Wednesday 11 August
Bairnsdale Bowls Club
Dine: 6pm
Guest Speaker: 7pm
Peter Veenker, Chairperson of the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.
This will be an opportunity to hear about the work of the current Authority and in the future with the new Gippsland-wide organisation.

Meeting: 7.30pm

FOGL have arranged a visit to the Australian Landscape Trust property Strathfieldsaye, specifically to learn more about best ideas in sustainable agriculture and the positive effect such practices will have on the health of the Gippsland Lakes. Details are:-

• Wednesday June 9th from 11.00 am to around 3.00 pm
• Bring Lunch
• Strathfieldsaye is located on Lake Wellington – drive the ‘back road’ to Stratford & the turn off to the property is signposted approximately 1 km on the Bairnsdale side of the Perry River bridge & settlement. It is approximately 15 kms from the Bairnsdale -Stratford Road to the property.

For more details about the property the Australian Landscape Trust website is worth a visit.

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With the assistance of the Friends of the Gippsland Lakes Parks and Reserves (FOGL) the East Gippsland Art Gallery (EGAG) presented a major exhibition titled Around the Edge with FOGL in May.

Established local artists working in a range of media were invited to participate in a gallery-based exhibition with works that reflect their inspiration and response to the various environments surrounding the Gippsland Lakes.

Some artists were invited to create specific works at sites identified by FOGL.

Around the Edge with FOGL offered the community an alternative vision of the Lakes and the surrounding Parks and Reserves. It also raised the awareness of the work performed by FOGL and the challenges confronting them.

Funding provided by Parks Victoria from their Healthy Parks, Healthy People funds.

Go to EGAG site for more information and images.

Join the Friends of the Gippsland Lakes Parks and Reserves (FoGL) and Parks Victoria on a guided spotlight walk through the bush at Nyerimilang on Easter Saturday evening 3rd April 7pm-9pm.

See (possibly) Possums, Sugar-Gliders, Bats, Wombats, Wallabies and roosting birds. Hear from our knowledgeable guides the secrets of the night environment.

Meet at the Nyerimilang Heritage Park car park, Nyerimilang Rd. (via Kalimna West Rd) at 6.45pm. Min. age 4 years old. BYO drink, long sleeved shirt, insect repellent, walking shoes etc..

Free, gold coin donation to FoGL welcome.

Go here http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1parks.cfm to learn more about Nyerimilang Heritage Park.

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Ever wondered what lies over the water from Metung?

Be FOGL’s guest on Sunday 15 November, 2009 when, along with Parks Victoria we invite you to experience the natural beauty of the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park with its varying habitat from saltmarsh and wetlands to Banksia Woodland.

This is a day for walkers and cyclists alike.

For those without a boat the day starts with a ferry service from the Metung boat ramp at Shaving Point Metung on the Lakes Explorer or on Sampson, Gippsland Lakes Barge Service barge across to Silvershot between 10am-11am. Of course you may choose to arrive in your own watercraft.

Get over to Silvershot early to enjoy the sausage sizzle!

Matt Holland Parks Victoria Ranger will lead cyclists on an extended tour of the Park. This ride includes hills and sand so an appropriate level of fitness is required.

Invited Speakers such as renowned Botanist Bill Peel will guide a walk highlighting the natural assets and cultural heritage of the Park. The Guided Walk will commence at 11.30am.

Join the Guided Walk and learn about the amazing and varied life in the Park and the significance of the place to the Tatungoloong people. Discuss the influences, including climate change, that impact on this ‘bellwether’ zone.

Walks of varying lengths will be managed by a minibus that will shuttle back and forth for part of the distance.

To view a map highlighting walks and distances go here »

Visitors should note that fresh water is not available on Boole Poole, therefore adequate supplies should be taken. Similarly, public toilets are unavailable so come prepared! (there are toilets at Shaving Point for those caught short).

Bring: camera, water, snacks, insect repellant, sun screen. Wear: hat, good walking shoes. If cycling, bring: your bicycle, helmet and protective clothing.

The return transport is organised on Sampson and the Lakes Explorer between 2pm-3pm although Lakes Explorer will operate between times if needed.

Phone David 51562175.

FOGL members will again be involved in planting on Crown Land south side of the Mitchell River on the Silt Jetties.
Go >> here for all the details

12 members and Matt Holland, Parks Victoria attended and planted approx. 400 plants, mainly Boobiallas but also some Casuarinas, Eucalypts, Melaleucas and Wattles.

2008 plantings coming on

gotta love ‘em

Hog deer are of interest to FOGL as these introduced animals enjoy protected wildlife status and graze freely doing inestimable damage within public Parks & Reserves around the Gippsland Lakes. Their management is inefficient and is not consistent with existing DSE standards.

DSE has released a draft Hog Deer Management Strategy, as part of the Victorian Government’s Enhancing Game Management Initiative. When adopted the strategy will direct management of hog deer on private and public land for the following five years.

The approved terms of reference provide for the development of a management strategy for hog deer that:

• ensures a viable population throughout its current range and that its presence is managed according to land tenure objectives
• provides for sustainable, quality Hog Deer hunting opportunities on areas where the activity is consistent with land reservation status
• considers improvements and efficiencies to current management practices for Hog Deer hunting throughout the current range
• improves opportunities on private land, in order to strengthen relations between landowners and hunters, encourage improved access to hunting, and educate and encourage landowners to provide quality habitat for Hog Deer.

The Strategy passes major responsibility for management plans to hunters and private landowners, DSE and Parks Victoria.

The draft strategy was open for public submissions until 17 December 2008.

FOGL’s submission to the draft strategy can be read >>here.

David Ellard
President

Constant scraping of antlers that tears away the tree’s bark means these plants don’t get a chance to grow.

It was warm, about 27°, nevertheless about 20 people turned up – thank you all!

Approximately 700 plants were planted, Parks Vic provided plants, guards and equipment, Landcare Network provided the bbq trailer.

More images in the online gallery.