News of Friends of Grasslands. Supporting Native Grassy Ecosystems

NewsNews of Friends of Grasslands, Friends January-February of2012, pageGrasslands 1 . Supporting native grassy ecosystems January-February2012

ISSN 1832-6315 . Program - take the diary out now In this issue February Program SUN 5 FEBRUARY, 9.00-12.00 & 1.00-4.00. News roundup FOG/Fenner Working Bee, Scrivener's Hut, Capital Fourth Indigenous Values workshop Hill Cultivation corner - Blow-ins, volunteers, self sow- We'll need all the help we can get to rescue this neglected ers and weeds site in National Capital lands just a hop, step and jump New African lovegrass awareness campaign from the federal parliamentary zone! Lunch will be provided. Please register with [email protected] and FOG advocacy bring drinking water, sun protection and sturdy footwear. Necklace fern and common maidenhair fern

Photos: (by G Robertson - clockwise from above) a worked stone from the Cascades (see page 4), Greg Chatfield, Rod Mason & Adrian Brown at the Indigenous Values workshop (see page 8), and FOG volunteers at Old Cooma Common Grassland Reserve. Over ten years of dedicated work has made an amazing difference at this grassland site (see page 5).

News of Friends of Grasslands, January-February 2012, page 2

Upcoming FOG Events Other Events Indigenous Grass and Sedge Display Newport Lakes Native Nursery,VIC Please register for FOG activities with the FOG con- 15/12/11 to 29/02/12 tact person who can assist with directions and possibly 2 Lakes Drive, Newport, Victoria. car pooling. By registering, you assist FOG to organ- Over 45 species of local Indigenous Grasses, sedges ise any catering and to provide you with other infor- and threatened herbs in full seed/flower will be on dis- mation you may need. play. Many other plants indigenous to the Western Bas- February alt Plains of Victoria will also be on display, including several critically endangered species. Ph: (03) 9391 FOG/Fenner Working Bee, Scrivener's Hut, Capi- tal Hill 0044. FREE entry. 9.00am-12.00pm & 1.00pm-4.00pm ACTHA Snakes Alive Exhibition Sun 5 Feb Australian National Botanic Gardens We‟ll finish clearing the southern end of this important 10.00am -4.00pm weekdays button wrinklewort site of woody weeds on this only 10.00am-6.00pm Sat & Sun day of work scheduled for 2012 in this area of grassy 23 - 29 Jan 2012 woodland. We need all the help we can get to rescue Get up close and see live displays of snakes, lizards, this neglected site in National Capital lands just a hop, turtles, frogs and crocodiles. $2 child $4 concession $5 step and jump from the federal parliamentary zone! adult. Proceeds assist with research into herpetology. Meet in the Scrivener's Hut car park between State and Capital Circles, entrance off State Circle, between STEP Working Bees, NAC Commonwealth Avenue and Flynn Drive (on the bike 8-11:00 am, every Thursday path from the lake beside Flynn Drive up to Parliament The Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park (STEP) was House). established at the behest of FOG and the ANPS. If you The work site is in the bush across the streamline from would like to help out at any of our regular working the carpark. Lunch will be provided. Please register bees, please contact Tony Lawson with [email protected] and bring drinking wa- at tony.lawson@fog,org.au. ter (though this site also does have tap water available), sun protection and sturdy footwear. The work in- FOG T-shirts volves cutting and daubing woody weeds, piling of cut FOG has a batch of new t-shirts for sale: 100% branches, some hand weeding near sites of important cotton, plain white or light camel coloured, crew species. The site has partial shade, so work can still neck, with "Friends Of Grasslands" + FOG logo, proceed if this midsummer's day turns out very hot. surrounded by grassland plants, sketched and designed by Michael Bedingfield, all printed in black. Sizes available are S, M, L and XL - since the shirt sizes are generous, you could afford to err on the small side. $15 each. Postage ($5 extra) can be organised for members outside FOG Membership ACT. Orders to: [email protected] To join or renew FOG membership entitles you to receive our newsletter and e-Bulletin, to attend FOG’s many and di- verse activities, and much more. The cost is small: $20 for individuals and families, $5 for students/concessions and $50 for organisa- tions. Membership is due on 1 January each year. Membership forms are available on our website: www.fog.org.au and you may pay by cheque or elec- tronically. While donations are not tax deductable, they are always very welcome. For inquiries contact Margaret Ning on 02 6241 4065 or [email protected]

