End of year beckons. A few happenings to keep the spirits alive and well.
GEHA general meeting – Thurs 20 December 7.30 at 42 Finniss St. Short meeting with some near end of year food and drinks. Main topics probably community input into the draft NRM plan which takes a fair bit of digesting, walking trails and thinking about Greening Gawler.
GEHA “new year” social gathering. Saturday 29 December at Geoff New’s Bibaringa hideout – Somerton Road. BBQ etc – starting around 4. Bring food, drinks and friends
Plant identification opportunity
GEHA is coordinating a plant survey of some areas of native vegetation in the Barossa hills east of Lyndoch during the Xmas New Year week. Rosemary Taplin, well known botanist, will be leading the work which will be a good opportunity to learn about plants of the area. The date is entirely uncertain as we will be selecting a coolish day when the weather forecasts are available. So if you are interested let us know (including times when you aren’t free if you wish) and then we will let people know with a couple of days notice. The activity will be half a day or more depending on everyone’s energy levels. Numbers will be limited and we will need 4WD vehicles for access.
Roseworthy/Freeling rail corridor
The discovery of the remnant grasslands in this corridor has sparked some rapid action. GEHA has submitted a grant application last week to prepare a management plan for the area and discussions are occurring with the rail company about looking after this important area. Plant surveys in the 3 main areas have identified some 86 species of native plants to date with many specialist grassland species. A visit on site with one of the main people lined up to prepare management plan will occur during the Xmas New Year week. If interested get in touch.
Gawler Para Alliance
The end of year catch up for environment groups featured Pat Wake speaking about NRM courses and job opportunities, Chris Hall talking about Barossa Bushgardens vision and volunteer organisation, Glenn Christie relating experiences as a contractor/consultant and predicting big opportunities arising from Kyoto/carbon offset schemes and Brian Pledger relating his experiences as a retrained environment worker with work in the Aboriginal employment program CDEP and Urban Forest and the NRM Board. Plenty of food for thought, swapping of experience between attendees and a bit of consumption as well.
