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About Deep Creek Landcare Group
Coming Up:
Information Session Saturday 29th November
Learn about the new Deep Creek Biolink project at an information session at Lancefield Mechanics Hall – Saturday 29th November from 9am to 12pm
Come along and talk to a representative from the Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network at the Lancefield Mechanics Hall about the Deep Creek Biolink – an exciting new community-led, science-based initiative to restore the health of Deep Creek and its surrounding landscapes.
Deep Creek has long been the lifeblood of the Lancefield region, supporting forests, farms, and wildlife, and connecting our community to the land. We acknowledge and celebrate the many local landholders who have already been working hard to care for and restore their properties. The Deep Creek Biolink builds on these efforts, combining local knowledge with ecological science to create a more resilient and biodiverse future for the region.
Through simple, proven ecological practices, the project aims to rebuild biodiversity, strengthen the creek’s resilience and expand the habitat for iconic species like platypus, koalas, phascogales, and growling grass frogs.
Developed in partnership with the Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network and Biolinks Alliance, with funding from Melbourne Water, this project is a legacy we can all be part of.
Drop by to learn how you can get involved and make a lasting impact for our environment and community.
Seed Collection Workshop Sunday 30 November 2025
Private Property near Lancefield
10:30am – 1:00pm.
Free event, registrations essential. Spaces limited.
https://events.humanitix.com/native-seed-collection-workshop-3tjucrm7
Join Deep Creek Landcare Group and Presenter, Jim Robinson for a workshop on seed collection. Participants will be introduced to the theory and practice of indigenous seed collection, which will include:
how to recognise mature fruits & seeds of summer ripening local species
timing of seed ripening and when to collect seeds
equipment and safety considerations
collecting ethics and guidelines
cleaning, extracting seed and storing seeds
labeling and record keeping
Presenter: Jim Robinson (formerly Greening Australia) has many years of experience collecting indigenous seed, propagating plants, and carrying out large-scale revegetation projects around Victoria.
This event is available to anyone interested in collecting seed from indigenous plants.
For more information contact:
Ammie Jackson - Landcare Facilitator Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network
udc.landcare.facilitator@gmail.com Ph: 0436 333 079
Update (1/12/25): The workshop yesterday was booked out. Very successful by all reports.
Visit Wil-im-ee Moor-ring!
Our Landcare Facilitator, Ammie Jackson, along with the MRSC, has organised an opportunity for you to visit Wil-im-ee Moor-ring on Mt William just out of Lancefield. I have been up there twice and cannot recommend it highly enough. It is worth visiting for the location alone, add in the history of the ancient archaeological site and the importance of the greenstone trade to the Wurundjeri owners until the 1840's and we have a compelling case to take up the opportunity to visit the site and hear from the traditional owners.
Details for our next tour of Wil-im-ee Moor-ring ("Home of many axes), on Tuesday 10 February, are here - https://events.humanitix.com/february-tour-of-will-im-ee-moor-ring-with-wurundjeri-woi-wurrung
If interested, I suggest you get in sooner rather than later as past events have filled up quickly.
Update (1/12/25): Booked out already! Ammie is currently adding people to a waiting list.
Bring and Brag Session
On Wednesday, October 29 the Bring and Brag session brought together member groups from the Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network and the Jacksons Creek EcoNetwork for a social gathering and pizza night. Thirteen groups presented a snappy 4 minute update on what they are doing in their neighbourhoods. The session was enjoyable, informative and uplifting and finished off with a discussion on possible future “across border” initiatives.
Junior Landcare, October
Junior Landcare, October
Our Junior Landcare Facilitator, Emma Stevens worked with us on two plantings in October. At Bolinda PS, with help from staff and students we planted over 100 indigenous shrubs and grasses with an emphasis on providing food for pollinators. The working bee kicked off an initiative to significantly add to the biodiversity of the school’s garden. On October 31 we worked with St Mary’s and Lancefield PS to extend previous plantings along the eastern boundary of Lancefield Park. We added 113 indigenous shrubs and grasses to the site. Good follow up rain will help the new gardens get off to a good start.
Lancefield Show Sunday, October 19
Once again we at the show, just inside the entrance, with members rostered on to engage showgoers and assist them with their enquiries. We had booklets on the local environment and nest boxes for sale. We provided free indigenous plants and assisted many landowners with their queries. We had 18 volunteers rostered on over the day as a steady stream of showgoers passed through.
Our theme this year was pollinators. Four years ago we published an article titled “Insects we need you”. Never has that call for help been more apt. With varroa mite, climate change and other challenges, the health of our insect population has never been more important. We showed people how to build "insect hotels" and advised them on how they can make a difference. Our pollinator displays attracted interest and artwork by the kids from St Mary's PS added colour and interest to our exhibits.