News of Friends of Grasslands, January-February 2012, page 3

News Roundup Scottsdale Monitoring Linda Spinaze professional and practical experience grown in seed orchards and harvested from these orchards where it can 26 OCTOBER We started out with in agriculture, natural resource and be used in restoration work. Now wonderful weather for the Scotts- catchment management at local, GA have established seed orchards dale monitoring Day, but on the state, national and international lev- for a number of our rarer grassland drive down to Bredbo it started to els. species at its Aranda base and sprinkle. I‟d left all my wet- Jason Cummings, GA‟s CEO, who Scottsdale. weather gear at home! But the joined the GA team in May last year weather held, and we had a great gave a presentation on GA activities Good site preparation is also essen- day checking out all that African and catalogued its amazing statistics tial. Often the top level of soil is lovegrass! in terms of land restored, volunteers scraped to achieve significantly reduced weed re-emergence and lower Nine lovely volunteers helped on involved, etc. Jason also has a strong nutrient levels. Paul reported that a the day. A perfect number to di- background in natural resource man- large number of grassland species vide into three groups of three, one agement as an academic, consultant established successfully from field- group to do the monitoring of the and policy adviser, as well as a PhD sown seed mixtures and many have grazed valley areas, and two in ecosystem rehabilitation, and is expanded their range over time groups to monitor the slightly extremely capable. through recruitment. The project has more time consuming hilly areas However, the highlight for me was a successfully developed methods that where the native vegetation is talk by Paul Gibson Roy from allow for sowing complex seed- more dominant. Greening Australia Victoria's Grassy mixtures at field scales. After a great lunch provided by Groundcover Restoration Project Fascinatingly, Paul reported that Bush Heritage we drove up onto (GGRP), which aims at protecting now the sites are being repopulated the hills beside the Murrumbidgee and restoring species-rich native with invertebrates and small reptiles, and admired the fabulous views as wildflower grasslands that once cov- a great sign of success, and that we finished off a couple of the last ered large areas of south-eastern many sites are now being managed monitoring sites. Australia. His team won the 2011 Earthwatch Rio Tinto Prize for Citi- by normal natural resource manage- Many thanks to the volunteers, and zen Science - a $25,000 prize. ment techniques such as fire, widely especially to Sarah who takes practiced in Victoria to manage natu- home all the filled-in sheets and I have followed Paul‟s pioneering ral grassland remnants. photographs and makes sense of work on grassland re-establishment The GGRP publishes an electronic all that information. for a number of years now and it is newsletter the Grassy Gazette, a See you all next year again! truly amazing. great read: http:// www.greeningaustralia.org.au/our- Grassland restoration Seed sourcing has been a key ele- solutions/biodiversity/restoring- Grasscover ment. Seed is collected from wild populations, ensuring a biodiverse grassy-groundcover. 27 OCT It was a privilege to be sample is collected. It is then on- Too many superlatives! I don‟t think invited to the annual meeting of so. Greening Australia Capital Region (GA) held at the Australian Na- tional Botanic Gardens on a pleasant spring evening. A wonderful spread, interesting talks, and a net- work of many of the region‟s lead- ers in ecosystem restoration made the event a very enjoyable and re- warding one.

Peter Davidson, the Chair of GA spoke of the challenges that GA has faced and overcome. GA is extremely fortunate to have him at its helm. Peter is truly impressive, as anyone who knows him will testify. He has nearly forty years

News of Friends of Grasslands, January-February 2012, page 4

The Cascades with Rod Ma- son Michael Goonrey THURS 3 NOV Geoff and Marga- ret arranged for a FOG visit to the Tuross Falls area with Rod Mason. This field trip was part of the workshop and field trip project, Indigenous Values in the Land- scape, a Murrumbidgee CMA community project. Rod showed us a number of different things - the healing pools at the Cascades (here you can call and see the spirits from the past), an ancient orchard, the multi-uses of plants, stones from Lake Cargelli- lose the giant golden gliders – they Future Rod‟s grandfather was an go found there, and he spoke to the live and mate in these trees. Aboriginal king, but today there is little recognition of the presence of local rainmaker. Fire Aboriginals used fire to regen- local aboriginal people and their land erate plants. Note that seed can last Names of areas There were spe- management role in the area. Rod is in the soil for 14-15 generations. cial camp areas – up to 200 a traditional custodian and he wants camped in these areas – and they His people did spot burns when fog- the duty of care given back to his were visited seasonally. The cere- gy and in early morning or late after- people, and an acknowledgement of monies performed in the areas noon and when not windy. It was a traditional Aboriginal land manage- come from the bush and every- cool/wet rather than a hot burn. With ment practices and the encourage- thing in it. They are important like the Deua tree there should be a burn ment to reintroduce those practices. church is for white people. Rod when the bark is up to waist height Suggestions made for the future in- mentioned the following areas – (the high tide mark for a tree) – be- cluded establishing cadetships for Billiga; Williga; Tidbilliga (here yond that the bark is too high and both indigenous and non-indigenous you can meet your ghost who will burning can kill the tree. Many trees rangers and co-management (which touch you); and Mount Gilligumba in the area were beyond the high tide is currently being discussed). It was (local rainmaker). mark. Geoff suggested people might agreed by those attending the field Plants Rod pointed out a number investigate the possibility of arrang- day that a letter should be sent to of native trees and bush fruits and ing for some small trial burning with EPA/OEH by those present stressing referred to the multi-uses for plants the local Rural Fire Service in at- the need for recognition of the im- – food, fibre (e.g. string), medicine tendance. portance of Indigenous land manage- and shelter: ment practices being reintroduced in  Geebung fruit tree – native such areas. olive, which has been marketed Photos: (left) A view commercially as Aussie olive. from the Cascades. Good for blood – liver and kidney Rod’s ancestors  Tea tree - good for arthritis came up from the coast plain through  Lomandra – bush rice – needs the Cascades and fire to regenerate. Spreads nutri- Tuross Fall and then ents. on to Numeralla before heading to the  Lemonade bush Snowy Mountains  Mountain plum with pidgeon (above) Questions and answers in the berries camp. Rod’s desire  Snowy mountain plum - is to have tradition- brought from Snowy Mountains al land manage- and planted here in ancient times. ment practices reintroduced and  Deua tree – an endangered tree (opposite) putting in  Baby Wadbilliga ash tree – the hard yards at Old Cooma Common (G when these are lost then we will Robertson)

