Learn how to build a frog pond/bog with local ecologist and frog expert David De Angelis.

David will discuss how you can construct a frog pond/bog at home that is ideal for local frog species.

Attendees will get a head start with a range of free indigenous habitat plants from the Friends of Warrandyte State Park Nursery. They will be there to assist you with water and pond fringing plants.

David De Angelis is a local naturalist, environmental educator, and consultant with interests in the ecology and conservation of frogs, and citizen science. Most of David’s work is done with ABZECO, La Trobe University’s Wildlife Sanctuary and Holmesglen Institute. He is also on the committee of Frogs Victoria.

This event is part our Manningham Spring Outdoors Series, where we offer a range of fun outdoor activities across Manningham.

You can also check what’s happening across other Councils by visiting the Spring Outdoors website.

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Our presenter, Ian Moxon, is a seasoned sustainability consultant with over 15 years of experience in Electric vehicles. He’ll share his extensive knowledge and valuable industry insights into the benefits of electric vehicles.

The information session will cover:

• charging systems, charging times and expanding infrastructure
• distances that Australians usually travel and how the perceived barrier to EVs is dissolving
• battery technologies - innovation is driving higher capacity, less weight, longer life spans, better safety and end of life recycling
• the cost to travel using electricity as a fuel and the impact of a growing electric fleet for our electricity grid
• the various models that are available now, and the many more that will arrive with policy changes and surging demand.

This event is part of our Inspired Living Series. This series showcases an exciting range of fun and sustainable activities and events for all ages, supporting sustainability at home, in the community and at work.

Bookings are essential.

Come along to celebrate the launch of our 2025 Inspired Living Series with a panel of two inspiring local storytellers and eco-adventurers!

Beau Miles

Beau is a father, YouTuber, author of The Backyard Adventurer, wannabe farmer and maker of stuff from other people's junk. Known for oddball storytelling that aims to turn seemingly mundane or silly ideas into things that are enjoyable, challenging and insightful. Beau is known for his ‘Backyard Adventurer’ philosophy of connecting people with their local heritage, history and environment.

Cezary Carmichael (Two Birders Two Bikes One School)

Cezary is a 19-year-old filmmaker and student who recently completed a year-long journey on his bike around Australia to fund the development of a school in Timor-Leste (raising more than $120,000). His upcoming documentary will explore the cultural and ecological significance of birds in Australia and the importance of storytelling and communication in fostering community.

Inspired Living Series – keynote speaker events

Our 2025 Inspired Living Series showcases five insightful, not-to-be-missed evenings. The series will introduce you to a diverse lineup of local keynote speakers who will offer unique insights on embracing sustainability.

Topics range from sustainable food to low waste lifestyles. Each speaker will share their journey – inspiring our audience to embrace positive choices, nurture a connection to nature, and strengthen their community for a stronger, more resilient future.

Registration for this event is required.

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Join fruit tree expert Christy Clarke from Fruit Tree Folk as he discusses how to effectively select, plant and care for a range of fruit trees for maximum health and abundance.

We will discuss the art of winter versus summer pruning, common pests and diseases, and organic solutions for these.

The seminar begins at 6.30pm, or join us from 6.15pm for our monthly food swap, where you can bring and trade homegrown produce, cuttings, seeds, gardening magazines, jars, ferments and more!

About Home Harvest: Home Harvest is a free, complete home gardening program that runs monthly from February to December. It aims to educate and inspire residents to grow their own organic, nutritious and delicious produce at home. The series hosts seminars, question and answer time, on-site activities and food swaps!

Please see our events section for other upcoming sessions.

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Take part in one of the largest Citizen Science projects in the world while contributing valuable information about Manningham’s biodiversity.

About the City Nature Challenge

In this worldwide BioBlitz, cities compete to observe the most species by the most people.

Manningham is collaborating with more than 25 local governments to form the Greater Melbourne project.

How to participate

During this four-day challenge, take photos of plants or animals and upload them to iNaturalist.

