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Do you want to have your say and have an opportunity to shape the future work of Landcare NSW? Landcare NSW is offering the grassroots Landcare community the chance to do just that. 

The Landcare NSW Muster is held every two years to ensure that what Landcare NSW delivers on is based on what Landcarers asked them to do. This year it will be held on the morning of Wednesday 25th October before the 2017 NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference in Albury.

“Since 2007 Landcare NSW has hosted a biennial Muster to gain feedback from grassroots Landcarers about issues of importance to them and their communities,” said Landcare NSW Chair Mr Rob Dulhunty.

“The NSW Landcare Muster is an opportunity for the diverse Landcare community to capture collective issues and consistent themes. The outcomes of the ‘many hands one voice’ concept of the Muster guides the actions of Landcare NSW between Musters,” Mr Dulhunty said.

Attendance at the Muster is free. Landcare NSW encourages Landcarers to attend both the Muster and the Conference. If you are unable to attend the entire conference you can register for the Wednesday afternoon session following the Muster (1pm – 5pm) for $44 per person.

You can register by visiting the NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference website.

Go to http://nswlandcareconference.com.au/

Please ensure if you register for the conference that you also indicate that you are attending the Muster on the registration sheet.

State Landcare Coordinator, Sonia Williams stressed the importance of Landcarers attending. “An important aspect of the Muster is the ability to workshop, listen and learn from others from across the state – this face to face aspect and learning opportunity is considered extremely valuable,” Ms Williams said.

The registration desk opens at 8am on the Wednesday morning and Muster begins at 9am sharp. Please arrive as early as possible to start your own informal conversations with other Landcarers.

The Muster promises to be a highlight of the 2017 Landcare calendar.

What: Landcare NSW Muster – Grassroots Landcarers forum (free to attend)
Date: Wednesday 25th October
Time: 9am – 12pm (registration opens at 8am)
Where: Albury Entertainment Centre, 525 Swift St, Albury NSW

For further information contact:
Landcare NSW
Cassie Price
02 6686 2779
0402 408 791

Media Release – Muster to Shape the Future of Landcare in NSW (pdf) 26 September 2017

Landcare NSW is preparing a policy regarding how the NSW Government can continue to support the growth and development of Landcare in NSW.

The policy will be presented to the Parliamentary Friends of Landcare and inform discussions with the NSW Government about the future of the Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative, in partnership with Local Land Services.

Feedback and suggestions on the draft are welcome.  Please email your comments to administration@landcarensw.org.au by 7 October 2017.

Sustaining Landcare – The Next Chapter CONSULTATION DRAFT FINAL September 2017

A strong sense of mission and a clear plan for the future have helped Landcare NSW achieve significant results for the NSW Landcare community over the past three years.

In 2014, Landcare NSW developed a three year strategic plan based on contributions from grassroots Landcarers.

Much of that plan has now been delivered.  Key achievements include:

• the Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative
• formation of the Landcare Trust to diversify funding sources
• a renewed partnership between Landcare and the NSW Government/Local Land Services
• the formation of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Landcare
• growth and professionalisation of Landcare NSW as the peak body for the NSW Landcare community

Of course there is still a lot of work to do.

One of Landcare’s strengths is our ability to adapt and remain relevant in changing circumstances.

Landcare NSW has been reflecting on what has been achieved and we are now planning the next three year strategy.

Senior staff, Executive members and Council reps will hold a strategic planning session in August to write a roadmap for the future.

Our aim is to do the best job we can do as your representative body – to provide a strong voice for Landcare, to attract funding and support from government and other partners, and to deliver services to help you carry out the valuable work you do at the local, district and regional level.

It is Muster year again! Help define the path Landcare in NSW is taking.

The Landcare NSW Muster is held bi-annually as part of the NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference. This year it will be held on the morning of the first day (Wednesday 25th October) of the 2017 NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference in Albury.

In preparation for the Muster in October, Landcare NSW is providing an opportunity to shape the 2017 NSW Landcare Muster and ensure it is relevant to local Landcarers across the State. A Landcare NSW Muster Preparation Kit, has been provided to the Landcare community to gather their input for use in development of the Muster.

Attendance at the Muster is included as part of the registration for the 2017 Landcare and Local Land Services Conference. Please ensure you indicate if you are attending the Muster on the registration sheet. Registrations are open NOW, with early bird tickets available until 25 September. Go to http://nswlandcareconference.com.au/

If you are not attending the conference you are still welcome to attend the Muster session on the morning of the 25th October at no cost. Please ensure you sign in on the day, but please note you will be unable to attend any further part of the conference activities.

