Recently, the Greater Sydney Regional Landcare Coordinator used a “Working Together” small grant to fund a cultural immersion day, facilitated by Den Barber from Yarrabin Cultural Connections.
Held in the lower Hunter Valley, the day included visiting and interpreting several Aboriginal sites, a smoking ceremony and a dance performance.
It was a popular and successful event, said Greater Sydney Regional Landcare Coordinator, Madeline Florin with 29 people attending with a waiting list.
“There was plenty of discussion that was both informative and, at times, challenging. All who participated found it valuable with about half the participants taking something away that they could use with their own Landcare group.
“A moment of communal comprehension and understanding was when our group was unexpectedly denied entry to a site we had planned to visit. This was confronting and provided a moment of reflection on the fact that many Aboriginal people are not able to access their Country.
“This opportunity was great in that our Landcarers across Greater Sydney are working with varying degrees of knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture, history and land management techniques and there is a need and thirst amongst the Landcare and Bushcare communities to learn and better understand Aboriginal culture. This will promote more respectful and culturally sensitive engagement from the Landcare and Bushcare community.
Madeleine said each participant learnt a great deal and the day’s impact was personal with different reflections from different participants.
“It made everyone think more deeply about the day and we can all take something unique away from it. The co-presenters of Den and Aboriginal Landcare Coordinator from the Cooks River Alliance, Ciaron Dunn, helped give different perspectives, knowledge and views.
This day was just the beginning of a learning journey and many participants reported that they will go away and continue learning.
The “Working Together” Aboriginal Communities Engagement Program is an initiative made possible by the NSW Landcare Program. A collaboration of Local Land Services NSW and Landcare NSW Inc. supported by the NSW Government.
From the northern rainforests of Gumbaynggirr Country to the open plains and rocky ranges of the Wiljali, stretching across the largest Country in NSW, the Wiradjuri, and up to the alpine landscapes of the Maneroo, the original Landcarers have been working with Country and on country for millennia.
Across NSW, traditional and new Landcarers have been coming together to celebrate, heal and work on local landscapes through funding from the NSW Landcare Program’s Working Together Program.
In the Upper Snowy Landcare region and Maneroo Country, the local Landcare community have been busy building stronger connections with the local Aboriginal community networks.
“We recently held a two-day on-country theory and show and tell workshop which helped bring adults and children together and aimed to develop an understanding of Maneroo country, its people, practices, perspectives, special sites and artefacts,” said Upper Snowy Landcare Network Local Landcare Coordinator, Lauren Van Dyke.
Upper Snowy Landcare Network workshop
“The Upper Snowy Landcare Network recently commenced a lease on a significant part of the Gegezerick Travelling Stock Reserve – a grassy woodland overlooking the Monaro Plains and the little village of Berridale. While we were aware of the Aboriginal significance of this place (with anecdotal stories) we were informed during this workshop of its purpose as a traditional training ground.”
“Led by Aboriginal cultural heritage expert’s Aboriginal elders, Glen Morris, Chris (Snappy) Griffiths and Graham Moore, the knowledge that the Gegegedzerick Hill being a training ground for young indigenous people was welcome news indeed. Especially as on the second day we had more than 40 school children join in from the Trakz Program – an established program consisting of activities and experiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Cooma to learn about cultural beliefs and practices on Country.
“The event helped us all begin to understand the land from an Aboriginal perspective and the key information gathered will assist in the future management of the Landcare site. Opportunities to build and strengthen the connection with local people and the local landscape is at the core of what ‘Landcare’ is”, Lauren said.
Upper Snowy Region ‘Working Together’ Workshop
Up in Gumbaynggirr country, North Coast Regional Landcare Network held a three-day event that included developing and exploring cultural knowledge within the region, and ways to move forward in line with the work Traditional Custodians have been undertaking for generations.
North Coast Regional Landcare Coordinator Josh Keating said the event and outcomes were a chance to identify opportunities to initiate and strengthen ties between the local Landcare community and Aboriginal groups and organisations.
North Coast Regional Landcare Network RCoP participants viewing coastal fish traps
“Our event was part of our annual Regional Gathering and we weaved together the theme of Working Together: past, present future throughout the event. It was a opportunity to focus on what work has been done in the past between Landcare groups and Aboriginal communities, what is currently being jointly delivered and what we would like to do in the future.
