Activities, projects and events
We have plenty of activities for everyone!
Regular Friends activities are held in the morning, generally for 2 hours. Each regular activity is held once a month and can include our general mid-week activities or special events and projects. Your attendance is warmly welcomed- with many activities to choose from, big to small!
Special events, such as Planting days, may be longer and include a BBQ lunch! See our full range of activities, projects and events below:
Check our activities on ParkConnect for up-to-date days and times
Just search “Friends of Dandenong Valley Parklands” under the Group Name.
Our Annual General Meeting will be held at 7:30 pm Wednesday 20th August 2025
609 Burwood Highway, Knoxfield. (Victoria SES Knox unit location),
All welcome - hear our Park Ranger Kristine Elberts talk about plans for the future.
Mid-week activites
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Propagation
Growing plants from seeds, or from cuttings which are transplanted to tubes once big enough. This is a fun job that occurs multiple times per year, depending on what plants are available and ready to be propagated! You can have a chat, learn about the plants and fellow volunteers.
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Plant maintenance
Various jobs to maintain and help conserve areas we have planted- such as placing or removing tree guards and stakes, and weeding.
Meeting at various sites, generally over the cooler months.
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Indigenous garden maintenance
Our Indigenous Garden at Shepherds Bush is always open to enjoy. The gardens showcase indigenous plants, which are locally native to our suburbs. We plant, weed, and mulch to keep it attractive. You can learn about plants best suited to our area, bush foods and habitat.
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Waterwatch
Collect water samples and learn chemistry skills to test for water quality, lake and creek health and sustainable water management.
Meeting at Jells East information shelter (in Jells Park) for our version of Wet and Wild!
Regular weekend activities
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Garden maintenance
Our Australian native garden at Shepherds Bush needs regular maintenance. It showcases native plants from all over Australia that are suitable for suburban gardens.
Sunday morning working in the fresh air and dirt- what could be better?
Jobs include raking, weeding, pruning, mulching, and planting. Everybody is welcome and no experience is needed. We can teach you!
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Biodiversity restoration
Shepherds Bush is remnant bush with some trees over 400 years old! We are trying to restore the native habitat which is heavily impacted by weeds.
Spending a morning each month wandering in Shepherds Bush and attacking blackberries, wild gladiolus, and other invaders, is a very satisfying way to release negative energy! You may spot a blue tongue lizard or be eyed by a friendly magpie who hopes you turn up some worms.
Our projects
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National Tree Day -Sunday 27th July 2025
A fun annual event by hosted by the FoDVP planting a range of indigenous trees and other plants across the parks and bushland. This year National Tree Day was held on Sunday July 27th at Mulgrave Reserve. Around 100 children and adults planted nearly 3000 trees, shrubs and grasses, enjoying a BBQ afterwards.
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Seed Collecting
We collect seeds several times a year, sometimes assisted by Knox Environment Society. Timing of seed collections are plant dependent!
We host extra plant propagation and planting sessions for the community, which are advertised in our newsletter and on ParkConnect.
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Melbourne Water Collaboration
We have helped to regenerate the land along the banks of Dandenong Creek.
Since 2007 the Friends of Dandenong Valley Parklands Waterwatch group has monitored the health of Dandenong Creek and Blind creek in the Jells Park area.
