March 2026 Kinglake Landcare News

Autumn

Kinglake district is the traditional land of the Taungurung and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation which in March brings Luk (Eel season) when days and nights are equal and cooler.

Activities just gone or continuing

Bushfires aided by the historically low rainfall in the new year dominated our attention when some of our members in Upper Goulburn Landcare Network (UGLN) lost animals and property. Fortunately, since late last year, UGLN has been setting up a fencing team for such occasions with equipment generously donated by a retiring United Church fencing team (see photos).

Kinglake Landcare Group (KLG) is an integral part of UGLN which is already 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

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 can also include appropriate weed control eg exotic grasses are usually drier in summer than indigenous grasses such as Weeping Grass, placement of the right species in the right places, 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. Electrification of homes (solar/batteries, heat pumps etc) and vehicles are also some of the important ways we can personally take climate action.

Volunteers from Camp Kiah at Stony Creek Reserve (last photo) checked nest boxes finding Sugar Gliders and pruned along the track. Afterwards they went for a swim at Wallaby Springs Reserve where they helpfully picked up five bags of rubbish for collection by DEECA.

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

Join us at our regular Clean Up Australia Day at Wallaby Springs, Kinglake West on Sunday 1^st March and watch for our mailouts of other activities.