Ecoportal

A slow Nature Walk with Sue Brunskill & Karen Retra
2022-12-03 09:00 - 11:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
Join passionate naturalists Sue Brunskill and Karen Retra for a slow nature walk in one of Wodonga’s best bush reserves.
Come exploring with Sue and Karen and be inspired by their knowledge and enthusiasm for nature from wildflowers, insects and fungi to trees, birds and wildlife.
Where: Meet at Castle Creek Bushlands access off Castle Creek Rd.
What to expect: You are in for a treat – many wildflowers are out this week. For a sneak preview of what we might see, take a look at our 2021 Bush Park Explorer video featuring this reserve. Please be aware that we will be walking on slopes, on a natural, unpaved and possibly wet surface.
What to bring: Please wear covered shoes and long pants, bring mozzie protection and sunscreen and dress for the weather. Welcome to bring your camera, binoculars etc.
Registration prior to the event is essential for communication, safety and insurance purposes. REGISTER HERE

A slow Nature Walk with Sue Brunskill & Karen Retra
2022-12-02 09:00 - 11:00
Join passionate naturalists Sue Brunskill and Karen Retra for a slow nature walk in one of Wodonga’s best bush reserves.
Come exploring with Sue and Karen and be inspired by their knowledge and enthusiasm for nature from wildflowers, insects and fungi to trees, birds and wildlife.
Where: Meet at Swainsona Reserve Access carpark off Felltimber Creek Rd.
What to expect: You are in for a treat – the Swainsona peas (for which this reserve is named) – have started flowering. For a sneak preview of what else we might see, take a look at our 2021 Bush Park Explorer video featuring this reserve. Please be aware that we will be walking on slopes, on a natural, unpaved and possibly wet surface.
What to bring: Please wear covered shoes and long pants, bring mozzie protection and sunscreen and dress for the weather. Welcome to bring your camera, binoculars etc.
Registration prior to the event is essential for communication, safety and insurance purposes. REGISTER HERE

FoWP Cultural Exchange Information Night
2022-11-30 18:00 - 21:00
Can you imagine….
… being told that unless you can prove your citizenship in Australia to have been established prior 1958, you would be classified as an illegal immigrant?
… having to live with your family under canvas for years to come in squalid conditions, along with thousands of other people?
… eventually to be given a choice – to either stay in a familiar community with a support network you know, or to live in a foreign country, alien to your own language and culture?
Radha Guragai is a survivor of just such an ethnic cleansing process.
Radha, one of the Bhutanese community leaders of Wodonga, will share with us the story of his people, the journey which began in Bhutan where they were banished from their native land, to be held for years in a refugee camp in Nepal, and finally given approval to re-settle in Australia, one of a few countries that would accept their resettlement.
This event is proudly sponsored by City of Wodonga.
Don’t miss out on this cultural exchange information night and reserve your seat as soon as possible.
Admission $5pp – with buffet meal $20pp
Bookings are essential
Feel free to call Bart on 0419 390 329 for more information.

Seed Savers Open Garden and All About the Dirt workshop
2022-11-27 14:00 - 16:00
In April this year Alison Hawthorn opened her Wodonga garden to SSAW members and guests who were very impressed with the huge amount of work that she has done in creating a productive food garden within a short time. Alison has invited us back to view her progress and to run a workshop on making potting mix.
Free event, but bookings will be required as numbers are limited.
Book now.
https://events.humanitix.com/seed-savers-open-garden-food-swap-and-soil-workshop.
Seed Bank will be available at this event.

