Author Archives: fobif

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 →

Posted in Fire Management | 1 Comment

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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Spectacular orchid display on last FOBIF walk

Posted on 8 November, 2013 by fobif

On 20 October Richard Piesse led the last FOBIF walk for the year in the Fryers Ranges. The day was hot and the walk quite strenuous but the wildflowers, particularly the spider orchids at the lunch spot, made the trip … Continue reading →

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Jaw breaker

Posted on 7 November, 2013 by fobif

Walkers in the local bush from Fryers Ridge to Porcupine Ridge and up to Castlemaine have recently been noticing a beautiful small moth hovering around spring flowers. Its very challenging name is Pollanisus viridipulverulenta–apparently we can blame the name on … Continue reading →

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Bully

Posted on 5 November, 2013 by fobif

Spring: great for wildflowers—and for weeds. We have a wide selection in our region, and villain of the month this November is Briza maxima. Quaking grass. Blowfly grass. Bee grass. And many other names. It’s a native of the Mediterranean … Continue reading →

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Acoustic Celebration of Box-Ironbark Country

Posted on 23 October, 2013 by fobif

The premiere of a new radiophonic work, Jaara Jaara Seasons, will take place in Fryerstown on Sunday 3rd November. Internationally renowned Sound Artist, Ros Bandt, has been immersed recording the sounds of box-ironbark over a 12 month period, with the kind permission of … Continue reading →

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Bushfires: the why and the wherefore

Posted on 21 October, 2013 by fobif

The bushfire season is well and truly on for Australia, as witness the destructive fires raging in NSW. The fires will no doubt be followed by discussion about prevention of such disasters. Readers interested in the subject could do worse … Continue reading →

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What was it like, way back then?

Posted on 14 October, 2013 by fobif

The idea of ‘land restoration’ suggests that the land can be restored to a better condition than the one it’s now in. The question is, what qualities might that ‘better condition’ have? For a partial answer to that question for … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature Observations | 2 Comments

DEPI responds to fire submission

Posted on 14 October, 2013 by fobif

We have received a detailed response from the Department of the Environment to our submission on the 2012 Fire Operations Plan. The response can be seen here. DEPI’s letter clarifies a number of questions we posed in our submission, but … Continue reading →

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Daylesford Nature Diary launched

Posted on 10 October, 2013 by fobif

On September 29 a new publication, Daylesford Nature Diary: six seasons in the foothill forests, was launched before a large gathering in Daylesford. The author, Tanya Loos, is a naturalist and journalist and the diary includes many of her monthly … Continue reading →

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