This farm is now retired and has recently been set aside for conservation purposes. Our planting festival is part of a project that aims to re-establish the open grassy woodlands that would have once extended across the 550-hectare property. This will augment the revegetation undertaken as part of the 30+ year old Monarto Woodland plantings, which are now home to many of the Mount Lofty Ranges’ declining bird species. On the day there will be an opportunity to install a number of nest boxes to bring back hollow-nesting birds and mammals; an interim measure until the trees we plant develop their own hollows decades down the track.

Bio·R is also involved with a long-term bird study run by researchers from The University of Adelaide that uses capture-and-release techniques to tag birds and understand their movements, breeding activity and longevity, providing important information for their management and conservation.These bird banding activities will be happening during the Planting Festival, and everyone will have the opportunity to participate and learn more about this research, and get to know our woodland birds up close and personal.

Families are welcome, and morning tea, lunch and snacks will be provided. Be sure to bring some sun, rain or wind protection (depending on the weather, perhaps all three!), and if you have them, some gloves, rubber boots and a trowel for planting. It will be a great opportunity to learn about our local natural history, meet like-minded people, and get involved in some positive environmental action that will directly benefit our wildlife.

So join us for what promises to be a great day of planting, birding, education and fun!

When: Sunday 19th June 2016

Time: 10am – 2pm (approx)

Place: Frahn’s Farm, Monarto (Meet at the gate off Wattle Road near the water pipeline, Lot 184 Wattle Road, -35.068823 139.089449, 2.5km North of the junction of Frahns Farm Road, Browns Road and Hartmann Road)

RSVP: By 10 June to Hayley Merigot

Email: hayley.merigot@adelaide.edu.au

Morning tea, lunch and snacks provided, so please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements

Things to bring:

  • sun / rain protection and warm clothes
  • gloves for planting
  • rubber boots, trowel
  • water bottle