Horseshoe Lagoon, Albury
2022-11-27 09:00 - 15:00
With Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists. Meet 9am at Horseshoe Lagoon (opposite Albury Wodonga Private Hospital), Riverina Highway, Albury.
BYO refreshments and chair. Leaders Bernie 0490 497 032 and Phillip 0428 215 313

Frog-friendly gardens
2022-11-27 09:00 - 11:30
Learn ideal ways to create frog habitat in residential gardens, including plantings.
Presentation by frog specialist and CSU academic, Dr Alexandra Knight, in a Thurgoona residential garden. Ticket-holders to be advised of address before event.
Choose one of two times on Sun 27 November 2022:

9.00-10.00am with optional wander round garden from 10.00-10.30am OR
10.30am-11.30am with optional wander 11.30am-12.00pm

$5 per person, bookings essential (by 24/11/22): https://www.trybooking.com/CDZNP
Sorry, no children under 15 yrs due to restricted numbers.
Presented by Gardens 4 Wildlife, a Wodonga Urban Landcare Network initiative, with sincere thanks to AlburyCity for their generous support.

Border Bushwalking Club - Mount Buffalo Chalet to Mackey's Lookout
2022-11-26 07:00 - 17:00
The plan is to park at the Chalet carpark and commence the walk from there. We follow the Big Walk Walking Track from the Mount Buffalo Chalet down to Mackey’s Lookout for lunch. Our descent from the Mount Buffalo Chalet at 1342 elevation to Mackeys Lookout at 920 m elevation will take in some of the best bits of the Big Walk.
Along the way, we can take time to visit the Reeds Lookout. This walk is approximately 12 kms return.
On our return, we can take in the sights of the Chalet and the Gorge Lookouts. Bring a cuppa, snacks, and lunch. Plus, wet weather gear and extra warm clothing to wear after the walk.
Part of this walk (especially at Mackey’s Lookout) is across sloping granite. Good boots are required to prevent slipping. Some of the lookouts have huge drops, but they are fenced. The track and weather conditions on the day may result in a change to the planned walk.
The return is mostly uphill, but it is mostly on good track and on long switch-backs rather than steep uphill climbs. There are a couple of sections of rock-stairs.

Grade 3 Medium
Leader: Cindy Pickering
Phone: 0410425335
Participant numbers:8
Final booking date: 23/11/2022
Key risks and hazards: uneven and slippery surfaces, cold/wet/windy conditions, or exposure to sun that may result in sunburn.For more information and updates about BBC activities, check www.borderbushwalkingclub.com.au

Albury Park Volunteer morning
2022-11-25 09:00 - 11:00, 2022-10-28 09:00 - 11:00
Join Parklands Rangers and our Park Stewardship volunteers in Albury’s best bush parks, every Friday as spring unfolds.
Every week we spend 2 hours in Albury’s environmental lands doing practical park tasks.
You will work alongside our Rangers experiencing the ‘how to’ of caring for our bush parks and reserves; undertaking a variety of park maintenance/improvement tasks like removing redundant fences, replacing barbed wire with wildlife friendly plain wire, weeding, checking nestboxes and removing tree guards.
At the same time, you will learn about the local environment and how Albury City and community groups are working to protect threatened species, improve habitat and link habitat corridors across the region.
When: 9.00 to 11.00am (2 hrs)
Where: Sept-December we rotate between parks on a weekly basis.

4th Friday – Upper Bungambrawartha Creek. Meet at corner of Shaw St and Strauss St, Springdale Heights.

Please note that meeting places will change over time as various priority works are completed, so please register online so you can be updated of any changes.

What is supplied: All tools and any specific safety equipment needed.
What to bring: BYO drinking water. For your safety, please wear covered shoes (preferably boots), long pants, long sleeves and a hat.
Please register! Sometimes things change at the last minute and we need to be able to contact volunteers. Please register for the sessions you will attend. REGISTER HERE
Thank you to Albury City Council for financial support for this program.

Golden Sun Moth info evening
2022-11-24 19:00 - 20:30
Please join us for an evening of info about one of NE Victoria’s rarest invertebrates, the Golden Sun Moth. These moths will soon fly for their short flying season, and we’d love the wonderful people of NE Vic to keep their eyes open for these wonderful little grassland specialists. This evening event will explain what to look for, where the moths might fly, and what to do if you see one.

