Ginninderra Catchment Group
Newsletter
ABN 75 648 187 515
PO Box 446, Holt ACT 2615
P 02 6278 3309 F 02 6278 3926
E [email protected]
Our newsletter contains information about upcoming GCG activities and other events and issues from around the catchment
and the ACT region. Visit us online at www.ginninderralandcare.org.au
This is the Ginninderra Catchment Group Newsletter of "What's Coming Up" for 09 October 2009.
In Brief (click on any topic or heading to jump there)
GCG News and Opportunities: .......................................................................................... 2
2009 Frogwatch Spring Census - October 2009.......................................................................................... 2
Do you Feed the Ducks/Birds?..................................................................................................................... 2
Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch QA/QC Evening - 26 October ...................................................... 2
Get Involved ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Local News, Opportunities and Events:............................................................................. 3
Free Nest Boxes..................................................................................................................................... 3
Tales of Tidbinbilla ................................................................................................................................ 3
Friends Of Grasslands .......................................................................................................................... 4
Black Mountain Wildflower Ramble - 10 October ............................................................................... 4
Friends Of Mt Painter, October Work Party - 10 October ................................................................... 4
Friends of Mt Painter, Kangaroo Counts ............................................................................................. 4
Friends of Mt Painter, Canberra Fire Management ............................................................................. 4
Ponds Festival - 17 October.................................................................................................................. 5
Your Land, Your Soil & Your Future - 21 October............................................................................... 5
FOG Visits to two Botanic Gardens - 24 October ............................................................................... 5
FOG Visit to Gang Gang - 25 October .................................................................................................. 5
Monthly Fora held by the Conservation Council ................................................................................ 6
ANPC Workshops in November ........................................................................................................... 6
Sustainable Living Workshops............................................................................................................. 6
Keep A Water Diary 2009....................................................................................................................... 7
More Events............................................................................................................................................ 7
National News, Opportunities and Events: ........................................................................ 7
Counting on Platypus Events - 19-20 September, 10 October........................................................... 7
Your Land, Your Soil & Your Future - 21 October............................................................................... 7
Improve your land management and get recognition ........................................................................ 8
FarmReady Reimbursement Grants..................................................................................................... 8
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GCG News and Opportunities:
2009 Frogwatch Spring Census - October 2009
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Leap into Frogwatch this Spring!
Find out all about our local frogs
Learn how to identify different frog species
Take action to protect these fascinating creatures
Preparations are in full swing for this year's ACT and Region Frogwatch Program, and I hope that you are
enthusiastic to participate in this year's activities!
Frogwatch is an exciting community activity that is open to everyone with an interest in frogs. Frogwatch aims to
involve large numbers of volunteers to undertake frog monitoring in the ACT and region.
To participate, simply come along to one of our free Frogwatch training events, where you will learn all about our
amphibian friends. You will receive your free Frogwatch Kit that includes all you need to know to participate in the
ACT and Region National Water Week Frogwatch Census in October 2009. See below for more details on our
Frogwatch training events.
Emma Keightley - ACT & Region Frogwatch Coordinator
Ginninderra Catchment Group
Ph: 6278 3309
[email protected]
Do you Feed the Ducks/Birds?
Feeding ducks and birds is often a family favourite activity. Unfortunately feeding birds bread is widely
considered to cause more harm than good.
Bread is like junk food. It has very little nutritional value yet they love it! If eaten in moderation bread does little
harm. However, if you consider the ducks at local ponds who are eating bread not just from your family but the
families that visit before and after you, you can see that before long the birds have eaten much more bread than
they should.
Feeding bread to birds in general can cause a whole lot of problems including malnutrition, gut problems,
aggressive behaviour, and spread of disease. Unfortunately many of these problems can result in death.
To find out more about this and for some bread alternatives. www.ourenvironment.org.au
Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch QA/QC Evening - 26 October
When: Monday 26 October 2009
Where: George Harcourt Inn, Gold Creek (opposite Cockington Green)
Agenda:
5:30 pm:
5:40 pm.
