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. For all FoG activities please supply your emergency contact person's details when registering.

Calendar

Summary of upcoming FOG Events

Summary of upcoming FOG Work parties

National Lands Group. Register: jamie.pittock@fog.org.au

Budjan Galindji (Franklin Reserve). Register: margaret.ning@fog.org.au

Hall Cemetery. Register:john.fitzgerald@fog.org.au

Scottsdale Monitoring. Inquiries & contact:  linda.spinaze@fog.org.au

Top Hut TSR, near Cooma, NSW.  Contact: margaret.ning@fog.org.au

Summary of Notices

(Details further down the page)

Details of FOG Events

Early warning of FOG future eventsts

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Events and dates are indicative and may be subject to change. Details will be advised as more information is available.

Details of FOG work parties

Registration

Participants need to register for these events at least two days before the event, to confirm details of the starting locations or any last-minute changes. Note: work includes weeding, planting and rubbish removal. Herbicides are often used so these events are not suitable for young children. Tools are provided.  You need to wear gardening clothes (including hat) and solid footwear appropriate for the work and the weather, and bring your own drinking water. The work party convener may provide morning tea, making these pleasant social occasions. Events will be cancelled if the weather is unsuitable: a) the forecast is 35 deg C+, b) it is a total fire ban day, c) there is lightning, d) air quality is hazardous, or e) heavy rain.

National Lands Group - Inquiries and registration: jamie.pittock@fog.org.au

FOG’s National Lands Group is responsible for work on National Lands (Gurubung Dhaura /Stirling Park, Scrivener’s Hut, State Circle, Blue Gum Point & Yarramundi Grassland) managed by the National Capital Authority and Blue Gum Point managed by ACT Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS). Work parties with 10 to 30 participants held on Saturday mornings between 8:30 am and 1 pm unless otherwise stated:

Budjan Galindji (Franklin Reserve) - Inquiries and registration: margaret.ning@fog.org.au

The Budjan Galindji (Franklin Reserve) Parkcare Group is organised by FOG and ACT Parkcare. Work parties have largely focused on plant identification and removing weeds, and some planting of grasses and forbs is planned. We are working closely with Ranger Stephen. This is a great opportunity for participants in the group to learn about grassland plants and weeds and their management, and more generally how to restore our precious grasslands, including selecting, growing and reintroducing plants.  Work parties are from 9-11.30am on the first and fourth Wednesday of the month.

Hall Cemetery - Inquiries and registration: john.fitzgerald@fog.org.au

FOG has held regular work parties at Hall Cemetery since 2009, aiming to remove weeds and restore the native grasses and wild flowers that were once present. Work parties are held from 9am-11am. You need to bring your own working tool, and dress sensibly.

Top Hut TSR, near Cooma, NSW.  Contact: margaret.ning@fog.org.au

Scottsdale Monitoring.  Inquiries & contact:  linda.spinaze@fog.org.au

Since Bush Heritage bought the property in 2006, FOG has assisted to monitor vegetation on Scottsdale.  Initially the monitoring was to assess the impact of cattle grazing on the African Lovegrass (ALG), but now the focus is on native plants.  We need some volunteers to mark out areas, hold tapes and record plants. You don't need to be able to identify native grassland plants, but it does help.  Scottsdale is situated about 4km north of Bredbo, about 35 minutes from Tuggeranong's southern edge. We usually car-share if possible. The day will start abt 9am at Scottsdale, and finish abt 3.30pm.  Timings may vary depending on what the ecologist has planned for the day.  Coffee is available on arrival, and lunch is provided by Bush Heritage.  If you are interested in enjoying a day on one of our local special places contact Linda (details above).

Details of Notices

Sat 23 Nov 8:30am-5:30pm, Get to know your Threatened Species Landcare Bus Tour, Cooma. For Bookings: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/get-to-know-your-threatened-species-landcare-bus-tour-tickets. For info upper.murrumbidgee@gmail.com. Itinerary:

Pick up & drop off: Centennial Park, Bombala Street, Cooma. Catering provided.

Interested to join a Community Fire Unit (CFU)? For more information contact: ACTFR.CFU@act.gov.au.  Multiple Community Fire Units (CFUs) are currently looking for new members. The CFUs looking for new members are shown on the map at this page (https://esa.act.gov.au/join-us-volunteering/community-fire-units/cfu-training-and-recruitment-area-locations). You can only join a CFU if you live in one of these suburbs. The role of CFUs is described here (https://esa.act.gov.au/join-us/volunteering/community-fire-units) and there is information about applying to join a CFU at the bottom of that page. Although it’s not their primary purpose, CFUs play a role in protecting grasslands. We are aware there are a few spots left in the Induction to be held on 24 Nov. If you are interested, please email ACTFR.CFU@act.gov.au for further information.

Sat 30 Nov 9:30am-12:30pm, Inspiring conservation and wise management of Box Gum Grassy Woodlands field day, Sue McIntyre, Nelanglo Travelling Stock Route (TSR) and Gunning Showground Ecological Park.  Start at Nelanglo Traveling Stock Reserve – 10 minutes north of Gundaroo, second half at Gunning Showgrounds. Lunch is provided.  RSVP with dietary requirements to Leah coordinator@gdl.org.au 0488 027 653

Tues 10 Dec 6pm: CANBERRA BOOK LAUNCH - Jenny Horsfield’s Our grassy landscapes. A celebration of the people who care for them. FOG members are warmly invited to attend the launch of Jenny Horsfield’s new book Our grassy landscapes. A celebration of the people who care for them. The story of FOG features in some detail in the book. The book will be launched by Dr Charles Massy at the National Library of Australia bookshop at 6pm on Tuesday 10 December. Dr Massy is a regenerative farmer, scientist and author of Call of the Reed Warbler. Jenny Horsfield is a Canberra writer with a special interest in the stories of the region where she lives. Her previous book, A bookshop in wartime, was about Verity Hewitt’s bookshop and the role it played in wartime Canberra. Our grassy landscapes is Jenny’s eighth book. She has twice been the recipient of an ACT Writers and Publishers non-fiction Book of the Year award. The event is free but the Library requests that you book on the following link: https://www.stickytickets.com.au/11zwp/author_signing_jenny_horsfields_our_grassy_landscapes.aspx

Note that parking is free after 5pm.

Mon 13 – Sun 19 Jan 2025, Snakes Alive, Australian National Botanic Gardens

Please advertise these events 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