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Mulloon Institute and Bass Coast Landcare Network recently hosted a Boots on Ground Project Day in Woodleigh, Victoria where participants got their hands dirty constructing in-stream landscape rehydration interventions.

Presented by Mulloon Institute’s Principal Landscape Planner Peter Hazell and Landscape Planner Annabel Manning, the event gave participants a tangible learning experience in the field as they were taught the principles and mechanics of building in-stream rock structures, log-sill and rock weirs, and a brush weir.

The project day is the touchstone event of our Communities of Practice Mentoring Program (CoPP) where landholders receive one-on-one mentoring from Mulloon Institute staff to design landscape interventions to optimise water cycling and landscape function on their property.

The day began with an introduction to the six CoPP Victoria Mentoring participants where they discussed their projects, property visions, challenges and triumphs. Mentees Camilla and Joby Graves, who generously hosted the event at their property, gave insights into their land management priorities and project goals.

The group then headed to the project site to get to work placing rock and logs, weaving brush and shaping earth mounds to build seven in-stream structures. With 40 pairs of hands working together, the group made quick work of construction which left plenty of time for lengthy discussions on landscape resilience, catchment hydrology, and waterway management.

The day would not have been made possible without the help of Bass Coast Landcare’s Joel Geoghegan, who did a fantastic job of bringing the local community together for a productive, sweaty and inspiring day in the field.

This project received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. Mulloon Institute’s Learning Programs have been developed with the assistance of the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust.