
fgvb-2023_newsletter-048-spring.pdf |
![]()
Have you been for a walk in Glenfern and noticed the attractive native grasses flowering and heard the hungry chirping of the new baby birds? Spring certainly is a dynamic season in our Bushlands and there are a few tasks that we need to do now to stop the seeding of the weeds. This coming Sunday 19th November we are holding a bush restoration morning where we will tackle some of these tasks. We meet in the car park at the middle spirit-gate entrance on Glenfern Road at 9.30am and will walk down to shady Ferny Creek where we will work in Areas 14, 11 and 12. At 11am we stop for a delicious morning tea and a chat and usually there is an informative talk about a local plant or animal species. You are welcome to just come for the morning tea (there will be an A-board in the car park to show you where we will be). Morning tea and tools are provided. Please bring gloves, a hat, water, wear sunscreen and sturdy shoes. It is our last Sunday working bee for the year. Looking forward to seeing you then. 🌿 ![]()
On Sunday October 15th, 9:30am - 12:30pm, you are welcome to attend our Members' Day.
Join us for bushland walks & talks, children's activities and morning tea all morning. You can park at the central car park, and walk down Echidna Track to the amphitheatre Bagunggadjirri. Hope to see you there! 🌿 Sunday was a perfect day for our volunteers to be out in the Glenfern reserve. It was pleasing to see wildflowers appearing in area 10 and only the occasional weed. At morning tea we were greeted by a white faced heron on the frog pond, and Andrew gave a talk about the Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus ovata), one of the common eucalypts within the reserve. Thanks to everyone who came out to help and those that support us in other ways. Our next Midweek Conservation & Conversation will take place on Wednesday 4th of October from 9 - 11am. Photos by Nicole, along with Linda & Andrew
Dear Friends and supporters, You are invited to our Annual General Meeting, which will be held on Thursday 12th of October at 7.00pm, in the Upwey Township Hall (opposite the skateboard park). Our guest speaker will be Dave Carr, Fire Management Officer at Yarra Ranges Council. Dave has kindly offered to speak about his role at Council and to give us an insight into the planning and preparation required for the environmental burn, in area 2, next autumn. The purpose of the cool burn is to control the dominant exotic grasses and to promote better ecological diversity. At the AGM you will have the opportunity to hear about the work of our Friends Group, future plans and finances. This is a great opportunity to meet other members and to find out more about Glenfern Valley Bushlands and to get more active in the group. As in past years a new committee will be elected to carry the work forward. You are all very welcome on the night and we will provide you with a light supper, Kind regards, FoGVB Committee ![]()
Our next Bushland Restoration morning will be held on Sunday 17th of September, 9:30am-12:30pm. We will meet at the central car-park on Glenfern Road. We'll provide you with tools, hand sanitiser and morning tea. Please bring sturdy shoes, drinking water and gardening gloves. You are very welcome for all or part of the morning; or if you are unable to participate in the work, do feel free to join us at 11am when we stop for morning tea and an informative talk. We'll look for weeds such as verbena, agapanthus, pittosporum, ivy and wandering trad. You don't need experience – we'll help you identify the weeds and show you how to tackle them. Hope to see you then! 🌿 ![]()
What the volunteers got up to today:
*Walked through Area 3 removing a few weeds such as Watsonia, Blackberry, Boneseed and Pittosporum. It's looking good! *Found an enormous patch of Native Raspberry 😊 *Was amazed at the way the indigenous Spear Grass had twisted itself into rope and dreadlocks. *Tidied up the sleeves and stakes around the planting that Fairhills High School had helped us with a few years ago. *Discovered what we think is Blady Grass, which isn't listed on our flora list. *Watched a pair of Black Faced Cuckoo Shrikes. *Forgot to take photos because I was absorbed being in nature! *Finished the working bee by enjoying a morning tea and a chat with friends. And in the afternoon - * Gave a short presentation to the Upwey High School students participating in the Nature Stewards Program. Such a great educational program. It was a very pleasant day. 😊 Good evening Friends and supporters, This coming Wednesday we'll hold our shorter midweek "Conservation & Conversation", 9am-11am, followed by morning tea. We'll meet at the central car park to check on area 3. Please bring garden gloves, sturdy shoes, drinking water. We'll provide you with tools, hand sanitiser, and morning tea. Please be aware that snakes are now active. A beautiful copperhead was seen at the working bee of August 20, which was a 15°C day but the sun was welcoming enough for a bake. Photo by Daniel Jackson
From clouds to blue skies, Sunday morning had it all – including a talk on the narrow-leaved peppermint eucalyptus at morning tea. It was the third in a series of fun educational talks Andrew is doing to help us identify all of the six main eucalypts in the reserve. You’ll also notice a rocky theme throughout the photo album; I've taken a lichen to them? Plus, keep an eye out for two animals that are best observed from a distance. Thanks to all who came out to the reserve for our Bush Restoration. Our next visit will take place on Wednesday 6th from 9 - 11am. Photos by Daniel Jackson
|
Categories
All
Archives
November 2023
|