Management
Each of our reserves and trails has a Friends of group or committee of management which is run by community volunteers, with the assistance and supervision of Latrobe City Council. These groups run regular working bees and conduct essential works such as weeding, revegetation projects, path and track maintenance, and maintenance of fences, gates and signage, as well as being the repository for vast amounts of local knowledge about the local plants and animals that are found in the reserves. Latrobe City Council runs an annual weed management program and Burgan removal program on top of works conducted by community groups.
Benefits
Maintaining these natural spaces is something that we as a community all benefit from. Reserves provide a place of outdoor recreation and exercise, such as dog walking, bike riding, running, and bird watching, as well as providing places to just unwind and reconnect with nature. Connecting with nature is proven to have many benefits on both physical and mental health and wellbeing, including lower heart rate and stress levels, and improving mood and focus to name just a few. They also allow our children to experience and connect with nature, which is essential to creating a sense of ownership and custodianship over the natural landscapes, enhancing future care and stewardship of these important refuges of urban biodiversity.
Threats
Bushland in urban areas faces many challenges. Exotic plant invasion from environmental weeds and garden escapes, destruction of native plants by inappropriate usage, such as not sticking to designated paths, riding bikes through the bush, four-wheel driving and horse riding, vandalism, and predation of native fauna by unrestrained pets and feral animals such as cates and foxes, to name just a few. Controlling the threatening processes and maintaining the quality of these patches of bush is a constant work in progress and can only be achieved with the help of tireless volunteers.
Committees of Management and Friends Groups
Reserves in Latrobe City are managed by both Council and dedicated members of Friends Groups or Committees of Management. Volunteering with these groups is a fantastic way to spend time outside, connect with nature and your community, and build your sense of belonging and worth. Any amount of time is appreciated and worthwhile, whether an hour or two at a working bee or becoming a long-standing member of a committee. For information on how to get involved please contact the Council Environment Team or Friends Groups directly.