September 2025

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 National Tree Day

It was very wet at the Dry Creek Reserve for UPMC Landcare Groups National Planting Day event, The good news was that the rain held off just enough for the volunteers to replace a small number of plants that didn't make it from the last round of planting and planted plenty of new trees and shrubs with their new biodegradable guards.
It was also the first time the group got their new Marquee up and use their new tools, thank you FRRR and Bendigo Bank. As a relatively new group they now feel like the real deal with their own equipment.  

Dry Creek Restoration Project - Nesting Boxes 

We recently checked the nesting boxes at the Dry Creek Restoration Project site in Upper Plenty and were very excited to find Ringtail Possums and Sugar Gliders using the boxes.

WEG - Taylors Lane Planting Event

Wallan Environment Group (WEG) held a very successful planting day in Wallan recently along Taylors Lane. Over 30 people attended and helped plant 1400 indigenous plants. The revegetation project will beautify the area along Taylors Lane and create important habitat for native birds.

The project has been funded by a Bupa Healthy Cities Landcare Project Grant, and supported by Mitchell Shire Council.

Hidden Valley Fauna Survey

The Hidden Valley Environment Sub-committee and MCMC's Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator have been undertaking fauna surveys in native bushland in Hidden Valley using remote sensor cameras. They have been rewarded with photographs and videos of a great diversity of wildlife including rare species such as the Slender-tailed Dunnart and Brush-tailed Phascogale.

A compilation of selected clips from the cameras can be viewed here:
Hidden Valley Bushland - Wallan Wildlife Watch - 2024-2025.

New websites for WEG and the UPMC Landcare Group 

Two of our community groups in the upper Merri catchment have developed their own great new websites. Click on the links here:

Upper Plenty Merri Catcments Landcare Group

Wallan Environment Group

Wallan's Natural Neighbours

Well known bird photographer and native orchid enthusiast Paul Piko recently delivered a wonderful presentation to local nature lovers about the animals, birds, and plants of Wallan.

Coming Up

Beveridge Environment Group - Backyard Bird talk

Eliza Lamb from Birdlife Australia will talk about the Aussie Bird Count citizen science week, birds of the Beveridge area, and what we can do as a group and as individuals to protect and encourage native birds.

When: Wednesday evening 8th October. 

Time: 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Where: Greater Beveridge Community Centre. Corner Lithgow Street and Mandalay Circuit, Beveridge. Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vFjKmBHwCMWqBNtg6

Please RSVP to Chris Cobern Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator. Ph. 0413 855 490 or email chriscobern@mcmc.org.au

Covidsafe advice: Do not attend the event if you have Covid19 or any cold or flu symptoms.

Beveridge bird walk and bird count

Join the Merri Creek Management Committee for a leisurely walk around the perimeter of the Beveridge Golf Course as we identify and record all the birds we see and hear as part of the Aussie Bird Count.

When: Monday morning the 20th October

Time: Start at 9am and we should finish at around 10.30am.

Where: Meet at the Club Mandalay carpark. Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qA9hMycTUguHdPWY7

Bring binoculars if you have them, but not essential. Wear sturdy footwear and come prepared for the weather predicted on the day.

Please RSVP to Chris Cobern Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator. Ph. 0413 855 490 or email chriscobern@mcmc.org.au

Wallan Wildflower Wander 

Sunday, 19th October· 2:00 – 4:00pm
Dolomite Rise, Hidden Valley. Meet opposite Mountain Ash Court.
More information here.

Hidden Valley Rail Trail Ramble

Saturday, 25th October⋅10:00am – 12:00pm
End of Lucca Way in Hidden Valley. Continue along dirt road to the end.
More information here.

Funding Opportunities

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.