Community Groups
Who can join the Friends in taking action for biodiversity?
Schools, community groups, corporate volunteers and individuals can take positive action to help the endangered species in our community including Victoria’s faunal emblems, the critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeater & the endangered Leadbeater’s Possum.
It’s not too late to act but the time to act is now.
We are now taking bookings for our 2023 planting season
Can you help? Our planting year normally runs from April to November but can occur outside of this time if conditions are favourable. Will you be part of the team? We hope so!
Would you like to know more or book your group? Then send us an email at: environmentalcoordinator@helmetedhoneyeater.org.au
The Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater have two major aims:
- To protect existing habitat and plant future habitat for the Helmeted Honeyeater
- To raise awareness about the plight of the Helmeted Honeyeater and enlist broad community support for the Recovery project.
With this in mind, we offer two main sessions to community groups:
- interactive presentations at your venue (within a 40 kilometre radius of Yellingbo) or ours
- planting days at Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area (in the Yarra Valley)
- nursery day in our community nursery at Yellingbo (adult groups only – 18+ year olds)
All activities are undertaken under the supervision and direction of either our Environmental Coordinator or Nursery Manager
We invite you to participate each year to plant more plants and check on the progress of trees and shrubs that have been planted in previous years. We experience strong growth rates and a fantastic 90-95% success rate with our plantings. Is it worthwhile putting in the energy and time to plant with us? Absolutely!
Our program can incorporate a mix of the following:
- Revegetation at Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area (YNCA). Loss of habitat is the major threat to biodiversity. Children and adults alike can do something positive to ensure our State emblems, along with the many plant and animal species that co-exist with them, don’t become extinct
- Guided bushland discovery walk
- Community nursery day (adult groups only – limited parking)
- Interactive PowerPoint presentation. The issues for threatened species with a focus on the Helmeted Honeyeater. What is biodiversity? What can everyone do to help?
Our community education programs are funded by charitable donations. Whilst we do not charge for our sessions we rely on your support as every little bit helps! Your group or the individuals who participate may wish to take out a Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater membership ($30 p/a for groups & $10 for concession card holders). Alternatively, if you would like to make a donation on behalf of your group and be part of the community that ensures the success of our conservation efforts and the survival of Helmeted Honeyeaters into the future, please speak to the Environmental Coordinator when placing your booking.
Our revegetation days are contingent on the ongoing support of organisations such as Melbourne Water (through their Community Grants Program), Parks Victoria (through their Healthy People Healthy Parks Grant Program) and Federal Government (through Caring For our Country Community Action grants) to fund planting activities.
We suggest these educational experiences for your group:
| Options | Program outline | Time allowance required |
| Option 1 ~ Incursion (We come to you) | -Interactive presentation | – 30-40 min (5-8 year olds) – 50-60 min (9-14 year olds) – 60+ min (15 year olds-adults) |
| Option 2 ~ Full day excursion to YNCA NB. Maximum of 50 people | -Revegetation (planting of habitat plants) – Guided bushland discovery walk or nursery tour | -4 hours – 10.00am – 2.00pm (with meal breaks – BYO) |
| Option 3 ~ Half day Community nursery day NB. Maximum of 20 people | – Propagation – Mulching – Planting & maintenance of display gardens | -3 hours – 10.00am – 1.00pm – (with meal breaks – BYO lunch. Morning tea supplied) |
Safety considerations
The Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater (the Friends) make every effort to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for participants. Please notify us of any special considerations regarding participant welfare and specific needs when making a booking.
- All children’s activities (under 18 year olds) require the participation of adult supervisors
- The Friends expect that adults accompanying children will be active participants in the day’s activities and manage behavioural issues
- The Friends Environmental Coordinator and/or Nursery Manager provide the equipment & training to undertake the activities safely
- The Friends Environmental Coordinator and/or Nursery Manager have Level 2 First-aid and carry a mobile phone & first-aid kit
- Group supervisors should also carry first aid kits, mobile phones and emergency contact numbers at all times
- All participants should wear sensible outdoor clothing – preferably long trousers, long sleeved shirts, sturdy shoes, sunscreen and hats. In wet weather gumboots are advisable.
Postponements due to high fire risk days / Extreme weather
To ensure the safety of all participants, excursions to Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area do not operate on days of high fire risk or high winds. In the event of extreme weather conditions the Friends will contact the group supervisor about postponing the event. We endeavour to give as much warning as possible and visits can be rescheduled. Please advise the Friends of your group’s policy.