News of Friends of Grasslands, January-February 2012, page 5

War of wills at OCCGR Geoff Robertson SAT 5 NOV FOG working bees have now been held at Old Cooma Common Grassland Reserve for over a decade, and on this Saturday in November, there was a return to the fray. When FOG, over ten years ago, decided to apply for a grant for OC- CGR, then referred to as Radio Hill, high quality grassland areas. This flower of the vipers bugloss will no it was known that it was a large area protects the threatened and rare longer be seen once grazing com- and weedy. In those early days, from plants (Monaro golden daisy mences. It looks like a grassland a distance, Radio Hill looked like (Rutidosis leiolepis) and hoary should look. However, the effort will many neglected areas, with large sunray (Leucochrysum albicans need to be constant. areas dominated by woody weeds, var. tricolor)) - this year the especially hawthorn and briar. Clos- Monaro golden daisy flowering Cooma-Monaro Shire Council weeds er inspection would reveal large are- was spectacular. This activity plus unit has also played an important as dominated by African love grass FOG‟s regular working bees is role. It has organised funding for and in early summer, some areas making a difference. some professional weeding and the yellowed with St John‟s wort (SJW). purchase of herbicide. The Murrum- On 5 November, the big guns bidgee CMA has also provided great In the initial year or two there was a came out for the working bee, with assistance with a grant of almost concerted effort to be rid of woody Jim and me spraying from tanks on $5,200 through its Community Ac- weeds, African love grass (ALG) quad bikes and Margaret spraying tion grant funding to finance FOG‟s and verbascum. In the beginning from a tank in the back of her Hi- targetted approach to control the with regular FOG working bees and lux. June and Bob put on back- SJW. funding to pay for occasional profes- packs, while Andrew and John sional weeding efforts on the ALG, a undertook cutting and daubing Well done OCCGR organisers and large impact was made on woody woody weeds and Trish used a volunteers! weeds and the ALG. hoe. By day‟s end much progress Wildflower walk in Stirling However, the weeds were not going has been made. Park to give up easily, and after the initial Compared to ten years ago, what Jamie Pittock intensive phase was over, viper‟s has been achieved? Woody weeds 12 NOV FOG‟s annual wildflower bugloss and St John‟s asserted them- have been largely reduced and walk at Stirling Park proceeded selves and the lamb‟s ear kept on while they still emerge en massein amongst a verdant display of button keeping on. The struggle was a little a wet year like last year, few can wrinklewort. A group of 27 enthusi- overwhelming but with grit and de- be seen rising above the height of asts, including a group of visitors termination, an emerging better strat- the grass. ALG is well under con- from academic institutions from egy and added resources, the battle trol. Lamb‟s ear stalks unfortunate- countries in the Mekong River, spent was rejoined. ly persist and smooth hawksbeard two hours enjoying the late spring A new strategy has clearly emerged. (Crepis capillaris) and goats beard weather. A full array of grassy Probably the most important is the (Tragopogon dubia) are becoming woodland wildflowers were in fact that Jim and Margaret have now a problem, though the intended bloom and were easier to see thanks conducted a few three day working grazing will hopefully put paid to to FOG‟s work over the past three bees with Jim undertaking well tar- them. While areas outside the re- years removing woody weeds. How- getted boom spraying in areas domi- serve glow yellow with SJW, rela- ever late spring rains have also rein- nated by weeds, especially St John‟s, tively little yellow is found within vigorated many weeds, including the and Margaret spot spraying in the the reserve. Hopefully the blue Maderia Vine infestation.

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News of Friends of Grasslands, January-February 2012, page 6

Fireweed Control at Nunnock We all had a very pleasant day, Weeding with a chainsaw in Swamp great environment, good compa- Stirling Park Peter Tuckerman ny, ideal weather and hopefully Jamie Pittock we made some progress to ame- SUN 13 NOV An enthusiastic 20 NOV FOG‟s final weeding event liorate the threat from fireweed. group of people gathered in an on National Capital lands finished on Naturally follow up work and endeavour to ameliorate the threat a loud note as President John „have monitoring is required to avoid from fireweed (Senecio madagas- chainsaw certification‟ FitzGerald fireweed becoming established carensis) to the grasslands of the demolished extensive infestations of in this beautiful grassland. South-East Forests National Park. Cootamundra wattle and pines. The We gathered at the Nunnock Visit to Bunhybee Grasslands work party cleared an estimated Swamp Camping area, off Packers Linda Spinaze and Roger Clarke 120m3 of woody weeds out of the Swamp Road on the Coastal majority of the southern end of Stir- 19 NOV Bunhybee is a 50-hectare Range. The day was a joint effort ling Park, ahead of a planned burn in conservation property 35km south of National Parks and Wildlife the cooler months of 2012. Nine vol- of Braidwood. FOG visited it Service (NPWS), Friends of unteers braved the cold and damp twice in 2007-08, when the Nature Grasslands (FOG) and Friends of conditions to systematically remove Conservation Trust acquired it and Alexander‟s Hut, with a few addi- thickets of cotoneaster, hawthorn, the adjacent Parlour property, and tional volunteers. pines, Cootamundra wattle and other visited Bunhybee again in May horrors. Freeing populations of gold- The grasslands and Nunnock 2009 after it was purchased by en everlasting, clustered everlasting, Swamp reflect the wetter condi- FOG member Linda Spinaze: yellow buttons and button wrinkle- tions that have prevailed over re- http://www.rogerclarke.com/ wort from imminent invasion was cent years and the great effort and Bunhybee/FOG-090509.html good management provided by particularly pleasing. A party of 9 members (plus 2 visi- NPWS. The structures and facili- The damp conditions prevented tors from the Muehlviertel in ties provided by NPWS are not spraying of some nasty weeds, such Northern Austria) paid a 2-hour intrusive yet control the vehicle as African lovegrass. One infestation visit to the property on Saturday access to protect the natural envi- of broom has resprouted with recent 19 November 2011.It's recovered ronment while giving good access rain but happily the other two infes- very well from the drought of 2000 to visitors. The walking tracks are tations appear to be largely under -09, during which rainfall was at discreet, providing good access control after three years of FOG la- 77% of its long-term average of while managing traffic to protect bour. the grassland. 750mm (30in) p.a. 2010 was about 150% and 2011 to date 95%. In the past three years FOG and the A number of native species of fire- A brief history of Bunhybee was ANU Fenner School have held 19 weed (“good fireweed”) were provided. See: work parties involving over 1,700 found in addition to the focus of http://www.rogerclarke.com/ volunteer hours work and resulting our attention, the exotic fireweed Bunhybee/PropBrochure.html in removal of over 729 m3 of weed Senecio madagascariensis (“bad biomass, and held three public na- The original list of 160 native spe- fireweed”). Guided by the expert ture walks with 63 participants on cies that was developed by a com- botanist in the group, our skills NCA lands. In 2012 we resume with bination of FOG members and were improved in the identification a work party at Scrivener‟s Hut on Rainer Rehwinkel has since grown and distinguishing of, and be- the side of Capital Hill on 5 Febru- by 40%. The species list is in three tween, indigenous and exotic spe- ary. cies of fireweed. It appears that the parts, accessible at: different species of fireweed can http://www.rogerclarke.com/ Bunhybee/PS-FP.html hybridise and so the most appro- FOG e-Bulletin priate strategy to avoid fireweed Margaret Ning's rapid-fire id'ing of The FOG e-Bulletin contains the contamination is to remove all spe- 60 species included two that are latest information on FOG happen- cies. new to the list - Geranium retror- ings and more. It contains no pic- To add an extra dimension to our sum and Gonocarpus micran- tures so its size is minimal. thus. With a further 4 new species appreciation of this area, a retired If you haven’t been receiving it, photos on the day, the web-site farming couple who once owned and you want to, please provide land in the area described some of now includes local photos of 170 of the 225 species. Margaret their history and how the land was ([email protected]) with used prior to becoming part of the your e-mail address. Also, please National Park. let Margaret know of address NPWS staff provided and cooked changes. an excellent barbecue lunch for those attending. News of Friends of Grasslands, January-February 2012, page 7

