Ecoportal

ZOOM Training session for spotting platypus and recording their location
2025-09-05 18:30 - 19:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Online
ACF-AWR is excited to be hosting events again in 2025 for the wonderful citizen science platy-project.
The first event will be a training session on ZOOM.
This session will provide information on:

Why this citizen science project is important and how platypus are fairing;
How to spot a platypus – habitat/where, when, and watching out for tricksters;
How to record your findings;
Water bugs/food;
OH&S; and
Where our field events are being held and what to bring.

Please RSVP to let us know you’ll be joining and receive the zoom link.
We look forward to seeing you!
Your ACF-AWR Team

Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park, Wildflower Walk (afternoon)
2025-09-06 16:00 - 17:30 | Chiltern Post Office, 54 Main Street, Chiltern, Victoria, 3683, Australia
Meet outside the Chiltern Post Office at 4pm, then travel to Honeyeater Picnic Area where experienced Friends Members will guide Wildflower Walks near the picnic area in the Chiltern- Mt Pilot NP.
Any questions, contact Liz : secretary@friendsofchiltern.org.au

Platy-Project Field Event 6 September 2025, 4 - 6 pm
2025-09-06 16:00 - 18:00 | Willow Park carpark, Pearce Street, Wodonga, 3690, Australia
Have you ever had that magical moment of spotting a platypus in the wild?
Join us at this event to learn where to look for, and how spot, platypus in the wild for this great #CitizenScience project, a partnership with great ACF, UNSW, Centre for Ecosystem Science, and Platypus Conservation Initiative.
ACF-AWR is excited to be hosting events again in 2025 for the wonderful citizen science platy-project.
This is our first field event and the first of our field events for this year. Our second field event is scheduled for 13 September, 4 – 6 pm.
Join us and help researchers understand more about this elusive animal and how we can better protect it.
When: 6 September, 4 – 6 pm
Where: Willow Park, Car Park, Pearce Street, Wodonga, VIC.
What we’ll be doing:

We’ll talk through the best ways to spot a platypus and how to not get tricked by other creatures;
We’ll practise our platy spotting skills with a walk around the creek to identify the best platy spotting habitat; and
We’ll also net and look at the water bugs to see what platypus food is in the area.

You may want to then invest time to watch and wait for a platypus to reveal itself at the end of the event. We’ve been watching platypus in the area recently.
We can’t promise you will see a platypus, but you’ll be well equipped to keep looking for platypus at your nearest river or creek to help researchers understand more about this incredible creature and help prevent further declines in their numbers.
Join us at our upcoming platy-project event!
RSVP as soon as possible so you don’t miss out. Places are limited to ensure the event is safe and the best experience for all of us.
Image: Young platypus on a log in McMahons Creek, Yarra Ranges, Victoria. Credit: Doug Gimesy.

Birdlife Ovens and Murray: Spring outing: Sandy Creek Reservoir & Allans Flat
2025-09-07 09:00 - 14:30 | Sandy Creek, Victoria
Please come and join us for our regular monthly walk, this time to Sandy Creek, Victoria.
Date: Sunday 7th September
Location: Sandy Creek Reservoir
Meet: corner of Lockharts Gap Road and Sandy Creek Road.
Time: 9am
Outing duration: 9am – 2.30pm
Leader: Bernie Datson

Program
Part 1

Arrive at Sandy Creek Reservoir about 9.15am and have optional morning tea on Lake’s edge.
Examine nests of the Fairy Martins.
Return walk will be about 1 km and be completed within 2hrs.

Good chance of seeing less common ducks and grebes and a good variety of honeyeaters including Eastern Spinebill and White-naped Honeyeater. (Platypuses too!)

Part 2
We will drive to an and Je’s place at Allans Flat about 11.30 ish and pause at their gate area for possible views of the Golden-headed Cisticola.
We will have lunch on their verandah about noon followed by a walk through nearby birding areas for about an hour and a half.
A diverse group of birds will be encountered and will possibly include Speckled Warbler, Diamond Dove and Quail.

