September 2023 Biodiversity Month Special Edition
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September 2023 - Biodiversity Month Special Edition
September is Biodiversity Month, and Casey are running some fantastic activities. We hope you will be able to join in with some of these fun and informative activities and events with your family and friends!
Casey is fortunate to be home to a significant range of indigenous flora and fauna species including species of regional, national and international significance.
Casey has an abundance of high value natural areas, significant habitats and biodiverse hotspot areas across the municipality. From the foothill forests in the north down to the coastal habitats in the south. These areas are home to a rich variety of flora, fauna and habitats and provide opportunities for the Casey community to connect with nature. The biodiversity significant hotspots include areas of international significance (RAMSAR wetlands) and are home to endangered and vulnerable species.
If you would like to know more about National Biodiversity Month visit the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water website.
We hope you enjoy the first month of Spring and there's no better way to do that than discovering what fantastic and beautiful biodiversity Casey has on offer.
Join the Green Living in Casey Facebook group for even more tips, activities and ideas.
KEY DATES FOR BIODIVERSITY
Friday 1 September - National Wattle Day
Thursday 7 September - National Threatened Species Day
Tuesday 12 September - National Bilby Day
Tuesday 26 September - World Rivers Day
COUNCILS BIODIVERSITY ENHANCEMENT STRATEGY
Council recognises the social, economic and environmental benefits of biodiversity, and is committed to providing a sustainable and healthy natural environment.
The Biodiversity Strategy guides the planning, protection, engagement and restoration of biodiversity for the benefit of current and future generations.
FAUNA AND FLORA SPOTLIGHT – Everlasting Daisies
With their papery golden yellow flowers both the Golden Everlasting (Xerochrysum bracteatum) and Sticky Everlasting (Xerochrysum viscosum) (image left) can be a great addition to your garden and make wonderful rockery plants.
There are annual and perennial varieties, and they will deliver a long-lasting pop of colour to your garden while providing a valuable source of nectar for our native pollinators. There are other colour varieties like the white variety pictured below.
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ENVIRONMENTAL VOLUNTEERING
Are you a passionate gardener with an interest in attracting native fauna to your garden and showing others how to do the same?
Why not become a volunteer with our Casey Gardens for Wildlife program and help others create gardens full of biodiversity. Find out more about the program and becoming a volunteer here.
FiGs - Friends in the Garden
Meeting on the first and third Tuesday of the month under the guidance of the horticulture staff the volunteers help ‘beautify and detail’ the Australian Garden environment at the Cranbourne Botanic Gardens. If you would like to find out more about joining this group please visit their page.
SIGNIFICANT TREES
The Victorian Tree of the Year - Nominations closing soon!
The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) are seeking nominations for the Victorian tree of the Year.
The National Trust of Australia is the state’s leading advocate for the protection of trees. Over 20,000 trees across the state have been classified and listed on the National Trust Significant Tree Register since 1982. City of Casey have eight trees listed on this Database.
Find out more and nominate your favourite CASEY listed tree. Just type ‘Casey’ into the Municipality and select ‘Tree’ for the File Type on the National Trust Database.
Nominations close Tuesday 29 August
For more information on significant trees in Casey visit the website
WHAT'S ON
During September 2023 City of Casey is celebrating Biodiversity Month by partnering with other south-east Melbourne councils to hold the Biodiversity Blitz 2023! We're asking you to make records of native plants and animals in iNaturalist to help us understand Casey's biodiversity. You'll be contributing to community science and showing the world the amazing biodiversity Casey has to offer!
Friday 1 September – Saturday 30 September
Community members, volunteers and council staff will share their stories of being a citizen scientist. You'll learn how and why they use iNaturalist, typical or unusual observations they've made, if they concentrate on certain species and where they like to explore.
Online event
Tuesday 29 August 7.00pm – 8.00pm
iNaturalist Community Champions Webinar
How to use iNaturalist
Never heard of iNaturalist? Watch this short video for an introduction and learn how to use the app.