5:45 pm:
6:00 pm:
6:45 pm:
Good evening and welcome; introduction of Damon and Luke for those who have not met them yet.
Distribution of new manuals, discussion of nitrate testing and explanation of new photo point protocols and equipment
Calibration of Electrical Conductivity meters and pH meters
Testing of ‘unknowns’ and discussion of results
Nibbles and Drinks
Things to Bring:
Kit, including meters and phosphate kit if you have one.
Four small containers for EC calibration buffer, pH 7 and pH 10 calibration buffer and pH 4 for moisture for pH
meter bulb. These should be empty and clean.
Things to Let Us Know:
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Emails/phone calls sooner, rather than later letting the coordinators know what materials you have run out of will
guarantee they are available and plentiful for you and your fellow volunteers.
For more information, contact Email: [email protected]
www.ginninderralandcare.org.au
Get Involved
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BECOME INVOLVED IN ANY ACTIVITIES MENTIONED ABOVE OR IN THE
GINNINDERRA CATCHMENT PLEASE EMAIL [email protected] AND WE
WILL PUT YOU IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUP(S).
Local News, Opportunities and Events:
Free Nest Boxes
To approved homes*
I am looking for people who would like to host a free nest box in:
• Kaleen / Giralang
• Aranda / Cook
• Pearce / Torrens / Chifley
• Kambah (south of Drakeford Drive)
• Theodore
What will it involve?
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The nestbox will be yours to keep, including free tree mounting
Boxes need be mounted on the trunk or large branch of a tree in the front yard (or back yard if easy to access)
You will need to be able to observe the box without disturbing the inhabitants (from your front window etc.)
Mounting will require one screw hole and four nails to be placed in the tree; this does not damage the tree.
Boxes will be serviced for 2 years (with pest birds humanely euthanased and removed)
You will need to report monthly (via an internet web page), on what animals are using the box. You will need to report
immediately if pest birds start using the box (Common Myna or Common Starlings). We will then come out and humanely
euthanase the pest birds to allow the boxes to be used by our native species.
Not be absent for greater than 2 weeks over the summer nesting season, or have someone who can report for you.
What animals may use my nest box?:
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Crimson Rosella
Eastern Rosella
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Sugar Glider
Common Myna (Pest Bird will be humanely euthanased and removed from the box)
Common Starling (Pest bird will be humanely euthanased and removed from the box)
Feral honeybees (We cannot provide a service to remove honeybees)
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email [email protected], stating your name and street
address.
*Successful applicants will be notified by email. Overall results (without detail of specific addresses) will be
published in the media, when the study is completed. Your participation in this important research on the
Common Myna and its impact on native Australian species is much appreciated.
Tales of Tidbinbilla
The Southern ACT Catchment group was one of the successful recipients of the ACT Heritage Grants
announced today.
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Tales of Tidbinbilla will be an illustrated compendium of stories about the Tidbinbilla - Birrigai - Jedbinbilla
Precinct pioneer and indigenous heritage, natural systems, conservation programs, visitor experiences, and
educational programs. I have included an extract from the grant application below for your information.
We are keen to include a variety of stories relating to the Tidbinbilla region so if you are keen or can be coerced
into putting pen to paper we are keen to hear from you.
please contact Wendy Rainbird [email protected] or 6286 2057 or Steve Welch [email protected]
after 1 October.
Friends Of Grasslands
For enquiries about FOG activities contact Janet Russell on [email protected].
Black Mountain Wildflower Ramble - 10 October
9.30am to 12 noon - Saturday 10 October 2009
Belconnen Way entry, just before Caswell Drive turnoff
Join wildflowers lovers for the 38th annual Burbidge/Chippendale ramble around Black Mountain to enjoy the
spring diversity. This will be an easy guided walk on Saturday 10 October from 9.30am sharp to 12 noon from
the Belconnen Way entry. The walk will be led by Laurie Adams and Jean Geue. All welcome - it's a great way
to celebrate the spring and find out how to look for our sometimes cryptic wildflowers. Bring your friends
especially those who are new to plant identification. BYO morning tea, hat, sunblock, water and stout shoes.
