The final observation will take place:

Sunday 27 October, 2019

10:30am - 1:30pm

Start at Port Education Centre and finish at Westgate Park.

This activity is open to all Citizen Foresters. No previous experience or knowledge is required.

Volunteers who register for this activity will be required to attend a data collection day at Westgate Park on Sunday 27 October, 2019. The day will be divided into two sessions. Please note that volunteers will be required to attend both sessions.

Session 1: Introduction to 'Providing for Pollinators' and the tools for monitoring them

In this training session, Dr Luis Mata will introduce volunteers to a ‘Protocol to record ecological interactions between plants and pollinators using timed surveys’ and a ‘Visual field guide for the identification of targeted pollinators’. These documents will be discussed in detail and your questions about the field protocol and species identification will be encouraged. A handout questionnaire will test your capacity to successfully complete the field protocol and accurately identify the targeted insects.

Session 2: Visit the 'Spring' pollinator observatories in Westgate Park

In the data collection phase. the workshop will move into Westgate Park to visit the ‘spring’ pollinator observatories. We will work with the tools just learned in Session 1 to identify pollinators present in the park.

You can register for the Autumn Pollinator Observation workshop via the Eventbrite web page.

For any difficulties registering, contact melbourneurbanforest@melbourne.vic.gov.au

Please note that Session 1 (training) will be held at the Port Education Centre on Lorimer Street, approximately 10 minutes walk from the main entrance to Westgate Park. The day will conclude at Westgate Park.

Westgate Park is located in Fishermans Bend, beneath the Westgate Bridge. The main entry to the park is on Todd Road, where there is a car park and on-street parking. You can also access the park from Wharf Road.

Public Transport

Bus 235 from Queen Victoria Market/Franklin Street or Southern Cross station to end of Wharf Road (hourly on weekends). get off the bus at Defence Science and Technology (DTSO) and walk across the railway lines to the Port Education Centre on Lorimer Street.

Tram 109 in Collins St to Station Pier and a longish walk along the foreshore towards the River and up Todd Road just past the Westgate bridge.

Punt from Spotswood (on the river bank opposite Scienceworks) across the Yarra to Lorimer Street entry for cyclists & pedestrians

– 9am-5pm weekends

– 6.30-9.10am and 4.10-6.50pm week days

It’s a great bike ride either from the City along South Wharf and Lorimer Street or from around the Bay through Port Melbourne and up Todd Road to the main entry.

Car parking

Free car parking is readily available on Sundays inside the Port Education Centre and on Lorimer Street.

Please note that the Port Education Centre is approximately 1 hour walk from Southern Cross Station.

Please consider the conditions and dress appropriately, including sun and rain protection. The session will involve several hours outside in the park, so sunscreen, a hat and long sleeves are recommended.

Comfortable, closed shoes are recommended for data collection in the Park.

Please bring your own water bottle. Friends of Westgate Park aims to avoid the use of single use plastic. Some snacks between sessions provided. Note that there are no shops open nearby on a Sunday.