Georgia Tacey caught up with Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network Landcare facilitator Ammie Jackson to hear about why she loves the Macedon Ranges and the work she does to protect the environment.
What’s your connection to the Macedon Ranges? How long have you lived in the area for?
I moved to Gisborne in 2021. I previously lived and worked in the Corangamite region, focusing on conservation projects for the Corangamite Ramsar Lakes and the Volcanic Plains Grasslands.
What do you like about where you live?
There are so many good things about living in this region. Its still regional, but very well connected to the city. It has all the facilities and services we require. We love the farmers markets each Saturday, and being able to meet the producers of the wonderful food we buy. The highlight is the number of natural areas to enjoy, such as forests, creeks, mountains and parks.
Is there anything you’d change or like to see in Macedon Ranges?
The rapid development and spread of weeds are the main issues that concern me in the Macedon Ranges. It would be nice if the small towns could retain their small town charm for as long as possible.
Where’s your favourite local place to spend time?
When it’s hot we love to take the kids to the Res in Macedon. When its not hot we love some of the short hikes, like Mount Macedon, Mount Towrong, Sanatorium Lake and Conglomerate Gully.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
One of my favourite experiences was backpacking solo around Asia and Europe for 15 months.
Tell us a bit about your role with the Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network and what you enjoy most about it.
Its my dream job. I get to meet many volunteers of the numerous Landcare and Friends of groups that I support. They are wonderful people with so much local knowledge to share and very dedicated to the special places that they care for. I like that I get to provide them with assistance, advice and information to help them achieve great things for the environment. We organise community events and information sessions, like seed collecting, installing nesting boxes, tours of farms and culturally significant places, plant identification and even Bush dances!
I get to visit farms and help people plan activities that will make their property more sustainable and contribute to biodiversity values. There are lots of resources and funding incentives to help property owners who are keen to protect their waterways, control weeds and plant native vegetation. You just have to know how to access the information. More information can be found on our website: www.upperdeepcreeklandcare.org.au
Why did you decide to join the Landcare network?
I knew this role would be a great opportunity for me to get to know a different region, a new community and learn about the environment issues relevant to the area. I’ve been able to bring over 20 years of conservation and land management experience to the role, so I find it very rewarding. Because it’s part-time I get to be involved in lots of community events, training and volunteer opportunities.