Conservation Council AGM some time in project direction but Sarah Sharp then demonstrated how John Fitz Gerald plans then to do some well de- data collected across the ACT in a 24 NOV Almost ten FOG members served travelling and relaxing – new survey of African lovegrass (see attended the Council‟s AGM. Three our best wishes for the future go to newsletter page 10) was readily im- major items should interest all FOG him. ported into the mapping system. members. (2) Clare Henderson has been Access to this powerful analysis tool (1) John Hibberd stepped down as appointed to the Executive Direc- will basically be free to member Executive Director after many years tor position. Clare had a brief stint groups such as FOG (apart from ink of distinguished service and hard as interim director in 2003 and costs for large colour prints). work championing conservation of brings wide experience having CONSACT will run specially the environment in worked in government and public planned courses (currently being the ACT region. sectors, plus a passion for the envi- designed by David Wong) to train John paid tribute ronment and a commitment to sus- individuals from member groups in in particular to the tainability. FOG welcomes Clare operational use. to her new key role and looks for- Council‟s office The establishment of the Project has ward to working closely with her team for support- been made possible through the in many different issues in grassy ing him fully, es- sponsorship and ongoing support of ecosystems, such as offsetting. pecially this year the Fenner School of the ANU, the while he faced some daunting health (3) The Biodiversity Mapping ESD Directorate of the ACT govern- issues. He also thanked the member Project was formally launched ment (principally Research and Plan- groups, including FOG, for their as- just prior to the Council‟s AGM. ning Section), and the software com- sistance. In closing, he was pleased At this launch, John took to the pany ESRI Australia which granted a to be able to tick off most of the list controls of the GIS software to licence for CONSACT‟s use of its of objectives that he had set for the give his audience some apprecia- ARC/INFO mapping system. EP- Conservation Council. tion of the potentials of the new SON Australia generously donated a John moves into a new position as mapping tool. The ACT is fully costly A2 colour printer and both Director of Projects at the Council. covered as a digital map which ACTPLA and TAMS have provided FOG thanks him for his sterling ef- allows multiple overlays of layers access to their geographic datasets. forts as ED in advocating for change of information about any mapped The first two major activities for the by continued discussions with the element in biodiversity. John dis- new system are the Gungahlin Rim ACT government, and for efforts to played a map of the northern edge Conservation Plan and the SACTCG keep the whole community abreast of the ACT and demonstrated how African lovegrass mapping survey. of the many issues in local conserva- easy it was to overlay patterns in- tion and sustainability. FOG under- cluding the extent and connectivity Photo: John Hibberd (Susanna Chung) stands that John will continue for of Box-Gum Grassy Woodland.

LANDCARE AWARD Congratulations to Sarah Hnatiuk and Steve Welch. Dr Chris Bourke presented awards to FOG member Sarah Hnatiuk and well-known grasses and weeds enthusiast Steve Welch, who were among the ten impressive environmental achievers recognised at the 2011 ACT Landcare Awards in September Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award Sarah Hnatiuk was selected as the ACT region’s Individual Landcarer for 2011 in recognition of her pivotal role in the work of Mount Painter Park Care, for her significant contribution to the work of Greening Australia and in recognition of her contribution to ACT-wide conservation strategies. Sarah works extensively to extend the Landcare experience to corporate groups and ADFA cadets, never failing anyone who puts their hand up to work. Sarah’s efforts are easily recognisable from William Hovell Drive; where the restoration work of Mount Painter is obvious through the multi- tude of florescent pink tree guards. The Environment Community Support Award (ACT category) Steve Welch, in recognition of his efforts as a Community Coordinator of the SACTCG supporting ACT community activities. Steve Welch has had an ongoing involvement with Landcare from both the community and Government perspective. Steve spent many years as a ranger with the ACT Government and is especially fond of his work at Tidbinbilla. Steve has held various Landcare support positions in both local and Federal governments and as past volunteer President of the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Coordinating Committee and is currently its Vice Presi- dent. He has brought this depth of experience to his current role as coordinator of the Southern ACT Catchment Group, where his passion for community based Landcare is bearing fruit. He has made a significant contribution to the continuing vitality of that Group and their contribution to local environmental education, raising awareness of weeds and tackling issues at a practical level.

