Friends of Glenfern Valley Bushlands - The Latest

Midweek Conversation & Conservation Photos, 3 Dec 2025

3/12/2025

Today was our last Conservation & Conversation/bush restoration morning for the year.
It was great to be back in Area 2 and to see more orchids and other germinates coping very well amongst the native and pasture grasses.
Thanks to all of those who came out to make it a lovely and productive morning!

Photos by Mike

Upcoming: Bush Restoration November 2025

10/11/2025

You are all welcome at our weekend Bushland Restoration Morning, to be held this coming Sunday 16 November, from 9:30am - 12:30pm.
We'll meet at the central entrance with the rock wall, to check on grassland areas and keep weeds away from the beautiful milkmaids, chocolate lilies and other natives.

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 about a plant, animal, or other aspect of the reserve.

Please bring sturdy shoes, gloves, drinking water. We'll provide you with morning tea, tools, and hand sanitiser.

This will be our last weekend working bee for 2025. Our last midweek working bee is planned for Wednesday 3 December. Early in February we plan to start the year with our picnic and night-walk to thank you all for your support!

Newsletter #52 October 2025

23/10/2025

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Midweek Conversation & Conservation Photos, 8 Oct 2025

13/10/2025

This morning we spent a productive and informative session weeding in Area 2 where an environmental burn was conducted last December. Working with Gabe from Fairy Wren Contractors and Jade from the

Yarra Ranges Bushland team we weeded around the exisiting Dianella, Lomandra, Velvet Tussock Grass and other indigenous species, giving them space to expand and thrive.

It was mainly weedy grasses that we were pulling out and it was great to have Jade and Gabe there to help identify and teach us.

As usual, our morning concluded with a delicious shared morning tea and a chat. Thanks everyone for coming along.

Photos by Linda

Upcoming: Bush Restoration October 2025

13/10/2025

Update: Cancelled due to high winds in Area 2 which we deemed to create unsafe working conditions.

Midweek Conversation & Conservation Photos, 1 Oct 2025

1/10/2025

Well done team for tackling the sweet pittosporums on Owl Loop at our Wednesday working bee, and thanks for another wonderful morning tea!

Photos by Jackson

Upcoming: Midweek Conservation & Conversation, October

30/9/2025

Spring has arrived in the Bushlands and the season has brought some management opportunities which we will plan to act on next month.

In October we will be holding 3 working bees, with specific focuses. We invite you to participate in line with you interests and availability, and we thank you for any time you can offer.

Wednesday 1st October: a morning working bee from 9am - 11:00ish to tackle the sweet pittosporum and angle onion along Ferny Creek track - please bring safety glasses if you plan to work in the dense thicket where the pittos are.

Wednesday 8th October: a morning working bee from 9am - 11:00ish we will be working in Area 2 where the environmental burn was conducted last December. Jade of YRC and Gabe of Fairy Wren Bush Contractors will be helping us ID plant species, and manage the recovery of this area.

Sunday 19th of October: join us for our usual Sunday morning working bee from 9:30 - 12:20, with morning tea and conversation around 11am.

Its a beautiful time to visit the reserve with many indigenous plants in flower. I hope you can join us for a morning and a cuppa in the bushlands one day next month. 🌿

Bush Restoration Photos, September 2025

26/9/2025

The rain held out on Sunday which allowed us to walk through areas 10 & 11, where we found Pitto seedlings, along with Asparagus fern and the other usual culprits.

At morning tea Tim gave an interesting talk about the history of English ivy. It was once used to make pitchforks and dye clothing, and apparently its wood made for good rolling pins as pastry dough sticks to it less than other timbers.

It was a good day out in the reserve with new faces.

You can join us next time, on Wednesday 1 and 8 October at 9am, and/or Sunday 19 October at 9:30am.

Photos by Daniel

Annual General Meeting 2025

22/9/2025

Dear Friends and Members,

You are invited to join the Friends of Glenfern Valley Bushlands for our Annual General Meeting on Thursday October 9th 2025, from 7:00pm at the Upwey Township Hall.

The evening will commence with a light supper and brief presentation by Jade Gilburt of the Yarra Ranges Council's Bushlands Team, about our 2024 environmental burn; ecological assessments, post-burn management and observations in the field. The formal AGM process including reporting and election of committee will follow, and then a brief committee meeting. Please find attached the event flyer with more details.

We hope you can join us to share in the achievements of our group over the past year, and to welcome in the committee for 2025-2026.

Kind regards,

Jackson Ellis.

Upcoming: Bush Restoration September 2025

17/9/2025

You are all welcome to our weekend Bushland Restoration Morning, to be held on Sunday September 21st, from 9:30am - 12:30pm. We'll meet at the central entrance with the rock wall, to walk through areas 10 and 11.

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 about a plant, animal, or other aspect of the reserve.

If you join us later in the morning, there will be a board at the entrance explaining where we are.
Please bring sturdy shoes, gloves, drinking water. We'll provide you with morning tea, tools, and hand sanitiser. 🌿

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