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Sustainable horse management on small properties – community field days
Sunday 18th March 2012 Lennox Gardens, Flynn Drive Yarralumla Fishing from 9:00am - 3:00pm Weigh station open 10:00am - 3:30pm sharp Lots of prizes to be won. Check the Canberra Fisherman's Club website for more information.
Conservation Council Trivia Night
Majura Hall, 2 Rosevear St, Dickson Cost $25 each, on table of 8. Earlybird tickets only $20 each if paid before 1 March. BYO Drinks & Nibblies. Light refreshment provided. Raffle Prizes and Silent Auction Book early to avoid disappointment! Tickets are $20 each if booked and paid for before the 1st March. Otherwise, tickets will be $25 each. Tables of 8. For more information or to book your tickets, call 6229 3208 or email: info at consact.org.au
Download flyer (
Thursday 2 February is World Wetlands Day Dickson Wetland: 6.30 - 7.30pm join the team for waterwatch, frogwatch and bird watching activities followed by a BBQ at the wetland. Banksia St Wetland: 6 - 7pm. Come and watch departmental ecologists use seine nets to catch feral Gambusia (little productive fish).
Jerrabomberra Wetlands Family Fun Day 11 am – 2 pm, Sunday 5 February 2012 Jerrabomberra Wetlands, 2 Dairy Road Fyshwick
There is something for everyone with a jumping castle, face painters, parachute games, a patting zoo and the largest ibis bird you'll ever see. Take a walk through the wetlands and enjoy unique wildlife in their natural habitat. Bring your binoculars to spot a variety of native birds and get some bird watching tips from the experts. You can also get up close and personal with a corroboree frog, talk to a ranger and become a fire fighter for the day in the Rural Fire Service truck. Visit the information stalls, learn about the future plans for the Jerrabomberra Wetlands and enjoy a guided bus tour to rarely seen sections of the wetlands. Pack a picnic or enjoy the sausage sizzle and ice creams stalls. For further information or in case of wet weather call 13 22 81 or visit www.tams.act.gov.au The Family Fun Day is an initiative of the Jerrabomberra Wetlands Board of Management. Proudly supported by the ACT Government.
Download flyer from the TAMS website (
Greening Australia delivers Biodiversity Restoration Workshops
Key to Australia’s success in restoring and managing our landscapes will be the methods we use to identify priority landscapes at the national, regional and local scale and the methods we use to establish, rehabilitate and protect biodiversity. Techniques for re-introducing biodiversity will differ significantly according to seasonality, local geography and topography and the availability of tube and seed stock. It is timely for communities to be informed about the most up-to-date and cost effective techniques for re-establishing biodiversity within a regional and local context. Greening Australia has a long history of promoting biodiversity and working with communities to plant and protect Australia’s unique species and ecosystems. Through our experience and technical expertise we have been able to capitalise on public and private investment and successfully restore large areas of native habitat throughout Australia. The Australian Government, in recognition of the above, is providing support to Greening Australia to facilitate a number of workshops across the country. These workshops will focus on guiding and establishing biodiverse plantings throughout the landscape and provide communities with the most up to date methods for reintroducing and managing biodiversity. Importantly the workshops will help maximise the outcomes of existing and new natural resource management and environmental programs such as the Clean Energy Future’s Biodiversity Fund. Workshops will be held across Australia during January including one in Yass on 18 January and another in Canberra on 19 January.
Download a broad workshop outline and table of planned the locations of each
workshop (
River restoration work at Oaks Estate 17 January, 2012
This work will be undertaken: along the Queanbeyan River between the rail bridge and the confluence of the Molonglo River and; downstream on the Molonglo River to River Street. Please be advised:
Remember, sustainable, environmental restoration takes time - the full benefits of the project will not be realised immediately. For more information contact Canberra Connect on 132281
It will showcase best practice pest management incorporating currently used techniques and the latest innovations. New products to be covered include the following:
Information and product demonstrations will be brought to you directly by the species experts. The first Roadshow will be in Queanbeyan on Monday 30th January at the Queanbeyan Conference Centre Visit the Invasive Animals CRC website for other dates and venues and to register.
