Category: News

Following an extensive and thorough recruitment process driven by the Landcare NSW Nominations Committee, Landcare NSW would like to introduce the four Board Directors who will be confirmed by the members present at the Landcare NSW Annual General Meeting to be held on 19th October, 2022.

The Landcare NSW Board is composed of six Ordinary Directors to bring the perspectives of the Members living within the Ordinary Director’s respective Board Electoral Zone; and up to four Independent Directors appointed to bring any additional skills, expertise, and experience that the Board requires.

Our Directors bring a wealth of skills to their roles. Please read below to get to know Independent Directors Liz Riley and Rene Woods, our first Aboriginal Independent Director who will fill the director position reserved for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and Ordinary Directors Hunter White, elected to bring the perspectives of the members living in the Central West and Central Tablelands electoral zone and Howard Jones, elected to bring the perspectives of the members living in the Western electoral zone.

Elizabeth Riley – Independent Director

Why are you seeking to serve Landcare NSW Limited as a director?

I seek to serve as a director of Landcare NSW to help support its mission (leadership, skills and resources) to empower Landcarers to care for the environment, land and communities in NSW, and to serve my community. I have skills and experience which would support Landcare NSW in its mission and strategic goals. The ethos and intent of Landcare resonate strongly with me as someone directly involved with primary production. As a steward and carer of land, joining the board of Landcare NSW is a demonstration of my commitment to this movement. It also provides me with a mechanism to utilise the skills and experience I have for the greater good.

What do you hope to contribute to the Board of Landcare NSW Limited?

As someone who works day to day with viticultural landowners and managers across NSW, I bring firsthand knowledge of the challenges, risks and opportunities that stewards of the land have. I understand their passion and desire to improve and remediate that land, and to ensure it is left better for our stewardship. I also understand the challenges they face in achieving this in times of climatic extremes and adverse conditions, which often stymie their good intentions.

I have diverse stakeholder experience at a local, state and national levels in the wine industry across a wide range of areas – from grape grower, through the wine value chain, to industry research development and extension, industry training and biosecurity, and bring an ability to understand a range of complementary and conflicting interests.

I bring a mindset of collaboration rather than one of win at all costs, and progress over perfection in developing solutions and partnerships with stakeholders. I would hope that I can bring my current board experience in the not for profit and charity space to this board and provide strong governance credentials in addition to my appreciation of working with government funding mechanisms and a community lead group.

At a more pragmatic level I hope to support Landcare NSW in its mission and fully support its values, which are similar to those which underpin my own life.

Rene Woods – Independent Director

Why are you seeking to serve Landcare NSW Limited as a director?

I am a Nari Nari man from southwest New South Wales. I have had a long involvement with Gayini (water) for Aboriginal people across the Basin and grew up on the Murrumbidgee River where the river has always been central to my family, my community, and our way of life.

I am a strong advocate for First Nation people in the Basin and have worked in communities in both the public and non-government organisation sectors of the Basin. I am currently employed by the Nature Conservancy Australia as a Conservation Officer and have seen what can happen for communities that have Gayini and land under their ownership and control.

I believe that together we can achieve a strong healthy river system and healthier communities. I work with my Nari Nari Elders to make sure their views are incorporated into Gayini (water) planning within the state and Basin.

I have previously held the position of chairperson of the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (2018 to 2020) and have also been vice-chair of the Nari Nari Tribal Council. I held several other positions including with New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Aboriginal Water Initiative (2013 to 2016) and Murrumbidgee Valley Water NSW Customer Advisory Group (2018 to 2020).

I was also a member of the National Cultural Flows Research Committee (2013 to 2018) and was a panel member of Former Minister Littleproud’s Independent Panel for the Assessment of Social and Economic Conditions of Murray–Darling Basin communities.

I was the first Aboriginal person appointed to the Murray Darling Basin Authority Board Member in December 2020.

What do you hope to contribute to the Board of Landcare NSW Limited?

I would hope that I would bring a cultural lens to the work that Landcare does across NSW and my expertise and networks within NSW, Australia and Internationally. My experience and understanding of strategy implementations bring a better understanding and recognition of First Nations land and water practice in Landcare NSW.

I have worked with the key agencies that manage, protection and enhancement of Culture and Heritage across the Southern Basin.

My knowledge of current and emerging issues with the Aboriginal water sector would assist the MDBA to be able to plan and continue to assist Traditional Owners and Basin states to continue the good work already being undertaking across the Basin.

I believe my willingness to listen to all stakeholders, State and Federal Governments and my knowledge of Traditional Owners of the Hay and Balranald Community’s would assist me in this role.

Hunter White – Central West / Central Tablelands

Why are you seeking to serve Landcare NSW Limited as a director?

I believe that community-based Landcare is needed in NSW. The task of natural resource management, biodiversity and environment regeneration is too big for government alone, it is too big for community or corporate Australia. It must be a partnership. I am wanting to give back to a community and culture from which I have benefited.

