Merri Creek Management Committee’s Ecological Restoration Program was established in 1989, under the name 'Parkland Management'.  It undertakes ecological restoration and revegetation works at multiple sites along Merri Creek and its tributaries. These works are guided by the Merri Creek and Environs Strategy, which sets out the the vision and provides the strategic direction for management needs in the catchment as well as detailing specific actions. We also undertake restoration works at some sites outside the catchment.

Restoration and revegetation works focus on establishing and maintaining competitive indigenous vegetation through carefully targeted weed control, mulching, planting and direct seeding. Within the native grasslands, ecological burns are used to maintain the diversity of wildflowers and the health of the Kangaroo Grass.

Sites are chosen according to the following priorities:

• Protection and restoration of remnant vegetation
• Maintenance of existing plantings
• Establishment of new revegetated areas

These priorities are heavily influenced by what funding is available. Works are funded by service agreements and contracts with member Councils and by a grants from a variety of sources. We also undertake contract work for other agencies and private clients. See details of our Business Services here.

Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC) does not own any land, so all its works are done with the approval of the land-owner, often one of MCMC’s member Councils, or Melbourne Water.

The Ecological Restoration staff work closely with other agencies that also undertake revegetation and restoration works at different sites along the Merri Creek and with agencies that manage utilities and easements within the Creek corridor, including SPI AusNet, CitiPower and Yarra Valley Water.

The permanent members of the Ecological Restoration Team are supplemented during the busy planting season with temporary team members. 

The calendar on the left of this page identifies opportunities for community involvement in Ecological Restoration activities.

MCMC is committed to the six principles of ecological restoration, as adopted by the Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia (SERA).  These are described here (789 KB pdf).

Iconic Merri Species - Plains Yam Daisy and Golden Sun Moth

Two projects are designed to have long term impact on the survival of two iconic species in the Merri Creek Valley. The Critically endangered Golden Sun Moth and the culturally significant Plains Yam Daisy will both benefit from monitoring and on-ground works that you can get involved in.

	Reversing the Decline of Plains Yam Daisy Microseris scapigera in the Merri Catchment Find out more ...   Continuing and Extending Golden Sun Moth Habitat Surveys  Find out more ...
Female Golden Sun Moth at Bababi Marning		Plains Yam Daisy at Kalkallo Common

Uncover, Recover & Discover your Merri Creek.

The changing fortunes of Merri Creek come alive in a new series of displays that demonstrate how far we’ve come in restoring the creek. Images from Merri Creek Management Committee’s treasure trove of records contrast the different eras of the Merri corridor.

If you weren’t around twenty years ago you’ll be surprised at how much the landscape of the Merri has changed since the 1980’s. You can help play a role in its future. 

	Merri Creek, Robinson Reserve, Preston Merri Creek, Preston - once surrounded by majestic trees, diverse aquatic vegetation and a chorus of frog calls. It may have looked like this prior to European settlement. Photo: Merri Creek at Cooper St, Epping.
	Aitken Creek Craigieburn Aitken Creek, Craigieburn - once surrounded by dense tussock grasslands, ancient red gums and teeming with wildlife. It may have looked like this prior to European Settlement. Photo: Malcolm Creek, Craigieburn. Find out more ...
	Wetland, Hall Reserve, Clifton Hill Wetlands were once common throughout the Merri Creek catchment and offered habitat for scores of fish, insects, birds, lizards and frogs. Some of them may have looked like this. Photo: Hall Reserve Wetland, Clifton Hill. Find out more ...
The displays have also been produced as laminated flip-charts that can be seen at plantings and school visits. The displays were produced by Merri Creek Management Committee for a Friends of Merri Creek project funded by a Federal Community Water Grant. The Uncover, Recover and Discover project also included community plantings and Waterwatch events at: Merri Creek, Robinson Reserve, Preston; Hall Reserve wetland, Clifton Hill; and Aitken Creek Reserve. Craigieburn These plantings are helping to restore the dynamic vegetation that fringes the creek, wetlands and tributaries.