News of Friends of Grasslands

This Strategy is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to advance the conservation of grassy ecosystems. The draft includes key commitments that FOG has long sought. Notably, the proposed ACT Nature Conservation Network (NCN) reflects FOG and the Conservation Council’s 2023 proposal for a cross-land-tenure Biodiversity Network https://conservationcouncil.org.au/blog/2023/01/13/a-biodiversity- network-for-the-act/.

As detailed in Matt Whitting’s article in this newsletter, the Strategy’s core promise is “a Nature Positive future for the Territory”. The NCN would be defined within the ACT Government’s proposed Landscape Plan as a “strategic, cross-tenure network of lands and waters in the ACT” under some form of conservation. The government further proposes that “Within the NCN, we will identify Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs): places in the ACT where our key natural values will be conserved, connected, restored and safeguarded”.

FOG has been mapping the last areas of unprotected high conservation value grassy ecosystems in Canberra. These roughly 3,300 hectares, of which a third are on Federal Government lands and two thirds are managed by the ACT Government, amount to just 1.4% of the ACT land area.

The ACT Strategy can perform a great service by enabling conservation of these lands in perpetuity. Successful conservation will lead to deconfliction of development versus conservation of the environment. Environmental resources can focus on restoration and conservation rather than planning battles. The business sector and government would be free to pursue their development objectives.

I encourage all ACT FOG members to put in a submission supporting the draft Strategy and asking the ACT Government to fund its implementation adequately.

FOG Committee

FOG’s Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday March 18^th, and with it the election of a new Committee for 2026-27. So far there are at least two more places available than there are nominees for positions, so I urge interested members to nominate by March 3^rd (details on www.fog.org.au). The FOG Committee meets once per month. Duties vary and are not onerous. Our committee is most collegial and positive, and we welcome new members.

In this context I acknowledge the significant contributions of two Committee members who are not re- nominating. Helen Ross has served on the Committee for a number of years, and as Secretary has upgraded and streamlined the work involved, as well as strengthened our governance procedures.

Sarah Sharp, a founder of FOG is also stepping down from the committee in anticipation of an interstate move. Sarah has made extraordinary contributions to FOG over the last 32 years – to FOG and to the conservation of grassy ecosystems. Sarah was the Grassland Project Officer, ACT Parks and Conservation Service – Wildlife Research Unit when FOG was formed in 1994. A four-year ACT Grassland Recovery Program had begun in 1992 thanks to Sarah and her colleagues. The resulting ACT Grassland Recovery Plan, later released as the

Government’s first Action Plan, included a recommendation to establish a Friends of Grasslands group. Among Sarah’s achievements for grasslands are:

The first comprehensive grassland surveys in the ACT;
Many publications as (co)-author, including: numerous conservation strategies and recovery plans such as the ACT Government’s Action Plans nos. 27 and 28; the books Grassland Flora and Woodland Flora; a chapter in Land of Sweeping Plains; management plans for many areas under ACT jurisdiction including Googong Foreshores; and the Grassy Ecosystems Management Kit: a guide to developing conservation management plans;
The ACT Vegetation Monitoring Manual and ‘Vegwatch’, explaining assessment and monitoring methods that community groups and landholders use;
The organisation of two conferences/seminars: ‘Management of relict lowland grasslands’ in 1993 (and its proceedings); and ‘Grass half full or grass half empty? Valuing native grassy landscapes’ in 2014;
The role of President, plus various committee roles during many years on the FOG committee; and
On-ground land care, practical on-ground surveys and data analysis.

Sarah was made an Honorary Life Member of FOG in 2018. Her commitment and expertise that have sustained FOG over our organisation’s history will be missed (but hopefully still available a phone call away!). Thank you for your contributions, Sarah.

Best wishes, Jamie Pittock, President

Invitation – Farewell to Sarah Sharp

Thurs 9 Apr 5.30-7.30pm at St Mark’s, Blackall St, Barton

Hosted by FOG and Landcare ACT, with support from the ACT Government, join us for a farewell and thank you to Sarah for her 35 years of grassland conservation work in the ACT. To express interest in attending the event (for catering and venue numbers) contact Margaret Ning and keep an eye on FOG and Landcare ACT’s Facebook pages for further details.

The ACT’s next nature strategy – what’s in it for nature?

Matt Whitting

As our President notes, on 9th February the ACT’s Environment Minister Suzanne Orr MLA invited comment, by 23rd March, via the have your say website, on the Draft Nature Conservation Strategy 2026-2036 for the ACT (The Strategy).

The Strategy’s core promise is “a Nature Positive future¹ for the Territory” (p. 1). It’s an ambitious but essential promise when you consider reports on the state of the environment alongside growth planned for the ACT over the next decade. Homes and jobs will be needed for the expected 17 per cent increase in the human population from ~479,000 to ~561,000². The expanded urban footprint will impact nature as well as culture and the land’s capacity to produce food and fibre. As far as nature is concerned, at risk are the northern ACT’s lowland grassy ecosystems.

I encourage you to engage with this. Given the Strategy’s targets, consider and report to the Minister your level of confidence, high or low, in whether all species will benefit from the promised "Nature Positive" bargain - what else is needed; what should be done differently? There is no doubt that the Strategy includes a lot that is good. As always, more resources would help.

For me, knowing that others with expertise on management issues will focus their attention there, in this article I focus on protection issues:

Every hectare of intact (or relatively intact) nature cleared for development over the decade will increase the pressure on nature. The burden on nature is permanent. Land that is relatively intact will be easier and cheaper to restore than that which is degraded;
To more than compensate for the losses, i.e. to contribute to "Nature Positive" outcomes, the areas being retained and restored must:

o be, or have the potential to be restored to be, like the places being impacted;

o have, or have the potential to be restored so that they have, high conservation value;

o be well managed;

o be protected from future development that would cause harm to nature.

An intention to manage a place for conservation is always welcome, but intentions change. Without strong protection, gains for nature may be temporary, a never-ending challenge to the promise of "Nature Positive".

In relation to these points, here’s part of what’s in the Strategy:

“Central to this Nature Positive vision is the establishment of an ACT Nature Conservation Network (NCN) that is identified and defined within the ACT Landscape Plan" (p1);
The NCN is defined as a “strategic, cross-tenure network of lands and waters in the ACT under some form of long-term protection or conservation and active conservation management ..." (p20, underline added);
“Within the NCN, we will identify Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs): places in the ACT where our key natural values will be conserved, connected, restored and safeguarded" (p1);
Target 5a reads, for achievement by 2026, “PCAs are identified reflecting critical habitat";
Target 5b reads, for achievement by 2029, “PCAs are provided legislative protection";
PCAs will be protected from inappropriate development by the Nature Conservation Act 2014 (Supplement B).

I have high confidence that "some form of long-term protection" will be defined in a Landscape Plan and actioned by amendment to a statute by 2029.

I have hope, but I do not have high confidence that:

There will be enough PCAs to see nature survive and thrive;
"Some form of long-term protection" will be strong enough to permanently prevent development that would harm nature in PCAs and throughout the rest of the NCN.

These are points I would like to see included in FOG’s submission. As FOG’s Advocacy Convenor, I welcome your thoughts. We need expert comment on targets related to management, climate- change adaptation, biosecurity risk-management and more. Please, send your thoughts and copies of any submissions you make to advocacy@fog.org.au.

References:

1. Nature Positive Initiative: A Global Goal for Nature, https://www.naturepositive.org/.

2. Centre for Population (2025) 2025 Population Statement Australian Capital Territory snapshot, https://population.gov.au/sites/population.gov.au/files/2026-01/ss-2025-pop-statement-act.pdf

First visit for 2026 – Monash Grassland, ACT

Ann Milligan

When walking or running along the path north of Isabella Pond in Monash, ACT, you don’t necessarily realise that the hill beside you has a good quality native grassland at its top. Why would you? – the lower parts of the slope, near the path, are dominated by tall dried-up weedy grasses, mainly Phalaris, Fescue and Wild Oats.

The top of the hill is a different story entirely (photo left). It is a lovely example of native grassland, with plenty of space between plants as a result of the careful eco-burn last August by an ACT Government team. The burn was funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by ACT Natural Resource Management, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.

