Bushland Reserves in Knox

The City of Knox has over 70 bushland reserves that enhance the landscape character of the municipality. These reserves also contribute to our local biodiversity.

We all have a responsibility to care for our local bushland reserves in order to support habitat for local wildlife and conserve local biodiversity.

The Knox Council Biodiversity team manages and monitors many of the bushland reserves using contemporary bushland management practices to control environmental weeds and support regeneration of the vegetation in order for the community to enjoy.

Local Friends Groups also provide considerable time and effort in supporting management of these reserves and educating the community on the value of these sites.

Connecting to nature provides positive health and wellbeing outcomes and as such, the conservation of these reserves is valuable for the community and for future generations.

Local residents can contribute to our bushland reserves by joining the free Gardens for Wildlife Program

Knox has joined forces with seven other Councils in Eastern Melbourne - Boroondara, Whitehorse, Maroondah, Monash, Manningham, Stonnington and Greater Dandenong, and together we will compete as Melbourne against cities from around the world in the annual City Nature Challenge.

During the four-day observation period from 30 April to 3 May, 2021, Knox residents are invited to find, photograph and document the native flora and fauna that lives and grows in our neighbourhoods.

Working together to find and document nature in our area helps scientists and land managers study and protect these species. By joining the City Nature Challenge, not only do you learn more about your local nature, but you can also make Knox a better place – for you and other species!

Get involved

You can do this on your own or you can join us at one of our free events that will be led by local champions and passionate experts – check back here for details soon.

Start with one of the free online webinar sessions on how to download and use the iNaturalist app.

Webinar

Upcoming events
Pollinators Up Close - iNaturalist training & field walk and talk
Monday 26th April 2021 at 11:30am – 1:30pm
Knox Environment Society. Behind the Ferntree Gully Library on Burwood Highway between Glenfern Road and Brenock Park Drive. The entrance road is opposite the ALDI supermarket.
This 2 hour session, run by the expert Dr Luis Mata from the University of Melbourne will include a one hour introduction to the online platform iNaturalist and explain the importance and value of citizen science. The second half of the session will be an outdoor walk and talk around Knox Environment Society where participants can capture insects, plants and anything wild using iNaturalist.
What to bring:
iNaturalist app (Available from Google Play Store or Apple App store)
Hat, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, a keen eye for capturing biodiversity!
Register for 26 April

Insect Exploration - Exploring Bateman Street Bushland with iNaturalist
Sunday 2nd May 2021 at 11:30am – 12:30pm
Bateman Street Bushland Reserve. Meet at Western end of Bateman Street, Wantirna 3152
This 1 hour session will include a bushland walk and talk around Bateman Street Bushland Reserve. Participants can capture insects, plants and anything wild using iNaturalist. Think butterfly nets and observation jars and the chance to ask questions to expert Dr Luis Mata from the University of Melbourne.
What to bring:
iNaturalist app (Available from Google Play Store or Apple App store)
Hat, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, a keen eye for capturing biodiversity
Register for 2 May

An Evening of Moth Lighting and Discovery with iNaturalist
Sunday 2nd May 2021 at 6:30pm
Koolunga Native Reserve. Meet at the carpark at Old Forest Road, Ferntree Gully 3156
This exciting event will be led by two experts from the Entomological Society of Victoria and by Dr Luis Mata from the University of Melbourne. On Sunday 2nd May, they will light up Koolunga at night in order to introduce the method of Moth Light Trapping and allow attendees to observe and capture moths and other insects using iNaturalist. This method of observation is completely non-harmful as the moths and insects are attracted to a white sheet and are not physically trapped.
What to bring:
iNaturalist app (Available from Google Play Store or Apple App store)
Torch to find your way through the reserve
Sturdy shoes, Jumper, a keen eye for capturing biodiversity
Register for 2 May
Please note this event is subject to weather and will not run if it rains.

In addition to the City Nature Challenge events occurring within Knox, other participating councils are also holding events. For more information please refer to the following links:
Boroondara events

Whitehorse events

Monash events

Manningham events

Maroondah events

Stonnington events

Staying COVID safe
Please do not attend if you are unwell or have been instructed to isolate or quarantine.
Contact tracing: Scan QR code on arrival, or fill in the sign-in sheet.
Please keep at least 1.5 metres distance between you and anyone you don’t live with whenever possible. If you cannot keep this distance, please wear a face mask.
Please practice good hygiene such as washing your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds before arrival and coughing and sneezing into a tissue or your elbow.

Looking after you
Please dress for the prevailing weather conditions, and wear sturdy, closed footwear.
Please note that you will be walking outdoors on unmade, uneven tracks through bushland, and you may encounter stinging and biting insects, and tripping hazards such as fallen branches and potholes.

Looking after our reserves

- Numbers for this event are limited. Please ensure you have a ticket for this event.
- Please follow your guide’s instructions and stay on the tracks.
- Before you arrive, please remove dirt/clay/soil from your footwear to prevent spread of forest diseases.

Join the conversation with Bushland & Biodiversity Officers; Adam, Chris and Zoe sharing their knowledge and local insights about what's going on in Knox.
Episode 1 features a discussion about native orchids, snakes and our Tree trail campaign.
Episode 2 discusses the importance of tree hollows for our native animals with Andrew McKernan from Victorian Tree Organisation.

Take a peek at the amazing images of our bushland reserves; the native bush, wildflowers, creeks, lakes and wildlife captured by the Knox Photographic Society.

Nature Discovery Virtual Gallery

We are very excited to bring you virtual tours of some of our favourite bushland reserves around Knox.

The location and a brief description of the major Bushland Reserves in Knox are listed in the 'Bushland Reserves in Knox' brochure which can be downloaded below.

Bushland Reserves in Knox

Indigenous vegetation is extremely fragmented in urban areas. Some municipalities have very little remnant vegetation and most sites are also isolated from one another by residential, industrial and former agricultural uses.

Once a part of a vast natural landscape that stretched right across the continent, many of our bushland reserves are now islands in a sea of houses.

'Bush Neighbours' is a guide to understanding, enjoying and protecting our wonderful natural bushland areas. As a bush neighbour, you are in a special position to know and enjoy our wonderful natural areas and to help them through the changes they face as part of an urban landscape. It also means you hold the key to their protection.

Download the Bush Neighbours brochure for information on how to support our bushland reserves.

The Melbourne Water Frog Census app can be downloaded for the following devices:

Apple Android