Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests

The consultation project will culminate with the production of a final report, which will focus on:

1. A community vision for parks
2. Legislative and policy reform
3. A modern business in government.

We haven’t been able to find out what the last of these means: but we hope it doesn’t prefigure yet another effort to turn this public service enterprise into a profit making business. We know that the parks system already generates $1.5 billion a year to the Victorian economy. We can do without projects to commercialise public assets via tourism infrastructure projects inside our parks.

Some of the info revealed in the Parks Victoria discussion paper is predictable. Some is quite disturbing: for example, we learn that Parks Victoria administers 18% of Victoria—but contributes 50% of the planned burning target. This is an eloquent reminder that our parks bear the brunt of systematic burning, even though authorities repeatedly talk about how fuel reduction should be ‘tenure blind’—that is, that it should be concentrated where it is needed, whether on private or public land.

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Next Saturday (24th September) the new FOBIF publication, Eucalypts of the Mount Alexander Region, will be launched by Geoff Park in the Castlemaine Library foyer at 10.30. Refreshments will be provided and everyone is welcome.

The book is a community project that has been two years in the making. See our earlier post to find out more.

For a preview of the book, have a look at the double page spreads below on Grey Box Eucalyptus Microcarpa. Click on each one to enlarge.

Nankeen Kestrel. Photo Geoff Park

It’s always a special feeling – that tingling mixture of excitement and awe when you catch sight of a bird of prey on the wing. And then the question comes – “what is it?”. If you’ve asked yourself this question, or don’t quite know how to pick a Nankeen Kestrel from a Brown Falcon, or a Little Eagle from a Whistling Kite, or if you would like to know what the differences are between falcons, kites, goswhawks and eagles, our September presentation is for you.

Geoff Park, renowned wildlife blogger of “Natural Newstead” and Eureka prize winner will guide us through the majestic world of the raptors of Newstead. We will learn about their various lifestyles, what they need to thrive and how to tell them apart.

The presentation will be on Thursday Sept 15 at 8 pm at Newstead Community Centre. All are welcome to attend. Gold coin donations would be appreciated.

For further information ring Patrick Kavanagh 0437 663 345 or Frances Cincotta 5476 2691

Whistling Kites of Joyces Creek. Photo Geoff Park

On Saturday 24 September the new Friends of the Box-Ironbark publication, Eucalypts of the Mount Alexander Region, will be launched by Geoff Park, well known local environmentalist and author of the Natural Newstead blog.

This 90 page guide aims to help the beginner train the eye to see the differences between eucalypts – and to appreciate how spectacular they sometimes are. It presents the commonest species of the Mount Alexander Region, generously illustrated, and clearly described in plain language. Though firmly based on one local area (the forests and reserves around the town of Castlemaine), it describes species common to the whole Box-Ironbark region, and would be useful to any enthusiast in that region, from Ararat to Chiltern.

The publication of this book has been made possible by a generous grant from the Worrowing Fund through the Norman Wettenhall Foundation. Other supporters have been the Castlemaine Field Naturalists’ Club and Connecting Country.

The book’s cost is $10 and people buying it at the launch will receive a selection of free tree-related bookmarks and a FOBIF fungi poster. Proceedings will start at 10.30 in the Castlemaine library foyer. Refreshments will be served.

Kid paced walking, and nature based conversation on a FOBIF family walk.

Join us on Sunday 18th September as we take a look at the lesser known but most beautiful bush section of the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens.

WHEN: 10am – 12pm
WHERE:  Tea rooms in the gardens (near the carpark closest to the Lake)
WHAT TO BRING: Thermos of favorite warm drinks, snack, sturdy foot wear your friends and family, big and small.

Head gardener, Gill Miller will give a short history of the park and local nature enthusiast, Naomi Raftery will lead a walk and talk for families around her favorite part of the gardens. There will plenty of opportunity to take a closer look and learn about the special colony of Eltham Copper Butterflies who call this patch home.