A Greater Darwin Landcare Group

Friends of Fogg Dam


About Friends of Fogg Dam

Friends of Fogg Dam was formed in 2006 and became incorporated in 2007. Our aims for Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve and Wetlands are to promote, protect and enhance the ecological, cultural and aesthetic values of Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve and assist visitors to enjoy, understand and appreciate this unique and very special place.

Group activities

  • Regular working bees - held on the last (usually 4th) Sunday of the Month (check website).
  • Weed control by hand pulling, spraying via backpack, 4x4 or airboat.
  • General maintenance such as painting infrastructure, applying preservative to wooden floors and seats in lookouts, cleaning interpretive signs, pruning and clearing paths, mowing.
  • Collaborate and partner with Parks & Wildlife, university, schools, industry and community on projects.
  • Provide talks and guided tours.
  • Apply for grants to support work at the dam.
  • Periodically organise a Field Day with talks, guided walks and children’s activities.
  • Maintain species lists for Fogg Dam.
  • Maintain our website and facebook pages.
  • Distribute newsletters.
  • Comment on Government plans and reports relating to Fogg Dam and its wetlands.
  • Developed and maintain a booklet and website with downloadable driver’s guide on the Humpty Doo Rice Project.

About Friends of Fogg Dam

History

Fogg Dam is located within the Adelaide River wetlands which is a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). Fogg Dam was built in 1956 on the Adelaide River floodplain, the traditional lands of the Wulna people, as part of the ambitious Australian-American Humpty Doo Rice Project. Failure of the grand scale project in 1960 caused the collapse of Australia’s first Merchant Bank however rice production continued under four Australian farmers until it was finally abandoned in 1964.

Despite the project's failure, the dam wall is maintained to this day to provide freshwater wetland habitat for a huge array of bird, turtle, snake, plant and fish species.

Fogg Dam was declared a Bird Protection district in 1959, a Conservation Reserve in 1982 and was listed as a Heritage Site in recognition of the historical significance of the Humpty Doo Rice Project in 2009.

Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve

Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve is approximately 70km east of Darwin along the Arnhem Highway. 

Fogg Dam is a freshwater wetland accessible throughout the year. Fogg Dam attracts thousands of visitors each year. Six different habitats in a small area sustain diverse flora and fauna. 

Visitors can enjoy the Woodland to Waterlily Walk through the forest fringe to dam lookouts and the Monsoon Forest Walk which winds through lush monsoonal forest to the edge of the floodplain. The dam wall and lookouts provide great viewing across the dam and the floodplain. 

Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve

Involvement with groups like Friends of Fogg Dam is both rewarding and therapeutic. The working bees were fun offering great diversity from working on an air boat, GPS mapping and even weed pulling. Regular participation allows you to see the fruits of your labour and how you made a difference. I forgot to mention what a great place for bird watching. Thank you Friends of Fogg Dam - it is a great cause in an amazing environment with great people. Wayne Bennett.
The Sunday morning working bees at Fogg Dam are definitely one of the highlights of my month. It's such a wonderful place, which makes it a privilege to be out there doing something to help preserve its natural beauty... The other Friends who turn up regularly to participate in the working bees are an interesting and knowledgeable bunch. I learn something new from them - about nature, wildlife and conservation - each time we meet, especially during the long chats we have over the barbecue lunches that always follow our work sessions. Barry Lowe

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