Early-bird tickets available for National Volunteering Conference
2022-11-22
National Volunteering Conference (13-14 February 2023, Ngunnawal Country, Canberra)
Australia’s leading event on the volunteering calendar, hosted by Volunteering Australia. The conference provides a platform for not-for-profit leaders, volunteer management professionals, government and corporate representatives, academics and researchers, and volunteers to come together to address emerging issues of high priority. As the national conference, the event is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and open discussion on the future of volunteering and highlight practical and innovative approaches to reimagine volunteering in Australia. The conference is a key vehicle for all stakeholders to voice their priorities, hopes and challenges for the future of volunteering.
Online tickets are also available.
Early bird rates are available until Thursday 24 November 2022.
Details at volunteeringaustralia.org/2023-national-volunteering-conference
2023 National Volunteering Conference

Border Bushwalking Club - Buffalo Bits
2022-11-19 07:00 - 17:00
These are four separate walks that give an idea of the variety on Mt Buffalo. It is possible to sit out any of the walks if you’d like as they are separate and three begin at pleasant picnic areas. I will decide on the departure time and order of the walk according to the weather. The final decisions are made on the Wednesday prior to the walks.
The Gorge is the best known of these walks and is used by many visitors to the area. It is 2.5km and has interpretive signs telling of some history the area through the eyes of Guide Alice. It also shows the grandeur of this magnificent gorge. There is a little up and down on this walk but the path and steps are very well formed
The walk to View Point starts at Lake Catani and is 4km return. This walk ends with stunning views down to the valley below. The track is narrow and sometimes a little rocky. There is a gentle climb but the end involves very short steep rock steps. If it’s hot the lake is a great place for a dip before, after or instead of the walk.
Rollasons Falls is a lovely walk. As you approach the falls it is rocky but you don’t need to go all the way to see good views if you aren’t comfortable. It is 4km return and has two viewpoints of this lovely waterfall. The first 2km go down and then…you guessed it, you go up to get back. There’s also opportunity to get wet here if you are hot.
Lake View walk is 2kms and quite a steep climb. The end is on a smooth rock face and you are rewarded with great views down to the lake and across the Alps.
You can opt to do all of the walks or some of them depending on your whim on the day. For this reason it suits beginners and experienced walkers.
Unless you are well known to me as a walker please ring to discuss this walk with me if you are interested. If you leave a message I will return your call as soon as I can.

Ungraded
Leader: Bernadette
Phone: 0419241687
Participant numbers:12
Final booking date: Wednesday 16th Nov by 8pm
For more information and updates about BBC activities, check www.borderbushwalkingclub.com.au

Albury Park Volunteer morning
2022-11-18 09:00 - 11:00, 2022-10-21 09:00 - 11:00
Join Parklands Rangers and our Park Stewardship volunteers in Albury’s best bush parks, every Friday as spring unfolds.
Every week we spend 2 hours in Albury’s environmental lands doing practical park tasks.
You will work alongside our Rangers experiencing the ‘how to’ of caring for our bush parks and reserves; undertaking a variety of park maintenance/improvement tasks like removing redundant fences, replacing barbed wire with wildlife friendly plain wire, weeding, checking nestboxes and removing tree guards.
At the same time, you will learn about the local environment and how Albury City and community groups are working to protect threatened species, improve habitat and link habitat corridors across the region.
When: 9.00 to 11.00am (2 hrs)
Where: Sept-December we will rotate between parks on a weekly basis.

3rd Friday – Red Light Hill. Meet at playground on Fenchurch Drive, near Strand St, Ettamogah Rise.

Please note that meeting places will change over time as various priority works are completed, so please register online so you can be updated of any changes.
What is supplied: All tools and any specific safety equipment needed.
What to bring: BYO drinking water. For your safety, please wear covered shoes (preferably boots), long pants, long sleeves and a hat.
Please register! Sometimes things change at the last minute and we need to be able to contact volunteers. Please register for the sessions you will attend. REGISTER HERE
Thank you to Albury City Council for financial support for this program.

Leneva Enviro Hub 3rd Tuesday Working Bee
2022-11-15 11:00 - 13:00
Join Parklands Rangers and Leneva residents to revamp the old Leneva School and Hall sites and bring this environmental hub back to life.
On the 3rd Tuesday of each month, an ‘all hands’ working bee will enhance this 10 hectare remnant Box Gum Grassy woodlands site and improve environmental education opportunities for local schools and community. All are welcome.

