SEPTEMBER 2022

From the Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator

Welcome to the latest newsletter from the Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator and the Merri Creek Management Committee. Please find below information on local initiatives, opportunities and funding.

To subscribe see link below.

If you would like to share photos, events, updates and projects through the Upper Merri Landcare News. Please email through your submissions to: chriscobern@mcmc.org.au

Recent Events

School Planting Day - Upper Plenty Primary School

Mitchell Shire Council's Environment and Parks & Gardens Teams and the Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator Chris Cobern recently held a tree planting activity with the Upper Plenty Primary School along a tributary of the Dry Creek that runs between the school and the Upper Plenty Mechanics Institute Hall. 

The students had a great time and did a very good job of planting over 200 indigenous ground covers, grasses and shrubs that will provide food and shelter for wildlife.

Friends of Hidden Valley Bushland Reserves 

On Wednesday 24th August the inaugural gathering of the 'Friends of Hidden Valley Bushland Reserves' took place.
The group held a walk and talk in the bushland areas and rail reserve at the end of Lucca Way.
Led by Hidden Valley's own native plants and orchids enthusiasts Paul Piko and Norbert Ryan we got to see many native orchids and wildflowers growing, flowering and emerging in these significant patches of bushland.

These special areas are under threat from weeds, illegal firewood collecting and urban development.
Concerned and interested residents are encouraged to become part of the Friends of Hidden Valley Bushland Reserves.
The group will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the significant bushland areas in Hidden Valley and the fauna and flora that these areas support.
It will also be an important way for the community to protect and enhance these areas, and to advocate for their permanent protection.

For more information about the Friends of Hidden Valley Bushland Reserves contact Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator Chris Cobern on 0413 855 490 or email
chriscobern@mcmc.org.au

Photos by Paul Piko. 

Coming Up

Are you interested in being part of a new Landcare group?

We will be holding a community meeting for the establishment of a new Landcare group for the Upper Plenty, Wallan, Beveridge, and Heathcote Junction areas.

Come along to hear from members of other local Landcare groups about their experiences and to discuss the idea of forming the Upper Plenty-Upper Merri Landcare Group with other locals.

When: Wednesday 5th October starting at 6.30pm.
Where: Upper Plenty Mechanics Institute (The Shack), Wallan-Whittlesea Road, Upper Plenty.
Light supper provided

To RSVP or for further information contact Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator, Chris Cobern on 0413 855 490 or email chriscobern@mcmc.org.au

Wallan Environment Group - Spring Wildflower Walk

The Wallan Environment Group will be holding another wildflower walk in the Hidden Valley Rail Reserve - weather permitting - on Sunday 9th October from 10:00am to 12 noon.

The reserve has a very diverse range of indigenous plants including many lilies, orchids and other wildflowers, and significant remnants of the native vegetation that once covered the surrounding area.

Meeting place is at the end of Lucca Way in Hidden Valley - https://goo.gl/maps/13s33vDmPS2Dy1Do6

To register for the walks contact Claudia James on 5783 1325.

Abuzz about native bees - Workshop

Australia has over 2,000 species of native bees, all have an important role in our natural and agricultural ecosystems. 

Come along and hear about native bees as important crop pollinators, what sort of habitat our native bees require and bee friendly farming. Latest information on Varroa mite.

When: 29th September, 10am12:30pm.
Lancefield Mechanics Institute, 4 The Cresent, Lancefield.
Registrations: Abuzz about native bees

Microbats - Fascinating Creatures of the Night (online)

Join Microbat expert Lindy Lumsden who will discuss the species that occur within Melbourne, describe intriguing, little known aspects of their natural history, and outline the innovative approaches used to study these cryptic nocturnal animals, their habitat requirements, and what you can do to help protect them.

Wednesday, 14 September, 6.30pm - 7.30pm

To register click here.

Funding Opportunities

Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party - Community Grants 

The Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP) is providing community groups and organisations with the opportunity to apply for grants to manage serrated tussock.
Grants of up to $5,000 (GST excluded) are available to deliver a project which meets the priorities and criteria outlined in these guidelines.
Please see the guidelines and application form below, which includes how to submit the grant application, contact details and the criteria for assessment.

Grants are currently open for application: 
Apply here: VSTWP Community Grant Application form
Guidelines here: VSTWP Community Grant Guidelines

Horticultural Netting Grants for Victorian Horticulturalists

The purpose of the Horticultural Netting Program is to provide funding to eligible horticultural enterprises (excluding wine grapes) for the purchase and installation of new netting over established production areas.

Grants are available for eligible horticulture enterprises operating in Victoria. The Program will provide for up to 50 per cent of eligible costs to purchase and commercially install new horticultural netting (fixed and demountable), to a maximum of $150,000 (ex GST). Applicants may also self-install, subject to some exclusions, such as wages and installation equipment.

The application period for this grants program is open now and closes 17 October.

For more information, and to apply, visit - Horticultural Netting Grants for Victorian Horticulturalists

TreeProject - Seedling orders for 2023

TreeProject are still taking orders for seedlings until 30th September. The cost of ordering seedlings to be grown by TreeProject volunteers is $220 per order of 500 seedlings. This will provide you with 14 boxes, (a minimum of 500 seedlings). 

To learn more or to place an order, visit - Order Seedlings – Introduction | TreeProject