Friends of Emerald Lake Park began in 2000, and volunteers work to support Park Services and the Natural Reserves Team of Cardinia Shire Council, in the care of the gardens and bushland surrounding the two lakes. Members participate in three flexible, two-hour working bees each month.

The Friends engage in a variety of gardening activities in the park setting, such as weeding, mulching, raking leaves, pruning, and planting.

In the bushland environment, members learn new skills in weed identification, weed removal techniques, indigenous plant identification, and revegetation. All ages and abilities are welcome to join other like-minded people who enjoy gardening and environmental activities. All tools are provided.

Some examples of our regular activities can include: a Sycamore Maple blitz, held either side of winter - as it is a deciduous plant - to remove seedlings of this invasive weedy tree from the bushland, regular involvement throughout the year with Emerald Secondary students with working bees, and also work that is appropriate to the seasons.

Weedbuster Week activities are sometimes held, usually in spring. In the past we have involved the local primary school and the community, to participate in weeding and revegetation activities in the bushland.

At the beginning of September, a Trees for Weeds Swap is held in conjunction with Cardinia Shire Council and Emerald Library. Locals are invited to bring in weeds for identification, and to gain information from local experts on how to tackle and destroy the weeds. We give out indigenous plants in return for the weeds, as part of Weedbusters Week.

Late August we hold a fundraising barbecue outside Emerald Butchers. This barbecue is also an opportunity to promote the activities of the group, particularly the Trees for Weeds Swap that is held the first Saturday in September.