Spring outdoors 2013

September – November

2013

Spring Outdoors A regional program of environmental events brought to you by Banyule City Council, Manningham City Council and Nillumbik Shire Council.

All residents from Banyule, Manningham and Nillumbik Shire council are welcome to attend any of the events listed in this program.

Saturday 31 August, 10.00 am – 11.30 am

Bookings are essential for most events so please book early to avoid disappointment. Please consider others and inform the relevant booking contact if you are unable to keep your booking, as there is often an event waiting list.

Cost: Free

Indian Myna Control Information Session Presented by Yarra Indian Myna Action Group (YIMAG) Julia Gibson from YIMAG will outline practical and humane ways to reduce the numbers of this aggressive pest bird species – a species that actively displaces not only indigenous birds, but also animals such as sugar gliders and possums.

Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway ref. 22 A1) Bookings: Call 9433 3316 or visit www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/ EnviroEvents Sunday 1 September, 10.30 am – 12.30 pm

Wild Orchid Walk Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council Join us on a walk in Bunjil Reserve to learn about, find and identify our beautiful terrestrial orchids and their habitat. Please wear suitable clothing and sturdy footwear for the walk.

Cost: Free Where: Bunjil Reserve, Long Gully Road, Panton Hill (Melway ref. 264 D12) Bookings: Call 9433 3316 or visit www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/ EnviroEvents Friday 6 September, 9.30 am – 2.30 pm

Yarra Brae – Trek Through the Heart of the Gorge Presented by Manningham City Council and Friends of Warrandyte State Park Follow the Yarra River downstream through one of the most remote and least accessible parts of the Warrandyte Gorge. This walk involves a creek crossing and off track walking, but the reward is well worthwhile.

Distance: 8 km. Time: 5 hours. Rating: Difficult.

Car shuttle required.

Cost: Free Where: Details provided at time of booking Bookings essential: Places limited to 20. Call 9840 9124.

Friday 6 September, 10.00 am – 12 noon and Saturday 9 November, 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm

Soil Improvement Workshop Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council Join us at Edendale for a hands-on workshop on improving soils naturally through worm farming and composting. Learn about the soil food web and how you can recycle household and garden organic waste by setting up a worm farm or backyard compost system. This hands-on workshop covers both the theory and practice of soil improvement.

Cost: Free Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway ref. 22 A1) Bookings: Call 9433 3711 Saturday 7 September, 10.00 am – 12 noon

Indigenous Plant Pruning and Maintenance Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council Why is it important to prune local native plants? When should they be pruned and how? This workshop provides some practical experience on pruning and information on mulching, watering and improving soil condition.

Sunday 15 September, 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Darebin Parklands Community Park Care Day Presented by the Darebin Parklands Association Please join us for a rewarding afternoon planting native grasses at Mt Puffalo on the Alphington side of the parklands. All equipment and afternoon tea supplied. Everyone welcome.

Cost: Free Where: Darebin Creek Parklands, end of Separation Street, Alphington (Melway ref. 31 C9) More information: visit www.dpa.org.au/events and for directions to Mt Puffalo. Bookings not required.

Wednesday 18 September, 6.30 pm – 8.00 pm

La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary Spotlighting Walk Presented by the La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary Enjoy a spotlight walk through the La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary under a full moon. Possums, microbats, the odd gecko plus insects and spiders can be seen at night amongst the hollow bearing River Red Gums.

Cost: $10 per person payable on the night.

Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway ref. 22 A1)

Where: La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary, La Trobe University, Bundoora (Melway ref. 19 G5) meet in the car park off La Trobe Avenue

Bookings: Call 9433 3711

Bookings: Call 9479 1206 or email wildlife@latrobe.edu.au

Cost: $25

Sunday 8 September, 3.00 pm - 5.00 pm

Health and Emotional Wellbeing Associated with being Connected to the Natural World.

Sunday 22 September, 9.30 am – 11.00 am

Walk through St Helena’s Bush Reserves Presented by Banyule City Council

Visit www.baag.com.au for more information.

Join Banyule staff for a walk through some of St Helena’s bushland reserves with the aim of spotting some beautiful wildflowers and gaining a better understanding of the local ecosystem. The walk will finish up at the working bee of the Friends of St Helena Bush Reserve for a chance to chat about their experiences caring for this enchanting place.

