Bayside Environmental Friends Network

08/09/2026

Banksia Bulletin Spring 2026 is ready to read online. Fantastic as usual!

04/09/2026

I am telling you all of this because, sadly, it is time to close the EnviroKids page. Please read Barbara's final comments and remember what a fantastic time we had working with her and the Kids.
In 2008, Barbara Jakob was engaged by Bayside City Council to implement a program of meetings and educational/training seminars with the emphasis on Environment Sustainability. The Nature Discovery Day at Ricketts Point was a huge success and the Bayside Environmental Friends Network was born under her leadership. So many BEFN events and monthly meeting were held over the period of her leadership.
This Page came into being in 2011 due to her persuasion and encouragement for me to take on the challenge. At least 30 EnviroKids events were held during her time with us. They were enjoyed by both the kids and the adults and were a highlight of her leadership. In 2015, Bayside Council decided to appoint a Friends of Bayside Support Officer who took over running BEFN.

03/09/2026

Have your say on managing Street and Park trees by Oct 4. It is important that the Council has feedback from us.

Reviewing our policy that guides the protection, maintenance and management of public trees.

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

One case of H5 bird flu has now been detected in Bayside.

31/08/2026

Sadly, the time has come to close the EnviroKids page. If you would like to post a final message please do so soon.

In 2010 at a meeting of the Bayside Environment Friends Network the idea was born to establish a group that introduces the local indigenous flora and fauna to children. EnviroKids was born.
Every 1st Sunday of the month young environmental volunteers researched local bushland or beach reserves. EnviroKids offered interesting age-appropriate educational activities. Parents were encouraged to fully participate in every aspect of the program. EnviroKids was fresh, passionate and positive.
This set up and for this age group was at the time fairly unique. No wonder it got some attention, from gaining grants to articles in the Landcare magazine and presenting at conferences.

After 6 years EnviroKids had its last session in Bayside September 2016. So, I have decided to close the page.

Thank you to all facilitators that run EnviroKids. From Kindergarten and school teachers to students at high schools, you helped establish in reality what existed only as a thought.
You all waved your magic, gave children the time to listen to the non-intruding sounds that nature creates, to focus the eye on a little bug crawling on a leave, to walk on uneven surface, to fall and get up, balance the body and walk free.
From bugs to birds, trees to frogs, leaves, recycling, fish, seaweed, butterflies and microbats ...... check out the previous posts on FB. There was a lot happening.

My heartfelt thanks goes out to all the Bayside Friends. Their unwavering support made EnviroKids so special. No Sunday session without these local and knowledgeable Friends present to share their expertise. It is one step to take your child on the beach for a swim. But it takes the guide to point out what you actually can discover. This is what the Friends do fantastic. Because they know. Passing on the message from generation to generation

Most of our young participants will now be out of school. I do hope that EnviroKids could plant a seed in them to appreciate native flora and fauna. And that there is an understanding how important it is to keep nature around us for our physical and mental benefit.

With all my best wishes
Barbara Jakob

This FB page will close beginning of October 2026

29/08/2026

When and where are the Wildflower Wanders

Bay Road Heathland Sanctuary: Sundays, 30 August, 13 and 27 September; and 11 and 18 October, between 2pm to 4pm.

Gramatan Avenue Heathland Sanctuary: Sundays, 13 and 27 September, between 2pm and 4pm

Cheltenham Park: Sunday, 6 September, between 10am to 12 pm

Donald MacDonald Reserve: Sunday 6 September, between 10am to 12pm Meeting spot @ Scout hall on Keating Street

George Street Reserve: Sunday, 13 September (To be confirmed), between 10am to 12pm.

Balcombe Park Reserve: Sunday, 27 September, between 10am to 12pm.

Long Hollow Heathland Sanctuary: Sunday, 27 September, between 1pm to 3pm.
Pic Burchardia umbellata

28/08/2026

Wildflower wanders start this Sunday 30th October and continue in different reserves through spring. See the scheduled days here:

After the long, cold winter, there is no greater springtime celebration of nature at its finest than meandering through some of the bushlands in Bayside on a Wildflower Wander.

28/08/2026

An indigenous Reflection Garden is to be built on the northern end of Banksia Reserve where the old pine trees were removed recently.

We’re creating the Banksia Reserve Reflection Garden in Beaumaris as a peaceful place for remembrance, reflection and community connection.

24/08/2026