First Friends of Dandenong Creek | Community organisation

First Friends of Dandenong Creek

Phone: +61 417 125 677

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• Environmental conservation organisation

25.01.2022 Have you seen this highly invasive water weed? Don’t buy, sell or give it away! Salvinia is a floating fern that can quickly form dense mats and completely cove...r the water surface, impacting native flora and fauna and reducing water quality. What do you do if you see Salvinia? Call us on 136 186 or email us at [email protected] If you have Salvinia growing on your property, please do not attempt to treat or dispose of this weed yourself. We will treat, remove and dispose of Salvinia safely, at no cost to you. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au//state-prohibited-/salvinia

25.01.2022 Along with other environment groups weve written to UNESCO urging them to oppose the Morrison governments weakening of Australias nature laws. Weakening en...vironment protections would send a shocking message that one of the wealthiest nations cant manage to safeguard its 20 world heritage sites. - Nicola Rivers, Co-CEO. See more

25.01.2022 And that's a wrap With 132 supporters contributing to the wetland ecologist's crowd funding, you have not only met the original target figure of $5456, but pushed the combined pledges on Pozible to a whopping $7,384; along with KES's direct contribution, the combined pool is now $8,384. This will allow the combined alliance of groups to request a third report to be created for the Lake Knox site. The wetland ecologist's report funded through Pozible is underway, and we ...look forward to their report in the next couple of weeks. With sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone who helped, whether by retelling this saga for friends, contacting your local Councillor or MP, sharing or pledging to this campaign. https://www.pozible.com/pr/save-lake-knox-wetland-ecologist KES Knox Environment Society Greening Knox Upper FTGully Foothills Society Friends of Lake Knox Sanctuary Friends of Merri Creek Friends of Blind Creek Billabong Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve Friends of Glenfern Valley Bushlands

24.01.2022 Obtained under Freedom of Information by community members, this aerial view shows the level of contamination across the Development Victoria site, and was commissioned by Places Victoria (Development Victoria's previous name). During their recent community consultation process, this information has never been highlighted by Development Victoria. The only area that isn't contaminated is within and around Lake Knox!... Questions naturally must be raised as to why Development Victoria saw fit to withhold this information from the community. * What risks does it pose to local residents and the Fairhills High School if the soil is disturbed and dust is naturally created? * Can Development Victoria prove that their will be no longer term health effects from disturbance of the soil and ingestion of dust by the community if work starts onsite? * Are 'Hot Spots' of soil contamination likely to exist? * To what degree is the soil contaminated, especially towards the Burwood Highway end? We would encourage community members to contact their local elected representatives to raise concerns directly with them. For more information on the Save Lake Knox campaign: https://www.kes.org.au/home/campaigns/lakeknox The Age ABC Melbourne Friends of Lake Knox Sanctuary KES Knox Environment Society Greening Knox Source: Environmental Site Assessment, 621 BURWOOD HIGHWAY, KNOXFIELD, VICTORIA. Date: February 2016. Author: WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, Level 15, 28 Freshwater Place, Southbank VIC 3006

24.01.2022 Thank you Nick Wakeling MP for raising Lake Knox in Parliament this week, and calling on the State Government to halt Development Victoria’s plans, after citizen scientists observed Blue-billed ducks exhibiting breeding behavior onsite recently Mayor Lisa Cooper - Knox City Council Deputy Mayor Cr Susan Laukens Friberg Ward Knox City Council Re-elect Nicole Seymour - Tirhatuan Ward, Knox City Council Jude Dwight - Councillor for Chandler Ward Marcia Timmers-Leitch - Councillor Collier Ward Knox City Council Yvonne Allred - Councillor for Baird Ward Cr Meagan Baker - Dobson Ward for Knox City Council Sorina Grasso - Councillor for Dinsdale Ward, Knox City Council Robert Williams - Community Advocate for Knox KES Knox Environment Society Greening Knox Friends of Lake Knox Sanctuary Upper FTGully Foothills Society

