The first of our objectives listed in the constitution of the Society is the education of the membership and the community, particularly in the local area, in nature conservation and protection of the environment. In more recent times it has been possible to restart our program of walks, seminars and other gatherings. In February this year our resident bird expert Cathy Goswell led our very popular bird walks and in March we organised a talk by Professor George Paxinos. George is an internationally recognised neurologist and talked about his book A River Divided: Brain Power and the Environment. This provided a very interesting insight about influencing thinking on environmental matters.
In May we conducted an election forum where candidates for the Bennelong electorate spoke about their priorities and background. In this edition of Wallumetta we report on an illustrated talk by Dr Peter Mitchell about local indigenous history revealing fascinating information not widely known about the people in the area of Ryde and the Lane Cove River. We also report a talk by Tim Pearson about Sydney bats which dispelled many of the myths and misunderstandings about them.
These events have all been well received by those attending and they are truly realising our objective of educating the membership and the community. This edition of Wallumetta lists more events and we are planning for others through to March next year.
Members are encouraged to see our Facebook page and website (see details on the last page of this edition) for more information, which will also be circulated by email to members and others who have indicated that they would like to be included on our email lists. Members can assist in spreading the news about these events by letting their friends and neighbours and their social media groups know.
Frank Breen, President
The Society has been active in local conservation issues since 1966 and is well networked with the broader conservation movement across NSW.
The Society's Constitution states its Aims and Objectives as:
a. The education of the members and the community, particularly in the local area, in nature conservation and protection of the environment;
b. To promote ecologically sustainable land use and development;
c. To promote nature conservation including an adequate system of national parks, wilderness areas, nature reserves, wildlife refuges and corridors and urban bushland reserves; adequate protection measures for native wildlife;
d. Achieving satisfactory measures to safeguard the environment from all forms of pollution to ensure clean air, clean water and a healthy environment;
e. To work for the permanent retention and conservation of all natural areas in the local district and an increase in the area set aside for nature conservation and
f. To undertake the management of the Field of Mars Reserve with Ryde City Council as a major conservation project
We have a regular newsletter Wallumetta which is issued six times a year which attempts to update members on both local environmental issues and issues of wider impact. Our volunteer members keep the Visitors Centre open each weekend. Please contact us if you have concerns about threats to our local natural areas and the precious native fauna which depend on our sensitive bushland areas and waterways.
In the mid 1960s, with an increasing amount of waste needing disposal, Ryde Council looked to an expansion of the small tip in the Field of Mars Reserve. Council proposed to pipe Buffalo and Stranger's Creeks to facilitate a landfill area to a depth of up to 15m feet which could then be re-developed into playing fields. Local residents united to form the Anti-tip Action Group and lobbied to reverse Council's plans for a tip at the Field of Mars. The tip was moved to Porter's Creek which to this day still requires substantial funds to control the environmental damage arising from past use as a tipsite. With the Field of Mars saved the Society was established in January 1966.
In September 1966, Ryde Council advised the Society that it agreed to their proposal to development of the Field of Mars Reserve as a flora and fauna sanctuary. Hard work over following decades has seen restoration of old degraded areas of the Field of Mars and protection of the area as a Wildlife Refuge. A Visitors Centre was built and then the Environmental Education Centre which is visited by about 10,000 students each year.
Around 50 members and interested visitors enjoyed this very informative illustrated talk which explored what we know of the lifestyle, cultural values and history of the Wallumattagal and other people of the Dharug Nation in the area of Ryde and the Lane Cove River.
Photo by Lyn Langtry
Peter played a significant role in locating the grave site of Bennelong and assisted in the assembly of the educational website http://findingbennelong.com/
We were fortunate to have Peter share his wealth of knowledge.
Society member Karen Oliver conducted free forest therapy walks in the Field of Mars Reserve. The small number of participants appreciated the experience, even though the weather at the time was rather cold.
Society members Lyn, Brigid and Phillip with RDHS President Kim Phillips at Willandra
Upon invitation we have, from time to time, visited like-minded groups to spread the word about our Society, the work we do, and the Field of Mars Reserve.
Recently we accepted the opportunity to mount a display at Willandra, the historic building at the corner of Victoria Road and Devlin Street Ryde, and home of the Ryde District Historical Society (RDHS).
And even more recently, Phillip Ward gave a talk to the Eastwood Garden Club, about the Field of Mars.
Tim Pearson, of the Ku-ring-gai Bat Conservation Society, gave a very interesting talk about bats - including microbats, Grey- Headed Flying Foxes and other species found around Sydney. He was assisted by Haley and four live Grey-Headed Flying Foxes which cannot be released into the wild.
Tim highlighted how many species face a number of threats. He gave us this list of Ten Things You Can Do To Help:
1. Value every native tree, shrub and grass – grow local natives and spare a second thought before you cut a tree down. And preserve tree hollows!
2. Learn more about your local native species and the environment. Share this knowledge with friends, colleagues and students.
3. Spend time in nature – especially with your kids and grandkids. Encourage them to explore and discover.
4. Join or support the work of conservation groups.
5. Vote for politicians with clear environmental advocacy, and not climate change sceptics.
6. Phone or write to politicians to voice your concerns.
7. Write to the media to show your support for environmental causes.
8. Sign up your property as a Wildlife Refuge if it is eligible.
9. Be a responsible pet owner, or even a wildlife carer instead.
10. Live more sustainably – reduce your carbon / ecological footprint.
On Sunday 6 August at 10am and 2pm members of the Ryde – Hunters Hill Flora and Fauna Preservation Society will lead walks in the upper areas of the Field of Mars Reserve where shrubs are flowering in abundance.
Participants should bring closed shoes, water, a hat and suitable clothing according to the weather. The walks are of about 90 minutes duration and will go ahead even in case of light rain. The tracks are not considered difficult but are not suitable for people with serious mobility problems. As always, coffee and tea will be available at the Visitor Centre before and after the walks.
For registration or further information, please phone 0417 439 456 or email onetonner@gmail.com, indicating the number of participants and your preferred time. Since numbers are strictly limited, registration is essential. If you register and find you are unable to attend, please let us know, as there may be a waiting list.
Society member Phillip Ward will talk about the variety of grasses, vines and groundcovers to be found in the Reserve, and demonstrate how to differentiate native species from exotic weeds.
People power made the federal election a climate election. It was a time of celebration for nature. To keep that momentum going, the NCC is planning a state-wide picnic day to bring people together to celebrate nature, grow the movement and talk about what we need to do next.
Groups and organisations have been invited to co-host a picnic in their area, and we will be doing just that! We plan to celebrate with:
* bush walks,
* displays including The Habitat Nursery,
* a barbecue lunch, and
* family activities around the Visitor Centre.
The day will be about celebrating the natural beauty of our local area. And we will talk about what to do to win positive change, protect nature and take urgent action on climate change, especially coming up to the state election next March.
Clean Up Australia Day – still awaiting dry weather!If you are interested in taking part in our Field of Mars site (for members only) on whichever day it is rescheduled, please contact Alfred on 02 9879 6067.
Tickets $2 each / 3 for $5 available at the Field of Mars Visitor Centre (when opened).
*Rug hand-knitted and kindly donated to RHHFFPS by the Holy Spirit Yarnknit Group of North Ryde.
© All Rights Reserved | Powered by Webpedia. Template by TEMPLATED.