Month: March 2015

Heysen Trail through Wirrabara Forest to Re-Open

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Wirrabara Forest views - Heysen Trail through Wirrabara Forest to ReopenThe Heysen Trail will soon be restored to its original alignment through Wirrabara Forest.

A temporary 44km re-route has taken the Trail around the forest since the devastating January 2014 Bangor Bushfire.

We are currently undertaking re-marking works. Extensive trail signs and infrastructure in the 41km section were damaged or lost. We will publish advice when the trail is re-opened to hikers. In the meantime hikers will need to continue to use the 44km re-route. Re-marking of the original alignment will include removing signs pointing to the temporary re-route.

UPDATE July 2015: The trail through Wirrabara Forest has been restored, with two minor re-routes.

Public Talk: Fire – the Effect of Climate Change on the Flora and Fauna of the Mt Lofty Ranges

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Public Talk - Fire - the Effect of Climate Change on the Flora and Fauna of the Mt Lofty Ranges 728

Royal Geographical Society of SA logoThursday 19th March 2015, 5.30pm
Goodman Lecture Theatre, Hackney Road
Presented by the Royal Geographical Society of SA

Mr Allan Holmes will present a discussion on the issue of fire vs natural amenity of the Mt Lofty Ranges. Allan will draw on his experience as Director of SA National Parks and Chief Executive of the Department of Environment. Allan will provide an insight into the role that government can play in dealing. He is also keen to views from the floor.

The Mount Lofty Ranges form a picturesque backdrop to the city of Adelaide and a valuable environmental buffer. The rugged landscape has ensured that significant areas have remained as verdant forest and bushland.

That this region lies so close to urban centres poses major challenges in land use management. Along with the usual competition for open space, there is also ongoing debate regarding the retention and management of bush land to provide amenity, while also providing a safe environment for residents and visitors.

The use of fire as a management tool is often cited as a necessary part of this program. Regular controlled fires are seen to be a naturally occurring management tool, designed to reduce the accumulation of large amounts of combustible material.

Historic images of Morialta exhibition

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2015 will be 100 years since Morialta was declared a National Pleasure Resort on 15 July 1915.

The Friends of Black Hill and Morialta Inc with support from Natural Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges are to deliver a number of public events in 2015 to celebrate the centenary of Morialta Conservation Park.

The Friends of the Heysen Trail have sponsored two images. All images are available through an online silent auction, open until November, and any proceeds we receive will go towards our work on the Heysen Trail.

Exhibition Schedule

Coventry Library, Stirling 3 – 13 March 2015
Cleland Wildlife Park 15 – 31 March 2015
The Summit Community Centre, Norton Summit 2 – 30 April 2015
Campbelltown Library 2 – 29 May 2015
Burnside Civic Centre Atrium 3 – 26 June 2015
Gumeracha Library 30 June – 30 July 2015
Tea Tree Gully Library 2 – 28 August 2015
The Long Gallery, St Peters Town Hall Complex 1 – 16 September 2015
The Long Gallery, St Peters Town Hall Complex 22 – 30 September 2015
Cleland Wildlife Park 2 – 31 October 2015
Read more at fobhm.org
Historic image of Morialta Exhibition 2015

5 Ordinary People hiking the Heysen Trail

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5 Ordinary People hiking the Heysen Trail

A family’s 56-day trek

A family of five, including Eli, 12, Emily, 10, and Noah, 9, will skip Term 2 of school in favour of hiking the Heysen Trail.

There’s so much more to life than just maths and English that kids miss out on, if parents don’t invest time in them.

Along with their parents Luke and Erina, they will be a world away from the classroom routine when they undertake a mission to cover 1,151km on foot over 56 days.
Their trek begins at the northern trailhead at Parachilna Gorge, trekking south through the Flinders Ranges and Adelaide Hills to Cape Jervis.

It’s all part of Erina’s plan to give her children an educational experience of a different kind.

“We want to teach our children the life lessons that, when you’re caught up in the nine to five regime, you just don’t have the time to do,” she says. “There’s so much more to life than just maths and English that kids miss out on, if parents don’t invest time in them.”

Follow @5OrdinaryPeople on Facebook.

Read More at SAkids.com.au