The East Gippsland forests will again be the venue for the 20th Forests
Forever Camp this Easter. Expert botanists and ecologists will lead walks
and tours around some of the best old growth and rainforests that the
Errinundra Plateau and surrounds has to offer.
Held in East Gippsland since 1982, the camp is the annual fundraiser for
local environment group, Concerned Residents of East Gippsland (CROEG),
which lobbies for the protection of East Gippsland's unique forests and
raises awareness about the threats facing them. CROEG also publishes the
entertaining and revealing newsletter, Potoroo, complete with Jill
Redwood's famous cartoons.
CAMPING ON THE BRODRIBB RIVER
The camp will be in the small farming settlement of Goongerah, 70 km north
of Orbost, between the Errinundra and Snowy River National Parks. A
pleasant camp site on the Brodribb River, amongst the peppermints and manna
gums, will cater for the 100 or more people expected to attend. Solar
power, a large marquee, information tent, firewood and bush toilets will be
provided by the group.
BRAIN-OVERLOAD WALKS WITH DAVID CAMERON
Expert ecologists will lead tours and explain all about this fascinating
area. Well-known personality, David Cameron, who brings boundless
enthusiasm and knowledge of East Gippsland's plants, rainforests and
history, will lead brain-overload walks. He will also bring his famous
rainforest slide show to explain every fascinating aspect of a rainforest's
workings. This solar powered show will be presented under the marquee with
Yellow-bellied Gliders calling from the trees above.
MATING HABITS OF ARBOREAL MAMMALS REVEALED
Walks will also be led by long-time East Gippsland resident and botanist,
Dr Kevin Thiele, who has discovered plants previously unknown to the
region. His knowledge spans far wider than flora - he can identify a Gahnia
sedge butterfly at 100 paces and will tell you of the fascinating mating
habits of arboreal mammals as he leads spotlight prowls. He often finds
possums and gliders; Powerful and Sooty Owls are a little more challenging,
but you never know?
EFFECTS OF FOREST MANAGEMENT ON BIODIVERSITY
Jill Redwood is the CROEG coordinator and the other walk raconteur. She
will explain the region's environmental and European history and the
effects of decades of logging and forest management on the area's ecology
and biodiversity.
THREATENED SPECIES SURVEYS
Surveys will be conducted for the endangered Spot-tailed Quoll, the
Long-footed Potoroo as well as Powerful and Barking Owls. Searches will
also be conducted to find East Gippsland's largest tree, now that the
famous Touchwood Tree, a Messmate Stringybark with a massive 15.2m girth,
has fallen. Rumour has it that a tree on Brown Mountain may be the new elder.
$40/$30 conc. for four days or $15 a day.
For more information or to book, call Liz AH 03 9315 3333, Jill 03 5154
0145, email or go to http://home.vicnet.net.au/~croeg/
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