Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests

FOBIF has made a submission to DELWP on the current fire management plan. The ‘fuel reduction’ burns currently planned can be seen on the Department’s excellent interactive map here.

Our submission essentially related to the following:

–We believe burns planned for the Wewak and Helge tracks are far too big—collectively they are far and away the biggest area planned for burning for decades. See our previous posts here , here, and here.

–We have enquired as to the approach to be taken to the Columbine Creek burn, especially in relation to its past burn history. See our post here

–The burn plan envisages another attempt to burn a section of Kalimna Park burned only last year. We ask in what way this year’s attempt will be different. See our post here

–We ask how the Department’s plans for Walmer state forest allow for the presence in the zone of the rare plant Grevillea dryophylla.

We have also asked for clarification as to the relation of the planned burn program to the Fuel Breaks project which is currently under discussion for this region (see Post above). There doesn’t actually seem to be much connection between the two programs—at this stage we’re a little confused by this fact.

Forty participants logged in to last Monday’s FOBIF AGM by Zoom. They heard an inspirational talk by Ian Higgins on the disappearance of Australian native pea plants—the lost world of Mitchell’s Australia Felix—and their possible return to our landscapes. A detailed report on Ian’s talk will be posted on this site in the next week or so.

President Marie Jones reviewed the group activities for the year: a continual round of negotiations with land managers, submissions to government, and cooperation with like-minded groups. Our monthly walks program attracts good numbers. We lobbied for a full time environment officer position at the Shire, and were pleased with the outcome. We are positive about the Balak kalik manya ‘walking together’ project for Kalimna Park, and about indigenous co-management generally. Our publications have continued to sell very well, our recent guide to native peas almost selling out in few months. Our upcoming guide to bushwalks in the region is due for publication in the coming month.

Elections were held for the FOBIF committee for 2021. The following were elected unopposed:

President: Marie Jones

Vice President: Neville Cooper

Secretary: Bernard Slattery

Treasurer: Lynette Amaterstein

Committee members: Asha Bannon, Jeremy Holland, Frank Panter, Cassia Read, Bronwyn Silver

There remain two vacant positions on the committee for ordinary members.

Remember: FOBIF committee meetings are open to all members. They’re at the Continuing Education building in Templeton Street at 6 pm on the second Monday of every month except January.

We’ve seen them floating onto beaches in other parts of the world. We see them lying around in gutters…Maybe it was inevitable we’d see one flying through the air and landing in the trees: a small offshoot of virus conditions, and another cryptic comment on how our culture relates to nature?

Not so cute: Native Cherry with mask, Castlemaine.

Come along (via Zoom®) to FOBIF’s AGM (7:30 p.m. on Monday the 9th of August) and hear Ian Higgins speak on:

“Everything you wanted to know about the plant world’s third most diverse family but were too afraid to ask”.

Yes, the “Fabaceae” family, aka peas and relatives has just won the bronze medal for species diversity (right after orchids and daisies)!  But was it cheating by branch stacking?  This family recently experienced a dramatic increase in the number of its species.

• What happened? 
• What is the Greek word for branch anyway?
• Why is this family the world’s most important source of plant resources that support humans (and the rest of the planet)?
• Did you realise, that before Europeanisation, our district used to be much richer in species of this family? 
• What’s gone missing and why?
• What is the role of phosphorous and why is spreading “super” such an un-Australian activity?
• What’s the connection with butterflies?
• What is plant blindness
• Why should I care about plant identification?

Ian will reveal answers to all these questions and more as part of the launch of FOBIF’s marvellous identification booklet: “Native Peas of the Mount Alexander Region“.

Members and supporters who wish to attend can register by emailing FOBIF (info@fobif.org.au). We would like people to register 48 hours before the meeting. People who have registered will be sent a login link before the meeting.