Protection of waterways is a key aspect to ensuring sustainable agriculture. Fencing off waterways for Landcare projects is a way to ensure that stock are excluded and water quality is good.

Bear Creek
In 2012, a property owner residing on the Grand Ridge Road at Seaview started off their Landcare activities by planting 1000 indigenous plants on a landslide site. The Bear creek runs through this property.
On Sunday 13th July 2014, Landcare group members and volunteers gathered together to plant another 2000 indigenous plants along Bear Creek.  There were 26 different species of plants placed in the ground in spite of the drizzling rain on the day. There was plenty of conversation between planters and great friendships formed whilst placing the plants in the ground. 1.2kms of the creek were fenced off. This project was funded by the Federal Government.
The owners acknowledged the tireless efforts of the Mt Worth Landcare group and volunteers, the fencer and nursery owner for their great support for their project.
The Landowners have continued to extend other planting on their property since 2014 and they are very happy to look out onto their changing landscape. They had a high success rate with the plants placed in the ground.

Wild Dog Creek
Case Study of Landcare Project at Ferndale
The owners bought their 16 hectares property in 2002 and have purchased another property closeby in 2010. The land is used for beef cattle. Both properties are part of the Wild Creek Water way system. The owners have been engaged in a number of landcare projects on both of their sites. One of the first projects on property 1 was to have willows cleared by the Water Catchment Authority on both sides of the Wild Dog Creek. Both sides of the creek were fenced and the banks were planted out. The stumps of the willows were kept to stablise the creek edges while other new plants were established. A stock crossing was required over the creek. Cattle are moved across the creek about 4 times a year. The owners have planted several thousand plants along the creek and continue to infill with different species to broaden the diversity of plants each year and weed manage the area. Different ferns have started to return in the area along the creeks edge and remnant trees have started to self seed. A large dam on the property has also had willows removed and has been fenced off into another land care project. This project has involved creating understorey in a plantation area and around the dam. On property 2, fencing was constructed along a small unnamed creek and up a steep gully. 2000 trees were planted on this site. A giant Gippsland worm site has been fenced and lightly planted. Another wet soak area has been fenced off. In 2015, 500 plant were planted by Cubs and their parents as part of World Tree Day. Further plantings will occur on this day in 2016.
The Landcare plantings have increased the habitat for birds on the property. The owners have identified over 50 different species of birds on their properties and each year a couple of new birds are identified. With the fencing around Landcare projects, the owners reported that it is easier to move cattle around the properties and water quality has improved.