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Most plants put in at the September breakwater planting are doing fine. Some however were destined for other things. It seems our feathered friends get straight to the point. Why wait for the plants to grow before they make good nest material. Just one day after the planting Zoe discovered quite a few had been pulled up and were nowhere to be seen. The many penguin footprints leading to and from the empty holes were the only clues.

The Penguin Study Group later discovered plants lining penguin nests. Maybe from now on we should plant in autumn (non-breeding season). Until the breakwater is revegetated, it might be a good idea to distribute leaves and straw for the breeding season. Penguins are pretty relaxed about what they line their nests with. Apart from vegetation growing on the breakwater, practically anything out of a stormwater drain is likely to be used: plastic drink straws and packaging straps, cellophane, cigarette packets, paper, and (shock, horror!!) plane tree leaves have been found in use.

The rear of the Elwood St Kilda Learning Centre at 87 Tennyson Street, Elwood is being revamped by City of Port Phillip with the community to establish an organic permaculture garden. This project has been in planning as a community design project since April and the first raised vegie gardens are to be constructed on Sunday, October 25. The working bee starts at 1PM. This project gives anyone a chance to get their hands into the soil and to learn about permaculture gardening. At this stage there are more than 60 people involved. All are welcome to join in. The project is based on sharing. No individual person has their own plot. It is planned that a series of workshops covering topics (among others) such as seed saving, worms, compost, and water-conserving irrigation. For further info ring Neil Blake on 9209 6488.

People from St Kilda Indigenous Nursery Cooperative (SKINC) and Earthcare got together recently to plan a campaign to save the remnant saltmarsh at Webb Dock. This patch of saltmarsh is the last remnant of the flora which dominated the landscape at the mouth of the Yarra prior to the area being industrialised. Apart from the obvious value as an historic reference, it is important for the indigenous genetic stock it harbours. There have been at least 12 saltmarsh species identified at the site and there may well be more. The area and is in an area proposed to be covered with concrete as a hardstand for shipping containers.

Although it is possible to develop the dock and retain the saltmarsh this won't necessarily happen unless the public demonstrates that it values the site. The area is not accessible to the public and due to the isolated location few people are aware that it even exists. Public hearings on the dock development are to be held in the last week of November some fast campaigning is required. The FoWDW will meet each Thursday at 'the House' at St kilda Bot gardens at 7.30pm. Please come and give your support. Contact Rosie & Vanessa at SKINC on 9645 2477.

Anyone interested in learning to monitor water quality an participating ongoing study of water quality in local drains, ponds, or the bay? CoPP has bought a water monitoring kit for community use and has the support of Sheree Marris (StreamWatch Coordinator) to work with Port Phillip schools and the community. We are particularly keen to monitor the water in the Alma Park pond. Earthcare (with help from Seirei no kai, the community conservation group in Obu, Japan) recently improved the pond's wetland to filter pollutants from stormwaters before they escape to the bay (see attached report). Elwood Canal is another area of great interest. Contact Neil Blake on 9209 6488.

Special guest speaker at the coming Earthcare meeting is Annie Bateman, CoPP Waste Minimisation Officer. Apart from Annie's wealth of wisdom on waste she is also great fun! Come along to 'the House' corner of Blessington & Herbert Street, St Kilda) on Thursday, October 29 to learn and laugh.