Download the Roadshow calendar (
Having received some good interest from people at the workshop in Bungendore on 1 December, particularly from around Carwoola - Captain's Flat - Hoskinstown, the Monaro Landscape Connectivity project team is now planning to hold the first MLC workshop in this area. The details for the workshop are not yet finalised, but at this stage expect a 1-day workshop in the Captains Flat valley (ideally on the property of an interested landholder) in late April or early May. The workshop will help land managers to get a better understanding of native vegetation on their property, and also to look at managing it in the context of its connectivity to surrounding patches, through aerial photos and maps (which will be provided to all attendees) of native vegetation types across the landscape around their individual properties. There will also be sessions on Indigenous land management principles, and how people can begin to apply these on their property, if they are interested. Following the workshop, interested land managers can receive advice and support from the three partners in the project (MLi, K2C and the CMA), and may also choose to apply for incentive funding through the project, to assist them to better manage native vegetation on their properties. The project team can also provide species lists for their property, and a Management Plan with recommendations to assist them in managing their native vegetation. The Captains Flat workshop will be the first of six workshops to be held over the coming 18 months, at various locations across the Monaro. The exact location of workshops will be dependent on the EOIs received, but the aim is to ensure good coverage over the Monaro. To express your interest in becoming involved, complete and submit the EOI form (link below). For more information, contact Nicole Maher (Regional Landcare Facilitator):
Download Information Sheet (
Download EOI form (
Don’t be a Drifter Herbicide use workshop Interested in learning more about herbicide application? Are you a landholder in the ACT or in the Googong or Upper Murrumbidgee catchments south of the ACT? Are you working with herbicides as a Park Carer/landcarer in the ACT or in the Googong or Upper Murrumbidgee catchments south of the ACT? If you fall into any of these categories and want to upgrade your chemical application skills, ensure your machinery is working correctly, enable up to date records and gain accreditation or reaccreditation then read on. Southern ACT Catchment Group is organising a herbicide use training course for the 18/19 February 2012 to be held at Westwood Farm near Kambah. The concept is to deliver an advanced practical/theory session over the two days which will include using UV light to show droplets of water coloured with dye and applied to stubble, leaves or grasses at different rates, nozzles and pressures to show variables of application. Participants must attend both days. To reinforce the workshop information spray applicators can bring along their own equipment and have their questions answered, guided by an experienced operator. The workshops have a mixture of RELEVANT theory and practice. Assessment is relevant to the participants, for example: preparing a diagram for the area to be sprayed and putting in the relevant buffer zones. Demonstrating how to keep the necessary records in a simple format, ensuring they have the MSD’s they need and only the ones they need. Chemical user accreditation (AQF3/4) or reaccreditation is available if required. All course costs will be covered through funding to the catchment group from ActewAGL and the ACT NRM Council.
Comments from other participants in the May course include: Not having an understanding of spraying didn’t restrict relevance of workshop. The course was fantastic. I wouldn't change anything about it. The course was very useful and informative. Craig certainly had a detailed knowledge of spray nozzles and spraying techniques and was very effective in passing on this knowledge and practical pointers to participants. Craig demonstrated what types of nozzles to use to obtain the optimum droplet size and speed to get best coverage/penetration depending on the weed being sprayed. He also showed participants how to work this out for themselves using tables on nozzle performance. Craig also addressed other important issues in relation to chemical use and how to use them safely from a human health and environmental perspective, for example safe handling of chemicals, keeping appropriate records and observing appropriate buffers when spraying. Bookings are essential and places are limited: Contact Steve Welch on 6296 6400 or email info@sactcg.org.au Further information on the course will then be provided. Whether you’re using a backpack or a 12 metre wide spray rig, the same principles apply to ensure safe efficient and environmentally secure use of herbicides. Check out the videos on spray management at: www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-management/chemical-use/chemical-use-videos/spray-risk-management
Lyneham Wetland Community Planting Day There is still much to finish at the new storm-water wetland in Lyneham, but it was most enjoyable to have the twilight community planting on the afternoon of Sunday 4 December. A goodly selection of locals made an appearance, with children and dogs in tow. Things went in quickly and the area was planted out by 6:00 pm. The spotted grass frogs on the western bank tried hard to compete with the corer. People asked about mosquitoes, and native and feral fish, and if it would look as good as Banksia St. The plovers glared back from the still bare island; the wood ducks made several flypasts. And we had television coverage!
