Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests

Stephenson’s Track Planned Burn Walk

Posted on 19 June, 2026 by Karl Just

On Sunday 14 June, FOBIF hosted a special walk at Campbells Creek through the area proposed for the Stephenson’s Track planned burn. Led by local ecologists Dr Cassia Read, Chrissi Charles and Karl Just, the walk attracted 25 participants.

Along the way, Cassia, Chrissi and Karl shared insights into the beauty, complexity and resilience of the Box-Ironbark forests, while also highlighting that these ecosystems remain in a long process of recovery following extensive disturbance from gold mining and timber harvesting. FOBIF’s concerns regarding the proposed burn were discussed, including the damage of pre-burn tree raking and track widening, potential impacts on threatened species such as the Eltham Copper Butterfly and Castlemaine Spider-orchid, as well as evidence that planned burns can stimulate dense shrub growth and increase fuel loads in subsequent years.

Cassia introduced participants to the remarkable world of bryophytes, revealing the diversity of mosses and liverworts that often go unnoticed beneath our feet. Karl explored the wetland vegetation that has regenerated around an old mining dam and explained the ecology of the rare Bibron’s Toadlet, a species that may be vulnerable to both direct fire impacts and the erosion of charcoal and sediment into breeding habitat following planned burns on surrounding slopes.

The afternoon concluded with some hands-on conservation work, as participants removed Montpellier Broom seedlings along the edge of the bushland, helping to protect and restore this recovering landscape.

FOBIF will continue advocating for the removal of this burn from Forest Fire Management Victoria’s planned burning program. We remain concerned that there is little evidence the burn would provide a meaningful reduction in wildfire risk, while there is considerable potential for adverse impacts on threatened species and the ecological health of this recovering forest. Although FFMV has so far declined to remove the burn from the schedule, it has been postponed until autumn 2027. FOBIF will continue to work with the community, scientists and decision-makers to ensure the ecological values of this forest are properly considered.

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Walk this Sunday: Loddon Company Race

Posted on 15 June, 2026 by fobif

21 June The Loddon Company Race, Irishtown
The Loddon Company Race, constructed in 1866, predating the Coliban system, retains many relics of its fascinating and long history. This walk will take a 6 km loop, heading out along the Vaughan arm of the channel and returning via Irishtown to our parking area along Devil Track, off Irishtown Track. Walking will be off and on some tracks.

Meet at Castlemaine Community House at 9.30am or at the Burke & Wills Mechanics Institute, Fryerstown at 9.45am.

For a detailed description of this walk, go to Steve Charman’s Field Rambling blog: https://fieldrambling.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-loddon-company-channel-walking_24.html

Inquiries: Steve Charman 0411 357 601 or Gen Blades 0431 371 065

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Our President is stepping down

Posted on 15 June, 2026 by fobif

FOBIF’s President (chairperson), Christine Henderson, is stepping down from this role. Christine has been a committee member for 4 – 5 years, and more recently as President. We are grateful to Christine for her contribution and glad to say that her involvement with FOBIF, which has been for many years, will continue. This includes her current contribution to the Geology book (yet to be published) as well as leading walks in her backyard around Taradale and the Fryers Ranges.

Gen Blades, current vice Chair, will be interim Chairperson. A reminder that members are welcome to attend committee meetings which occur on the second Monday of the month in the Castlemaine Community House. If you or someone you know is interested in joining our committee please get in touch, either by email info@fobif.org.au or phone our secretary Lisa Hall 0488 102 191.

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What FOBIF does and why

Posted on 15 June, 2026 by fobif

Last year, the new committee gathered to consider the purpose and aims of FOBIF. A few of the outgoing committee members who were instrumental in the establishment of FOBIF, were invited to attend and give input. What follows is a summary of purpose, aims and activities of FOBIF.

FRIENDS OF BOX IRONBARK FORESTS (FOBIF): Purpose and aims 2026 The Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests (Djarra Country / Mt Alexander Region) was formed in 1998 by people in the local community interested in working towards highlighting the significance of the Box-Ironbark ecosystems, a purpose that remains important to the current day.

Purpose:
To share our passion for the unique ecosystems of the Box-Ironbark region, building a community of care and advocacy that supports nature to flourish into the future.

Goals:
The primary goal is to work towards a healthy, sustainable and biodiverse landscape through conservation of local habitat, in the following ways:

Work with local ecologists, artists, musicians and others to create inspiring activities for people to join in with in the forest to create a greater connection with community and nature.
Create accessible resources and events to increase the community’s and our own ecological understanding and develop citizen science activities.
Build strong campaigns to end the threats to our bushlands including inappropriate development, feral plant and animal invasions, off track bike riding and vehicle driving, destructive road works, illegal firewood collection, rubbish dumping, illegal prospecting, logging and inappropriate burning.
Build alliances with like minded groups to work together on environmental policies and regional issues such as climate change and habitat burning and create opportunities for mutual support and sharing of successful strategies.
Maintain relationships with government departments responsible for public forests especially, the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park which is the only national heritage park in Australia!
Give advice and influence management practices of remnant vegetation on public and private land.

Current activities include:

Responding to, networking and communicating with environmental organisations and groups that include, and not limited to:
- The Victorian National Parks Association
- Environment Victoria
- Connecting Country, Castlemaine Landcare groups and Castlemaine field naturalists
- Victorian Forest Alliance
Constructive critical interaction with Park managers on several issues, including road management, the ecological effects of management burning, and weed control.
Preparation of submissions and appearance before planning panels and tribunals when appropriate.
Conduct monthly walks in local bushland, for recreation and education purposes.
Provision of accurate and useful information on the local environment through the weekly blog post on the FOBIF website as well as the production books and sharing of documents. These include a range of field guides as well as historical, social and cultural perspectives in Responding to Country and Vagabond, of which an updated edition was recently launched.
To view these resources, go to the documents/books tab on the website