The Friends of Aranda Bushland (FoAB) is a park care group interested in conserving and promoting their natural bushland environment, and adjoining bushland areas.
The Aranda Bushland is a 100 ha reserve of eucalypt forest and woodland on the southern slopes of Aranda Hill, the north side being the suburb Aranda. It adjoins Black Mountain Reserve to the east and The Pinnacle Nature Reserve to the west, and forms part of Canberra Nature Park, a network of urban open space reserves throughout the national capital.
You can view and download a detailed map and a brochure of the Aranda Bushland.
Ian Falconer leading a walk through the Aranda bushland
We have been active in the conservation of the Aranda Snow Gums Heritage Site, a frost-hollow below the Aranda Bushland, adjacent to William Hovell Drive, the only surviving Snow Gum patch within the city of Canberra.
Snowgums lost through accidental spray drift from spraying briars have been replaced with seedlings grown from local seed by local schools. FoAB members also undertake regular erosion control, weed control and monitoring activities.
Membership of the Friends of Aranda Bushland is open to anyone interested in conservation of our local bushland. Our constitution can be read here.
Monthly work parties
On the third Sunday of every month we have a work party, either in the Snow Gums or in the Aranda bushland. Activities vary according to the time of year.
Morning tea under the snow gums
In spring and summer our energies are concentrated on weeding – St John’s Wort, Paterson’s Curse, wild mustard, African Capeweed and others need to be controlled so that the native grassland species have the space to grow.
A typical morning tea
In autumn we switch to planting of native grasses and similar low-growing species. Winter is the time for repairing the walking tracks and controlling erosion in the gully.
Our next work party
Third Sunday of every month – Everyone welcome!
Tools are supplied
When: Sunday 21st July, 9am start.
Where: Joint workparty with Friends of Mt Painter, meet just inside the reserve at the end of the lane between 20 and 22, Booth Crescent, Cook.
Activities: We will be assisting in checking the success of plantings on Mt Painter (some of which we helped plant two years ago) and relocating plant covers, which are no longer needed, for re-use on new plantings. It will be great to participate in this joint activity, and to see the progress on Mt Painter.
Morning tea as usual at 10.30.
Wear: Warm clothing, boots and gloves, last time snow squalls were coming across!
Next work parties: Sunday 18th August, working on hawthorns etc on the Rural Lease, 15th September weed control in the Snow Gums area.
Contact: Ian Falconer (Convenor) at or 6251 1345 or email
Coming event
Friends of the Aranda Bushland – Forum on the Future
When: Sunday June 23rd 2-5pm
Where: Southern Cross Club, Catchpole St., Jamison
The Friends of the Aranda Bushland have now completed 20 years of active parkcare, and in that time achieved a great deal. We have successfully managed on-ground improvements in weed and erosion control, we have a website with substantial educational material, an interpretive walk and ‘Our Patch’, a published flora for the ACT photographed in the Aranda Bushland.
Now we have the opportunity to look forward, to envisage desirable futures, and look towards strategies to achieve them. We can propose and evaluate alternative routes to the desired futures, and clarify the actions needed to achieve them. Michael Mulvaney from Red Hill Regenerators will set the scene, and our Committee and others contribute ideas to the forum. All people interested in Aranda Bushland and the future of Canberra Nature Parks are invited.
RSVP to Ian Falconer (Convenor) at or 6251 1345
Our Patch
Friends of Aranda Bushland Field Guide to the Flora of the Australian Capital Region as photographed in the Aranda Bushland (2nd ed, 2007). The guide contains 179 plant species, 302 colour photos, two maps and an index. It was put together by FoAB members with the help of the Botanical Gardens Herbarium staff and a grant from the Federal government. It’s a perfect size for carrying in pockets and backpacks, and provides an easy-to-use- aid to identifying the flora of the Aranda Bushland.
Our Patch is available from FoAB, but can also be obtained at the Botanical Bookshop, the Uni Co-op Bookshop and the Yarralumla Nursery.
Acknowledgement
We thank BluePackets for their generosity in hosting this web site.
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