|
You may have noticed the BCLN River Garden taking shape next to the Bass River bridge as you drive down the Bass highway, just in the paddock below the Landcare office.
The 1ha River Garden community site is a space for our community to gather, learn and grow healthy food using regenerative growing techniques. We demonstrate these by establishing growing spaces using various horticultural innovations, and anyone can participate in our educational activities for all ages to learn more. This space has been conceived as a co-creation with the local community and we invite you to participate! 
To date we have planted a ‘water-wise’ orchard, a series of swale beds on our slope, including a kitchen garden demonstration and espaliered heritage fruit trees, a nuttery, and a berry trellis. A range of different raised garden beds and wicking beds for annual vegetables have been installed, with a variety of perennial herbs, companion plants and annual vegetables also growing in the swale beds.
In 2024 we started planting a Conservation Zone and Seed orchard, comprised of a border of indigenous plants with over 60 different species. This acts as an attractor of pollinators, wind protection, a place to grow hard plants with harder to collect seed, with signage soon to be installed. A bushfood garden and wetlands area help to filter any water running off the site into the adjoining Bass River. We area also creating an eco-trail incorporating all of the above into an educational resource for passive recreation and walks for our community to enjoy. In 2026 we constructed a Training Nursery, allowing us to grow some of our own plants and take training days for groups of all ages in a purpose-built facility. There is space and the opportunity at the River Garden for much, much more.... Future plans include establishing educational activity spaces for school groups, and an all-weather education shelter to be used in our various activities and workshops. We can't wait to involve you in a range of Volunteer Blitz sessions and Master Classes with guest horticulture and permaculture trainers, as well as our knowledgeable Landcare staff who are always on hand to welcome new volunteers and participants.
We also have local groups participate in organised activities. If you, your group or organisation is interested in getting involved at the River Garden, please let us know by filling out the contact form below. 
|
River Garden kids
|
|
|
River Garden Blitz sessions - 2026
Thanks to funding from our BCLN Public fund, with proceeds from our Landcare art show, we will resume hosting our River Garden Blitz sessions again in the second half of 2026. Guest speakers will include Rick Coleman from Southern Cross Permaculture sharing his wealth of practical permaculture knowledge, our own Lisa Wangman, Education, Training and Communications Manager who oversees the River Garden management, and Harriet Pellizzer, as a part of the Living Lightly program, generously sponsored by the Bass Coast Shire Council in partnership with Bass Coast Adult Learning Centre. Please keep checking back on this page for updates and openings for bookings for the sessions.
|
|
|
Pollinator Hotels and Bee Baths - Living Lightly Program
Saturday 10th October 10AM-11:30am
|
Bees and other pollinators play an essential role in healthy gardens, food production and local biodiversity, and even a small garden, balcony or courtyard can provide valuable food, water and shelter.
In this practical Living Lightly workshop, we'll explore the important role bees and other pollinators play and discover simple ways to provide food, water and habitat at home. We'll look at pollinator hotels and bee baths, including how they work, where to place them and what our local pollinators actually need. We'll also explore suitable flowering plants across the seasons, ways to create more pollinator-friendly spaces, and how small changes in our gardens can support beneficial insects, whether we're working with a large backyard or just a few pots. Along the way, we'll consider how everyday and repurposed materials can be used thoughtfully, what makes pollinator habitats genuinely useful rather than simply decorative, and some common mistakes to avoid. Participants will have the opportunity to create a pollinator-friendly project to take home, along with practical ideas for making their own garden or growing space a more welcoming habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects. Registration is essential so we can keep in contact if there are any changes and ensure adequate materials for participants. Click here to book your place. |
|
River Garden Guiding Principles
Community Projects
|
|
|
Current Projects
upcoming projects
|
|
