Category Archives: News

Government fire program careers wildly on

Posted on 13 May, 2013 by fobif

The State Government has announced a ‘major milestone’ in its management burning program: ‘more than 200,000 hectares of planned burning already carried out on public land this financial year.’ And there’s more to come: we’re heading for the biggest artificial … Continue reading →

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What’s the prospect for rural land?

Posted on 8 May, 2013 by fobif

The Mount Alexander Shire has released a Future Directions Paper on rural land in the shire as part of its rural land study. The paper emphasises the importance of keeping a viable agriculture as part of our rural landscape, but … Continue reading →

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The Coliban gets a drink

Posted on 7 May, 2013 by fobif

Following expressions of concern by local residents at Taradale [and by FOBIF–see our April 18 post] about the state of the Coliban river, Coliban Water started a small release of four megalitres a day into the river last week. Four … Continue reading →

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Poverty Gully: achievements, and puzzles

Posted on 26 April, 2013 by fobif

FOBIF members have had a preliminary look at the CAS 107 Zone 2 Arthur’s Track management burn in Poverty Gully this week. The exercise, conducted last Friday April 4, was the continuation of the burning operation begun late last year. … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire Management, News | 1 Comment

Another side of Kalimna

Posted on 25 April, 2013 by fobif

On a perfect Autumn day, geologist Julian Hollis recently led fourteen walkers on the second FOBIF walk of the year, through Kalimna Park. We were lucky to be accompanied by Julian, who is often seen walking in the area and … Continue reading →

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Burglars, super heroes and moss

Posted on 19 April, 2013 by fobif

 Castlemaine has had less than 40% of its long term average rainfall over the months since the start of October 2012. This is a source of concern for a number of reasons. One is that it has delayed the start … Continue reading →

Posted in Moss and Liverwort Field Guide group, News | 1 Comment

Poverty Gully reduction burn completed?

Posted on 19 April, 2013 by fobif

 DSE completed the second half of its Zone 2 reduction burn in Poverty Gully on Friday April 4. Our reports on the first half of this operation can be found here and here. We will be having a look at … Continue reading →

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Poor Coliban

Posted on 18 April, 2013 by fobif

Travellers across the Coliban River on the Taradale-Metcalfe road recently will have noticed that the river is looking terrible. Although there’s a very small flow,  the water is an unhealthy milky colour and there’s a peculiar scum on it. The … Continue reading →

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How to shoot birds

Posted on 17 April, 2013 by fobif

On Thursday 25th April Chris Tzaros will give a presentation on tips and techniques for photographing birds, at Newstead Community Centre at 7.30pm. “We are really looking forward to having Chris address our group again” said Frances Cincotta, President of … Continue reading →

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Sunday 14 April – Nature Search Day, Maldon Historic Reserve 9am – 4pm

Posted on 6 April, 2013 by fobif

How do management burns change our bushlands? This isn’t an easy question to answer, given the lack of information on ‘before and after’ monitoring. The informal Muckleford Forest Friends Group is confronting this problem by organising a day in an … Continue reading →

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