Friends of Edendale
Friends of Edendale (FoE) was formally established and incorporated in 2022.
FoE in partnership with Edendale is undertaking a long-term community driven project to revegetate the land and waterways adjacent to Edendale.
The Diamond Creek Edendale Community Revegetation Project
This project is in recognition of the vital importance that healthy waterways and indigenous vegetation plays in protecting and enhancing biodiversity, improving the liveability of the Nillumbik area and as wildlife corridors connecting widespread fauna communities.
The revegetation of the area around Edendale will provide outstanding long-term value both in terms of enhancing the waterway biodiversity of the Diamond Creek and providing ‘live’ spaces to support an extensive range of educational opportunities.
There is approximately 660 metres of creek frontage that abuts Edendale Farm.
Purpose of this project
The purpose of this project is to
- Restore and enhance the indigenous vegetation along the waterways adjacent to Edendale to improve biodiversity and support the role of the Diamond Creek as a vital wildlife corridor
- Provide a range of volunteer and educational opportunities for local residents, groups and schools
- Provide opportunities for partnerships, working in conjunction with Edendale, Melbourne Water and other organisations
- Monitor a variety of revegetation techniques (plant and guard success) to help guide and improve future local plantings
- Provide enhanced learning experiences for the community through signage / eco tour trail
- Provide a practical outdoor classroom for students and groups to develop an understanding of the importance of indigenous vegetation, biodiversity and ways to improve the health of waterways.
Project implementation
This revegetation project was initiated with the generous support of Melbourne Water across 2021 and 2022 under their Planting4Platypus initiative.
The first planting was done by volunteers in 2022.
Then in 2024 the project received 3-year funding from the Australian Government’s Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, to be planned and implemented by the Friends of Edendale in collaboration with Edendale Farm (Nillumbik Shire).
There have been community plantings in 2024 and 2025. The masterplan for the project is shown below shown all the planting done to date from Sites 1-10. Site 11 is to be done in 2026 and will complete the revegetation along the Diamond Creek abutting Edendale Farm from the southern entrance to the pedestrian bridge at the northern end.
Revegetation areas - Map
The full details of this project are available in a comprehensive report that is available as a PDF under Related Information at the bottom of this webpage.
Call for volunteers
The Friends of Edendale are keen to welcome new members.
Joining a friend's group is a great way to meet new people, learn new skills and contribute to the protection and enhancement of the Edendale site and nearby bushland reserves.
Please send an email to us if you are interested in becoming a member of Friends of Edendale and keep up to date with opportunities to be involved in planting and other associated activities.
Volunteer participation is essential to the success of this project.
Email: friendsofedendalefarm@gmail.com