“It was great to see that there is a common goal by participants across the region to embrace the opportunity to learn how we can better work with Aboriginal communities in our local areas. Additionally, at a regional scale, to learn about people’s connection to their country and take those learnings away and inform how we can work with local Aboriginal groups in our area.
“The North Coast Region follows Landcare NSW’s recognition that Aboriginal communities are the original Landcarers and we are all focused on caring for the land, environment and communities in our region and building a sustainable approach to the future.
“One of our strongest outcomes was the acknowledgement that our work will be strengthened with an application for funding put forward for a Regional Aboriginal Engagement Officer who will help local networks and groups connect with relevant groups, organisations or Traditional Owners.
“Both communities have a great opportunity to engage with one another and share one another’s knowledge and experience for mutual learning. The things that Landcare can offer to Aboriginal communities include capacity building and increasing knowledge of technical skills regarding environmental management. Whereas Aboriginal groups can provide cultural knowledge and locally specific information that helps Landcarers understand how they can better manage their land. This will strengthen all our works in supporting our local environment and communities.
“This is one of the most valuable things about community connection; it is about getting people together to connect and seeing how we can evolve from there,” Josh said.
NSW Landcare Program Community Aboriginal Engagement Officer, Craig Aspinall, said the 2021 theme of ‘Healing Country’ and the wider theme of seeking greater protections for our lands, waters, sacred sites and cultural heritage from harm, highlights how Landcare and Aboriginal community organisations have a joint purpose and can grow together to care for country and the communities that live on the land and waters.
“Across the state NSW Landcare groups and community organisations have been working with Aboriginal community organisations with the shared objective to build knowledge and understanding and work for the betterment of our environment. The Working Together Program is just one way Landcare NSW is supporting and connecting with traditional landholders.
“Continuing to grow together through cultural and environmental understanding will ensure that future generations will have the knowledge and understanding of the connection between the health of our environment and our communities and how it is all intertwined,” Craig said.
This initiative is made possible by the NSW Landcare Program. A collaboration between the Local Land Services and Landcare NSW Inc. supported by the NSW Government.
Landcare NSW welcomes grants of approximately $50,000 and $300,000 now available for local bushfire recovery projects in regions impacted by Black Summer bushfires
21st May, 2021
Local Landcare groups, environment networks and community groups working on bushfire recovery projects can now access funding of approximately $50,000 in a landmark new grants program funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.
Recently announced by Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley, the $14 million Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants program is supporting recovery projects in seven government designated regions impacted by the Black Summer bushfires in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia, four of which are in NSW.
NSW Landcare communities in the NSW North Coast and Tablelands, NSW Greater Blue Mountains and World Heritage area, forests of the NSW South Coast, NSW alpine environments are target areas for the funding.
In addition to funding of approximately $50,000, landscape-scale partnerships working together on bushfire recovery projects can also access funding of approximately $300,000.
Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit said the funding will ensure that community-led environmental activities will be delivered in the most vulnerable bushfire-impacted regions.
“Our communities have been ravaged by fire, drought and flood and this funding will benefit habitats and landscapes through landscape restoration, improving biodiversity and supporting community resilience.”
“From revegetation and regeneration projects to invasive species control, data collection and community engagement, the diversity of funding will ensure all bushfire impacted communities have the support they need to rebuild and recover.”
The grants program will be co-delivered by all the relevant peak state Landcare bodies who will work together to support project applicants, and coordinate a wide range of high-impact on-ground community and environmental projects over the next 12 months for community landcare.
Applications for grants will remain open until June 16 with successful applicants notified late June.
This grants program is jointly managed by Landcare Australia and the National Landcare Network, delivered in conjunction with Queensland Water and Land Carers, Landcare NSW, Landcare ACT, Landcare Victoria, and the Landcare Association of South Australia to mobilise, build capacity, increase participation and support Landcare and community groups, landowners, land managers and other partners for improved delivery of bushfire recovery actions.
The Program has been supported by the Australian Government’s Bushfire Recovery Program for Wildlife and their Habitat
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.
It’s not easy for the average person to prioritise seeds, and yet they are the beginning of all life.