24.01.2022 With seemingly no end in sight to the continuing groundswell of support for the Knox community and the Lake Knox campaign, we are thrilled to announce that the Jane Goodall Institute here in Australia has supplied the following letter of support With a special shout out to local teenager, Hunter Long, who has been fighting to save Lake Knox after being inspired since meeting Jane Goodall a few years ago, and has been an inspiration to the local community. Jane Goodall Insti...tute Australia ABC Melbourne The Age KES Knox Environment Society Friends of Merri Creek Friends of Lake Knox Sanctuary Upper FTGully Foothills Society Greening Knox Rod Barton MP Andy Meddick MP Nick Wakeling MP Ellen Sandell MP Friends of Blind Creek Billabong Friends of Glenfern Valley Bushlands Environmental Justice Australia Environment Victoria Melbourne Water Australian Animal Protection Society Australian Wildlife Protection Council PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) Yarra Riverkeeper Association Werribee River Association Werribee Riverkeeper EcoCentre Wildlife Victoria See more

23.01.2022 Celebrating Biodiversity Month we give you the "The Golden Moth Orchid", Diuris chryseopsis. Known to exist in 3 locations only in Knox, and 10 locations across Melbourne (recorded by Flora of Melbourne at no more than ten sites, excluding very old records).

22.01.2022 Summer time at Dandenong Creek in Doongalla Forest

22.01.2022 Trip Advisor ranks Lake Knox as one of the BEST attractions in Knoxfield https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g11955861-Activi

21.01.2022 BREAKING: VicForests is taking us back to court to appeal the landmark Federal Court win for Friends of Leadbeaters Possum Inc. We cant let them undo this his...toric win for threatened possum protection. The appeal will have national implications for threatened wildlife across the country so we need your help to defend the forests once more! Donate to fight VicForests appeal. See more

20.01.2022 Commonly called the "Wax-lip Orchid", Glossodia major, out in flower in Wantirna.

20.01.2022 According to Wagner, many insect populations are dropping about 1-2% per year. You're losing 10-20% of your animals over a single decade and that is just absolutely frightening. You're tearing apart the tapestry of life." ....human stressors that experts have tied to bug declines include agricultural practices; chemical, light, and sound pollution; invasive species; land-use changes; nitrification; pesticides; and urbanization. https://www.commondreams.org//nature-under-siege-scientist

20.01.2022 Following some sunshine today, the "Blue Stars", Chamaescilla corymbosa, are flowering at present.

20.01.2022 Ever encountered unusual feathers on your travels and wondered what they were?

19.01.2022 BREAKING: Environment Victoria is now weighing in on the Lake Knox campaign with this amazing letter of support "Specifically on Lake Knox, we are concerned that Development Victoria’s proposal will mean effective or functional loss of the well-established aquatic ecosystem. An independently commissioned report, written by Professor Paul Boon, looked into Development Victoria’s proposal for creating a new wetland and has found: There are serious concerns with the likeli...hood with which suitable high-quality replacement habitat can be replicated in the new lake/wetland complex There are few empirical or theoretical grounds in the peer-reviewed scientific literature to support such an optimistic position about rapid wetland evolution The central assumption in the development proposal, that it is possible to 'offset' biodiversity and ecological losses by creating new wetland areas in lieu of those lost to development, is without strong empirical support. We suggest that Development Victoria should revise its plans so as to enable Lake Knox to be retained in its current state. If they have genuine concerns about the integrity of the dam wall, we encourage them to undertake any works necessary to fix the wall and allow the existing wetland to continue supporting important biodiversity values." KES Knox Environment Society Greening Knox Jane Goodall Institute Australia Wildlife Victoria Friends of Lake Knox Sanctuary Yarra Riverkeeper Association Werribee River Association Werribee Riverkeeper Australian Wildlife Protection Council Australian Animal Protection Society Friends of Blind Creek Billabong Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) EcoCentre

19.01.2022 Were very sad to hear this Its quite likely this was one of the Powerful Owls spotted along the corridor in the last few years. Please support Boobook Wildlife Shelter as they do an amazing job for our wildlife

19.01.2022 A brilliant way to create safe nesting habitat for turtles with a floating island Friends of Lake Knox Sanctuary Friends of Merri Creek Greening Knox KES Knox Environment Society

19.01.2022 An investigation by some of Australias top water scientists reveals the most expensive environmental program in our history is delivering much less water than expected. More than 2 trillion litres of water enough to fill Sydney Harbour four and a half times has gone missing from our largest and most precious river system the Murray-Darling Basin. https://www.abc.net.au//the-mystery-of-the-murra/12612166

