Residents of the area might be thinking that community groups like Landcare have decided to close their doors during lock down, but according to the President of the Northern Yarra Landcare Network, John Birse, they might be surprised to find something quite different is going on.
“With people spending so much time in their local area, I think we are all feeling a change in the way we see our local world,” John Birse said.
“Lockdown has given us all a chance to really notice what happens on our properties when not we’re normally out there or when we’re usually too busy to stop and smell the roses.”
For John and other Landcare members like Evelyn Feller, President of Chum Creek Landcare Group, the internet has been an amazing tool for Landcare.
“I don’t think anyone ever thought we’d be able to take a virtual tour of a New South Wales property to see how farmers are enhancing their properties for birdlife, or hear from experts about the latest in farm innovation,” Evelyn Feller said.
“But that’s exactly the sort of thing we can do now. It’s entertaining and informative, and it’s helping us to stay connected.”
For people who have ever wondered what Landcare is, it’s a movement that was founded over 30 years ago in Victoria by Joan Kirner and Heather Mitchell.
“Joan was the then Minister for Conservation,” John said.
“And Heather was the president of the Victorian Farmers Federation. Victorians, particularly those in rural areas, had long been concerned about the condition of our depleted soils, so the objective was to educate and involve landowners in the process of restoring soil health and the natural environment.”
Landcare is now a national movement, with over 600 Landcare Groups across the state.
In the area around Healesville and Yarra Glen there are five groups: Mt Toolebewong and District, Christmas Hills, Chum Creek, Dixons Creek and Steels Creek.
The last three groups have combined to form the Northern Yarra Landcare Network to address common Landcare issues like weeds.
A big focus and success of the Network was the formation of the Northern Yarra Weed Action Group to tackle invasive weeds, especially blackberry, after the 2009 fires.
Landcare has helped more than 300 Northern Yarra landowners with their weed control, providing advice, planning, training, equipment and rebates.
“We try to address all the reasons why a landowner wouldn’t take action to control weeds,” John Birse said.
“And supporting neighbours to work with each other over the long term, including our government agencies, is really important.”
It’s not just weeds though, the groups have also run information sessions and field days on topics as diverse as raising goats, controlling deer, rabbits and Indian mynas, designing shelter belts, tree planting, improving dam health, as well as events about local species like platypus, powerful owls and wombats.
Mt Toolebewong and District Landcare Group, part of the Yarra Ranges Landcare Network, has worked with local schools for many years restoring stream habitat in Badger Creek and Grace Burn as just one of its many activities.
More recently, Landcare has had to shift its focus to delivering things differently.
“Turning to our environment, whether it be on our own properties or in our local neighbourhood, is really important for our mental health,” John said.
He points out how lockdown has been especially hard for young adults and children, so reaching people online is all we can do during these restrictions.
“Quality screen time and more green time, that’s got to be a good thing right now and Landcare can help with that”
Landcare activities are determined by members.
Landcare wants to hear from people about their interests, the skills they might be able to bring to Landcare and the issues that they think need attention.
If you are interested in knowing more about Landcare, go to the new website northernyarralandcare.com.au