From the size of a pinprick to weighing down a human hand they are genesis.
For Landcare groups across NSW, seed propagation and collection is a crucial step in the regeneration process. Keeping an eye on invasive species a close second.
In the Central West, Dunedoo-Coolah Local Landcare Coordinator Fiona Luckhurst, along with passionate volunteers have been quietly gathering and collecting seeds to ensure the future of local biodiversity.
“We originally began this project with an aim to connect our community members in a multi-generational way through non-hybrid food crop seeds, but it has grown into so much more,” Fiona says.
“We want to ensure that local biodiversity thrives in spite of the many challenges it faces.”
Dunedoo-Coolah Landcare Seed Collecting and Propagating Workshop
In a region with woodland and grassland as primary habitats, old gums and native grasses are often seen swaying together in a ‘good’ year. But changing climate and land management have stressed local landscapes.
“The drought and bushfires were a catalyst for collecting native seeds as we wanted to preserve and increase availability of local native species for revegetation projects and plantings in local gardens and parks.
“We got funding through various channels, including the Landcare NSW Natural Disaster Seed Fund, to support our project. We’ve had so many challenges in response to the drought and fires. One of our biggest concerns over the past two years has been the extensive die-back of native trees and plants. Many have come back abundantly in many places, but many have not. Over-grazing and native vegetation clearing have had a big impact on local biodiversity, so our work is crucial in ensuring that our remaining vegetation is genetically diverse and has long-term viability.
“We are just starting out, but we have a focus on plants for habitat for endangered fauna species such as Grassy Box Woodland species including Mugga Iron Bark, Yellow, Grey and White box, native grasses and Casuarinas for the Glossy Black Cockatoo,” Fiona said.
For Milton Rural Landcare in the South East, the long-term effects of the devastating fire that tore through the South Coast will scar their landscape for many years to come.
Containing patches of low-land subtropical rainforest, the region is characterised by lower rainfall as opposed to the damp and high rainfall features of tropical rainforest. Stranglers, plank buttresses, large epiphytes and woody vines are characteristic features with its most southern limit in the Clyde Valley (west of Batemans Bay), many of which were fire affected.
Milton Rural Landcare Secretary Sybille Davidson, says it is home to many flora species not found elsewhere in the south-east of Australia and over the past three years has been painstakingly collecting and propagating seeds to replant remnant rainforest across the region.
“The origin of our involvement in this project was instigated by our local, and very enthusiastic, amateur Rainforest expert Dave Bland.
“Dave is a small farmer however years of pursuing his interest in the Milton region’s special local rainforest species and seed propagation, spending his childhood and early years exploring these environments, led to him putting in considerable effort to raising awareness about the special significance of these remnant patches and his concern about the depleting biodiversity, including of local fauna,” Sybille says.
Part of the Saving Our Species program, the project engaged Milton Rural Landcare to grow 14,000 tubestock over 3 years to help restore and support local biodiversity and educate local landholders on the importance of the rainforest.
Similar to Dunedoo Coolah Saving Our Seeds project, working with local landholders has been crucial component as much of the Milton Ulladulla Subtropical Rainforest TEC is on private land Sybille says.
“The project has worked with a variety of stakeholders and focuses on improving the resilience of remnant patches of Milton Ulladulla Subtropical Rainforest TEC through excluding stock, managing weeds, improving occupancy and community education.
However, challenges of the past 18 months have taken its toll on local ecology.
“Of the main remnant patch at YatteYattah Reserve – one of our important sites -, a major gorge with its significant huge fig tree was burnt out. The properties of three of the participating landholders that took part in the program were significantly burned. One was completely burned. It’s devastating to see years of work, and hundreds of years of growth, gone in minutes.”
“This affects all levels of the local ecology who were already stressed by drought and vegetation clearing. There are many species of birds solely reliant on the specific fruit and berries made by local trees. Birds such as pigeons, doves, thrush, lyrebirds, bowerbirds, green catbirds; various honey eaters, and even a few predator birds such as Sooty Owls and Powerful Owls, are all reliant on the rainforest and the food it produces.
“The effects of the fire and the diminishing extent of habitat and feeding trees will limit the range and constrain their successful breeding into the future meaning populations of these species will continue to decline.