18.01.2022 We would encourage you to make a submission to the State Government committee in relation to Lake Knox. It might be a good idea to point out that their own agencies (Development Victoria) are fighting with the community over the proposed filling in of Lake Knox. The submission doesnt have to be long, and for some background information on the Save Lake Knox campaign go to https://www.kes.org.au/home/campaigns/lakeknox

18.01.2022 A project being run by the City of Melbourne and the University of Melbourne is looking at just that. All the woodchips that once blanketed a sloping, shady, River-Red-Gum-strewn site in Parkville have been cleared and an experiment is under way. https://www.theage.com.au//an-experiment-is-underway-to-cr

18.01.2022 It’s the little things Doing a late season planting and you come across Brown Tree frogs in the tubestock

16.01.2022 World leaders should declare states of "climate emergency" in their countries to spur action to avoid catastrophic global warming, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has told a climate summit. Mr Guterres asks: "Can anybody still deny that we are facing a dramatic emergency?" G20 countries are spending 50 per cent more in their rescue packages on sectors linked to fossil fuel production than low-carbon energy... https://www.abc.net.au//un-tells-world-leaders-t/12978646

16.01.2022 In memory of Harper, who would have been 12 today, please pickup some rubbish today when out for a walk. If you dont know of his legacy please see the video. Harper and his father lost their lives last year on Mt Dandenong Harper's Army

15.01.2022 What does everyone think about extending the cat curfew in Knox? Thoughts?

15.01.2022 And again! More human waste dumping at Marie Wallace Park in Bayswater! Environment Protection Authority Victoria Sorina Grasso - Councillor for Dinsdale Ward, Knox City Council

15.01.2022 Yam Daisy (Murnong) Revealed! (Microseris walteri) was an important and staple food plant for Wurundjeri people until about the 1840’s (until sheep systematic...ally grazed them out in Victoria) As a mostly rare plant in the wild now, it is easy to grow in pots and the edible tubers are rarely seen by most, although can sometimes be found on the menu at high end restaurants and speciality bush tucker restaurants!

15.01.2022 The "Grass Trigger Plant" (Stylidium graminifolium) is out in flower at present. "They are known as "trigger plants" because of the unique, irritable flower column which is triggered by insect visitors. The trigger remains cocked until an insect probes the flower and then springs upwards and deposits pollen on the head or back of the insect which then transfers the pollen to another flower" Source: Australian Native Plant Society

15.01.2022 A scientific panel has recommended that the Platypuse be listed as vulnerable in Victoria! Not even Australia's most iconic animals are being properly protected... from the destruction and degradation of our natural world. We need stronger laws to protect nature, and an independent authority to actually ENFORCE them. See more

14.01.2022 A special shout out to Nigel and the team at Croydon Camera House for loaning (free of charge) a lens used to photograph the birds at Lake Knox recently. The team were AMAZING, and so incredibly supportive of the Lake Knox campaign. If you are after a last minute gift, please drop in and support these guys at either the Croydon or Ringwood stores (Ringwood Camera House). Here's are some photo's recently taken by Joshua Tomlinson at Lake Knox The lens used was a super-telephoto Sigma 150-600mm sport and is available for hire. For more information on Lake Knox: https://www.kes.org.au/home/campaigns/lakeknox

14.01.2022 All indigenous and out in flower in our Reserves at present

14.01.2022 A big congrats to Tulio Lotti, for winning the Open Category for the Lake Knox photo competition

14.01.2022 And thats a wrap With 132 supporters contributing to the wetland ecologists crowd funding, you have not only met the original target figure of $5456, but pushed the combined pledges on Pozible to a whopping $7,384; along with KESs direct contribution, the combined pool is now $8,384. This will allow the combined alliance of groups to request a third report to be created for the Lake Knox site. The wetland ecologists report funded through Pozible is underway, and we ...look forward to their report in the next couple of weeks. With sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone who helped, whether by retelling this saga for friends, contacting your local Councillor or MP, sharing or pledging to this campaign. https://www.pozible.com/pr/save-lake-knox-wetland-ecologist KES Knox Environment Society Greening Knox Upper FTGully Foothills Society Friends of Lake Knox Sanctuary Friends of Merri Creek Friends of Blind Creek Billabong Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve Friends of Glenfern Valley Bushlands

14.01.2022 A wonderful example of what we can do when we re-embrace nature in our urban context https://www.theguardian.com//undraining-the-swamp-how-rewi