News of Friends of Grasslands, January-February 2012, page 8 Fourth Indigenous Values Workshop Geoff Robertson

tea-tree drainage line and eventual- ly onto the area that we now call Rod‟s classroom. Throughout the walk Rod would stop and explain particular plants, their growth hab- its, and how they were managed traditionally. He pointed out those parts of the landscape where plants were appropriately placed and where some of the landscape func- tion had broken down and needed attention. Much of his discussion was on the role of fire management 20-21 OCTOBER 17 people, excluding Rod, Margaret and how this was best approached. We then visited areas and me, attended the fourth Indigenous values work- that had been burnt and an explanation of the before and shop at Garuwanga conducted by FOG with funding after effects was provided. from the Murrumbidgee CMA under the Community Then we returned to the barn for afternoon tea and a slide Grants Program. On this occasion we had a large con- show by Rod where he showed some of his favourite tingent from the Indigenous Unit of the ACT NRM shots. Largely we were treated to a walk through the tra- Council and the ACT Chief Minister‟s Department in- ditional camping grounds from the coast to the high cluding people from many Indigenous groups. country and how each camping site was managed so that The program covered much the same material as in pre- on the seasonal return to the camp site, the plants and ani- vious workshops with more on some issues and less on mals were ready to be harvested. others. The workshop only started minutes late. Many Rod accompanied us on the tour of Garuwanga. We visit- people had made great efforts to travel a long distance ed Ten-eighty, the highest point at Garuwanga, for its to arrive on time. views, land management issues, and its different northern The workshop started with me giving an introduction to and southerly aspects. We visited the beach, the sandy Rod and a run down on what had been learnt at previ- riverbank areas of the Numeralla River, for its sheer natu- ous workshops. Then everyone introduced themselves. ral beauty and in the hope of possibly seeing platypus, People were very open about their motives for attend- water dragons, and even a water rat. None of these were ing and even right from the start people mentioned seen. However, the trout put on a most impressive dis- some very strong emotion about their need to learn play of breaking the water surface. According to Dierk, about country, to learn about their lost culture, or to he had never before seen such a display. Next we trav- reconcile themselves to Indigenous people and country. elled along the fire trail and then took a short walk to an- As we went around the room, Rod responded to each other spectacular section of the Numeralla River were person individually, obviously touched by people‟s there is a large pond, a waterfall, and a huge area of rocks wanting to learn. where the water disappears - many explorers chanced their skills on the rocks. Our final stop was the creek We then adjourned outside for Rod‟s smoking ceremo- crossing on Winifred Creek, where Garuwanga joins ny and welcome to country. He then elaborated on Dangelong Nature Reserve. Rod accompanied us on most some of the themes that had already been mentioned of this journey explaining what was happening in differ- and helped people understand the broader landscape ent parts of the landscape. Then it was time to sit around through Ngarigo eyes. Morning tea was then taken, the fire for a cook-up and further story telling. with some of the participants bringing out some wonderful cakes and other goodies. On the second morning, we had a recap on Day one and Rod answered many questions about culture, traditional Next Rod brought out various plant material and de- practice, language and landscape management. Then it scribed the different plants, and the foods, medicines, was off for another walk, this time past a number of boul- tools, weapons, materials (such as twine and baskets) der areas which provided the basis of natural gardens that they provided, enriching this presentation as usual which may be harvested for fruits, seeds and animals. by explaining the Ngarigo words used to describe the Rod emphasised the importance of micro habitats for plants and their products. food and shelter and pointed out one site that would be After lunch we walked from the Garuwanga Barn, used as a shelter particularly for women. We then re- through the wood, past the fruit orchards, as Rod de- turned for morning tea which did not take long because scribes them, through the grassland, then through the we were then outside again where Rod demonstrated

News of Friends of Grasslands, January-February 2012, page 9

some spear throwing and then produced his popular ing), how we would control the fire, etc. Perfect and im- kangaroo coat, which many people modelled and were pressive result. photographed in. The best was Greg Chatfield who had snuck off with Rod who painted him with white ochre Then it was time to give some brief evaluations, say that Greg had brought along. thank you all round, and indicate what was next, which we might talk about on another occasion. All those that Following lunch, while conditions were not ideal, Rod attended were delighted and deeply moved by the new in- organised the lighting of a fire. I had applied for a li- sights that they obtained about our landscapes, biodiver- cence for this. This was readily granted when I ex- sity, and vegetation management and restoration. plained what we were doing, how we were doing it and the precautions we were taking. Rod explained to par- Photos: (above) participants in the Indigenous values workshop, (opposite) lighting a fire at Garuwanga (G Robertson). ticipants what was burning and not burning (or protect-

Cultivation Corner: Gardens (ANBG). Laurie Adams is ACT on the ANBG web site when I Blow-ins, volunteers, self- developing a key for all these plants couldn‟t but notice how many entries sowers and weeds based on leaves. I assume that is a had the name M Gray against them. Janet Russell work-in-progress as only some of the The only two listed wood sorrel in plants are indicated as being in the Flora of the ACT were O. articulata Over the past two years, we have key. and yellow wood sorrel (O. cornicu- had a number of native plants self- lata) which are shown as declared Some of the other plants to arrive sow in our garden. In all, three noxious weeds on the Herbarium of have been Jersey cudweed Cassinia species have appeared. NSW website. O. articulata is pink (Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum), The first to arrive was cauliflower and so easier to identify when it is Euchiton sphaericus and cotton bush (Cassinia longifolia) two flowering and according to the Euro- weed (Senecio quadridentatus). years ago. We allowed it to get to bodalla garden escape website the There are also at least three species nearly a metre high before remov- pink-flowering species do not pro- of wood sorrel (Oxalis spp.) in our ing it. It had established itself on duce seed in Australia. Yellow wood garden. I find Flora of the ACT by the front of a garden bed right next sorrel is hard to distinguish from na- Burbidge and Gray, a useful refer- to the pavers in the back garden. It tive Oxalis. Two of the species in ence for plants that arrive in the gar- wasn‟t able to be taken out and our garden only have yellow flow- den. I have to confess, I didn‟t think transplanted because of damage to ers. the roots and it was too large to it would be useful at first because it stay where it was, in front of small was published in 1970. I used to I decided that I want to know which ground-covers, so we had to dis- consult Vascular Plant Census of the ones we have in the garden so I have pose of it. given a sample of one to the ANBG plant id service as a start. We have The other two appeared in the one form that we have never seen front garden over the past year. flower as Andy digs them up before The first to arrive was dolly bush they get the chance. I have looked at (Cassinia aculeata) which is now the key on the NSW herbarium site also approaching a metre in height. and as far as I can tell, it looks like This plant and C. longifolia are Oxalis brasiliensis. We are going to both found in the Aranda Bush- allow it to flower this time so we can land. I thought the third one Cas- confirm its identity. We have gener- sinia arcuata was a bit more of an ally allowed the more weedy natives unusual arrival but I found it on to survive and thrive as they arrive. the list of plants on Black Moun- tain which is being maintained by Photo (left) Oxalis brasiliensis (J Russell) the Australian National Botanical News of Friends of Grasslands, January-February 2012, page 10 African Lovegrass Awareness Campaign John Fitz Gerald

