Landcare State Gathering to focus on Adaptation and Innovation

Over 160 Landcarers and community partners from across NSW will make their way to Manly next week as part of the NSW Landcare Enabling Program State Gathering.

The Gathering runs from Monday 19th to Wednesday 21st August 2024, and is an opportunity for the network of Regional Landcare Coordinators, Regional Administration Support Officers, Local Landcare Coordinators and community host organisations, to share experiences, learn skills and connect with each other. The theme for the event is Adaptation & Innovation.

The theme of the 2024 Gathering is AI = Adaptation and Innovation. The intention is for every participant to leave with a deeper understanding of the Landcare Enabling Program, forge meaningful new connections, and acquire fresh knowledge and ideas. The Gathering will aim to empower participants to embrace adaptability and drive innovation in their work and community.

The 2023-2027 NSW Landcare Enabling Program funded by the NSW Government, is a collaborative initiative of Local Land Services and Landcare NSW empowering Landcarers to take action on local problems and deliver outcomes that address local and regional issues.

NSW Landcare CEO Turlough Guerin said the learnings and connections that participants experience at the gathering will provide peer support and information sharing opportunities.

“The State Gathering is an opportunity for our Coordinators and Host Organisations consisting mainly of Landcare groups to input into the four-year Program which is funded until June 2027 and apply learnings to assist in delivering outcomes in their communities in the future.

“Landcare’s strength lies in the strength of its grassroots, community movement – it’s about local people doing work on the ground to provide local solutions to local problems.”

The NSW Landcare Enabling Program supports the network of hard-working volunteers in local communities who manage and restore the natural environment, improve the sustainability of agricultural production and build the resilience of communities.

This initiative is made possible by the NSW Landcare Enabling Program, a collaboration between Landcare NSW and Local Land Services supported by the NSW Government.

Landcare NSW is Hiring a Part-time Bookkeeper/Finance Officer

Calling for Expressions of Interests: Landcare NSW is Hiring a Part-time Bookkeeper/Finance Officer

Landcare NSW Ltd is a member based organisation.

Join our team at Landcare NSW in a vital role supporting community-led conservation efforts. We’re looking for a part-time Bookkeeper/Finance Officer with experience in Xero to work from our Mascot office, offering flexibility with some remote work options available.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial transactions including bank reconciliations, accounts payable/receivable, and payroll management.
Processing BAS, PAYG, and Superannuation.
Reconciling accounts.
Assisting in both month-end and year-end closing processes.

Ideal Candidate:

Qualified in Accounting or Bookkeeping with strong Xero proficiency.
Excellent communication skills, high initiative, and effective time management.
Able to contribute positively to our team and organisational culture.

Terms of Employment:

Part-time position for 3 months, with potential for permanent full-time employment.
Flexible hours, combining office-based and remote work.

The closing date is Friday 10th May, 2024

Apply Now: Send your resume and a concise cover letter to hr@landcarensw.org.au. For questions, contact us via email.

We encourage you to share the opportunity widely to help us find the best person for the role.

3,000 Trees Planted for National Tree Day in Liverpool City Council

On Saturday 29th July, Greater Sydney Landcare and volunteers planted 3,000 native trees and shrubs for National Tree Day, as part of its Creating Canopies project. This takes the total number of trees planted so far this year by Creating Canopies to 10,000!

This free tree planting event, held in Gough Park, Cecil Hills in honour of National Tree Day, was run by Greater Sydney Landcare in partnership with Liverpool City Council.

As well as tree planting, there were plenty of other free activities for participants including:

Musical entertainment
Face painting for children
A plant giveaway
Barbeque lunch
First Nations weaving workshop

Ngiyampaa and Guringai artist Tarni Eastwood ran a weaving workshop on the day that volunteers took part in. Tarni aims to connect workshop participants with culture and community, by passing down her knowledge of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal weaving techniques. Participants worked with hand-dyed raffia from Tarni’s business Nula Weaving, which is based on Dharug Country in Western Sydney. Tarni actively facilitates weaving workshops with community to contribute to the ongoing revitalisation of traditional cultural practices.

Greater Sydney Landcare provided locally native plants, tools, and on-site training to participants on the day.

The Department of Planning and Environment’s Executive Director, Resilience and Urban Sustainability, Steve Hartley, said the 3,000 trees planted would help educate and inspire future generations in Liverpool and across Sydney.

“Growing our tree canopy across Western Sydney has great benefits for communities like Liverpool. These additional trees will provide cleaner air and help reduce surface temperatures,” Mr Hartley said.

