In a pivotal move to help protect and restore the natural assets and ecological riches of one of Victoria’s most iconic landscapes, Nangana Landcare Network (NLN) and Agribusiness Yarra Valley (AgYV) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the Foundation for Natural Capital in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.
This agreement marks the first of many partnerships in a broad, community-led and co-operative initiative.
The new partnership represents a small but crucial first step in a long-term vision shaped by more than 4000 hours of volunteer work from local people, community groups, and organisations across the region.
Its purpose is to enable diverse groups to work together toward a thriving, resilient landscape.
“This is an important step in creating a coordinated, landscape-scale response to the dual challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change. By working with Agribusiness Yarra Valley, we are bridging the gap between conservation and enterprise in a way that benefits people and nature,” President of Nangana Landcare Network, Alan Clayton said.
It builds on 18 months of collaboration through a cross-sector working group: an alliance of community organisations, environmental groups, social services, tourism operators, and public land managers.
Together, they have developed C411 COUNTRY: Natural Capital for Generations, a long-term plan to restore and protect 128,000 hectares across the region.
C411 COUNTRY was conceived within the Four Returns framework: financial returns, social returns, natural returns, and the return of inspiration.
“The Foundation for Natural Capital is an exciting step towards uniting environmental and economic goals,” State MP for Monbulk, Daniela De Martino said.
The Foundation will be positioned to attract new forms of market finance and larger philanthropic grants, creating momentum for an inclusive, climate-resilient future.
Natural capital is the soil, water, air, native plants, animals, and ecosystems that healthy food, clean water, and a liveable climate all depend on.
The proposed foundation will bring in funding and support to help those caring for these systems across farms, bushland, and waterways.
“The natural environment underpins the productivity and prosperity of our region,” Chair of Agribusiness Yarra Valley, Murray Lyons said.
“This MOU is a recognition that healthy ecosystems and thriving businesses go hand in hand. The Foundation for Natural Capital will help us invest wisely in the agribusinesses that sustain us.”
By focusing on natural capital, the foundation creates common ground, a space where the values of farmers, conservation groups, and local communities can come together.
It’s about recognising the shared stake in the health of this landscape and working collectively to protect what matters most for the region’s future.
The opportunity is timely and significant. With growing interest in biodiversity markets, regenerative farming, and Nature Repair legislation, the region is well positioned to participate in Australia’s shift toward valuing and restoring natural capital.
As part of Melbourne’s Inner Food Bowl and a key ecological corridor, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges attract over 4.5 million visitors each year—a number expected to double in the next decade.
Protecting the natural systems that support food, farmers, biodiversity, and tourism will be essential to the region’s future resilience and prosperity.
“The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are not only beautiful—they’re vital to our region’s identity, economy, and ecological resilience. I commend this initiative and look forward to supporting efforts that bring stakeholders together to build a legacy of environmental stewardship,” Federal MP for Casey, Aaron Violi said.
The risks are also real. Without a unified and grounded body to coordinate effort and attract investment, ecological decline, land fragmentation, and missed opportunities loom.
The foundation offers a practical and collaborative mechanism to meet these challenges, while honouring the community-led effort that has brought it this far.
The Foundation for Natural Capital will begin by developing its governance and structure.
The partners are exploring a blend of public, philanthropic, and private investment to support the Foundation’s establishment phase.
Nangana Landcare Network acknowledges the enormous volunteer effort behind this initiative and thanks the many individuals and groups who contributed, including Daniela de Martino MP, Echo Youth and Family Services, Zoos Victoria, Eastern Dandenong Ranges Association, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, Yarra Ranges Council, Cardinia Shire Council, Yellingbo Indigenous Nursery, Monbulk Landcare, Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater, Friends of the Leadbeater’s Possum, Johns Hill Landcare Group, Treed Environs Pty Ltd, Puffing Billy Railway, Board Presence, Co-Founder of Four Pillars Gin Cameron Mackenzie, Aaron Violi MP, Greater Melbourne Cemeteries Trust, All Walks of Life and Recovery Ready Communities Senior Partner Fiona Sewell.
