Tasmanian Bushland Garden 2014

The Tasmanian Bushland Garden has been developed adjacent to the Tasman Highway near Buckland approximately 50 km north-east of Hobart. The 22 ha timbered dolerite hill had been degraded by grazing , firewood collection and a quarry when purchased in 2000. Over the next 10 years it was developed into a regional botanic garden to show case the native flora of south-east Tasmania. The garden opened to the public in 2010.

 

The Display Gardens occupy about half a hectare, and have been developed on a gentle sunny slope facing SW. Display beds have been planted to simulate natural plant communities growing on dolerite in the south-east and some of the rare and plants of eastern Tasmania. The landscaping features many local rocks and logs, which give a natural setting, and the gardens merge into the surrounding grassy woodland.

 

The quarry site has been transformed into a safe area with local fauna planted in a carefully designed scree slope, sculptures of Wedge-tailed Eagle, Tasmanian Tiger and dinosaur, a waterfall and vegetated pond.

 

The leaders for this ANN excursion were Keith and Sib Corbett who were involved with the development of the garden. They gave us an excellent account of the transformation of the degraded area into beautiful area which informs the public and encourages the uses of the local flora in gardens.

South-eastern Tasmanian species planted on scree slope in former quarry

Grassy Dolerite Heath community with Tussock Grasses Poa sp. and Guineaflowers Hibbertia sp.

 

 

 

Styx Valley 2014

The Styx Valley Big Tree Reserve is near Maydena 100km north-west of Hobart. The reserve is adjacent to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site. The area of wet eucalypt forest has been reserved to protect the world’s tallest flowering plants Eucalyptus regnans. A boardwalk has been constructed through the forest. Little light penetrates to ground level which is carpeted by mosses, lichens and Soft Tree Fern Dicksonia antarctica. The middle layer trees include Southern Sassafras Atherosperma moschatum and Myrtle Beech Nothofagus cunninghamii. Towering above are Mountain Ash Eucalyptus regnans believed to be 400 years old and growing to a height of nearly 90 metres.

Lunch was extended because of a flat, front tyre on the bus. We had extra time in bright sunshine on the banks of Styx River. The vegetation along the river is rainforest dominated by Myrtle Beech. Myrtle Orange Fungus Cyttaria gunni grows only on Myrtle Beech and is a traditional Aboriginal food. The endemic Tasmanian Thornbill was seen near the river.

John

Styx River edged by Myrtle Beech, Blackwood and Tree Fern

Myrtle Orange Fungus Cyttaria gunni

 

Lunch at the Styx (photo Barbara Gilfedder)

 

Alan (driver) struggling with flat tyre (photo Barbara Gilfedder)

How to take a picture of a big tree (photo Rosalie Breen)

 

ANN 2014 Group Photograph

Group Photo of participants in ANN Get-together 2014 hosted by Tasmanian FNC in Hobart 18-26 October 2014.

Field Naturalists from Alice Springs, Ararat & District, Ballarat, Bendigo, Canberra, Castlemaine, Central North, Dubbo, Canberra, Victoria, Geelong, Hamilton, King Island, Latrobe valley, Launceston, Queensland, Fassifern, Sale & District, Stanthorpe, Toodyay and  WA NATS clubs attended.

 

 

 

 

 

ANN 2012

ANN 2012 Get-Together was held in Canberra in October

Some highlights of the week were: exploring with guides, the Native Bo-
tanic Gardens, which began with early morning bird watching, followed
by breakfast there.; a relaxing boat trip on Lake Burley Griffin; seeing the
sights of Canberra; the last of Floriade; a bus tour of the Embassies.

The Deep Space Communication centre  at  Tidbinbilla  was  inspiring as we viewed a Video of the tension of the recent Mars Landing  and  the  latest  photos  of  the planet.

A  behind-the-scenes  tour  viewed  the CSIRO National Wildlife collection.  Bird  species  make  up  the biggest part of the collection and are kept in drawers in an atmospheric controlled room. As well, all recently collected species have
their DNA  stored in a freezer.

We went on a number of bush walks, both around Canberra and to Na-
madji National Park. We saw 4 or 5 varieties of Orchids, including White
Caladenia and Donkey Orchids and Wax-lip Orchid. Occasionally Bulbine lilies and purple Indigofera shrubs were also seen.

On two evenings we were treated to interesting guest speakers at the CSIRO
theatre,  including  a  fascinating  talk  with  audio  on  Lyrebirds.
Mulligans  Flat  Woodland  Reserve  is  an  area  of  Yellow  Box-Red  Gum
Grassy Woodland adjoining the northern residential suburbs of Canberra.
A predator-proof fence encloses the 1500-hectare reserve. Gates are self-
closing, monitored with cameras and have remote telemetry to notify the
ranger if a gate has been left open. Tasmanian Bettongs have been released
into this protected area to aid in returning the area to a natural condition
after a long grazing history. The scratching of Bettongs loosen the soil and
help to recycle nutrients. Val Hocking was one person who saw a Bettong.
The  National  Arboretum  is  being established on 250 hectares of land on  the  western  edge  of  Canberra. The  area  was  a  pine  plantation until  burnt  in  the  2003  bushfire. The  vision  is  for  100  forests  and 100 gardens. Planting began 2007 and  was  opened  in  2013  to coincide  with  the  centenary  of Canberra. The  forests  will  feature threatened  and  symbolic  trees from  Australia  and  around  the world. Camden White Gum Eucalyptus  benthamii  has  10  naturally
occurring  plants  on  the  Camden River.  Now  a  forest  of  several hundred have  been  planted  and every  second  tree  will  be  harvested to raise funds for the arboretum.

The  Get-Together concluded with a dinner at a TAFE training restaurant which included a few participants speaking on “Why I became a Naturalist”. Naturalists were invited to ANN 2014 Get-Together which will be held in Hobart.

ANN Get-Together Time Line

ANN Get-Togethers are held during every even-numbered year. ANN Clubs receive information about the Get-Togethers and members of ANN clubs are welcome to attend.

2000     Inaugural ANN Get-Together was held at Alice Springs.

2002      Launceston Field Naturalists Club hosted Get-Together in northern Tasmania.

2004     Darling Range branch of the Western Australian Naturalists Club held the 2004 Get-Together based in Perth.

2006      South-eastern Australia Naturalists Association organised High Country Get-Together based at Harrietville (Vic) and Jindabyne (NSW).

2008       Northern Territory Field Naturalists Club arranged Get-Together in the Top End held at Mary River.

2010        Chinchilla Field Naturalists Club hosted Get-Together in the Western Downs region of Queensland.

2012         Field Naturalists Association of Canberra hosted Get-Together in the national capital.

2014          Tasmanian Field Naturalists Club hosted the Get-Together at The Lea, near Hobart, 18-26 October 2014.

2016           WA Nats hosted 9th ANN Get-Together at Woodman Point, Perth, 1 – 10 October 2016.

2018      South East Australian Naturalists Association hosted the 10th ANN Get-together at Halls Gap, Warrnambool and Anglesea, 29 September -8 October 2018.

2020     Stanthorpe Field Naturalists Club will host the 11th ANN Get-together in spring.