This event is part of the Creating Canopies project. Ms Danielle Packer, Creating Canopies Project Manager for Greater Sydney Landcare said:

“The goal of Creating Canopies is to plant 200,000 native trees by the end of 2025. Creating Canopies is proudly funded by the NSW Government to help mitigate urban heat. Greater Sydney Landcare is running it in conjunction with Landcare NSW.”
“Creating Canopies is all about cooling Sydney down in the years to come,” said Ms Packer. “We’re focussing on planting trees that will grow to three metres and above, to provide lush green canopy for the birds, bugs and animals above and lots of cooling shade down below.”
“It’s also about providing a better experience of the great outdoors for all Sydneysiders,” Ms Packer said. “By making our outdoor areas shadier we can all stay outside longer, move about more, and get more fresh air than we could in unshaded areas. This is because planting trees helps to mitigate urban heat.”

Green spaces are also associated with increased physical activity, better physical health, lower stress levels, reduced air pollution, and greater community satisfaction.

Ms Packer said:

“Greater Sydney Landcare is proud to partner with Liverpool City Council in their environmental initiatives and to create canopies in Greater Sydney.
“Partners like Liverpool City Council are invaluable—they provide the spaces for greening. It’s also a great day for the Liverpool community to come out and make their local area an even nicer place to live,” Ms Packer said.

About the Creating Canopies project:

Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare are planting 200,000 trees to help mitigate urban heat in Greater Sydney. Proudly funded by the NSW Government.

Hundreds of trees planted at Campbelltown Hospital to celebrate World Environment Day

Greater Sydney Landcare volunteers planted over 400 native trees on the grounds of Campbelltown Hospital, on Saturday 3 June to celebrate World Environment Day.

This planting is part of the Creating Canopies project which will see 200,000 trees planted by the end of 2025 as part of the Greening our City program to help reduce urban heat in Greater Sydney. This program is proudly funded by the NSW Government.

Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare are holding a number of tree planting days to help cool down Sydney and create valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife.

This event also included a free talk about Campbelltown’s koalas and how you can help them, by getting involved in Greater Sydney Landcare’s Southwest Sydney Koala Project based in Campbelltown.

The theme for this year’s World Environment Day focuses on solutions to plastic pollution.

Matt Keighery, Greater Sydney Landcare’s Landholder Engagement Manager said they have been looking at alternative solutions regarding the use of plastic tree guards:

“We had been using plastic tree guards which can be recycled, but we found that they presented a liability for us. We had to not only decommission them but also get them to a recycler. We have moved to 100% cardboard guards. These provide a durable guard that completely degrades over a 12 – 18 month period.”

More than 2,000 plants will be spread across the hospital campus to encourage growth and enhance the ecosystem landscape.

Chair of Greater Sydney Landcare, Bev Debrincat, says Greater Sydney Landcare and Landcare NSW are proud to partner with South Western Sydney Local Health District and Campbelltown Hospital to help green their space and improve their local environment.

“Landcare works to improve the health of our environment and communities. These new trees will help create healthy environments for the local community, hospital staff and patients and improve habitat for wildlife.
“Green spaces aren’t just great for wildlife, they’re also associated with better physical health, lower stress levels, and greater community satisfaction,” said Bev.

Campbelltown Hospital is one of four hospitals that Greater Sydney Landcare and Landcare NSW are working with to green hospital grounds as part of the Creating Canopies Project.

Click here for further information about Greater Sydney Landcare’s Creating Canopies project.

Landcare NSW Board supports an Indigenous Voice to Parliament

Landcare NSW has issued a Reconciliation and Treaty Statement on behalf of the Board of Directors.

The statement comes as National Reconciliation Week draws to a close for 2023. The theme for this year is ‘Be a Voice for Generations’.

“The Board of Landcare NSW supports an Indigenous Voice to Parliament and all aspects of the Uluru Statement from the Heart – Voice, Truth and Treaty. The Board of Landcare NSW acknowledges Australia’s First Nations people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and we acknowledge their deep cultural, social, environmental, spiritual and economic connection to their lands and waters. We pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.”

Landcare NSW Chair, Stephanie Cameron said:

“I understand this statement from the Board doesn’t attempt to capture all the views of our members. However, it is our hope and vision that our statement from the Landcare NSW Board will encourage constructive debate on how we progress forward on the important issues of reconciliation and treaty and encourage all of our members to continue these important discussions amongst our diverse Landcare communities in NSW.”

Landcare NSW has been actively working to encourage and provide a voice for reconciliation in the Landcare community.

In 2019, the Aboriginal Engagement “Working Together”Program was launched. This initiative within the NSW Landcare Program aims to increase opportunities to consciously develop stronger connections and partnerships between Landcare groups and Aboriginal Communities.
In 2021, North Coast Landcare Network employed its first Aboriginal Landcare Officer followed by Murrumbidgee Landcare employing its first Aboriginal Landcare Officer.
In 2022, Landcare NSW appointed Mr Rene Woods to the Board in a position reserved for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

The theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.

