Author Archives: fobif

Cactus Warriors spreading their news

Posted on 9 January, 2014 by fobif

The Tarrangower Cactus Control Group (TCCG)  now has 3 new videos on their website: Cactus Warriors: Who We Are; Cactus: Tackling the Problem and Cactus Warriors: the Wheel Cactus. The videos feature Ian Grenda, President of the TCCG, and  run … Continue reading →

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The colour of summer

Posted on 7 January, 2014 by fobif

Summer: it’s a time when the bush can look stressed and under siege—but also when it can offer some pretty good sights, especially in the late afternoon or early in the morning. Clouds of butterflies around flowering  bursaria come to … Continue reading →

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Forget about VCE results: here’s the DEPI report

Posted on 31 December, 2013 by fobif

DEPI has produced a report on its fuel management activity for 2012-13: Reducing Victoria’s bushfire risk on public land. The relevant sections can be found here and here. The report offers a four part scale of achievement: –‘fully achieved’ –‘achieved … Continue reading →

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FOBIF gets a gong

Posted on 29 December, 2013 by fobif

Over a hundred representatives of local volunteer organisations gathered at the Castlemaine Market Building in December as part of international volunteer day. Volunteers ranging widely in age and field of from Castlemaine Secondary students to visitors to care accommodation were … Continue reading →

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Bushfire ‘risk landscape’ forum in Castlemaine

Posted on 29 December, 2013 by fobif

This forum–focussing on the West Central district–was held in Castlemaine on December 11 for a disappointing attendance of only 8 community members, outnumbered by DEPI officers. The West Central district covers the area from Geelong to north of Bendigo, and … Continue reading →

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Ecology last?

Posted on 29 December, 2013 by fobif

The Castlemaine Forum was given a summary of the bushfire risk profile developed by DEPI in cooperation with various research bodies. The profile is a working document rather than a set of conclusions, and is about risk to human life … Continue reading →

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Quotable quote

Posted on 29 December, 2013 by fobif

From DEPI’s Risk profiles report, page 30: ‘Fuel reduction is much more effective in some areas than others in reducing overall bushfire risk [to life and safety].’ This common sense observation is yet another dig at the five per cent … Continue reading →

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Moss guide published

Posted on 9 December, 2013 by fobif

FOBIF’s publication, A field guide to the mosses of south eastern Australia, has been published. If you wish to place an order this form has all the details and includes a sample page.

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Fire: what the research is saying…and not saying–yet

Posted on 20 November, 2013 by fobif

FOBIF has just received the Box-Ironbark Experimental Mosaic Burning Project_Newsletter 5, on research conducted in the Heathcote-Rushworth forest. The newsletter documents important features of forest structure, like the presence of large trees, and the quality of ground cover. It’s a … Continue reading →

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How well is ‘fuel reduction’ working?

Posted on 13 November, 2013 by fobif

It’s been a good Spring for weeds, and one of those doing best around our district is Wild Oats, which is flourishing on roadsides and street reserves, along Forest Creek, and in some bush areas. Interestingly, wild oats has sprung … Continue reading →

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