Mulgrave Reserve is considered one of the municipality's best examples of biodiversity.

Despite its relatively young age, it has a flourishing ecosystem of birds, reptiles and plant life.

Monash Council's heritage and environmental service foreman, Chris Gittins, is part of a Monash bush crew that tends to the city's bushland reserves.

He has helped revegetate Mulgrave Reserve - a project that began 20 years ago.

"All of this used to be mown down and part of the reserve was used as a soil dumping site," he said.

"The creek was overgrown with blackberry, willow, ash and other nasty environmental weeds."

Bush crew member Robert Stephen said birdlife was almost "nonexistent" before the site was revegetated.

Now, the reserve is home to a large variety of birds including wrens, honeyeaters, powerful owls, ibis, herons, lorikeets, bowerbirds, wedge-tailed eagles and swans.

There are also ringtail and brushtail possums.

"Some quite threatened species live in the park," Mr Stephen said.

Other thriving reserves in Monash include Damper Creek, Gardiners Creek, Valley Reserve and Scotchmans Creek.

They are all great local examples of the focus of the United Nation's 2010 theme of Biodiversity: Connecting with Nature.

Biodiversity is also the theme of the 2010 Monash World Environment Day awards.

The awards recognise the contributions of individuals, households, community groups, schools and businesses that do their bit for the environment.

People who work or live in Monash can nominate themselves or other residents for the awards which have cash prizes of up to $3000 each.

Registrations close on March 31.

AWARD CATEGORIES■Community leadership

■Sustainable business

■Greenest household

■Sustainable renovation/ new building

■ If you have a green friendly neighbour, you can also tell us at journal@fairfaxmedia.com.au

Details: www.monash.vic.gov.au/environment /awards.htm