Council and our community have an important role to play in helping to look after nature in Moonee Valley. Read on to discover some of the precious natural spaces and how you can help care for our wildlife, native plants and natural spaces.
Our native grasslands
Native grasslands have been discovered in 3 reserves in East Keilor and Avondale Heights - The Crossway South Reserve, Arcade Way Reserve and JH Allan Reserve.
The Natural Temperate Grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plain are critically endangered and protected by both the state and federal law.
Less than 0.5% of the original grasslands remain making the patches in our backyard extremely rare and precious.
We didn't forget to mow, here's why we let the grasslands grow
We are saving species
Our grasslands are one of the world's most diverse ecosystems with up to 80 flora species per metre. In ecological terms, this patch of grass is as important as the Great Barrier Reef.
They help combat climate change
They have really deep roots (some as deep as a human's height) that can pull carbon into the soil and capture it as well as trees do.
They'll be burnt soon
Instead of mowing, we'll undertake planned burns. Burning grasslands help more plants grow and reduces the use of herbicides.
We're only beginning to unlock their potential
They could be revolutionary in the fields of farming and medicine and the seeds are so unique specialists collect them to save species.
Yay for nature play!
Nature play is a wonderful way for children to connect with the outdoors, explore, and learn through hands-on experiences. You can download our postcards filled with fun and simple ideas to encourage nature play at home, in your local park, and at special places nearby.
Whether it's creating mud pies, observing how water moves, or planting a native seedling, each activity helps nature creativity, problem-solving skills and a love for nature. We hope these activities inspire you to spend quality time outdoors, and don't forget to share your nature play moments with us!
Go wild!
Explore Moonee Valley's wildest parks! Afton Street Conservation Park, Spring Gully Reserve, Canning Tea Gardens, Thompson Street Reserve, Strathnaver Grasslands, Napier Park.
Download one of our nature-inspired crowds at One, Two, Tree
Download our nature play postcards, take them out with you and have fun in nature!
Art in the wildflowers
To highlight the importance and beauty of the grasslands, our Conservation department teamed up with the Incinerator Gallery to create an open-air art gallery in the Crossway South Reserve.
Taking inspiration from the native wildflowers in the grasslands, artists Abbey Rich and Jimmy Dvate have created murals on the walls that border the reserve.
Watch the video to see the murals and learn more.
The project was funded through the Victorian Government’s Caring for Our Local Environments program.
Video subtitles are available in Greek, Italian and Vietnamese.
Wildlife corridors
Wildlife corridors connect isolated ecosystems. They allow animals, and the seeds they carry, to move through the tree canopy, under bushes or among the ground cover.
Moonee Valley’s key wildlife corridors are along the Moonee Ponds Creek, Steele Creek, Five Mile Creek and the Maribyrnong River Valley. Council is working to enhance the habitat along these corridors.
Private gardens play a vital role in strengthening existing corridors and creating new stepping stones for birds and other wildlife. Your backyard frog bog could be an important hopping spot for local frogs to travel between a wetland and a creek. Native wildflowers in pots can boost habitat beneficial insects, including pollinators for our vegetable gardens and natural pest control for our street trees.
Join in
One Two Tree Campaign
Plant a tree at your home, business or school. It’s as easy as One, Two, Tree!
Wildlife friendly gardening
Bring nature into your home by planting local native vegetation.
Native gardens are good for you and our local wildlife. By adding local native plants to your garden you’ll:
- grow plants which are adapted to our soils and climate, so they won’t need too much work or watering
- help keep our wildlife naturally healthy and happy for generations to come
- be joining a network of gardeners creating connections between habitats across Melbourne
- help to look after native pollinators who keep our vegetable gardens productive
- bring beneficial insects to the garden for natural pest control
- help to reduce populations of pest animals (including Common Myna birds)
- contribute to keeping our urban forest healthy and our suburbs cooler.
Read more in our wildlife-friendly gardening guide (PDF, 14.8 MB).
Nature strip planting
Help care for our pollinators and trees by adding some nature back into your nature strip. The Nature Strip Planting Guidelines (PDF, 314 KB) will help you plan, plant and maintain your nature strip. You do not need approval or a permit to plant on the nature strip in front of your residential address if you garden in accordance with these guidelines.
Picture guide for planting native seedlings
Click here to download a copy of our accessible picture guide (PDF) for community planting days. The guide illustrates how to plant a tubestock seedling for the best chance of survival.
Junior Rangers
The Junior Ranger program is a fun way for kids to interact with local flora and fauna in parks across Moonee Valley.
Help us keep track of nature
iNaturalist
Bioblitz
A BioBlitz is a survey of biodiversity within a specified area time frame. During this period, participants aim to find and record as many species as possible within the time frame.
Some of the largest BioBlitzes are:
- City Nature Challenge - every April. A global BioBlitz using iNaturalist to look at nature in cities around the globe.
- Aussie Bird Count - run by BirdLife Australia every October. One of the longest-running projects.
- Great Southern BioBlitz - every October. An iNaturalist BioBlitz for spring across the southern hemisphere.
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