Friends of Glenfern Valley Bushlands

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Upwey, VIC
Friends of Glenfern Valley Bushlands

Glenfern Valley Bushlands comprises 40 hectares or 100 acres, 35 km east of Melbourne.

Formed in late 2001 the FoGVB work to restore the natural bushland, improve visitor facilities and provide educational opportunities to students and the general public. It is bounded on the south by Glenfern Road, on the west by New Road, the north boundary is Ferny Creek and the eastern boundary is 'Depot Track'. The land falls gently from south to north, with Grassy Forest and Herb Rich Foothill Forest on high ground to Riparian Forest at the creek line. It is in the Southern Fall Bioregion, and contains a large area of remnant vegetation. This land is now Crown Land under management by Department of Environment & Primary Industries and the Shire of Yarra Ranges. It is being rehabilitated by Friends of Glenfern Valley Bushlands - a volunteer group of interested local people who w**d and plant in the park on a monthly basis. This land is now used for passive recreation - walking, bird watching, etc.

08/09/2026

On Sunday 20th September, from 9:30 am - 12:30pm we will be working in the reserve creating a better habitat for the birds and creatures that call Glenfern home, and we hope you can join us.

Our task will involve walking through the bushlands pulling out those pesky w**d seedlings, such as Pittosporums and Ivy. It's a pretty nice patch of bush that we will be in and I can imagine that, being Spring, there will be some lovely wildflowers starting to appear and plenty of bird-song in the air.

You are very welcome for all or part of the morning; or feel free to join us at 11am, when we stop for a scrumptious morning tea and a chat.

Please bring a sense of humour and your curiosity, as well as sturdy shoes, gloves, drinking water. We have plenty of tools and a delicious morning tea to share with you.

We'll meet at the central entrance with the rock wall, Melway 74 F10, where there is plenty of off-street parking.

Looking forward to seeing you there. 🌿

02/09/2026

The team were busy today working in the Baggunggadjirri amphitheatre. Lots of kikuyu and w**ds to tackle but our wonderful volunteers transformed the area into something more welcoming. Well done and thanks!

It was followed by a delicious morning tea with the company of a friendly magpie.

01/09/2026

You are all welcome at our midweek working bee this Wednesday 2 September, from 9am till 11am, followed by morning tea.

We'll meet at the central entrance, to tidy around the amphitheatre Bagunggadjirri, and the frog ponds.

Please bring sturdy shoes and gloves, and we'll provide you with tools and morning tea 🌿

27/08/2026

A wonderful sight in the reserve — a mob of around 20 kangaroos, photographed by Ron Stecher.
It’s also a timely reminder that the reserve is first and foremost wildlife habitat. Dogs are required to be on leash, for the safety and wellbeing of the local wildlife.
Please keep your dog close, and help us keep the reserve a safe place for its wild residents.

17/08/2026

It was so beautiful working in the Bushlands on Sunday. The fog had gently lifted to a sunny Spring-like day and the bush was full of interesting things to discover, large and small. As we were in a higher quality area, there weren't too many w**ds to pull either.

Join us for our next Bush Restoration on the third Sunday of the month, or on Wednesday 2 September, 9-11am for our Midweek Conservation & Conversation. 🌿

Photos by Linda F

12/08/2026

You are all welcome to our Bushland Restoration morning to be held this Sunday 16 August, from 9:30 am - 12:30pm.

We'll meet at the central entrance with the rock wall, Melway 74 F10, to walk through areas 4 and 10. These are good quality areas but there will always be some woody w**d seedlings to be pulled out. Closer to the creek we'll check on ivy, blackberries, bridal creeper etc.

You are very welcome for all or part of the morning; or if you can't participate in the work, do feel free to join us at 11am, when we stop for morning tea and an informative talk about a plant, animal, or other aspect of the reserve.

Please bring sturdy shoes, gloves and drinking water. We'll provide you with morning tea, tools, and hand sanitiser. 🌿

04/08/2026

Working bee cancelled today.
With wet conditions and more rain on the way we won’t be meeting for our midweek working bee today.
Hope to see you at the next one.

23/07/2026

On sunny Sunday we worked through area 12 removing w**ds, and reinstated a picnic table above the amphitheatre. At our lovely morning tea at Gill’s rest, Linda gave a talk on some of the history of Upwey. This included the homestead that was located in the reserve where you will find an old apple tree. Thanks to all who attended.

Join us for our next Bush Restoration on the third Sunday of the month, or on Wednesday 5 August, 9-11am for our Midweek Conservation & Conversation. 🌿

Photos by Nicole, Linda & Daniel

15/07/2026

You are all welcome to our Bushland Restoration morning to be held this Sunday 19 July, from 9:30 am - 12:30pm. We'll meet at the central entrance with the rock wall, to walk through area 12.

You are very welcome for all or part of the morning; or if you can't participate in the work, do feel free to join us at 11am, when we stop for morning tea and an informative talk about a plant, animal, or other aspect of the reserve.

Please bring sturdy shoes, gloves, drinking water. We'll provide you with morning tea, tools, and hand sanitiser.

Looking forward to seeing you then!🌿

05/07/2026

Win for the local environment and community action!
Last week VCAT passed down the decision to deny a permit for the landfill development proposed for Lysterfield Valley. Since 2023 FoGVB and other objectors have supported YR Council and Melbourne Water in the planning decision to protect the valley and Monbulk Creek from this application to dump 400,000m3 of fill. We are grateful for all the support toward this case and the ruling of the Tribunal.

Address

Glenfern Road
Upwey, VIC
3158

Website

http://www.glenfernvalleybushlands.org.au/

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