Check out our events
and activities
Coming Events
Forest Therapy with Dr Liz Cyarto
Sunday 28 April
10am – 12pm
Starting at the Truganina Explosives Reserve, 274 Queens Street Altona
Forest Therapy is a nature-based health practice that began in Japan in the 1980s. Known as shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing", it's a gentle sequence of activities that engage all your senses so you become aware of nature's gifts.
Hosted by Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre, come enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of nature during a two-hour guided walk. You can expect a slow, mindful walking in near the renowned wetlands in your community and nature-inspired activities. Liz is a health expert, specialising in physical activity. She is a pracademic who makes evidence-based well-being easy to integrate into your life.
Bookings through Eventbrite
Celebrating World Migratory Bird Day
Saturday, 11 May 2024
10am-2pm
The Open Day will celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, which raises global awareness about the importance and fragility of migratory birds and the vital role wetlands play in their survival.
While we welcome all comers to the Open Day at the Truganina Explosives Reserve, we particularly wish to connect with the Culturally and LInguistically Diverse communities across Hobsons Bay and surrounds.
More details of performances, activities and guided walks will be announced closer to the event.
This event is supported by Hobsons Bay City Council through its Make it Happen Grants program.
HBWC Citizen science program
Our Citizen Scientists have many activities in the pipeline, including carrying out an iNaturalist-based project for our future site at the HD Graham Reserve.
Let us know if you’d like to join in the fun by emailing HBWCgroup@gmail.com and we’ll send you dates and details of our activities. You don’t need any experience, just enthusiasm and a desire to help the environment.
Citizen Science
Citizen science activities include:
‣ Waterwatch (Melbourne Water)
‣ Carbon Sequestration (Blue Carbon Lab)
Wetlands
Self-guided walk
There are a number of easy, self-guided walks you can do –
• beginning at Apex Park, at the end of The Esplanade in Altona
• along the Coastal Trail along Laverton Creek
• around Truganina Park and the Hundred Steps of Federation
you could also begin your walk near the Truganina Explosives Reserve, to the Laverton Creek and continue on, or do the various walks around Truganina Park, starting at the carpark there
Map and info sheet here.
Past Events
We’ve held a number of Open Days, workshops and Citizen Science events. In 2019 and 2020 our Open Days included celebrating World Wetlands Day and World Mental Health Day. These featured guest speakers on migratory birds, Blue Carbon Research and evidence of the benefits of contact with nature for mental health and wellbeing.
Hope, Coping and Wellness: Mental health benefits of connecting with nature.
Keen to learn more about the relationship between between mental health and nature, as well as active coping strategies?
Check out our conversation with Dr Rebecca Patrick, Senior Lecturer in Health Promotion and Planetary Health, Deakin University and youth leader Sandy Gonzalez de la Vega here.
Bird & Wetlands
- a journey with art and shorebirds
Watch the November online workshop with local ‘natural historian’ and artist Rob Mancini here in an exploration of the fascinating local, resident and migratory shorebirds and about the local habitats they frequent. Also learn about his art and the way these birds and places have inspired him.
Suitable for all birding skill levels, with only an interest in the natural world required.
Our wonderful wetlands
- explore the wetlands of Hobsons Bay with Gordon Lescinsky.
Watch Gordon’s presentation here.
Saltmarsh Discovery
If you missed this one, join Gordon Lescinsky as he looks more closely at our saltmarshes – salt-tolerant plants and why they can thrive in these unique areas, and learn more about salinity, flooding and dynamic coastlines.
Check it out here.