Our Environment Events & Activities   May - June 2012 Bookings are essential for all activities. All events are free unless otherwise noted. Some events listed are being run by other Councils and all booking contact numbers are supplied below. Events & Activities are updated throughout the year so check back here regularly for new information. Unless otherwise specified, please contact the Bushland Interpretation Officer either via telephone (02) 9911 3579 or email bushinterp@lanecove.nsw.gov.au for more information about upcoming events and activities. For more information about aboriginal cultural and educational events in the North Sydney area please visit the Aboriginal Heritage Office website: www.aboriginaheritage.org   MAY Evening Presentation - Native Bees and our Bushland May 17th, 6:30pm Cove Room Lane Cove Council Chambers RSVP by 16th May Bookings to Lane Cove Council on 9911 3583 or click here to book online Healthy and sustainable populations of native flowering plants require healthy populations of their pollinators. What do we know about Australia's 1600 bee species and their habits that can help us maintain such populations? Sydney alone, is home to over 300 species, some of which exhibit remarkable adaptations for visiting flowers. By examining which flowers they visit, when they are active and where they build their nests, we can begin to consider how this important component of our bushland can be looked after. Aboriginal Sites Guided Tour Saturday 26 May, 8am – 1pm RSVP by 23 May   BOOKED OUT Bookings to Lane Cove Council 99113583 or North Sydney Council 9936 8258 Join an Archaeologist and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Officer from the Northern Sydney Aboriginal Heritage Office(www.aboriginalheritage.org). Discover the middens, rock art, and native bush foods of West Head (Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park). Mini-bus (limited places) and morning tea provided. North Sydney & Lane Cove Council residents will be given preference. Bring suitable walking shoes, hat and water. Entry fee for National Park required.   The Birds and the Bees of Bushcare Thursday 31 May, 6.30pm - 8.30pm Lane Cove Civic Centre RSVP by 25 May Bookings to Lane Cove Council 9911 3579 or email Lane Cove Bushcare A wildlife seminar for Lane Cove Bushcare volunteers to help you identify habitat elements, gain knowledge on specific fauna requirements and discover practical steps on how to ensure your Bushcare site is “fauna friendly". Move beyond the "plant focus" to appreciate how you can manage your Bushcare site for the benefit of native wildlife too.   JUNE The Kingdom of Fungi: Biology, Biodiversity and Conservation Saturday 2 June, 10am – 1.30pm RSVP by 30 May Bookings to Lane Cove Council 99113583 or click here to book online Lane Cove Bushland Park is home to a fascinating array of fungi, some with medicinal and anti-tumour properties. Others can produce diseases in plants and even humans! Discover more about local fungi species and their interactions with other plants and animals through a fascinating slideshow and bushwalk with experts Elma & Dr Ray Kearney. Evening Presentation - Sharing Spaces: how to create a bird-friendly garden June 14th, 6:30pm Cove Room Lane Cove Council Chambers RSVP by 13th June Bookings to Lane Cove Council on 9911 3583 or click here to book online In recent years both scientists and the general public have noticed that small birds seem to be disappearing from our backyards. At the same time, other larger, more aggressive species such as the Noisy Miner are becoming a common sight. With the urban environment replacing large amounts of native vegetation, there is a need to understand the urban bird community so we can maximise biodiversity within it. Bird expert Dr Holly Parsons from Birds Australia will give a presentation on the types of birds you might come across in your backyard and how you can maximise your garden to be bird friendly. Winter Wildflower Walk Saturday 23rd June, 8am -1pm RSVP by 15th June Bookings to North Sydney Council on 9936 8100 Did you know that some native plants bloom during winter? Join North Sydney Councils Bushland Officers on a winter wildflower excursion. More activities are happening in our Nursery and Eco Garden! Click here to find out more.   Page updated on 15th May 2012   Get involved in Bushcare Bushwalks in Lane Cove Sustainability tips Backyard Habitat Program     Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko, a shy nocturnal creature     Australian Wildlife Show     Mountain Devil, a Sydney sandstone plant species     Exploring rock shelters with an indigenous guide   Learning to identify common weeds and native plants at the Bushcare training workshop     Gompholobium latifolium - a local species from the Fabaceae family