When: 11am to midday, then stay for a sausage and a yarn with us.
Where: Park on the Leneva Hall service track and meet outside the old school gates.
What: Bush restoration and facilities improvements including planning and creating interactive visitor activities, removing woody weeds and other invasives such as Watsonia bulbs and Bridal creeper, cleaning up the site and removing old fences, monitoring of nest boxes, installing new fencing..
What is provided: All tools, materials and personal protective equipment is provided as is Ranger induction and session leadership.
What to bring: Participants must wear covered shoes (boots) and long pants at all sessions, preferably long sleeves as well, and bring your own hat and water bottle. Current Covid safety measures must also be followed.

Please book for each session you intend to join (so we have enough sausages!).
BOOK HERE

Native Grass Identification Workshop
2022-11-13 09:30 - 14:30
El Dorado Environmental Volunteers are hosting a native grass identification workshop. Morning tea , lunch and materials to make a take home herbarium all provided. Numbers strictly limited . Please book your place and state any dietary requirements by November 1st. RSVP to eldyenviro@gmail.com

Wirraminna at Burrumbuttock : Pollinator insects with Karen Retra
2022-11-13 09:00 - 15:00
Outing on Sunday 13 November to Wirraminna at Burrumbuttock with Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists . Meet 9am at SS&A Car Park, Wilson Street, Albury.
Travel in convoy or car pool to destination. BYO refreshments, chair and magnifying glass. Contact leader Helen 0400 141 181.
Karen Retra, Co-founder of the National Wild Pollinator Count, will teach participants how to locate and identify Australian Pollinator insects.
This event will proceed in the Wirraminna Discovery Centre building, Burrumbuttock, NSW
In the event of rain, Karen will present the whole activity in the Wirraminna Discovery Centre building.

Albury Park Volunteer morning
2022-11-11 09:00 - 11:00
Join Parklands Rangers and our Park Stewardship volunteers in Albury’s best bush parks, every Friday as spring unfolds.
Every week we spend 2 hours in Albury’s environmental lands doing practical park tasks.
You will work alongside our Rangers experiencing the ‘how to’ of caring for our bush parks and reserves; undertaking a variety of park maintenance/improvement tasks like removing redundant fences, replacing barbed wire with wildlife friendly plain wire, weeding, checking nestboxes and removing tree guards.
At the same time, you will learn about the local environment and how Albury City and community groups are working to protect threatened species, improve habitat and link habitat corridors across the region.
When: 9.00 to 11.00am (2 hrs)
Where: Sept-December we will rotate between parks on a weekly basis.

2nd Friday – Thurgoona environmental lands. Meet at Brooklyn Fields community park carpark, off Table Top Road, Thurgoona.

Please note that meeting places will change over time as various priority works are completed, so please register online so you can be updated of any changes.

What is supplied: All tools and any specific safety equipment needed.
What to bring: BYO drinking water. For your safety, please wear covered shoes (preferably boots), long pants, long sleeves and a hat.
Please register! Sometimes things change at the last minute and we need to be able to contact volunteers. Please register for the sessions you will attend. REGISTER HERE
Thank you to Albury City Council for financial support for this program.

Walk and AGM with guest Dr Damian Michael - Friends of Chiltern & Mt Pilot National Park
2022-11-05 14:00 - 20:00
The Friends of Chiltern and Mt Pilot National Park 2022 AGM will take place on Saturday 5th November 2022.
The format includes an afternoon walk followed by a presentation from our guest speaker, dinner, and the AGM.
The walk is likely to be in the Mt Pilot summit area with guest speaker Dr Damian Michael from Charles Sturt University.
Dr. Michael’s expertise includes rocky outcrop (inselberg) ecology and applied herpetology. Everyone is welcome.
Call Mick Webster 0429017229 for more information.

