In this edition
- Dragonfly moves on – fill-the-gaps planting on Sunday 20th November, 11.30 am
- Bird Walk for early birders, Sunday 13 November, 7.30 am – 9.00 am
- Watson Woodlanders celebrate with an Open Day, Sunday 13 November 10.00 am – 2.00 pm
- Woody Weeds Working Bee, Sunday 20 November, from 9.00 am onwards
- Knowledge & skills – upcoming workshops & seminar
- How to subscribe to the FoMM mailing list
Dear Friends
Welcome to the November 2005 edition of the FoMM newsletter.
Mt Majura is bursting in colours. The northwest slopes are covered with carpets of Hoary Sunray and splendid Tiger Orchids are flowering in large numbers along the Casuarina trail when you walk up from the Mackenzie Street park entrance. Weeds have a good time too in particular the thistles at the former sheep camp. May be you can spare half an hour or so on your Sunday walk to help me tackle the thistles. Don’t forget to bring gloves.
Dragonfly moves on – fill-the-gaps planting on Sunday 20th November, 11.00 am – 1.30 pm
More than fifty people made our first planting day at the Majura dams on the 9th October a big success. The event was a pleasant experience for everyone who participated thanks to the careful planning of Dragonfly project manager Tim. This is clearly illustrated by the photographs taken during the day; visit www.majura.org for a look.
A second fill-the-gaps planting is scheduled for Sunday, the 20 November. This will be a smaller event with about 3500 seedlings of mainly dryland plants. Preparation of the site will start at 10.30 am and planting commences about an hour later. We hope that all plants are in at about 1.30 pm. As a woody weed working bee is scheduled for the same day in the surround of the dams people can either plant or weed or do both.
Rangers of ACT Parks and Conservation have placed rocks and logs to provide shelter for wildlife and rustic seating for visitors. They also put up fences to protect the young plants. Under the guidance of Molonglo Waterwatch co-ordinator Bayne Geikie a bundle of about 60 excited kids of the local Blue Gum Community School have been involved in waterwatch activities. And the little ones of Hackett Primary school had a go with planting at the dams.
Bird Walk for early birds, Sunday 13 November, 7.30 am (sharp) – 9.00 am
Join Tom Green of the Canberra Ornithologist Group for an early walk to discover some of the many birds that visit or live on Mount Majura. We will meet at Mackenzie St park entrance. Places are limited, please book at 6247 7515 between 6.00 pm and 9.00 pm or by e-mail to admin@majura.org.
Watson Woodlanders celebrate with an Open Day, Sunday 13 November 10.00 am – 2.00 pm
For later birds there is a fine opportunity on Sunday to join our neighbour parkcare group – the Watson Woodlanders – to celebrate 10 years achievements with an Open Day. There will be guided walks, Simon Corbell and others will speak and the new nature reserve will be officially launched and named. Venue: Antill Street opposite the Health Clinic.
Woody Weeds Working Bee, Sunday 20 November, from 9.00 am onwards
The lower parts of the creek line between Mt Majura and Mt Ainslie have been freed of woody weeds and we are moving on. If you can, please come along and lend a hand. Walk up the maintenance road off Mackenzie Street park entrance until you hit the ACT Parks and Conservation trailer at the upper dam. Please bring sun protection, drinking water and sturdy boots; equipment to tackle weeds will be provided.
Knowledge & skills – upcoming workshops & seminar
Creating more sustainable gardens in the Canberra region. Free seminar.
Thursday 10 November at the University of Canberra.
Please visit www.aila.org.au/act/ for more information and registration.
Basics of Grassy Ecosystems Conservation – Friends of Grasslands (FOG) Workshop.
Saturday 12 November, 1:45 – 4:45 pm at Mugga-Mugga Education Centre Narrabundah Lane, Symonston ACT.
For more information please visit www.molonglocatchment.com.au.
Registration required. Enquiries: Kim Pullen on 6246 4007 (w)
Seeds for Survival: Native Seed Collection workshops – Greening Australia (GA) ACT
Monday 14 November / Thursday 1 December, 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
Australian National Botanic Gardens, Joseph Banks Building
RSVP by 8/11/05, Ben Cavuoto, Greening Australia ACT & SE NSW
Ph: 6253 3035, e-mail: bcavuoto@act.greeningaustralia.org.au
FoMM and seeds. We have an increasing demand for local native seeds for rehabilitation projects such as Dragonfly or the former sheep camp. The GA workshops provide the skills of basic seed identification, and collecting, handling and storing native seeds. Please consider attending one of the workshops as well as helping with the collection of seeds on Mt Majura later in the year. December and January will be crucial months for seed harvesting.
Seed for Survival. The workshops are part of the “Seed for Survival Project”, which is funded by the ACT and the Australian Governments. The project idea was initiated after the 2003 bushfires to increase availability and species diversity of local native seed to the wider community. The project addresses the medium and long-term native seed supply needs of the ACT and region through identification of healthy remnant vegetation seed collection sites, identification of existing revegetation project sites and establishment of new seed production areas. It aims to engage the ACT community in native seed identification, collection and distribution and the sharing of vital knowledge associated with restoring our native bushland.
How to subscribe to the FoMM mailing list
Click on Members on the left hand site and follow the subscribe-to-our-mailing-list prompts. After you have completed the subscription you will receive an e-mail asking for confirmation. It is easy, takes a few minutes of your time and will cost you nothing. If you have any questions or need help please contact Susan, our Website coordinator at web@majura.org or me.
Warm regards
Waltraud
Friends of Mt Majura co-ordinator
