November 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

UPMC Landcare & Health Services Victoria planting day

Volunteers from Health Services Victoria did a great job planting 150 native trees and shrubs to help revegetate the property of Upper Plenty Merri Catchments Landcare Group members at Walwa Park in Upper Plenty.

Hidden Valley Rail Reserve  - Wildflower Walk

On Sunday 6th October 31 people attended the Wallan Environment Group's spring wildflower walk at the Hidden Valley Rail Reserve , including 12 from the Wallan Scout Group. Kim Wilson, from Mitchell Shire Council, did nature exploration activities with the Cubs and Joeys.
The walk was supported by BEAM and Mitchell Shire Council, and was one of the three wildflower walks held to promote the Mitchell Shire Council's recently revised Natural Treasures brochure.

Dry Creek Restoration Project - Nesting Boxes

Upper Plenty Merri Catchments Landcare Group (UPMC LG) members recently installed nesting boxes throughout the Dry Creek Reserve in Upper Plenty.
The boxes were built by members at UPMC's nest box workshop in May with timber kindly donated by Bunnings in Craigieburn, and are part of UPMC's Dry Creek Rehabilitation Project.
These nesting boxes may be used by a number of different species. From birds such as treecreepers, nightjars and small parrots, to gliders, possums and potentially even the rare brush-tailed phascogale.
If you would like to get involved in making nesting boxes, or think some animals on your property might benefit from one, feel free to contact UPMC secretary secretary.upmclg@gmail.com

Friends of Merri Creek  - Upper Merri Field Trip

On Sunday 27th October UPMC LG hosted members of the Friends of Merri Creek on tour for a short working bee at the Dry Creek restoration project. The Friends of Merri Creek provided seed funding and support for the initial establishment of the Upper Plenty Merri Catchments Landcare Group, so it was nice for the group to show them one of their projects. Approximately 36 people participated in some weed control activities, targeting hawthorn and gorse at the site, an explanation of the project and a pretty good afternoon tea.

Landcare Rabbit Management Workshop 

On Saturday 19th October the UPMC LG hosted an information session on Rabbit Management in conjunction with Mitchell Shire Council. Presented by Neil Devanny from the Victorian Rabbit Action Network, the information session equipped landowners and managers with the knowledge they needed to get started in reducing rabbit numbers in their communities. The session was attended by around 30 interested locals at the Wandong Hall.

Neil opened with Rabbit Facts, and many people were surprised at how much forage rabbits consume, displacing both agricultural production and native wildlife. Neil explained what a successful species rabbits are, and that their principal weakness is not predation, poisoning, shooting or biological control, although these are important factors in maintaining lower populations. The rabbits principal weakness and the key to their control is to deny them habitat, by removing cover that will encourage potential burrowing such as gorse and blackberry, and by ripping or imploding existing burrow complexes.

The upper Plenty River and Merri Creek catchment areas are on the peri urban fringe, and Neil explains that we create habitat for rabbits on smaller acreage blocks with wood piles, shedding without mesh to prevent rabbits burrowing under, and other structures such as containers with dry soil underneath that rabbits love to burrow in. The audience were interested to learn how effective multiple adjoining properties undertaking burrow complex removal in a coordinated manner can be.

UPMCLG are planning a practical demonstration of warren ripping and other rabbit control techniques for the first quarter of next year. If you’d like to stay informed, or want to know more about local Landcare, visit the UPMC LG Facebook page or contact our secretary on secretary.upmclg@gmail.com

Coming Up

Bats in Paddock Trees - webinar - Wednesday 27th November

On Wednesday 27th November at 7.00pm - 8.30pm the Mitchell Shire Council is pleased to present renowned bat expert Dr Lindy Lumsden, discussing the fascinating, yet often poorly known, insectivorous bats, including aspects of their natural history, the role they play in the environment and the importance of paddock trees in providing habitat in agricultural landscapes.
To book online click here.

Benefits of improving farm dams - webinar

On Tuesday 3rd December at 7:00pm - 8:00pm the Mitchell Shire Council is pleased to present Dr Martino Malerba discussing the benefits that well-managed farm dams provide for farm productivity, avoided greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity.
To book online click here

Funding Opportunities

Green Links Grants Program Round 2 - closes 5th December 

The Green Links Grant Program is expanding to target biodiversity and habitat improvement works on urban waterway landscapes across the State.
The program delivers on the Victorian State Government’s commitment to support biodiversity on our waterways and create cooler, greener open spaces in areas that are experiencing significant population growth and development.
For more information click here.

Melbourne Water Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways Program 

These grants, open all-year around, fund projects and longer term partnerships that provide value to Melbourne Water and the community by aligning with at least one of the following themes:

• Connected habitat and catchments
• Integrated water management (IWM) enablers
• Science, innovation and technology
• Liveable cities

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.