By Tanya Steele
Bugs, bees, beasts and more were on show for an annual event celebrating the Yarra Ranges amazing flora and fauna and the faces of people in the community who dedicate their time to caring for it.
As school holidays began in earnest, the Mini Beasts Festival captivated the local community drawing crowds of nature enthusiasts, families, and conservation advocates at Birdsland Reserve on Sunday 6 April.
Among the festival’s highlights was a display hosted by the local Southern Dandenongs community nursery (SDCN) nursery which showcased sustainably collected and locally grown indigenous plants on the day.
SDCN President Pam said it was an amazing experience.
“We chatted to so many wonderful members of the Hills and further out,” she said.
Supported by the Yarra Ranges Council, a number of environmental groups attended the festival, from the Yarra Ranges Garden for Wildlife team, to the Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group and Melbourne Water.
With face painting, a CFA sausage sizzle, plant and animal displays and more the event celebrates not only the tiny creatures that play a vital role in our ecosystems in the Yarra Ranges but also the dedicated people working behind the scenes to protect their habitats.
“It is about community and exposing kids to our natural environment and the connections we have,” said Pam.
“Kids made little bee hotels, we explained how they had made homes for them and it was beautifully set up,” she said.
The free festival was a hub of activity throughout the day, with children and adults alike exploring the wonders of the natural world and learning about the importance of biodiversity, Pam said it was also a great chance for the community to learn about SDCN.
“To let people know they can come and visit us, they can volunteer,” she said.
“You don’t have to know your plants.”
Serving as a valuable opportunity for community engagement, as visitors connected over shared values of sustainability and conservation, Pam said people walked through the displays which flowed through to the nursery and the volunteers.
“You had to get past me and I love a chat, it was fantastic,” she said.
“One person came all the way from Ballarat.”
Special thanks were extended to Gavin and the dedicated team at Yarra Ranges Environment Advisory Committee (EAC) by the SDCN on social media, whose efforts helped make the day an unforgettable success.
As the festival wraps up for another year, the nursery encourages everyone to ‘keep the spirit of conservation alive’ and continue supporting initiatives that protect and restore the natural beauty of the Yarra Ranges.
“We hope to do more of these at SDCN because it just gets us out there,” said Pam.