Cost: $25

Cost: Free

Where: Bulleen Art & Garden, 6 Manningham Road West, Bulleen (Melway ref. 33 F10)

Where: Meet at the corner of Liddesdale Grove and Melissa Court, Eltham North (Melway ref. 11 H11)

Bookings essential: Call 8850 3030 or email info@baag.com.au

Bookings essential: Places limited to 20. Call 9457 9816 or email belinda.moody@banyule.vic.gov.au

Presented by Bulleen Art & Garden Hear the medical evidence indicating that the health benefits of being connected to the natural world and learn some simple exercises which will help you achieve this.

Wednesday 25 September (plus every last Wednesday of the month) 7.00 pm – 8.45 pm

Sunday 29 September, 10.00 am – 1.00 pm

Home Harvest Manningham

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council Friends Groups

Presented by Sustainable Gardening Australia and Manningham Council

Conservation Reserves Tour

Home Harvest Manningham is a monthly home gardening seminar series that will teach you how to grow your own delicious fresh food at home. Evening includes a food and seed swap.

Join us for a tour of some of Nillumbik’s most loved conservation reserves. At each of the three reserves we will hear about the history, wildlife and plants from some of our most experienced volunteers who work in these reserves. Bring your hat and wear sturdy boots.

Sessions

Cost: Free

25 September: Spring Gardening and Summer Fruits

Where: Meet the bus outside Eltham Library, 10 Panther Place, Eltham (Melway ref. 21 J5)

30 October: Companion Planting 27 November: Summer Harvesting Cost: Free Where: Manningham City Council, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster (Melway ref. 33 F12) Bookings essential: Call 9840 9124

Bookings: Call 9433 3316 or visit www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/EnviroEvents Tuesday 1 October, 8.00 am – 10.30 am

Breakfast with the Birds Presented by Parks Victoria

Manningham Junior Ranger Program Preschool (3 – 5 year olds)

More than 90 bird species have been recorded at Pound Bend.

See how many you can spot with the Friends of Warrandyte State Park. Walk along the river track for morning tea (provided) at the ‘Folly’, and then back along the ridge. Distance: 3.5km moderate.

Presented by Manningham City Council

Cost: Free

Join local rangers, environment and waste education staff for an afternoon of activities for pre-schoolers including a kangaroo bush walk and worm farm demonstration. Come prepared for a walk in the bush and a jump in muddy puddles. Children must be supervised at all times.

Where: Meet at Pound Bend Picnic area at northern end of car park (turn right at the bottom of the hill). Entrance corner of Everard Drive and Pound Bend Road, Warrandyte (Melway ref. 23 A11)

Thursday 26 September, 10.00 am – 12 noon

Cost: Free Where: Currawong Bush Park, Environment Centre, 277 Reynolds Road, Doncaster East (Melway ref. 34 H6) Bookings essential: Call 9840 9124

Bookings essential: Places limited to 15. Call 9840 9124.

Wednesday 2 October, 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm

Manningham Environment Seminar – Wetland Restoration Presented by Manningham City Council Damien Cook, Co-director of Rakali, will discuss the factors affecting the establishment and management of aquatic and wetland plants.

Cost: Free Where: Grand Hotel Warrandyte, Yarra Street, Warrandyte (Melway ref. 23 E11) More information: Call 9840 9124. Bookings not required.

Thursday 3 October, 10.00 am – 12 noon

Thursday 10 October, 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm

Manningham Junior Ranger Program (ages 6 and up)

Health and Emotional Wellbeing Associated with Growing your Own

Presented by Manningham City Council Join local rangers, environment and waste education staff for an afternoon of activities including a kangaroo bush walk, worm farm dig. Come prepared for a walk in the bush; no matter what the weather.

Presented by Bulleen Art & Garden

Cost: Free

Hear the medical evidence indicating the health benefits associated with growing your own and learn about a couple of nutritious and unusual crops for small spaces. For more information visit www.baag.com.au

Where: Currawong Bush Park, Environment Centre, 277 Reynolds Road, Doncaster East (Melway ref. 34 H6)

Where: Bulleen Art & Garden, 6 Manningham Road West, Bulleen (Melway ref. 33 F10)

Bookings essential: Call 9840 9124

Cost: Free Bookings essential: Call 8850 3030 or email info@baag.com.au

Saturday 5 October, register from 10.00 am, SWAP from 11.00 am

Saturday 12 October, 10.00 am – 12 noon

SWAP 4 Sustainability – Free Goods Exchange Market

Vegetable Seedling Propagation

Presented by Manningham Youth Ambassadors

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council

SWAP is a free second hand goods exchange market.

