Frogwatch monitoring period
- 15 to 21 October – National Water Week – FROGWATCH CENSUS WEEK (all Frogwatch sites monitored this week)
FROGWATCH TRAINING EVENTS, 2006 – DETAILS
As in previous years, we will be conducting a series of Frogwatch Training Events. You will only need to attend one of these to participate in the spring Census. We recommend attending one of the Introductory Seminars if you have never done Frogwatch before, or if you’d like a refresher on the basics of Frogwatching. The Advanced Field Trip is suitable for experienced Frogwatchers who would like the opportunity to learn more about frogs and frogwatching.
If you have participated in the Frogwatch Census in previous years, but do not want to attend any of the training events, please let me know and I will register your interest and arrange to get a copy of the 2006 Frogwatch Kit to you.
Introducing Frogwatch – Frogwatch Basics
This seminar is essential for the first time Frogwatcher. It will cover all you need to know to participate in the 2006 National Water Week Frogwatch Census, including identifying frog species, using Frogwatch Field Data Sheets, undertaking habitat assessments and performing your first frog monitoring activity. Ideal for the first time Frogwatcher, or as a refresher for those who have participated in previous years.
This seminar will include a short walk in the gardens to practice our frog identification skills. Please be prepared by bringing sturdy shoes, a torch, and wet weather gear if necessary.
Please note: both of these introductory seminars will be the same – you only need to attend on one evening.
Introductory Seminar 1
DATE: Tuesday 26th September, 2006
TIME: 6:00 – 9:00 pm
VENUE: Australian National Botanic Gardens – Education Centre (Crosbie Morrison Building)
Clunies Ross St, Acton
The gates to the botanic gardens will be open from 5:45 pm. Please arrive promptly as the gates will be locked at 6:15 pm sharp!
Introductory Seminar 2 (Repeat of Seminar 1)
DATE: Thursday 5th October, 2006
TIME: 6:00 – 9:00 pm
VENUE: Australian National Botanic Gardens – Education Centre (Crosbie Morrison Building)
Clunies Ross St, Acton
The gates to the botanic gardens will be open from 5:45 pm. Please arrive promptly as the gates will be locked at 6:15 pm sharp!
Advanced Frogwatch Training – Field Trip to Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve
This seminar is aimed at experienced Frogwatchers, who would like to further develop their identification and monitoring skills. Participants in this field trip will have the opportunity to investigate important components of frog habitat, and talk with expert ecologists in the field. Frogwatch sites in the Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve have consistently shown high species diversity and abundance over the years. Come along to practice your Frogwatching skills at sites where there can be up to 7 different species calling!
DATE: Wednesday 27th September, 2006
TIME: 6:00 – 9:00 pm
LOCATION: Mulligans Flat is located in the north-east of the ACT, adjacent to the existing suburb of Amaroo. We will be meeting at the first gate off Gundaroo Rd. More detailed directions will be provided upon registration.
Meet at the carpark at 6:00 pm. We will be walking as a group around the nature reserve, throughout the evening. Please be prepared by bringing sturdy shoes, a torch and wet weather gear if necessary. In case of severe weather conditions, participants who have registered will be advised of an alternative venue closer to the date.
RSVPs are essential.
To reserve your place at any of the Frogwatch Training Events, or to register your participation in the Frogwatch Census, please contact:
Rachelle McConville
ACT Frogwatch Coordinator
Ginninderra Catchment Group
Ph: 6278 3309
waterwatch@ginninderralandcare.org.au
