Get Involved ›
The river and the ridges have keepers.
Two partner organisations look after the catchment we share. Here’s who they are, what they do, and how to lend a hand.
Who looks after it
Organisations that care for the catchments.
The Waterwheel points visitors and members to these groups whenever the conversation turns to landcare, river health, or rolling up sleeves.
Yarra Ranges Landcare Network
Community stewardship across the Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges.
A community-based, not-for-profit network of eight Landcare and ‘Friends of’ groups across the Yarra Ranges Council area. Their mission is to connect, grow and support the community to promote environmental stewardship — through workshops, citizen science, and on-ground projects up and down the valley.
- Workshops and field days (farm dams, weed control, revegetation)
- Environmental webinars on local issues
- Citizen science projects, including the DeerScan App
- Coordinating and supporting eight local Landcare groups
Contact: Facilitator Corey McFadyen · 0484 956 405
Yarra Riverkeeper Association
Protecting the Birrarung from source to mouth.
Founded in 2004, the Yarra Riverkeeper Association is a community-based organisation that works with Traditional Owners, government, and the public to protect and restore the Birrarung (Yarra River) and its tributaries — for current and future generations. They are the Australian member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance.
- River-health monitoring and on-water patrols
- School and community education programmes
- Advocacy and policy on catchment health
- Partnerships with Wurundjeri Traditional Owners and government
Contact: P.O. Box 210, Fitzroy VIC 3065 · +61 408 850 810 · info@yarrariver.org.au
DEECA — Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
The Victorian Government department for the environment, forests, water and climate.
DEECA looks after Victoria’s state forests, native plants and animals, and water and catchment policy. Through Forest Fire Management Victoria it plans burns and fights bushfires on public land. The state forest around Warburton, including the Yarra State Forest, is in its care.
- State forests and native wildlife
- Planned burns and bushfire response on public land (Forest Fire Management Victoria)
- Water and catchment policy
- Threatened species programmes
Parks Victoria
Looking after Victoria’s national parks and reserves.
Parks Victoria manages the state’s national and state parks and many conservation reserves. Close to Warburton that includes the Yarra Ranges National Park, which takes in Mount Donna Buang and the tall forests of the upper Yarra.
- Walking tracks, lookouts and picnic areas
- Ranger patrols and park maintenance
- Weed and pest animal control
- Park alerts and closures: check before you go
Melbourne Water
Caring for the region’s water supply catchments, rivers and creeks.
Melbourne Water, owned by the Victorian Government, manages Melbourne’s water supply catchments and reservoirs and the health of the region’s rivers and creeks. The forested upper Yarra is one of its main water supply catchments, and the Upper Yarra Reservoir sits upstream of Warburton.
- Water supply catchments and reservoirs
- River and creek health monitoring
- Support for landholders to protect and revegetate waterways
- Flood management
Four ways in ›
Stand a little closer to the wheel.
Build your own plan, visit on a weekend, become a member, or stand a shift.