Pollinators: our Show theme for 2025
Pollinators: our Show theme for 2025
Varroa mite is spreading across the country and “if the mite reaches the feral bee population, also known as the European honey bee, 95% of the species will be wiped out” according to the Department of Primary Industry and Regions, South Australia (PIRSA). There has been some success in treating managed hives but it is not considered feasible to protect wild bees against the pest. Did you know that one in three food items that you eat is dependent on the pollination of a bee? “About two-thirds of Australian agricultural production benefits from insect pollination, most of which is supplied by the European honey bee, according to Agrifutures Australia.” While varroa mite poses a threat, extinction is not considered likely as the mite has been around in other countries for a long time. However, it adds to a already worrying situation. Flowers collected over the past century have given a rare glimpse into the historical pollination decline in Australia …… and a growing body of research in the US and western Europe indicates both regions are suffering a pollination crisis that could threaten agricultural productivity.
People on acreage can play a huge role but everybody can contribute with indigenous plants on a suburban block or with pot plants on a balcony. Providing accessible drinking water is vital and buying or constructing insect hotels to place around the yard is also useful. Our local trees and shrubs are important for food and habitat but don’t ignore our native grasses; they are part of the natural environment that many of our native pollinators need.
The blurb above is an excerpt from our November articles in the Lancefield Mercury/Romsey Rag.
Freshly minted insect hotels. The activity was popular across age groups
Freshly minted insect hotels. The activity was popular across age groups
St Mary's P.S artwork on pollinators
St Mary's P.S artwork on pollinators
Our two marquees
Our two marquees
We had a large range of indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses to giveaway to showgoers. Most plants are grown by us with seed from the Tree Project. Our volunteers were able to use their expertise to guide them in choosing the most appropriate plants for their needs.
A steady stream of showgoers visited us over the day.
Working Bee: Sunday, October 5 9:00 am to 11:30 am
Thank You for Helping us to plant at the Doggetts Bridge streamside reserve!
The original planting at the streamside reserve at Doggetts Bridge site was done by our group in 1995. In the interim we have carried out some plantings and added nest boxes. Today we returned to the site and planted 525 indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses to improve the biodiversity of the site which is an important corridor for our wildlife.
Trees included Blackwood and Golden wattles. Shrubs included Prickly and Woolly tea trees, Hedge wattle, Cassinia, Gynatrix and River bottle brush. We also planted 28 Lomandra and 300 poa -these grasses provide habitat and food for birds and insects which are important pollinators.
Fourteen volunteers made the transition to Daylight Saving and worked industriously to finish by 11:30 and enjoy a well earned morning tea. Once again it was nice to be able to give away some plants to our volunteers to improve their own backyards.
Nine volunteers returned to the site on October 23 to give the plants a much needed drink!
Photos: Before planting on the left and after below.
A few of our 14 volunteers beavering away, planting, guarding and watering from the adjacent Deep Creek which despite the dry weather was still flowing.
Tall mesh guards (900 mm) were used to protect 50 of the trees and shrubs near the creek.
Corflute guards were used to protect 150 of the shrubs.
Nest Boxes
Nest Boxes
At present we have a full range of nest boxes to accommodate our native wildlife. We have boxes (mostly made by our Lancefield Men's Shed) for bats, parrots, kookaburras, possums and phascogales with prices ranging from $25 to $35 for members (add $5 for non-members).
Deep Creek Landcare Group
Deep Creek Landcare Group
Deep Creek Landcare Group (DCLG) was one of the first groups established when the national Landcare program launched in 1989. It covers the towns and surrounds of Lancefield, Romsey and Monegeetta (an area of 22,451 hectares.)
VISION: Our vision is to enhance biodiversity and natural ecosystems within the local environment.
MISSION: Our mission is to raise awareness of, protect and enhance the local environment.
DCLG runs regular schools activities, clean up days, planting days and working bees. You'll also see the display at the Lancefield Agricultural Show and monthly farmers market.
Meetings: We meet in the annex of the Lancefield Mechanics Institute on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 followed by a quick supper and informal chat. Except when public holidays intervene, we meet on the second Monday of each month, with a break in December.
Benefits of being a Member
Learn
About local plants and wildlife and how to conserve our native flora and fauna
To understand water catchments and healthy waterways
How to control invasive weeds and pests
About improved agricultural techniques and environmentally sound farming strategies
From locals with practical experience in this district
Enjoy
Getting to know locals with a common interest
Cooperative activities on public and private land
Access to funding opportunities
Subsidized courses
Being able to purchase local, native trees and shrubs at discounted prices through our involvement with The Tree Project
Impact
By being a local solution to a global problem
By lobbying governments to enhance environmental outcomes
Become a member by filling out a membership form via the link below
About Landcare
About Landcare
Landcare began in 1986 when farming neighbours recognised that they could be more effective and have a greater impact if they addressed common natural resource management concerns together. From its perennial roots in production agriculture, Landcare has branched out to encompass land stewardship and improved land management practices on both public and private land – in the bush, along the coast, and in peri-urban and even urban areas.
Landcare is many things to many people, but it is still about a simple idea; people organising to come together to discuss shared land management issues, and to design and implement practical solutions to address these issues.
There are currently more than 600 community-based Landcare groups in Victoria, working to improve the quality of the land, biodiversity, and waterways. These Landcare groups have around 60,000 members who contribute their time and resources to undertake local action to care for the land.
Groups we work with
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