Among the recently-flowered native plant species that now have room to grow and spread we saw: Pimelea curviflora, Dianella longifolia, Leptorhynchos squamatus, Cryptandra amara, Melichrus urceolatus, Wahlenbergia communis, Plantago varia (leaves scorched by the recent intense heat and sunlight), Eryngium ovinum, Acaena ovina, Lomandra filiformis and L. multiflora, and Stackhousia monogyna, as well as grasses Cymbopogon refractus, Sorghum leiocladum, Poa sieberiana, Themeda australis, Austrostipa sp., Anthosachne scabra, Dichelachne sp., and both tallish and short Wallaby grasses (Rytidosperma).

Our visit, led by Margaret Ning, began at 9am on Saturday 31 January, ending at about 10.30, by which time the temperature was 34C. As well as four other FOG members, there were two people (and a dog) from the Friends of Monash Grasslands group (FOMG), and Nicki Taws (of Greening Australia). Nicki was aware of discussions to remediate the weedy area downslope in earlier years.

We could see there has been hand-planting on the flat area. Some of the weathered plant-guards contain flowering Xerochrysum viscosum and Wahlenbergia communis and at least one other species I couldn’t recognise, though many are empty.

The good condition of the hilltop can be credited to FOMG as well as the burn team, and to Margaret who, with Matt Kent, has spent many hours since early December spraying out African Lovegrass, St John’s Wort, Fescue, Phalaris, Flatweed and Salsify.

Armfuls of Skeleton Weed have also been removed. Environmental Restoration Design and Planning Pty Ltd, subcontractor of ACT NRM, led the spraying work, and it was funded by the Australian Government through their ‘Supporting Communities Manage Pest Animals and Weeds Program’.

Photo: Paul C with earlier plantings

The only fauna I saw today were two species of grasshopper. The beige type had a long head or horns and flew maybe 10m when disturbed. The other (I saw only two of these) was green, appeared much bulkier than the beige species, and flew maybe 20m before landing.

Photo: A view downhill to Isabella Ponds

And I saw one small pile of kangaroo poo, relatively fresh, downslope at the edge of the weeds. Such a mass of dead tall grass at the bottom of the slope would seem to be a fire risk. However, the ground there is so uneven that it must be impossible to remove that material at present – surely only a heavily controlled burn would do that, though the nearby householders might object to the smoke.

I’d like to visit Monash Grassland again during spring, if we get good rains by then. Thank you Margaret for leading us there today.

Photos and text by Ann Milligan

Hill Reserve report - follow-up

This item follows up on the article on FOG’s visit to Hill Reserve, Ngunnawal on Page 12 of ‘News of Friends of Grasslands’ - January & February 2026). The purpose of the visit was to discover if the Cross-dressing Grasshopper (Perunga ochracea) still existed there, following a couple of sightings that were posted on Canberra Nature Map in 2024.

Following the publication of this item, entomologist and FOG member Dr Roger Farrow provided some additional information. Roger mentioned that Steve Borkowskis recorded the first Hill Reserve sighting of Perunga on Canberra Nature Map. Subsequently, he and Christian Stricker followed up the finding and found a significant breeding population there in what is a very atypical location for this threatened species. Roger is currently undertaking a survey of Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper (Keyacris scurra) distribution in the ACT for City and Environment Directorate.

Roger points out that some of the sites surveyed are very small, only measuring a few 100 m2, and that particular care needs to be exercised in these sites to avoid trampling while detecting cryptic grasshoppers.

Contented Natives: Close-up

John Fitz Gerald

In this edition, it’s the turn of native species to feature. I’ve chosen three fairly common species which appeared to enjoy the recent cool and damp years in south-east NSW. All three species grow at Hall Cemetery; many other grasslands and some open woodlands in our region have at least two of the three.

My first plant is Asperula conferta, Common Woodruff. This is a low-growing perennial herb that is dioiceous. ALA shows over 18,400 records across south-east Australia and Tasmania. NSW has over half of them. The ACT has 700 records.