Your observations will be added to the Manningham iNaturalist projects (Manningham East or Manningham West) so that we can compete with participants from across Melbourne and around the world.

All data is added to Australia’s database of plants and animals, helping scientists with their research to improve outcomes for our environment.

Steps to prepare 

1. Install the iNaturalist app on your mobile phone and create an iNaturalist account.
2. Join the Melbourne City Nature Challenge 2025: Greater Melbourne Project.  
3. Start adding your observations.

The Sustainable Gardening Australia, Edible Gardening Seminar Series is a complete home gardening program that will teach you how to grow your own delicious fresh, healthy, and nutritious food at home.

Growing your own food can be not only rewarding and enjoyable but can also save you money as well.

Each seminar will cover a different aspect of growing organic food including soil preparation, pest and diseases and selecting what fruits and vegetables are right for your garden. 

Edible gardening topics

• Tuesday 11 October: Getting Started with Veggie Gardening
  The first step is to want to grow organically, but where do you start? This workshop will set you up to start your veggie gardening journey so you can enjoy the benefits of growing your own fresh, healthy, and nutritious food.
• Tuesday 18 October: Healthy Soil for Produce Gardening
  Healthy soil is full of life and fundamental to the health of our gardens, providing plants with all the nutrients and water they need to grow. Good soil is essential for growing produce.
• Tuesday 8 November: Dealing with Garden Pests without Harsh Chemicals - CANCELLED
  Garden pests can be managed using nature and its resources to strengthen the balance within your garden, avoiding unnecessary chemical use.
• Tuesday 15 November: Composting and Worm Farming
  Using compost, worms, bokashi or chooks to turn kitchen and garden waste into black gold for your garden.
• Tuesday 22 November: Preparing for Summer Harvest
  Everything you need to know to grow fresh produce at home this summer.

Food and gardening swap

Bring along your home-grown foods, seedlings, and other gardening items to share with someone else. The home-grown food and seed swap takes place 20 minutes prior to the start of the seminar. So don't forget to bring your own treats to share.  

This program is part of the wider Spring Outdoors Sustainable Gardening Australia Seminar Series. This series includes seminars and webinars at Nillumbik and Banyule councils.

For a full list of events in this series, download the Spring Outdoors Sustainable Gardening Australia brochure, or visit Spring Outdoors.

Explore a stunning reach of the Yarra River enjoying spectacular views as we rock hop over the escarpment and then along the gentler banks. Here we will see the results of more than 25 years of wildlife habitat rehabilitation.

The walk is 4.5km over 3 hours. Parts of the trail are not on a flat walking track and involve good balance and rock hopping. Please consider your ability to complete the walk, being mindful the group will need to keep a steady pace to complete it in the allocated time.

Wear solid walking shoes, weather appropriate clothing, a hat and sunscreen.

Participants must provide a mobile number.

Please note: This walk starts and finishes at different locations, so will involve a car shuttle with fellow walkers.

Location will be given upon registration.

This event is part our Manningham Spring Outdoors Series, where we offer a range of fun outdoor activities across Manningham.

You can also check what’s happening across other Councils by visiting the Spring Outdoors website.

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Join us at Currawong Bush Park to learn about local wildlife and come face to face with local animals of Manningham.

Recommended for children aged 5 to 12 years, the Manningham Junior Ranger Program is designed to get young environmentalists out and active in our local environment.

Activities include:

• Go on a bush park discovery walk with Environment Officers as they explore why Currawong Bush Park is known as the best little wilderness in town
• Survive a live wildlife show presented by Reptile Encounters
• Experience nature as a place to play, imagine, relax and explore.

Participant information:

• Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to start time.
• Come prepared and dress for the weather on the day. Please wear closed-toed footwear.
• Don’t forget to bring a snack and water bottle for morning tea.
• In the event of extreme weather, this event will be cancelled.
• Currawong Bush Park is protected habitat, dogs are not permitted in the park at any time.

