Formed in 1993, the Mitta Valley Landcare Group operates across virtually all of the Mitta River catchment below the Dartmouth Dam to the inflow into Lake Hume south-east of Tallangatta.  It encompasses the communities of Eskdale, Mitta Mitta, Dartmouth, Fernvale, Tallandoon, Granite Flat, Noorongong and Tallangatta South.

Our Past :Significant Projects and Initiatives

In 1996 a ‘Weeds Initiative Project’ was undertaken to wind back the Mitta Valley blackberry problem, which was mainly due to the weed invading farmland from the surrounding Crown land in the Mitta Valley area.  The Group continues to support landholders to manage blackberry on their properties and is an active member of the M2M Blackberry Action Group that was formed in January 2012.

Improving soil health and enhancing native vegetation have and continue to be longstanding aims.  Initiatives have included a ‘Winter Active Dung Beetle Program’ that commenced in 2010 with the release of colonies of ‘Bubus Bison’ dung beetles onto local farmlands. These deep tunnelling beetles increase soil carbon and plant nutrient levels in the sub-soil and contribute to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Burial of dung by these beetles also increases the earthworm activity and the rates of water infiltration into the soil. These projects were funded by Federal Community Action Grants and the Group continues to have an ongoing commitment to the continuation of this Program funding permitted.

In 2001 a four year project, ‘Lower Mitta Mitta River Catchment Waterway Restoration’ was completed. This entailed fencing  of gullies, creeks and river on 60 sites and planting thousands of trees and shrubs.

In 2001 the ‘Mitta Valley Vegetation Enhancement Project’ began.  Its objective was to arrest tree and shrub decline on farms, including riparian zones, paddocks and the bush interface. Its primary objective was to reintroduce biodiversity into grazing areas where a century or more of unrestricted stock access had caused the removal of shrubs and young trees, while older trees had reached the end of their lives.

Both of these projects were funded through the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT).

Over these years, other projects were undertaken in a range of on-ground works directed at riparian, erosion control and revegetation as well as pest weeds and pest animal management programs.  Funding to support the extensive volunteer efforts have been sourced from both Victorian and Federal grants.

In the years between 2015 to the present, two strategic plans have been revised and refreshed to reflect the changing needs and priorities of landcare works carried out in the Mitta Valley,  the group has been successful in completing projects in; land management, with some core projects  being run on a yearly basis and project managed by members, these have included Deer, Blackberry Bio-control and Dung Beetles.

Other projects undertaken have included soil projects, revegetation and exclusion fencing, activities with local primary schools, family days and social events like “Eat Local Sunday” and natural flora and fauna education walks. 

Present

In the past four years in particular the Mitta Valley Landcare group has been very active and involved in activities such as The Murray Darling Basin Healthy Rivers Program which has included frog habitat surveys and protection, gully stabilization and erosion projects, exclusion fencing of rivers, creeks and wetlands and revegetation projects in bushfire affected areas.  Our other major activity was “Doing It With Dung” a project initiated to establish Spring active beetles in the valley. Both these activities were funded from Federal Government grants.

Other activities that have been added  include:  Mitta Valley Birds, the “Mittavale” wetlands project, gully stabilization, nature walks and improving habitat, soil testing workshops, workshops on bio-security, introduction to carbon farming and we have also run workshops focused on chemical users and drones and pest animals.

The Mitta Valley Landcare Group has just developed its new Strategic Plan for the 2023-2027 period and the membership identified 4 key areas of core business that are at the heart of its activities.

Learning – Supporting landholders and the community to learn and build their capacity to enhance and manage the landscapes in the Mitta Valley.

Engaging Communities – Engage as many people as possible in Mitta Valley Landcare activities.

Advocacy – Representing and advocating for a range of natural resource and environmental issues 

Management and Governance – ensuring that the organisation is well run by effective leaders

Our Membership and the Changing Landscape

Our current membership of 54 households retains its strong agricultural base however the diversity of priorities has broadened as reflected in the new strategy.  Our farmers boast a proud history of generational land stewardship and strive to protect and enhance our rich natural assets and environment. 

Our Landcare Group recognises the changing demographic and increasing demands being made on our small communities for a share of their time and resources.  Our farmers and local businesses need support to respond effectively to the challenges of operating in the global economy.  The agricultural sector is directly exposed to the complexities and vagaries of our changing socio-economic environment.  We are acutely aware of the need to bring the next generations of Landcarers with us and to diversify our activities to attract more people to continue the journey.  Sustainable and productive agricultural practices and the enhancement of our natural resources remain the critical success factors upon which we will measure our achievements.