Contact Jean Geue on 6251-1601.
Friends Of Mt Painter, October Work Party - 10 October
MOUNT PAINTER OCTOBER WORK PARTY
WHAT WE WILL BE DOING: Making up and installing sturdy tree guards round trees and shrubs that were
planted in 2005 and are being damaged, probably by kangaroos.
WHERE: Glenloch Gully
WHEN: 9.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday, 10 October
HOW TO GET THERE: Park on the city-bound side of William Hovell Drive at the end of the metal guard rail,
800m from the intersection of William Hovell and Coulter Drives. Walk on to the reserve following the signs and
red tapes.
BRING: A hat, warm clothes, sturdy footwear and something to share for morning tea. Gloves and tools
provided.
Plans for Mount Painter's NOVEMBER WORK PARTY are still under discussion. We'll keep you posted.
Contact: Sarah
6251 2228 or 0424 263 565
Friends of Mt Painter, Kangaroo Counts
KANGAROO COUNTS: There are a minimum of 550 kangaroos on the reserve and in the paddocks bounded by
Cook, Bindubi Street and William Hovell and Coulter Drives. This figure comes from two counts carried out in
August by Friends of Mt Painter and Parks, Conservation and Lands staff. So, if you thought there are quite a lot
of roos there, you are quite right.
Friends of Mt Painter, Canberra Fire Management
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PLANS FOR CONTROL BURNING ON THE RESERVE: A draft of the 'Canberra Fire Management Plan, 20092019' has been issued. It proposes that the steep slope between the houses (in Skinner Street and Bussell and
Booth Crescents) and the roads up to the water tanks be burned some time between this year and 2011,
depending on need, and once again before 2019.
Ponds Festival - 17 October
Free family water-themed fun day
11am-2pm
October 17 2009
The launch will include a Finding Nemo jumping castle, petting zoo, free sausage sizzle, face painting, clowns
and much more.
The festival will celebrate the opening of the community’s ponds network as well as the delivery of new barbeque
facilities, walking trails, picnic areas and will have works from the students at Burgmann Anglican School on
display. There will be representatives from GCG Frogwatch and Waterwatch attending this event. For more
information call 1800 833 233 or go to www.forde.com.au
Your Land, Your Soil & Your Future - 21 October
Your Land, Your Soil & Your Future (Carbon seminar)
Wednesday 21 October 2009
9am to 5pm Yass Memorial Hall
Presented by the Yass Area Network of Landcare Groups
Please find attached flyer for more information.
(Cost is $25 per person)
Please see www.yan.org.au for more information
FOG Visits to two Botanic Gardens - 24 October
FOG Visits to two Botanic Gardens (11: 4:00 pm, Sat 24 Oct)
Botanic gardens can play a very important role in the conservation of our grassy ecosystems.
In the morning (11: - noon), FOG will visit the Canberra region woodlands gardens at the Australian National
Botanic Gardens. This has a great collection of indigenous grasses and forbs. Hear the valuable conservation
and gardening stories. For more information, contact Heather Sweet on 6242 4675 or
[email protected].
That afternoon (2.30 – 4:00 pm), FOG will visit the exciting new Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park and see
the wonderful progress that has already been made, hear short presentations from David Shorthouse and
Warren Saunders, and share some afternoon tea. Inquiries and registration, contact Cathy Robertson on 6257
1951 or [email protected].
FOG Visit to Gang Gang - 25 October
FOG Visit to Gang Gang (10: - 4:00 pm, Sun 25 Oct)
Gang Gang is a 50ha property, eight kilometres west of Gundaroo, belonging to Sue McIntyre, well known
woodland ecologist, and Jon Lewis. FOG’s visit will be an opportunity to discuss grassy woodland management
and restoration and to undertake some plant identification.