Presented by the Astronomical Society of Victoria (ASV) and Manningham Council,

Join the ASV with a stargazing evening at Westerfolds Park, Templestowe. ASV astronomers will be on hand with telescopes and demonstrators.

Bring a torch covered with red cellophane (to keep your night vision), mosquito repellent and warm clothes. Telescopes will be set up on the grassy field near the Parks Victoria Office. Expect evening dew and a cold evening. Children will especially appreciate warm footwear and snacks!

Please reverse your car into the parking space to reduce headlight shine on exit.

This event may be cancelled due to cloud cover (more than 25 percent cover) or in the event of a total fire ban or bad weather. Please provide a relevant contact mobile phone number or email for an automated update on any event changes.

Participant information:

• Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to start time.
• Come prepared and dress for the weather on the day. Please wear closed-toed footwear.
• In the event of extreme weather, this event will be cancelled.

Celebrate National Tree Day in 2024 by registering for the following 2024 National Tree Day community planting sessions at  9.00am to 11.00am Ruffey Lake Park.

Bring along your family and friends and help plant native trees and vegetation to protect the park's natural environment.

Our team will provide advice on how and where to plant the plants to support local habitat.

What to bring

We'll provide all the tools, equipment, and plants. All you need to bring is a personal water bottle and any snacks.

Where to meet

Ruffey Lake Park, along the creek at the bottom of Church Road entrance, Park available at the Victoria Street entrance.

Please note this year's National Tree Day also has a second location at:

11.00am to 1.00pm Mullum Mullum Creek, walk 100 meters upstream from Reynolds Road Bridge, Donvale.

Join the Astronomical Society of Victoria (ASV) at a stargazing evening at Westerfolds Park, Templestowe. ASV astronomers will be on hand with telescopes and demonstrators.

Telescopes will be set up on the grassy field near the Parks Victoria Office.

What to bring

Bring a torch covered with red cellophane (to keep your night vision), mosquito repellent and warm clothes. Expect evening dew and a cold evening. Children will especially appreciate warm footwear and snacks.

Parking

Please reverse your car into the parking space to reduce headlight shine on exit.

Please note: This event may be cancelled due to cloud cover (less than 25 per cent cover) or in the event of a total fire ban or bad weather. Please provide a relevant contact mobile phone number or email for an automated update on any event changes.

Presented by the Astronomical Society of Victoria (ASV) and Manningham Council.

This event is part our Manningham Spring Outdoors Series, where we offer a range of fun outdoor activities across Manningham.

You can also check what’s happening across other Councils by visiting the Spring Outdoors website.

Subscribe to our Environment Newsletter

Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events.

Subscribe now

Take part in one of the largest Citizen Science projects in the world while contributing valuable information about Manningham’s biodiversity.

About the City Nature Challenge

The City Nature Challenge runs from Friday 25 April to Monday 28 April 2025.

In this worldwide BioBlitz, cities compete to make the most observations of the most species by the most people.

Manningham is collaborating with more than 25 local governments to form the Greater Melbourne project.

How to participate

It is free, easy and fun to get involved.

During the 4-day window of this challenge, take photos of plants or animals and upload it to iNaturalist.

Your observations will be added to the Manningham iNaturalist projects (Manningham East or Manningham West) so that we can compete with participants from across Melbourne and all over the world. 

All data gets added to Australia’s database of plants and animals, helping scientists with their research to improve outcomes for our environment.

To prepare for the challenge:

1. Install the iNaturalist app on your mobile phone and create an iNaturalist account.
2. Join the Melbourne City Nature Challenge 2025: Greater Melbourne Project.  
3. Start adding your observations.

Join now 

Electric Vehicles (EVs) have come a long way in a very short time. The transition to EV's is speeding up like the world of renewable energy. 

Is it time to make the switch? 

If you’re considering an EV, join this free webinar where we will examine the rapid changes and evolution of the EV car industry.

