In the beginning, the Wodonga Urban Landcare Network consisted of just three groups: Baranduda Landcare, Friends of Willow Park, and Parklands Albury-Wodonga.
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But now the network is a consortium of 22 members, and this growth has attracted a statewide Urban Landcare Award.
The network was one of 15 winners chosen from 73 nominations, and will now go on to represent Victoria in its category for the national awards.
WULN facilitator Anne Stelling said the group was proud to be recognised.
"It (the win) was because of the growth of the network since it began in 2012, what we've achieved and the partnerships we've made with groups like NECMA, Parklands, Wodonga Council and businesses," she said.
"In that time, we've brought in about $700,000 in funding into Wodonga, and that's all gone to improving the environment here.
"We've done a lot of work on waterways, connecting bush in Wodonga's hills down to the rivers, and plenty of planting done by volunteers and schools that you can see around the area."
Along with bragging rights and a nice trophy, the network received $500 for the award.
Adding to that was success in a 2019-2020 funding round, along with 207 other projects.
"We've got a $20,000 Victorian Landcare Grant for next year," she said.
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"Some of that will buy us plants - we've been doing a lot of planting around Wodonga - but most of it is earmarked for community engagement and training."
Activities run by the network include weeding and planting, the distribution of a monthly bulletin to over 550 people and the installation and monitoring of nest-boxes - of which 600 are registered on the WULN system.
A number of events are also held to attract newcomers, like the 1.5 kilometre trek through Castle Creek Reserve on Wednesday.
Led by Parklands Albury-Wodonga ranger Danny Jones, a group of about 30 people walked through the reserve and identified native wildflowers and other flora that signifies a healthy environment.
"We're doing more of these sorts of walks with expert presenters," Ms Stelling said.
"We've organised to do a few walks across Spring - the wildflowers are quite short-lived."
Alongside WULN, 23 groups from Bethanga to Mitta received funding for their landcare projects ranging from regenerating creeks to managing blackberry.
Due to the number of quality applicants the state government extended the annual grant program by $1 million, awarding $2.8 million in total.
