Resources and Invormation for environmental volunteers and landcarers

In this edition:

International Volunteer Day
Volunteering Naturally
Citizen Science opportunity
MSA Program: ‘Nature next door’ newsletter
H5N1 Avian Influenza (bird flu) in Victoria
Grants and Training Opportunities
Landcare News

International Volunteer Day

Today, on International Volunteer Day, we want to take a moment to recognise and celebrate the incredible work you do for nature and your community.

International Volunteer Day highlights the power of volunteering to strengthen communities and create positive change.

Thank you for your passion, hard work and dedication to protecting the environment.

To watch an inspiring video showing what volunteers do visit environment.vic.gov.au /volunteering

Volunteering Naturally

We’re excited to share Volunteering Naturally 2024, a report produced by DEECA’s Environmental Volunteering team.

First published in 2019, the Volunteering Naturally report is an annual resource that compiles data on the activities and contributions of environmental volunteer groups and organisations across Victoria.

Last financial year saw more than 225,000 Victorians help protect Victoria’s environment and biodiversity, with that number up by five percent on the previous year.

In total they volunteered an estimated 1.68 million hours with an estimated economic benefit of $76.7 million.

For more information visit environment.vic.gov.au/volunteering/volunteering/news-research-and-reports

Citizen Science opportunity - Plains-wanderers Song Meter Program

Are you wanting to get involved in protecting our endangered species?

You can join like-minded folks offering hands-on help to protect Victoria’s critically endangered Plains-wanderer by eavesdropping on life on the grassy Northern plains from the comfort of your lounge room, any time of day or night.

By looking at and listening to recordings collected by a network of more than 60 song meters, citizen scientists are helping to locate Plains wanderers in the wild. When we know where they are, we can protect and enhance their threatened native grassland habitat.

If you'd like more information, please visit: environment.vic.gov.au

MSA Program: Sign up today: 'Nature next door' newsletter

The ‘Nature next door’ Melbourne Strategic Assessment (MSA) Program summer newsletter will be emailed to subscribers in December, sharing updates about our conservation areas and progress in protecting some of our most threatened species.

To make sure you receive the next edition, sign up now via the MSA Program homepage. If you have any stakeholders who may be interested in receiving the newsletter, please encourage them to sign up too.

Look out for signs avian influenza H5N1 in wildlife

High-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause severe illness and death in birds. A new strain of the virus, HPAI H5N1, is more concerning than previous strains, as it causes mass mortality not only in poultry, but also in wild birds and some mammals. There is no effective treatment and the prognosis for animals with the disease is poor.

At the time of printing, HPAI H5N1 has not been detected in animals in Australia. However, the global HPAI H5N1 situation means there is an increased risk of this disease arriving in Australia

We are asking everyone to remain alert for indicators of HPAI H5N1 in wildlife and to be aware of the reporting processes for suspected cases.

This information can be found at wildlife.vic.gov.au

Grants and Training Opportunities

Expressions of Interest are now open for the Australian Government’s (Department of Social Services) 2024-25 Volunteer Grants

Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 will be available to assist eligible not-for-profit community organisations that rely on volunteers.

More information on the eligibility criteria can be found here: Grant Opportunity Guidelines.

Evening Bird Survey - Wednesday 11 December

Join an exciting evening bird count in Keilor North and explore the local habitat of Yaluk Barring (formerly Sydenham) park, observe a variety of bird species, and contribute valuable data to ongoing conservation efforts.

To register visit Humanitix

Landcare News

2025 National Landcare Conference and National Landcare Awards

The 2025 National Landcare Conference will be hosted at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from Sunday, 21 September to Wednesday, 24 September 2025.

If you are interested in speaking at the 2025 National Landcare Conference, the abstract program will open in December. Early Bird registrations will also open in December, offering you a chance to secure your ticket at a discounted rate. Please contact melissa.higgins@landcareaustralia.com.au

Bob Hawke Landcare Award - Closes 31 December

There’s still time! Nominations for the 2025 Bob Hawke Landcare Award are open – and the $30K grant package prize could be yours! Nominate today via the awards portal.

Bupa Landcare Grants Program

Landcare Australia and Bupa have announced 33 recipients of the 2024 Bupa Landcare Grants program that supports tree planting in urban and peri-urban areas. These projects will plant a total 82,500 native trees, shrubs, and ground covers across Australia, transforming local environments into healthier, greener spaces.

Find out more about the recipients here Landcareaustralia.org.au

Landcare in Focus online magazine – November edition out now!

Landcare in Focus is an 80-page online magazine featuring 40 stories on innovation in sustainable agriculture, habitat restoration, waterway protection, and community-driven Landcare projects, Read the magazine at landcareaustralia.org.au

Want to know more? How to get in touch...

There's a lot of information on our website, so take a look at some of the great resources, research and reports.

Need assistance or want to share a great story of environmental volunteering in your area? Send us an email.

Resources for the Victorian Landcare Program are available on the Victorian Landcare Gateway. On the Victorian Landcare Gateway, you can also find information on the Victorian Landcare Facilitator Program, events, training and more. If you have a specific question on the Victorian Landcare Program, send an email.

We acknowledge Victorian Traditional Owners and their Elders past and present as the original custodians of Victoria’s land and waters and commit to genuinely partnering with them and Victoria’s Aboriginal community to progress their aspirations.

Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove®
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.

PO Box 500
East Melbourne, | 8002 Australia

This email was sent to brianburrows8@gmail.com.
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.