Who we Are

We respectfully acknowledge the Gunditjmara people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we volunteer, and pay respect to their Elders past, present and future.

Nelson lies at the heart of some of the most environmentally-significant areas of southwestern Victoria, including the Lower Glenelg National Park and the spectacular wilderness of the Discovery Bay Coastal Park.

Nelson Coastcare was founded in 2010 by Nelson resident, the late Leila Huebner, OAM.  Her goal was to secure protection for the Long Swamp and the Glenelg Estuary under the Ramsar Treaty, an international agreement that covers wetlands of international significance.  This was achieved in 2018 with the listing of the Discovery Bay Coastal Park and Lower Glenelg National Park as Australia’s 67th Ramsar site.  Sadly, Leila did not live to see the result of her hard work.

Nelson Coastcare’s job now is to help to maintain and improve the ecological values that made the area worthy of listing.  Our routine activities include re-vegetation work, litter collection and feral animal and weed control.  We have an Estuary Clean Up Day once or twice a year.  We take an interest in a wide variety of environmental issues.  We aim to enjoy what we do.  Our membership is made up of locals and supporters from far and wide.  Visitors are welcome to join in our activities.