Sustainable Farming in the Majura Valley
Eighth “Along the Molonglo” Art Exhibition
Since 2003, the “Along the Molonglo” Art Exhibition has been a collaborative venture between the Molonglo Catchment Group (MCG) and the Artists Society of Canberra (ASOC). This year the theme is Water = Life? In essence it draws on the link between water and life within and beside streams/wetlands; human activities and emotions relating to rivers, lakes and ponds; and the positive and negative impacts of drought, occasional flooding and human intervention in the form of innovations. The question mark reflects the evolution of ecosystems in our catchment. The Exhibition will be held at the Discovery Centre, CSIRO opening to the public at 10.00 am on Tuesday April 24 with the official opening ceremony at 6.30 pm. Thereafter, public access will be daily from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm on Wednesday to Friday, and 11.00 am to 3.00 pm on Saturday and Sunday – closing Sunday April 29. Prizes for the best-judged entries have been generously donated:
For more information see the Along the Molonglo page and visit website at the Artists Society of Canberra: www.asoc.net.au
Development of a Master Plan for Jerrabomberra Wetlands The ACT Government is conducting community consultation on a Master Plan to guide future development of the Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve. The consultation will include face to face meetings and focus groups with key stakeholders and a public exhibition period with an on-site public information session. Consultation with key stakeholders, including local Aboriginal groups and neighbouring businesses and residents, occurred during July and August 2011 seeking insights and feedback to inform the development of the Master Plan. The draft master plan will be released in early 2012. During the public exhibition period in 2012, the draft Master Plan will be available online and in shopfronts and public libraries for community-wide comments and feedback. For more information, visit the Territory and Municipal Services website
Frogs tell us how the whole catchment is going! Frogs are very useful as catchment indicator species because they hunt and are hunted all across the area … spending much more time in grass tussocks and under logs than at or in the creek. The annual Frogwatch census provides a snapshot of frog activity in each sub-catchment across the whole Molonglo. Most frogs round here are spring breeders. There are eight or nine frogs that can turn up singing on spring nights between Captains Flat and Stockdill Drive. Life for frogs changes with the weather, the amount of shelter, the food supply, the density of predators, and infrastructure hazards. If there is a heat wave in the spring, they may have to build up the strength to breed twice that year. If the paddock is cropped early all the cover may have gone. If the garden has been sprayed for pests there may be no food about. If there are cats next door... And if the road between the fallen log and the pond has constant traffic … Frog numbers reflect both last year’s breeding success and life in the last twelve months! They are good indicators of the state of the catchment. We use a scoring system that converts the census categories (1–5; 6–20; 21–50; 51–100; >100) into tallies (1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) add those to get a site tally and convert to site scores and sub-catchment scores that fit the traffic light indicator scale we use for CHiP: the lower the sub-catchment score the better the indication of sub-catchment health. Catchment Health indicator (Frogs) Score.
Catchment Health indications based on the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Frogwatch censuses.