National Reconciliation Week – 27 May to 3 June – is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Minister for Agriculture attends NSW Landcare State Gathering

What an amazing Landcare State Gathering we had at the Aanuka Resort, Coffs Harbour last week.

With over 180 participants and a very welcomed visit by the Hon. Tara Moriarty MLC, Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW, it was a fantastic three days of celebration with Landcarers from across NSW coming together to Reconnect, Recharge and Build Capacity.

Local and Regional Coordinators, Host Organisation representatives, members of the Landcare and Local Land Services Executive, Landcare NSW staff and the NSW Landcare Program Team enjoyed a mix of guest speakers, break-out sessions and presentations from Coordinators showcasing the amazing work they have been doing on the ground. Landcarers from Broken Hill to Boorowa immersed themselves in the gathering.

A big thank you to Uncle Micklo Jarret and Troy Robinson who welcomed everyone to Country, with their singing and smoking ceremony before a walk to the beach to dip our toes in the ocean.

The Landcare State Gathering is a bi-annual event that brings together Landcare Coordinators, their hosts, Landcare NSW and LLS together to share, connect and plan future collaborations.

The NSW Landcare Program is a program that supports the employment of 84 local and regional coordinators across NSW to build capacity, leverage funding and facilitate activities and events for Landcare volunteers and the community.

In the last four years (2019-2023) Landcare coordination has yielded $69m in net NRM, land management and community participation in NSW, with a return on investment of every $1 invested, $3 in benefit.

A huge thank you and congratulations to the Local Land Services team and Landcare NSW for coordinating a well-structured, and collaborative event in Coffs Harbour. And of course a huge thank you to North Coast Regional Landcare Network!

This initiative is made possible by the NSW Landcare Program. A collaboration between Landcare NSW and the Local Land Services, supported by the NSW Government.

Landcare State Gathering to Celebrate NSW Landcare Program

Over 180 Landcarers and community partners from across NSW will make their way to Coffs Harbour next week as part of the NSW Landcare Program State Gathering.

The Gathering runs from Tuesday 16th to Thursday 18th May, and is an opportunity for the network of Regional Landcare Coordinators, Local Landcare Coordinators and community host organisations, to share experiences, learn skills and re-connect with each other.

The 2019-2023 NSW Landcare Program funded by the NSW Government, is a collaborative initiative of Local Land Services and Landcare NSW empowering Landcarers to take action on local problems and deliver outcomes that address local and regional issues.

Landcare NSW Chair Stephanie Cameron said the event is critical to building common understanding and capacity across the state.

“Landcare’s strength lies in the strength of its grassroots, community movement – it’s about local people doing work on the ground to provide local solutions to local problems,” said Ms Cameron.

“The NSW Landcare Program supports the network of hard-working volunteers in local communities who manage and restore the natural environment, improve the sustainability of agricultural production and build the resilience of communities.”

The objectives of the 2023 Gathering are:

Reconnect – bringing the Landcare community together in person after years of online
meetings and no events
Capacity building – sharing skills through networking, workshops and presentations
Recharge – having the event in a relaxed environment and allowing time for participants to
interact.

NSW Landcare CEO Turlough Guerin said the learnings and connections that participants experience at the gathering will provide peer support and information sharing opportunities.

“The State Gathering is an opportunity for our Coordinators and Host Organisations consisting mainly of Landcare groups to input into the next four-year Program and apply learnings to assist in delivering outcomes in their communities in the future.”

This initiative is made possible by the NSW Landcare Program. A collaboration between Landcare NSW and the Local Land Services, supported by the NSW Government.

Berry Landcarer awarded Life Membership with Landcare NSW

Bill Pigott, an active Landcarer in Berry and former Chair of Berry Landcare has been awarded Honorary Life Membership at the 2021 Landcare NSW Annual General Meeting in recognition of his service to Landcare NSW and the Landcare movement. 

Landcare NSW Chair Stephanie Cameron praised Bill’s commitment to Landcare on a state, regional and local level.

“Bill is seen as a leader in the Landcare movement, not just at a local level in Berry but also at a state level where he represented South East Landcare as a Landcare NSW Council member for many years.

I would like to thank Bill for his constant support, advocacy and representation on behalf of Landcare in NSW,” said Ms Cameron.

Bill has worked in roles such as coordinator of local Bushcare site, member of the local Catchment Management Authority and local council working groups and committees.

“Bill played an instrumental role in designing the early Musters and was also the inaugural recipient of the Gerald Carnie Memorial Award in 2015,” said Ms Cameron.

