Friends of Maribyrnong Valley: 39 Years of Grassroots Conservation and Community Connection
At TreeProject, we’re continually inspired by the dedication of like-minded organisations working to restore and protect Victoria’s natural landscapes. One such group is the Friends of Maribyrnong Valley (FOMV), a grassroots, volunteer-led organisation that has been quietly and powerfully reshaping the Maribyrnong River corridor for nearly four decades.
A Legacy of Local Impact
Established 39 years ago, FOMV has been at the heart of community-led conservation along Melbourne’s Maribyrnong River. The group’s mission is grounded in protecting and enhancing the natural environment, with a strong focus on planting indigenous vegetation and creating habitats for native birds, insects, and wildlife. Their work is entirely volunteer-run and rooted in local knowledge, care, and long-term commitment.
One of FOMV’s most visible successes is Burndap Park. Once a degraded riverside area, Burndap Park has been transformed into a thriving green corridor. Thanks to years of planting, maintenance, and community involvement, the park now supports diverse ecosystems and offers a safe haven for countless native species. It stands as a living testament to the power of sustained, hands-on conservation.
TreeProject and FOMV: Sharing the Vision
We were honoured to be invited to present TreeProject’s work to FOMV recently. It was a wonderful opportunity to share our mutual passion for revegetation, compare notes, and explore how we can support one another in our respective projects.
This kind of local collaboration is at the heart of what we believe makes environmental restoration successful—communities learning from each other, supporting each other, and growing together.
As FOMV shared:
“It was a great opportunity to learn about another environmental project, and to look at ways we can help each other as we have the same objectives.”
This kind of local collaboration is at the heart of what we believe makes environmental restoration successful—communities learning from each other, supporting each other, and growing together.
Get Involved
If you’re based near the Maribyrnong Valley and want to contribute to meaningful, hands-on conservation work, we encourage you to get in touch with FOMV. Their work is a brilliant example of long-term impact through volunteer action—and a reminder of what can grow when community comes together.
To learn more or volunteer, contact: info@fmvonline.com or click here to follow them on Instagram.