Welcome to Bellarine Landcare 

The Bellarine Landcare Group (BLG) aims to preserve, protect and enhance the natural environment of the Bellarine Peninsula. We are part of the Victorian volunteer Landcare movement - a joint effort between volunteers, the community, government and businesses.

Whether you live, work or regularly visit the Bellarine Peninsula, please consider joining us to help contribute to this precious place. 

The Bellarine Landcare Group is a member of the Bellarine Catchment Network

TO FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING LOCALLY AND GET INVOLVED CHECK OUT THE NEW BELLARINE AND GEELONG ENVIRONMENTAL VOLUNTEERING CALENDAR:  https://bgevc.com/

The City of Greater Geelong’s annual program “Swan Bay Catchment Grants” provides funding of up to 10,000 for landowners in the Swan Bay Catchment* to protect waterways and enhance and link patches of native vegetation through revegetation, weed control and fencing. ‘Expression of Interest’ are due midnight Friday 30^th December 2022 via an online form - geelong.smartygrants.com.au/SBEOI2233.

*Properties must be over 2 hectares and located within the Swan Bay Catchment. Further information here.

Australian Government Smart Farms Grant

The aim of this project isto support landholders to restore native grasslands or protect remnant grasslands.  This may be an existing remnant or restored native grassland area or within the context of an agricultural production system. The total funding is $22,000 to contribute to landholders’ on-ground projects and landholders can apply for a maximum $6000.

 Your project can be aimed at any of the following:

• restoring native grasslands,
• protecting & extending remnant grasslands,
• trialling techniques which will assist in building understanding of restoration, ie applications ofburning, slashing, scalping, herbicide, hand weeding, soil amelioration
• improving the soil health, which may include trialling multi speciespastures in either native grassland systems or within an agricultural production system.

EOI Form here - due by Friday 14 October

'Journey on Wadawurrung Country' Exhibition

"Journey on Wadawurrung Country" is coming to the Potato Shed Drysdale across two weekends, Sat 21 & Sun 22, Sat 28 & Sun 29 May, 10 am - 4 pm, leading into Reconcilation Week. More information about the exhibition here

We need your assistance with volunteering guiding on these days! No experienced required - it's a simple role & we'll tain you up! If you can help please register your interest here or email us here.

Nest boxes for Wildlife

In the absence of old, hollow trees, nest boxes can provide habitat for native animals such as parrots, owls, kookaburras & microbats to breed. 

Bellarine Landcare is working with the St Leonards Mens' Shed to build boxes for a range of local wildlife. 

More information and order form here

Master Tree Growers Course, 2021

BLG in partnership with The Otway Agroforestry Network will run the popular 'Master Tree Growers' course with the introductory session on Friday 26 March.

For more information Contact Kate Lockhart on 0413 123 844 / kate.lockhartgrace@gmail.com or click here for the Program Schedule and Registration.

Bellarine Remnant Tree Project

Old paddock trees, ‘remnants’ of the former bush which once cloaked the Bellarine, are precious in so many ways. They provide habitat for local birds, insects and other native fauna, shelter for livestock, are distinctive of this area and aesthetically beautiful. Bellarine Yellow Gums are locally endemic and listed as endangered, and along with Red Gums, Coast Manna Gums, Swamp Gums and Drooping Sheoaks, are the main tree species we find locally. As these old trees enter their twilight years, Bellarine Landcare Group (BLG) is highlighting their immense value and encouraging protection and regeneration of these ‘windows into the past’, so that they may thrive into the future.

BLG invites landholders with old indigenous trees to appy for a grant to support their health which includes:

• weed control
• indigenous seedlings for supplementary planting
• fencing, to allow natural regeneration
• site visit with management advice

A landholder workshop, will provide a forum for tree ecologists to share their knowledge of these trees and the role they play in the landscape, and how best to care for them.  A ‘Value of Trees’ brochure will help inform the community on the trees’ role and significance. Photo point monitoring and GPS mapping of these trees will be undertaken in partnership with the landholders.

More information here & application form here. This project received funding from the Australian Government Communities Environment Program. 

Victorian Landcare 2019 - 20 'Koala Country' Revegetation Grants for Landholders

"Koala country" featuring Coastal Manna Gums - the koala's favourite food plant - sometimes accompanied by ancient Austral Grass Trees. Koalas also feed on Red Gums, Swamp Gums and Bellarine Yellow Gums.

The sandy soils between Drysdale and Wallington are home to heathy woodland, where precious pockets of old coastal Manna Gums and Austral Grass Trees persist - and if you are lucky you may see an Echidna or a Koala! Bellarine Landcare is highlighting the value of these woodland remnants and have secured a Victorian Landcare grant through the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority to provide support with management of this vegetation, along with support for landholders to undertake revegetation to extend out habitat for koalas and other wildlife. 

Landholders may be eligible for a grant to assist with costs of revegetation. Read more about the grant here. Application form is here.

BLG Annual Report

2018 BLG Annual Report has been published and is available from the BLG Annual Reports page