Steve Welch and the Southern ACT Catchment Group chance that it can be contained by quick action. (SACTCG) have been busy this spring and summer *ALG moves not only via river corridors but also road- taking advantage of grant funding to increase aware- sides. New control procedures, including better mowing ness of the problems that this grass (ALG) is causing in practices, are required along road reserves. homes, farms and other properties throughout the ACT *ALG is a particularly variable species. In the ACT, the and south-eastern New South Wales. ACT readers have common form is low growing (approx. 40cm) and blue- probably seen advertisements in local newspapers un- green, whereas south-coastal NSW is dominated by a der the banner “Don‟t love this grass! It‟s nobody‟s much taller (100 cm and over) and greener form. This tall Friend”. An informative new brochure with a similar ALG also grows in the ACT and appears to need a differ- title is also readily available from SACTCG. ent control regime. *Glyphosate spraying in summer is effective at knocking There has also been much more happening in the off ALG plants in seed, but of course kills all plants SACTCG‟s battle against ALG. growing alongside. In contrast, Fluproponate is effective Firstly, two information sessions have been held in even when sprayed in winter, and is kinder to some na- conjunction with the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment tives including Austrostipa sp. In the ACT, a rural road- Coordinating Committee, Regional Landcare Facilita- sides program of experienced contractors spraying tor, ACT Natural Resource Management Council, with fluproponate is being evaluated. support from the Australian Government. On 18 No- *ALG, a summer grower, can be suppressed by active vember a morning workshop was run at Westwood completion from dense stands of cool season C3 grasses. Farm in Kambah. On 22 October a field day was part- Recent improvements in seed sourcing (suppliers include nered by Bush Heritage at their Scottsdale property Ian Chivers‟ company, Native Seeds P/L) mean that sub- near Bredbo. Both of these well-attended events in- stantial volumes of native seeds are now on the market at volved a set of high quality lectures supplemented by competitive prices. Available C3 types currently recom- discussions and plant identification activities plus, at mended include Wallaby, Weeping and Wheat grasses. Scottsdale, two paddock inspections. *ALG can be reduced by short bursts of intensive grazing, an approach advocated by Tobias Koenig, an organic Secondly, SACTCG engaged Sarah Sharp to lead a grower at Ingelara near Scottsdale. Coupled with some program to survey ALG. Sarah spent many days being slashing, Tobias recommends a period of heavy stocking chauffeured around major roads in the ACT and region with cattle (at live weights over 60,000 kilos per hectare) by husband Phil while she mapped ALG „on the go‟ followed by resting of pastures for at least half of the through the car window and fought back motion sick- year. In this way Koenig is finding native and perennial ness. This extensive monitoring was complemented by grasses increasing even in paddocks that were once 95% over 30 community submissions about ALG presence ALG. in many of the reserves, nature parks and adjacent sub- *Trials of Keonig‟s cell grazing approach are under way urbs, in some cases reported with amazing detail. All at Scottsdale. FOG has been involved for three years in this information has been compiled and projections monitoring their progress, though it appears too early to made about future ALG levels based on different con- interpret solid long term trends. trol scenarios. Sarah presented the current survey re- sults and projections at both of the information ses- *Nature reserves in the southern ACT, such as Tuggera- sions. The formal report will be finalized and become nong Hill, are basically islands in seas of ALG. Careful publicly available in the near future. monitoring and treatment for ALG and other weeds along all boundaries and tracks is already operated by ACT Finally, some important information shared in the ses- Parks and Conservation. sions: *ALG outcompetes native species, potentially over- Congratulations to SACTCG and its partners for this ini- whelming grasslands with monocultures. tiative. More detailed information on ALG can be ob- *ALG has done particularly well during the recent tained from the web at www.sactcg.org.au, from NSW drought. It is highly competitive in low-nutrient soils. Primary Industries (www.industry.nsw.gov.au) , and *In the ACT, ALG has been known since at least 1995 many other weeds sites. in the Murrumbidgee River corridor but was not recognized as a threat until more recently. *The wide spread of ALG through many southern and Photo: (opposite page) Participants enjoy lunch during the ALG western Canberra suburbs is possibly related to the im- field day which was centred around the shearing shed of Bush Heritage’s Scottsdale property(J Fitz Gerald) porting of tons of topsoils from Bredbo. *ALG grows across most of urban ACT, but is minimal in the new suburbs of Gungahlin where there is some

