Mt Evelyn Environment Protection and Progress Association (MEEPPA) and Friends of The Owl Land are gearing up for an active 12 months.

Last Friday, 18th August MEEPPA received the final of three cheques, provided to them by SP AusNet through their Community Grants program. The $23,000 cheque goes towards the continuing rejuvenation of The Owl Land. MEEPPA and other volunteers have been running a program of weeding and replanting on the site over the last two years.

Already this year MEEPPA and Friends of The Owl Land have held a tree planting day which has seen more the 300 native trees and grasses planted, and organised Mt Evelyn's Clean Up Australia Day on The Owl Land. "The care and protection of our natural vegetation, in particular the habitat of the Powerful Owl is very important for our
community. We also work with the wider Mt Evelyn community to mantain the balance between sustainable progress and development in our area. " said MEEPPA President Clare Worsnop.

In the coming weeks we will be starting a Goanna, or Lace Monitor watch. These beautiful animals were, until quite recently, common through the Dandenongs and bushland areas close to Melbourne. In very recent times their numbers have decreased quite significantly. You can check out the MEEPPA website for more info: www.meeppa.org

We will be sending our findings to the Reptile Keepers at Healesville Sanctuary, who will be looking into the reasons for this decline. You can send us your sightings via our website, or mail to PO Box 497 Mt Evelyn 3796 or on the emailbelow.

MEEPPA are also working with schools in the area to help promote the planting of native trees, and care of wildlife.
If you would like to know more about Friends of The Owl Land or MEEPPA, or the Goanna Watch, email meeppanews@gmail.com

MEEPPA meets the first Monday night of every month at the Community Room on Wray Crescent. Guests are always welcome