In urban areas one major threat for many frogs lies
in the dramatic and long-term lowering of soil moisture brought about by urban
development. When the area is levelled, roads are put in and large areas are
concreted the groundwater content of the soil drops dramatically and groundwater
flow is ruptured. For those frogs that spend most of their life eating the
animals of the leaf litter and the upper moist soil urban development spells the
end of their way of life. They then must move and find a new home. Neat and tidy
suburban gardens and parks never replace the complex mixture of leaf litter bark
pebbles and more that covers the ground in an undeveloped area. The small areas
of soil open to the weather do not link up and are themselves too small to
sustain the invertebrate populations to support frogs. The other urban and peri-urban catchments have challenges, but of a lower magnitude than Sullivans Creek. The results for Jerrabomberra Ck continue to be disappointing, as both the Royalla and Rose Cottage sites, once chosen as ‘reference sites’ for both diversity and numbers, have maintained the diversity but not shown high numbers in recent censuses. Lower Queanbeyan sneaks into the ‘good’ category. This may indicate that there are more tumbledown fences and scraps of wasteland in an old built-up area, less confronting for frogs than manicured parks and parking lots. The rural sub-catchments provide good habitat for frogs, but it would be wonderful to be able to report that these areas score excellent grades. This may be achievable in an ideal context, but the reality is that human living and infrastructure do disturb the catchment to some degree, always. The Spotted Grass Frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis) is possibly the best known frog in the region. What sort of a world does it need and how does it cope with city living? From late afternoon to mid morning on any spring or summer night you may hear the ack-ack call of the males as they plead for the girls to come down to the water. The boys can be quite sneaky, and stand round while one or two do the calling, then all join in the fun. The girls are up to this and come back for more numerous times across the season. They are bubble raft layers, and theirs are the tennis ball sized rafts you often see among the spike-rush at the pond edge. Tadpoles grow rapidly and there are tiny new spotted grass frogs under logs and in rock crevices around the fringe of the creek or wetland in eight to ten weeks. Life for a growing grass frog has three priorities:
Summer and autumn are fine...winter can be a challenge. So, from the 150 eggs in the raft, 25 may live long enough to lose their tadpole tails, and no more than five may get to winter, with as few as one coming back to the pond next year. Mum may have put down twenty or more rafts, so there is usually a small population increase, and frogs may live several seasons.
Download report (
M-CHiP 6-Monthly Report January-June 2011
"Earlier this year we considered how the frequency of platypus and water-rat (or rakali) sightings changed in the months immediately following the one-in-30-year flood event that occurred along the Queanbeyan River in December 2010. "In brief, sightings of both species increased modestly at Queanbeyan township in January and February 2011 as compared to the number of sightings made 12 months earlier, suggesting that few (if any) resident animals died or were swept long distances downstream in response to strong flows." Read more in the
newsletter ( Find out more about the Platypus Conservancy and Platypus Count at www.platypus.asn.au
Investigation into the Canberra Nature Park (nature reserves); the Molonglo River Corridor (nature reserves) and Googong Foreshores
‘Our reserves are very important to me’ was a strong message received by the ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment during the investigation into Canberra’s nature reserves. The ‘me’ includes a very diverse range of people, including many residents, neighbours of nature reserves, environmentalists, ParkCarers, runners, walkers and riders – all of whom put a very high value on the ACT’s reserves. The Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, Mr Simon Corbell, MLA has released the Commissioner’s Report on the Investigation into the Canberra Nature Park (nature reserves); Molonglo River Corridor (nature reserves) and Googong Foreshores. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing our nature reserves in the 21st century. The report makes six main recommendations and twenty nine sub-recommendations to respond to the challenges confronting our nature reserves and position them for the 21st century. There are significant advantages to implementing the six high priority recommendations soon, as they are likely to have both immediate and long-term effects. These are to:
The community’s views conveyed through many submissions and strong attendance at workshops and the material supplied by all the various agencies was examined thoroughly. This collective wisdom and experience helped greatly in preparing this report. The willingness of the community to invest their time to assist our Investigation is appreciated. Material from community workshops, forums and technical papers are provide Part 2. Appendices. Public submissions are provided in Part 3. Submissions. The Summary and Recommendations; Part 1. Report; Part 2. Appendices; and Part 3. Submissions are available on the Commissioner’s website at www.envcomm.act.gov.au/investigations/nature_reserves_investigation.