This plant regrew vigorously from roots and underground branches after an ecological burn in April at Umbagong grassland in the Belconnen district. My image here shows seven nondescript rough seeds, about 1mm in size, some of which have a kidney-like shape.

I also include in the image a fruit with a little of its stem still attached (middle right side of image); the fruit is deeply lobed and this one could contain two seeds.

Each fruit develops at or near the top of one of the delicate stems of female plants. The fruit’s skin is quite tough and takes some effort to pierce.

The second plant is the C4 perennial grass Sorghum leiocladum, Wild Sorghum. Culms of this grass are commonly over one metre tall and its tussocks are relatively large.

My experience is that it enjoys rockier sites. ALA shows 4,200 sightings the length of eastern Australia, in locations from the coastal to those around 250 km inland. Over three-quarters of the records are in NSW with 205 in the ACT.

Keys for identification indicate that spikelets occur in pairs, one sterile and one fertile.

My image shows four brown, hairy florets, all fertile and bearing a twisted awn. At the centre of the image is one seed about 3mm long which I cut out of another floret. Its lemma was quite tough and papery underneath its surface hairs.

My final plant is the attractive daisy Leptorhynchos squamatus ssp. squamatus, Scaly Button. This perennial forb usually has many flowers on each plant and, in suitable years, produces impressive yellow patches.

ALA has over 3,000 records across the south-east corner of Australia within 300km of coastlines, mostly in eastern SA and Victoria, but also in NSW and Tasmania. The ACT totals 212 records.

My image here shows five seeds, each with its bristled white pappus still attached, at least partially. Seeds are 2-3mm long, 0.3mm across but all are much thinner in the third dimension (i.e. parallel to our view).

I hope here that I’ve been able to pass on to readers at least some of the pleasure I’ve had observing and photographing these plants and seeds during this growing season.

[Note: More close-up images of the seeds of contented native can be found on Pages 10 and 11 of this newsletter]

High magnification images were taken using the Nikon microscope at the National Seedbank in the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Scale bars in the three images represent 1mm. Images can be reproduced freely with reference to the Creative Commons licence CC BY.

The information above was gathered from websites including Atlas of Living Australia - www.ala.gov.au and PlantNET – plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au.

Case Moths or Bag Worms, family Psychidae, and the Tower Case Moth in particular

Michael Bedingfield

“Be still. Stillness reveals the secrets of eternity”. These are words of the philosopher and sage Lao Tzu. They are from his classic Chinese text entitled “Tao Te Ching” and were written in about 600 BC. Stillness is a common strategy of moths. However, they are not interested in philosophy but simply in survival and wish to be invisible to predators. They keep still and try to blend the colouring of their wings into their environment. This behaviour makes them a good subject to photograph, and there are more moth sightings on Canberra Nature Map than any of the other insect groups.

Another strategy for survival that is employed by Case Moths is for the larvae to construct protective mobile homes to live in. Case Moths are also called Bag Worms and belong to the family Psychidae. The caterpillars construct the bag or case around themselves using silk. A variety of materials are attached on the outside of the little bag, selected carefully from the environment. This gives the larvae a level of protection and is also a form of camouflage. The resulting cases come in many shapes and textures. Different species have their own choice of decoration which is common for all members of that species. At the front end of the case or bag there is a hole for the head and thorax to poke out of while the larva feeds or moves around. At the back end is another hole for excretion. When mature enough the caterpillar pupates inside its case. During pupation it generally uses silk to attach the front end of its case to a branch or twig so that it hangs freely.

I have provided a composite picture (above) with some of the different case moths and their cases. On the top left is the caterpillar for a Cone Case Moth, Lepidoscia species (genus) and below it is an adult of that genus. In the centre at the top is a Parallel Stick Case Moth, Clania species (genus), hanging onto a Clustered Everlasting Daisy, Chrysocephalum semipapposum. Below it is the adult moth of Lepidoscia cataphracta. On the right at the top is the Leafy Case Moth, Hyalarcta huebneri. Below it is another caterpillar, but from an unidentified species in the family Psychidae.

