Projects undertaken by The Friends of Damper Creek Updated 18.8.11 The Friends of Damper Creek Reserve have relied on the in-house expertise of the Monash bush crew (who fortunately were awarded the tender under CCT) to guide the plant selection and ordering. All plants are indigenous to the area and from local provenance. Since the Council nursery was sold, plants have been sourced from the City of Whitehorse whose nursery propagates local seed. The Friends have concentrated efforts on the bulk planting of tube stock to encourage the development of upper and middle storey growth and ground covers for soil stabilisation. When the bulk planting is completed the Friends will then have to consider propagation of more specialised plants for the understorey. Approximately 50,000 plants have been planted by the Friends over the past eight years with a 95% survival rate. This planting and associated works has been funded by Parks Victoria Community Grants (approximately $30,000), Melbourne Water (approx. $20,000) and the National Heritage Trust (NHT - $20,000). Monash Council contributed matching kind-in assistance through site preparation, mulching, maintenance, equipment and labour. The creek bed stabilisation and rock work has been joinly funded by Monash Council and Melbourne Water. This work has cost approximately $1 million. Current Projects The Friends have successfuly gained a further Melbourne Water grant of $3,500 to purchase indigenous tube stock under the guidance of the Monash Bushcrew. The planting season along the riparian strip in Damper Creek (near Yatama Crt) will commence in May 2011. Weeding Program Outside of the formal working bees a number of the Friends undertake weeding projects in selected areas in their own time. This has the benefit of a thorough weeding that is regularly monitored by the friend so that once cleared it is likely to remain clear for some time. Monash Council is appreciative of this work and to assist them in their scheduling, the Friends undertaking this private work maintain a record of their work. This record is given to the FODC Secretary for regular onforwarding to Monash Council. A copy may be downloaded here: Weeding Record. Also available is a Weeding Notice that should be displayed while undertaking private weeding in the reserve. Monitoring Environmental Change The Friends will begin a new Water Watch monitoring program in Damper Creek. The monitoring will included the distribution of a newsletter to households in the Damper Creek Catchment identifying ways to improve water quality in the creek (funded by a Melbourne Water Grant). The Water results for the 12 months to date consist of 2 pages. Page 1 = East Branch, Page 2 = North Branch WaterWatch results: 12 months to November 2011 12 months to October 2011 12 months to September 2011 12 months to August 2011 12 months to July 2011 12 months to June 2011 12 months to May 2011 12 months to April 2011 12 months to March 2011 12 months to February 2011 12 months to January 2011 12 months to December 2010 12 months to November 2010 12 months to September 2010 12 months to August 2010 12 months to July 2010 9 July 2010 11 Jun 2010 14 May 2010 16 Apr 2010 12 Mar 2010 12 Feb 2010 11 Dec 2009 13 Nov 2009 9 Oct 2009 11 Sep 2009 17 August 2009 29 July 2009 3 July 2009 1 July 2009 To find out more about the WaterWatch program refer to www.vic.waterwatch.org.au For further information about Community Grant Programs visit Parks Victoria on www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Natural Heritage Trust on www.nht.gov.au