Environment Groups

This network supports groups to the north of the shire, including Woodend:

• Ashbourne Landcare Group
• Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group
• Campaspe River and Land Management Group
• Campaspe Valley Landcare Group
• Friends of Black Hill
• Macedon Ranges Indian Myna Action Group
• Malmsbury Landcare Group
• Newham and District Landcare Group
• Pipers Creek and District Landcare Group
• Trentham District Landcare Group
• Tylden Landcare Group
• Woodend Landcare Group

Both the Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network and Jacksons Creek Eco Network supports groups to the south of the shire:

• Clarkefield and District Farm/Landcare Group
• Bullengarook Landcare Group
• Friends of Jacksons Creek
• Friends of Daly Nature Reserve
• Friends of Mount Gisborne
• Gisborne Landcare Group
• Greening of Riddell
• Macedon and Mount Macedon Landcare Group
• Macedon Regional Park Friends Group
• Riddells Creek Landcare Group

• Upper Maribyrnong Landcare Group

The Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group is a not-for-profit, member based organisation run by volunteers.

Through several Action Groups, the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group deliver events, projects, education and activities that promote sustainable living in the Macedon Ranges.

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The Biolinks Alliance is an organisation bringing people together to restore and protect public and private lands in Central Victoria.

They focus on building scientific knowledge and mobilising people to take urgent action for meaningful change. There are many resources on their website to assist with building your knowledge and skills. You'll also discover upcoming events and workshops, large-scale landscape restoration projects and specialised services for landowners and farmers.

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The Macedon Ranges Field Naturalists aims to enhance knowledge, foster interest in the region's natural values and promote preservation of native species. The group focuses on four main themes:

1. Surveys of flora, fauna and fungi
2. Knowledge sharing through excursions, meetings and media
3. Scientific investigations and research
4. Collaborations with other natural environment groups and organisations

Sign up to their eNewsletter for updates, how to get involved and join the many events they offer throughout the year.

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The Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network is a not-for-profit, volunteer network. Members include rescuers, registered shelters, foster carers, and supporters of native wildlife. The purposes of the Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network are:

• To provide for the rescue and rehabilitation of native wildlife in the Macedon Ranges Shire and surrounding areas.

• To provide information and promote community education and awareness of native wildlife and its environmental needs in the Macedon Ranges Shire and surrounding districts.

The Macedon Ranges Shire represents nearly 5% of the total state-wide rescue case volume and is 200% higher than the second-highest wildlife rescue region.

To find out about recent rescues and updates, visit the Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network's Facebook group.

Macedon Ranges Seed Savers

The Seed Savers is a sub-group of the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group's, Environmental Horticulture Action Group.

Their aim is to educate and encourage the community to participate together in our own food-web and environment in an ethical and future focussed way. For more information, email the group at seedsavers@mrsg.org.au

Woodend Bee-friendly Society

The Woodend Bee-Friendly Society is an action group of the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group which embraces many modes of beekeeping including Langstroth, with or without foundation, the Warre and Kenyan top bar hives, flow hives etc, provided that they comply with biosecurity regulations. They meet monthly to discuss a variety of topics. For more information, email the group at wbfs@mrsg.org.au

Up to $800

The primary purpose of this funding is to cover the costs of administration such as insurance, venue hire, printing and mail. Small-scale on-ground works and events can also be funded from this grant.

Up to $1,500

The purpose of this funding is to enable groups to undertake voluntary weed control on Council managed land, for example, roadsides and within bushland and conservation reserves. This work complements Council’s annual weed program.

Up to $5,000

The Biolink Boost Grant aims to support revegetation activities in strategic areas across the Macedon Ranges, and to provide groups with a means to engage with landholders and increase membership.

The Biolink Boost Grant is intended to assist groups with a back-to-basics approach involving funding for revegetation activities, and will be supported by the provision of marketing materials from Council Environment Unit for the successful applicants’ projects. 

Successful projects will help achieve the landscape connectivity plan detailed in the Biodiversity Strategy 2018. All Landcare, Friends Groups and Networks will be eligible to apply for grants of up to $5,000.

Council’s community partners, Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises Limited and Bendigo Bank will provide $20,000 to match the $20,000 funding offered by Council. The co-funding partnership means that community environment groups have the opportunity to access a total of $40,000.