Mr Pigott thanked Ms Cameron and the Landcare NSW Council for the award and said he was honoured to join other Life Members.

“I am so honoured to be nominated as an honorary life member and to join such illustrious and inspiring company of pioneers, Landcare stalwarts and heroes. I’m delighted to accept this nomination,” said Mr Pigott.

“Looking back, I am proudest of my role in the early Landcare Musters and a real highlight was the year that my son Peter, one of the early and longstanding Regional Landcare Facilitators, took on the role of facilitating the Muster.

“I appreciate Landcare as a unique community movement and realise the greatest strength is in its diversity, and I particularly appreciate the energy that was derived in those early days from standing up, from turning up, from promoting the values and the visions of the Landcare community in all of their manifestations and expressions. I admire Landcare NSW’s commitment to listen and the courage to hear. The respect and support to nurture and build capacity still remains such an important part of the organisation.

“I am so proud to be a Landcarer and even prouder to be an honorary life member of Landcare NSW,” Mr Pigott said.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Jodie Lovell – 0439 316 151

Hunter Regional Landcarer awarded Life Membership with Landcare NSW

Long-time Landcarer, John Hughson, has been awarded Honorary Life Membership at the 2021 Landcare NSW Annual General Meeting in recognition of his service to Landcare NSW and the Landcare movement. 

Landcare NSW Chair, Stephanie Cameron praised John’s commitment to Landcare on a state, regional and local level. 

“John has been involved with Landcare for over 25 years and has worked to develop, and champion, Landcare at a local, district, and regional level contributing to a legacy of strong, well-established and supported groups in Lake Macquarie and the Hunter,” Ms Cameron said.

As the convenor of the first Landcare NSW Gathering at Myuna Bay on the shores of Lake Macquarie in 2007, John was one of the main drivers behind setting up Landcare NSW as the state peak body for community Landcare in NSW.

Ms Cameron thanked John for his role as a foundation member of Landcare NSW.

“The time and dedication John has brought to the Landcare movement in NSW and Landcare NSW over the years, has helped strengthen the foundation of Landcare NSW. We wouldn’t be where we are today without individuals such as John who had the vision to see what we could achieve as a state-wide movement,” Ms Cameron said.

John went on to represent the Hunter region at the state level on the Landcare NSW Council for over a decade and served on Landcare NSW’s Executive Committee.

John’s many Landcare roles have included two stints as Chair of the Hunter Region Landcare Network, when it first formed, and again after 14 years as Landcare Coordinator with Lake Macquarie City Council.

After more than 25 years, supporting the Landcare movement, and the many champions involved in it, John is now self-employed providing Landcare facilitation and training in conservation and land management.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Jodie Lovell – 0439 316 151

New partnership set to strengthen ties between Landcare and Local Government in NSW

26th November, 2021

NSW peak bodies Landcare NSW and Local Government NSW (LGNSW) are joining forces to work together to improve environmental and community outcomes across NSW.

Landcare NSW Chair, Stephanie Cameron said the partnership is a natural fit for Landcare NSW whose mission is to support grassroots Landcarers to care for our land, environment, and communities.

“We are thrilled to be working with Local Government NSW to formalise the partnership between our two organisations,” Ms Cameron said. “We already work together in many parts of the state through on-ground projects that focus on environmental protection, sustainable food production, and community engagement and wellbeing.

“Landcare NSW has existing relationships with a number of Local Government NSW member Councils who host Regional and Local Landcare Coordinators. This partnership is a step in the right direction to expanding that connection further.”

LGNSW President Clr Linda Scott said the partnership will allow both organisations to achieve strong environmental and social outcomes.

“Councils across NSW are committed to good environmental management, and many already work with Landcare networks and groups to coordinate and collaborate on a range of community led, volunteer driven natural resource management activities and projects,” Cr Scott said.

“This partnership will allow us to explore future opportunities where we can align and collaborate.”

Landcare NSW is the peak body for community Landcare in NSW. It is a not-for-profit organisation that represents the many Landcare groups and volunteers that constitute the Landcare movement in NSW.

The partnership will include a bespoke membership opportunity for Local Government NSW members to support and connect with Landcare in their local region.

Landcare NSW is the peak representative body of community Landcare groups in NSW. Landcare is a community-driven approach to sustainable natural resource management with a focus on improving the resilience of the environment now and into the future.

Local Government NSW is the peak body for local government in NSW, representing general purpose councils and related entities. Local Government NSW aims to strengthen and protect an effective, democratic system of local government across NSW by supporting and advocating on behalf of member councils, including actively and persuasively representing the views of local government to the NSW and Australian governments.

Media Contacts:
Landcare NSW Jodie Lovell – 0439 316 151
Local Government NSW Media: 0448 718 892