News of Friends of Grasslands, January-February 2012, page 11

excluded from further consideration. native vegetation. Particular issues FOG advocacy In particular, FOG recommended raised by FOG included the im- Naarilla Hirsch that the Stirling Ridge site is not fur- portance of the principle of “like for September 2011 ther considered for development, like”, the need to declare high diver- A proposed Bonner 4 East residen- that the Dudley Street (Yarralumla) sity or “core areas” as “no go”, con- tial extension was released for pub- grasslands (plus a buffer zone) be nectivity between high quality sites, lic comment under the EPBC Act. excluded from any further considera- concerns about indirect offsets such FOG‟s concern with this proposal is tion of the Yarralumla brickworks as research in terms of delivering a the use of a previous offset area as site, and that the Federal Golf positive outcome for the environ- an outer asset protection zone for Course site is not further considered ment, timing of offsets, and inde- bushfire protection of the adjoining for development. Instead, FOG sug- pendent monitoring of compliance. urban area. In FOG‟s view conser- gested that the area known as the FOG‟s view is that offsets should be vation areas should be managed for Curtin horse paddocks be considered aimed at “net gain” rather than conservation purposes, not as urban as it understands that this area has maintenance of the status quo, which asset protection zones – such zones low biodiversity values. would minimize the risk of net loss should be located outside conserva- The Commonwealth Minister for if an offset is only partially success- tion areas, including Nature Re- Sustainability, Environment, Water, ful. We remain concerned that the serves. Population and Communities is un- use of offsets will result in a net loss of native species and ecosystems October 2011 dertaking to reform Australia‟s national environment law, and has re- across the landscape. The National Capital Authority leased several papers for public com- In general, FOG supports the princi- (NCA) asked for public comment ment, including papers about the ples outlined in the biodiversity poli- on three options for new diplomatic Government‟s biodiversity and off- cy paper. In particular, we are estate. The three sites are; south sets policies, and on cost recovery pleased to see support for a land- west of Stirling Ridge, near the Yar- under the Environment Protection scape-wide approach to management ralumla brickworks, and adjacent to and Biodiversity Conservation Act of ecosystems and land use planning the Federal Golf Course. FOG rec- 1999 (EPBC Act). FOG has submit- in the paper, and the continuing ommended that the sites be assessed ted its views on each of these. commitment to engage all Australi- for the presence or absence of In response to the offsets policy pa- ans in partnerships in land manage- threatened species and ecological ment. FOG raised concerns about communities by recognized botani- per, FOG reiterated its view that no development should impact on vul- lack of effective implementation in cal and zoological experts in grassy relation to grassy ecosystems, such ecosystems, that areas of habitat for nerable or endangered species habitat or ecosystem communities, there- as the piecemeal rather than strategic species and ecological communities approach to developments in the identified as threatened under ACT fore creating no need for offsets. However, FOG offered comments on Gungahlin area, the lack of proper and Commonwealth legislation be knowledge or available material to ruled out of further consideration, details within the paper in recognition of the reality of the current situ- restore some areas after damage has and that sites where the local com- occurred, and factors inhibiting con- munity opposes development be ation where offsets are mandated by government for the destruction of servation of connecting corridors as well as high quality sites.

News of Friends of Grasslands, January-February 2012, page 12

FOG advocacy cont. The first is the mitigation strategy, in is to allocate adequate resources for particular translocation of any management of these areas. The third paper FOG commented Striped Legless-Lizard found in the on was the consultation paper on construction area, and the timing FOG provided comments on the pro- cost recovery under the EPBC Act. allowed for revegetation. The other posed Canberra Centenary Trail FOG put the view that our native concerns are more general concerns route, particularly in relation to the grassy ecosystems and dependent also raised about other recent devel- sections running through Mulligan‟s species have high values (both opment proposals: the offset strategy Flat Nature Reserve and monetary and environmental), so and a strategic approach to conserva- Goorooyaroo Nature Park. We are that placing a cost on the assess- tion matters in Gungahlin. concerned about the impact of pro- ment of the impact of development posed new or upgraded track through proposals merely reflects that value. ACTPLA released for comment a high conservation areas in these re- FOG considers it essential that such development application for the sub- serves and along the ACT‟s northern cost recovery supports post- urb of Coombs, Weston Creek. boundary, the possibile spread of approval monitoring and audits FOG‟s concerns about this relate to grassy weeds from weed infested over the longer term, in addition to the lack of the strategic and correlat- areas into the above (and other) na- covering the initial referral/ ing process that we believe should ture reserves, and the potential for assessment/approval process. be undertaken, to provide details on inappropriate use by trail bikes. FOG the management of recreation, bush- also notes that the management costs The NCA released for public com- fire hazard and conservation within include marketing and promotion, ment a discussion paper on the Na- the riparian zone in the proposed community engagement and insur- tional Capital Open Space System development. FOG believes that the ance, but make no mention of actual (NCOSS). FOG considers conser- residential boundary should be trail maintenance or management of vation of the NCOSS not merely a pulled back to provide an adequate any undesirable impacts of the trail question of unique urban amenity buffer to the corridor.This will miti- on the reserves it passes through. for the ACT, but also of national gate against the need to undertake importance for biodiversity conser- high intensity bushfire management FOG provided comments on the vation due to the threatened species actions in the riparian corridor, pro- draft ACT Planning Strategy, also and ecological communities con- tect habitat and provide for a range out for public consultation. While tained within the NCOSS. Howev- of high intensity recreation activities we are pleased to see recognition of er, FOG believes that resources pro- outside the corridor. Other concerns the conflicting demands of urban vided to manage these areas have relate to the lack of detail on how development and biodiversity con- not kept up with legislative and oth- open spaces within Coombs and in servation in the Strategy document, a er responsibilities, and we are con- the inner asset zone will be used to major concern is the lack of concrete cerned that as a result the open reduce inappropriate recreation with- targets and outcomes for biodiversity spaces are becoming more degrad- in the river corridor, and with some values. FOG proposes setting con- ed. FOG‟s view is that professional of the species identified for planting crete targets that are achievable over bush regeneration teams need to be in urban parks and in the streets. the next five years. One of these is employed to work across the open FOG supports the establishment of a no further urban developments or space system, regardless of who the reserve in the Lower Molonglo River development proposals on land with land manager is. There are a num- Corridor, together with production of biodiversity values until a strategic ber of open space areas that should a Management Plan before any resi- assessment has been done of all of be protected in Canberra Nature dents move into the suburbs adjacent the higher conservation value land Park, as federal nature reserves and/ to the river corridor. within that part of the ACT, with or embargoed from development stakeholder agreement to areas re- (and that have been identified by November 2011 tained for conservation (and, for that the Commissioner for Sustainability Dr Allan Hawke‟s review of the matter, to strategic offset proposals). and the Environment as of high NCA was released for public com- Others are production of a synthe- conservation value), including Yar- ment. After noting that the NCA‟s sized data base and maps of areas ramundi Reach grassland, Stirling management of Yarramundi Reach with high ecological value or con- Park and Scrivener's Hut grassy and Stirling Park has not featured in nectivity, and identification of land woodlands, and grasslands in Yar- recent reviews of the organisation, of high conservation value, both in- ralumla, on Lake Ginninderra and FOG recommended two actions be side and outside reserves, as “no go” in the Glenloch interchange. considered. The first is to improve for urban development (including infrastructure). Habitat that connects An environmental impact statement the conservation tenure of these such areas should also be identified. for the proposed District Playing lands by reserving Stirling Park and Fields in Throsby was released for Yarramundi Reach as nature reserves The full text of FOG submissions comment by ACTPLA. FOG ex- or extensions of the Australian Na- appears on our website. pressed concerns about three areas. tional Botanic Gardens. The second