Waterwatch October 2011 Newsletter It's chock-full full of information and not just for Waterwatchers! Articles in this issue:
Download Newsletter (
Check out the Greening Australia web page at www.greeningaustralia.org.au/community/capital-region The web page offers up-to-date details about volunteer events, information about other GA programs, and includes a number of pamphlets that can be downloaded.
The Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens organise lunchtime lectures on Thursdays between February and November usually at 12.30pm at the Theatrette at the ANBG Visitor Information Centre. Gold coin donation on entry is appreciated.
More information is available on the Friends’ website
Experience Canberra's Wild Side
All the family will enjoy ranger guided walks and activities.
All this and more at Namadgi National Park, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and Canberra Nature Park—the Wild Side of Canberra. Current activities in the Molonglo Catchment: See the Territory and Municipal Services website for the full calendar of ranger guided activities each month.
African Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) Family Poaceae The invasive weed, African Fountain Grass, has been discovered in the ACT. It is often mistaken for similar ornamental grasses such as Foxtail Grasses and other Fountain Grasses. It has the potential to spread into natural areas and agricultural land causing considerable damage and control costs. African Fountain Grass is prohibited for sale in the ACT. It is also a noxious weed in NSW. African Fountain Grass is a large tussock grass. It has numerous plume like seed heads which are between 10cm and 25cm long. They are mauve in colour. Contact: If you think you have spotted this weed, please contact:
Further Information: www.weeds.org.au
Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima) Family Poaceae It has recently come to notice that over 300 plants of Mexican Feather Grass (MFG) have been sold through Canberra nursery outlets, probably labelled as Stipa. If you have bought Stipa plants from any nursery outlets in the ACT or region within the last 12 months please have the plant checked, or check it yourself. There are many good illustrated website descriptions available. This species has the potential to invade pastures and native grasslands in the ACT as an agricultural and environmental weed as bad as Serrated Tussock . It is not yet established in the ACT, and we really don’t want it here either! The invasive weed, MFG was first discovered in the ACT in February 2008. If uncontrolled, it could spread to other states of Australia. Overseas, it is highly invasive and has formed monocultures, smothering desirable species. Importation into Australia is prohibited. Description:
MFG is a densely tufted perennial grass, almost identical to serrated
tussock. MFG produces more seed than the related invasive weed, serrated
tussock and is a slightly taller plant (leaves to about 60 cm long and flower
spikes to 70 cm). The leaves are very similar to serrated tussock. The seed
is similar to the seed of native Stipa grasses (speargrasses). The
awn or bristle-like attachment to the seed is 4.5-9 cm long. The seed itself is
2-3 mm long. MFG flowers from mid spring to summer. Contact: If you think you have spotted this weed, please contact:
Further Information: www.weeds.org.au
Download flyer (
Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) Family Asteraceae (from
TAMS media release dated 14 October 2011
Canberrans are being urged to be on the lookout for a new incursion of weed species that has recently been identified in the ACT – Madagascan Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis). “While the weed is commonly found in the surrounding NSW region, this is the first serious incursion of Madagascan Fireweed in the ACT,” said Steve Taylor, Senior Invasive Weeds Officer, ACT Parks and Conservation Service. “The first plant was spotted by a member of the public on the Monaro Highway just outside the ACT border and since then plants have been spotted at two other locations in the ACT. These plants have been destroyed. “Rangers will proactively monitor the areas in which the plants were found. “Madagascan Fireweed is a small multi-stemmed and vigorous flowering daisy-like plant with numerous bright yellow daisy flowers. Like other daisies, the weed produces fluffy wind borne seeds. Some plants can produce tens of thousands of seeds.” Mr Taylor said a rapid response to uncover and control the weed will save the ACT significant expenditure in future weed control. “Eradicating Madagascan Fireweed swiftly will ensure continued protection of our valued native plant communities and grazing lands. “Another major concern is the toxicity of Madagascan Fireweed to horses and livestock which can cause liver damage similar to toxins found in Paterson’s Curse. Madagascan Fireweed is considered one of the most damaging weeds to grazing land. It often first invades land along roadsides and once established, quickly spreads into neighbouring pastures and reserves. “I urge the ACT community to be alert to Madagascan Fireweed and help us be proactive in managing this invasion of our natural habitat. “Due to its bright yellow flowers Madagascan Fireweed is likely to be noticed by passing motorists. “If you suspect you have seen Madagascan Fireweed please take note of the location and call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 [if in the ACT]. Taking a photo of the suspected plant may also help save time in confirming reports.”
