Otway Eden

The beauty and biodiversity of the Otways is being protected by Otway Eden.

Otway Eden is providing significant protection to the Otways through an innovative, landscape approach to managing invasive weeds. The project is a partnership between DEPI, Parks Victoria and local agencies.

Covering 140,000ha, the Eden extends along the Victorian coast from Bellbrae through to Port Campbell, and inland to Colac. Weed work is focused on preventing the establishment of new and emerging weeds that have the potential to damage biodiversity.

Monitoring is also an integral part of the Eden, with a number of monitoring sites established to measure the effectiveness of treatments.

Achievements

• Sites of high biodiversity value have been identified and prioritised for protection.
• Close to 800 weed infestations were treated in the past year alone.
• The majority of treatments target new and emerging species that have the potential to impact on the Otways environment.
• A number of collaborative projects have been established to tackle weeds in the region.

Involving the community

• Local community organisations and authorities have united to work together on weed control and the protection of biodiversity in the area.

Otway Community Conservation Network

The Otway Community Conservation Network (OCCN) is a network of community organisations, land managers and government agencies. Protecting and enhancing the Otway’s environment through coordinated community action is its goal. Funded by the Australian Government’s Caring for Our Country initiative, the network focuses on two weeds of national significance: Boneseed and Bridal Creeper. By bringing the community together around these threats, the OCCN aims to increase community capacity and awareness, and decrease the impact of weeds on the local environment. More information is available at www.occn.org.au.