Grass Tree Monitoring

As part of their NatureWatch program, VNPA (Victoria National Parks Association) is having a monitoring on 28 September (Sunday) in the Brisbane Ranges National Park (an hour's drive west of Melbourne), with the option to attend a guided wildflower walk the day before on 27 September (Saturday).

The group will meet at 10am on Sunday and the monitoring will take all day. Training is provided. It's usually a fun day and the wildflowers in the Brissies are absolutely spectacular at this time of year! If you are going for both days, you'll need camping gear. Free camping on Saturday night coutesy of Parks Victoria for the program. Camping gear can be hired from the club's gearstore the Tuesday before the trip. Have a chat with me for a list of camping gear to bring if you are not sure. 

You'll be having fun doing:
Re-establishing permanently marked plots and photographing, measuring and carrying out assessments of the health of grass trees, collecting of soil samples to be analysed for the presence of Phytophthora cinnamomi, a soil-borne water mould that produces an infection and causes the root of the plant to rot.

If you miss this one, the next monitoring date is:
11 October 2014 (Saturday), with the option to stay for Sunday for the 'Back to Steiglitz' Festival and explore the fascinating history of the township. Activities at the festival include Billy Cart Races, Rope Making, Gold Panning, Market Stalls and more. Again, camping gear is needed if you are staying for the weekend. 

Registration:
Email Christine from VNPA directly:
You can also sign up below (or email me: conservation AT mumc DOT org DOT au) and I'll assist with your registration and coordination of transport.

For the wildflower walk on 27 September (Saturday), email Julia Pickwick: (Limit 12 participants)