ABC Canberra's Louise Maher spoke to Ngunawal elder, Wally Bell, and convenor of Friends of Black Mountain, Linda Beveridge, about Black Mountain's woodland walk and the new interpretative signage and track markers to encourage people to learn more about some of the nature reserve's 670 plant species.
Black Mountain was declared a Nature Reserve by Hon. Peter Nixon, Minister for the Interior on 23 July 1970, and the declaration was gazetted on 30 July 1970.
The Summit Walk, a cooperative project between the ACT Government, the Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) and Telstra, was officially opened on 20 July 2000.
Two walks have been arranged to celebrate these anniversaries.
The first of two walks plans goes from the ANBG to Black Mountain Summit. Walk up the north-eastern slopes of Black Mountain to the summit with a local botanist and an ANBG Guide, and return to the Visitor Centre, ANBG. Participants are welcome to walk up and back, but if you would prefer not to walk down (some people may find it harder to walk down than up), ask a friend to meet you at the top.
Black Mountain was declared a Nature Reserve by Hon. Peter Nixon, Minister for the Interior on 23 July 1970, and the declaration was gazetted on 30 July 1970.
The Summit Walk, a cooperative project between the ACT Government, the Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) and Telstra, was officially opened on 20 July 2000.
Two walks have been arranged to celebrate these anniversaries.
The second of these walks is the Black Mountain to ANBG Summit Walk - walk down the Summit Walk with a local conservationist and an ANBG Guide. We shall see Acacia near the apex and the Zieria plants near the Visitor Centre, ANBG.
Enjoy a Walk among the Wattles on Black Mountain with local plant conservationist. Let’s learn to identify some of the common Acacias found on Black Mountain, including Acacia dealbata and Acacia buxifolia. We will also learn about how Acacias cope with fire and drought. The walk will mostly be flat to undulating, but with a few steeper sections later on in the walk.
Some relevant booklets will be for sale.
Celebrate spring on beautiful Black Mountain with a social ramble for wildflower lovers in the tradition established by Nancy Burbidge, and continued by George Chippendale. Discover the surprising diversity of tiny orchids, bush peas, wattles and billy buttons. The spring pattern of flowering timing and abundance vary with the weather. Friends of Black Mountain welcomes everyone; experts or new to discovering the diversity.
The Friends of Black Mountain in conjunction with Molonglo Catchment Group has a successful woody weed removal program to enhance the conservation of local native plants.
The Weeding Work Parties are held on the first Saturday of each month; 9:00 to 12:00 generally and 8:30 to 11:30 in Eastern Summer Time during the months of daylight saving. The meeting point changes each month.