Why is this a focus area?

Yarra Ranges is known for its beautiful forests, rivers and wildlife. These places give us clean air, shade, cooling and are important homes for many plants and animals.

Climate change is already affecting nature. Hotter summers are reducing the cooling benefits of sheltered forest areas making them less able to support ferns, fungi, cool climate species and young trees. These changes flow on to wildlife that rely on these habitats. Sudden heavy storms are toppling trees and washing dirt into creeks, and forests are becoming more at risk from heat, wind and fire.

There are 99 threatened animal species in the region relying on the protection and restoration of nature for survival.

What has the community said so far?

People in the Yarra Ranges care strongly about nature. Many say the natural environment is the main reason they live here and why people visit.

The community wants nature to be protected and restored. This includes more work on weed control, managing feral animals, stopping illegal dumping, reducing roaming cats, keeping trees, restoring bushland and protecting natural areas from harmful development and limiting negative tourism impacts.

What has Council been doing in this area?

In 2024–25, Council carried out a large amount of natural environment work, including:

• Planting more than 175,000 plants, the biggest planting year so far.

• Welcoming 210 new households into the Gardens for Wildlife program and completing 103 garden visits.

• Supporting private land care with 70,160 plants across 61 properties, covering 11.7 hectares.

• Installing 36 nest boxes and hollows, including at Dr Ken Leversha Reserve after the March 2025 bushfire.