The Merri Creek seen from Blyth Street, Brunswick East. The creek runs from Wallan all the way through Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Many locals use the creek trail for exercise, commuting and leisure. Most creek maintenance is done by community volunteers. Photo by Ruby Perryman

A Friends of Merri Creek volunteer, Ian collecting water to tend to plants near Ida Street, Coburg North. The Merri Creek runs from Wallan all the way through Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Many locals use the creek trail for exercise, commuting and leisure. Most creek maintenance is done by community volunteers. Photo by Ruby Perryman

The Friends of Merri Creek water quality testing volunteers gathering near Miller Street, Fitzroy North. The Merri Creek runs from Wallan all the way through Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Many locals use the creek trail for exercise, commuting and leisure. Most creek maintenance is done by community volunteers. Photo by Ruby Perryman

Friends of Merri Creek volunteer, Trevor Hausler collecting a water sample near Miller Street, Fitzroy North. Over 30 years, Hausler has seen the creek’s water quality decline. The creek runs from Wallan all the way through Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Most creek maintenance is done by community volunteers. Photo by Ruby Perryman

Friends of Merri Creek volunteers, Kirsten MacLeod and Trevor Hausler testing a Merri Creek water sample in their makeshift lab near Miller Street, Fitzroy North. The creek runs from Wallan all the way through Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Most creek maintenance is done by community volunteers. Photo by Ruby Perryman

Friends of Merri Creek volunteer, Paul Prentice collecting rubbish on the creek banks near Clara Street, Brunswick East. Prentice, 83 has been cleaning the creek for over 30 years. Many locals use the creek trail for exercise, commuting and leisure. Most creek maintenance is done by community volunteers. Photo by Ruby Perryman

A dusky moorhen swimming into a rubbish-filled Merri Creek bank. Rubbish washes into the creek from surrounding suburb drains, especially after it rains. Locals use the creek trail for exercise, commuting and leisure, while many animals call it home. Most creek maintenance is done by community volunteers. Photo by Ruby Perryman

Friends of Merri Creek volunteer, Paul Prentice pulling a car sun shade out of the creek near Clara Street, Brunswick East. “That’s a satisfying one,” Prentice said. Prentice, 83 has been cleaning the creek for over 30 years. Most creek maintenance is done by community volunteers. Photo by Ruby Perryman

Friends of Merri Creek volunteer, Paul Prentice packing his bike panniers with rubbish near Clara Street, Brunswick East. Prentice, 83 has been cleaning the Merri Creek for over 30 years. He takes recyclables home to wash and sort correctly. Most creek maintenance is done by community volunteers. Photo by Ruby Perryman

Longtime Friends of Merri Creek volunteer, Peter Riley showing new recruit, Jerome Scaffidi which weeds to pull out from the garden bed. The group tends to Coburg Lake and surrounds every Wednesday and Friday. Most Merri Creek maintenance is done by community volunteers. Photo by Ruby Perryman

Jerome Scaffidi, 29 gardening along the Merri Creek near Ida Street, Coburg North. Scaffidi got involved with Friends of Merri Creek to connect with community and hone his gardening skills. He finds volunteering peaceful. Most Merri Creek maintenance is done by community volunteers. Photo by Ruby Perryman

People walking along the Merri Creek trail near Ida Street, Coburg North. The creek runs from Wallan all the way through Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Many locals use the creek trail for exercise, commuting and leisure. Most Merri Creek maintenance is done by community volunteers. The tree guards protect new plants. Photo by Ruby Perryman