14.01.2022 Whats the point of consultation with the community if the decision has already been made.....

13.01.2022 WE did it With four days to spare, we have reached our crowd funding goal in aid of Lake Knox Over 100 people have pledged On behalf of First Friends of Dandenong Creek, Knox Environment Society, Friends of Lake Knox Sanctuary and everyone else who has supported, shared and pledged to this campaign, THANK YOU We are blown away by the amazing support and generosity of everyone who has supported the campaign to allow us to engage a wetland ecologist. https://www.pozib...le.com/pr/save-lake-knox-wetland-ecologist KES Knox Environment Society Friends of Lake Knox Sanctuary Greening Knox Friends of Blind Creek Billabong Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve Upper FTGully Foothills Society

13.01.2022 This is a fantastic initiative Think of all the countless spaces we have in our urban areas where this type of program could be rolled out. So many positives outcomes

13.01.2022 The Australian philanthropists spending big and fast to fight catastrophic climate change

12.01.2022 Thank you to Nick Wakeling MP for putting together this video and to Richard Faragher from the Knox Environment Society for explaining the 'consultation' process offered by Development Victoria to the community. It's been a sham so far. The petition and feedback is available here https://www.nickwakeling.com.au/lakeknox/ Please let the State Government know what you think

12.01.2022 Nalini and the team at Boobook Wildlife Shelter do an amazing job looking after our injured wildlife

11.01.2022 Another indigenous plant flowering at present is the "Black-anther Flax-lily", Dianella revoluta var. revoluta.

11.01.2022 Wonderful to see the same technology we're using is now being trialed by the EPA along 10km of Merlyston Creek FFDC was the first community group in Australia to trial the technology. Well done Dave Sharley and Steve Marshall from Bio2labs. https://www.theage.com.au//epa-trials-new-technology-to-ca

10.01.2022 We've recently established a YouTube channel for our videos, and will be putting more up shortly. If you would like to have a look they are available through the link below With thanks to Hannah Skipworth for making this happen and doing a wonderful job editing the videos too ... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEc8el3NdRNqhJcXNxe-HqA

10.01.2022 A stunning photo of a Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo in Heathmont, perched in what looks to be a Grevillea robusta ‘Silky Oak’, by Nalini This is the adult male bird. Thanks for sharing Nalini Nalini Scarfe

10.01.2022 Wonderful to see Endangered Blue-Billed ducks photographed in many of these images

10.01.2022 Congratulations to Zahara Xu for winning the U16 Lake Knox photo competition category with this stunning photo KES will be announcing the winners progressively this week

09.01.2022 The following formal request was made to Development Victoria yesterday (9/11/2020) on behalf of First Friends of Dandenong Creek, Knox Environment Society and Friends of Lake Knox Sanctuary, based on citizen scientists observations of Blue-billed Duck breeding behaviour at Lake Knox. "Given this is indicative of Blue-billed Ducks breeding behaviour, we request the following of Development Victoria: 1. As the incumbent owner, all on site works are to cease.... 2. We request that DELWP investigate this matter urgently." Members of the community have established an iNaturalist project to track observations of the fauna at Lake Knox, found here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/wildlife-of-lake-knox Campaign details are available here: https://www.kes.org.au/home/campaigns/lakeknox KES Knox Environment Society Friends of Lake Knox Sanctuary

09.01.2022 As spotted by Leigh earlier today, a large carp is swimming around one of our turtles (most likely an Eastern long-necked turtle - Chelodina longicollis) Credit: Leigh Robinson

09.01.2022 We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Jude Dwight, our Vice President in her upcoming Council election campaign in Knox. Jude has been an instrumental driving force within FFDC for a number of years now, and has come up with many initiatives for the community and our environment. This includes the real-time pollution monitoring program, fieldwork to save endangered skinks in the area, and has single-handedly planted (along with her family) many 1000s of plants along the creek corridor over the years. Jude is a passionate member of the group, and an excellent leader. Please wish Jude good luck, and like Judes page here Jude Dwight Please note, during the campaign period, Jude has taken leave from FFDC.

