Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests

25 April – FOBIF photographers at TOGS

Posted on 13 April, 2014 by fobif

FOBIF is having another photo show at TOGS Cafe and Gallery, 56 Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine. The title of the show, Small Wonders, reflects the surprising discoveries people often make when they take a close look at nature. All photos are taken in our local area.

This year 12 photographers will take part. The photos in the box below gives an indication of the diversity of the subject matter and the quality of the images.

The show will begin on 25 April and run until 5 June. Togs is open daily between 9 am and 5 pm. Photos are for sale.

Posted in News | Comments Off

Kalimna Park burn delayed

Posted on 4 April, 2014 by fobif

The Friends of Kalimna Park have been informed that the DEPI burn planned for this autumn has been deferred to next year, to allow for more detailed planning of this exercise close to Castlemaine. The fuel reduction exercise will involve some mechanical removal of vegetation around Eltham Copper Butterfly colonies in the zone.

This management burn was originally planned as two exercises: one [in the Kalimna Point area] of 23 ha, the other, [adjoining the golf course] of145 ha. These two have now been combined into a single zone of 170 ha.

Conservationists have argued to DEPI that this sensitive exercise on the edge of town should best be handled in stages, in very small lots: the advantage of this being that the desired fuel reduction could be obtained in a mosaic manner, minimising ecological damage and reduction of amenity in a heavily used area. We suspect, however, that DEPI is under political pressure to increase the size of its burn blocks: big burns, it seems, are cheaper. Our suspicions have been strengthened by remarks made by DEPI deputy head Paul Smith in March [see our report].

The Kalimna burn [coded CAS 003] is zoned 2, Bushfire Management. In this zone managers aim for an 80% burn cover.

Posted in Fire Management, News | Comments Off

March fire meeting

Posted on 4 April, 2014 by fobif

Conservationists from the Bendigo and Otways regions met with DEPI senior staff in March to discuss matters to do with the Fire Operations Plan. Excellent detailed notes on this meeting can be found on the Living with Ecology and Fire website. Among other things, DEPI Deputy Director Paul Smith made the observation to the meeting that smaller burns are more surgical and more costly, being closer to assets (e.g. townships). The worrying thing about this common sense observation is that it tends to confirm our suspicion that DEPI is under pressure to avoid small burns because they cost too much.

Posted in Fire Management, News | Comments Off

Muckleford forest walk

Posted on 3 April, 2014 by fobif

The second in FOBIF’s program of walks for young people took place on Sunday, with thirteen participants plus leaders taking on a circuit in the Muckleford forest. The two hour walk included nature observations and consideration of DEPI interpretation panels–including the search for a non existent native cherry tree.

The walk was the first in a series. Watch this space.

Walkers negotiate Dunn’s Reef in the Muckleford forest.

Posted in News | Comments Off

Next generation of field naturalists explore Kalimna Park

Posted on 26 March, 2014 by fobif

Doug showing a rock sharpened by local Aborigines. He also brought along a small amount of gold.

The first FOBIF family forest walk took place on Sunday 23 March. About half of the 28 people who came along were children.

Doug Ralph who was a member of Friends of Kalimna many years ago began the morning with an introduction to the history of the Park. He talked of the decimation of the area during the gold rush and the subsequent replanting. Unfortunately many non-indigenous species were chosen.

The walk then commenced at ‘children’s pace’ to Kalimna Point. Along the way insects, lichens and many other natural specimens were enthusiastically examined with magnifying glasses. Three experts in the natural sciences, Cassia Read, Warwick Smith and Andrew Kuhlmann, were there to help with identification.

Scorpion under the microscope.

At the Point, two microscopes were set up to further examine the collected items. As well a couple of live scorpions (in sealed plastic containers) were found.

On the return walk the group gathered at a large dry depression where Warwick explained how during heavy rainfall an endangered frog, the Growling Grass frog, had been spotted.

Thanks to Naomi Raftery for all her work to make this first children’s walk such a success. The next one will be held on 28 September at Kaweka Park. Contact Naomi on 0422 585 585 or have a look at this website later in the year to find out more.