ABC News Canberra included a feature story on the Festival of the Forests in its evening broadcast on Sunday 20/03/2011.
An accompanying article and the original story may be viewed on the ABC website.
News
News from the STEP garden
New garden for National Arboretum
Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope, today commemorated the official opening of Stage 2 of the Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park (STEP) garden at the National Arboretum by planting the first understorey species at the site.
“STEP has a vision, an applaudable vision, to create a community-based regional botanic garden, education and ecosystem recovery centre specifically for Canberra and the surrounding Southern Tablelands,” Mr Stanhope said.
“This project aims to enhance the quality and availability of practical and scientific knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the ecosystems and species of the Southern Tablelands.
STEP Raffle Prize Winners
The STEP Raffle Winners were drawn out of a hat at the STEP exhibit by Ann Duncan, National Arboretum Board member.
The draw was witnessed by Tony Lawson, Andrew Russell and Cathy Robertson.
- First Prize: won by James Overall, Campbell. The prize is: Eucalypts by Murray Fagg and John Wrigley.
- Second prize: won by Jens Svennson, STEP Committee member. The prize is $50.00 worth of southern tablelands tube stock from Seeds and Plants Australia.
- Third Prize: Anthony Widderspoon, Isaacs. The prize is a copy of Grassland Flora by Eddy, Mallieson, Rehwinkel and Sharp.
Arrangements have been made for all prizes have been delivered to their owners.
First Understorey Planting at STEP Site
Southern Tablelands Ecosystem Park at Block 100 in the National Arboretum Canberra invites you to the official opening of the Festival of the Forests by the Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope.
Bjarne K Dahl Grant awarded to STEP
David Shorthouse and Max Bourke were successful in December 2010 with their application for a grant from the Bjarne K Dahl Trust. Our successful STEP project is called: Know your Eucalypts (Southern Tablelands of the ACT/NSW). STEP Inc has been awarded a grant of $7,500.00 for this project.
WANTED – STEP SECRETARY 2011
STEP is looking for a new Secretary to help support the work of the organisation.
Duties are to attend meetings of the Committee, keep the records for the Association and enjoy participating in and organising the best parts of our STEP activities. New blood is needed on our committee. So please don’t be shy. Come along on Monday 7 March at 5.30 pm to the Conservation Council building in Childers Street.
Welcome to the new member of STEP Committee
Welcome to Mr Jens Svensson. Jens joined the STEP committee at the 2010 AGM.
The committee members who were elected at the STEP AGM held on 4 December 2010 are: Cathy Robertson (President), David Shorthouse (Vice President) Treasurer/ Membership Officer and Public Officer: Andy Russell. The STEP committee members who were elected are: Tony Lawson, Warren Saunders and Jens Svensson.
Report on the Park Care in the Molonglo Valley
STEP has released the Report on the Park Care in the Molonglo Valley held on 28 August 2010.
Feedback on the report and any suggestions or projects that you have developed since the workshop would be most welcome.
Various ways to get the terrain mapping for the northern end of the central Molonglo Valley are being contemplated. If you are interested in participating in /contributing to this please send me an email.
November 2010 Newsletter
The November 2010 Newsletter is available for download.
Grant awarded to STEP: Growing Our Natural and Cultural Capital
The Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, Mr Simon Corbell offered a 2010 – 2011 ACT Environment Grant of $16,058 for our nominated project: Growing Our Natural and Cultural Capital – Stage 2 of the Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park.
He has congratulated STEP on its success and commended our commitment to addressing environmental issues in the ACT.
Thanks to all our partners who supported the STEP Grant Application.
A copy of the grant application can be viewed here.