Surf Coast & Inland Plains Network (SCIPN) is a Landcare Network operating along the surf coast from Barwon Heads to Anglesea and within the inland plains between Connewarre and Lake Modewarre. The region takes in the catchments of the Thompsons Creek and Spring Creek. Our vision is to coordinate and facilitate cooperation between Landcare groups, friends of groups, environmental groups and the community to preserve, restore and protect the environment as well as promote sustainable land management.
Our mission: to promote and protect the value of the environmental assets in the Surf Coast and Inland Plains region, including farmlands, by: mobilising the community to address the range of challenges to the productivity and environmental value of the region; and by securing funding for this purpose.
Activities centred on achieving this mission include improving soil health; grazing management; promoting biodiversity; pest (plant and animal) control; and catchment, wetland, waterway and coastal health. We will utilise educational, restorative and research activities including field days, community workshops, on-site works and assisting in property management planning. In carrying out this mission SCIPN aims to motivate and inspire the community to manage necessary change through the provision of practical solutions, awareness, knowledge, education and assistance with on-ground activities.
Surf Coast & Inland Plains Landcare Network’s assets
• Victorian Volcanic Plain: Natural Temperate Grasslands
• Point Addis Marine National Park
• Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary, Point Danger Marine Sanctuary
• RAMSAR Wetland: western fringe of Lake Connewarre and Karaaf Wetlands
• Bells Beach Recreational Reserve
• Thompsons Creek and Spring Creek catchments
• Browns Swamp
• Lake Modewarre
• Moonah Woodland: a referred food source salt marsh for the nationally threatened Orange Bellied Parrot, Spiny Peppercress in association with chaffy saw sedge (Gahnia filum) and Blue Tussock Grass (Poa poifomis)
• Yarra Pygmy Perch nationally significant species
• Grey Goshawk, Powerful Owl, Rufous Bristlebird
• SCIPN – Wetlands
The focus of the Surf Coast & Inland Plains Landcare Network
• Community support, engagement and capacity building
• Pest plant and animal control and management
• Environmental education
• Protection, enhancement and restoration of Biodiversity
• Sustainable agricultural practices
• Climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Waterway and wetland protection and enhancement
• Coastal and marine biodiversity
Our vision is to coordinate and facilitate cooperation between Landcare groups, friends of groups, environmental groups and the community to preserve, restore and protect the environment as well as promote sustainable land management.