February 2024

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

Native Orchids of Hidden Valley

Members of the Hidden Valley Environment Sub-group recently visited a significant patch of bushland in Hidden Valley to look for summer flowering native orchids, and we weren't disappointed. We found quite a few Hyacinth Orchids (Dipodium roseum) and excitingly we also found one specimen of the endangered Spotted Hyacinth Orchid (Dipodium pardalinum).

Coming up

Landcare Biodiversity Field Day - Beveridge

Landcare field day at The Crest Conservation Reserve in Beveridge.

Date: Saturday 2nd March, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.

We will revisit a local revegetation and habitat restoration project 30 years on. Eden Park Landcare and City of Whittlesea direct-seeded the reserve 30 years ago with support from Greening Australia. More recently fauna surveys found 62 vertebrate species on-site including 2 threatened species.

Activities during the day will include: 

• Nest-box monitoring and installation demonstration.
• Wandering through the site with an expert to learn about the history and find out what plants have thrived here.
• Collection of native seed for future revegetation.
• Viewing the new reptile habitat installation and hearing about the results of a recent fauna survey on this site.

This is an outdoor event and may involve walking over rough terrain. Please wear weather appropriate clothing and footwear.
BYO drinking water. Sausage sizzle provided.

Location: The Crest Conservation Reserve, 20 The Crest, Beveridge.

It is a free event but bookings are essential. Register here.

Hidden Valley Clean up Australia Day - Sunday 3rd March. 

Clean Up Australia Day is just around the corner, on Sunday 3rd March. 

It’s time to gather your  friends, family, neighbours and local community group together to make an impact that improves your local environment. 

Join the Hidden Valley Environment Sub-group to clean up around the Hidden Valley parklands.
For more information and to register click here.

Farming Essentials – Webinar Series for small landholders

The Victorian Farmers Federation under the Stock Sense project is running a "Farming Essentials" webinar series for life stylers, hobby farmers, small landholders and new farmers. The series aims to enhance sustainable land management, improve on-farm biosecurity, and increase the knowledge of animal health and welfare among small landholders. Participants will have access to valuable resources and expert advice throughout the sessions. 

Dates: Wednesdays, starting 14th February
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Duration: Weekly for 6 weeks
Cost: Free of charge
Details and registration click here.

Mitchell Environment Advisory Committee applications open

Mitchell Shire Council is calling for 12 community representatives to become members of the 2024-2026 Mitchell Environment Advisory Committee (MEAC)

Council is looking for looking people who:

• are interested in the local environment
• have a background in environment and sustainability
• are keen to contribute to environment and sustainability issues in Mitchell.

The committee provides a valuable opportunity to harness the community's knowledge, experience and skills to provide advice to Council on environmental sustainability and management issues and initiatives in the municipality.

Representatives will be appointed for 2 years from April 2024. Meetings are held every two months, with the occasional special meeting in between.

To apply and for further information visit the Engaging Mitchell page.  Or pick up a hard copy at a Mitchell Shire Council library.

Applications close 5pm Tuesday 12 March.

See what’s in store for parklands along the Merri Creek!

The marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parklands Future Directions Plan has been released. 

The plan was developed in partnership with the Traditional Owners of the land, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people. It outlines plans to expand the parklands by connecting parks and reserves all the way from Campbellfield to Beveridge. 

The parklands will:

• provide more grassy, open spaces
• create a shared vision with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people to protect nature and traditional lands
• provide picnic facilities, shaded areas and walking trails

The parklands are among more than 100 new and improved parks and trails projects in the Victorian Government’s $315 million Suburban Parks Program. 

To read the Future Directions Plan click here.

MCMC acknowledged in Environmental Award

Metro Trains, which contracts work from Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC), was recognised with a High Commendation award in the Excellence in Environmental Outcomes Category for the annual Infrastructure Sustainability Council awards on 7 September, 2023. The Biodiversity Manager of Metro Trains, Ben Roberts, said "I feel the award is a great recognition of the skilled and dedicated effort that MCMC have contributed since the inception of the biosite program. Throughout the program, MCMC have provided a consistent and reliable service which has resulted in the MCMC managed sites steadily recovering over this time, including improving site conditions which have significantly increased threatened species abundance."

Achievements made by Metro Trains at the Biosites include: 314% increase in abundance of threatened species; recovery of three Threatened Ecological Commuities; the return of five previously unrecorded threatened species; and the introduction of regular cool season eco-burns as a "business-as-usual" practice. 
Also see the video of our work with Metro Trains on remnant rail reserves in this segment on Gardening Australia in 2021.

Funding & grants 

Planet Ark’s Seedling Bank Grants – close 1st March

Planet Ark’s Seedling Bank grant applications are now open to schools and community groups around Australia, closing Friday 1st March.

Since 1996, National Tree Day has seen Australian communities plant almost 26 million trees. The Seedling Bank aims to further support these dedicated volunteers with their planting efforts by providing financial support where seedlings are needed most. The program launched in 2019 with the goal of supplying native seedlings to schools and community groups around Australia. Financial grants are awarded directly to successful applicants to get seedlings in the ground and help restore our unique Australian landscape.

The Seedling Bank supports projects both big and small throughout the year.

Details and to apply click here.

Melbourne Water Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways Program

These Melbourne Water grants are open all-year around.
Eligible activities include weed removal, revegetation, erosion control, signage, habitat creation, stormwater management, fencing, irrigation plans, farm layout design and more.
Individual landholders encouraged to find out more here.