The Muster promises to be a highlight of the three day NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference.

If you are a Landcare District or Network Group, a Regional Landcare Facilitator, Local Landcare Coordinator or Landcare NSW Councillor and you haven’t received a Muster Preparation Kit in your inbox yet, please contact the Landcare NSW team on 02 6686 2779 or administration@landcarensw.org.au.

The 2017 Muster is brought to you by Landcare NSW with the support of the NSW Environmental Trust and the National Landcare Programme.

“Learn Share Connect”

The Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative (LLCI) held its second state-wide workshop in June to connect host organisations and coordinators through a regional and state-wide community of practice, to share experiences, learn skills and connect with each other and other landcarers.

The workshop was held via Webinar on 21st June. It involved all Regional Landcare Facilitators, Local Landcare Coordinators and members of management committees/ hosting organisations. It was held remotely at 10 locations across NSW connected by video conferencing facility. This was the first time that either Landcare NSW or Local Land Services have held a workshop like this via webinar and represented a trial of this technology to meet Landcare needs.

This 2nd workshop focused on consolidating the progress of the LLCI and being able to report against outcomes. It also included a live Q and A panel session to provide answers to regional issues and questions. This webinar workshop was the second of three workshops planned for the Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative across the life of the program.

The workshop was designed to provide participants with an opportunity to:

• Learn about the progress of the project,
• Increase skills and understanding on aspects relating to achieving LLCI objectives,
• Provide individual and regionally based feedback and input to the future direction of the program,
• Document ideas on building a case for support Landcare into the future.

A link to the resources available in relation to the workshop is below:

Resources relating to the “Learn Share Connect” LLCI Second State-wide webinar held 21st June 2017.
The NSW Government has funded the Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative which enables host organisations to employ a coordinator to support the operation and effectiveness of Landcare groups in their area of operations. www.landcare.nsw.gov.au

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dza83RmBr9w

A brand new video has been launched by Landcare NSW to showcase the Parliamentary Friends of Landcare celebration of the Building Bridges to Boorowa Landcare/Bushcare program.

The short six minute video tells the heartwarming story of the 17 year partnership between Sydney-based Bushcare volunteers and the Boorowa farming community.

Every year since its inception 17 years ago, around 30 Sydney-based volunteers have travelled to Boorowa, a farming community near Young, to lend a hand to local Landcarers and farmers. The volunteers plant native trees, shrubs and groundcovers to create wildlife corridors and address environmental degradation such as erosion and salinity.

An event held earlier this year saw Landcarers, Bushcarers, students and parliamentarians gathered at the Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability in Sydney to celebrate the positive impact of city and country volunteers.

This event was the first reciprocal visit, with a group of 50 children, farmers and Landcarers from Boorowa making the 670km round trip to plant native species in a precious area of bushland on Sydney Harbour.

Building Bridges to Boorowa is a successful partnership that has achieved remarkable results.  Over 50,000 trees have been planted on more than 40 properties in the Boorowa region creating benefits for local and migratory wildlife (including threatened species such as the Superb Parrot).

Without the support of these city volunteers, planting on this scale would be difficult and costly.

The video captures the conversation between two long term participants in the partnership – farmer Steve Jarvis and Bushcare volunteer Sissy Stewart – facilitated by the Hon Katrina Hodgkinson MP, chair of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Landcare.

For the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Landcare (PFL) the event was an opportunity to see firsthand how Landcare is helping local communities.  The PFL continues a longstanding tradition of bipartisan support Landcare has enjoyed since it started nearly 30 years ago.

RELATED ARTICLES:

The Land (Mon 1st May 2017)

The ABC Country Hour (Mon 1st May 2017)

Minister Blair – Legislative Council (Wed 3rd May 2017)

For further information contact:

Landcare NSW

Leigh McLaughlin – 0412 234 832

Cassie Price – 0402 408 791

The Australian Government is seeking applications from eligible groups or individuals interested in undertaking a tree planting project as part of the 20 Million Trees Program.

Applications are invited for projects seeking funding between $20,000 and $100,000 (GST exclusive).

This is the third, and final, 20 Million Trees Competitive Grants Round.

Applications will be accepted from eligible individuals, landholders, community groups, Indigenous groups, non-government organisations and state, territory and local government agencies.

Projects may occur on public and private land; in urban, peri urban and regional areas across Australia.

