Working Bees, Spring Planting, Field Day and Waterwatch. Please read more...
Working Bees
Note change from December.
Odd-numbered months: first Saturday of each month.
Even-numbered months: first Sunday.
9:30am All welcome!
Sat. October 3 Bridal Creeper removal and last burn-off.
Sun. October 11 Smiths Nursery - please phone for details.
Sat. November 7 Mowing, gorse removal, weeding and maintenance.
September 5 Spring Planting
The weather smiled on us and we had an enjoyable and successful day, with 535 local indigenous plants planted, staked, guarded and mulched. Thanks to all who gave of their time and energy (18 adults and 6 assorted children, who worked enthusiastically alongside their parents), in particular to Cheryl and Ken from Clarkefield and District Landcare. We value greatly the collaboration and friendship we share with the other two local Landcare groups.
Field Day
A recent highlight in our calendar was the field day on Aug 30 with aquatic botanist Damien Cook from Australian Ecosystems. GoR received a grant from MRSC for this purpose and several of our members attended, along with members of Riddells Creek Landcare, Clarkefield and District Landcare and the Keilor Plains branch of the Australian Plant Society. After a presentation on the different classifications of aquatic plants to be found in this area and lunch at the Neighbourhood House, we walked down to the creek to learn about what grows there. It's amazing the variety to be found in just a metre or two of creek length. Damien taught us about the growth habits of the plants and the adaptations which allow them to live in water. We learnt how to distinguish grasses, rushes and sedges and we went through the process of identifying a particular native rush.
Damien also emphasised the importance of the native plants as habitat for native fish, frogs, birds and smaller creatures. Although we sometimes worry about the drying up of streams and waterholes in the summer, this is what many of the plants (and animals) have adapted to and in fact need in order to carry out their life cycle. An added bonus is that exotic species are not so adapted and we were pleased to learn that the drying of the creek last summer will have greatly reduced the population of mosquito fish, which eat tadpoles. That's good news for our frogs, which were in fine voice on the day – a lovely sunny, though cold, afternoon. The creek is looking beautiful, with water flowing over the spillway for the first time since early January. The native ducks are appreciating it, too. I know that there are residents of our town who are not familiar with the delights of this precious natural asset, so I encourage you to take a walk down there soon and enjoy the peace and beauty of the park.
Waterwatch
Apologies – last month I reported that salinity had again risen, but in fact it had fallen. Dissolved oxygen is now over 97%, which rates as excellent; salinity, although still in the degraded category, has halved. The water is clear and pH is 7.2, which is close to neutral. A good start to the season for the plant and animal life.
Download 2008-2009 data (Excel spreadsheet file).
