September 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                   

Beveridge PS & Our Lady of the Way PS planting events

Students from the Our Lady of the Way Primary School recently planted many indigenous plants as part of the National Tree Day Week. The students did a great job with a lot of enthusiasm as they planted the plants and protected them with tree guards. The garden is taking shape and it is part of the schools 'Bush Foods and Biodiversity' project which has been funded by Landcare Australia.

As a part of Beveridge Primary School’s 150th anniversary this year the school is creating a native habitat garden. The garden will be used not only for the student’s education in biodiversity and sustainability, but to also support the native biodiversity of Beveridge which is increasingly being destroyed as the local area is developed for housing.
The students did a wonderful job planting the first of many indigenous shrubs amongst an area of the school grounds that for the last 150 years has managed to retain some of the original native grasses, herbs and flax-lilies.

UPMC Landcare & WEG National Tree Day events

The Upper Plenty Merri Catchments Landcare Group (UPMC LG) held this years National Tree Day event along Dry Creek Reserve in Upper Plenty.

A huge thanks goes to the volunteers who braved the rain and cold to help. Big thanks to Isabel, Ryan and Amy from TREC Land Services and the state member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage MP and of course our very own UPMC LG members, as well as friends and family. Thanks to Pete and Jess for the amazing catering - it was just what we needed!
In total 150 plants were planted around Dry Creek, consisting of indigenous trees and shrubs in our bid to help restore the area. The day wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for Planet Ark and Fifteen Trees so thank you for the support!

Despite the bad weather the Wallan Environmant Groups National Tree Day planting took place along the Hidden Valley Rail Reserve.

23 volunteers turned up. About 500 trees, shrubs and grasses were planted. Overall a very successful day. The rain held off until after we packed up. We even had a spot of sunshine.

One of the volunteers from Friends of Merri Creek, Polly Bastow, to summarize the day, drew the sketch below. It is true - there were cows looking over the fence.

WEG and ANZ Planting Day - Hidden Valley Rail Reserve

The Wallan Environment Group held another planting day along the Hidden Valley rail reserve.
With the help of volunteers from ANZ Bank we planted over 400 indigenous plants.

The morning started foggy but the fog cleared and it was a great day for everyone involved.

The plantings will help provide important habitat and nesting sites for woodland birds.

The activities were supported by Landcare Australia with funding from VicTrack.

Coming Up

APS Mitchell Spring Plant Expo & Sale

The Australian Plant Society Mitchell Spring Plant Expo & Sale is on Saturday 7th September.

Once again the annual expo is being held at the Wallan Multipurpose Centre, Bentinck Street, Wallan. Parking available in front of the Wallan Multi-Purpose Community Centre, on Bentinck Street, and Wedding Drive.

There will be flower displays, native plants and books for sale starting at 9am until 3pm.

FREE ENTRY
Door Prizes & Raffle
Native Plant & Flower Displays
Gardens for Wildlife

WaterWatch field day in Upper Plenty

Join UPMC Landcare on Sunday 22nd September for a free family activity day to collect and identify waterbugs to evaluate the health of our local waterways.
Led by Trevor Hausler from Friends of Merri Creek this will be a fun and educational activity learning and spending time in our beautiful natural environment.
Lunch will be provided so come along and join in.
Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/waterwatch-field-day
Please note enclosed shoes and a moderate level of fitness will be required as we will walk around a hill to the creek.
Children will need to be accompanied by an adult.

For more information contact: secretary.upmclg@gmail.com

Wildflower Walk - Hidden Valley Rail Reserve

A spring wildflower walk is planned for Sunday 6th October, beginning 10:00am at the Hidden Valley Rail Reserve, Lucca Way Wallan.

Morning tea and a light lunch provided.

Native vegetation survived the rail era and has now recovered to create a lovely bushland reserve with many different trees and shrubs and a rich diversity of grasses and wildflowers. The old rail easement is providing great opportunities for botanists, walkers and cyclists.

To register click here. 

Information about the reserve is here in the Natural Treasures brochure. 

Merri Creek bird surveys in September

The Merri Creek BirdWatch surveys are happening over September

Sunday 15th September 8:45 – 10:30am at bababi marning (Cooper St Grasslands).

Meet in Cooper Street service lane, just west of St George Chaldean Catholic Centre, Cooper St, Campbellfield.

Beginner-birdos are welcome at the surveys, as well as experienced birdos.

Bring binoculars if you have them, and closed-in footwear, sun hat or raingear if necessary, and drinking water.

No dogs, please. Keep an eye out for snakes, especially if walking through grass near water.

Choose a site near you to enjoy your local birds, or explore a different part of the Merri.

Information here about other Merri BirdWatch surveys.  

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.