There is no limit to the number of applications applicants can submit. Each application will be for a single 20 Million Trees Project.

Key dates

Applications open: 19 June 2017

Applications close: 2.00pm AEST (Canberra time) Tuesday 15 August 2017

Round Three projects must be prepared to commence before 1 December 2017 and must be able to be completed by:

• 30 June 2019, for Projects seeking grant funding of $20,000 to $60,000 (GST exclusive); or
• 30 June 2020, for Projects seeking grant funding of $60,010 to $100,000 (GST exclusive).

For more information and to apply for funding, click on the link below:

http://www.nrm.gov.au/national/20-million-trees/competitive-grants-round-three

Just announced – a late addition to the 2017 NSW Landcare Awards – the inaugural NSW Fish Habitat Award!

The Fish Habitat Award is supported by the NSW Fish Habitat Partnership.

To allow time for community to consider the new award and finalise their submissions to other categories the closing date is being extended to 17 July 2017.

Without healthy fish habitats such as estuarine vegetation, freshwater aquatic plants, instream snags, intact and vegetated river banks and varied river beds, and without clean, adequate water and fish access to habitats used at all life stages, there will be less fish.

The NSW Fish Habitat Partnership is an alliance of 13 stakeholder groups united in their support for improved fish habitat outcomes in NSW. Many people across NSW have been working tirelessly to improve all aspects of fish habitat to ensure the environmental, social and economic benefits are sustained and improved into the future.

The NSW Fish Habitat Award is to recognise and thank an outstanding group, organisation or individual for their efforts and highlight their achievements across a broad range of stakeholders. The Award will consider both those that implement exceptional on-ground works and/or those whose efforts to promote and enable others to contribute are achieving significant outcomes for fish habitat in NSW.

To enter or nominate for a Landcare Award visit:
https://landcareaustralia.org.au/landcare-awards/

Champions for the 9 primary categories may be eligible for travel support to attend the 2017 NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference and Awards Gala Dinner.

Please contact eAwards at 1300 95 95 55 or email info@eawards.com.au if you have any technical issues.

For any questions relating to the NSW Awards, please contact the NSW Awards Coordinator:

Chris McCulloch
NSW Landcare Program Manager
Local Land Services
Email: chris.mcculloch@lls.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 02 6333 2315

All winners at the state and territory level will go on to be finalists at the 2018 National Landcare Awards.

Landcare NSW, with funding from the NSW Environmental Trust, is empowering regional Landcarers to take an active role in decision-making by building community skills and capacity.

To date three regional workshops have been held, and whilst having a different focus, each provided an opportunity for the community in that region to come together, to increase their skills and capacity to implement projects, provide feedback on current programs, develop partnerships, and be empowered to participate in decision making processes. In total, 199 participants attended the three events.

Landcare NSW spoke at each of the three events on the pathways that exist for Landcarers to be involved in decision making processes.

The Central West Partnership Forum, held in Dubbo in February focussed on developing partnership skills and introducing Landcarers to a range of program providers who worked together to develop potential partnerships.

• 75% of participants have new project ideas.
• 90% of participants made three or more new contacts on the day.
• 87% of participants have followed up with new contacts made on the day.

Feedback received from the event:

“Really positive, lots of involved stakeholders and heaps of opportunities for partnerships.” 

“Thank you and again congratulations on organising and facilitating such a wonderful forum! The comments received vindicate the success of the day and the value for all who attended. Well done!!!” 

The New England North West Landcare Adventure held early May focussed on “smart farms, smart towns, smart communities”. The event included training events, site visits, speakers and a facilitated session: How can we Farm Smarter Communities?

The South East Landcare Muster, and Regional Community of Practice event was held over two days in late May. The event included; updates from networks and partner organisations, Training sessions on “Telling our stories” and Youth engagement, as well as a facilitated conversation on Future directions for Landcare partnerships.

Feedback received from the South East event:

“Fantastic opportunity for networking – hearing about issues, challenges and opportunities”

“The opportunity to talk together, share ideas and hear each other’s discussion is invaluable”

Keep an eye out for the following regional events planned for the upcoming months:

• Hunter Region/ Mid Coast to Tops Region, 22nd June 2017
• Western Landcare, 4th – 5th August 2017
• North Coast Regional Landcare, 28th-30th August 2017

If you are a Regional Landcare Facilitator, click on the link below to find out more:
Landcare NSW Regional Scale Events Support Fund