Laverton Creek Mouth – various birds (Photo courtesy of Suzette Rodoreda, Conservation Ranger, Hobsons Bay City Council)
After what felt like an endlessly cold and wet Winter-Spring season last year, the sunny skies and longer days of Summer are now beckoning us outside into nature again. With many people taking leave from work and children being home on school holidays, this is an ideal time to explore nature-based activities in the West. We at MindEcology find that the benefits often run both ways.
The Western Region holds many environmental riches including precious Wetlands, Coastlines, Rivers, Reserves, Native Grasslands and National Parks which can be astonishing to those who are yet to discover them. Each has a unique landscape, ecology, flora, fauna and function in the wider natural world.
For those interested to explore these environments it can be daunting to know where to start. Local Council websites are one great entry point as the Conservation and Environment Unit of each will co-ordinate activities within the municipality in partnership with Parks Victoria, the various ‘Friends of …….’ Groups and other community members.
One particularly informative webpage is in the Hobsons Bay City Council website, under Conservation Volunteering. It offers an interactive calendar listing the many wonderful activities and events being co-ordinated by the Conservation Team there throughout the municipality each month. During January and February 2023 alone it details guided tours of Cheetham Wetlands in Point Cook and of Newport Lakes, interactive Wildlife Displays for children in Seabrook, Labcoat Learning-Storytelling activities for children about bays and waterways in Altona. educational activities for children about Life on the Sandy Shores in Altona, and environmental restoration activities at Emu Foot Grassland, Altona Meadows. The page also lists the many ‘Friends of…….’ Groups in the municipality so you can contact and become more involved in the conservation activities of a particular local environment if you wish.
Go on, explore………….