Update

Lerderderg Forest Pant ID Walk

We have a GREAT afternoon in store next Saturday 4th October! Our AGM is at 1:30pm at St Martins after which we have a plant ID walk led by the incredible Jeremy Neal from 3pm. All welcome.

Have ideas about the future of Landcare here and want to get more involved/meet likeminded locals? Rock up early. Want to learn more about native plants in our area? Rock up later (at the Golden Point road end of Byers Back Track). Want it all? Join us!

Published: 3th Oct 2025 - Article Viewed 2,469 Times

Older Updates

Landcare Community Information Session — Weed Mapping Project

Some more great news to share this Landcare Week! We’re hosting a Community Information Session at St Martin’s Chapel on 22 August, discussing the incredible weed mapping project underway in our area. Join us to learn more and, if you’re keen, get involved!

Blackwood & Barrys Reef Landcare Group has received Agriculture Victoria funding to map weeds across the Upper Lerderderg Catchment and develop a long-term Weed Management Strategy.

Come along to hear about:

Why we initiated the project
The weeds we’re mapping and what’s been found — Geordie Scott-Walker, Consulting Ecologist from GSW Ecological Consulting, will talk about the survey findings and what they reveal about weeds across our district
What’s planned next
How you can contribute to the project to help protect the places you care about

Interested? We’ll also show you how to use the free iNaturalist app to record weeds on your property or favourite local places. Every weed observation helps build a healthier future for our town and bush!

When: Saturday 22 August 2026, 9:30am – 12:30pm
Where: St Martin’s Chapel, Blackwood

Morning tea and a light lunch will be provided. Please RSVP by 6:00pm Wednesday 19 August so we can organise the food and drinks.

RSVP: 3458landcare@gmail.com or Noelle on 0457 495 851.

The Upper Lerderderg Catchment Weed Mapping and Prioritisation Project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Partnership Against Pests program.

Published: 15th Aug 2026 - Article Viewed 103 Times

Tidying up the planter beds at St Martin's Chapel

Thanks to Landcare members Noelle, Annette and Peter for tidying up the planter beds at the entry to St Martin’s Chapel.

There will be new planting in September.

Many thanks from the Chapel Committee.

Published: 6th Aug 2026 - Article Viewed 90 Times

Forest Working Bee — Saturday 15 August

Our next working bee is in a couple of weeks and we’re continuing to remove the holly infestation along Whipstick Loop — so please join us! We want to make this pile grow!!

Sturdy shoes and clothes are a must. We will have some tools for you to use, but BYO if you like.

When: Saturday 15 August 2026, 9:30 – 11am
Where: Meet at the Garden of St Erth carpark
What: Clearing weeds from our forest walks

Published: 3th Aug 2026 - Article Viewed 85 Times

Caring For Country

Caring For Country: A Children's Festival Celebrating First Nations Culture and Indigenous Environment

We are excited to announce the launch of “Caring For Country,” a vibrant and relaxed children’s festival aimed at fostering curiosity and respect for First Nations culture and our local environment. Set to take place on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the picturesque Blackwood Mineral Springs, this unique event invites children aged 0-12 from across Moorabool Shire to immerse themselves in a day of engaging workshops and activities.

Auspiced through the Blackwood and Barry’s Reef Landcare Group, the festival is designed to offer a rich educational experience led by local Wurundjeri and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and a native plant specialist. The day will feature three interactive workshops led by:

● Djirri Djirri Wurundjeri women’s dance group
● Jenna Oldaker from Murrup Art, a Wadawurrung Traditional Owner and artist
● Jeremy Neal from Wombat Native Plants

The festival aims to build on the significant efforts of the Blackwood Reconciliation Collective over the past year. By focusing on children’s activities, the initiative seeks to enhance the community’s understanding and appreciation of Wurundjeri culture and the indigenous history of our area, particularly important given Blackwood sits at the junction of three different traditional countries.

In recent years, Blackwood has seen a growing number of young families presenting a great opportunity for local indigenous education. “Caring For Country” will continue the momentum of previous community initiatives, such as the raising of the Indigenous flag in 2022, the inclusion of a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony at the 2023 Easter Carnival and NAIDOC movie night earlier in 2024.

This project is supported by a generous grant from Moorabool Shire, reflecting the community’s commitment to reconciliation and cultural education. The event will also feature breaks for morning tea and lunch, with participants encouraged to bring their own picnic and blanket. In case of inclement weather, the festival will be relocated to the local Blackwood Hall.

You can register to attend the event here: https://tinyurl.com/35k4vf9k

Published: 15th Sep 2024 - Article Viewed 2,689 Times

Blackwood & Barry's Reef Landcare Group

About: Blackwood & Barry's Reef Landcare Group

Blackwood & Barry’s Reef Landcare Group has been around for over 20 years. We are a group of local residents who are passionate about actively caring for the land, waterways, plants, animals, fungi…all the natural beauty of a very special part of Victoria. We undertake weed management, revegetation, citizen science activities and have fun along the way!

Our general meetings are held bimonthly at either the community room of the Blackwood Hall or the Blackwood Uniting Church St Martin’s Chapel.

Because much of our area of interest is in public (state/local government) ownership, an important role for us is coordinating with the public land managers regarding weed management. Our members report weed outbreaks before they become too large and costly to manage. And local residents can also do their part in stopping weeds escaping into the surrounding forest.

As a member of Landcare Victoria Inc and also Moorabool Landcare Network, Blackwood & Barry’s Reef Landcare Group taps into the resources of the wider Landcare “family”.