landcarensw Archives

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

GREEN FOOTPRINT MARKS MOUNT DRUITT HOSPITAL

More than 4500 trees and shrubs will be planted on the grounds of Mount Druitt Hospital, creating a greener footprint, cooler environment, and enhance the wildlife habitat.

This new wooded, leafy area is part of the Creating Canopies in Greater Sydney tree-planting project between Mount Druitt Hospital, Greater Sydney Landcare Network, Landcare NSW and the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

Shaded and tree lined walking tracks leading from Luxford Road and Railway Street will provide new pedestrian paths that staff, patients, visitors and community members can use.

Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals General Manager and self-confessed green thumb, Ned Katrib welcomes the natural expansion on the grounds of the hospital, helping create a greener footprint in Western Sydney.

“I’d like to thank Greater Sydney Landcare for enhancing the hospital surroundings with the endangered trees and plants,” Ned said.

“This natural environment will be maintained and cared for by hospital staff and will help decrease the ground temperatures of the surrounding areas.

“Planting more trees on the hospital grounds will create an outdoor space so our patients and visitors can spend more time outdoors in a shaded environment.”

More than 2000 plants will be spread across the hospital campus to encourage growth and enhance the ecosystem landscape.

Chair of Greater Sydney Landcare Network Bev Debrincat, says Greater Sydney Landcare Network and Landcare NSW are proud to partner with Western Sydney Local Health District and Mount Druitt 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,” Bev said.

The Mount Druitt planting is the fourth hospital that Greater Sydney Landcare Network and Landcare NSW have worked with in greening hospital grounds as part of the Creating Canopies Project.

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

Printed with the permission of ‘The Pulse – your Western Sydney health news’

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New Partnership set to develop and deliver nature-based climate change mitigation and biodiversity projects in NSW

Landcare NSW has today announced it is partnering with South Pole, a leading project developer and global climate action expert, to develop climate action projects across NSW.

Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit said the partnership is a natural fit for Landcare NSW whose mission is to care for our land, environment, and communities.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with South Pole to develop world-leading projects taking practical action to deal with climate change. We need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote nature-based carbon sequestration and this partnership is a step in the right direction.

“Our partnership will take an innovative approach to make lasting change. It will see the development of carbon credit projects that deliver real, tangible benefits to the local communities in which our Landcare groups and landholders live and work throughout NSW,” said Dr Zammit.

Dr Thomas Schroder, Head of Climate Action for South Pole said the partnership will allow both organisations to achieve strong environmental outcomes.

“Working with Landcare NSW to reduce and remove carbon emissions, as well as restore and protect our state’s unique biodiversity, is an exciting opportunity for South Pole,” said Dr Schroder.

“As well as supporting our national decarbonisation efforts, developing these projects with landholders and local Landcare groups can provide new revenue streams for farmers and property owners while leading to direct productivity gains and positive environmental outcomes on the ground.”

The partnership brings together South Pole’s global and local expertise as a project developer with Landcare NSW’s strong community network, creating opportunities for Landcare members across the whole state via the range of carbon and biodiversity project options available. Landcare NSW is currently identifying a number of regions for pilot projects.

A range of nature-based projects will be possible including soil carbon, human induced regeneration, beef cattle herd management and forest management. These can be registered with the Federal Government’s Clean Energy Regulator to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units, or with international voluntary carbon standards, such as Gold Standard or Verra. Biodiversity conservation projects will also form part of the offering, in light of the NSW Government’s Biodiversity Offset Scheme and voluntary standards. These projects not only generate on-farm benefits, they also sequester carbon and protect and restore biodiversity. This generates a revenue stream that pays the farmer to undertake necessary activities.

South Pole is a global profit-for-purpose company and certified B Corp which develops emissions reduction and biodiversity projects across a range of methodologies and works with the private and the public sector to drive decarbonisation. Active in Australia since 2012, South Pole has a team of experts in local offices in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as regional representations.

Media contacts:

Landcare NSW
Jodie Lovell – 0439 316 151

South Pole
Carly Youd – 0432 357 468

Presenters wanted for 2022 NSW Landcare & Local Land Services Conference

Farmers, Landcarers and community groups with a story to tell are being encouraged to submit their ideas for an opportunity to present at the 2022 NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference in Tweed Heads.

