Come to an Event
Attendees welcomed to our events in 2023 to date ... and counting on you 🙂
Hours contributed to conservation at Yellingbo in 2023 so far. Will you join us?
Events
Get involved in the fight against habitat loss. Contribute to our shared understanding of Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area. Our citizen science mornings are timed for, and reflect on, the six seasons of the Middle Yarra Timelines calendar of the Wurrundjeri. Our Seeds & Weeds Days prioritise the current needs of our nursery and Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area. All events are about connecting with like-minded people, and sharing.
Come to one or more of our current and upcoming events and be part of the solution.
To get early-bird news, from as little as $10 you may like to sign up as a Friends member HERE and tick the ‘I’d like to be advised about volunteering opportunities‘ box.
All on-ground events at Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area are subject to change.
See below for current COVID-19 requirements of all participants, and our cancellation policy in the event of severe weather.
Our event coordinators look forward to your understanding, co-operation and support. We’re excited to be inviting you to our events!
Middle Yarra Timelines calendar of the Wurrundjeri
Citizen science morning – Bird, Platypus and Frog surveys
Co-led by: Sue, Ron and Rachel
“I enjoy the camaraderie of people who join our outings in a natural bushland environment where there is always something new to discover and learn.” Ron
You don’t need to be able to identify birds or other fauna in order to participate. All eyes and ears contribute! We use Birdata for our bird surveys, Frog ID for frog surveys and iNaturalist for other species. Learn or share identification skills whilst enjoying a walk with good company!
We survey in different areas of Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area at each session. Our gently paced walk will be approx 5-6 km on mostly flat, but uneven tracks. We may encounter short, uphill sections or sections on larger rock that’s a little unstable under your feet.
NB there are rarely facilities at the sites we survey (eg there are no toilets, seats etc). Our time is spent in the bush.
For further details and to register, click on the date link below (you will be redirected to our registration page on Eventbrite).
These events are capped at 12-15 people, bookings essential. Registrations close 24 hours prior to an event.
- Transition from Early to True spring* | register for Wednesday 27/09/23 | 9.00am – 12.30pm [PLACES FULL. School holiday event]
- True spring* | register for Wednesday 25/10/23 | 8.00am – 12 noon [PLACES FULL. Waitlist applies]
- True spring* | register for Wednesday 15/11/23 | 8.00am – 1.00pm [limited places remaining]
- High summer* | register for Wednesday 13/12/23 | 8.00am – 1.00pm [limited places remaining]
- Keep watching for further dates… many of us stay on for a while for BYO everything lunch.
See below for current COVID-19 requirements of all participants, and our cancellation policy in the event of severe weather.
*1 of 6 seasons in the Middle Yarra Timelines Calendar of the Wurundjeri
High summer bird survey in the Reserve. Image: S.Tardif
Eastern Shrike-tit, Falcunculus frontatus. NB. previously known as Crested Shrike-tit
Seeds & Weeds Day
Event co-ordinator: Rich
No experience is required. Work and learn alongside the regular group members. Tasks vary, according to the season and the priorities for our nursery and in Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area. Seed collection is currently a core activity, with opportunistic weeding along the way. Rich will provide information about what to expect on the day, where to meet and what to bring.
To be put in touch with Rich for further details, please email Sue: friendsvolunteer1989@gmail.com
Upcoming dates:
- Sunday 08/10/23 | 9.15am – 4.00pm
- Sunday 12/11/23 | 9.15am – 4.00pm
- Sunday 10/12/23 | 9.15am – 4.00pm
- keep watching for future dates… an earlier finish time can be arranged with Rich. Please just let him know so he can best plan the day. Most people stay on for a BYO late lunch around 2pm and then resume in the afternoon.
NB. We encourage all volunteers to be fully vaccinated and stay home if unwell. Please bring a face mask (we may need to car-pool 4WDs) and hand sanitiser.
Could this be you, lending a hand in the Reserve? Image: S.Tardif
Citizen science morning – Flora, insect & fungi survey
Co-led by: Sue and Rachel
“I thoroughly enjoyed our day and it was great to be active in removing a small patch of Spanish Heath. I think that day had a bit of everything for me. I sure learnt a lot as well as having heaps of fun!” Noni
Would you like to learn more about plants, insects and fungi, or have some knowledge to share? If you can take a photo on your phone, you can contribute! Download the iNaturalist app before you come, and sign-up. With a few simple tips, we’ll have you identifying species in no time.