Participants simply register and bring along unwanted items that are in good, clean and useful condition. SWAPers earn tokens to exchange their items for items of equal value.

Spring is the time to propagate vegetable and herb seedlings to ensure a bumper summer harvest. Come along and learn how easy it can be to grow your own vegetables from seed.

This practical workshop aims to develop knowledge, skills and confidence. The workshop cost includes a tray of veggie seedlings to take home and nurture.

Cost: Free Where: Heimat Centre, Rieschiecks Reserve, 125 George Street, Doncaster East Bring: Items to swap such as clothes, hats, shoes, sporting goods, bikes and books.

Bookings essential: Call 9840 9124

Cost: $25 Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway ref. 22 A1) Bookings: Call 9433 3711 Sunday 13 October, 8.00 am – 10.30 am

Sunday 6 October, 11.30 am – 1.00 pm

Darebin Creek Bird Survey

Edible weeds with Doris Pozzi

Presented by Darebin Creek Management Committee (DCMC)

Presented by Banyule and Nillumbik Councils Join Doris Pozzi for an exploration of common weeds that can provide added nutrition and interest to your diet. Learn which parts of the plants are edible and how to prepare them. This talk will follow on from the monthly Monthly Food Swap so come along early and bring your excess produce.

Learn how to survey birdlife in bushland, grassland and wetlands along the Darebin Creek. A local bird expert will run through the survey method and help with identification of more difficult bird species. Bring solid shoes, weather appropriate clothing and your own binoculars if possible, but please don’t bring dogs so as not to scare away birds.

Cost: Free

Cost: Free

Where: Montmorency Primary School, Rattray Road (Melway ref. 21 C6)

Where: Meet at corner of Dougharty Road and Liberty Parade, Heidelberg West (Melway ref. 19 E10)

Bookings: Call 9457 9816

For more information: Call 9499 4454 or email info@dcmc.org.au

Sunday 13 October, 9.30 am – 10.30 am

Thursday 17 October, 7.00 pm – 10.00 pm

Nesting boxes for native animals

Practically Green Festival Launch and Sustainability Awards Dinner

Presented by Banyule City Council and La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary Join Andrew Stocker from La Trobe’s Wildlife Sanctuary to learn how nest boxes can create valuable habitat for some of our local bats, birds and possums. Andrew will cover the types of nest boxes that suit different species and show how they are made.

Cost: Free Where: Rosanna Parklands, enter off Davies Street and follow the signs (Melway ref. 20 A10) Bookings essential: Places limited to 30. Call 9457 9821 or email belinda.moody@banyule.vic.gov.au Sunday 13 October, 10.30 am – 12 noon

Weedbusters with Friends of Salt Creek Presented by Friends of Salt Creek and Banyule City Council Join the Friends of Salt Creek and Associated Parklands for a Weedbusting Day in the Rosanna Parklands. Learn about the weeds of bushland and gardens. The first 100 people to bring a weed from their garden will receive an indigenous plant to replace it.

Cost: Free Where: Rosanna Parklands, enter off Davies Street and follow the signs (Melway ref. 20 A10) Bookings: Not required.

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council Nillumbik Shire Council invites you to attend the Practically Green Festival Launch and Awards Dinner. Join our sponsors, judges and previous awards winners for a locally sourced dinner and to honour the Practically Green Sustainability Award winners.

Awards will be presented for sustainable building design, environmental businesses and community groups.

Cost: $35 per ticket. Tickets must be purchased in advance from Nillumbik Shire Council offices or online at www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/PGAwards Where: Eltham Community and Reception Centre, 801 Main Road, Eltham (Melway ref. 21 J6) Bookings: Call 9433 3316 or visit www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/ PGAwards Friday 18 October, 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm

Spotlighting Walk Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council Bring your torch and come along to see, hear and learn about Nillumbik’s nocturnal creatures. As we will be walking around at night please wear suitable clothing and sturdy footwear.

Cost: Free Where: Yirrip Reserve, Koos Road, Kangaroo Ground (Melway ref. 271 H3) Bookings: Call 9433 3316 or visit www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/ EnviroEvents

Saturday 19 October, 10.00 am – 12 noon

Wednesday 23 October, 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm

Disc Golf at Ruffey Lake Park

Frog’s Night Out

Presented by Melbourne Disc Golf Club

Presented by Darebin Creek Management Committee and Banyule City Council

Get a personal introduction to disc golf by members of the Melbourne Disc Golf Club as they guide small groups of three or four around the six permanent holes/baskets at Ruffey Lake Park.

