Come and help plant some Native boxthorns (Bursaria lasiophylla) along the gully off the lower Hackett reservoir. We will be planting a number of Native boxthorns which are important habitat plants for native insects, little spiders and local woodland birds. The plantings will also help to stabilize the eroding gully edges. Residents who live along Rivett Street are warmly welcome to join in and learn about the nature conservation work along the gully.
Where: Meet at the ParkCare notice board opposite the Hackett reservoir off the Rivett/French streets intersection.
Bring & wear: Sun protection, sturdy shoes, garden gloves and a trowel, if you have one.
Enquiries: Email or 6247 7515
Phone contact during the event: 0435 357 172
Click here for more information.
Native Boxthorns protect nesting little woodland birds such as the Yellow-rumped Thornbill. (Photo: Waltraud Pix)
On the 10 April FoMM volunteer Waltraud Pix found a dead European Brown Hare in the nature reserve east of The Fair, North Watson (Click here to see Canberra Nature Map record). The animal had no external injuries and showed the stretched limbs and head typical of animals killed by calicivirus and Waltraud submitted the animal to CSIRO for testing. Robyn Hall, CSIRO, confirmed that the hare was positive for the caliciviros strain RHDV2, most likely the recombinant variant reported here and here. Further testing will be conducted. Please report any dead rabbits or hares you may see during your walks on Mts Majura/Ainslie. Read more.
Calicivirus infected dead hare found in the nature reserve east of The Fair. (Photo: Waltraud Pix)
FoMM now on the ACT ParkCare Hub website.
There is a new ParkCare website that will be of interest to those FoMM members who regularly contribute to our conservation work. The website allows you to register as a volunteer (which keeps you covered by insurance) and to log your hours of work. Click here to register as a volunteer by clicking on the ‘Fill in an application’ button. Once you’ve logged into your account you will see a tab “Opportunities” that lists ParkCare group activities (including FoMM’s) and a tab “Hours” where you can log your hours of work. Please include FoMM in the field asking “Which group were you working with ?”. Please contact Alison McLeod with any problems you encounter when using this website and with questions or suggestions you may have. The website also contains a page with overall information on FoMM and lists the next 10 events. Once you are logged onto the Hub, all events until the end of 2018 are available. You can check out the FoMM page on the hub here.
Other news and events:
ABORIGINAL AGRICULTURE – Aboriginal Cultural Land Management and Sustainable, Productive Rural Practice for the 21st Century – Wednesday 9 May 2018, 5-7pm
An evening conversation with Bill Gammage and Bruce Pascoe. Facilitated by Peter Bridgewater (Chair Landcare ACT) and Ngunawal Elder Wally Bell. You are invited to join Bruce, Bill, Peter and Wally in conversation. Drinks and nibbles from 4.30pm.
The 21st Century is a time for rural landholders, whether producers or custodians, to try something new and be open to change. Imagine a society based on the inseparability of people, the land and water; a rural landscape that is shaped by the integration of the spirit of the land, its people, environmental and cultural heritage and economic decision-making. Consider also, agricultural practice based on heritage, change and adaptation – sustained by growing plants and working with animals using methods that evolved with the land and its conditions, not imposed. We live in the remnants of land and water management practices of past peoples. People have shaped Australia to ensure continuity, balance, abundance and certainty – management by strategies that are being questioned. With doubt so fundamental and widespread, how can we confidently say we are managing our rural landscapes well? Bruce Pascoe and Bill Gammage have done the research and have written the books. We’ve read their books, and we accept what they say. What do we do now?
Where: Building 1 Room A21, University of Canberra. Located next to Mizzuna Café, in ‘The Hub’ located below the Concourse between Building 1 and Building 8 (map here)
Bookings: Email here by COB Monday 7 May.
Conservation Council ACT Region 2018 World Environment Day Dinner – Saturday 2 June 7pm
Once again the dinner promises to be a spectacular event and of course is also a major fundraiser for the Conservation Council. We would love to have you join us. The World Environment Day dinner is a special event for the environment in the ACT region providing an annual opportunity to support the Conservation Council and to meet with others who value and support efforts to enhance and protect the environment in the region. Once again we will be at the National Arboretum Canberra with Janet Jeffs of Ginger Catering cooking up a feast for us to share. The dinner will start with canapes and champagne, followed by a three course meal with table wine included. Our Guest Speaker is Stuart Barry author of The Rich Greenie. Stuart is also a life-long environmentalist, philanthropist and is an award-winning financial adviser specialised in ethical investing. Stuart was recommended by us by Bob Brown who unfortunately was unable to attend. Bob said “Stuart is a great speaker, wise and witty”. I’m looking forward to him speaking. Our MC will be Lish Fejer who is an ABC 666 radio presenter amongst other things. Book now.
Black Mountain Symposium 2018 – Canberra, 24-25 August 2018
A symposium exploring cultural history and natural values of Black Mountain, a nature reserve since 1970, and how to maintain these values into the future. Friday 24 August will comprise a series of themed talks about our knowledge of the past 50 years of Black Mountain and a consideration of its next 50 years. The themes will encompass the natural environment (diversity and ecology of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and fire ecology) and the cultural environment (colonial and national uses, and a place of protest, recreation, education and scientific endeavour). On Saturday there will be seven guided themed walks to choose from. All walks start at 9:30am. Register here.