The information session will help you understand:

• distances that Australians usually travel and how the perceived barrier to EVs is dissolving
• charging systems, charging times and expanding infrastructure
• battery technologies - innovation is driving higher capacity, less weight, longer life spans, better safety and end of life recycling
• the cost to travel using electricity as a fuel and the impact of a growing electric fleet for our electricity grid
• the various models that are available now, and the many more that will arrive with policy changes and surging demand.

Is it time for you to make the switch to a lean, clean transport machine?

The Manningham Junior Ranger Program is designed to get young environmentalists out and active in our local environment.

Go on a bush park discovery walk with Environment Officers as they explore why Currawong Bush Park is known as the best little wilderness in town.

Survive a live wildlife show presented by Wild Action, the Zoo that comes to you.

Experience nature as a place to play, imagine, relax and explore.

Important information:

• Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to start time.
• Come prepared and dress for the weather on the day. Please wear closed-toed footwear.
• Don’t forget to bring a snack and water bottle for morning tea.
• In the event of extreme weather, this event will be cancelled.
• Currawong Bush Park is protected habitat, dogs are not permitted in the park at any time.

Meeting place:

Currawong Bush Park, Environment Education Centre. 

This event is part our Manningham Spring Outdoors Series, where we offer a range of fun outdoor activities across Manningham.

You can also check what’s happening across other Councils by visiting the Spring Outdoors website.

Subscribe to our Environment Newsletter

Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events.

Subscribe now

Join local ecologist John Harris as he takes you on a journey through Warrandyte State Park’s Fourth Hill.

John will undertake a bird survey and help you identify birds found in the Warrandyte area. 

Walk rating: 3km moderate walk, includes steep and narrow sections, creek crossing, slippery sections and tripping hazards.

Food and snacks

A light breakfast will be provided at the end of the walk. 

If you have any special dietary requirements, we recommend bringing your own food and snacks. 

What to bring and wear 

Bring a water bottle, wear solid shoes, weather appropriate clothing and bring your own binoculars so you don't miss a thing!

Download the Aussie Bird Count Smartphone Application on Android and Apple before the walk and bring your smartphone on the day.

Where to meet

The meeting place will be at Gold Memorial Drive Picnic Ground. 10 minutes before the walk starts.

Please note: the nature walk could be cancelled due to extreme weather.

This event is part our Manningham Spring Outdoors Series, where we offer a range of fun outdoor activities across Manningham.

You can also check what’s happening across other Councils by visiting the Spring Outdoors website.

Subscribe to our Environment Newsletter

Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events.

Subscribe now

Looking to enhance your home's comfort, save money, and achieve energy independence?

Join the Solar Savers team online and discover how they can help you enhance the comfort of your home, save money, and achieve energy independence. 

Hear directly from our trusted installer Specialized Solar and Electrical to learn more about electrifying your home. 

During this webinar, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in a live Q and A session.

The sessions are free, but registration is essential.

How to register

There will be two online sessions held on Wednesday 13 November 2024:

• Lunchtime session - 12.30pm - 1.30pm 
  
  Register now
   
• Evening session - 7.00pm - 8.00pm 
  
   Register now
   

About the Solar Savers program

Manningham Council is supporting residents to modernise their homes with energy efficient electric appliances, solar and batteries. The Solar Savers program makes it easy for you - with free advice and a quote from a trusted installer. 

Whether you're a homeowner, renter, or landlord, Solar Savers is committed to assisting you in transitioning to all-electric homes. You'll have access to affordable, reliable, and high-quality solar panels, battery systems, heat pump hot water systems, and split systems for heating and cooling.

Find out more at Solar Savers.

Are you tired of skyrocketing energy bills and worried about sweltering in the summer heat? It's time to control the heat and create a cool comfort haven at home this summer.

Join this webinar to discover how to:

• Repel the urban heat island effect by harnessing nature's incredible cooling potential! Explore natural cooling methods like passive solar design, landscaping, and ventilation to keep your home cool.
• Examine your home's performance. We'll discuss the impact of air leaks, insulation needs and window treatments which can greatly enhance your home's performance through the heat.
• Learn about best practice 'Active Cooling' using fans and air conditioners. There are smart ways to keep you comfortable, reduce wear and tear, consume less electricity and deliver lower energy bills.
• Consider smart technologies and upgrading appliances for an even more energy efficient future.
• Find out about rebates and get answers to your specific cooling challenges and concerns.

