Volunteering with our Ecological Restoration Team

Merri Creek Management Committee’s (MCMC) Ecological Restoration Team manages and restores native vegetation along Merri Creek and tributaries in Melbourne’s north. Team members are experienced in vegetation management and hosting volunteer groups.

Why volunteer to restore the Merri Creek?

Corporate volunteering events provide a great atmosphere for team-building. Helping to restore the creek environment allows volunteers to be part of a long-term project that has transformed one of Melbourne’s most-loved waterways and provides opportunities to reconnect with the natural landscape of Melbourne’s North.

Weekday and weekend volunteering

If you would like to volunteer on a weekday, we can help you develop a customised activity day for your group.

If you are interested in a weekend activity, we can make your group welcome at one of the regular community events listed in our calendar. If your weekend group is larger than five, please let us know well in advance, for catering purposes.

Seasonal activities

Please let us know about your interest as early as possible. Advance notice helps us to arrange a suitable activity and site for your group.

• Planting activities are ideally arranged by March, for planting in late Autumn or Winter
• At least a month’s notice is desirable for other volunteering activities.

The range of possible activities varies according to season. Planting and planting preparations are generally available April to August, nest box monitoring takes place in late Spring and Summer. Weeding and litter removal can be scheduled at any time of year. Often, corporate days can involve multiple activities. We can discuss availability of activities and their suitability for your group; however options at suitable sites may be limited.

Please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the following information:

1. Preferred activity

2. Preferred month, day and time Let us know your preferred month, day of week or other specific dates.
3. Preferred location Do you have any constraints regarding location? Some of our sites are accessible by public transport; for others you will need to arrange vehicle transport to the site.
4. Why your group wants to volunteer with us A brief sentence is adequate.

Fee for weekday events

Your group’s volunteer efforts will improve the environmental outcomes of the Merri Creek restoration project. However, funds are needed to cover our staff costs to customise, arrange and host your group’s event.

Costs for the 2023-2024 financial year:

For groups larger than 30 people, options may be limited. Please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss what may be possible.

Lunch

We can provide lunch for your corporate activity day at an additional cost of $15 per person (excl. GST). Popular options include savoury Levantine pastries and flatbreads, or a BBQ with halal sausages, falafel, hommus and salad. We may be able to cater to certain dietary requirements, please email us to confirm.

Liability

All registered volunteers (older than 12 and younger than 80) at our events are covered by our personal accident insurance.  However volunteers are not covered by our Workcover insurance.  Please check that your staff will be covered by your own workplace’s WorkCover on their volunteer day with us. If they are not, please ensure that they are aware of this.

Sample itinerary for a corporate group volunteer day

• 9am - Meet MCMC staff at site for a safety induction
• 15am -commence volunteer work
• 12pm to 12:45pm – Lunch (provided at cost by MCMC or otherwise arranged by your group)
• 12:45/1.00pm onwards – complete volunteer works
• 2:30pm pack-up equipment on site
• 2:30-3pm leave site

Please ensure all participants are wearing the following:

• Sturdy long trousers
• Sturdy long-sleeved shirt
• Suitable closed, sturdy footwear
• Do not wear loose or flowing clothing or jewellery that may cause danger or reduce your working capacity.

Be prepared for the forecast weather by bringing:

• Sunglasses
• Hat
• A jacket in case the weather is cold
• Wet weather gear (coat and pants) so the team can continue to work in light rain

We will provide your group with appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves and eye protection.

Want more information about our work?

Our Ecological Restoration Team works with a variety of land managers, including Local Government, Melbourne Water and Parks Victoria. We restore and manage native vegetation at over 60 sites from Fairfield in the south to Kalkallo and Beveridge in the north.

The following site information notes outline the kind of work we do:

• Galada Tamboore in Campbellfield
• Merri Park Wetland in Northcote
• Rushwood Drive Reserve in Craigieburn
• Moomba Park in Fawkner
• Ngarri-djarrang Grassland in Reservoir