Prosser River Reserve Discovery Day | Saturday 8 May 2021

Just outside Buckland on the way to Tasmania’s east coast, the Prosser and Back Rivers cut their way through a valley of grassy woodland. Great stands of old eucalyptus tower over this sylvan scene from the ridgeline above. Welcome to TLC's Prosser River Reserve. This 1,534ha reserve protects threatened vegetation communities and 11 threatened plant and animal species, as well as old-growth vegetation communities and freshwater ecosystems. This property has been protected thanks to a very generous bequest from the estate of David McGregor.

We warmly invite you to join us Saturday 8 May for our Discovery Day, as our expert staff and guest presenters passionately uncover some of the myriad layers of this most grand reserve. 

Choose your own adventure

We are planning a diverse array of experiences dotted across this impressive natural and cultural landscape. Participate in a morning activity session, then gather together with everyone for a self-catered picnic lunch. Following lunch, participate in a different experience during the afternoon session. Given that all AM sessions run concurrently and all PM session run concurrently, please note that during registration, you may choose one morning session and one afternoon session only (you cannot be in two places at once).

There will be activities for all fitness levels, but being a natural, mostly un-pathed environment, good mobility is a must. 

Please read all activity information below carefully before purchasing tickets.

The activities

• Bob and Leighs' campfire yarns (AM/PM) 
  Bob Graham is a local bushman and esteemed conservationist. He owned and cared for the land adjacent Prosser River Reserve for decades. He knows the place like the back of his hand and is quite fond of a good chin wag too. Our very own laconic Operations Manager Leigh Walters will be joining Bob in conversation. Leigh has quite a few land management insights and ripper stories to tell as well. Settle down on a log or into a camp chair and join them for a cuppa of billy tea, way up on the ridge where the old gum trees are full of character themselves. If you feel like it, bring your knitting or a pocket knife for whittling. There will be opportunity for a bit of a forest meander as well. Each session approximately three hours long. Suitable for folk with low level fitness and mobility and / or people who are looking for a relaxed and immersive experience. Participants will be driven up the ridge to this remote location from the meeting place. 
  
  
• Conservation science ecological monitoring workshops (AM/PM)
  The black gums and white gums along the Back River tower over diverse grasslands. Join Conservation Science and Planning Manager Dr Alex Kutt, TLC Conservation Ecologists Dr Rowena Hamer and Joe Quarmby down by the riverside as they present our conservation objectives for Prosser River Reserve and demonstrate how we use various monitoring techniques to inform our management of threatened species and habitat. Complete this enriching, informative experience with a medium length, guided floristic walk through a diversity of vegetation communities. Each session approximately three hours long. Suitable for folk with good fitness and mobility, but can be adapted for people with limited fitness and reasonable mobility. 
  
  
• A proper bush bash (AM/PM)
  TLC CEO James Hattam relishes any opportunity to close the laptop, get out and about and share his passion for and knowledge of natural places with the public. James is as keenly attuned to conservation efforts globally as he is to the fascinating minutiae of the forest floor. Join him for an interpretive trek up a ridgeline and beyond and learn about the incredible story of generosity behind Prosser River Reserve's protection. This group will drop in on Bob and Leigh's campfire for a yarn once they reach the ridgeline. Each session approximately three hours long. Only suitable for very fit and highly mobile participants. 
  
  
• Combined Aboriginal heritage / Mycology meander. (AM/PM)
  Be led by TLC science and engagement staff along the Prosser River's sheltered northern banks, through towering white gums, black peppermint and blue gums and along riverbanks. Meet up with Aboriginal Heritage Worker Sharnie Read (nee Everett) as she generously shares stories of Aboriginal heritage on Country. Sharnie authored the Aboriginal cultural management plan for the Prosser River Valley in 2014. Break off in smaller groups in succession for a mycology meander with TLC's resident fungi expert Julie Fielder. Each session approximately three hours long. Suitable for people with good fitness and mobility. 
  
  
• Nature. Be in it. children's activities (AM/PM)
  Bring your children so they can share in a child lead, nature connection experience. Children benefit tremendously from taking reasonable risks and solving problems themselves. Sessions will be facilitated by Nature. Be in it. educators who are experts in leading outdoor nature and play based learning. There will be two groups; 0-4 years (a parent or guardian must participate as well) and 5-12 years (children participate independently so parents and guardians can join in other sessions). Suitable for all fitness levels. Children will join in an AM session and a PM session of approximately three hours each. Children will meet up with their parents during the communal lunch break between sessions. 
  Age appropriate activities include;
  
  • cubby building
    
  • whittling
    
  • sensory experiences
    
  • tree climbing
    
  • nature investigations
    
  • cooking damper over the fire
    
  • learning how to use a flint and steel to start a fire
    
  • natures treasures
    
  • stories and songs

Arrival time
Arrive at Prosser River Reserve Saturday 8 April after 8.45AM but before 9.15AM for a 9.30AM start. Participants will need to be punctual to all activities, as activities will commence shortly after 9.30AM.

Please be aware that for logistical reasons, you may not arrive part way through the day just for an afternoon session. All attendees need to be present from the start of the morning session onwards.  Additionally, it may be neither safe nor logistically practicable for participants to leave earlier than the rest of the group at the stated finish time. 

Meeting place
The Prosser River Reserve is located just east of Buckland along the Tasman Highway. The meeting place may vary depending on which morning session you choose. 

Getting there
Prosser River Reserve is two hours and 15 minutes from Launceston and one hour from Hobart. Participants are to make their own transport arrangements.  

A map with directions on how to get to the meeting place will be provided to registered participants closer to the event. 

Due to Covid-19, the TLC will not be facilitating carpooling for this Discovery Day. 

What to bring

• Your own lunch, snacks and plenty of drinks. Lunch will be from 12.30PM, so ensure you're well stocked with scroggin if you're accustomed to having lunch earlier!
• A day pack
• A hat and suitable clothing for cold, hot or wet weather and sturdy bushwalking shoes. Weather can deteriorate suddenly in May so come prepared for all conditions
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• A camera, binoculars and 10x hand lens (all optional)
• Bob and Leighs' Camp-side Yarn participants may bring an enamel mug, their knitting or a lock blade pocket knife for whittling (all optional)
• Kids ages 5-12 joining the Nature. Be in it. activities will need to be equipped for a day away from their parents / guardians with their own bag containing adequate food, drinks, snacks and suitable clothing as per above.
  

Safety
The safety of attendees is paramount. This event will be run following TLC's Covid-19 safety guidelines. The Prosser River Discovery Day or some individual activities may be amended or cancelled if dangerous weather is forecast for the region on the proposed day. All registered persons will be notified via email the morning of Thursday 6 May in the event of cancellation. The TLC will refund all tickets to the the Discovery Day if the entire event is cancelled. Please note that the TLC can take no financial responsibility for attendee's pre-booked accommodation in the event of a cancellation.

If you have an questions, or would like to register over the phone please contact Community Engagement Coordinator Phill Laroche during business hours, Monday to Thursday on (03) 6225 1399.

Register early
Please register before 5pm Tuesday 4 May. Spaces are strictly limited due to safety considerations,  this event will be popular and individual activities will fill up fast so purchase your tickets without delay!

Revenue from ticket sales go towards covering the cost of hosting TLC events.