April 2026

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: 

Recent Events

UPMC Landcare Group - nest box monitoring

Members of the UPMC Landcare Group recently monitored the nesting boxes along Bruces Creek Reserve. The boxes were installed there by the Wurundjeri Narrap Team and Landcare Facilitator Chris Cobern in 2023 and we were very pleased to find two of the rare brush-tailed phascogales using the boxes as well as sugar gliders and brush-tailed possums.
Hollows are crucial for shelter and breeding sites for much of our wildlife need and these artificial homes are helping the wildlife to persist in our area.

Clean up Australia Day in the Upper Merri Catchment

The Wallan Environment Group (WEG) and the Beveridge Environment Group-FoMC both held Clean up Australia Day activities in March.
WEG's clean up event was along Old Sydney Road and the volunteers collected a very large volume of rubbish, and the BEG-FoMC volunteers helped clean up the Beveridge Spring and Bushland Reserve.
Special thank you to the Mitchell Shire Council for organising the traffic management along Old Sydney Road and the collection of the rubbish at both sites.

Wallan wallan Regional Parkland

Creating the wallan wallan Regional Parkland will provide habitat for waterbirds and wildlife, supporting migratory populations of threatened bird species.
Iconic species such as the Brolga were once common in this region, and the return of the wetlands within the parkland will also help this amazing bird to return to the area.
The Parkland will serve as a wildlife destination and establish permanent habitat for a significant number of flora and fauna such as Growling Grass Frogs.
Click here to sign our petition, calling on the State Government to commit to the establishment of the wallan wallan Regional Parkland.

Coming Up 

UPMC Landcare Group Wallan Market Stall

The UPMC Landcare Group will be back at the Wallan Market this Saturday 11 April.
They will have indigenous plants, stakes and tree guards, weed and pest management brochures, as well as being available for a friendly chat.
More information here.

Weed Management Plan Workshop - UPMC Landcare Group

Upper Plenty Merri Catchments Landcare Group are running a workshop to help landowners prepare and submit their weed management plans. Come along and we will have people from Landcare, Mitchell Shire and TREC Land Services and you will:

• Learn about your obligations
• Learn what options there are to get on top of weeds - particularly Blackberry and Gorse
• Get help to write your weed management plan from the experts
• It is a great opportunity to meet other locals and learn Landcare can help.

When: Saturday 18 April
Time: 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Where: Upper Plenty Mechanics Institute Hall
Click here to register.

Hidden Valley Environment Sub-committee and WEG upcoming events

Working Bee & Hand-weeding Workshop
Hidden Valley Rail Reserve
Sunday 12 April from 10am-noon
Targeting woody weed seedlings

Plant Cutting and Propagation Workshop
Wallan Wallan Scout Hall, corner of Windham Street and Watson Street
Sunday 19 April from 10am-noon

Wildlife Nightlife Walk
Hidden Valley Rail Reserve
Friday 1 May starting at 6.00pm until around 7.30pm

For more details and to register for all of these events click here.

Funding Opportunities

Yarra Valley Water Community Grants

Apply for up to $15,000 to deliver projects that use water wisely, strengthen communities, or care for nature, land and waterways.

Open to not-for-profit community organisations, educational institutions, charities, incorporated bodies and local community groups operating within Yarra Valley Water's service area.

Applications open now & close 5pm, Friday 1st May. Find out more 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.