You, me and biodiversity 2018

You, Me and Biodiversiy

Wombat Forestcare is delighted to announce the return of this popular series.
We will post news of talks as we know more.

Saturday 24 February, 1.30 - 3.30pm

Through a forest wilderness

Powerful images of the natural world have been pivotal to the success of Australian conservation campaigns. Visually portraying the species, connections and moods of the Wombat Forest have also been fundamental to the conservation efforts of Wombat Forestcare. Images can open up new awareness and understanding and inspire people to care. Photography has been used to both showcase the wonders of the forest, as well as to expose new and ongoing environmental issues.

This highly interactive and illustrated seminar explores the delights and challenges of photographing environmental subjects and themes. In particular, it examines the relationships between aesthetics, ecology and conservation. In an image-saturated world, how do we create compelling photos that have impact and empower people into action?

The title of this seminar is borrowed from Scottish-American naturalist, John Muir, who famously said “the clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness”. Whether it's wilderness or not, the Wombat Forest represents a precious refuge within a vastly modified landscape.

Presenter: Alison Pouliot.
Alison Pouliot is an ecologist and environmental photographer who has been documenting the Wombat Forest for over two decades. For more information: www.alisonpouliot.com
Where: Trentham Neighbourhood Centre, High St, Trentham
Cost: $5- Bookings essential.
Information &: Bookings info@wombatforestcare.org.au
Download brochure

Putting Victoria’s fungal biodiversity on the map

Fungimap and Wombat Forestcare are running two exciting fungi events in May as part of Wombat Forestcare’s ‘You, Me & Biodiversity’ program.

Saturday 19 May 2018, 1.30 - 3.30 pm

Putting the Central Northern Victorian fungi on the map

Join Fungimap for information and training about local recognisable fungi from the Central Northern CMA including the wonderful Wombat State Forest. Fungi are important for the health of our bushlands providing vital ecosystem services not carried out by plants or animals. Fungi mediate the interactions between species and facilitate important ecosystem functions. Learn about an APP to enable you to share the local recognisable fungi you see your area from 18 May to 18 June 2018.

We will share with you profile information of the regions ‘lost fungi’. These are uncommonly recorded fungi that are likely to be rare and possibly threatened species but at the moment we do not have enough records to know.

Come along and get to know some of the local fabulous fungi and contribute to their conservation.

Speaker: Dr Sapphire McMullan-Fisher
Where: Trentham Neighbourhood Centre, High St, Trentham
Information: info@wombatforestcare.org.au

Friday 18 May 2018, 2.00 - 4:30 pm

Foray Friday afternoon - Monitor your local fungi

This is a session for people who are keen on monitoring their local biodiversity. We will be visiting a local bushland and doing a survey using the Fungimap APP to record both local recognisable fungi and ‘lost fungi’. We hope the local community will be encouraged to begin regularly monitoring their fungi to help with understanding and conservation of these important but often ignored species. You will learn how to monitor local fungi and why it is important.

Speaker: Dr Sapphire McMullan-Fisher
Email Gayle Osborne for further information regarding participating in this session info@wombatforestcare.org.au

Biography for Dr Sapphire McMullan-Fisher

Sapphire is an ecologist who has special interest in the conservation of biodiversity, particularly macrofungi and mosses. She did her doctorate at the University of Tasmania on ‘Surrogates for cryptogam conservation - associations between mosses, macrofungi, vascular plants and environmental variables.’

Sapphire has been actively involved with Fungimap since 1999. She was Project Officer for the Altas of Living Australia – Fungimap project in 2012. This project encompassed many of Sapphire’s interests, which include community engagement and action; scientific communication and education; fungal photography and image management; bioinformatics and natural history observations; collecting fungi and using names that taxonomists create. As well as being the current office Coordinator she is working for Fungimap as the Mycologist. In this role she produced surveys, training and data collection systems to improve the conservation status of Tea Tree Fingers (Hypocreopsis amplectens).

About the project - Fungi education coming to VIC 2018-19

Fungimap are delighted to have received a Victorian Government Biodiversity On-ground Action grant of $50,000 for our project: Putting Victoria’s fungal biodiversity on the map.

This project is supported by the Victorian Government Threatened Species Protection Initiative Community Volunteer Action Grants in 2016.

The project will focus on fungi across Victoria. Seven training events held over the next two years across Victorian Catchment Management Areas (CMA).

Fungimap will provide:

These will help communities to record their local fungi species – those that are recognisable and those that are thought to be rare or endangered. We hope to have at least one survey site started for each of the CMA regions. Data records will help clarify distribution, species abundance and pinpoint areas needing further research.

Saturday 16 June 2018, 1.30 - 3.30 pm

The Greater Glider in Victoria: Ecology, distribution and recent declines

Dr Jenny Nelson (Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research) will discuss recent research into the Greater Glider. The Greater Glider is found in eucalypt forests from far north Queensland to the Wombat Forest in the south. Greater Gliders are listed as vulnerable (to extinction) nationally and in Victoria. This is a great opportunity to learn more about one of the iconic species of the Wombat Forest.

Speaker: Dr Jenny Nelson
Where: Trentham Neighbourhood Centre, High St, Trentham
Information: info@wombatforestcare.org.au