The Yarrowee Leigh Catchment Group (YLCG) is a network of Landcare groups in the Corangamite Landcare region. It is one of ten Landcare networks in the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) region. Our vision is to create connected and resilient communities dedicated to healing the environment and increasing biodiversity. We work towards ensuring the ecologically sensitive restoration, development and maintenance of the Yarrowee, Leigh and Woady Yaloak rivers, all tributaries, corridors and associated ecological communities within the catchment area. Our work is driven by community to protect our environment for our children and grandchildren.
The Leigh Catchment Group was formed in 1997 following recognition by the Landcare groups within the catchment that a combined and coordinated approach to management of the catchment would result in improved works and lead to an increase in funding for larger scale Natural Resource Management projects.
Historically the Executive Committee consisted of an independent chairman, secretary, treasurer and two voting representatives from each Landcare Group and in 2009 this system was replaced by a Board consisting of ten elected Landcare Members. The LCG became an independently incorporated association on 1st October 2013 under the name of Yarrowee Leigh Catchment Group Incorporated and adopted its new Constitution in June 2016.
The first Leigh Catchment Plan was produced in August 1999 by the Leigh Catchment Group with assistance from Landcare groups within the catchment. That Plan incorporated the Yarrowee River and Leigh River Management Plans. This was replaced by the Leigh Catchment Action Plan 2008 -2013.
Over the last three decades YLCG has grown from its humble beginnings and became a registered charity in 2024 and has secured government grants to deliver largescale restoration works in the region, such as the Urban Ripple project.
YLCG is run by a volunteer board who oversee the organisation’s direction and governance, as well as often rolling up their sleeves to get stuck into a tree planting event! We have a small staff team who provide invaluable expertise and skills to all
our volunteers and member groups. But it is the incredible environmental volunteers working behind the scenes to advertise events, pay the bills, apply for grants, organise community events, plant trees and nurture the landscape that make our work possible.
Join us to enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and promote the ecological health and resilience of our local ecosystems for the benefit of present and future generations.