The conference theme is ‘Rethink, Renew, Recharge’ with presenters and workshop hosts being sought to share their experiences of recovering from natural disasters, as well as their ideas for creating a more resilient and sustainable future.

Local Land Services Board Acting Chair, Allison Harker said this is a fantastic opportunity for passionate individuals and community groups from across the state to present and discuss their insights with the broader Landcare community.

“Throughout NSW, we know there are incredible projects being carried out that are building more resilient, sustainable and productive landscapes and farming systems,” Ms Harker said.

“This conference is the perfect place to showcase them, so we can all learn from each other.

“Whether it’s regenerative agriculture, integrated pest management, or innovative ways to capitalise on the emerging natural markets like carbon farming, we want to hear from you.”

Interested presenters can find out more information and download their expression of interest form at www.nswlandcareconference.com.au/presentations, with submissions closing on Tuesday, 31 August 2021.

Landcare NSW Chair, Stephanie Cameron encouraged Landcarers from across the state to submit an expression of interest to share, learn and connect as a community.

“Given the recent challenges we have all faced and are still facing now, we are looking for presentations and workshops that showcase resilience, as well as how we can rethink, renew and recharge to create a sustainable future,“ Ms Cameron said.

“We encourage anyone involved in Landcare, natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, resilience and community empowerment to apply.”

Presenters will join the program alongside Resilience NSW Commissioner, and former Rural Fire Service Commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, who will be making the keynote presentation.

The Conference will take place on 15–17 March at the Mantra Twin Towns in Tweed Heads. Tickets will go on sale later this year.

Interested delegates and exhibitors can find updates at the conference website and by following ‘NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference’ on Facebook.

MEDIA: Matthew Burgess, Local Land Services, 0412 795 307

Landcarers Learn, Share and Connect at State Gathering

The recent NSW Landcare Program Gathering in Dubbo saw 133 Landcarers come together from across NSW to Learn, Share and Connect. 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 two jam-packed days with a mix of guest speakers, break-out sessions and presentations. Landcarers from Broken Hill to Boorowa and Botany immersed themselves in the gathering.

Uncle Lewis welcomed everyone to Country, with his singing and smoking ceremony before keynote speaker and wool, meat and grain producer Robbie Sefton opened proceedings and set the scene for the gathering with her humorous recollection of life in the late 80s in WA to her role on various boards including the Australia Day Council. Her insight into marketing was riveting. Mary Brell helped the Landcarers to get some insight into the way they think by delivering a workshop on the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument before Merryl Semple delivered a workshop on building resilience – something we could all relate to.

Concurrent sessions allowed participants to select their areas of interest with selections from Partnerships, the Coordinator Activity Tracker, Strategic Planning, social media and Human Resource management. Craig Aspinall the Landcare Program’s Aboriginal Communities Engagement Officer gave a presentation on the achievements of the ‘Working Together’ Program, for many this was one of the highlights according to the event evaluation. This is not to be overshadowed by the wonderful gifts bestowed by Aboriginal Program – Working Together merchandise like hats, water bottles, bags that was handed to participants on arrival.

Regional time was not forgotten as participants were given an opportunity to design the next iteration of the NSW Landcare Program. The take-away message was the importance of finally getting together face-to-face to Learn, Share and Connect and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to just have a yarn and socialise at the two dinner events. The next event is planned for 2023 with the location and venue yet to be decided.

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.

Shane Fitzsimmons to headline NSW Landcare & Local Land Services Conference 2022

Shane Fitzsimmons, Commissioner of Resilience NSW, will inspire the crowd in Tweed Heads as the keynote speaker for the NSW Landcare & Local Land Services Conference in 2022.

Commissioner Fitzsimmons will draw from his experiences as the former Commissioner of the Rural Fire Service (RFS), guiding NSW through the devastating 2019-20 bushfire season, to delve into a range of thought-provoking topics.

“Our recent experiences – from drought and bushfire, storm and flood, to COVID-19 – have shown us that collaboration is key to improving response, recovery and building resilience into the future,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

“This event is an opportunity to reflect, consider lessons learnt, and identify ways we can better work together and with the community to improve outcomes for all into the future.

“After being so actively involved in the bushfire response as the NSW RFS Commissioner, I’m now in the unique and privileged position of working with those same communities through their bushfire recovery as the Commissioner of Resilience NSW.

