By SUSAN SLEIGH

IN May 2012, the Longwood Plains Conservation Management Network (CMN) was formed in Euroa, so it was appropriate that Euroa Arboretum was chosen as the venue for the 11th year celebration late last month.

Conservation network chair Rhonda Robinson welcomed a big and diverse crowd of 40 people while standing in the new welcome circle.

She acknowledged the Traditional Owners, provided background to the formation of the network and spoke highly of the landholders undertaking biodiversity works on their farms.

A heartwarming Welcome to Country was delivered by Euroa Arboretum CEO Cath Olive.

Cath talked about the history of the Euroa Arboretum, which was formerly a VicRoads depot.

An aerial photo of a pretty desolate site was shared with the audience and Cath spoke about the enormous efforts of so many over so many years in rehabilitating this area.

The crowd heard about the involvement of the Taungurung Traditional Owners in recent years including the creation of the welcome circle, and the complementary "fish trap" and "lily pads" by sculptors Lou Costa and Les Pell.

Janice Mentiplay–Smith from the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority acknowledged funding over the last five years from the Federal Government's "Linking Landscapes and Communities: Enhancing Grey Box Grassy Woodlands project" and the critical works by landholders.

This funding has seen more than 1000 hectares of grey box protected and revegetated in the larger grey box project area, while at a local level (Longwood Plains) over 200 hectares has been achieved predominantly in our agricultural landscape.

Finally, Alastair Tame launched the new video of the Longwood Plains CMN that he and I collaborated on.

The focus of the video is on works that have and are transforming the Longwood Plains landscape.

Alastair's drone footage gives an eagle's view of what is happening on the ground while his other footage show the restoration of creek lines, the establishment of healthy native grasses ground layer and importantly the mid story layer of wattles and other shrubs.

All of this is providing critical habitat to our native fauna species and improving biodiversity in the area.

After the formalities, Cath lead an eager crew through the Euroa Arboretum to explore its many fascinating elements.

As always, food and conversation contributed to the success of the afternoon which was funded by the Federal Government's grey box project and supported by the Goulburn Broken CMA.