Yarra4Life, a collaborative conservation project between the Port Phillip and Westernport CMA, Yarra Ranges Council and some government and non-government organisations has reached its 3-year milestone with the help of its partners. The project is focused on improving the health and resilience of the Yarra Valley’s wildlife and its natural environment.
In the last three years, the project has achieved protection of habitat areas for two of Victoria’s threatened faunal emblems -the Helmeted Honeyeater and Leadbeaters Possum. It has also improved the environmental management on farms and reserves within its bounds, and protected and improved significant woodlands and waterways within the region.
A key partner in the growth of the project has been Yarra Ranges Council - a founding partner for Yarra4Life along with Port Phillip and Westernport CMA, Greening Australia Victoria, Melbourne Water and Yarra Valley Water.
Since 2008, the council has also contributed $35,000 per year for tree planting in the Yarra4Life project area to voluntarily offset the council’s carbon emissions. This is undertaken at sites that help the local wildlife
Port Phillip and Westernport CMA Environmental Projects Manager Viv Charalambous says, “Three years ago, the Yarra Ranges Council embraced the concept of a brand to protect and enhance the unique ecosystems within the region. The council’s support, along with other founding partners, provided a base from which the project could grow.”
Now Yarra4Life has been recognised by the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program, and this year received $450,000 to protect and enhance 170 hectares of irreplaceable woodland on private land. This is a wonderful opportunity for the project which will allow Yarra4Life to recruit interested landholders to join them to protect and enhance the woodlands in and around the Yarra4Life area.
The grant is delivered via the Port Phillip and Westernport CMA. The CMA’s Chief Executive Officer Mr David Buntine commended the foresight of the Yarra Ranges Council. “Yarra Ranges Council was an early and enthusiastic supporter of Yarra4Life and recognised the potential of this project. Their important financial support has been repaid in spades with Yarra4Life now securing over $500 000 of government and philanthropic support that will benefit the environment and community of the Yarra Valley.”
Yarra Ranges Mayor Len Cox agrees, ”Yarra Ranges Council is proud to be a partner in the Yarra4Life project. We recognise the need to protect and enhance our remaining natural values – local waterways, flora, fauna and lands. It is critical that we start the journey to preserve our local biodiversity and make decisions now in order to secure long term sustainability of our natural landscapes. They are uniquely Yarra Ranges.
“This project has brought good investment to our local environment and has shown what a collaborative approach between agencies and landholders – can do for the benefit of all in our community.”
The Woodlands project grants are now available to landholders in the Yarra4Life priority area. Landowners who are interested in the Yarra4Life Woodlands and Biolink Project to protect, improve and increase the woodland vegetation community and biolinks on their properties should contact Yarra4Life Coordinator Adam Shalekoff on Ph: 03 8781 7962 or visit www.yarra4life.com.au.
Project enquiries: Yarra4Life Coordinator Adam Shalekoff, 03 8781 7962
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