“As part of this event, I will share my personal experience of the 2019-20 bushfire season, provide an update on the recovery operation and outline my vision for a more aware, more prepared and more resilient NSW.”

Chairperson of Landcare NSW, Stephanie Cameron, welcomed the announcement that Commissioner Fitzsimmons will be the keynote speaker and said it will be a wonderful opportunity to learn from his experiences.

“This past year has shown how resilience and adaptability are critical in not only surviving, but thriving through these challenging times,” Mrs Cameron said.

“During what has been a most challenging time, both as a community and for our environment, reflecting on how we have handled crises in the past will hold Landcarers in great stead for the future.”

Local Land Services Board Acting Chair, Allison Harker, said farmers, Landcarers and community groups also have an opportunity to present at the conference, with expressions of interest now open.

“We are looking for presentations and workshops that showcase resilience, as well as how we can rethink, renew and recharge to create a sustainable future,” Ms Harker said.

“This is a great opportunity for passionate individuals and groups to share their on-the-ground experiences and learnings with the broader Landcare community.”

Interested presenters can find out more information, and download their expression of interest form at www.nswlandcareconference.com.au/presentations

Conference tickets will go on sale later this year. Interested delegates and exhibitors can find updates at the conference website and by following ‘NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference’ on Facebook.

150 Landcarers Descend on Dubbo for State Gathering

Over 150 Landcarers from across NSW will descend on Dubbo this week as part of the NSW Landcare Program State Gathering.

Held at the Dubbo RSL, the Gathering runs from Tuesday 8th to Thursday 10th June, and is an opportunity for the network of Regional Landcare Coordinators, Local Landcare Coordinators and community host organisations, to share experiences, learn skills and 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.” 

‘Share. Learn. Connect’ is the theme of the Gathering with a series of speakers and workshops designed to help to develop participants’ skills in many areas including building understanding of community organisations, rural resilience, technology, and partnership opportunities. 

NSW Landcare Program Manager Natasha English said the learnings and connections that participants experience at the workshop will provide peer support and information sharing opportunities to improve the results achieved in their communities. 

“With a keynote address by Robbie Sefton, an inspirational communication specialist and farmer, plus guest trainers that will provide sessions that ‘Build Resilience, Not Burnout’ and ‘Whole Brain Thinking’ there is a lot to stimulate thought.”

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.

Media Release: Landcare NSW welcomes $14 million for post-Black Summer bushfire recovery grants to support regeneration and community resilience

Friday 30th April, 2021:

Landcare NSW welcomes $14 million for post-Black Summer bushfire recovery grants to support regeneration and community resilience

Federal Environment Minister, Sussan Ley, announced a landmark $14 million dollar funding program for Landcare-led bushfire recovery projects in New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia this week.

Funded by the Australian Government, the Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants will support bushfire recovery projects in seven government-designated bushfire regions impacted by the Black Summer bushfires of 2019/2020, four of which are in NSW.

The funding will focus on activities supporting bushfire recovery for fire-affected plant and animal species, ecological communities, and natural assets – including Ramsar listed wetlands and World Heritage listed sites.

Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit welcomed the funding, saying the grants would support the large-scale regeneration efforts required to restore landscapes, improve biodiversity and support community resilience.

“The devastation to our environment does not stop at state borders. Collaborative funding is crucial for our communities and native landscapes to recover after the catastrophic Black Summer Bushfires. In NSW alone, the fires burnt 6.2 percent of the state and more than one billion animals were estimated to have been killed or displaced in the fires.

“No matter where we are based, from the rainforests of northern NSW and South-East Queensland to the alpine regions of ACT, NSW and Victoria with the support of this funding we can begin to rebuild,” Dr Zammit said.

Eligible Landcare groups, environment networks, and community groups will have access to grant funding up to $50,000, and as larger partnerships and projects up to $300,000.

The $14 million bushfire grants program will be delivered by a ground-breaking alliance between the National Landcare Network and Landcare Australia, and the state Landcare peak bodies. The Program will be co-delivered, and will coordinate a wide range of high-impact on-ground community and environmental projects over the next 12 months for community landcare.

Call for submission of grant applications will be announced in May.

For further information about projects and grants, visit www.landcareledbushfiregrants.org.au

For media enquiries:

Samantha Stratton P:0487 767 955 E: sstratton@landcarensw.org.au

Jodie Lovell E: jlovell@landcarensw.org.au

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