The Work of the Friends of Bald Hill Reserve

The Friends Group works to actively manage the Reserve through an integrated approach with the Shire. 

Projects and activities with and without shire involvement include: 

1.     Conduct or facilitate on-ground activities with the Shire such as:

  • The installation of nest boxes and remote cameras for ongoing fauna monitoring,

  • Guided Spotlight Walks led by the Environmental Unit from the Macedon Ranges Shire,

  • Frog, bird, plant surveys,

  • Installation of signage – this includes naming the Reserve at every entrance and to create interpretative signage at these entrances.

  • Create a network of clearly marked Walking Trails with interpretative signage, and develop a brochure to include maps and information.

  • Continued work with shire on Weed Removal

  • Monitor, identify and manage threats that may arise.

2.     Increase community awareness and interest in the reserve’s ecological, geological and cultural significance through:

  • Newsletters and Update and Coming Events flyers,

  • Special speakers and presentations- Wildflowers, Reptiles and Creepy Crawlies, Geology, Fungi, Sounds of the Night, Plant ID including the variety of eucalyptus trees, Early Cultural history, and the later history of the involvement of the Australian Department of Defence,

  • Local print and digital media including the MRSC Environmental e-news and the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network (UCLN) e-news

  • Ongoing flora and fauna monitoring including threatened species- Dianella amoena-(Matted Flax Lily) Glycine latrobeana (Clover glycine), Brush-tailed Phascogale, Bibron’s Toadlet, Powerful owl, Desmodium varians (Slender tick trefoil). Findings are recorded on the VBA. This is done through photographic records kept, installation of remote cameras, guided day and night walks with FoBHR members and the public, and general sightings.

  • Maintaining an informative website,

  • An information brochure is being developed,

  • Working bees on our Revegetation Project involving the Friends group and students from Sacred Heart College and Kyneton Secondary College.

  • Collaborative Environmental Science and Outdoor Education projects between Kyneton Secondary College and Sacred Heart College and the Friends of Bald Hill Reserve to provide opportunities for students to conduct Fieldwork including installing nest boxes and remote cameras to monitor the fauna in the reserve and carry out plant field studies.

3.      Access grants to fund the projects that support our plans.

4.     Organise social activities with members and friends, and to have fun!