News of Friends of Grasslands, January-February 2012, page 13

Necklace fern and common maidenhair fern – if you’re fond of fronds …. By Michael Bedingfield

I like the maidenhair fern, and I‟ve had one in my kitchen for about 19 years. So it was a pleasant sur- prise to find a patch of it, growing on a rocky south- facing slope, in the foothills to Mt Rob Roy. Occa- sionally I have neglected watering mine and it has withered completely. However with a bit of water, it has recovered, producing new growth from the roots. The wild plants, too, have the habit of disappearing in dry weather and in winter, but recover when there is sufficient warmth and moisture. In dry times they are difficult to find, except for those that grow close to a creek. These wild specimens are the common maidenhair fern, known as Adiantum aethiopicum. The leaves are bright green, the stems brown, and they spread with underground rhizomes, creating patches of ferny growth. The species is distributed widely, occurring in Australia, Africa, New Zealand and Norfolk Island. In Australia it grows in moist places, near creeks, in woodlands and in open forests, in small patches or large colonies. The specimens I observed growing among the rocks were about 20 to 25 cm tall, with upright stems. But they can vary from 10 cm up to 50 cm, depending on the conditions.

Another pretty local fern is the necklace fern, known botanically as Asplenium flabellifolium. The fronds are trailing or prostrate, with fan-shaped leaflets occurring alternately, spread along slender stems that are 10 to 20 cm long. The roots have short rhizomes. Locally it occurs in woodlands and open forests, and can be found growing in rock crevices or on stream banks, in shaded, sheltered positions. Elsewhere, it can be found in other places that are moist, such as near waterfalls or in caves, or in rainforest, where it can grow on fallen logs or tree trunks. It occurs in all states of Australia and in NZ. The necklace fern is more common locally than the maidenhair fern, and shady rocky places are worth checking for its presence.

The drawings show both plants at about half size. The delicate character of these ferns is very appeal- ing, but contrasts their ability to survive through frosty winters and a drought prone climate.

News of Friends of Grasslands, January-February 2012, page 14

FOG groups and projects Grassland Flora FOG is now responsible for sales of Grassland Flora. Inquiries: [email protected]. Activities organises FOG field trips, talks, workshops, on-ground works, support to other groups, property vis- General inquiries Contact [email protected], Janet Rus- its, and the FOG calendar. sell (6251 8949). Inquiries: [email protected]. Grassland monitoring, Scottsdale holds monitoring Advocacy prepares submissions and advocates for days at the Bush Heritage property at Scottsdale. Inquir- grassy ecosystem issues. It holds occasional meetings ies: [email protected]. and workshops. Inquiries: [email protected]. Hall Cemetery, with ACT Government, holds regular Committee & correspondence The Committee organ- working bees to protect the Hall leek orchid and general- ises, coordinates and monitors FOG activities. Mem- ly restore the site. Inquiries: [email protected]. bers are John Fitz Gerald (Pres.), Isobel Crawford Media spokesperson Sarah Sharp (0402 576 412). FOG (Vice Pres), Sarah Sharp (Vice Pres.) Al Gabb (Sec.), is a regular contributor on Radio Landcare, Tues 9-10am Sandra Hand (Treas), Kim Pullen, David Eddy, Naaril- on (2XX, Canberra 98.3FM). la Hirsch, Stephen Horn, Tony Lawson, Margaret Ning, Benjamin Whitworth & Evelyn Chia. Andy Russell is Membership and newsletter despatch See Membership public officer. box (page 2). Newsletter despatch is fourth Tuesday of Inquiries/correspondence: [email protected]. Feb, Apr, June, Aug, Oct. Postal address: FOG, PO Box 987, Civic Square, ACT To help, contact [email protected]. 2608. Old Cooma Common (OCC) with Cooma Monaro Communication produces News of Friends of Grass- Shire Council manages the OCC Grassland Reserve. lands and FOG e-Bulletin. Inquiries: Working bees are held twice yearly. [email protected] (newsletter), and Inquiries: [email protected] or [email protected] (e-Bulletin). [email protected]. Cultivation and Conservation encourages growing of Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park (STEP) FOG local grasses and wild flowers to learn about their horti- helped establish STEP (at Canberra‟s International Arbo- culture and ecology, and produces Cultivation Corner. retum), a regional botanic gardens and recovery centre to Inquiries: [email protected]. showcase local ecosystems, especially native grasses and FOG ANU Fenner School, with the National Capital forbs. Inquiries: [email protected]. Authority, holds regular working bees at Yarramundi Woodland Flora Woodland Flora, the sequel to the pop- Reach (grasslands) and Stirling Ridge (woodlands). ular Grassland Flora, is now at advanced production Inquiries: [email protected]. stage. Inquiries: [email protected]. Financial matters, excluding membership, contact Website (www.fog.org.au) full of FOG information, [email protected] or Sandra on 02 4846 1096. back issues of News of Friends of Grasslands, and program details. Inquiries: [email protected].

Friends of Grasslands Inc. PO Box 987 Civic Square ACT 2608