Everyone is welcome.
Remember to bring

suitable footwear
binoculars
water
appropriate clothing and headwear for the weather
a chair
morning tea
lunch

NB: There is no obligation to stay for the duration of the event. However, if you leave early, please let the leader for the day know.

For more information or queries please contact Fiona at ovensmurray@birdlife.org.au

Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists outing: Wildflower walk in Chiltern Mt. Pilot National Park
2025-09-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Chiltern Mt. Pilot National Park
Join the Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for a walk looking at wildflowers in the Chiltern Mt. Pilot National Park.
Meet at the Chiltern Swimming Pool carpark, Sunday 14 September 2025, at 10am
For further information about the excursion Telephone: 0428 235 964
Pets are not permitted on AWFN field excursions. Assistance & Guide dogs welcome.

Nature’s next chapter: 2025 John Paul Memorial Lecture
2025-09-18 18:00 - 19:30 | Check the event listing for venue details
The urgency of environmental storytelling

The John Paul Memorial Lecture is made possible thanks to the continued support and generosity of the Paul Family Foundation.
So many of us can attribute our love of nature to environmental communication pioneers such as Sir David Attenborough, Dr Jane Goodall or Rachel Carson. Who is following in their footsteps to fly the flag for nature?
There is growing urgency to protect what’s left of our ecosystems and biodiversity. How do we cut through, inspire and communicate this urgency – on a local and global scale?
And importantly, how does this translate to action on the ground?
For the 10th annual John Paul Memorial Lecture, we’re delighted to invite you an evening of inspiration and wonder with three of Victoria’s most outstanding environmental storytellers.
We are thrilled to gather in-person for this special evening. As we appreciate not everyone can come to Melbourne, we are also pleased to livestream this event.

Wonderful Weeds walk and talk WITH Herbal Healing session
2025-09-20 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-11 14:00 - 16:00 | beingreen permaculture, 590 Heathwood Ave,, Lavington, NSW, 2641, Australia
Why do weeds exist? Why are they wonderful? Where do they come from? Discover the amazing resource these plants can be for the soil, for medicine and for food. (Includes full colour guide to take home.)
This extended session also includes deeper knowledge on the healing power of wild herbs, and a demonstration of how to make a herbal salve with special guest Jo Wilson from Essential Wisdom herbs in Wagga. (More info on Essential Wisdom: https://essentialwisdom.com.au/)
Not to be missed!
Kids are welcome to join for free.

Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists outing: Wildflower walk in Nail Can Hill Reserve, Albury
2025-09-27 09:00 - 15:00 | Nail Can Hill Reserve, Albury
Join the Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for a walk looking at wildflowers in Nail Can Hill Reserve, Albury, NSW
Meet at Range Road, Albury, at the entrance to Nail Can Hill Reserve, Saturday 27 September 2025, at 9am
For further information about the outing Telephone: 0490 497 032
Pets are not permitted on AWFN field excursions. Assistance & Guide dogs welcome.

Wonderful Weeds walk and talk
2025-10-04 14:00 - 15:30 | beingreen permaculture, 590 Heathwood Ave,, Lavington, NSW, 2641, Australia
Why do weeds exist? Where do they come from? Why are they wonderful? Discover the amazing resource these plants can be for the soil, for medicine and for food. (Includes full colour guide to take home.)
Kids are welcome to join for free.

Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park, Field Day (morning)
2025-10-05 09:00 - 12:00 | Chiltern Post Office, 54 Main Street, Chiltern, Victoria, 3683, Australia
Meet at the Chiltern Post Office and then either do a wildflower walk in the Park with one of our experienced members, an expert on local flora. Or monitor some nest/mammal boxes in the Park using a pole camera.
Friends member will provide something to eat for morning tea. BYO beverage. Also bring a chair or rug to sit on.
Any questions, contact Liz : secretary@friendsofchiltern.org.au

Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists: walk at Albury's Charles Sturt University Wetlands
2025-10-12 09:00 - 15:00 | Check the event listing for venue details
Join Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for an outing to the CSU Wetlands at Thurgoona to explore the fauna and flora in the area. Meet at CSU Wetlands Carpark Milawa Drive, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona, at 9 am on Sunday 12 October 2025. For further information contact 0409 954 476. Pets are not permitted on outings.