For a more detailed story about these interesting creatures I’ve chosen the Tower Case Moth, which has the scientific name Lepidoscia arctiella. The specimen in my photograph was clinging to a Juncus plant. The constructed case of these moths is distinctive and can be quite elegant. The caterpillar attaches tiny sticks of the same length around its case. As it grows it adds another row of small sticks, but increasing the width of the circle of sticks. This method is repeated giving a multi-story appearance; with the head at the top it has the look of an upside-down tower. The eventual size of the construction can be up to 3cm long. Note that there are other species of Bag Worms that build cases similar to Lepidoscia arctiella.

For the adult male Tower Case Moth, the wings are dark grey with variable off- white patches and a wingspan of about 2cm. The female is wingless and stays within her case after pupation. The winged male is able to mate with her through the rear hole of her case. The fertilized eggs are laid by the female within the case. They remain there protected from the elements and predators.

When the eggs hatch the emerging larvae create their own cases as they grow. Photos of the adults can be seen at the first “butterflyhouse” reference given below. While not all members of the family Psychidae have wingless females, it is common for many species to follow the same reproductive pattern described above.

The Tower Case Moth is common and occurs in all Australian States and Territories. If you see what looks like a small bundle of tiny twigs or a bunch of leaves clinging to a stem or branch, have a closer look. Generally it would be quite still and probably aware of your approach. You might be seeing a Case Moth or Bag Worm. If you are lucky it might move a little, proving it is a living creature. Living and surviving can be very challenging for small insects and these moths are another of nature’s remarkable adaptations.

Main references:

https://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/psyc/arctiella.html

https://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/psyc/psychidae.html

https://bie.ala.org.au/species/

https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/6d621b17-f4a0-4618-a3cf-78d2252263a2

https://canberra.naturemapr.org/species/7458

FOG members 2026

Ann Milligan

Welcome to three new members of FOG since 2026 began, all based in the ACT. And "Thank you" to all who have already renewed your membership of FOG for this year!

Renewing our important FOG membership is now quicker and easier!

Being a member of FOG not only shows we support native grassland conservation in south-eastern Australia, and FOG's work towards that goal. It also shows we support the Objects and the rules of Friends of Grasslands Inc., and comply with the Associations Incorporation Act 1991 (ACT) as set out in FOG’s Constitution. That (the italics) is what we signed for on our initial membership application forms (and any we have sent in since then).

The FOG committee has now decided that by renewing our annual membership we demonstrate we stick by that initial agreement i.e. we no longer need to submit a new membership form each year! That's good news for those of you yet to renew! Renewal is now just a matter of paying our dues and emailing the membership coordinator to tell me what you have done.

If you have already sent in your form this year, your effort has not been wasted. Your forms have let me check your details in the membership list, including your membership type. They have confirmed the number of years you have paid for, and whether your payment includes a donation - these are vital bits of information.

2 easy steps to renew membership

Fees: Individuals/families/not-for profits, $30; concession-holders, $10; corporate bodies, $60.

Step 1: Pay the appropriate fee by direct debit to BSB 633 000, A/c no. 124770835, or via mailed cheque/money order/cash to FOG membership, PO Box 440 Jamison Centre ACT 2614.

For direct debit, include your name and the words “M'ship” or “M'ship&Don” in the Reference box. For mailed payments, please include a written note with the details.

Step 2: Email me to confirm your membership type and the number of years you have paid for. And please tell me of any changes to your address/phone numbers/newsletter preferences, and self-description (e.g. as landholder/parkcarer/etc.) since you last renewed (which, for some of you, is several years ago!).

I look forward to hearing from you! Ann Milligan, FOG membership coordinator

Invitation: Conservation Council ACT Region

Join us for a rally outside the ACT Legislative Assembly at 1:30pm on Tuesday 23 March in Civic Square followed by entry to Question Time to directly ask the Planning Minister: will you keep Canberra’s Western Edge outside the urban boundary to save it from unsustainable, unaffordable and dangerous urban sprawl?

Head to the Save our Western Edge campaign page for more information

Lerida Travelling Stock Reserve

Margaret Ning

Sat 21 February 2026. Who better to guide our choice of places to visit in 2026 than Rainer Rehwinkel who has been ‘everywhere’ (good name for a song….?)?