At times we’ll pull out some weeds, every one removed makes a difference. Our gently paced walk will be up to 5km on mostly flat, but uneven tracks.
NB there are rarely facilities at the sites we survey (eg there are no toilets, seats etc). Our time is spent in the bush.
For further details and to register, click on the date link below (you will be redirected to our registration page on Eventbrite).
These events are capped at 12-15 people, bookings essential. Registrations close 24 hours prior to an event.
- True spring* | register for Wednesday 18/10/23 | 9.30am – 1.00pm [limited places remaining]
- True spring* | register for Wednesday 01/11/23 | 9.30am – 1.00pm
- Transition from True spring to High summer* | register for Wednesday 06/12/23 | 9.30am – 1.00pm
- Keep watching for upcoming dates… many of us stay on for a while for BYO everything lunch.
See below for current COVID-19 requirements of all participants.
* 1 of 6 seasons in the Middle Yarra Timelines Calendar of the Wurundjeri
** access issues makes this event site unsuitable for 0-4 year olds
*** NB later finish time. We will carpool to this site. The event is not suitable for children where families don’t have an AWD (high clearance) or 4WD
High summer flora survey in the Reserve. Image A.Gregorovich
FoHH iNaturalist project – species survey results (19 Aug 2023)
Youth events
October: Twilight Frog survey
November: Twilight Frog survey with David de Angelis
December: End-of-year social
Youth Reference Group (YRG) convenor: Amy
NB. Due to the sensitive nature of the conservation area, this is an invitation ONLY event – for regular participants in our citizen science & Youth events
“The feeling of being out, exploring and learning in the field again. Alongside the joy of knowing it’s just the beginning of a new journey of discovery at Yellingbo!” Zali
Our youth events are part social, part science, part environmental volunteering. They welcome any person aged 18-31. Events focus on providing meaningful volunteer opportunities for people who may be new to the sector, or curious about what it involves, to build social connections and transferrable skills.
Learn from experienced FoHH staff, and each other, as we contribute to:
- current conservation priorities within Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area
- a longitudinal study on a frog only recently confirmed in YNCA, but doesn’t belong, the Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog Litoria fallax.
For further details and to register, click on the date link below (you will be redirected to our registration page on Eventbrite).
Places are limited, bookings essential. Registrations close 24 hours prior to an event.
- Twilight frog survey | Friday 20/10/23. This event is running concurrently with the Citizen Science – Twilight Walk. NB. Invitation ONLY event.
- Twilight frog survey with David de Angelis | Friday 10/11/23. This is a combined event with the Citizen Science program participants. NB. Invitation ONLY event.
- End-of-year social event | December (date and time TBA)
- Keep watching for upcoming dates…
Our program of activities leaves space for evolution. Find out more about our Youth Reference Group HERE. If you are aged 18-31, you too can contribute to the current and future plans of the YRG. You’d be warmly welcomed.
See below for current COVID-19, Influenza, cold and flu requirements of all participants.
*1 of 6 seasons in the Middle Yarra Timelines Calendar of the Wurundjeri
Members of the Youth Reference Group
Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog, Litoria fallax. Image: B.Tardif
Citizen Science Twilight events.
October: Twilight Walk – night sights and sounds of Yellingbo NCA
November: Twilight Frog survey with David de Angelis
Led by: Sue
NB. Due to the sensitive nature of the conservation area, this is an invitation ONLY event – for regular participants in our citizen science & Youth events
Some species are most active after dark. With a torch and a sense of adventure, we’ll learn how to look for, and record, nocturnal species. We welcome families with children aged 5 years or older.
Our events are purposeful. With no prior experience required, you’ll be contributing important information to what’s known about the Conservation Area.
Join in our Twilight citizen science events. Our three objectives are to:
- learn from each other about the species we may expect to hear and see in Yellingbo at night
- use best practices for observing fauna species at night to limit our disturbance on them, whilst gaining knowledge and skills that you can use elsewhere, or perhaps even help us teach others in future events
- record the nocturnal fauna species present in Yellingbo NCA.
Download the iNaturalist app before you come, and sign-up. With a few simple tips, we’ll have you identifying species in no time.
For further details and to register, click on the date link below (you will be redirected to our registration page on Eventbrite).
This event is capped at 15 people, bookings essential. Registrations close 24 hours prior to an event.