Albury City Wildflower Walk
2025-10-12 09:30 - 12:30 | Nail Can Hill Range Rd
Come join local wildflower enthusiasts for a guided walk to experience the diversity of wildflowers and learn about the importance of our local reserves in protecting local flora and fauna. During Springtime, Nail Can Hill is one of the most spectacular areas for wildflowers and this event is a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty right on Albury’s doorstep.
When: Sunday 12 October 2025, 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Where: Nail Can Hill – Range Road, Glenroy (access via Logan Road)
Don’t miss your chance to explore these beauties whilst they are out in bloom.

Limited spots are available, and RSVPs are essential. Click the web site link to register for the event.

Birdlife Ovens and Murray: Spring outing to The Rock Nature Reserve
2025-10-19 09:00 - 14:00 | The Rock Nature Reserve, Kengal Picnic area: Lockhart-the Rock Rd, NSW 2655
Our second outing for Spring is to the Rock Nature Reserve near Wagga Wagga.

Date: Sunday 19th October
Meet: Kengal Picnic Area at The Rock Nature Reserve ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/VTQDzxnEh7Z67fh99 )
Time: 9am – 2pm
Leader: Darcy Creece

There are toilets at the picnic area

Bring/wear

binoculars
sturdy walking shoes
sun protection
clothing suitable for the conditions
morning tea/lunch
water
chair

For more information please contact Fiona at ovensmurray@birdlife.org.au

Photo source: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/picnic-areas/the-rock-picnic-area

Wholistic Farm Day
2025-10-25 09:00 - 14:30 | To be advised on booking
Join stock handler Tahlia Moore and permaculturalist Natasha Stafford for in insightful and practical day putting wholistic thinking into practice on your farm.
Natasha will introduce the concept of land planning from a whole systems point of view. We will take the theory out to the land to discover simple and useful ways to manage your land effectively.
Tahlia will explain all the benefits of a wholistic approach to animal handling. A live demonstration and discussion will see you moving towards successfully working with your stock.
This is an on farm session. Please come prepared for unpredictable weather and to traverse hilly terrain.
The ticket price includes morning tea and lunch.
This event is being held in the Indigo Valley. Exact location will be provided on booking.

Whole systems land management
Permaculture is a concept renowned around the word for successfully taking cues from the natural world in its approach to creating truly productive and sustainable landscapes. We are realising farming needs to recognise soil health, rejuvenation of native species and capture of natural resources like water and soil. But how to go about it? By seeing the whole picture offered by permaculture we can spend time and resources for the greatest benefit. This session helps to prioritise action and most of all, enables farmers to develop a deeper understanding of their land.
Successful stock handling
This will be an informative session with a focus on achieving confident, calm flow in all facets of stock handling which translates into real dollar value for producers in terms of weight gain, feed utilisation and ease of management. Whether you are a large scale producer or hobby farmer just looking to start out, having the right mindset will translate directly into the wellbeing and productivity of your animals. This success then flows on to create a ‘whole management’ approach and appreciation of the animal and how they exist in the landscape.
Tahlia Moore
Tahlia has been working in the livestock industry for fifteen years and is currently the operations manager on a large scale pasture-raised poultry operation in the Riverina, NSW.
She has a strong cattle background, mostly in the Northern pastoral industry. She has experience with a wide range of farm animals, most recently working dogs.
Over the years, Tahlia has developed a great passion for working with both people and livestock to make animal handling enjoyable for all involved. Through her years of hands-on experience and being involved in various leadership roles, Tahlia has developed a keen interest in teaching others.
Tahlia conducts herself, her stock work and her teaching in a relaxed, practical manner with a touch of good humour.
Tahlia is a keen proponent of wholistic landscape management, which extends well into stock management. Tahlia is a dedicated life long learner and recognises how important it is to share knowledge, and also to challenge paradigms.
Natasha Stafford
Natasha has been mesmerised by the natural world from a young age leading her to follow the path of wholistic teaching and design.
She is a fully qualified designer and teacher of permaculture and holds two Permaculture Design Certificates. Natasha has also completed Allan Savory’s Holistic Management Foundation course, and studied at the Mulloon Institute in water management.
Natasha has developed an engaging and hands on approach to learning from the experience of home educating her six children over the course of twenty years. She has also taught the Certificate III in Permaculture at the National Environment Centre.
Natasha has completed a wide variety of permaculture designs, from rural acres to suburban backyards in both tropical and temperate settings and has received an overwhelmingly positive response to her ideas and her service.

Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists: walk in Mt. Beauty area
2025-10-25 09:30 - 15:00 | Check the event listing for venue details
Join Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for a walk in the Mt. Beauty area, to explore the fauna and flora in the region. Meet at Mt. Beauty Information Centre car park at 9.30 am on Saturday 25 October 2025. For further information contact 0429 446 383. Pets are not permitted on outings

Connecting Nature with Farming - a Platy Spotting event
2025-10-26 08:30 - 12:30 | Check the event listing for venue details
We invite you to join local farmers, community members and nature lovers in a Platy Spotting event at lake Moodemere, near Rutherglen.
When: Sunday 26 October, commencing at 8:30am
Where: Meet at Lake Moodemere Estate winery, 12 Moodemere Road Rutherglen
What: A Platy-Spotting Event to link in with a new ACF initiative:
‘Food That’s Good for People and Nature’
Our special guest, ACF Food and Agriculture lead expert David Sivyer will be there to tell us more about this exciting new initiative, how and why it has come about and where it is currently at.
Refreshments, coffees, teas and light lunches can be obtained at the winery.
RSVP as soon as possible as numbers will be limited for this event.
We look forward to seeing you there 🖐😃

House Creek BioBlitz nature walk
2025-10-27 10:00 - 11:30 | Ewart Brothers Reserve, Memorial Dr, Wodonga, Victoria, 3690, Australia
Join with Wodonga Landcare and Parklands Albury Wodonga to explore along House Creek and make nature observations of plants, animals and fungi, using the iNaturalist app, as part of the Great Southern BioBlitz 2025.
With tips for noticing nature, how and why to record what you find, and how to use the iNaturalist app to help confirm the identity of what you’ve seen and contribute to biodiversity knowledge.
What to expect: This urban waterway is a crucial corridor in a multitude of ways – it’s a recreational space, important waterway and provides for wildlife and biodiversity. Work in recent years, including by Wodonga Urban Landcare, Friends of Ewart Brothers Reserve and Wodonga Council, has sought to improve the health of this stretch of the creek, including through woody weed control and revegetation efforts.
Meeting place: Ewart Brothers Reserve playground, on Memorial Drive
Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wgEFFN5UJkKdFuu1A
We will be walking mostly on a sealed path, on gentle slopes, suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, a total distance of around 2km.
What to bring: your mobile or other camera (optional); dress for the weather and wear closed shoes, long pants, and sun protection.
Please register here: events.humanitix.com/gsb25
This project has been supported by the Victorian Government as part of the Victorian Landcare Grants Program.

Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park, Field Day (morning)
2025-11-01 09:00 - 12:00 | Chiltern Post Office, 54 Main Street, Chiltern, Victoria, 3683, Australia
Meet at the Chiltern Post Office and then travel to the Rutherglen Nature Reserve to remove weeds – primarily olives.
BYO mattocks, picks, secateurs, PPE.
We will also be monitoring the nest/mammal boxes in the Reserve using a pole camera.
Friends member will provide something to eat for morning tea. BYO beverage. Also bring a chair or rug to sit on.
Any questions, contact Liz : secretary@friendsofchiltern.org.au

Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists: walk in Chiltern Mt. Pilot National Park
2025-11-09 09:00 - 15:00 | Check the event listing for venue details
Join Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for an outing to the Chiltern Mt. Pilot National Park to explore the fauna and flora in the region. Meet at the Chiltern Swimming Pool car park at 9 am on Sunday 9 November 2025. For further information contact 0490 497 032. Pets are not permitted on outings.

