Aranda Snow Gums Heritage Site Multi-Cache
Hidden : 10/11/2008
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


BACKGROUND TO THE AREA

Friends of the Aranda Bushland’s Snow Gums project began with Peter Ormay’s vision to conserve, protect and interpret Aranda Snow Gums as the best remaining example of a frost hollow with its stand of Snow Gums and native vegetation zones largely intact. On Saturday October 27th 1990 he took members of the newly formed Friends of Aranda Bushland on a familiarisation walk of the Aranda Snow Gums.

The Friends were galvanised into action when in the summer of 1992/3 drift from the spraying of sweet briars caused the loss of about 70% of the foliage of the Snow Gums present, including 3 very ancient snow gums. The three subsequently died and their skeletons remain.

In 1994 Friends of Aranda Bushland began negotiations with the Parks and Conservation service management as to the best way to save the rest of the snow gums and to rehabilitate the area. It was agreed that Friends of Aranda Bushland would submit a proposal for Heritage Places registration. It was dated February 22nd 1994. The original proposal was for the whole of the rural lease south of the Aranda Bushland to William Hovell Drive.

The Aranda Snow Gums Heritage Site was included on the interim Heritage Places Register, which was gazetted in June 1998. The citation was only for the stand of Snow Gums, which is only a small part of Block 1399, taken out of the rural lease for soil conservation purposes during the development of Lake Burley Griffin.

Friends of Aranda Bushland developed the Frost Hollow to Forest Walk to display the beauty and diversity of the natural environment in the area of the bushland. On a gentle/moderate 2 hour walk it is possible to experience several distinct vegetational zones: the natural grassland of the frost hollow, the snow gums, the yellow-box/red gum grassy woodland and the dry scherophyl forest of the Aranda Bushland itself. Ten different species of eucalypt may be seen on the walk.

Guided walks have been organised since Arbor Day 1996 and each year since 1999. A brochure was printed to add to the pleasure and information gained from them. In 2000, the rural lessee gave permission for Friends of Aranda Bushland to fence a walkway, using NHT funds, through his property making it possible for visitors to complete the walk from the Snow Gums to the Bushland. In exchange, Friends of Aranda Bushland have a working party each year to remove woody weeds from the rural lease adjacent to the bushland.

Our current concern is that the Snow Gums Heritage Site is preserved in the ecological context of the transitional zone. An important issue is the welfare of the endangered Yellow Box/Red Gum grassy woodland adjacent, which is an integral part of that transitional zone. The ALP called it The South Aranda Woodland in their 2004 election platform on the environment. It was one of the natural sites, which they promised to protect. Friends of Aranda Bushland would like to see it incorporated into the Canberra Nature Park.

This is an extract from the Friends of the Aranda Bushland website. From more information:
(visit link)

___________________________________________________

THE CACHE

Best parking to tackle this multi is at the gate at S35 16.287 and E149 04.552. From there, take a leisurely stroll for about 600 metres along the bike path, heading towards Lake Burley Griffin. You’ll appreciate the fact that you have parked here when you have completed the cache.

DO NOT go ‘cross country’ to WP 1 as it is Private Property.

Also, dogs and bikes (sorry guys) are not allowed.

After the 600-metre stroll, you will find yourself at the first of 2 stiles. Cross both the stiles to WP 1, which is at the posted co-ords. From there, follow the WP's to GZ.

Hope you enjoy the walk around the area.

FTF ****McPhan****

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Uvc Urvtug...

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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