Oct 2, 2013

Backyard Explorer Workshop & Bug Catch

We are having a workshop and bug catch at Franke Scrub, Highfields on Saturday 12 October, from 9.30am till 5.30pm.
There is no cost.
BYO lunch and refreshments.
We commence at Franke Scrub and the adjoining property, from 9.30am to 12.30 then move to St Anne’s Church Hall, cnr Highfields and Kuhls Roads, Highfields from1.30 to approximately 5.30pm.
Those who wish to continue, will return to Franke Scrub in the evening.
WHO CAN ATTEND?
 “Backyard Explorer” local attendees can include any community members interested in monitoring the environment using insects. This would include private individuals, members of local wildlife organisations, teachers, council representatives, property owners, etc
No specialist qualifications or knowledge are needed. Members of the public will be given some simple instructions on how to complete a biodiversity assessment by collecting insects using various scientific methods, and how to sort them into their orders.
This is an activity for adults, though older school students with a particular interest in insects will be considered, provided they are prepared to continue helping to sort the insect catch till 5.30pm.
“BugCatch” attendees will include members of the Entomological Society of Queensland, Students from the University of Queensland, and Representatives of DEHP.
NUMBERS ARE LIMITED. Register soon to be sure of a place
TO REGISTER Contact  toowoombaplants@gmail.com
 WHAT IS IT FOR?
The “Bug-Catch” program is a series of collecting trips run by the Entomological Society of Queensland, in conjunction with the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency, to compile lists of invertebrates in various areas of value. This one will assist the Friends of Franke Scrub with their project to record wildlife at the Scrub, as a benchmark for future monitoring of environmental changes and as an indicator of the insects found in our local natural environments.
The Backyard Explorer workshop run by the Queensland Museum will provide the Friends of Franke Scrub with baseline information on insects in the scrub, and skills for future monitoring of environmental changes.
WHAT GOES ON?
Morning:  9.30 am. Sign on.
Malaise traps, pitfall traps, and coloured pans will be set up beforehand in two sites, and those and sweep netting and beating samples will be collected by Backyard Explorer participants during the morning. Sweep netting, beating, bark spraying, hand searching, flight intercept traps, and baited pitfall traps will also be used. BugCatch participants will continue to collect insects throughout the day.
Afternoon: 1.30pm. A Powerpoint talk will teach Backyard Explorer participants some interesting insect facts, including how to sort insects into their various orders. We will then work in pairs or small groups to sort the morning’s catch. Plenty of expert help will be available during the process, so there is no need to be concerned that the tasks will be beyond the scope of the interested amateur.
Evening: Light sheets for night flying insects set up at dusk.
WHAT TO BRING:
Sensible clothing. Covered shoes or boots are essential. Consider sun safety and protection from insects, scratches, trips and falls. (Ticks are possible, mosquitoes are definite.)
 FOOD
You are responsible for all your own food and drink (except for free tea and coffee, to be provided by the Friends of Franke Scrub in the hall in the afternoon. Cold soft drinks will also be sold at the hall, and tap water is available). There is no drinkable water at Franke Scrub. There are takeaway venues (Macdonald's, Pizza, Subway etc.), bakery and supermarket at a nearby shopping centre, and various coffee shops and restaurants at Highfields (4 km away). 
Peacehaven Botanic Park at 56 Kuhls Road Highfields (between Franke Scrub and the hall) is close and good for BYO picnics for lunch and tea. It has a public barbecue. You might like to pack a folding chair or picnic rug, as there's limited seating at Peacehaven.
TOILETS
Peacehaven Botanic Park, Kuhl’s Road (2km away from Franke Scrub) and at the hall.

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