Citizen Science

iNaturalist - City Nature Challenge - 28 April to 1 May

Eight Eastern Metro Melbourne councils join forces in 2023 to compete against cities from around the world in the annual City Nature Challenge. During the four day observation period, residents are invited to find, photograph and document the native wildlife 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.

Join the Melbourne City Nature Challenge 2023: Greater Melbourne Project.

You can practice observing local flora, fauna and fungi by downloading the iNaturalist app on iPhone or Android.

View our introduction to iNaturalist webinar.
 

Birds in Manningham

Birds are an important part of our local ecosystem. They pollinate our plants and spread seeds across the landscape. Some birds help to keep our insect, rodent and spider populations low, and others fish in our creeks and the Yarra River.

You might notice that birds enjoy coming to your backyard or local park to feed. It's important that we provide habitats for these birds, so that they can continue to be a part of our ecosystem and keep these birds healthy.

Our local species

You can learn more about which birds call Manningham home in our Backyard Diversity video series. There's videos on the Southern Boobook Owl, Tawny Frogmouth, Laughing Kookaburra, Gang Gang Cockatoo & Barn Owl.

Check out our 2020 Birds of Manningham webinar

Aussie Backyard Bird Count

Birdlife Australia run an annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count, you can join in on the fun and contribute with any birds you spot in Manningham by visiting their website

Backyard Birdcount maps 2021
Backyard Birdcount maps 2021
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Waterwatch program

Waterwatch is a citizen science program for monitoring waterway health.

Waterwatch volunteers get involved in exploring and protecting their local waterways by collecting water quality data that contributes to scientific research, management planning and on ground actions that improve the health of our waterways. 

Manningham volunteers have been collecting and undertaking surveys and observations for over 10 years. The information collected has been helping improve local waterway health. In addition to water quality monitoring, many volunteers are affiliated with local action groups including Landcare and ‘friends of’ groups which undertake stream rehabilitation programs that contribute to catchment and waterway health.

You can join this movement by taking part in programs like Waterwatch. Let us know you're interested by emailing environment@manningham.vic.gov.au.

Download the latest Waterwatch report.

2020 Waterwatch Health Report
2020 Waterwatch Health Report
6.14 MB
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Frogs in Manningham

Manningham is home to a variety of frog species, living in our rivers and creeks, ponds and even in our backyards. With good land management practices and reduction of pollution in our waterways, we can ensure our frog species continue to enjoy Manningham as a vital part of our local ecosystem.

View our Frog Friendly Garden webinar.

Melbourne Water Frog Census

Get involved in local citizen science by recording frog species in Manningham with the Melbourne Water Frog Census App.

An easy to use app to record audio and identify frog species by their call in local waterways, parks, and on your own property.

Available for both iPhone and Android.

More information, including activities for schools, is available at the Melbourne Water website.

 

KoalaSpot

Get involved in spotting Koalas in Manningham!

Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are an icon species in Manningham, living up in our tall Eucalyptus trees, but they're listed as vulnerable by the IUCN and their population is on the decline! We need your help to keep track of them along our rivers and creeks, with our KoalaSpot program, you can get involved in finding Koalas across Manningham.

Koalas are arboreal marsupials, meaning that they live up in the treetops and they bear live young in a pouch. They are herbivores and love to munch on Eucalyptus leaves, which are full of water, especially leaves from River Red Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), which are found across Manningham. Their closest living relatives are Wombats and they are a species endemic to Australia, meaning that they're only found here. 

For thousands of years, Koalas were utilized by Indigenous Australians in Victoria. These beautiful creatures are threatened by development, resource harvesting and climate change (through bushfires and drought). This program will help us to understand how their population is changing, and where in Manningham they're inhabiting.

Want to learn more about Koalas in Manningham? Check out Manningham's Backyard Diversity.

Record a Koala observation through iNaturalist

 

iNaturalist Observations from Manningham's Green Wedge