NovEMBER 2022 Newsletter of the Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC)Rains fill Merri swamps; litter swamps lower Merri
Downstream, parts of the Merri Shared Path were underwater and constructed wetland, Strettle Wetland in Thornbury, was filled by overflow from Merri Creek. With the floods came masses of litter and the imperative to remove entangled plastics before they degrade into microplastics and contaminate aquatic life of the Birrarung (Yarra), Port Philip Bay and beyond. MCMC and the Friends of Merri Creek were featured in the local Brunswick Voice and The Age about the problem of litter, especially plastics, in and around Merri Creek. Help remove litter from Merri Creek
There's been a lot of community interest in helping to remove this litter. This is great, but we want to ensure that litter clean-ups are done safely. Wet weather brings hazards such as slippery/muddy banks, site flooding and strong water flows. We always complete a site safety assessment before going ahead with community litter clean-ups. Follow the 'Read more' prompt to find out how we support people to safely undertake litter clean-ups. Read More Merri Birds Calendar 2023
Order from the Friends of Merri Creek on-line shop, or email friendsofmerricreek@gmail.com. Order quickly, as numbers are limited. The calendars are also available at CERES Nursery and CERES Grocery, in Brunswick East. Wish people a “Merri Christmas” and help our creek too!Once again you can wish people a “Merri Christmas” with these stunning cards featuring the Sacred Kingfisher, Flame Robin, and Spotted Pardalote. They're only $30 for 20 cards, $20 for 10, or $5 each. Order from the Friends of Merri Creek on-line, or email friendsofmerricreek@gmail.com, or also at CERES Nursery in Brunswick East. Landcare grants success
The Friends of Merri Creek LGBTQI+ subgroup, Queermates of Bababi Djinanang, were granted $14,227 for the project: Queermates - building biodiversity at Bababi Djinanang. The project will facilitate training workshops and activities to restore degraded sections of the Bababi Djinanang grassland, next to Merri Creek in Fawkner. MCMC staff developed the grant application in close consultation with the group.
Vale Allan Thomson OAM
Read More Tree Guards Litter Problem
As a general rule Merri Creek Management Committee avoids using coreflute tree guards in floodzones as they are too flimsy. However occasionally our clients require us to use materials that they provide. Because coreflute guards have now caused such a litter problem (not all from our own plantings) we are talking with our clients about using more appropriate materials for future plantings in flood-prone areas. Read More Do Platypus Live in Merri Creek? - School Holiday program
Over 40 participants learned about waterbugs and the important role they play in the Platypus ecology. The kids enjoyed presentations on the platypus, quizzes, and testing the water quality of the local wetlands. The feedback was exceptional and it was great to get kids outdoors during school holidays. The event was funded by Merri-bek City Council. Enjoyable Platy Project Dusk walk at Merri-Birrarung
The participants learned about issues like "urban stream syndrome" where rapid stormwater runoff from hard urban surfaces (roads and roofs) after rain leads to swift increases in the amount of water and speed of flow in creeks, brings high nutrient and sediment loads, causes erosion of bank and results in low levels of sensitive aquatic macroinvertebrates (waterbugs). This threatens the breeding capacity and wellbeing of platypus, as they rely on waterbugs for their diet, and stable banks of creeks to make their burrows. Read More A little nature play in Hume
Early Years educators appreciated the support we gave in planning planning and undertaking nature play visits to nearby natural areas. Now we are getting ready to re-connect with Hume’s early years communities for the third year of this leadership project. Photo: A Hume Kindergarten group walks for the first time to the nearby wetlands of Malcolm Creek Revolutionising Water Monitoring in Merri Creek - Webinar
In the Webinar, RMIT and MCMC discuss the results and what they mean for the ongoing ecological health of Merri Creek. Also, the Cities of Merri-bek (formerly Moreland) and Whittlesea reveal the water quality improvement projects they are undertaking. Read More |
Merri Creek Management Committee. 2 Lee St, East Brunswick, Victoria, Australia 3057 (view map here)
Phone:(03) 9380 8199 Email: admin@mcmc.org.au © Merri Creek Management Committee Do you want to receive email notifications of Merri Creek events? Modify your Subscription
Not interested any more? Unsubscribe from all emails from MCMC
Have you been forwarded this newsletter and you would like to subscribe? Its free!
Go to http://mcmc.org.au/get-involved/subscribe |
29 Mar 2023; 09:30AM - 11:30AM Friends of Coburg Lake & Surrounds Wednesday Working Bee |
31 Mar 2023; 09:30AM - 11:30AM Friends of Coburg Lake & Surrounds Weekly Friday Working Bee |
01 Apr 2023; 10:00AM - 12:00PM Friends of Merri Park Working Bee |
01 Apr 2023; 10:00AM - 12:30PM Waterwatch Waterbug Community Sampling (2023) - Darebin |
01 Apr 2023; 11:00AM - 02:00PM Edgars Creek Community Planting Day |
02 Apr 2023; 10:00AM - 01:00PM Waterwatch Waterbug community sampling |
Merri Creek Management Committee. 2 Lee St, East Brunswick, Victoria, Australia 3057 (view map in new window )
Phone:(03) 9380 8199 Email: admin@mcmc.org.au ABN: 13 025 599 242
© Merri Creek Management Committee