Whether you live in a small apartment or a spacious family home, this presentation offers solutions for every type of living space.

Join us for this essential presentation and take the first step toward creating a cool, comfortable, and energy-efficient home.

This event is part of our Inspired Living Series. This series showcases an exciting range of fun and sustainable activities and events for all ages, supporting sustainability at home, in the community and at work. 

Registration is essential. 

Join wildlife ecologist John Harris as we undertake a biodiversity survey of 100 Acres Reserve. This community biodiversity survey is part of the global City Nature Challenge (CNC).

How to participate

It is free, easy, and fun to get involved.

Bring your mobile phone or digital camera to take pictures of the wild plants, animals and fungi you see, or make sound recordings of frog or bird calls.

Any observations taken over the four days, need to be uploaded to iNaturalist and included in the City Nature Challenge 2023.

To prepare for the guided walks and talks:

• install the iNaturalist app on your mobile phone and create an iNaturalist account
• make sure your phone battery is fully charged on the day
• wear weather-appropriate clothing, bring a rain/wind-proof jacket, and wear safe, fully-enclosed walking shoes to go in long grass
• bring your own drink bottle and snacks
• become a member of the Melbourne City Nature Challenge project to discover nature in our neighbourhoods

About the City Nature Challenge

The City Nature Challenge runs from Friday 28 April to Monday 1 May 2023.

In this worldwide BioBlitz, cities compete to make the most observations of the most species by the most people.

Manningham is collaborating with over 25 local governments to form the Greater Melbourne project.

Last year Greater Melbourne came 33rd from 445 cities for the number of observations made. Hume City came fourth amongst the other local government areas.

Come along to our 2025 Inspired Living Series panel to learn about the exciting future of electrification and energy efficiency – both at home and beyond!

Heidi Lee

Heidi is the CEO of Beyond Zero Emissions, an independent think thank that shows how Australia can prosper in a zero emissions economy through ambitious research, influential engagement and compelling communications. Heidi has two decades' experience in sustainable design and architecture, and in 2024, was named one of The Australian's 'Top 100 Green Energy Power Players' for the third year running. 

Tim Forcey

Tim is one of Australia's leading voices in home energy efficiency and electrification. He is an avid researcher and author of 'My Efficient Electric Home Handbook', which captures a decades worth of advice and insight. Tim founded and contributes to the thriving My Efficient Electric Home online community. As a qualified home energy advisor who has advised in more than 1,000 homes, Tim will share his main insights on how to transform and retrofit any home to be efficient, comfortable and sustainable. 

Brendan Lang

Brendan is an electrician with more than 10 years' experience operating his electrical contracting business. He's also the founder of Get Off Gas. The core motivation for his work is to help accelerate the transition to renewable all-electric buildings and transport, which will reduce running costs and improve liveability. Brendan and his Get Off Gas team offer solutions to electrify homes, with a strong focus on educating homeowners to ensure they make great choices for the environment and their wallets.

Inspired Living Series – keynote speaker events

Our 2025 Inspired Living Series showcases five insightful, not-to-be-missed evenings. The series will introduce you to a diverse lineup of local keynote speakers who will offer unique insights on embracing sustainability.

Topics range from sustainable food to low waste lifestyles. Each speaker will share their journey – inspiring our audience to embrace positive choices, nurture a connection to nature, and foster community for a stronger, more resilient future.

Registration for this event is required.
 

Electrify Your Life 

This event is part of our Electrify Your Life program, supporting residents to go all-electric at home and power up a brighter future for Manningham. Learn how to make the switch at Electrify Your Life. By switching to electric appliances, you can create a safer and healthier home for your family. 

This is a Partner Event hosted independently as part of Renew’s Sustainable House Day 2025 program. Visit Sustainable House Day for the full program.

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