April 2026 Kinglake Landcare News

Autumn

Kinglake district is the traditional land of the Taungurung and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation which in April transitions into Waring or Wombat season until July. Shorter days, longer nights, misty mornings, and cooler.

Activities just gone or continuing

A great turnout of active volunteers at our regular Clean Up Australia Day at Wallaby Springs Reserve, Kinglake West on 1^st March. A popular visitor spot but spoilt by rubbish dumpers. Amongst rubbish collected were gas bottles, a motor mower, wheels and tyres, and the plastic/aluminium coatings of possibly stolen copper cables (see photos).

Bushfires eased by March assisted by some good rains. However, the widespread damage is still being tackled. Upper Goulburn Landcare Network (UGLN) has been rolling out its new team Fencers Without Boundaries (see photo). Kinglake Landcare Group (KLG) is an integral part of UGLN which is working with affected Landcarers on rehabilitation of natural assets in the affected area of Upper Goulburn such as restoration of fencing for control of stock and protection of crops and the regeneration of their local trees, shrubs, grasses, and ground flora essential for fodder, habitat, shade, windbreaks, stopping soil erosion etc. 

UGLN is actively seeking volunteers and donations to assist landowners impacted by the 2026 Longwood Fires in the Murrindindi and Mansfield Shires and is calling out for skilled and unskilled volunteers to assist with Fencers Without Boundaries. Fencing experience would be helpful but not essential as a lot of the initial work is removing the burnt and damaged fencing.

Monetary donations to help UGLN continue this important work can be made to the following account and reference 'Fires 2026'. Account Name: Upper Goulburn Landcare Network BSB: 633 000 Account No: 146 003 595.

For more information contact Chris Cobern on 0413 855 490 or by email ugln.projects@ugln.net

As climate change amplifies the weather extremes we must develop even better responses to bushfire threats. Good property planning, building and maintenance for fire protection including escape routes and dedicated fire water storage in our plans. Of course, taking all actions to stop the world continuing to develop, burn fossil fuels causing the already clear evidence of increasing climate change and volatility. By electrification of our homes (solar/batteries, heat pumps etc) and vehicles we can personally take climate action and reduce some of the effects of being so fossil fuel dependent.

Get our free booklet

“Caring for Your Patch” covering backyard garden design, food growing, plant selection, weed and pest animal management and more, is available from Kinglake Library, KRNH, Kinglake Heritage Centre, local garden suppliers, Landcare events, some local shops and servos, or online from our website kinglakelandcare.org.

Membership

New members can contact Landcare through our website kinglakelandcare.org to join for $11 per year. Alternatively, you can be added to our free “friends” mailing list for notification of events.

Coming up

National Tree Day Sunday 26th July. Other activities advised by email or on our website.

Next meeting: 7.30pm Monday 20^th April upstairs at Kinglake Memorial Reserve Hall. All welcome. More books to give away.