Elsternwick Park Nature Reserve · Elwood, Melbourne

Completing the
Chain of Ponds

To encourage native frog populations and improve water quality, a Chain of Ponds environment has been created — a living, breathing wetland in the heart of Melbourne's south.

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"A beautifully designed and maintained native parkland, wetland and urban forest — a place that echoes the beauty of the land before the invasion of concrete and asphalt." — EPNR Masterplan Vision, approved by Bayside City Council 2020
The Woodlands
Nature Reserve

The Woodlands

Shimmering grasslands and tall stands of native trees make up the open woodlands of the Reserve, inviting visitors to ramble and explore.

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Wetlands
Restoration

Wetlands & Billabongs

A chain of ephemeral soaks, billabongs and flowing waterways designed to filter stormwater and create biodiverse aquatic habitat.

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Bird Surveys
Citizen Science

Bird Surveys & Wildlife

Regular community bird surveys contribute to our understanding of how the Reserve's biodiversity is recovering over time.

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Community volunteers
About Us

A Community Rewilding a Park

The Yalukit Willam Nature Association is a community group formed in 2017 from a coalition of local people concerned about environment, flooding, water quality and climate change. Together, we transformed the former Elsternwick Park North golf course into a unique urban nature reserve.

Today we are governed by a volunteer committee of 11 members who coordinate activities, manage communications, run volunteer events, and engage with Bayside City Council, Melbourne Water, and the wider community.

290+
Members
2017
Founded
10yr
Masterplan
What's On

Upcoming Events & Activities

Join us for planting days, bird surveys, cleanup events, and community gatherings at the Reserve.

No events scheduled — check back soon, or follow us on Facebook for the latest.

Regular Activities

When We Gather

Our core activities happen on a regular schedule. All are welcome — no experience needed, just a love of nature.

🌱
Working Bee
Second Saturday of each month, 9am–12pm
Planting, weeding, habitat maintenance and restoration at the Reserve. Meet at the lower reserve entrance on Belgrave Ave.
📋
Committee Meeting
First Tuesday of each month, 7pm
Open to all members. Agenda items welcome — contact the committee to add to the agenda.
🐦
Bird & Wildlife Survey
Dates announced on Facebook
Seasonal bird surveys with BirdLife Australia methodology. Great for beginners — experienced volunteers will guide you.
📧
Get in Touch
We'd love to hear from you
Email us at committee@ywna.org.au for membership, volunteering, or general enquiries.
Citizen Science

How You Can Help the Reserve

From water quality monitoring to seed propagation, our volunteers are the backbone of the Reserve's ecological recovery.

Surveys & Studies
Regular ecological surveys tracking the Reserve's recovery.
Water Quality
Monitoring stormwater as it flows through the wetland system into Port Phillip Bay.
Litter Cleanups
Community cleanup events keeping the Reserve beautiful and safe for wildlife.
What Bird is That?
Field guides and iNaturalist integration to identify and log local species.
Join the Movement

Help Us Restore Nature

Whether you volunteer for planting days, join our bird surveys, propagate native plants in our seed lab, or simply become a member — every contribution matters.

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