Contents (as at 17 July 2008)

(This list may get a little out of date: the next update of this page on the web may not be until October.  If you would like an up-to-date list, please Contact Us and request a copy of the latest e-bulletin)

·         FOG: What members have been doing (1:30 to 4:15pm, Sat 26 July)

·         FOG – Plant Identification morning (10: - 12:00 noon, Sat 2 Aug, Michelago)

·         FOG Workshop – the Grassland Gospel (1: - 5:00pm, Sat 30 Aug)

·         Joint FOG / FNAC Geology Trip (9:15 – 3:00pm, Sun 14 Sept, Cooma)

·         FOG: Cultivation and Conservation Group

·         FOG newsletter despatch (5:30 to 7:pm, Tues 26 Aug)

·         FOG on Radio 2XX (9:am, Tues 22 July)

·         Molonglo Catchment Group – Weed Information Pack (1:30 – 4:30pm, Sun 20 July)

·         ANBG Friends Talk – Mapping Biodiversity (12:30 – 1:30, Thurs 24 July)

·         Talk on Grassland Insects (3: - 4:00pm, Thurs 24 July)

·         European Waspshop [9:30 - 3:00pm, Tues 29 July, Namadgi NP Visitor Centre)

·         ANBG Friends Talk – Grasses: habits and habitats (12:30 – 1:30, Thurs 21 Aug)

·         Greening Australia – Back Paddock Dreaming (2: - 5:00pm, Thurs 21 Aug)

·         FOMM Talk – Slippery Frogs (7:30, Thurs 21 Aug)

·         FOMM Talk – A Hollow Existence (7:30, Thurs 18 Sept)

·         Welcome to new Con Council Director, Catherine Potter

·         More about FOG e-Bulletin

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FOG - What members have been doing (1:30 – 4:15, Sat 26 July)

This year at our winter slide afternoon, we have three fascinating talks on large mammals and grasslands, alpine ecosystems, and northern hairy nose wombat.

The location is Mugga Mugga Education Centre, Narrabundah Lane, Symonston ACT, just opposite the Therapeutic Goods Administrations Centre. Afternoon tea will be provided. For further details, please contact Geoff Robertson on 6241 4065 or email geoff.robertson@fog.org.au .

FOG – Plant Identification morning (10: – 12:00 noon, Sat 2 August, Michelago)

Join us for a challenging winter grass and forb ID morning at a FOG member's property near Michelago. We'll meet at 9.45am at the Michelago service station. Please contact Margaret on      6241 4065 or margaret.ning@fog.org.au to give/get carpooling.

FOG Workshop – the grassland gospel (1: – 5:00pm, Sat 30 Aug)

Please come and make this workshop The Grassland Gospel according to FOG – enhancing knowledge of and on-ground skills in grassy ecosystems a success. The aims of the workshop are to articulate FOG’s key messages, to consider what resources we have and need, and explore how we may enhance members skills in both extension and on-ground work.

The location is the Mugga Mugga Education Centre, Narrabundah Lane, Symonston, just opposite the Therapeutic Goods Administration Centre.  Afternoon tea will be provided. Please register with Sarah on 6251 2228 or sarah.hnatiuk@fog.org.au. .

Joint FOG/FNAC – Geology & Vegetation of Monaro (9.15 - 3:00pm, Sun 14 Sept)

Dennis is a geologist, well acquainted with the Monaro, who will lead this trip around the Cooma area. We shall start at Quartz Hill (Bob and June Wilkinson's property). The program for the day will include a presentation on the geology of the Monaro (9.30am), followed by morning tea and a visit to granite and sedimentary sites on the property. Then we shall be visiting several sites around Cooma, including a subduction zone, a syenite (intrusive rock), and basalt terraces. At each site we shall relate the geology and soils to the vegetation structure and show the dominant plants. We shall stop for lunch in Cooma. To obtain more information/or register contact Tony Lawson on 6161 9430 or email tony.lawson@fog.org.au .

FOG Cultivation and Conservation Group

If you would like to join or receive information about the group and its next meeting, please email activities@fog.org.au .

FOG newsletter despatch (5:30 - 7:00pm, Tues 26 August)

Please put aside an hour of your time to help us despatch the FOG newsletter at the Conservation Council Office.  As usual we will start at 5.30pm, so you can still do something else later in the evening!!  It would be really helpful if you could let Margaret know if you will join us - either by email (margaret.ning@fog.org.au) or phone (6241 4065 or 0427 788 304). The Council office is at 3 Childers St, in a demountable building next to the Street Theatre. There is public parking at the back – it’s paid ACT meter parking during office hours (to 5:30pm).

FOG on Radio 2XX (Canberra, 98.3fm)

Geoff Robertson is a regular talker on FOG on the Radio Landcare Program, which goes to air each Tuesday morning at 9am. He is next scheduled to appear on 22 July. 

