Category Archives: News

Want to do your bit for biodiversity? Do it in the garden!

Posted on 27 July, 2020 by fobif

You have to admire weeds: their tenacity is an example to us all. Every gardener knows that they don’t give up without a fight, and the struggle against them can seem to be both thankless and futile. Even talking about … Continue reading →

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Free spectacle on show now

Posted on 27 July, 2020 by fobif

This year has been a good one for mosses. Their bright green colours have been prominent, even dominant in many places. The roadside pictured below is a fair sample: With a bit of luck the season will get even better … Continue reading →

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FOBIF July walk: Exploring the valleys

Posted on 20 July, 2020 by fobif

Yesterday’s FOBIF walking group was divided into two for the expedition into the upper reaches of the Columbine Creek catchment—COVID 19 regulations obliging us to keep each group’s numbers below ten. The two groups approached the circuit from opposite directions, … Continue reading →

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Next FOBIF walk on 19 July

Posted on 13 July, 2020 by fobif

The planned FOBIF walk led by Jeremy Holland will take place next Sunday 19th July. We will meet as normal at Community House in Templeton Street, Castlemaine at 9.30am. Total walk distance will be 8.5 km and you will need … Continue reading →

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What is it? And where is it going?

Posted on 13 July, 2020 by fobif

So: what’s that grey discolouration in the water of Forest Creek at the Wheeler Street bridge, after rain last week? Answer: It’s pollution runoff come down the gutter from somewhere in the town. We won’t speculate as to exactly what … Continue reading →

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A track to nowhere

Posted on 13 July, 2020 by fobif

Speaking of tradition: we occasionally hear complaints that conservation reserves ‘lock up’ public land, and deprive people of their traditional rights, including the right to drive anywhere they like. The fact that millions of Australians visit our reserves each year … Continue reading →

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NEW FOBIF greeting cards

Posted on 6 July, 2020 by fobif

Eight new FOBIF greeting cards (series 2) are now available. They feature photographs of our local bushlands by Frances Cincotta, Joy Clusker, John Ellis, Patrick Kavanagh, Sarah Koschak, Doug Ralph, Bronwyn Silver and Albert Wright. Our first series has now … Continue reading →

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MTB park planned for Walmer State Forest

Posted on 6 July, 2020 by fobif

Readers of the Castlmaine Mail sports section on June 5 will be aware that there are plans afoot to create a mountain bike network of ‘about 50 kilometres’ in the Walmer State Forest. This forest is already networked by informal … Continue reading →

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What do we know? And how do we know it?

Posted on 6 July, 2020 by fobif

Anyone tried to look for useful info on the Parks Victoria website? Anyone had a go at finding the Castlemaine Diggings NHP management plan, for example? Forget it. Parks website does carry a number of management plans, but not for … Continue reading →

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Too much gold?

Posted on 6 July, 2020 by fobif

That persistent gold…is it gorse? Is it oxalis? Is it Cootamundra Wattle? Is it a pain? Yes to all four! Let’s forget about Oxalis and Cootamundra, and focus on gorse  (Ulex europaeus). Introduced to Australia as a hedge plant in … Continue reading →

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