Hey humans! In this episode, we zoom out to a landscape scale and hear from two of the people working to restore the river's health and support the many species that rely on it.

At the core of this is a question about how we continue to support the wellbeing and health of a growing city as we protect and restore the health of our most important neighbor.

Because what is good for Birrarung is good for all, right?

In this episode, we heard from:

• Sarah Gaskill, Service Lead Water Resources and Compliance with Melbourne Water.

• Melissa Tuliranta, former ranger with Parks Victoria based in Yarra Ranges National Park.

Some useful links to some of the projects we discussed in this episode:

• The restoration of Birrarung’s billabongs is a priority project in Burndap Birrarung Burndap Umarkoo (Yarra Strategic Plan) 2022-2032. Sarah specifically mentioned a Bolin Bolin Billabong, Annulus Billabong and Montpelier Billabong. The interview for this episode was at Banyule Billabong, where additional rehabilitation works are planned for late-2026.

• Many of these billabongs are cared for in partnership with the Wurundjeri Narrap (‘Country’) team.

• Friends of Yarra Flats Park and the Warringal Conservation Society are both active volunteer groups involved in billabong restoration in urban Melbourne.

• Find out more about the Liwik Barring Landscape Conservation Area.

• The Helmeted Honeyeater and Lowland Leadbeaters Possum are Victoria’s faunal emblems and part of a dedicated captive breeding program at Healesville Sanctuary.

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