Third Sunday working party 15 May

Come along between 1-4 pm to help remove woody weeds including Briar rose, Hawthorn and Cootamundra wattle at The Fair site in North Watson. Meet promptly at the nature park entrance near Tay and Ian Nicol Streets at 1pm to walk to the site together. Stay just as long as you have time and enjoy a delicious cake for afternoon tea.

No experience is needed: we provide instructions, tools, disposable gloves and hand sanitiser. Bring sun protection, drinking water and gloves if you have them. Wear clothes which cover your limbs and sturdy shoes. Visit our website for more details and a map. https://majura.org/

Bird walk on 15 May

Join bird enthusiast Peter Miller on Sunday 15 May, 8-10am, for an early morning stroll on tracks through woodland to spot, listen to and learn about Mt Majura’s birds in autumn. Meet at 8am sharp at the nature park nature entrance off Mackenzie Street, near Grayson Street, Hackett.

Bring binoculars, bird ID book or app if you have them. We will provide a bird species list for a gold coin donation.

Mondays at The Fair

Every Monday morning volunteers meet at The Fair site in North Watson. Join us at the entrance to the nature park near Tay and Ian Nicol Streets at 9.30am. At present we’re removing Fleabane (Erigeron sumatrensis) before its seeds can spread in the breeze; also Blackberry nightshade (Solanum nigrum) commonly spread by birds which have eaten the berries.

Trees in urban areas

The ACT Government is introducing new tree management legislation to replace the Tree Protection Act 2005. The draft Urban Forest Bill has been released for public consultation until 2 June 2022.

Information about the bill can be found at https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/urban-forest-bill/about-draft-urban-forest-bill

The bill proposes to protect all trees on public land. Trees on private (leased) land will be protected if they are 8m+, have a canopy width of 8m+ and/or have a trunk circumference of 1m+ at 1.4m above ground. When trees are approved for removal on private property, they will need to be replaced – usually on the same property. Where it is not possible to plant new trees, money must be paid to a canopy contributions fund to support planting, maintenance and renewal of trees on public land.

The Suburban Land Agency is developing a guide for Canberra residents on planting trees in their gardens. To make suggestions about suitable trees, with canopies ranging from 5-12 metres, email sla.src@act.gov.au. More information https://www.planning.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1485572/DV369-factsheet.pdf

Moths in the ACT

It’s been a great season for lepidoptera, with many butterflies and moths seen in the nature park as we walk and weed. We highly recommend this new book, a labour of love by a devoted team of experts, moth enthusiasts, photographers and content polishers who have collaborated to produce this unique reference book. It contains 280 full colour pages, 1500 photos and a multitude of interesting facts about moths. At $50, we think it’s a bargain. More information: https://mothsintheact.org/index.html