Slimy surfaces, no-swim orders, and foul smells often plague Canberra’s
lakes. We’re on a mission to change that.

Get Informed

Learn more about the scientific research behind The Leaf Collective.

Read why and how we can stop Canberra’s algal blooms together.

A few people walking on a paved path near some grass next to a large lake. A couple of them are walking their dogs.

The path to preventing toxic blue-green algal blooms

During our long hot summer days, one of our favourite things to do is enjoy the water. We can’t do this when our lakes are closed.

Ducks swimming among tall reeds in the water

What the ACT Government are doing to improve water quality

Find out what the ACT Government are doing to improve water quality in Lake Tuggeranong and its surroundings.

Two people working at a table, with another person standing behind them giving them help.

Building programs people value

Learn more about how Social Marketing @ Griffith build initiatives such as The Leaf Collective.

Autumn Leaves: Valuable resources, not a nuisance!

Learn how leaves left to go down drains contribute to blue-green algal blooms in Canberra waterways and the solutions available that can be implemented to get the true value back from leaves.

Watch now

The life of a Canberra leaf

Hero or villain? Have you stopped to consider that leaves are litter and when left to their own devices leaves may not be the hero we thought them to be?

Get Involved

Here’s how you can take action today.

A person putting dead leaves into a green waste bin with autumn trees in the background.

Use your green bin

Leaves, weeds, grass clippings, cuttings, trimmings, twigs and sticks.

A person wearing gardening gloves using gardening tools to work soil.

Compost your leaves

Help improve your soil structure and keep its pH balance in check.

Leaf towers made from wood, metal, and wire mesh for leaf mulch or mould.

Store your leaves

Compost can be a garden feature that feeds the garden as it breaks down.

A large area outside with large piles of leaf waste, and chopped of branches on the ground.

Drop off your leaves

Drop your leaves off to a host of ACT Leaf Donation points.

View map

Adopt a tree or drain

Collect leaves that fall from the tree or end up near your drain.

A person holding a phone with a leaf bag with leaves on the screen

Track your leaves

Simply enter how much leaf litter you collected and what you did with it.

Click here

Follow @theleafcollectiveACT

Follow on Facebook

The Leaf Collective is contributing to the prevention of algal blooms in Canberra’s waterways. Since launching the pilot program in 2021 more than 345,000L of leaves have been diverted from storm water drains.

Slimy surfaces, no-swim orders, and foul smells often plague Canberra’s lakes. We’re on a mission to change that.