Description: Fireweed is a low branching annual herb
with leaves 2-6 cm long, occasionally 8-10 cm on older, vigorous plants. Bright
green, thin, slightly fleshy, toothed or smooth- edged, hairless, alternate on
stem. Seeds are very fine, ‘dandelion’-like seed heads. Usually seeds during
spring. The flowers are 13-petalled yellow daisy flowers held on slender stems
in branched terminal open clusters from April to September. Before opening, the
flowers are enclosed by a single row of about 21 green bracts (a ring or crowd
of modified leaves, usually smaller than a true leaf) which have a darkened tip;
the number of bracts distinguish it from native Senecio species. The
bracts are easiest to count just before the flower opens out to reveal the
‘petals’, when the bract tips are all clustered at the top of the ‘bud’, or
after the seed has been shed when the bracts remain behind. Contact: If you think you have spotted this weed, please contact:
Further Information: www.weeds.org.au
Download Fireweed Factsheet
from the Molonglo Catchment Weed Information Pack (
Landcare Display Trailer available A purpose-built display trailer is available for use by Landcare and Parkcare groups in the ACT Region to highlight their good works and bring information to the community and their members. The trailer was purchased with assistance from Landcare Australia Limited; contributions from the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Coordinating Committee, Southern ACT Catchment Group and ACT Rural Landholders helped to fit it out. The trailer comes with fold-out whiteboard/display panels, tables, chairs, brochure holders, a display toolkit and a range of generic landcare posters. See the PlaceStory about the Trailer for the background story and more images. Contact us at trailer at molonglocatchment.com.au for additional information or to arrange to borrow the trailer.
To help understand the health of the catchment, the Molonglo Catchment Group (MCG) collects water quality data to find what sediment and salts are being transported down the Molonglo River. To do this the MCG needs help with two things to determine just how wet and dirty the catchment is:
Please contact the Molonglo Waterwatch Coordinator if you can assist.
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Planning
by the Canberra Fisherman's Club is well under way so mark your diary
A
fun day out for the entire family in celebration of World Wetlands Day!
This is the third of these courses organised by the Southern ACT Catchment Group and run by Craig Day from ‘Spray Safe and Save’. Craig adapts the course content to suit the requirements of the participants. I had the good fortune to attend the first course in May last year along with 16 other participants. ‘I have been using herbicides for over 30 years and have participated in a number of chemical use courses yet I learnt more on this course than I would have thought possible. Craig is an excellent presenter with a truly in-depth knowledge of all aspects of herbicide use and the legislation surrounding it. The practical sessions clearly demonstrate the learning gained from the theory sessions. I firmly believe that all people using herbicides at any level could gain a greater understanding of all aspects of herbicide use by undertaking this course, whether they are seeking accreditation, reaccreditation or simply a better knowledge base to work from regarding drift reduction, nozzle selection, equipment selection and calibration, to name a just few aspects. (Steve Welch)
Facing
the challenges – positioning our nature reserves for the 21st century
