NEWS FROM AROUND THE FIELD OF MARS

VALE VAL NELSON

It is with regret that we report the passing of yet another long-standing active member. Val was one of the twelve remaining members from when our Society began almost sixty years ago.
For many years Val was a very active member of our Committee and indeed hosted meetings in the warmth of
her home in Kennedy Street during winter months when
we felt it was too cold to meet in the Visitor Centre. Over several decades (until Alfred took on the job over ten years ago) Val also managed the Visitor Centre roster. In recent times Val continued to support our work by making very generous donations.
During the past few years Val has been in an aged care facility. She slipped away peacefully last month. In a very fitting tribute to Val, her daughter Felicity and son Clive celebrated Val’s life at the Visitor Centre on 13 March.

Bushcare
Occasional wet weather made weeding easier and did not interrupt many bushcare sessions. The “Edie Tree” planted in the Kennedy St site has been kept watered and healthy.

At the Cemetery Creek 2 site, we cleaned up a large amount of weeds and rubbish blown into the natural bushland as a result of works on the new vault and associated damage to the fence.

News from the Centre

We had an interesting start to the year, with some organised groups coming in addition to the regular walkers we often see.

The road and path works have now been completed, but an unfortunate consequence of this work is that the Pittwater Road gate was left open on the evening of Wednesday 5 February, and an unknown person took the opportunity to dump a truckload of rubbish in the area between the Visitor Centre and Education Centre.
Thanks to the staff of the Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre, some of our volunteers took advantage of an offer to receive First Aid training along with the teachers there, early in February. It was provided by Australian Lifesaving Academy New South Wales, a part of the Surf Life Saving organization and an officially registered First Aid training provider.

CITY OF RYDE NEWS - Ryde and Gladesville Heritage Walking Trails Booklets

Some of you may already be aware of the Ryde and Gladesville Heritage Walking Trails booklets that were launched by City of Ryde Council in 2015 and 2017 respectively. Council officers and members of the Ryde Heritage Advisory Committee worked together on writing, editing and trialling the guides produced in booklet form and also available online. The information covering the history of each site and showing photographs was well received. The National Trust highly commended the Ryde booklet in its annual Heritage Awards of 2016.
The Ryde guide centres on the historical village of Ryde, along nearby Victoria Road and the area near Ryde Park. The Gladesville guide focuses on the Gladesville shops area on Victoria Road including churches and halls. It extends into historic Tyrell Street and an area towards and on the river. Both walks are set out to allow for stages to be undertaken.
A revision of each booklet was commenced two years ago with a sub committee of the Heritage Working Group (previously Heritage Advisory Committee) again working with council staff. Some significant progress was made. Recently, the Ryde City Architect, has taken the lead in revitalising the project. A preliminary meeting has been held to map out the way forward. I hope to be able to advise, in the not too distant future, that the work has been completed. As soon as printed booklets are available there will be some in the Visitors Centre and a link will be provided for online access.
Lyn Langtry Heritage Working Group representative and sub committee member

ROLLING STONE GATHERS NO MOSS …
… and neither does the epiphyte Spanish Moss (SM) aka Old Man’s Beard. Just like the rolling stone it careers on irresponsibly, helped by wind, birds and, unfortunately, also people, to not put down any roots but to cling to trees and bushes in bushland, verges, parks and reserves and on private property. It is even sold in nurseries. SM can currently be seen in East Ryde, West Ryde, Wallumatta Nature Reserve (National Park, remnant STIF) and other areas of the north west of Sydney.

On 22 February 2025 I represented our Society at a local meeting convened by South Turramurra Environment Protection Inc (STEP). Like us, for a number of years they have been advocating for the control of SM with an education campaign as a first step in informing residents of its ability to spread and, eventually, smother trees and bushes. One of their members undertook a research study and survey and presented her findings in an excellent report.
The meeting was very well attended and her presentation enthusiastically received. The report and other material may be viewed at their website www.step.org.au Hunters Hill Council has started to remove SM from Council- owned property and Ryde Mayor Trenton Brown called for a report on SM in Ryde in August 2024. If you want to add your voice to the anti SM campaign email to ask questions of your councillors.
Stop the spread by following the suggestions given in this STEP flyer. You will note that RHHFFPS allowed its logo to be used in the publicity.
Lyn Langtry

Wallaby at the Visitor Centre

On Sunday, 30 March, one of our resident wallabies made a brief visit to the grassy area near the visitor centre, before again disappearing into the bush. This one is apparently one of four currently resident in the reserve.

