Group Name
Rewilding Stonnington Inc
Our Purpose and Mission
Locality Sustainability Community
We aim to boost biodiversity, regenerate habitat, reduce stormwater runoff, help combat the urban heat island effect and promote community connection with nature. We work with relevant land managers to revegetate nature strips, parks, railway stations and other public and public-facing land with indigenous and endemic plants, across our local area.
We respect and advocate for First Peoples’ ways of caring for country, in consultation with Traditional Custodians. We support and resource local residents and network with other local environmental organisations, working together to engage and educate ourselves and others in how best to support, improve and regenerate our local environment.
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Member Benefits
Members get down and dirty! Plus the satisfaction of working with others to make a tangible contribution to our local environment. New volunteers wanted and welcome! Working bee and other event information is available via our newsletter and social media. To join the mailing list, fill in the contact form on our website www.rewildingstonnington.org or get in touch via rewildingstonnington@gmail.com
Activities and Events
We run a regular program of monthly working bees from April through December, rotating between project sites. We also run special projects, support and resource local residents on nature strip planting and offer one-off workshops, talks and other community outreach, education and engagement activities on request.
With support from the Australian Government through the Urban Catchments and Rivers program and in consultation with Traditional Custodians, land managers and project partners, Regenerate! aka our Walks Project 2025-27 will see us revegetate selected pilot sites along two new biodiversity corridors: South Yarra to Windsor and Kooyong-Heyington-Yarra River/Birrarung.
Achievements
Founded in 2020, Rewilding Stonnington is 100% volunteer led and run. Our first projects in 2020 were on nature strips, with the support of Council and local residents. We joined the Stationeers (now Station Volunteers) program, then run by Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria and now by VicTRack on behalf of rail authorities, in 2021.
We incorporated in 2022 and achieved charity and DGR status in 2024. Our solar powered trailer and tools hub was designed and built with support from the Australian Government, auspiced by Rotary Prahran, in 2022; our website was launched in the same year.
Along with other residents, we successfully lobbied City of Stonnington for the introduction of a Nature Strips policy and permit approval system, developed and implemented 2023-24. We were back to back winners in the Environmental Sustainability category at the Volunteer Stonnington Awards in 2023 and 2024.
Formation Reason
Rewilding Stonnington formed in 2020, from amongst alumni of the Stonnington Environmental Champions Program run by City of Stonnington.
Our local area has one of the lowest ratios of green space per capita in Victoria; we are improving biodiversity one square meter at a time! We began with one nature strip, then progressed to railway stations, parks and other public and public-facing land. Some of the original group are still with us, now joined by many others. Working with local residents, groups and communities across Stonnington.
Why Join Us
Join Rewilding Stonnington: support biodiversity and help our local environment by reintroducing indigenous and endemic plants across Stonnington
Unique Features
We do what is says on the can – we are Rewilding Stonnington! Our point of difference is that we work across our local area rather than at one specific location. Alongside practical action, education and advocacy are a major focus.
We support local residents, partner with other groups and networks and work closely with our local Council and other land managers, to get the best result for our local environment and our local community.
Geography/History/Culture
We work in a region of transition between Wurundjeri and Bunurong country, bounded by the Yarra River/Birrarung and tributaries including Gardiner’s Creek/Kooyongkoot. Once a country of fertile wetlands and waterways, our local area was subject to major interventions from the period of European colonisation.
Now heavily urbanised, there is almost no surviving remnant vegetation, with green space at a premium and tree cover in decline. We are working in collaboration with Traditional Custodians to regenerate habitat and restore connection to country for all members of our community.
Group/Sites Accessibility
We are keen to welcome volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Accessibility conditions vary across our websites; we also ask people planning to bring children to working bees, to get in touch in advance. Please contact us for support and advice.
Testimonials/Feedback
“There is always a role and a warm welcome for everyone. Because if you care about nature, it will care for you”
Grace, volunteer
Rewilding Stonnington Inc.
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