Gang Gang lies on Ordovician sediments and is a mixture of forest, woodland and secondary grassland. Its
history includes sheep grazing and a single pasture improvement event on some of the property 35 years ago. It
has a ‘Chain of Ponds’ drainage line with a few intact ponds persisting. Over 200 species of native plants have
been recorded, including 13 lilies and 19 orchids.
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Management issues include erosion control on the acid duplex soils, a small salt scald, restoring soil condition,
controlling kangaroo grazing and tree density and the use of fire. Weeds are abundant in species richness (about
80 species), but natives are on top in terms of biomass.
To register, and for information on facilities, what to bring, how to get there, etc., contact [email protected]
or 02 6251 8949.
Monthly Fora held by the Conservation Council
Held once a month, the Member Fora Series will cover a variety of fascinating topics relating to our local
environment and will give members regular opportunities to learn of new projects and programmes in and around
Canberra.
The Fora will also give members an opportunity to better understand the activities of the Conservation Council,
allow members the opportunity to drive Council priorities and also assist the Council to more effectively advocate
member group issues.
Meetings are open to all member groups (bring as many of your members as you would like) – the more the
merrier!
Nibblies and Wine will be included
Initial Dates and Topics for 2009:
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22nd October – “The Greater Goorooyarroo Project: Protecting Canberra’s Northern Rim”
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27th November – “The Next 30 Years - Our Vision/Blueprint for an Ecologically Sustainable ACT”
(coupled with a workshop on CONSACT’s Strategic Plan and holding the AGM)
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18th December – “The Future of Molonglo: Canberra’s Newest Suburb”.
Please contact the Conservation Council for more information.
Conservation Council, ACT Region
GPO BOX 544, Canberra, ACT, 2602
t: 02 6229 3208
f: 02 6248 5343
w: www.consact.org.au
ANPC Workshops in November
The Australian Network for Plant Conservation (ANPC) is running two workshops in Canberra on identifying
plants of grassy ecosystems in the ACT region.
The dates are :
Tuesday 10 November 2009: Grass Identification for beginners
Wednesday 11 November 2009: Plants of Grassy Ecosystems for beginners
Please contact ANPC on (02) 6250 99509 or [email protected] for more information or to register. Venue is
Australian National Botanic Gardens and an ACT conservation reserve. Registrations close 5pm Wednesday 4
November 2009.
Sustainable Living Workshops
The Conservation Council in conjunction with Forde is hosting a series of Sustainable Living Workshops.
Workshop
Cycling Workshop
When
December 5, 10am – 1pm
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Venue
Heritage Park
All workshops are FREE
To register phone 6229 3204 or email [email protected]
Keep A Water Diary 2009
Dr. Kuntala Lahiri-Dutt, from the Australian National University, and I are investigating intra-household water use
in the ACT region as part of on-going research to provide water researchers and policy makers with data about
water use within households. Data at the intra-household scale is currently missing from water management
debates.
We invite interested households to participate in this research by keeping a water use diary over a seven (7) day
period during National Water Week, October 18 - 24, 2009. This is the third, and last, time we plan to run the
diary in the ACT region and are hoping for a strong response to this call for volunteers.
The primary activity involves households keeping a written record of the water used in the household during the
week, noting who used how much water, at what time, to perform which water activity. Participation also entails
completing a short, self-paced survey, which some households will be asked to answer in an interview, and
regular meter readings (where possible).
The data will be incorporated into a report, to be made available to participants and on various websites. We also
anticipate the results being presented at conferences and in peer reviewed academic journals. The results of
previous survey’s, and relevant publications, are available on request.
If you would like to participate in this innovative approach to water research by keeping a one week journal of
your household’s water use, or want more information, please contact me using the details below.
It would be appreciated if you could forward this invite to others you think may be interested in participating.