100 Years of the Field of Mars

The definitive history of the Field of Mars is now available free of charge.
100 Years of Field of Mars Reserve, 1887-1987, Written and compiled by Rod Wallace, has now been digitized and can be viewed or downloaded on this website.
Published in 1987 by the Ryde Hunters Hill Flora and Fauna Preservation Society, the book is a fascinating and informative chronicle of the century prior to that date.
The print version is still available in the Visitor Centre.

Field of Mars Reserve and Wildlife Refuge

Dry eucalypt woodland covers much of the Field of Mars Reserve. This vegetation is typical of the dry, infertile sandstone soils found in Sydney's north and is known as dry sclerophyll woodland. Many of the plants in this area have hard, waxy leaves that tend to be small and narrow, features which help to reduce moisture loss.

Despite being only 56 hectares in size, the reserve contains around 300 species of plants. These plants support an even greater array of animals from the tiniest spiders to large possums and birds.

Surveys conducted in 2006 found evidence of animals that were believed to be missing from the reserve. These include Sugar Gliders, Echidnas and Long Nosed Bandicoots. Control of pest species like foxes may be contributing to the return of animals to the reserve. Also Brush Turkeys are seen regularly and a swamp wallaby was observed in the reserve in 2012.

Along Buffalo and Stranger's Creeks there are long pockets of moist gully vegetation, known as wet sclerophyll forest. Different plant species flourish in the moist conditions found here. Wet sclerophyll forest is characterised by moist rich soils, shadiness and plants with dark green, soft leaves. The cool, moist conditions found within these gullies create the perfect habitat for some of the reserve's animals like finches, wrens, whip birds and ringtail possums.

The location of the Field of Mars:
Google Maps Location

You are very welcome to explore the Reserve using the walking tracks at any time of the day. The walking tracks of the Field of Mars: Field of Mars Walking Track System

The walking tracks map includes several distinct walking tracks. You can find specific information on each of these tracks by downloading the following brochures:
Track notes - Boardwalk
Track notes Doyle-Kunzea
Track notes Doyle-Warada
Track notes - Kunzea
Track notes - Warada Kunzea
Track notes Warada Strangers Creek

Information on birds of the Field of Mars is also available on Birds in the Field of Mars

The Field of Mars is a Wildlife Refuge gazetted under the National Parks and Wildlife Act. Dogs are not allowed in the Reserve. Riding of all types of bikes in the Reserve is also not allowed.

On weekends the RHHFFPS staffs a Visitors Centre in the Field of Mars (see opposite).

Click Here for information on the Plan of Management of the Field of Mars.

Visitors Centre

The Visitors Centre can be found in the Field of Mars off Pittwater Road. Parking is available in the carpark at the front. Volunteers open the centre each Saturday and Sunday.
Drop in to discover more about the environment and the Field of Mars Reserve before you explore and experience it for yourself!
The Visitors Centre can be reached on foot via a number of nearby streets. Car access is via Pittwater Rd. (opposite Buffalo Reserve). ph: 9816 1068
Opening Times
Winter schedule (April to August): Saturday and Sunday 9am - 4pm.
Summer schedule (September to March): Saturday and Sunday 9am - 5pm.
Enquiries from groups or individual wishing to visit during the week are welcome.  Guided bush walks are available by arrangement when volunteers are available. Contact through email address: rhhffps@gmail.com or phone 9817 4935.
The Visitors Centre contains maps, brochures and information on local and wider community environment issues.
Visitors using prams, strollers, walking frames and wheel chairs have easy access to the Centre toilets. The boardwalk provides a short, easy bushwalk.

INVITATION! - JOIN OUR VISITOR CENTRE TEAM ! We have a small number of members on a roster of 4-hour shifts to keep the Visitor Centre open on weekends and public holidays.
Our roster of 4-hour shifts (3½ hours in winter) is negotiated according to members’ availability. No specialised skills are required, and Alfred happily provides the training needed.
Most visitors’ questions are answered in the maps and range of free leaflets we have available.
If interested please email Alfred: alfred.vincent@bigpond.com(phone 02 9879 6067).