Hello ACF Darebin and Banyule! We have an exciting opportunity to have a guided walk through Toolangi forest on Sunday the 19th June with Hayley Forster, President of WOTCH (wildlife of the central highlands)
An invitation to get out of the city and breathe some fresh forest air in the beauty and diversity of the Toolangi State Forest in Taungurung and Wurundjeri country. Just 1h15min out of Melbourne, the Toolangi State Forest is home to rich ecosystems, amazing biodiversity and to threatened and endangered animals including the Greater Glider and the Leadbeater's Possum.
We will meet at 9.00am at SPAN community houe and then car pool our way to the Forest (or you are welcome to join us at the forest if more comfortable/convenient). We'll make a pit stop at the Kangaroo Ground Memorial Tower (in Eltham War Memorial Park) to appreciate the lay of the land and how our mountain forests are an essential part of Melbourne's water catchment (and use the facilities). Next we'll meet our guide (Hayley Forster, President of Wildlife of the Central Highlands - TBC) at Wirrawilla Walk for an easy, short (500m) walk through cool temperate rainforest at the headwaters of Silvia Creek.
We'll then drive a short distance to Tanglefoot Picnic Ground but, time and conditions permitting, we'll stop by first at a logged 'coupe' to view from the road. BYO lunch for the picnic ground, hot tea, cake and biscuits provided. Photo opportunity! After lunch we will walk as far as abilities, time and weather permit. This section of the walking track is flanked by recently released coupes - i.e. they could be logged in the near future. We'll hear more about the efforts of WOTCH and other groups through fauna surveys and legal actions.
Aim to leave around 3.30pm for return to Melbourne.
In making this walk possible, thanks go to @Newlands Friends of the Forest - a vibrant independent community group in Melbourne’s north which works solely to protect our precious Victorian state native forests for all.
What to bring: dress for snow and rain and sunshine! Walking shoes, warm hat. Lunch, water, keep cup for tea.
To make this a Covid-safe event, participants need to be fully vaccinated (unless exempted).
We hope you can join us for a day of learning, exploration and the benefits of being in the bush.
Jude
On behalf of the Darebin/Banyule leadership team