What do you hope to contribute to the Board of Landcare NSW Limited?

I am a current director of Landcare NSW and hold the position of treasurer. I offer my experience and knowledge in agriculture, sustainable land management, business, governance and leadership of community and not-for-profit organisations for the benefit of Landcare in NSW and Landcare NSW.

 

Howard Jones – Western

Why are you seeking to serve Landcare NSW Limited as a director?

As a long-term resident/ landowner/ business owner/ operator I would hope I bring experience of the Western Division’s issues related to the landscape. With development, modification of the landscape and water ways in the western reaches of NSW, the need for bringing communities together so an understanding of what that development, modification will deliver in the longer term with climate change factored in.

What do you hope to contribute to the Board of Landcare NSW Limited?

I bring 35 plus years of industry and environmental leadership experience across Southwest and Western NSW. A close involvement with Water reform in NSW, and the delivery of change to communities in the Southwest as a leader and or member of statutory boards.

On Saturday 3rd September, the 100 thousandth tree was planted at Discovery Park, Liverpool as part of the NSW Government funded project  ‘Creating Canopies in Greater Sydney’, marking the 81st site that has benefited from the project.

The NSW Government partnered with Landcare NSW to deliver the Creating Canopies in Greater Sydney project planting 100,000 trees through Greater Sydney Landcare.

The 100 thousandth tree planting has been a long time coming for the Greater Sydney Landcare community. The delays from the past two years of COVID restrictions and challenging weather conditions have meant that the Creating Canopies in Greater Sydney projects completion is a massive win for the community-based organisation.

Greater Sydney Landcare Chair, Bev Debrincat, said this milestone is a testament to the hard work undertaken by staff and volunteers and the importance of partners collaborating to grow and create green spaces across Sydney.

“We owe so much of this success to all the Sydneysiders who came out in droves to help us get the plants in the ground. This event marks the one hundred and sixty-third event held throughout the life of the project.

“We’ve engaged with nearly two thousand individuals who have joined us to plant over 200 different plant species and invest in their community through their participation in our project, and in Landcare. Engaging the community in their own local green spaces, fosters a sense of stewardship that will help protect these sites into the future. We’ve seen firsthand the impact green spaces have not only providing important habitat for wildlife, but also keeping Sydney cooler in the hot summer months,” Bev said.

With a focus on Western Sydney to increase tree canopy cover, Bev says the diversity of locations across Sydney identify a further need to work with local communities to ‘green’ their community and protect local green spaces.

Facilitated through the partnership between NSW Government, Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare, the tree planting is just one of many that have been held across Sydney throughout the past year.

Landcare NSW CEO, Turlough Guerin, said Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare are proud to partner with the Department of Planning and Environment in Greening our City.

“Landcare NSW works with community groups across the state to improve the health of our environment and communities. This project helps support our community’s health and well-being but also the protection of our native plants and animals by providing much needed habitat.”

The plantings in Sydney have been coordinated by Greater Sydney Landcare in conjunction with local Landcare and community groups.

The trees are being planted as part of the NSW Greening Our City, program to increase the tree canopy and green cover across Greater Sydney. Funding has been provided to Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare as part of the NSW Government’s $2.1 million investment and partnership with Landcare to plant 100,000 new trees across Greater Sydney.

Private Land Conservation remains a hot topic across the state but with the support of the Partnering in Private Land Conservation (PLC) Project, the team at Mid Coast to Tops Landcare Connection are offering support and guidance to conservation holders in partnership with the Biodiversity Conservation Trust.

“After decades of bouncing around different agencies, our team have taken all private land conservation agreement holders under our wing, to offer advice, resources and community,” says Regional Landcare Coordinator, Jessica Leck.

“Over the years, various government restructures and reallocations of resources has created a void for overall oversight of PLC on the Mid Coast. Each active agency plays a role, and cares for their own agreement holders, however some agreement holders, such as historic and smaller scale properties, were being left behind. In addition, the under resourced nature of the natural resource management industry meant that even the well served agreement holders were going years without engagement or follow ups.

Mid Coast to Tops Landcare Private Land Conservation Project Officer, Isabelle Strachan agrees, saying PLC holders wanted and needed support through all their activities, whether through funded programs or to just access support and guidance.

“There’s fantastic potential of creating a PLC community. One example of how private conservation works is Landcare for Wildlife. Land for Wildlife is one program that was underserved, partly due to the lack of any funding to support its delivery. Most agreement holders in our region had not been supported locally since their initial inspection. In addition. our region has historic Property Vegetation Plan agreement holders, who were signed up by agencies that no longer exist!”

Jessica says the Partnering In Private Land Conservation Project, the Landcare NSW partnership project with the BCT, enabled the gap identified by Mid Coast to Tops to be filled through the project.

“When Landcare NSW offered an opportunity to partner with the Biodiversity Conservation Trust, we recognised this as an opportunity to fill this gap in PLC community service. By aligning closely with their recently shared Biodiversity Framework, we were able to source co-funding through our local council, Mid Coast Council. The combination of these funding sources enabled us to open up the program to our wider community of landholders, with no stringent criteria, inline with the ethos of our Landcare community.