However, the dedication by local volunteers in ensuring the rainforest, and the species which rely on its health, is not to be dismissed. Volunteers have continued to work in seed propagation to help restore local biodiversity in the wake of the fires.
An ongoing and delicate process, due to the fires determining each species readiness to be harvested can often only be seen in the crowns of the tress, however some lower growing species are recovering and even have begun to produce fruit which has been essential for local wildlife recovery, Sybille says.
“It has been wonderful to see species recover and shows the resilience of the Australian landscape, but in heavily burned areas even many of our mature Eucalypts are struggling to recover.
“There is a range of species that have gone missing and may take decades to reappear and achieve a crown able to produce fruit – which leads to natural reproduction – which is devastating. There are small signs of regrowth from lignotubers (a lignotuber is a woody swelling of the root crown possessed by some plants as a protection against destruction of the plant stem, such as by fire) but only at the base of the burnt stems.
Both Fiona and Sybille agree that education and participation of public and private landholders is key in ensuring the future of local environments balancing on the brink of future viability.
“The big challenge we are working against is general ignorance on the importance and value of biodiversity in the general public and government”, Fiona says.
“We’ve got challenges to overcome, and we need to work to educate ourselves to ensure that our actions aren’t going to adversely affect our environment even further. People are feeling scared after the fires and the challenge will be balancing the idea to ‘clean up’ areas of scrub, fallen timber and other habitat versus the need to understand that much of this is needed for local species to thrive and survive.
“An ageing population and the decline of the family farm is contributing to clearing and the spread of invasive species which is hurting local biodiversity. In the end if you are not emotionally invested, your investment is going to be made on economics and not conserving the environment for future generations and valuing the amenity of the environment. This is where education comes in. We’ve got to learn from one another to grow for the better.”
Sybille echoes the sentiment, saying the greatest challenge now lies in opportunistic clearing of fire-affected remnants that may and will come back, causing further fragmentation of the surviving species and future degradation of the local landscape.
“It’s a difficult process and terrible to see so much of our work destroyed but working together and focusing as much on the long term as the short term is how we restored and supported the forest last time and we will do this again.
“We have lost a lot. Three of the major property owners included in the project had either significant losses or complete loss of their revegetation corridors, including the high-cost tree guards and the timber stakes. One lost his house. His rainforest patch burned right down to the creek bed.
“But we will work together as a community to rebuild. We also have the support of bordering Landcare groups who have shared some seed from their reserves so we can regrow.
Like Fiona, Sybille remains cautiously optimistic about the future and their work restoring the environment through collaboration and planning.
“We hope to extend and re-establish the vegetation corridors between the remnant isolated patches of rainforest across the Milton-YatteYattah farm properties, but also enhance the populations of certain particular rainforest species within and adjacent to those vegetation corridors. This will in turn lead to expanding the habitats of forest creatures, and hopefully their populations of native wildlife. So long as we have relationships between landholders, project partners and community groups our project and work will continue to provide a valuable base into the future.”
The Local Landcare Coordinator position is part of the NSW Landcare Program. A co-managed project between Landcare NSW and Local Land Services NSW and supported by the NSW Government.
Saving our Species, NSW’s flagship threatened species conservation program, is supported by the NSW Government
This article by Dr Adrian Zammit, CEO of Landcare NSW, is about a project that has been initiated to review the governance system for Landcare in the state of NSW.
—
Landcare NSW is implementing a project to review our governance system and ‘connect up’ the many elements that make up the Landcare NSW community.
Landcare has grown organically. Our community consists of individuals, local groups, regional organisations, paid staff, volunteers and, since 2007, the state peak body of Landcare NSW.
Building a community movement that is relevant to current conditions and able to make the most of opportunities while holding steady through hard times, is no easy feat. However, we are following in the footsteps of some of Australia’s best known volunteer organisations which started as a local response to an identified need and have grown into large, stable institutions.
The Country Women’s Association was formed nearly 100 years ago. Surf Life Saving is even older, dating back to 1907, and the first organised volunteer bushfire brigade was formed in 1900. These iconic organisations continue to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances while retaining their core values and mission.
Landcare is young in comparison, starting out in the 1980s, nevertheless renewal is critical to ensure we are fit for the future.
