Yarra4Life is a major environmental program based in the Yarra Valley that works to improve, increase and protect habitat for native animals including the Helmeted Honeyeater and the Leadbeater’s Possum.
Its long-term goal is to have habitat links from the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve north to the Yarra Ranges National Park, south-east to Kurth Kiln Regional Park, and west to the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
This project was originally hosted by the Port Phillip & Westernport CMA. The PPWCMA was integrated into Melbourne Water in January 2022 and Melbourne Water is now the host agency.
Yarra4Life is supported by a range of government agencies, non-government organisations and community groups that fund and deliver coordinated small and large-scale projects and on-ground works.
The Yarra Valley supports a diverse range of plant and animal species and communities. It boasts a number of iconic natural assets, including the unique mountain ash forests of the Central Victorian Highlands, the Yarra River- Birrarung - and two of Victoria’s faunal emblems - the Helmeted Honeyeater and the Leadbeater’s Possum.
Yarra Valley’s unique environment is under increasing pressure from urban development, agriculture, industry, pest animal and weeds as well as the impacts from climate change.
Yarra4Life seeks to support the area’s natural assets by building connections for people and the environment. The program provides an opportunity for land managers to plan, coordinate and deliver cross-tenure land management projects that improve habitat across the landscape.
Yarra4Life’s mission is to bring together agencies and communities in genuine collaboration to protect biodiversity and rehabilitate the unique natural values of the Yarra Valley, expand the engagement of communities in actively caring for the region, and acknowledge and incorporate the approaches of Traditional Owners to heal Country.
Melbourne Water coordinates Yarra4Life on behalf of its partners, which include local government, government agencies and community groups.
Parks Victoria
Yarra Ranges Council
Yarra Ranges Landcare Network
Nangana Landcare Network
Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater
Trust for Nature
VNPA
Friends of Leadbeater’s Possum
Zoos Victoria
Cardinia Shire Council
Yarra Valley Water
Yarra River Keepers
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
Conservation Volunteers Australia
Yarra4Life’s program area encompasses 82,000 hectares of the Yarra Valley extending from the foothills of the Yarra Ranges to the north, Cardinia Reservoir in the south and flanked by the Dandenong Ranges and Bunyip state Park. The area contains significant biodiversity values on private land, public reserves and within state and national parks, with the 600 hectare Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve located in the centre.
To learn more, visit Yarra4Life website.