Buffalo plateau wander
2025-11-16 09:00 - 15:00 | Lake Catani, Lake Catani campground 7R87 27 Mount Buffalo national park, 3740
The Buffalo plateau in north eastern Victoria is an ‘island in the sky’. It is geographically separated from the high mountains along the Great Dividing Range, and is a refuge for mountain species, with Alpine Ash forests, snow gum woodlands and open frost hollow plains.
As part of the Friends of the Earth forests campaigns we host guided walks in the Victorian high country. This trip to the Buffalo plateau will be the first one for summer 2025/26.
Join us for a one day wander on the plateau to explore some of the remnant Ash and snow gum forests that survived the intense fires of the 2000s.
We will meet at Lake Catani campground at 9am on sunday November 16, and do two 2 hour walks to explore sections of remnant and recovering forests.
You would be welcome to camp with us at Lake Catani on the sunday night and join our collaboration with Protect our Winters on the monday: a tree planting and film night. Details here.

Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists: walk at Yackandandah Creek and Allans Flat
2025-11-22 09:00 - 15:00 | Check the event listing for venue details
Join Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for walks at Yackandandah Creek and Allans Flat, to explore the flora and fauna in the area. Meet at Isaac Park, Yackandandah, at 9 am on Saturday 22 November 2025. For further information contact 0490 497 032. Pets are not permitted on outings.

Edible weeds walk & talk
2025-11-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Three Mile Creek, Wangaratta, Three Mile Creek, Willow Drive, Wangaratta, 3677
Did you know that many of the weeds we find in our backyards are edible?
Natasha from Beingreen Permaculture will be leading us on a journey to discover the amazing resource some weeds can be for the soil, for medicine and for food. This walk and talk will conclude with some homemade herbal teas (made from edible weeds!).
This session is capped at 12 participants to allow for a meaningful experience.

Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists: Walk in Mt. Buffalo National Park
2025-12-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Check the event listing for venue details
Join Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for a walk exploring the geology, flora & fauna in Mt. Buffalo National Park, where a section of the Park has re-opened to the public. Meet at the Visitor Centre, Mt. Buffalo National Park entrance on Sunday 14 December 2025 at 10 am. For further information contact 0428 235 964. Pets are not permitted on AWFN outings.

Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists: Walk at Wonga Wetlands
2026-01-11 08:00 - 12:00 | Wonga Wetlands, 2377 Riverina Hwy, Splitters Creek, NSW, 2640, Australia
Join Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for a walk at Wonga Wetlands to explore the fauna and flora there. Meet at the Wonga Wetlands carpark, Riverina Highway, West Albury at 8am on Sunday 11 January 2026. BYO food and chair for morning tea after walk. For further information contact 0400 141 181. Pets are not permitted on outings.

Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists: Walk at Corowa Whitehead St. Wetlands & Corowa Ponds
2026-01-24 10:00 - 15:00 | Corowa
Join Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for walks at Corowa Whitehead St. Wetlands followed by Corowa Ponds to explore the fauna and flora there. Meet at Whitehead St. Wetlands, Corowa, at 10 am on Saturday 24 January 2026. For further information contact 0428 215 313. Pets are not permitted on outings.

Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists: Walk at West Albury Wetlands (Kremur St. & Horseshoe lagoon
2026-02-28 08:00 - 12:00 | Check the event listing for venue details
Join Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for a morning walk at West Albury Wetlands to explore the fauna and flora there. Meet at Kremur St. boat ramp at 8 am on Saturday 28 February 2025. For further information contact 0413 303 940. Pets are not permitted on AWFN outings.

Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists: walk at Warby Ranges & Killawarra
2026-03-08 09:30 - 15:00 | Check the event listing for venue details
Join Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for a walk in the Warby Ranges/ Killawarra to explore the fauna and fauna in the area. Meet at Peechelba Sports Park at 9.30 am on Sunday 8 March 2026. For further information contact 0409 954 476. Pets are not permitted on AWFN outings.

Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists: Walk in Woomargama National Park
2026-03-28 09:30 - 15:00 | Check the event listing for venue details
Join Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists for a walk in Woomargama National Park exploring the fauna & flora in the Park. Meet at the Woomargama Way Tennis Courts on Saturday 28 March at 9.30 am. For further information contact 0428 235 964. Pets are not permitted on AWFN outings.
