Join the LVFNC for an exciting talk by Royal Botanic Gardens researcher and Horticulture Team Leader Russell Larke who will discuss his work on the Avon Peppermint, Eucalyptus ornans, a species of mallee that is currently listed as critically endangered. It is only known to grow in a single population near the Avon River. John Topp, one of our members has assisted the Royal Botanic Gardens in locating specimens. Contact the club for more details and a zoom link. Image: © Vik Dunis, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)

For this month’s presentation our speaker will be Dr Jacinta Humphrey presenting via zoom on Urban bird habitats and behaviours. Jacinta has her PhD with the Research Centre for Future Landscapes at La Trobe University. Her research focuses on the impacts of urban development on the birds that share our suburbs. Jacinta is passionate about creating and maintaining habitat for wildlife in our cities, and hopes that her work will contribute to a greener, more biodiverse future.

At January and July meetings, club members have the opportunity to share their experiences of natural history in short presentations. This will be followed by the monthly meeting.

Thomas Mesaglio PhD student at the University of New South Wales School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Science, will be speaking via Zoom. Thomas’ presentation will explore the exponential growth of iNaturalist over the last ten years, with a particular focus on the platform in Australia. He’ll highlight the platform’s strengths and weaknesses, delve into the many fields that are now utilising iNaturalist data in real-world research, conservation and monitoring, and discuss how to improve the quality of your own observations and maximise the usefulness of the data you collect. He’s extremely passionate about citizen science, especially the biodiversity citizen science platform iNaturalist, where he is a curator and forum moderator. He’s also a great proponent of BioBlitzes, and has organised, co-organised, participated in, and led surveys for a range of events, including the City Nature Challenge, Great Southern BioBlitz, Big Bushfire BioBlitzes, and a Desert Discovery expedition. His main interests include urban ecology, Australian plants, beachcombing, invertebrates, and taxonomy. The presentation will be followed by the monthly meeting.

Mitch Smith, President of Sale and District Field Naturalists Club will talk about the impact of prescribed burns on biodiversity and habitat. ONLY ON ZOOM Contact club for details.

Erin Walser is a young member of the club. As part of her Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management course, at Gippsland TAFE, Erin analysed koala data collected over many years by the Friends of Morwell National Park. She will speak about this project and what the results tell us about koala numbers in the park. Erin has volunteered with the Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter for almost ten years now, and this association inspired her to select koalas as the subject of her research project.

Emily Crick is also a young member of the club. Emily is studying for a Bachelor of Science at Federation University, majoring in Ecology and Microbiology. She compared insect species found in Edward Hunter Reserve with the species found in her treeless, grass-only backyard in Moe. Emily will speak about her survey and the data collected, and how she was surprised by some of the results.

What’s the go with E-flows? How environmental water is managed for West Gippsland’s Rivers - Take a look at the ways that the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority plan and manage Environmental Flows. Environmental Water Officer, Adrian Clements will talk about the research and monitoring that goes into his work to make the most of these flows for the benefit of aquatic flora and fauna. (Photo: WGCMA)

After the monthly meeting, several club members will share their experiences of natural history in short presentations. Marja Bouman - Flora of Kalbarri, Western Australia; Phil Rayment - SEANA Autumn 2023 Camp at Port Campbell - emphasis on coastal geology; David Stickney - Birds of Japan; Jay Duncan - 10 years of Lyrebird counts, Cape Liptrap; Julie Murray - Beetles and Ants

Simone Louwhoff will give a talk about lichens with a focus on habitat disturbance, and the possible use of lichens as indicators of remnant bush integrity. Simone will also lead the excursion on the Saturday. The presentation will be followed by our monthly meeting. Photo: Flavoparmelia rutidota by Ken Harris

Tania Ireton is back with a presentation about the birds of Australia’s Northwest Islands. Tania will be presenting on zoom and you can watch from home or come to the Moe Library. This will be followed by our monthly meeting. (Photo: Tania Ireton)

Bruce Quin, Senior Ornithologist at DELWP and Eliza Lamb, environmental coordinator for the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater Inc., will give a online presentation about the recovery work done in Victoria for the critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeater. Image credit: FOHH

Matt Campbell, one of our members has had a love for reptiles since a young age. He will share his knowledge and pictures during this talk, which will be followed by our Annual General Meeting and monthly meeting.

Dr Mary Cole is a noted academic and the director and principal scientist of Agpath with a mission to support farmers in enhancing soil health and achieving a more sustainable future. She holds a PhD in plant pathology from Monash University and has taught at Charles Sturt, Monash and Melbourne Universities.

At January and July meetings, club members have the opportunity to share their experiences of natural history in short presentations.

We will watch a webinar by Dr Megan Halcroft about the identification of pollinating insects followed by discussion and monthly meeting. The meeting can be attended via Zoom or in person at the Moe Library.

Microbats – Fascinating Creatures of the Night - Presentation by Dr Lindy Lumsden, followed by the monthly meeting.

This will be a zoom presentation which you can attend from home, or Moe Library meeting rooms. Lindy will describe intriguing, little known aspects of their natural history, the innovative approaches used to study these nocturnal animals, their habitat requirements, and what you can do to help protect them.

If you wish to see or attend this presentation please register through our website.

Tania Ireton will give a talk about the Coastal Birds of Bayside. This will be followed by the monthly meeting.

Mitch Smith will give a presentation about the amazing Peacock Spiders.
Maratus Volans is captured beautifully in this image by Max Campbell.

Photo: © Matt Campbell

At January and July meetings, club members have the opportunity to share their experiences of natural history in short presentations. Please contact the secretary if you are interested in presenting.

Alex Maisey will give a presentation about Lyrebirds. This will be followed by the monthly general meeting. Presentation and meeting will be facilitated via Zoom. Contact the secretary if you haven’t received a link for the Zoom session.