The workshop, based on Indigenous Traditional Burning, will take place at the Community Hub in Main St Grenfell from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. Participants will then travel to Vaughn’s Dam Travelling Stock Route (TSR), otherwise known as Grenfell Common, where a cool, slow burn will take place. 

Dr Milton Lewis will deliver the presentation and also oversee the burn, with members of the local Rural Fire Service in attendance. The burn is being carried out as part of Grenfell Urban Landcare’s rehabilitation work at Vaughn’s Dam TSR, which is a Box-Gum Grassy Woodland - an Endangered Ecological Community. The site, situated opposite Henry Lawson oval on the Young road, is a good example of vegetation typical of woodland communities in the Weddin Shire prior to European settlement.

The site is dominated by three tree species (Yellow Box, Blakely’s Red Gum and Grey Box). A number of native grasses and forbs (such as lilies and daisies) are present, but there are few- native shrubs and the ground layer is overgrown and weed infested, making it impossible for native shrubs, grasses and forbs to germinate and grow. The thick ground layer also makes planting shrubs and forbs difficult. By using fire to burn away some of the grass thickets, it is hoped that dormant seeds of native plants will have a chance to germinate in the open spaces created by the fire. The burning will also reduce weed load and enable the planting of forbs, shrubs and trees. 

The workshop presentation will cover topics such as:

*Introduction to the concept of Indigenous Traditional Burning: provides background into the reasons for different types of Traditional burning and how these can be used for different purposes to restore the health of people and “country”.

*The Gouldian Finch: brief example of how fire can be an integral component in the survival of a species

*Fire Today: Description and discussion about how we view fire in its current form and the impact on humans and biodiversity

*Examples of recent burning trials: Re-creating positive burning to improve the health of the landscape using low intensity burning during the correct times of the year. How these burning techniques have improved the re-introduction of native grasses and reduced weeds in depleted pasture systems and improved future grazing opportunities for farms.

*A bright future: How we can take control of fire as a tool for enhancing a sick landscape.

The following day, Friday July 27, Milton will conduct another burn workshop on a 30 acre site at Nangwarrie, which is situated 30kms north of Grenfell on the Henry Lawson Way. The workshop will run from 10am to 2pm and focus on using fire to improve pastures.

Dr Milton Lewis is a highly experienced conservation ecologist and specialist in the management of threatened species. He has lived and worked with Indigenous communities throughout Australia, developing an extensive knowledge of fire application as an Indigenous management tool.

This knowledge has been applied over the last ten years with numerous Indigenous communities and Landcare groups to showcase the potential of traditional burning for restoring ecological health.

Milton worked for a number of years in the Grenfell office of the Lachlan Catchment Management Authority (CMA) where he and CMA Aboriginal Cultural Officers ran the successful Indigenous Traditional Burning project ‘Paddocks Alight’.

Refreshments will be provided at both workshops. Bookings aren’t necessary but if you would like more information on the workshops please contact Mikla Lewis on 0499 199 016 or email weddin@lachlandcare.org.au