Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests

FOBIF is currently conducting a survey of members and other interested people about our local natural environment. Information from this survey will be used to produce a flyer. Click on the image below to see a PDF version of the survey. Members will also receive a copy in the mail.

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.

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.

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.

About 20 walkers of all ages set off from the Chewton Post Office along the Forest Creek Track on the first FOBIF bushwalk of the year. Local resident, Marie Jones, led the walk.

First stop was to appreciate the landscape at the Monster Meeting site at the confluence of Wattle and Forest Creeks. Then it was off upstream past the stone sculptures, the three exclusion plots erected to monitor re-vegetation taking place, the spectacular post-goldrush cliffs at Chinamans Point and several revegetation sites in the valley. Morning tea was a break called at Expedition Pass Reservoir – after the first 5.4 kms of the walk had been completed. Continue reading →

Every year Newstead Landcare Group is fortunate to have some remarkable people present on an amazing array of topics and 2014 promises to be another such year. Their first presentation will be “Combining Ecology and Archaeology – researching Indigenous fish traps to learn more about river changes over time” by archaeologist Damian Kelly. Damian’s research on fish traps along the Murray is truly fascinating, with very local implications for those of us on the Loddon. For those familiar with the road between Strangways and Guildford, do you know where the name “Bough Yards” may have come from?

The presentation will be on Thursday 20^th March at Newstead Community Centre, starting at 8pm. It will be followed by a light supper and their first business meeting for 2014. All are welcome to come along for either the presentation or the meeting or both of course. Gold coin donations would be appreciated.

Check out an amazing photo of Brewarrina traps, circa 1900, Geoff Park’s Blog.

This year FOBIF has expanded its walks program to include 2 family walks and 2 youth walks. Everyone is welcome on these walks, not just young people and children.

The first of the family walks will take place on 23 March in Kalimna Park. To find out more, click on the green box below.

The first youth walk will be on 30 March. To find out more, click on the image below.

The consent authority form form must be completed by the parents/carers of unaccompanied young people before the youth walk. Meet at Castlemaine Community Education (30 Templeton Street) at 9.30am to get on bus. Walkers will be back at Templeton Street at 1pm.