Rainer’s wanders cover locations within Canberra and further afield and include many places FOG has not visited. Lerida TSR is one such place, easy to find, and a fine patch of woodland near Collector, north of Lake George. (See map). As you can see from the scale, it is roughly 600m by 400m, and is an oasis of trees in a rather cleared landscape.

Lerida is a lovely 27ha high conservation value TSR which is relatively free of weeds and other issues, although we did see some pig diggings near the dam, and numerous Serrated Tussock plants on the dam wall. We circumnavigated the dam, knowing that such spots are always good for a few species, and were not disappointed.

There was as much Small St Johns Wort on the site as I have ever seen, and some of it was flowering. Rainer knew the best parts to head for, and before long we were rather drawn out as different things caught our eye. We had an excellent team of experts contributing to the ID conversations during the morning. After all, it wasn’t easy to ID some of those grasses after they’d already been around for a few months! Apart from Rainer and Sue McIntyre from FOG, we were privileged to also have Roger Lembit, botanist, ecologist, consultant (many, many hats), who is living in the region for a while, and is another mine of information. We seized the moment to discuss Rytidosperma, Dichelachne and even Poas while the opportunity was there.

With the current very dry weather we knew very little would be flowering at the TSR but armed with a list of over 120 native plant species from Rainer’s earlier visits to the reserve, we knew what would have been there earlier in the season. We were surprised that we were able to add ten more native species to his list, and we also managed to put species names on some ‘sp’ names on the list.

Twenty three of us had converged from many directions to get to Lerida. The group included participants from Goulburn and Canberra Field Nats, and some locals. The forecast was for 33 degrees or so, but as expected the shadiness kept us cool, as we ensured discussions took place under the many Eucalyptus species present. Some people had to leave on completion of our wander but the rest of us adjourned to ‘Some Cafe’ in Collector for much appreciated iced coffees and milk shakes.

Thank you Rainer, Sue and Roger for being part of an excellent morning.

Lerida TSR, image by Rainer Rehwinkel

Contributions welcome

Do you have a story from your favourite grassland or grassy woodland that you would like to share?

Please contact the Editor: newsletter@fog.org.au.

Contact us

General inquiries, health and safety	info@fog.org.au
Media inquiries	0407 265 131 (Jamie Pittock); 0439 849 419 (Matt Whitting)
Membership enquiries	membership@fog.org.au
Events & work parties	Calendar
Book order forms	Grassland & Woodland Flora.
Advocacy contact	advocacy@fog.org.au
Website matters	webmanager@fog.org.au
Projects / work party contacts	Hall Cemetery, Ginninderry: john.fitzgerald@fog.org.au Scrivener’s Hut, Gurubung Dhaura (Stirling Park), Blue Gum Point & Yarramundi Grassland: jamie.pittock@fog.org.au Budjan Galindji (Franklin) Grasslands, TSRs & Old Cooma Common: margaret.ning@fog.org.au Scottsdale: linda.spinaze@fog.org.au
Newsletter contactct	newsletter@fog.org.au
Contact addresses	secretary@fog.org.au
Payments & accounts	treasurer@fog.org.au
Annual reports	annual reports
FOG Committee	secretary@fog.org.au

Photo: While departing The Mulloon Institute during our mid-November 2025 visit (see Margaret's article on page 4 Jan-Feb 2026 issue) Margaret and I made a short stop at this section of grassy woodland-open forest, a different vegetation type, with a view to assessing its potential for another FOG visit in spring 2026. To our delight its potential was confirmed. A quick search revealed what looked like a flowering Musky Caps orchid (TBC) (see inset in bottom RH corner), a couple of Sun Orchids (Thelymitra sp.) in the process of flowering, and a flowering Blue Bottle Daisy (Lagenophora stipitata)! Image & caption: Andrew Zelnik

News of Friends of Grasslandsds is published by
Friends of Grasslands Inc.
PO Box 440, Jamison Centre ACT 2614

News of Friends of Grasslands

In this issue

Activities

Work Parties

Excursions

New members

President’s report

Draft Nature Conservation Strategy is an advance for the ACT