08.01.2022 Lake Knox (sound on)

07.01.2022 Please be mindful that the shared paths may be used by other locals too If you see any snakes in your travels along the creek corridor, give them a wide berth and leave them alone. The one pictured is a lowland copperhead

07.01.2022 Wonderful photos of some local residents Thanks for sharing Rog Roger Nicoll

07.01.2022 Wonderful photo's of some local residents Thanks for sharing Rog Roger Nicoll

05.01.2022 Thank you to Ellen Sandell, State MP for Melbourne, and Environment Spokesperson for the Victorian Greens, for this letter of support "As Professor Paul Boon said in his review of Development Victoria’s proposal, the chances are slim that the ecosystem-offsetting approach inherent in the development proposal for Lake Knox will rapidly provide a suitable replacement for existing high-value aquatic habitat. Indeed offsetting has a long and sad history of justifying development in ecologically sensitive habitat, while failing to follow through on successfully providing adequate alternate habitat. Ellen Sandell MP KES Knox Environment Society Friends of Blind Creek Billabong Friends of Lake Knox Sanctuary Friends of Merri Creek

05.01.2022 A VERY generous offer from the Knox Environment Society KES are going to make a special contribution to the campaign for the last 24hours, and match donations received $1 for $1 from 8pm tonight (Friday) to 8pm Saturday 5th (which is when the crowd funding ends on Pozible). KES have allocated $1000 towards this. Please note: Once the $1000 worth of pledges are received though, anything above this figure will not be matched by KES. Thank you KES Knox Environment Society

05.01.2022 Anthony Bigelow, our President, was recently interviewed about what it is that we do. With thanks to Remember The Wild for editing the video, and to Living Links for funding it

05.01.2022 A wonderful photo by Marg Edwards who has taken out the Community Connection photo in the KES photo competition It’s worth noting that the Blue ribbons started after a little 6yo girl tied up her hair ribbon on the fence at Lake Knox for the Blue-billed Ducks

05.01.2022 Who else has noticed the mural pressed into the concrete underneath the Wantirna Rd bridge? We think we can spot an echidna, rakali, platypus and eel, which most likely would have been still in the area roughly around the same time the bridge was constructed in the early 1970s. Does anyone know the story of how this mural came to be?

04.01.2022 An investigation by some of Australia's top water scientists reveals the most expensive environmental program in our history is delivering much less water than expected. More than 2 trillion litres of water enough to fill Sydney Harbour four and a half times has gone missing from our largest and most precious river system the Murray-Darling Basin. https://www.abc.net.au//the-mystery-of-the-murra/12612166

03.01.2022 This Lowland Copperhead was enjoying the recent warm weather. Spotted recently along the creek corridor, keep an eye out when moving along the shared paths. Thanks for sharing Francisca. Francisca Witteveen

02.01.2022 After two centuries, a wetland returns after the efforts of a dedicated team A truly inspirational story Well done Nature Glenelg Trust and everyone connected with this project https://www.abc.net.au//walker-swamp-blue-gum-pla/13110128

01.01.2022 Keep an eye out for the Dwarf Rice Flower, Pimelea Humilis, in flower along the corridor at present

01.01.2022 We're very sad to hear this It's quite likely this was one of the Powerful Owls spotted along the corridor in the last few years. Please support Boobook Wildlife Shelter as they do an amazing job for our wildlife

01.01.2022 "Wetland bird populations across eastern Australia have failed to respond to drought-breaking rains, as reservoirs and farm dams absorbed the bulk of of water flows." "All that rain that we had on the Great Dividing Range, some of it's runoff, but it’s been largely captured by the large dams and not got into the river systems" said Richard Kingsford, head of the university's Centre for Ecosystem Science. https://www.theage.com.au//drought-breaking-rains-not-enou

01.01.2022 A very timely reminder thanks Jude

01.01.2022 2020 Annual General Meeting: The new Committee for 2020/21 was elected at the FFDC Annual General Meeting on Thursday 10 September. We have 12 Committee members comprising: President: Anthony Bigelow ... Vice President: Jude Dwight Secretary: Hannah Skipworth Treasurer: Chris Macfarlane Membership Secretary: Lex Edmond General Committee: Charlie Miller Robert Lee Bill Jones Matt McCabe Bruna Iotti John Cull Jesse Oehm We congratulate Jude Dwight on being elected Vice President. We welcome back John Cull, and thank Georgie Christopher for her contribution to the committee. We especially wish to thank Charlie Miller for his excellent service as Vice President. Please note, as Jude has declared her candidacy for the Knox Council elections, Jude will be taking leave from the Vice Presidents role until after the election.

01.01.2022 Still time to enter the KES photo competition Prizes to be won