Ecological burning in Merri-bek Council
As we enter warin season, MCMC begins our Autumn burns season. We share our story of the growth of our burning program originally published in our recent 2022–2024 Biennial Report. Read the full report here.
In the remnant plains grasslands of the Merri Creek valley, the delicate, star-shaped flowers of the Matted Flax-Lily add a vibrant splash of violet to the landscape. The grasslands are slowly healing, responding to an ecological burn program spanning 30 years. In 2023, this included clearing of invasive weeds and grassy biomass, creating the conditions for native wildflowers to flourish.
Autumn burn at Bababi djinanang, Fawkner. Photograph by MCMC's Michael Longmore.
iuk on the Merri: the season of a monumental journey
If you moved through the Merri landscape in March, you may have noticed as the browns and yellows of biderap (dry, hot season for Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people) gave way to the flowering of Manna Gum as iuk, the season where the length of days and nights shift until they are of equal length.
But below the surface of the Merri waters another story was unfolding, as it has for millenia: while waterbirds waded and insects darted above the water, in the depths of the Merri, Short-finned eels were maturing after an incredible journey that began as larvae in the salt waters of the Coral Sea, off the coast of Far North Queensland. These eels spend ten years or more in the fresh water of the Merri before metamorphosing into Silver eels. These eels inform the Wurundjeri name for this season: iuk means “eel”.
Future Directions Plan celebrated
In February, a group of Merri Creek supporters came together at galada tamboore to celebrate the beginning of work on the marram baba Future Directions Plan and the funding of new initiatives and projects that are part of implementing the plan. The plan is the culmination of many years of work by MCMC and the members of the Parklands Partnership, towards a vision for continuous public parklands along Merri Creek.
MCMC President Ann McGregor says the contribution of many organisations has resulted in a plan that can make a real difference to creatures that call the Merri home, like the Little Eagle and Golden Sun Moth, as well as the future residents of new suburbs who will be able to connect with nature in the Parklands.
marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parklands. Photograph by Dom McKenzie.
Krefft's Gliders: the highflyers of the Upper Merri
The Krefft's Glider, one of Australia’s most endearing nocturnal marsupials, is a master of the night. With large eyes and thick grey fur, these tiny mammals can glide distances of 50 metres or more, spreading their limbs to expose soft membranes – known as patagia – and traversing from tree to tree under the cover of darkness.
Thanks to this remarkable soaring ability, Krefft's Glider (previously known as the Sugar Glider) rarely descend to the forest floor. Living in small social groups, they nest in tree hollows lined with fresh gum leaves – a characteristic marker of their presence.
The distictive, clean nest of a Krefft's Glider (Petaurus notatus). Photo by Chris Cobern, MCMC.
Gifts with impact
Make your festive season more meaningful by choosing gifts that have impact. The Friends of Merri Creek offer four delightful gifts that bring stories of Wurundjeri country into homes, with much of the proceeds* funding the protection of Melbourne’s much-loved waterway.
Select pickup when purchasing through the Friends of Merri Creek website, for collection from Thornbury (exact address shared after purchase). All of these products can also be purchased at the CERES Nursery and Bookstore.
Photographs with thanks to designbynature.
Twenty years of restoration…farewell Luisa Macmillan
As Merri Creek Management Committee completes its 35th year of protecting and restoring the Merri Creek, we enter a new organisational chapter, with the departure of former Manager and hugely influential Merri Creek advocate and devotee, Luisa Macmillan. While Luisa completed her Manager role in August 2023, we have continued to benefit from her expertise and experience through a part-time role as Manager, Special Projects, which concluded in October.
Luisa Macmillan, who led MCMC for over 21 years.
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