Nest Boxes - Homes for Hollow Dwellers

Each year, the Mansfield’s Web of Life project has supported the construction and installation of nest boxes to provide vital habitat for our arboreal wildlife — including sugar gliders, possums, bats and birds. As natural tree hollows become increasingly scarce due to land clearing and urban development, these boxes offer a safe and secure alternative for hollow-dependent species.

This is a true community effort. Nest boxes have been built through a wonderful collaboration involving the Mansfield Men’s Shed, Mansfield Secondary College, Mansfield Primary School, and other local groups and volunteers. Together, we have crafted and installed dozens of boxes in and around the Mansfield township.

Fungi Days – Discovering the Hidden Kingdom

Each year, Up2Us partners with renowned ecologist and author Alison Pouliot to deliver our much-loved Fungi Days. These workshops dive into the extraordinary world of fungi — from their hidden roles in soil health and ecosystem function to their mysterious and sometimes spectacular forms.

Alison’s ability to communicate complex science in an accessible, story-rich way has made these events a standout highlight of the Web of Life project. The workshops combine theory with immersive outdoor learning, taking participants on guided walks through local bushland to identify fungi and explore their ecological relationships.

The sessions are consistently booked out and attract people of all ages — from farmers and gardeners to nature lovers and educators — all eager to better understand the crucial role fungi play in healthy landscapes.

Participant Feedback

“I couldn't believe how engaging the day was. Having a global expert to simplify and explain the extraordinary significance of fungi to life was brilliant. A must to experience and understand the complexity of our soils and ecosystems. Thanks so much for making these sessions happen.”
— Joanne Brockwell, 3 June 2025

Tree Guards – Protecting the Next Generation of Paddock Trees

Each year, Up2Us has provided subsidised stock-proof tree guards and indigenous eucalypt seedlings to landholders across the Mansfield Shire. This simple but powerful initiative supports the regeneration of paddock trees — an iconic and ecologically important feature of our rural landscape.

Community Action for Nature:

Each year, Up2Us brings the Mansfield community together for two cornerstone events: Clean Up Australia Day and National Tree Day. These initiatives empower locals to take practical action for the environment — from picking up litter to planting native trees.

Clean Up Australia Day sees us partner with local schools, groups, and council to clean shared spaces like the Botanic Gardens, Mullum Wetlands, and school grounds. Whether it's collecting rubbish or safely disposing of e-waste, these efforts help protect wildlife, waterways, and public spaces.

On National Tree Day, we coordinate plantings along key areas like the Great Victorian Rail Trail and Fords Creek. These events restore habitat, improve biodiversity, and strengthen our community’s connection to the natural world.

Together, these days reflect our shared responsibility and collective care for the places we call home.

Acknowledging Our Funders

This project is supported by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority through funding from the state government and Victorian Landcare Program

Paddock trees are often centuries old, but many are reaching the end of their lives and not being naturally replaced. By offering protective guards and seedlings, we help landholders safely establish the next generation of trees, even in active grazing areas.

These trees provide much more than just scenic value. Paddock trees are essential for:

🌿 Biodiversity – supporting hollow-dependent birds, bats, insects and gliders

🐄 Livestock wellbeing – offering shade and shelter, reducing stress and heat impacts

🔗 Landscape connectivity – acting as natural stepping stones for wildlife between remnant bush and waterways

🌧 Soil and water health – reducing erosion, improving water infiltration and stabilising soils

This initiative plays a quiet but vital role in restoring and connecting habitats, and in helping landholders become active stewards of their land’s ecological future.

Earth Kinder – Growing Environmental Guardians

Once a term, Up2Us joins the children of Earth Kinder at the Mullum Wetlands for a morning of hands-on nature-based learning. These sessions are a joyful highlight of the Web of Life project — full of curiosity, laughter, and muddy boots.

The children are always eager and enthusiastic, and each visit offers a chance to explore and care for the environment through age-appropriate activities. Past sessions have included:

• Monitoring nest boxes and looking for signs of animal life

• Planting native trees and shrubs to improve habitat at the wetlands

• Listening to nature stories and talking about the local bush

• Sensory activities that engage their sight, sound, and touch in nature

By connecting children with the natural world from a young age, we help foster a deep sense of care and curiosity for our environment. These early experiences lay the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of biodiversity and sustainability.

Naturalist Events – Exploring Nature’s Wonders

From native pollinators to edible weeds, frogs to wildflowers, our Naturalist Events are a celebration of local biodiversity and the people who love it. These events bring science, storytelling, and community together — giving people the chance to see, hear, touch, and better understand the living world around them.

These sessions are always popular and well-attended, drawing everyone from seasoned nature lovers to curious newcomers. Our guest presenters are passionate experts who bring a mix of science and wonder to every event. Past highlights include:

🐝 Native insect and pollinator workshops with Karen Retra, teaching participants how to identify, attract and support pollinators in their gardens

🐸 A "frogs in your backyard" session with David DeAngelis, sharing how to create frog-friendly habitats

🌿 A day focused on mistletoe, the misunderstood parasitic plant that plays a vital role in bird life and forest health

🦎 Wildlife Encounters, where participants get up close with Australia’s furry, feathery, and scaly residents

🌼 The Delatite Landcare Group’s annual wildflower walk, discovering the region’s native blooms in full colour

🥗 A popular edible weeds workshop, blending foraging skills with sustainability know-how

🎬 Environmental documentary screenings, followed by community discussion

These events build awareness, appreciation, and personal connections to nature, which are key to long-term environmental stewardship.

National Tree Day and Clean Up Australian Day