Field Nats

CANCELLED: Excursion – Saturday March 15th, 2025, 1.30pm, “Forest Creek Restoration by Castlemaine Landcare Group”

Unfortunately, due to the high temperatures forecast for Saturday, we have decided to postpone our walk along Forest Creek with Christine to 12th April 2025. However, members and visitors are reminded of our AGM and Monthly Meeting as detailed in our previous update. Friday 14th March, 2025, 7.30 pm, Uniting Church Fellowship Room, Lyttleton St […]

CANCELLED: Excursion – Saturday March 15th, 2025, 1.30pm, “Forest Creek Restoration by Castlemaine Landcare Group” Read More »

Leader: Christine Kilmartin (President, Castlemaine Landcare Group)

Excursion – Saturday March 15th 2025,1.30pm, “Forest Creek Restoration by Castlemaine Landcare Group”

Following Christine’s talk the previous evening, she will take us for a walk along the Great Dividing Trail path beside Forest Creek (now named Leanganook Track) to see first-hand the remarkable transformation of a broom- and gorse-infested valley to a productive native riparian strip following over 20 years of work by CLG and supporting agencies. 

Excursion – Saturday March 15th 2025,1.30pm, “Forest Creek Restoration by Castlemaine Landcare Group” Read More »

Leader: Christine Kilmartin (President, Castlemaine Landcare Group)

Monthly Meeting:  Friday 14th February, 7.30pm, Uniting Church Fellowship Room, Lyttleton St.

The word “Pollinators” immediately conjures up images of honeybees in the mind of most people, however this presentation takes you beyond the honeybees with an up-close look at our native pollinators. Australia has 2000 species of native bee, but what about the impact of the flies, beetles, butterflies and moths. Let’s not forget the birds

Monthly Meeting:  Friday 14th February, 7.30pm, Uniting Church Fellowship Room, Lyttleton St. Read More »

Speaker: John Walter (Malmsbury Landcare), “Our native pollinators – beyond the honeybees”

“We remember Richard Piesse”, Saturday 15th February, 3pm. Tea Rooms, Castlemaine Botanical Gardens

In place of our usual club excursion, we will join with staff and volunteers from the Visitor Information Centre to jointly host an informal gathering to remember Richard Piesse, who died on 28th December, 2024.  Richard was a long-term active member of CFNC and loyal volunteer with the Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre.  He knew our

“We remember Richard Piesse”, Saturday 15th February, 3pm. Tea Rooms, Castlemaine Botanical Gardens Read More »

Champion Castlemaine Naturalist and Volunteer

Monthly Meeting:  Friday 13th December, 7.30 pm, Uniting Church Fellowship Room, Lyttleton St

This is your chance for you to share a highlight of your nature observations from the year. Did you see some interesting wildlife behaviour? A new reptile for your property? What interests you will interest us! You can show photos, a power-point presentation, a video, a sound recording, or you can tell us a story

Monthly Meeting:  Friday 13th December, 7.30 pm, Uniting Church Fellowship Room, Lyttleton St Read More »

Members Night!

End of year Picnic: Tuesday 17th December, 5pm onwards

Meet on the lawn at the northern end of the Botanical Gardens to relax and enjoy good company in a beautiful setting. Peter Turner will update us on the activities of the CBG Powerful Owl family. BYO-everything (including chairs and insect repellent) Park in Downes Rd near the corner with Froomes Rd and enter by

End of year Picnic: Tuesday 17th December, 5pm onwards Read More »

Castlemaine Botanical Gardens

Monthly Meeting:  Friday 8th November, 7.30pm, Uniting Church Chapel, Lyttleton St.

Some recent ecological restoration projects in Hepburn Shire have demonstrated the value of ‘assisted natural regeneration’ and the benefits of leaving time to observe and work with a site’s natural resilience. A butterfly, the Bright-eyed Brown (Heteronympha cordace ssp. cordace) is emerging as a local flagship for this approach to restoration. Its story also interweaves

Monthly Meeting:  Friday 8th November, 7.30pm, Uniting Church Chapel, Lyttleton St. Read More »

Speaker: Brian Bainbridge (Biodiversity Officer, Hepburn Shire Council), “Habitat restoration for the Bright-eyed Brown”.

Excursion – Saturday 9th November, 1.00pm. “Trentham area – Habitat restoration for the Bright-eyed Brown”

What are the habitat features that aid survival of the rare Bright-eyed Brown Butterfly? Brian will take us on a walking tour to inspect some sites around Trentham where habitat restoration has been carried out to support this special butterfly. We will then drive to Lyonville and follow the Domino trail east for about 700m

Excursion – Saturday 9th November, 1.00pm. “Trentham area – Habitat restoration for the Bright-eyed Brown” Read More »

Leader: Brian Bainbridge (Biodiversity Officer, Hepburn Shire Council)