11th APRIL – PARADISE PLAINS – ORIGINS OF BUTTONGRASS MOORLANDS ETC. – IAN THOMAS leader
Meet in Ringarooma, opposite the library on the swimming pool side of the road at 10 am. From there it’s a relatively short drive up onto Mathinna Plains where we can inspect some aspects of buttongrass ecology. Turning West onto Ben Ridge from the Mathinna Road will take us to the botanically interesting Paradise Plains. In the middle of the Plains, evidence will be shown concerning the age and origin of the grassland. Pleasant ambling along a vehicle track will bring us to a well-known A-Frame shelter where we can have lunch (bring a thermos) before walking past rainforest patches back to our cars. We expect to arrive back in Ringarooma no later than 3.30pm.
Reminder: many will remember the snow and sleet visited upon us last time we were there, so, please come prepared for all kinds of weather.
REPORT ON FROME DAM OUTING.
A great outing with a big turnout. Thanks to Garry, Lloyd and Penny for putting this report together. Here it is
FRIENDS OF BRIDPORT GROUP.
Because of the many land managers in Dorset and especially around Bridport, it is necessary to navigate many different expectations [RED TAPE] if doing environmental work. It took a year to get a permit for the rice grass spraying [NRE] but to spray the rice grass at the mouth of the Little Forester River, a different permit had to be sought [Parks] Yet another to pull sea spurge on the Trent Water[Parks and Dorset Council who holds a lease].
Although it’s tedious, I think it will be worthwhile in many ways. That is why I’m forming a ‘Friends of Bridport Group’ through Parks and Wildlife so that we can pull sea spurge and other weeds if we choose. It’s been tedious for me, but for those who wish to volunteer, it has become quite simple. I’ll be contacting those who have previously shown interest soon.
REMEMBERING HEATHER WHITE.
Some of us remember when the Whites were involved with Field Nats. in the 1990’s. Coming from NSW and having been involved in Bushwalking groups there, they were almost immediately elected onto the Committee where John became president and a little later Heather, secretary. Being very organised people, they brought a certain order to the group which was needed at the time.
You may have sat on the knob in the Winifred Curtis Reserve where a rustic table and bench was erected in John’s memory. Twenty years after his death, Heather, who was 99years old, passed away, and was celebrated at a recent gathering at the Bunker in Bridport.
Look out for the story of this most interesting woman, whose many endeavours were revealed to those present at that gathering. We’ll publish the story and photos on our website as part of our archive gallery.
NRM NORTH GIANT FRESHWATER CRAYFISH PROJECT
Endemic to Tasmania, the Giant FreshWater Crayfish, Astacopsis gouldii is only found in rivers flowing into Bass Strait. First listed as Vulnerable in 1995, it has been subject to many threats, mostly to do with habitat destruction and depletion. As well as that there’s been chemical and fertilizer runoff, erosion, barriers put into streams such as dams, culverts and stock crossings, all having an impact on the population.
NRM North does a heap of work encouraging landowners to restore habitat and the latest project is to make it easier for the GFC to cross roads. Yes, they have been observed doing that! either to evade predators, to get to cooler water, or to find food or shelter or a mate. Part of the project is to set up demonstration sites for culvert design, monitored by cameras, where passage practices will be piloted, enabling use by the GFC.
NEXT OUTING ON MAY 9TH TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON.