Landcare volunteers across West Gippsland will transform landscapes, protect endangered local species and green much-loved community spaces after receiving $337,250 in funding from the 2025 Victorian Landcare Grants.  

Announcing the grant recipients, Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos said each funded project was making a difference to enhance and protect Victoria’s great outdoors. 

“Landcare and environmental volunteer groups make a significant contribution to our communities managing projects that restore and enhance our parks, coastlines, nature reserves and waterways,” he said.  

This year, a total of $3.6 million in grants will support 509 Landcare and environmental volunteer groups across the state, including 50 groups in the West Gippsland catchment. 

Local projects include enhancing biodiversity in Anderson’s Inlet with the help of community planting days, engaging students in major conservation efforts along Flooding Creek and working with landholders to fence and revegetate a length of Billy Creek in Stacey’s Bridge. 

“I’m delighted that these grants will support local Landcare and environmental groups to deliver 22 project grants and 28 support grants,” said Martin Fuller, CEO of West Gippsland CMA.  

“Taking action for your local area comes in many shapes and forms and these latest grant projects demonstrate the important role Landcare plays in transforming landscapes while helping communities thrive. Not only will they lead to over 30,000 trees planted across west Gippsland, each project will help connect more people to nature and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and river lovers.”

“We are extremely lucky and grateful to have such a strong Landcare community in our patch. I look forward to seeing these projects come to life,” concluded Marty.  

Bonnie Reeves from Maffra and Districts Landcare Network is excited to start work on a major restoration project along Flooding Creek in Sale, with the aim of attracting more birds and create a tree-filled, natural space for the urban community to enjoy.  

“Being awarded a Victorian Landcare Grant is fantastic because it means we can work on a much larger scale and have a bigger, longer-lasting impact in the community,” said Bonnie. 

Students will be involved in bird monitoring and conservation activities, helping to connect younger people with Landcare and nature. 

“The project is really beneficial for people in town who don’t have natural spaces on their doorstep.  When I walk along the creek now, I hear cars, cattle trucks and urban noise. In a few years’ time I want to be walking under the shade of the trees we’ve planted and be deafened by the sounds of birds who’ve taken up residence in the nest boxes,” Bonnie said.

For a full list of projects funded under this year’s grants, visit the Victorian Landcare Grants webpage.

The Victorian Landcare Grants and Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants support the implementation of Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037, the Victorian Government’s long-term plan to protect the state’s environment.

West Gippsland CMA is proud to be appointed by the Victorian Government as the Regional Landcare Coordinator for West Gippsland supporting the region’s five vibrant Landcare Networks.   

West Gippsland CMA is responsible for over 40,000 kilometres of designated waterways across the region and delivers programs for healthy and resilient catchments. All these waterways flow to the Victorian coast, discharging through the Gippsland Lakes, or directly into Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. 

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