Projects
Collaborating with the CSIRO, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, and our amazing citizen scientists, MCLG is contributed to the National Koala Monitoring Program. Bringing machine learning AI and thermal drone technology into the Moorabool region for the first time ever to address knowledge gaps in the health of our local Koala populations. And you can contribute too.
The Moorabool Catchment Restoration Program (MCRP) is a $350,000 landscape scale waterway restoration project. The project will be delivered in the Moorabool River catchment and aims to improve water quality and riverside vegetation within the Special Water Supply Catchment. This will be done by collaborating with private landholders to undertake waterway restoration works. Restoration works will include stock exclusion fencing, weed control, pest animal control and revegetation. These initiatives aim to improve water quality, promote riparian (on the banks of the river) vegetation health, and increase community awareness of sustainable land management.
Working with the Ballan Stationeers we planted a variety of native grasses, herbs, and wildflowers at the Ballan Railway Station. These would have once occurred naturally in the area but have been removed from the landscape due to a number of environmental pressures since colonisation. This project was supported by the Moorabool Wind Farm.
Showcasing the use of drone technology to control noxious weeds for the first time ever in the Moorabool region. Please join us at this family friendly event.
We have been successful in securing funding from DELWP to undertake rabbit control works. Control efforts will be focussed in the Meredith/Steiglitz area, as these have been identified to achieve the best cost-benefit outcomes.
We are currently distributing our fauna monitoring cameras amongst our members to collection important data on our local wildlife.
Volunteers took water samples from 18 sites in the Moorabool Catchment. Using exciting new technology known as EnviroDNA or eDNA, these water samples were tested for Platypus DNA fragments to tell us the abundance and distribution of Platypus in the Moorabool River systems.
Gardens for Wildlife is a voluntary program for land holders who are interested creating wildlife habitats on their property. The program aims to bring the community together to support our local plants and animals and increase our understanding of the region’s unique wildlife.
Weed Control
We assist landholders undertake invasive plant control through a number of projects and assistance schemes. Most recently we delivered a Gorse control program with funding from the Victorian Gorse Taskforce. We were able to undertake 28 hectares of Gorse control.
We host a number of educational seminars and events every year for members and the public to learn more about conservation, sustainability and land management.
Revegetation
We support our members to plant a minimum of 15,000 plants each year. Opportunities for larger scale bio-link wildlife corridors are also a priority for the group.
We are always open to ideas for projects. Whether it’s weed control, a community event, educational or innovative we would love to hear your ideas