Molonglo Catchment Group - Weed Information Pack (1:30 – 4:30, Sun 20 July)

The ACT Chief Minister will launch the pack, then Jane Vincent of Quality Rural Solutions will give a weed workshop. The focus will be on identifying weeds and learning which plants to avoid in urban gardens.

The event is at the Majura Centre Hall, Rosevear Place, Dickson, ACT.  RSVP is essential: contact Zoe Wood on 0408 475 970 or coordinator@molonglocatchment.com.au .

ANBG Friends Talk – Mapping Biodiversity (12:30 – 1:30, Thurs 24 July)

The recently appointed Director of the Atlas of Living Australia Project, Dr Donald Hobern, will be talking to the Friends of the ANBG on the project in the ANBG Theatrette.  For further details see www.anbg.gov.au/friends .

Talk on Grassland Insects (3: - 4:00 pm, Thurs 24 July)

Anett Richter, from the University of Canberra’s Institute of Applied Ecology, will be giving a talk on From moths to centipedes- ground dwelling invertebrates in a highly fragmented landscape at the Caughly Building, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Bellenden Street, Crace. For more information contact Sharon Lane on 6207 1911or sharon.lane@act.gov.au

Since November 2006 Anett has been investigating the seasonal composition of ground layer invertebrates in Natural Temperate Grasslands in the ACT. The study has been conducted in 24 fragmented grasslands. Come along to find out how ground beetles, Scarab beetles, and Golden Sun Moth are faring in these different sized grassland fragments.

EUROPEAN WASPSHOP (9:30 - 3:00pm, Tues 29 July, Namadgi NP Visitor Centre)

European wasps are prevalent in Kosciuszko and Namadgi National Parks, even in the alpine areas. They were first noted in Namadgi in summer 2006 but the mild dry winters since have led to a population explosion. Recreation areas have been closed because of the threat they pose to the public and there is a real danger they will be a long term threat to the biodiversity of our region. The implications are sobering: European wasps prey on insects that pollinate many of the native plants and may also deprive native insectivorous birds and skinks of their food.

Come out to Namadgi Visitor Centre to hear the experts discuss how community groups, landholders, park managers and experts can develop a regional plan and share information. There will be presentations in the morning session and a workshop in the afternoon (to develop an action plan for a strong regional response). Please RSVP to the Namadgi Visitor Centre on 62072900 by 25 July, and indicate if you will be participating in the afternoon workshop.

ANBG Friends Talk – Grasses: habits and habitats (12:30 – 1:30, Thurs 21 Aug)

Our own Geoff Robertson will be talking about some key local grassy ecosystems and the main grass genera to be found therein to the Friends of the ANBG in the ANBG Theatrette.  Grasses aren’t the easiest plants to understand, but by learning about some key features and habitat preferences, one can become reasonably knowledgeable in a short time.

Greening Australia - Back Paddock Dreaming (2: - 5:00pm, Thurs 21 Aug)

This event, as part of the Australian Science Festival, features a line-up of respected thinkers who will describe their visions of sustainable landscapes through personal stories, looking at issues of water, climate change, conservation farming and biodiversity.  The speakers are Prof Ian Rutherfurd and Dr Mark Howden, and the host is James O’Loghlin.  The event will be held at Old Parliament House and will be followed by drinks and canapés.

Bookings are essential on (02) 62533035 or admin@act.greeningaustralia.org.au .

FOMM Talk – Slippery Frogs (7:30, Thursday 21 August)

Dr Beth Mantle, the ACT FrogWatch coordinator, will be giving a talk on Slippery Friends in our Backyard: About Frogs and Frog Habitats to the Friends of Mount Majura at the Blue Gum School Friends’ Lounge, Hackett shops, Madigan St. For further details contact Waltraud Pix on 6247 7515 or or wpix@bigpond.net.au .

Find out about frogs of the ACT region. What makes them special? How can we help to protect them? Learn how to attract frogs to your own backyard!

FOMM Talk - A Hollow Existence (7:30 pm, Thurs 18 Sept)

Dr Philip Gibbons, of the ANU, Australian National University, will be giving a talk to the Friends of Mount Majura at the Blue Gum School Friends’ Lounge, Hackett shops, Madigan St. For further details contact Waltraud Pix on 6247 7515 or wpix@bigpond.net.au .

Most of the hollow-bearing trees on Mount Majura were standing when Cook sailed into Botany Bay. Over 300 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs rely on tree hollows in Australia. Why do tree hollows take so long to form? What animals use them? And why are 100 hollow-dependant species listed as threatened in Australia?

Welcome to new Conservation Council Director

Welcome to Catherine Potter, who starts as the new Director of the Conservation Council this week.  We wish her every success in her new job.