Calendar

The Current Calendar (below) includes FoG and related activities. To be kept fully up to date with FoG activities, become a member, get the newsletter and if you have email access you'll also get the FoG E-bulletin with all the latest news and information. If you have queries about any of the activities below, contact the person nominated, or Contact Us.

FoG visits many private or public properties during the year to assist in plant identification and management issues. These visits usually do not appear in the FoG program because we may not know what to expect at such sites and because they are usually arranged at short notice. If you are interested in participating in property visits, Contact Us.

Please advertise this information amongst your friends and networks and support our activities.

Non FoG members are welcome to participate in FoG events.

For any FoG activity you should register with the indicated contact, who can assist with directions and possibly car pooling. By registering you assist us to organise any catering and provide you with any other information that you may need, including late changes. For all FoG activities please supply your emergency contact person's details when registering.

Calendar

Summary of upcoming FOG Events

Summary of upcoming FOG Work parties

Summary of Notices

Details of FOG Events

Sat 10 July, 1.30-3.30pm Visit to 6 Mile reserve - nice vegetation and an ID opportunity, near Bungendore.  6 Mile TSR is a 10-hectare reserve located on Neils Creek Road, funnily enough 6 miles (10 km) south of Bungendore. It contains critically endangered woodlands and grasslands, as well as large old-growth eucalypts - some six species. It is Crown land with a large variety of wild flowers, and while most of them will not be in flower, some will, and with Grassland and Woodland Flora at hand, we can easily imagine them. It is also a good opportunity to understand how to identify plants when not in flower. Inquiries and registration: margaret.ning@fog.org.au

Thurs 29 July, 6.30-8pm, (rescheduled from 15 July) on-line forum How do volunteers begin to weed? with Margaret Ning and John Fitz Gerald.

FOG volunteers over many years have been learning how to manage and restore grassy ecosystems. However, we are often asked how should volunteers, who want to tackle weeds, begin - there are so many things to learn: plant identification, the plant life cycle, what methods to use, if using equipment & herbicide, what training is required? how to avoid collateral damage and how to come up with a plan. Margaret and John who have a strong practical focus on weed identification and management will attempt to answer your questions.  They will provide a short introduction to the basics of weed management based on some FOG site experiences, and then take your questions. To facilitate, if you have questions, please send them in advance to margaret.ning@fog.org.au and provide some details of your situation. If you have photos of weeds, you want identified, also send them to Margaret; no promises that all submitted can be covered during the session, nor that everything submitted can be readily IDed. Some weed-iD options that everyone can access will be included in the session. It should be fun and informative.

This is a zoom session - register with geoff.robertson@fog.org.au who will send you an invitation.

Sat 14 Aug, 10-11.30am & 1.15-4pm, Reading a Grassland Landscape and Learning Aboriginal Cultural Science with Geoffrey Simpson

Everywhere in this country we are being invited to learn about Aboriginal wisdom and connection.  Geoffrey Simpson, who has been a mentor to FOG on its exploration in understanding of traditional land management practices, says it may be just a matter of saying hello and a readiness to learn and show respect.

Geoffrey grew up knowing his Aboriginal heritage but had to search deeper to better learn it. He started on a journey to understand Aboriginal practice and he has shared his learning, stories, life and values, with many Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people along the way.

He is now in the Fire and Cultural Science team within the NSW Department of Planning Industry and Environment. There he is developing the science behind bringing a cultural voice to landscape management. FOG has participated in some of the events connected with this cultural science work out at Rick Farley Reserve learning lore, lessons, connection and ceremony.  On 14 August, FOG’s traditional winter presentation, we will meet in the morning (at a site to be chosen) and view the landscape through a cultural /scientific lens. There will be many opportunities to ask questions and to draw on others’ experience. Inquiries : geoff.robertson@fog.org.au

Early warning of FOG future events

Events and dates are indicative and may be subject to change. Details will be advised as more information is available.

FOG general forums & outreach events activities

Thurs 9 Sept, 6.30-8pm, online forum Sustainable water management in south-east Australia - any links to grasslands? with Professor Jamie Pittock.

FOG is privileged to have as its president, Jamie Pittock, one of Australia’s leading researchers and policy advisors on Australia’s water policies and its implementation. He commonly appears in the media talking on water policy. In this online forum, Jamie will talk on water management in south east Australia, the implications of climate change and links to grasslands conservation.  Jamie is an environmental scientist at the Australian National University, a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, and a Member of the World Commission on Protected Areas.

This is a zoom session - register with geoff.robertson@fog.org.au who will send you an invitation.

