Euroa Arboretum - Granite2Goulburn Network
Facilitator: Cathy Olive (Director), Charlotte Langman (Facilitator)
Contact Details:
charlotte.langman@euroaarboretum.com.au
Description:
Spanning 27 hectares, the Euroa Arboretum offers a unique experience to spend time in the natural environment of northeastern Victoria. Established in 1990 the Euroa Arboretum has become a beloved destination for visitors wanting an outdoor experience as well as being a leading service provider of ecological restoration supplies and information.
Originally the depot site for the freeway work to by-pass Euroa, the land was handed over by VicRoads to the local community. A volunteer Committee of Management was forged and transformed it to a beautiful park of woodland and wetland environments, walking tracks, picnic areas and an indigenous plant nursery.
The Arboretum’s motto is Growing back the bush and one of the main objectives of the Arboretum is to provide seed for revegetation work. The Euroa Arboretum supports local Landcare and Environment groups and holds a range of events. They support the Euroa Environment Group, Friends of the Sevens, Honeysuckle Recreation and Environment Project, Avenel Action Group and the Biolinks Alliance.
The Euroa Arboretum at a glance in 2023/24
A motivated and connected community leads to positive change
The Euroa Arboretum were successful with two Victorian Landcare Grants from the State Government provided $35,390.00 for Engagement events and Revegetation.
Euroa Arboretum Case Study
Wildflower Mondays have been a great addition to our ongoing program and have formed partly as a response to this funding. The project officer has created an opportunity for folks to join her in the grounds once a month to listen to what's new, the latest things we have learned or observed and management actions we have tried. After a morning tea, the group head to the grounds to do a timely management activity - this could be weeding, seed collecting, planting, sowing, or a cool burn. We have a group of about 15 people who come once a month who are enthusiastic travelling as far afield as Melbourne or the King Valley. These volunteers value the positive outcomes and learnings they enjoy as part of this day.
In addition to this once a month group, we have established a small paid tour each quarter in the grasslands and the wetlands for people interested in finding out more about the Arboretum. This saves us being swamped by interest groups, and ensures our time is being paid for and the knowledge we are sharing is valued.
The relationships developed through the Wildflower Mondays group are wonderful. They are a different demographic of volunteers to our usual locals, they are super keen to learn and to apply their knowledge - both at the Arb and on their properties.We constantly work alongside Taungurung - both in the grounds, with cool burning, tourism and land management. This year has been no different. Taungurung have established their fire knowledge group, and we are honoured to be part of that group, assisting with the development of bringing fire to country.
Our grassland project has been a 15 year commitment. We are now in the process of sharing our learnings, which this funding has ensured that we can develop. We hope that in the next few years, we can start to bring our grassland establishment onto private land and extend the work we have achieved at the Arb to the wider landscape.