Wodonga's Draft Sustainability Strategy – Community Conversations with Robyn Nicholas
2022-11-05 14:00 - 16:00
City of Wodonga (CoW) has released their Draft Sustainability Strategy 2022-2026 for community consultation and feedback. Find out more about the draft strategy and consultation process and download the draft.
Robyn Nicholas, CoW Sustainability Coordinator, will present the draft strategy at our event on Saturday 5 November, 2 – 4 pm. While this event is somewhat Wodonga centric, these issues apply everywhere. This is also a great opportunity to mix with like minded people in a social atmosphere.
Coffee, Tea and some cakes will be provided.
Please RSVP as soon as possible to allow us to organise the catering.

Repair Cafe Albury-Wodonga Inc
2022-11-05 10:00 - 13:00
Come and join us at Halve Waste for National Recycling Week.
Do you have a broken household item you’d like fixed but need a hand to do so? Then this is your opportunity.
Our Repair Café is a free meeting place to bring along broken household items such as furniture, clothing, textiles and battery-operated appliances and learn how to fix them with the help of experienced, volunteer repairers. You can also bring along small, blunt garden tools like secateurs and we’ll show you how to sharpen them. Maximum three items per person per session. A donation is greatly appreciated for the repair of your items. This covers the cost of our insurance and supplies used for these repairs.
For more information see: https://www.facebook.com/repaircafeaw/
Repair Café Albury-Wodonga is proudly supported by Halve Waste, with morning yummies donated by Kooka Brotha’s patisserie.

Seed Savers AW seed bank opening
2022-11-05 10:00 - 12:00
We are opening the seed bank to give you another opportunity to get those seeds for spring and summer planting.
Members free, others $5
If you have seed that you have saved during autumn and winter, bring it along to deposit in the seed bank. If you have excess seedlings or produce, bring them along too.

Albury Park Volunteer morning
2022-11-04 09:00 - 11:00
Join Parklands Rangers and our Park Stewardship volunteers in Albury’s best bush parks, every Friday as spring unfolds.
Every week we spend 2 hours in Albury’s environmental lands doing practical park tasks.
You will work alongside our Rangers experiencing the ‘how to’ of caring for our bush parks and reserves; undertaking a variety of park maintenance/improvement tasks like removing redundant fences, replacing barbed wire with wildlife friendly plain wire, weeding, checking nestboxes and removing tree guards.
At the same time, you will learn about the local environment and how Albury City and community groups are working to protect threatened species, improve habitat and link habitat corridors across the region.
When: 9.00 to 11.00am (2 hrs)
Where: Sept-December we will rotate between parks on a weekly basis.

1st Friday – Norris Ridge. Meet our Ranger on Friday mornings at the corner of Pearsall and Hanna Streets, Lavington

Please note that meeting places will change over time as various priority works are completed, so please register online so you can be updated of any changes.

What is supplied: All tools and any specific safety equipment needed.
What to bring: BYO drinking water. For your safety, please wear covered shoes (preferably boots), long pants, long sleeves and a hat.
Please register! Sometimes things change at the last minute and we need to be able to contact volunteers. Please register for the sessions you will attend. REGISTER HERE
Thank you to Albury City Council for financial support for this program.

Greens candidate for seat of Benambra, campaign launch
2022-10-30 13:00 - 15:00
North East Victoria Greens invite you to attend the launch of the
Greens candidate, Luke Brady for the seat of Benambra for the Victorian state election November 24th 2022.
The launch is to be held on Sunday, October 30 at:-
9 Bridge Street Beechworth from 1 – 3pm
Meet also Dr Cate Sinclair, Greens candidate for the upper house.
Drinks and nibbles available

Happy Cats: domestic pet control
2022-10-27 18:30 - 21:30
Myrtleford & District Landcare & Sustainability Inc. is planning an AGM on the 27th October.
The presentation theme: domestic pet control for the benefit (health and safety) of pets and the protection of our natural flora and fauna.
Myrtleford Landcare has been working with the Alpine Shire to examine a domestic pet control policy for the Shire.
A light supper will be provided after the presentations.
The group’s AGM will be held from 6.30 – 7.00pm followed by our guest speakers.
A representative from Alpine Shire will be present.
The attached flyer has a registration form and a survey via the QR code.
Hope to see you there.