They can provide you with tips and tricks for learning to master this emerging sport which is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.

Cost: Free Where: Ruffey Lake Park, Church Road North picnic area (Melway ref. 33 H9)

Bring the whole family to learn all about our local frog species, their breeding calls, the threats our local frogs face, and even how to make your own backyard frog bog. We will then walk to the local Ivanhoe Wetlands to find out if any frogs are currently breeding in the Darebin Parklands. Bring weather appropriate clothing – we hope to go for a walk no matter the weather. The wetter the weather – the more frogs we may hear.

Cost: Free

Bookings: Call 9840 9323

Where: Darebin Parklands Environment Centre, end of Separation Street, Alphington (Melway ref. 31 C9)

Sunday 20 October, 10.00 am – 4.30 pm

Bookings essential: Call 9499 4454 or email info@dcmc.org.au

Practically Green Festival Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council A family friendly festival featuring sustainability demonstrations, traders and suppliers, kid’s entertainment, food, music and more. Practical ways to change your lifestyle and reduce your footprint.

Cost: Free Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway ref. 22 A1) More information: Call 9433 3316

Sunday 27 October, 7.30 am

Breakfast with the Birds Presented by Banyule City Council and Birdlife Melbourne Join experienced guides from Birdlife Melbourne for an early morning walk as they help to identify more than 70 species of birds. The walk will be followed by a light breakfast at the Old Shire Offices, off Beverley Road. Bring your own binoculars and wear comfortable walking shoes. Please don’t be late. Limited to 100 people.

Cost: Free Where: Old Shire Offices, Beverley Road, Heidelberg (Melway ref. 32 3D) Bookings essential: Call 9457 9816 or email belinda.moody@banyule.vic.gov.au

Saturday 9 November, 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm

Saturday 16 November, 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Rabbit Control Field Day

Looking After Fruit Trees

Presented by Banyule and Nillumbik Councils

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council

Are rabbits a problem on your property? This practical and informative workshop will provide landowners with the tools to develop an effective rabbit control program. Learn about: rabbit behaviour; lifecycle and impact; identify options for control and how to plan an integrated control program and see practical demonstrations of control methods in the beautiful context of Amberley by the Yarra River.

November is a great time of the year to put together a plan to improve the yield from your fruit trees. This session will cover integrated pest management, soil improvement, watering and netting. The session will also include some time in the orchard area at Edendale.

Cost: $25

Cost: Free

Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway ref. 22 A1)

Where: Edmund Rice Centre, ‘Amberley’ 7 Amberley Way, Lower Plenty (Melway ref. 21 C12)

Bookings: Call 9433 3711

Bookings: Call 9457 9816 Saturday 16 November, 11.00 am – 5.00 pm

Manningham Multicultural Festival Presented by Manningham City Council The Manningham Multicultural Festival is a free community event with something for everyone including entertainment from local and professional performers, workshops, demonstrations, free rides, roving performers, arts and craft activities, displays from cultural and community groups and more.

Cost: Free Where: Ruffey Lake Park, George Street, Doncaster Free parking available at King Street (Melway ref. 33 F10)

Friday 22 November, 8.15 pm

Star Gazing Night Presented by the Astronomical Society of Victoria Join the Astronomical Society of Victoria with a stargazing evening at Westerfolds Park. ASV astronomers will be on hand with telescopes and demonstrators. Bring torch covered with red cellophane, and warm clothes. Please reverse you car into parking space to reduce headlight shine on exit. Located at the picnic area opposite the park office.

Cost: Free Where: Westerfolds Park, Fitzsimons Lane, Templestowe (Melway ref. 33 F2) Bookings essential: Places limited to 150. Call 9840 9124.

Stay up to date with all the environment programs in your local by joining your local environment network.

Nillumbik Shire Council Environment Network (NEN) – Stay Connected Sign up to the NEN to stay up to date on environmental activities, workshops, projects and grants. Join NEN and you will be the first to receive our Environmental Activities – walks, talks and workshops program. Sign up today by emailing environmental.events@nillumbik.vic.gov.au

Manningham City Council Sustainability News Updates Subscribe to receive email updates on sustainability news and information about upcoming events and seminars in Manningham. Sign up today by emailing eepadmin@manningham.vic.gov.au or call 9840 9124.

Banyule City Council Greenwrap Seasonal Newsletter Sign up to Banyule’s Greenwrap seasonal newsletter to stay up to date with local sustainability events, grants and activities.

Subscribe by emailing environment@banyule.vic.gov.au

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