Friends of Grasslands
Act now, Minister, to prevent the slaying of a Dragon at Canberra Airport (Right now)
On 17 January 2025, Friends of Grasslands and the Conservation Council called on Federal Minister for the Environment, Tanya Plibersek, to rescue the Canberra Grassland Earless Dragons from the Canberra Airport Group by revoking development approval for a proposed road running from Fairbairn to the north of the Airport. The proposed road will destroy essential habitat for the Dragon. Media release. Photo. More info (pdf, 0.3 MB)
Time now for Canberra Airport and the National Capital Authority to demonstrate commitment to sustainable development. With the election called, and with no evidence Minister Plibersek has acted to stop the wholly unnecessary Northern Road, FOG holds grave fears for the safety of Canberra Grassland Earless Dragons at Canberra Airport. We implore Canberra Airport Pty Ltd, please do not unleash your contractor to bisect with bulldozers the ‘Conservation Area’ shown in Figure 1 on page 8 of your Threatened Species Management Plan. To the National Capital Authority, we implore you, please revoke the Works Approval you issued in the last Caretaker Period. Act now, in this one, demonstrate your commitment to Canberra’s sustainable development.
ALAS (23 April 2025): Canberra Airport Group are bulldozing more Canberra Dragon habitat. See our latest media release (pdf, 0.3MB). If you are concerned about the future of Canberra’s Dragons, please write – right now – to either or both of:
The Snow Foundation
https://www.snowfoundation.org.au
enquiries@snowfoundation.org.au
Mr Noel McCann
Director of Planning and Government Relations
Canberra Airport Pty Ltd
n.mccann@canberraairport.com.au
Widening of Drake Brockman Drive: 27 April
Friends of Grasslands supports Higgins Landcare and the Conservation Council ACT Region in drawing attention to the imminent clearing of 510 trees along Drake Brockman Drive. To learn more about this disturbing development, please consider attending this Ramble being organised by Higgins Landcare for Sunday 27 April between 2:30 and 4:30 pm: https://conservationcouncil.org.au/event/drake-brockman-drive-ramble/. There are some grand old trees along the road, and some (planted) Eucalyptus moorei, and uncommon ACT species.
FoG's 2025 Annual General Meeting: 30 April
FoG's 2025 AGM will be held at the Conservation Council Offices, Unit 14/26 Barry Drive, Ground Floor, Lena Karmel Lodge, Canberra City, on Wednesday 30 April at 5:30pm for 6pm start.
- Bulletin with notice of meeting and draft agenda.
- Other documents (e.g. nomination form for committee members) are on the AGMs page.
Donations
Thinking of making a tax deductible donation to Friends of Grasslands? Read why you should!
Grasslands and grassy woodlands were the most extensive vegetation community in Australia two hundred years ago. Today, some grassland communities in south-eastern Australia are more threatened than Australian rainforests. How can that be?
Friends of Grasslands ('FoG' for short) is a community group dedicated to conservation of natural temperate grassy ecosystems in south-eastern Australia. FoG advocates, educates and advises on matters to do with the conservation of grassy ecosystems, and carries out surveys and other on-ground work. FoG is based in Canberra and its members include professional scientists, landowners, land managers and interested members of the public.
Activities and Events
FoG members help to conserve grasslands through hands-on projects, working parties, a newsletter and education work. Current events are outlined in the FoG Calendar.
Join FoG, help grasslands and get to meet interesting and knowledgeable people. Membership is open to everyone with an interest in grasslands.
What is a grassland and why are grasslands important?
Friends of Grasslands attempts to persuade governments and landholders to protect and conserve grasslands.
Need to know more about grasslands? Get help on the science of grasslands, legal matters, grassland management and growing your own grassland.
Find out about FoG's legal structure, management, aims, objectives, principles and values.
Need to know more or have something to say? Here are our contact details.
Feedback on this website is most welcome: Contact Us with your comments and suggestions.
FoG is on Facebook too.
Want to make a tax deductible donation to support grassland? Friends of Grasslands makes small grants to researchers, educators and on ground projects, a highly effective way to support grassy ecosystems. To support this, you can make a tax-deductible donation to the Friends of Grasslands Public Fund by:
- Direct debit: BSB 633000, a/c 153493960 (Bendigo bank), please include your name and advise our treasurer: treasurer@fog.org.au.
- Cheque: payable to "Friends of Grasslands Public Fund", mail to Treasurer, Friends of Grasslands Inc., PO box 440, Jamison Centre, ACT 2614. Include your name and postal address.
A receipt for tax purposes will be sent to you. Thank you.