Fri-Sat 10-11 Sept, Friends of Grasslands visit to Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga.  The Campus Environment Committee has invited FOG to participate in a Friday seminar: grassy ecosystems management; Saturday: informal site walks with key knowledge holders on Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga campus (including local authority and long-time native plant researcher Assoc. Prof. Geoff Burrows) and a visit to Erin Earth, a sustainable living community garden demonstration project that has a particular emphasis on supporting biodiversity..  Inquiries: margaret.ning@fog.org.au

Sat 16 Oct, all day, or join for individual sites,Visits to FOG’s Canberra grassy on-ground projects.  Register with andrew.zelnik@fog.org.au

In June, we visited four sites from different FOG on ground-sites (a report of the event will appear in our Sept-Oct newsletter). Many participants suggested that it would be good to revisit the same sites to examine them at their best - in flower. So, we have planned to do that.  At each site there will be a reminder of what each site contributes to our knowledge and recovery of grassy ecosystems, and an opportunity for visitors to learn about the vision and strategy behind each, its history, trials and errors, discoveries and learning experiences, and its adaptive management plans. However, there will be a focus on looking at the many plant species in flower and, if we lucky we may see some fascinating fauna. The program will be tight so participants are asked to make their own arrangements for lunch.

The program:

Note you may join us for all or just selected sites. Please register to attend with andrew.zelnik@fog.org.au

Sun 17 Oct: 10am-noon, Bioblitz with young rangers, with EPSDD. Inquiries: maree.gilbert@fog.org.au

Tues 14 Dec, 5-7pm, FOG celebration. Inquiries: geoff.robertson@fog.org.au

FOG grassy ecosystem forums

We wish to hold these online forums monthly. For suggestions and inquiries: geoff.robertson@fog.org.au

FOG Field trips & visits to properties

Suggestions and inquiries: margaret.ning@fog.org.au

Details of FOG work parties

Registration

Participants need to register for these events at least two days before the event, to confirm details of the starting locations or any last-minute changes. Note: work includes weeding, planting and rubbish removal. Herbicides are often used so these events are not suitable for young children. Tools are provided.  You need to wear gardening clothes (including hat) and solid footwear appropriate for the work and the weather, and bring your own drinking water. The work party convener may provide morning tea, making these pleasant social occasions. Events will be cancelled if the weather is unsuitable: a) the forecast is 35 deg C+, b) it is a total fire ban day, c) there is lightning, d) air quality is hazardous, or e) there is heavy rain.

Franklin Grasslands Reserve - Inquiries and registration: margaret.ning@fog.org.au

The Franklin Grasslands Parkcare Group is organised by FOG and ACT Parkcare. Work parties have largely focused on plant identification and removing weeds, and some planting of grasses and forbs is planned. We are working closely with Ranger Martin Bajt. This is a great opportunity for participants in the group to learn about grassland plants and weeds and their management, and more generally how to restore our precious grasslands, including selecting, growing and reintroducing plants.  Work parties are from 9-11am on the first and fourth Wednesday of the month. This will change with winter.

Hall Cemetery - Inquiries and registration: john.fitzgerald@fog.org.au

FOG has held regular work parties at Hall Cemetery since 2009, aiming to remove weeds and restore the native grasses and wild flowers that were once present. Work parties are held from 9-11am. You need to bring your own working tool, and, of course, dress sensibly.

Scottsdale, near Bredbo, monitoring - Inquiries: linda.spinaze@fog.org.au

National Lands Group - Inquiries and registration :  jamie.pittock@fog.org.au 

FOG’s National Lands Group is responsible for work on National Lands (Gurubang Dhaura /Stirling Park, Scrivener’s Hut, State Circle, Blue Gum Point & Yarramundi Grassland) managed by the National Capital Authority and Blue Gum Point managed by ACT Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS). Work parties planned in 2021 are:

Details of Notices

Stop housing on Lawson Nth grasslands

The Conservation Council, with FOG’s support, is raising $40,000 to support protecting our local environment. It is more than halfway there. Can you donate to help us reach our target? A key target is to stop housing development on grasslands, woodlands and habitat for threatened species at Lawson North.  You can make a difference by donating to its appeal, signing the petition to save Lawson North grasslands, or volunteering on a campaign!

Donations to FOG

FOG makes small grants to researchers, educators and on-ground projects, known as grassy ecosystem grants, a highly effective way to support grassy ecosystems. It also supports FOG’s TSR project (if you want your donation to go to the TSR project please indicate this when you make your donation).

To support these projects, you can make a tax-deductible donation to FOG Public Fund by:

Direct debit: BSB 633 000, A/c 153493960 (Bendigo Bank). Please include your name and advise our Treasurer: treasurer@fog.org.au.  A receipt for tax purposes will be sent to you.

Cheque: payable to ‘Friends of Grasslands Public Fund’, mailed to Treasurer, Friends of Grasslands Inc., PO Box 440, Jamison Centre, ACT 2614. Include your name and postal address.

Please advertise these events among your friends and networks. Non FoG members are welcome to FoG events. For inquiries or if you have an item to include, please Contact Us