A new Landcare group is being formed to protect local waterways and the unique flora and fauna of the southern Dandenongs, and new members are encouraged to join.
‘From Ferny Creek to Belgrave South to Lysterfield: these are special places to live, and now is the time to join with other interested community members to help protect the local landscape and waterways,’ said Shire of Yarra Ranges Landcare Facilitator Katie Brown.
Landcare is about local volunteers and landholders working together on community projects and issues that help protect and enhance the local area.
By participating in Landcare activities people can make new friends, learn new things, and most of all make a real difference to the place where they live.
The Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA) and the Shire of Yarra Ranges are working together to support the growth of Landcare in the area.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges already has 10 Landcare groups, and the Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group will join them in forming the Yarra Ranges Landcare Network. This Network will provide opportunities for local Landcare volunteers to share ideas, information and experiences, and work together to achieve better environmental and community outcomes for the greater good of the region.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges recently appointed Katie Brown to support local Landcare and horticultural industry groups in the area, while the PPWCMA has a Landcare Support Team to provide advice, help organise meetings and link groups and agencies working on Landcare projects.
The first meeting of the Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group is on Tuesday, 20 February at Belgrave South Community House, Gilmore Court, Belgrave South from 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm.
‘We want everyone who is interested to come along and hear about what makes their local area special and what they can do as Landcarers to help keep it that way,’ said Sarah Canham, Western Port and Dandenong Landcare Coordinator for the PPWCMA.
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The geographic area of the new group includes the creeks and waterways of Ferny Creek, Sherbrooke and Clematis Creeks and Muddy Creek to the east and Monbulk Creek to the west, although neighbouring residents are most welcome to attend. Tuesday’s meeting will include a presentation from a local flora and fauna expert, election of the inaugural steering committee and information on Landcare.
For more information contact Katie Brown on Tel: 9294 6184. |