- Friday 20/10/23. Two events, running concurrently. Twilight survey and Youth Twilight frog survey. NB. Invitation ONLY event
- Friday 10/11/23. This is a combined event with the Citizen Science Program and Youth Reference Group. NB. Invitation ONLY event
- Keep watching for further dates…
See below for current COVID-19 requirements of all participants.
* 1 of 6 seasons in the Middle Yarra Timelines Calendar of the Wurundjeri
** this event is unsuitable for 0-4 year olds
Erica recording the species data on our Twilight Walk. Image S.Tardif
Zali, James, Amy and Issy at a Youth Twilight Frog survey in YNCA. Image S.Tardif
Kids & Conservation morning
Co-led by: Sue and Eliza
We’re excited to announce this new program. It aims to provide opportunities for families with pre-teen children (0-12 year olds) to build strong connections with like-minded people and the natural world. Come and enjoy an adventure in the natural environment at Yellingbo through nature play, conservation activities and sharing stories together. Events will actively include parents/grandparents/aunts/
We’ll pay attention to the changes each season brings, have some fun, share in what we discover and contribute to conserving the natural world. Children, adults and the wildlife will enjoy and benefit from it well into the future.
Our Kids & Conservation mornings are based at what we call ‘the depot’. It has toilets and a large, yet basic, indoor space, but we’ll be spending our time outdoors! Dress for the weather.
For further details and to register, click on the date link below (you will be redirected to our registration page on Eventbrite).
These events are capped at 25 people, however where a family group takes us over that maximum we will open up more places. Bookings essential. Registrations close 24 hours prior to an event.
- Keep watching for future dates…
At the session close (12 noon), you are welcome to stay on for a while for BYO lunch. We’ll provide tea/coffee/cold drink/seasonal fruit.
See above for current COVID-19 requirements of all participants.
*1 of 6 seasons in the Middle Yarra Timelines Calendar of the Wurundjeri
You’re never too young to join in! Image S.Tardif
Watching the creek flow at a Kids & Conservation morning. Image: E. Lamb
Symposium webinar and Art Exhibition launch
Celebrating 50 years of Victoria’s endemic faunal emblems being proclaimed.
On 16 October 2021 we hosted our FREE Symposium webinar, where we shared the challenges and successes of threatened species conservation as it relates to our Victorian faunal emblems.
Available for you to view 24/7: re-visit whenever you’d like 🙂
On our radar.
Keep watching for details, or take advantage of the early-bird notice Members receive, from just $10 p/a. Members are our life-blood. You can join up HERE
- Summer: Platypus surveys resume, alongside our Citizen science bird & frog surveys. Winter is the peak time for platypus sightings in SE Australia, however young emerge from the burrows in summer.
- Apr, Aug, Oct, Nov: The peak months for frog surveys. If we miss other months, we don’t miss these!
- April-August: Our Citizen science flora, frog & reptile surveys extend to fungi. This is peak fungi survey season.
- June-August: Platypus surveys resume, alongside our Citizen science bird & frog surveys. Winter is the peak time for platypus sightings.
- August-October: Platypus breed between Aug-Sept, laying 2-3 eggs around Sept-Oct.
Extreme weather cancellation policy | COVID-19 requirements
ALL Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area (YNCA) events are automatically cancelled on days of severe or extreme weather, including Total Fire Ban days, thunderstorms or expected wind GUSTS exceeding 50 kmh. Please don’t assume you will be contacted. Please CHECK the YARRA GLEN weather before leaving home. NOTE that Melbourne’s forecast is quite different. If there’s a yellow ‘View the current warnings for Victoria’ link, click on that too.
We recommend: DOWNLOAD the VicEmergency app and register.
COVID-19, cold or flu requirements. To join in on the fun you’ll need to be prepared to follow current health advice, as well as guidelines on hygiene and social distancing. To help keep our volunteers, community and staff well, we encourage all participants at our events to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We ask, please stay home if you are at all unwell, or showing symptoms of COVID, colds and flu eg sore throat, runny nose, cough, fever etc. These requirements are relevant to everyone – volunteers, staff and visitors alike. For details about our policies, head HERE.
NB. event co-ordinators reserve the right to cancel or postpone events for reasons other than those listed above. Where possible, pre-registered participants will receive a text/ phone call/ email if we cancel an event. Note, this can occur early on the morning of the event.
Keep coming back…
New events are routinely added, and all events can be subject to change due to extreme weather events or changes in COVID-19 restrictions. We thank you for your support. Keep watching.