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.

Calendar

Wednesday 27 June evening & Thursday 28 June, ACT Grassy Woodland forum

Speakers at this forum, at the Anne Harding Conference Centre, University of Canberra, will focus on ‘What is your vision for grassy woodlands?’ on the Wednesday evening. The theme for Thursday is ‘Managing grassy woodland in the ACT’, and the day comprises short talks & posters on new research, citizen science, and on-ground projects, ending with discussion of the ACT Woodlands Conservation Strategy. To register, go to Eventbrite, https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/act-woodlands-forum-2018-tickets-44623765885?aff=es2. Free, places are limited.

Friday 29 June, closing date for submissions to 'Inquiry into the value of the natural environment to urbanising Canberra'

The final date for submissions has been extended to 29 June. The ACT Standing Committee on Environment and Transport and City Services invites submissions to its inquiry into the value of the natural environment to an urbanising Canberra. “… This inquiry provides Canberrans with a great opportunity to have their say about nature in our city as our bush capital grows and I look forward to hearing people’s thoughts” (Committee Chair Suzanne Orr MLA). The Committee’s terms of reference and other materials are accessible via the ACT Legislative Assembly website: https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/in-committees/standing-committees-current-assembly/standing-committee-on-environment-and-transport-and-city-services/inquiry-on-the-value-of-the-natural-environment-to-an-urbanising-canberra. The Committee invites submissions from interested organisations and individuals to its inquiry.

Written submissions should be lodged with the Committee Secretary by close of business on Friday, 29 June 2018.

Sunday 1 July, 10am – 1pm, Workparty at Bullan Mura Yarralumla

Molonglo Catchment Group have organised a planting activity at Bullan Mura, on 1 July from 10am – 1pm. Come along to help with revegetation of two areas in Bullan Mura. Women volunteers will be planting traditional food plants in the Aboriginal women’s area that has been cleared of dense weeds over the past few years. There are shrubs to plant particularly under the powerlines, to minimise future disturbance to the area. Ngunawal custodians Karen Denny and Wally Bell will lead the work and provide information about the significance of this area. We will meet next to the Chinese Embassy opposite Lotus Bay in Yarralumla. Wear comfortable work clothes and bring a small pick or brickies hammer and watering can to help with the planting. The event is part of the Molonglo Catchment Group’s Caring for Ngunawal Pathways: Integrating Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal NRM in Canberra’s northern reserves project, funded by an ACT Environment Grant.

Register with MCG at Eventbrite (free and comes with morning tea) at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/planting-day-at-bullan-mura-yarralumla-tickets-46830875409.

Friday 6 July, 1.30 to 3.30 pm, Rampaging Rutidosis

Sarah Sharp will be leading a mid-winter visit to a population of Button Wrinklewort, Rutidosis leptorhynchoides, at Crace Grasslands Nature Reserve in Gungahlin from 1.30 to 3.30 pm. This population has expanded significantly since it was first discovered in 1998. Why?? Come and we will discuss some ideas. Do you know what else is at Crace Grassland Reserve? Come and find out! Be prepared for winter weather, so make sure you are fully rugged up. We will be driving everyone in to the site, so those with less agility are most welcome!

Please register with sarah.sharp@fog.org.au by 3 July. We will meet on the corner of Bellenden St and Hoskins St, accessed off Sandford St in Mitchell at 1.30.

Saturday 11 August, ‘Getting to know your native grasses’, at Braidwood

Geoff Robertson (President of FOG) will talk about native grasses and grasslands and their management in the Braidwood area at this workshop, run by Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council, FOG and K2C. Bring along your own mystery grasses (in a sealed plastic bag in case they are weeds) for possible identification. Free, with morning tea. Time and venue yet to be decided, so please Save the Date.

Saturday 18 August, FOG mid-winter talks and teaea

We are expecting to hear from Darren Le Roux and Brett Howland as our two speakers at this annual FOG ‘mid-winter’ talks with afternoon tea. As usual, it will be at Mugga Environmental Education Centre, Narrabundah Lane, Symonston. More details, and the call for registrations will be published nearer the time.

Friday 24 August 9–4.30; Saturday 25 August 9.30–noon, Black Mountain symposium 2018, ‘The past 50 years informing the next 50’

Themed talks at CSIRO Discovery Centre on the Friday (themes: natural environment and cultural environment). Walks in Black Mountain Nature Reserve on the Saturday. Cost: $55 for the symposium talks, fully catered. Guided walks $5. To register and for program: www.friendsofblackmountain.org.au/symposium.

2018 Work Parties (Canberra)

Sunday 26 August, 9am - 12:30pm, Stirling Park: register with Jamie.pittock@fog.org.au.

More details closer to the time.

Further FOG work parties and wildflower walk on national lands are proposed for 2018 as follows:

(SH = Scrivener’s Hut; SP = Stirling Park; YR = Yarramundi Reach. Held on Sunday mornings between 9am and 1pm unless otherwise stated)

Work parties will be cancelled if: (a) the forecast is for 35 deg C+, (b) it is a total fire ban day, (c) there is lightning, or (d) there is heavy rain.

Volunteer training

FOG needs a number of our volunteers to be trained in important skills to run our work parties safely. We have to keep an updated register of trained volunteers under our agreement with the National Capital Authority. Consequently, if you have a qualification in one of the following areas or would like training in one of these skills, please let me know - Jamie Pittock, FOG, m. 0407 265 131, jamie.pittock@fog.org.au. The National Capital Authority provides FOG with funds for strategic training. The areas are:

21 – 24 September, Narrandera, Exploration of grassy landscapes with Rainer Rehwinkel.

14 October, Sunday. Revisit Ballyhooly, SE of Bungendore NSW, when the flowers are out.

17-18 October, Grassland management and restoration forum

The forum, called ‘A Vision for Grassland Management & Restoration – Recent Achievements & Next Steps’, being organised by K2C, ACT Parks & Conservation Service and FOG will probably be in October. More details later: for now please pencil in 17–18 October.

9–11 November, Revisit Nerriga NSW, when the flowers are out..

11 November, Sunday 2 pm. Annual wildflower walk at Stirling Park.

17–18 November, Hunt the Monaro Golden Daisy, around the Monaro (various sites).

1–2 December, Badja Swamps Nature Reserve, Big Hole & Marble Arch walk.

January 2019, Visit lower part of Mt Gingera ACT.

February 2019, Visit Charlies Massy’s property, ‘Severn Park’, Bobondara NSW.

March 2019, Visit alpine grasslands beyond Yarrangobilly NSW.

Please advertise this information 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