Ashbourne Landcare

Caring for land, water and wildlife in Ashbourne for over 18 years

Ashbourne Landcare Group is a community of local residents—both permanent and part-time—who work together to look after the unique landscape of Ashbourne. With around 20 to 30 members, the group brings together people who care deeply about the environment and want to contribute to the health and resilience of the region.

🌿Where We Work

Ashbourne Landcare’s area extends from:

  • North: Woodend–Tylden Road

  • East: Harpers Road

  • West: Falloons Road and Gleeds Lane

  • South: The headwaters of the Campaspe River, near the top of the Great Dividing Range

This diverse and beautiful landscape includes farmland, forest, and waterways, and supports a wide range of native species. It’s also the source of the Campaspe River, which eventually flows into the Murray.

🤝 How We Work

Ashbourne Landcare is run by a volunteer committee that meets 5 to 7 times a year. The group also holds working bees, field days and community events throughout the year. These gatherings offer opportunities to learn, share ideas, meet neighbours, and contribute to practical Landcare projects.

There are smaller project groups and subcommittees, including one focused on caring for local public reserves and another tackling invasive weeds. There’s flexibility for members to get involved in a way suits their interests and availability.

🌱 Weed Action Group

Since 2012, a dedicated Weed Action Group has been working to reduce invasive weeds such as gorse and blackberry, which are widespread across the area. The group has supported over 40 local landholders to develop and follow three-year weed management plans, making a real difference to the landscape and its biodiversity.

🌳 Public Land and Reserves

Ashbourne Landcare also helps care for nearby public reserves in partnership with the Macedon Ranges Shire Council and other agencies. Key sites include:

  • Marsh’s Court Reserve

  • Ashbourne Reserve

Activities here range from planting and weeding to track maintenance and habitat protection, with the aim of keeping these special places healthy and accessible for the whole community.

🌼 What We Value

At the heart of Ashbourne Landcare is a shared commitment to protecting and restoring the local environment—supporting native plants and animals, improving soil and water health, and helping landholders adopt sustainable practices.

Members come from all walks of life: farmers, tree changers, renters, weekenders, long-time locals. What brings them together is a love for the land and a willingness to work together.

📚 Learning and Sharing

The group offers plenty of opportunities to learn from each other and from guest experts. Over the years, activities have included:

  • Field walks and seasonal surveys

  • Workshops on regenerative agriculture and biodiversity

  • Flora, fauna, and fungi monitoring projects

  • Guest speakers on environmental topics

  • Support for members working on their own Landcare projects

  • Shared equipment and access to funding opportunities

✨ Strategic Vision 2022–2027

Ashbourne Landcare’s long-term goal is to support a healthy, productive landscape that balances farming, forest and open country—especially in the upper Campaspe catchment, where water begins its journey through the region.

Key priorities include:

  • Restoring and maintaining native habitat

  • Encouraging sustainable land use

  • Reducing the impact of invasive weeds

  • Strengthening partnerships with landholders and agencies

Ongoing support and collaboration comes from:

  • Members and local landholders

  • Upper Campaspe Landcare Network

  • Macedon Ranges Shire Council

  • DEECA / DEJTR

  • North Central Catchment Management Authority

  • Country Fire Authority (Community Fireguard)

  • Other Landcare groups and networks

🌟 Becoming Part of the Group

Ashbourne Landcare is open to anyone with an interest in caring for the local environment. There’s no need for specific skills—just an interest in the land and a willingness to be involved in some way.

If you’d like to connect, join a working bee, attend an event or learn more about what’s happening in Ashbourne’s environment, you’re warmly invited to get in touch.

📧 info@ashbournelandcare.com or visit us at ashbournelandcare.com

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