Thank your for your interest in this project.
Kate Harriden
Master of Geographical Sciences (candidate)
The Australian National University
P: 02 6282 2082
E: [email protected]
B: http://waterdiary09.spaces.live.com
More Events
"For more events and stories from around the ACT region, please go to www.actlandcare.org.au"
National News, Opportunities and Events:
Counting on Platypus Events - 19-20 September, 10 October
Three events are scheduled to take place to assist in gathering data to help protect the platypus: Saturday 19
September at Bredbo, Sunday 20 September at Queanbeyan and Saturday 10 October at Tidbinbilla Nature
Reserve. For more information call the ACT Waterwatch Facilitator Tanya Rucosky-Noakes on 6207 2246 or
email [email protected]
Your Land, Your Soil & Your Future - 21 October
Wednesday 21 October 2009 9 - 5pm, Yass Memorial Hall
Seminar on Soil Organic Carbon Presented by the Yass Area Network of Landcare Groups
Topics included in the workshop are:
The soil food web and the importance of organic carbon
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Techniques from soil scientists, microbiologists and agronomists for improving soil health and soil carbon such as Composting,
Natural Sequence farming, Vermiculture, Biodynamics and Pasture Cropping
Practical ways to improve soil health from progressive farmers such as Colin Seis, Eric Harvey, Martin Royds and David Marsh
Summing up the day’s workshop will be Dr. Maarten Stapper, Farming Systems Agronomist, featured recently on the ABC’s
Australian Story
Keynote speaker: Dr. Christine Jones, Founder, Amazing Carbon
"With appropriate changes to land management, agricultural soils have the capacity to sequester and store large
volumes of carbon, thus improving microbial content, biological activity, fertility, structure, stability, resistance to
erosion and ultimately biodiversity, productivity and profitability. Increasing soil carbon can significantly reduce
the impact of dryland salinity, reduce sedimentation rates in rivers and streams, improve water quality, improve
air quality and decrease the impact of global warming."
Source: Dr. Christine Jones, Carbon and Catchments 'Managing the Carbon Cycle'
NATIONAL Forum 22-23 November 2006
Cost: $25/person (GST inclusive)
Includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
Improve your land management and get recognition
Over the next few months the Australian Land Management Group (ALM Group) is hosting free Australia-wide
information presentations for landholders who want to improve their land management and obtain recognition for
their efforts. The presentations, which last around two hours, set out how landholders can be part of an
internationally recognised land management system.
Advantages of taking part in the system include:
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showing customers and the community that you are looking after the land;
supporting green agriculture credentials; and
improving farm productivity and protecting natural assets.
The ALM Group was established by landholders to help landholders improve environmental outcomes in ways
that enable your achievements to be recognised and rewarded. The ALM Certification System (ALMCS) is
supported by customised web-based software and accredited trainers and auditors. The low cost FarmReady
option is now available to develop ALM certification for your property.
Interested landholders can register online at www.almg.org.au or by contacting Julia Telford on 0427 580 399 or
email [email protected]
The ALM Group is supported by Elders, Australian Wool Innovation, Landcare Australia, several catchment
management/NRM agencies and the Japanese textile company Onward Kashiyama.
FarmReady Reimbursement Grants
FarmReady Reimbursement Grants, for courses completed prior to 30 May 2012, assist primary producers and
Indigenous land managers to attend approved training courses aimed at improving their capacity to adapt to
climate change and increase self reliance and preparedness. Applications forms need to be lodged and
approved prior to attending approved courses, followed by submitting the claim for reimbursement (up to 30 days
after the completion of the course). Managed by the department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry, further
information and application/claim forms can be accessed at www.farmready.gov.au
UPDATE: NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) now has 18 courses approved for the FarmReady
Reimbursement Grant. For further information go to www.farmready.gov.au or www.profarm.com.au or
telephone Simone Fuller (NSW DPI) on 02 6951 2544.
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