Mambo Walks – World Wetlands Day Events, February 2023
Join Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Group and EcoNetwork Port Stephens in celebrating World Wetlands Day, not just on one day, but throughout the whole month of February 2023! View these and more on our community calendar.
Come to one or more of the following walks and talks. Tours are free and places are limited so bookings are essential. Email koalawetlands@hotmail.com or phone 0437 132 394 to secure your spot. Follow our Facebook page for announcements such as fully booked walks.
Age restrictions apply to some tours, and walks through Mambo are not for suitable for children younger than 10. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Participants should be aware that the walks are through rugged bush terrain. Although routes are quite good (for a bush track) they are not level and may have tree root or branch obstacles across the pathways.
Tour 1 – 8:30am Sunday 5 Feb
(Sorry – you missed it) Discover the significant cultural landscapes of the Maiangal people. Explore the history & unique environment of Mambo Wetlands.
Guide: Carol Ridgeway-Bissett
Carol is a traditional custodian & knowledge holder for the Maiangal people. Carol was an early foundation member of EcoNetwork Port Stephens.
Location: Meet at the Mambo boom gate on the east side of Port Stephens Drive, closest to Foreshore Drive. Opposite the Mambo Walks sign.
Tour 2 – 2:30pm Sunday 5 Feb
(Sorry – you missed it) Mangrove ecology and ecosystems, and the exciting world of acid sulphate soils.
Guide: Iain Watt, President of EcoNetwork and vice-president of the Marine Parks Association.
Iain is a marine scientist who has worked internationally in coastal zone management, marine ecosystem resource management and establishing marine parks.
Location: Meet at the eastern end of Joe Redman Reserve. Park near the Reserve in Foreshore Drive, Salamander Bay.
Tour 3 – 9:30am Thursday 9 Feb
(Sorry – you missed it) Native plant uses and weed identification. This walking tour will consist of a presentation and discussion about native plants, their practical applications and invasive weed species at the site.
Guides: Kate Mannell & Taylar Morrison.
Kate is the Volunteers Support Officer with Port Stephens Council. Bachelor of Development Studies, environmental sustainability, Cert III Conservation and Land Management
Taylar is the Biosecurity Officer with PSC. Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystems Management, with 11 years bush regeneration and invasive species management.
Location: Meet at the eastern end of Joe Redman Reserve. Park near the Reserve in Foreshore Drive, Salamander Bay.
Tour 4 – 8:30am Sunday 12 Feb
(Sorry – booked out) Discover the Maiangal history & special environment of Wanda Wetlands. Explore the significant cultural landscapes of the Maiangal people. In Maiangal lore, Wanda Wetlands is a women’s only place. Women only tour.
Guide: Carol Ridgeway-Bissett
Carol is a traditional custodian & knowledge holder for the Maiangal people. Carol was an early foundation member of EcoNetwork Port Stephens.
Location: Meet near the toilet block, Salamander Oval on Soldiers Point Rd, Salamander Bay. Plenty of car parking.
Tour 5 – 8:30am Sunday 19 Feb
Discover the significant cultural landscapes of the Maiangal people. Explore the history & unique environment of Mambo Wetlands.
Guide: Carol Ridgeway-Bissett
Carol is a traditional custodian & knowledge holder for the Maiangal people. Carol was an early foundation member of EcoNetwork Port Stephens.
Location: Meet at the Mambo boom gate on the east side of Port Stephens Drive, closest to Foreshore Drive. Opposite the Mambo Walks sign.
Tour 6 – 2:00pm Sunday 19 Feb
(Sorry – booked out) A brief introduction to the identification and value of threatened freshwater and estuarine ecological communities within the Mambo Wetlands Reserve.
Learn about some of the key botanical species for identifying these communities. Also learn about ecosystem services provided by these ecological communities, such as removal of nutrients, pollutants and particulates in urban runoff, stabilisation of sediments and provision of nursery habitats for juvenile fish and invertebrates.
Guide: Trudy & Bruce Pease
Trudy is currently a member of the EcoNetwork Committee & has a Post Grad Diploma in Environmental Science.
Bruce has a PhD in Fisheries Science & is a long-standing member of EcoNetwork Committee.
Both are now retired after careers in the Research Division of NSW Fisheries/DPI Fisheries.
Location: Foreshore Drive. After a brief orientation, walk along the track to the edge of the saltmarsh, learn about the wetland communities then return on the track. Estimated time = 1 to 1.5 hr.
Tour 7 – 10:00am Tuesday 21 Feb
A visual presentation on the Birds of Mambo. All you need to know about birds inhabiting the wetland and an update on the progress of the pursuit to get Ramsar listing for Mambo Wetlands.
Presenter: Neil Fraser
Neil is a retired science graduate and a long-term member of the Hunter Bird Observers Club who has been studying birds of the Hunter Region for over 20 years. He has researched the Mambo Wetland Reserve for several years and published articles on its birds and other threatened species. View Presentation.
Facilitator: Nigel Dique
Nigel is a member of the Mambo Wanda Wetlands Ramsar Working Group and long term member of the EcoNetwork Committee.
He will give an update on the progress of the group’s pursuit of Ramsar listing for the wetlands and ’Why the Mambo Wanda Wetlands should be listed as a site of international significance under the Ramsar Convention’.
Location:
Tomaree Library: Acacia/Boronia Room. On left-hand side from main entrance down the corridor past the toilets.
Tour 8 – 9:30am Thursday 23 Feb
Native plant uses and weed identification. This walking tour will consist of presentation and discussion about native plants, their practical applications and invasive weed species at the site.
Guides: Kate Mannell & Taylar Morrison.
Kate is the Volunteers Support Officer with Port Stephens Council. Bachelor of Development Studies, environmental sustainability, Cert III Conservation and Land Management
Taylar is the Biosecurity Officer with PSC. Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystems Management, 11 years + bush regeneration and invasive species management.
Location: Meet at the eastern end of Joe Redman Reserve. Park near the Reserve in Foreshore Drive, Salamander Bay.
Tour 9 – 8:30am Sunday 26 Feb
(Sorry – booked out) Discover the Maiangal history & special environment of Wanda Wetlands. Explore the significant cultural landscapes of the Maiangal people. In Maiangal lore, Wanda Wetlands is a women’s only place. Women only tour.
Guide: Carol Ridgeway-Bissett
Carol is a traditional custodian & knowledge holder for the Maiangal people. Carol was an early foundation member of EcoNetwork Port Stephens.
Location: Meet near the toilet block, Salamander Oval on Soldiers Point Rd, Salamander Bay. Plenty of car parking.
Reminder – BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL. To secure a spot, email koalawetlands@hotmail.com or phone 0437 132 394.