Eucalyptus Identification Workshop
2022-10-23 09:30 - 14:30
Eucalyptus Identification Workshop run by El Dorado Environmental Volunteers. Morning tea and lunch provided. Materials will be provided to make your own herbarium to take home. Numbers strictly limited. Please book your place and state any dietary requirements when doing so by the 10th of October. RVSP to eldyenviro@gmail.com

Postponed: Burrumbuttock BioBlitz
2022-10-23 08:00 - 17:00
Postponed – updated event details coming shortly!
Join West Hume Landcare on Sunday 23 October for the Burrumbuttock BioBlitz.

Hear from a brilliant line up of speakers
Discover our local animals and plants
Learn how you can help protect and improve biodiversity in your patch
Become a citizen scientist

Click this link to register and for more details about each of the sessions.
Register to attend one, two or more sessions during the day.
Please wear enclosed sturdy footwear and bring along a hat, drink bottle and if staying for lunchtime session, a picnic lunch.
Map and directions will be provided to those who have registered, in the week before the event.
For more information, contact Kathie Le Busque on Kathie@westhumelandcare.org.au.
View the flyer as a PDF: Burrumbuttock BioBlitz

Habitat Walk 'n Talk with Sue Brunskill
2022-10-22 09:30 - 11:30
Join passionate native plant and wildlife enthusiast Sue Brunskill exploring spring wildflowers in the regional parks.
Sue is an experienced bush regenerator, horticulturist and teacher. Each month Sue is leading a short walk exploring the natural habitat values of a different area and discussing stewardship activities to support the regeneration of native species.
Where: Today we will explore the wildflowers in one of the region’s best conservation reserves, Swainsona Conservation Reserve. Meet at the entrance to the reserve off Felltimber Creek Rd (more detail on registration site).
What to expect: We will be walking on a natural, unpaved and possibly wet surface. For a sneak preview of what we might expect, see our 2021 Bush Park Explorers video feature on Swainsona Reserve.
What to bring: Please wear covered shoes – ideally waterproof – and dress for the weather.
Registration prior to the event is essential for communication, safety and insurance purposes. REGISTER HERE

Chiltern/Mt Pilot National Park
2022-10-22 09:00 - 16:00
With Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists club Inc. Outing to be held on Saturday 22nd October. Meet 9am at Acacia Car Park, Wodonga. Travel in convoy and/or car pooling to Chiltern/Mt Pilot National Park. BYO refreshments and chair for the day. Contact leader Neil 0428 235 964

Border Bushwalking Club - Mount Buffalo Chalet to Mackeys Lookout
2022-10-22 07:00 - 17:00
The plan is to park at the Chalet carpark and commence the walk from there. We will follow the Big Walk Walking track from the Mount Buffalo Chalet down to Mackey’s lookout for lunch. Our descent from the Mount Buffalo Chalet at 1342 elevation to Mackeys Lookout at 920 m elevation will take in some of the best bits of the Big Walk.
Along the way, we can take time to visit the Reeds lookout. This walk is approximately 10 kms return.
On our return a look around the Chalet and the Gorge lookout is worthwhile. Bring a cuppa and snacks to enjoy outside, plus don’t forget extra warm clothing to wear after the walk.
Part of the walk (especially after Mackey’s Lookout) is across sloping granite. Good boots are required to prevent slipping. Some of the lookouts have huge drops, but they are fenced. The track and weather conditions on the day may result in a change to the planned walk.

Grade 2 Easy-Medium
Leader: Cindy Pickering
Phone: 0410425335
Co-leader: David
Participant numbers:8
Final booking date: Wednesday 19/10/2022
Key risks and hazards: uneven and slippery surfaces, cold/wet/windy conditions, or exposure to sun that may result in sunburn.
For more information and updates about BBC activities, check www.borderbushwalkingclub.com.au
