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.
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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 on a gentle slope in the north-west corner of the site, a series of swale beds on our slope, including a kitchen garden demonstration and espaliered heritage fruit trees, a nuttery to the southwest, and a berry trellis. We have installed a range of different raised garden beds and wicking beds for annual vegetables too. 
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There is space and the opportunity at the River Garden for much, much more.... Future plans include expanding our wetland system into a conservation zone incorporating bushfoods, 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 weekly 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. ​
Guided environmental activities for
3-5-year-olds and their adults
at the River Garden.
​Bookings open for 8x sessions in May 2024!

River Garden Blitz!!  Community Volunteer Sessions
​New Garden Gems Workshop program - bookings open.

Bass Coast Shire Council in partnership with Bass Coast Adult Learning Centre, are delivering a range of workshops across Bass Coast Community gardens in 2024. The River Garden will be hosting 4 workshops, please click on the links below to book your place. 

River Garden Guiding Principles

  • Biologically centred, minimal chemical approach
  • Minimum waste
  • Sharing of knowledge, ideas and resources
  • Maximising energy flows and nutrient cycling on site
  • Growing for nutrient density and long term fertility
  • Increasing soil volume over time
  • Maximising production for available space, multiple use
  • Use of local resources

Community Projects

  • Collaborative and communal
  • Respectful and friendly
  • Tolerant, inclusive and embracing of differences
  • Self directed
  • Sourcing and sharing of skills and knowledge from cultural traditions in our wider community
  • Working with multiple partners                                       

Current Projects

  • Swale beds for retaining water on slopes
  • Hops trial
  • Comparitive trials plot
  • Seedling business
  • Water supply
  • Water filtering
  • Community garden

    Expressions of Interest in Volunteer program