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National Threatened Species DayNational Threatened Species Day aims to help prevent further extinction through raising awareness around the plants and animals that are in decline. To celebrate the event, join us for a walk and talk and a close-up encounter with the threatened Flying Foxes found at the Myuna Farm wetlands. Thursday 7 September 5.00pm – 7.00pm Myuna Farm Wetlands, Floriana Avenue, Doveton |
Tracks and scats – animals in your backyardWhat signs do animals leave behind that tell us they have been there? Learn how you can become a wildlife detective. From footprints, droppings and other signs discover and investigate some obvious and not so obvious signs left by our local wildlife that tell us who has visited or is living in our parks and backyards. Thursday 14 September 4.00pm – 5.00pm Connected Librarys Bunjil branch, Patrick NE Drive, Narre Warren |
Bandicoot Habitat and Working bee and BBQ
Join the Settlers Run Golf and Country Club to plant and build bungalows for the Southern Brown Bandicoot!
Sunday 10 September 10.00am - 4.00pm Settlers Run Golf and Country Club, 1 Settlers Run, Botanic Ridge
Doveton Show
Come and enjoy the fun and festivities of the Doveton Show. Be sure to drop in and visit the Sustainability and Environment Display for free activities and information.
Sunday 17 September 10.00am – 4.00pm Myuna Farm, 182 Kidds Road, Doveton
What’s all the Buzz about? School Holiday Program
Come and learn all about our important native insect pollinators and how to create your own pollinator friendly garden at home. Make an insect hotel to take home and put up in your garden.
Please bring along a clean 400g tin can for creating your own insect hotel. All other materials will be provided.
Suitable for primary school-aged children.
Wildflower and bushwalks
Spring is a great time to get out and see wildflowers. Join Casey’s bushland team for guided walks through Casey’s bushland reserves and experience the colours of spring this September.
Tuesday 19 September 2.00pm – 3.00pm Colley Street Bushland Reserve, Colley Street, Pearcedale
Thursday 28 September 1.00pm – 2.00pm Brookland Greens Bushland Reserve, Cherryhills Drive & Galway Place, Cranbourne
Habitat…increasing biodiversity in your backyard
AB Bishop will be giving a talk on how you can create habitat and encourage native wildlife to move into your very own yard.
Image below: Eva Kowal, bottom center: Knox G4W
Thursday 28 September 7.00pm – 8.30pm Cranbourne West Community Hub, 4 Flicka Blvd, Cranbourne West
Fun Fabulous Frogs! School Holiday Program
‘Crick crick crick’, ‘Tock’, ‘bonk bonk bonk’, ‘plock’. Learn about some of the frogs that call City of Casey home and how they are important for our environment, hop along to this fun and informative workshop. Find out what frogs to look out for and what they sound like, learn about ways that we can ensure frogs hop around long into the future.
Image: Lani Gardiner
Wednesday 27 September 10.30am – 11.30pm Lynbrook Community Centre, 2 Harris St, Lynbrook
Big Bandicoot Backyard
See the world as a Bandicoot does, as you join in craft and science activities to uncover the wonderful world of our native marsupials.
Image right: Ricardo Simao
Friday 22 September – Sunday 24 September 10.00am - 2.00pm each day Cranbourne Botanic Gardens - Ian Potter Lakeside Precinct, Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne
Australian Plants Sale
Hosted by the Australian Plants Society, Cardinia Region Inc.
Saturday 2 September 9.00am to 3.00pm Akoonah Park Berwick, Cnr Cardinia Street and Princes Highway, Berwick
CONTRIBUTIONS
Do you have any environmental news, stories or events to share?
Contact us via email or through the Green Living in Casey Facebook group.
We proudly acknowledge the traditional owners, Casey’s Aboriginal communities and their rich culture and pay respect to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s first peoples and as the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work and live.
