About Us
​The St Arnaud Field Naturalists Club was formed in April 1984 to protect rare native orchids in our local Box-Ironbark forest.
The Club was formed by a small group of people who had earlier formed ‘The St Arnaud Natural History Group’ within the St Arnaud Historical Society. These people enjoyed getting out into the field to explore and study the particular biodiversity and natural history of the St Arnaud area.
The geology, the flora and fauna of the forests and water courses, the relics and traces of the past within the local landscape.
​In 1984, attempts to preserve St Arnaud’s unique local natural assets began.
More about our history and a selection of our historical pics can be found HERE.
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Who we are:
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Our Committee is elected annually.
We are a ‘not for profit charitable organisation’ and operate under the Victorian Consumer Affairs “Model Rules 2023”. You can find our Constitution HERE.
We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive environment for our members and being a child safe organisation in accordance with the “Victorian Child Safe Standards”.
See our Code of Conduct policy HERE. See Landcare Child Safety Guidelines 2022 HERE.
The Club's Purposes:
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To study nature in all aspects.
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To increase the understanding, enjoyment and appreciation of the local natural environment within the local community and the wider public.
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To promote the purposes of the Club, by meetings, field excursions, seminars, publications, exhibitions and the printing and circulation of its transactions when appropriate.
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To take actions for the preservation and conservation of Australian native flora and fauna, natural resources and objects of regional, State and National importance.
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To form collections and illustrations of natural history specimens.
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To provide for the permanent housing of the Club’s property.
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What we do:
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We organise monthly meetings, activities and excursions for our members.
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We work in the community, to promote the understanding of biodiversity and respect for our bushland areas.
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We work to protect special unique areas from perceived threats to their existence.
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We assist with the recovery of threatened species and the natural regeneration of bushland, with research, knowledge and resources.
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We work to encourage sound land management practices on public and private land.
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We work to encourage thoughtful and effective management of the Parks, Reserves and State Forests of the Region.
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We support the Djaara/Parks Joint Management initiative.
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We provide critical support to Parks Victoria to help manage particular sites.
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We support a sensible approach to fire management, one which achieves community safety without destroying the environment.
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We prepare submissions to government in the name of conservation, and threats to biodiversity in our region.
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We aim to provide an apolitical conservation voice for the St Arnaud community and surrounds
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We produce pamphlets highlighting 4 special places near to the St Arnaud town: the Wax Garden, Bell Rock, View Point and the Basin.
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We form collections and illustrations of natural history specimens.
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We work with other like minded conservation groups in our broader region.
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We provide accurate and useful information about conservation and the local environment through our website.
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​We are associated with:
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Djaara Joint Management Team
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Parks Victoria
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South Eastern Australia Naturalists Association SEANA
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Victorian Field Naturalists Clubs Association VFNCA
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Friends of the Box Ironbark Forests
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Maryborough Field Naturalists Club Inc.
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Field Naturalists Club of Victoria FNCV
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Wedderburn CMA
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Friends of Kooyoora
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North Central Catchment Management Authority NCCMA
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Avon Plains-Banyena Land Care Group
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Buloke and Northern Grampians LandCare Network. BNGLCN
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Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC)