“In 2021, Mid Coast 2 Tops Landcare hired our first Private Land Conservation Officer, Isabelle Strachan, who is responsible to fostering a community of practice for all conservation-minded landholders across the Mid Coast. Isabelle runs monthly workshops addressing areas of interest for the community, while offering individual property visits for agreement holders. These visits include a walk of the property, advice on management, and a complimentary property report, summarising the discussions they have had.

“In her first 8 months, Isabelle has made 38 property visits, and hosted 10 workshops, with over 130 people in attendance combined. Given the constraints of weather and covid during this period, these numbers far exceeded expected outcomes, and show the desire for this kind of program in our community. We are so proud and thrilled that we have been able to achieve this and more through this program and it really highlights that there is an appetite and want for these kinds of projects and support in our area,” says Jessica.

Feedback from one of the participants who attended a past event organised by Isabelle, Killabakh Eucalypt ID day said: “Thank you so much for holding the event. Learning from highly knowledgeable experts is invaluable as well as connecting with like minded people.”

In coming months, Isabelle will host an event to celebrate the 100th Land For Wildlife agreement within our area. This number is a result of combined effort from stakeholders, our local landcare coordinators and our PLC program to increase awareness, support and reinvigorate interest in private land conservation in our region.

Landcare NSW is working in partnership with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) to raise awareness and support for private land conservation efforts across the state.

On the 19 and 20th July, members of the Landcare NSW team were fortunate to attend two great events held by Murray Landcare Collective.

Day 1 was the mini muster at Corowa, which was a facilitated session covering several topics including the NSW Landcare Program 2023-2027 funding bid. This featured a workshop session to discuss the next phase of the program, what has gone well, what may require improvement or removal from the next program and any innovative ideas that could be attractive to Government. There were some great thoughts shared and the feedback given aligned closely with that from the recent stakeholder workshops.

Day 2 was spent at the picturesque Waterfront Pavilion in Urana and included updates from over 20 members of the collective on key achievements and priorities, along with discussions on topics ranging from drought resilience to carbon farming. During lunch, participants were also treated to a tour of the adjacent man-made lake that surrounds the aquatic centre.

The trip allowed new members to Landcare NSW to network, meet members in person (including our partners at LLS) and get a full appreciation of the wide variety of groups and activities throughout the region, as well as gathering valuable advice that will help shape the future program and strategic business case.

We would like to thank Paula Sheehan and Corowa District Landcare for inviting Landcare NSW and organising a wonderful event.

 

BY TERRY HARKNESS

Around sixty people attended the Far West Rangeland Rehydration Alliance (FWRAA) field day hosted by Western Landcare NSW held on 6th- 7th July, 2022. Having flown in to Broken Hill we drove 290 kms to White Cliffs via Wilcannia. The most remarkable feature being the extent of groundcover and the Kaleidoscope of colours that hid the deep red soils of outback NSW.

That night the hospitality of country life was on show with a banquet in the creek for around seventy people at Faulkenhagen.  We were spoilt for choice with a smorgasbord of food and beverage topped off with a homemade Quandong desert. Guests mingled around two open fires, colleagues caught up on the local gossip and out of towners got to mingle with new found friends.

The following morning, we met at the White Cliffs hotel for a bacon and egg roll breakfast followed by a short trip out to a pastoral property northwest of White Cliffs – Caradoc Station. There the property owner showed us work he had undertaken to remediate erosion through “gullyheads” and how his ponding structures were designed to spread water across the landscape ahead of the gully or point of erosion.

These earthen ponds proved effective not only in redistributing water, but they served as valuable organic beds that allowed native species to germinate and thrive on the watery side.

A convoy of 4WD’s then headed back to White Cliffs community hall for a mid-morning registration before a series of speakers presented on a diverse range of topics including the technicalities of rehydration; pastoral grazing in the far west; seed and nursey development areas; plus a selection of government and commercial representatives advising on various topics. As the afternoon sun was lowering in the west and the wind had gathered pace, we headed off to see some further work that was “ripping rewards”.

A one-hectare research site which had previously held bare ground for three decades was rich in floristic diversity. With such a good season the benefits in ripping and stock exclusion fencing allowed annual and perennial grasses, herbs and forbs to prosper. This then provides habitat for natures creatures, captures water in the landscape and mitigates the erosive effects of wind.

Just a short distance away we observed the construction of a mesh roll filled with rocks in a dry creek bed. The roll is designed to slow the rush of water and ameliorate its power as it moves down the creek bed.

The idea being in times of flood, organic matter gets caught up in the mesh roll further reducing the speed of water and thereby leaving behind the perfect organic bed for seeds to germinate post flooding.

Thank you to Landcare Western Division and Rangelands Rehydration Alliance for hosting the event.

Written by Terry Harkness, Field Day Attendee and Landcare NSW Business Partner Leader