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 events
- Summary of upcoming work parties
- Summary of notices
- Details of events
- Early warning of later FoG events
- Details of workparties
- Details of notices
Summary of upcoming FOG Events
Wed 8 Mar 5:30 for 6:00pm, FOG Annual General Meeting, Conservation Council, Barry Drive. Registrations & apologies: secretary@fog.org.au
Fri 17 Mar 5pm, Bat activity, Wandiyali, Googong area. Register:margaret.ning@fog.org.au
Thurs 6 Apr 9am – 12noon, Rescheduled Ginninderry Conservation corridor tour hosted by Ginninderry Conservation Trust. Register: margaret.ning@fog.org.au
Summary of upcoming FOG Work parties
National Lands Group. Register: jamie.pittock@fog.org.au
- SAT 11 Mar 9-12:30pm, Gurubung Dhaura / Stirling Park
- Sat 15 Apr 9-12:30pm, Gurubung Dhaura / Stirling Park and Yarramundi Reach
Budjan Galindji (Franklin Reserve). Register: margaret.ning@@fog.org.au
- Wed 22 Mar 9-11:30am
- Wed 5 & 26 Apr 9-11:30am
Hall Cemetery. Register: john.fitzgerald@fog.org.au
- Sat 1 Apr 9-11am
Top Hut. Register: margaret.ning@fog.org.au
- Sun 26 Mar
Summary of Notices
Petition to save Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon from north road
A special plea to support Canberra Grassland Earless Dragons from the proposed road north of the airport. See Notices for further details. Please read and consider carefully - it is easy peasy!
2023-2024 ACT Environmental Grants Program. Applications CLOSE. Friday 31 March 2023
More information on how to apply and the program guidelines.
Details of FOG Events
Wed 8 Mar 5:30 for 6pm, FOG Annual General Meeting, Conservation Council offices, Unit 14/26 Barry Drive, Ground Floor, Lena Karmel Lodge. Registrations & apologies: secretary@fog.org.au.
Fri 17 Mar 5pm, Bat activity, Wandiyali, Googong area. Register:margaret.ning@fog.org.au.
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The activity will involve trapping bats, identifying bats, and discussing what we find with bat expert Michael. Wandiyali is managed for the purposes of conservation and restoration by the Wandiyali Restoration Trust.
Thurs 6 Apr 9am – 12noon, Rescheduled Ginninderry Conservation corridor tour hosted by Ginninderry Conservation Trust. Register: margaret.ning@fog.org.au
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Conservation Trust Rangers will provide an overview of the area and you will hear from Riverview Developments Sustainability Manager, Jess Stewart about the sustainability initiatives happening in Ginninderry. This unique area is home to beautiful box-gum woodlands, natural temperate grasslands and elusive Pink-tailed Worm-lizards. The tour will take us for a drive through the rolling 240ha which is currently under Trust management and we will stop to check out some beautiful sites and talk about the cultural significance of the area. If you are looking for a lunch option on return to the Link, Stepping Stone café is a social enterprise business at the Strathnairn Arts Centre. To minimise our footprint so have a maximum of ten people on this activity. An extra couple of 4WDs would be welcome, so please let me know if you can bring one.
Early warning of FOG future events
Nil
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:
Saturday 11th March, 9:00 to 12:30 pm – Blue Gum Point & Attunga Point: Big woody weed slaying day #2
- Yes, work parties have been moved to Saturdays.
- We were here slaying weeds at the last work party. However, there is now some urgency to build on the good progress we have made and cut and daub more lake side woody weeds ahead of a planned ecological burn, which will clear out the cut weed material.
- Our work party will focus on cutting and daubing smallish woody weeds at a particularly scenic spot along the Blue Gum Point foreshore (adjacent to Gurubung Dhaura (Stirling) Park). We’ll also maintain past plantings and collect rubbish. Meet at (NEW LOCATION) the car park with the rusty ‘DNA’ sculpture at Blue Gum Point, on the lake side of Alexandrina Drive midway between Mariner Place (west) and Hopetoun Circuit. The sandwich board sign will be out. We’ll be working out of site on the lake shore. Call me if you are lost, on 0407 265 131.
- Please register with Jamie.pittock@fog.org.au or 0407 265 131.
- The work site is exposed so please wear sun protection..
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 Sunday mornings between 8:30 am and 1 pm unless otherwise stated:
- Sat 15 Apr 9-12:30pm Gurubung Dhaura / Stirling Park and Yarramundi Reach. This work party will focus on maintaining past tree plantings in the Westlake clearing, some wood weed regrowth control and hand weeding Vinca at Gurubung Dhaura (Stirling) Park. We’ll meet at the intersection of Forster and Empire streets in Yarralumla.
- Sun 14 May 9-12:30pm Gurubung Dhaura / Stirling Park
- Sun 133 Aug 9-12:30pm Gurubung Dhaura / Stirling Park
- Sun 10 Sept 9-12:30pm Gurubung Dhaura / Stirling Park
- Sun 8 Oct 9-12:30pm Gurubung Dhaura / Stirling Park and Yarramundi Reach
- Sun 12 Nov 9-12:30pm Gurubung Dhaura / Stirling Park
- Sun 10 Dec 9-12:30pm Gurubung Dhaura / Stirling Park
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.
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Wed 22 Mar 9-11:30am
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Wed 5 & 26 Apr 9-11:30am
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Wed 3 & 24 May 9-11:30am
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.
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Sat 1 Apr 9-11am
Top Hut TSR, near Cooma, NSW. Contact: margaret.ning@fog.org.au.
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Sun 26 March
Scottsdale Monitoring. Inquiries & contact: linda@xamax.com.au.
Details of Notices
Petition to save Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon from north road
On 15 Feb, FOG released a special events bulletin advertising a Friends of Grasslands and Conservation Council evening on the threat posed by a road through Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon habitat north of Canberra Airport. The evening was well attended, and thanks to those who attended and FOG members more generally for your support.
I am now asking your further support by signing a petition to various ministers, namely Tanya Plibersek, Catherine King and Kristy McBain and Member for Canberra Alicia Payne to urge them to protect the Canberra Dragon from the proposed road through their habitat.
The Conservation Council has made this easy - go to https://conservationcouncil.org.au/blog/2023/02/10/cbr-dragon/. You will find an explanation from Matt Whitting, FOG member leading FOG’s advocacy on this issue, and instructions on the email that you might send. It is all too easy. Please take a little time to do this.
Jamie Pittock, FOG President
2023-2024ACT Environmental Grants Program. Applications CLOSE. Friday 31 March 2023
More information on how to apply and the program guidelines.
The Australian Capital
Territory, while small geographically, is rich in environmental assets, values
and significance. The many reserves, parks, urban green spaces and rural lands
offer protection for important local species and ecosystems. The community can
play an important role as stewards helping to conserve, promote and protect
these environmental values. The ACT Environmental Grants Program supports and
empowers the community to fulfil this stewardship role. The program provides an
opportunity for the community to address environmental issues they are concerned
about, to restore and conserve natural places that are special to them, and to
engage other community members to do the same.
Grants are available in one of three streams:
- Environment Grant Stream – $35,000
- Nature in the City Grant Stream – $15,000
- Environmental Volunteer Group Assistance Stream – $5,000
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