Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests

In January we reported on the closure of Loop Track in the south of the Diggings Park–a measure designed to limit the spread of Cinnamon Fungus.

Track closures are a tricky matter, because there’s a constituency which believes it has the right to drive anywhere, regardless of the consequences. And so, almost inevitably, we have this:

Loop Track, July 28: a gate is ineffective against a determined and ignorant driver.

There are probably people who will never be persuaded to give nature priority over whatever they feel like doing: but it’s a fair bet that the majority of our community, given the right information, are willing to give the bush a fair go.

And here’s the problem: the notice on the Loop Track gate explaining why the gate is there is a fragile piece of paper encased in plastic. As of last week, it had fallen off the gate and was lying in mud.

As we’ve said before, clear and effective community education is far more important than any number of regulations, where the environment is concerned. A wide community consensus is central if problems like wood theft, rubbish dumping and track abuse are to be reduced.

And active ranger engagement with the wider community is a key part of that. Unfortunately miserly funding has rendered rangers an endangered species in our bushlands. And a respectful approach to nature is harder to encourage in a world where regular TV commercials encourage drivers to get out and bash the bush to their hearts content…

Readers may remember our reporting of a project to put new visitor info boards along the Goldfields Track. That was two years ago, and we’ve heard nothing till recently about the state of the project.

Now we believe that the plan is to put 80 information signs along the track between Ballarat and Bendigo.

FOBIF has expressed its interest in this project, and its two main concerns:

1. That the signs tell the truth about the landscape we live in, and not wallow in heritage guff.
2. That the track not be cluttered with signs. We believe the great charm of the track lies in its feeling of loneliness and abandonment. That feeling would be ruined by a plethora of signs telling people what to see.

Our concerns are not a criticism of the Goldfields Track committee, which is implementing the project.Our concerns are based on past experience with local signage. A good example is a board recently erected in the Walmer State Forest, part of which is shown here:

Walmer State Forest interpretation board: the geological information is wrong, and the photo has nothing to do with the text.

What’s wrong with the sign?

The main problem is that the photo is not of a sedimentary hill, granitic basin or volcanic plain: It’s of  a sluiced and degraded area. Why can’t the text say so? It’s hard to resist the feeling that the author(s) would do anything to avoid saying, ‘Our natural landscape has been ravaged by gold seekers, and is slowly recovering.’

Interestingly, a nearby sign with info on Indigenous culture refers to our landscapes as ‘upside down country’–a phrase which perfectly sums up the facts. It’s a pity tourism promoters and heritage experts haven’t taken it on board.

There are other problems with the sign, but its evasion of the recent facts is the most obvious: to put it plainly, it’s misinformation. We’re hoping the Goldfields Track Committee doesn’t fall into the same error. We’ve strongly suggested that the authors of all future signage thoroughly consult Susan Lawrence and Peter Davies terrifying book, Sludge: disaster on Victoria’s goldfields. A few quotes from that book would fit well onto a signboard.

Starting on the Old Drummond Road, we’ll take a route centred on Nener Track. This short, pretty track is the site of abundant populations of two rare plants—Round-leaf Flat Pea and Fryerstown Grevillea. The route will give walkers a chance to look at three areas burned respectively in 2008, 2009 and 2012. That’s not as depressing as it sounds, because recovery has been startling, and the comparisons are revealing. It’s a moderately short route, but it’s pretty hilly around there, so there’ll be the odd rise and fall. About 5-6 kms. Bernard Slattery 0499 624 160

As mentioned in a previous post Geoff Park will be our guest speaker at the FOBIF AGM on 12 August in the Senior Citizens Centre, Mechanics Lane at 7.30. 

Woodland birds in central Victoria – historical observations, current status and future prospects

Woodland birds are an iconic and special element of the box-ironbark forests and woodlands of central Victoria. The impacts of European settlement, from gold-mining to agricultural intensification, have contributed to a steady decline in species diversity and populations. This decline is now being exacerbated by the clear and present effects of climate change.

 Geoff’s talk will span some historical perspectives on what are now locally extinct or rare woodland bird species, discuss what we think we know about the current situation and consider options and possibilities for future conservation efforts.

Flame Robin (adult male), Rise and Shine Bushland Reserve, 26th June 2024 (Geoff Park,  Natural Newstead)

There are several vacancies on the FOBIF committee and we are encouraging interested people to consider joining. There is a link for nomination forms and more information  here.

It’s all over the place. It’s quite attractive too…but what is it?

If you’ve ever asked that question, as we have, the answer is at hand, in the latest edition of Wombat Forestcare’s wonderful newsletter. In a typically informative article, ‘What is that orange stuff?’ John Walter gives us the answer:

On the Fryers Ridge. What is that orange stuff?

‘While it is often thought to be a lichen, it is actually a green alga belonging to the genus Trentepohlia.’ And he naturally follows up with: ‘I can hear the clamour of voices asking, “Why is it orange if it is a green alga?” The orange colour is the result of large quantities of carotenoids which mask the green of the chlorophyll.’ If you want to know more, you can find the newsletter here.

As usual the newsletter is packed with useful info: an enthralling article about native bees, and a distressing account of Vicforests continuing depredations in the Wombat.

Essential reading.

Local bird expert and photographer, Geoff Park will be the guest speaker at this year’s FOBIF Annual General Meeting on August 12. Most of our readers will be familiar with his website, Natural Newstead which he set up in 2010. It has since become one of the top 100 birding sites in the world, a mine of information with brilliant photos and consistently astute observations.

There will be a short formal AGM at 7.30 followed by Geoff’s talk. Supper will be provided and everyone is welcome.

If you wish to nominate for the FOBIF committee the form can be found here. Lynette Amaterstein who has been the FOBIF treasurer for many years will not be standing again. So if you would like to become our next treasurer consider standing for the committee. Lynette is happy to help a new person in this role for as long as necessary. There will be also be several other committee vacancies. Feel free to contact Marie Jones (0407 977 731), Bernard Slattery (0499624160) or Lynette (0409330069) if you would like more information about being on the committee. 

The AGM will be held in the Senior Citizens Centre, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine (next to the library).