A strong governance system will help us fulfil our vision to nurture a volunteer movement that provides a way for all Australians to participate in caring for our land and natural resources.
Landcare NSW’s Governance Project is being facilitated by Randall Pearce of Think Insight Advice. Randall consults to not-for-profit organisations across Australia and has worked with Landcare NSW since 2014.
Work began in late 2020 with extensive research to understand the current system and identify areas for reform. There has been in depth discussion with the Council of Landcare NSW and engagement with the Landcare community via distribution of a Discussion Paper and online meetings. Engagement will continue in the coming months to ensure changes are made with the knowledge and support of the Landcare community.
By ‘governance’ we do not just mean the Executive Committee or Board of Landcare NSW but all the elements that make up how we organise and govern ourselves: the LNSW Council, regional and district Landcare organisations, the muster and the member groups of Landcare NSW.
Our starting point was to consider whether our system reflects governance best practice. We asked ourselves: is our system fit-for-purpose, clear, efficient, accountable, and transparent?
We reflected on how, in embarking on a reform process, we can stay true to the grassroots nature of Landcare and ensure the voices of Landcarers at all levels are heard, from the local paddock to the State Peak.
Our discussions around the Landcare NSW Council table point to a growing consensus around the need for reform. This is a large project with many dimensions that will be discussed extensively in a range of forums over the coming months but some key issues and questions are emerging.
There is strong agreement in Council that doing this work is critical if Landcare is to survive and grow.
Our future is linked to our success in attracting investment from a range of sources. An exemplary governance system is essential if the Landcare movement is to receive funds from donors, funders and investors.
For Landcare NSW to have legitimacy as the state peak body, we must have a governance system that ‘connects up’ the many elements that make up the NSW Landcare community. Through having a strong state peak, Landcarers can focus on local projects and priorities while we work at the state level to raise awareness of your work and secure more recognition and resources.
With the rapid growth of the past few years, it is timely to look at the role of, and relationship between, Landcare NSW’s Executive Committee, Council and muster, and to consider membership of each of these bodies.
Given the challenges facing our volunteer leaders, are the roles on these bodies ‘do-able’ for busy volunteers? Is our system understandable to Landcarers and others who deal with us? If not, how can it be simplified? Do our representatives have sufficient mandate and profile in their regions? Are there conflicts of interest issues? Do we have the right mix of skills and representation? What is the role of the Council vs the Executive Committee? How can we strengthen our regional organisations and align our representative boundaries more closely with our government funders?
All feedback is welcome and we encourage all Landcarers, especially those on committees and in leadership roles, to engage with this project. If you have questions or comments, please contactadministration@landcarensw.org.au
Landcare NSW has been busy working on some exciting opportunities for the NSW Landcare community. Coming up are:
Landcare NSW EOI for a revegetation project through Transport NSW – closes 7 April The funds for this grant have come from Transport NSW and are specifically for tree planting in regions impacted by last year’s fires. The Landcare NSW T4NSW Fund aims to assist Landcare NSW Member groups in re-vegetation projects that are within a 50km radius of bushfire affected areas throughout the 2019/2020 season.
Governance Landcare NSW is implementing a project to review our governance system and ‘connect up’ the many elements that make up the Landcare NSW community. Landcare NSW’s Governance Project is being facilitated by Randall Pearce of Think Insight Advice. Randall consults to not-for-profit organisations across Australia and has worked with Landcare NSW since 2014.
Work began in late 2020 with extensive research to understand the current system and identify areas for reform. There has been in depth discussion with the Council of Landcare NSW and engagement with the Landcare community via distribution of a Discussion Paper and online meetings. Engagement will continue in the coming months to ensure changes are made with the knowledge and support of the Landcare community. Any questions, please reach out and email us at administration@landcarensw.org.au
Land Management and Conservation Economic Stimulus proposal Landcare NSW has added our community’s voices to a 100-strong coalition of land management organisations calling for Federal Government investment in a land management and environmental stimulus package, post-COVID19. This was led by the Pew Charitable Trust who have done an incredible job over the past year. According to ‘The Working With Nature’ report just released, a $500 million investment will deliver thousands of full-time jobs and $1.2 billion in long-term economic benefits.
Regional Tours Landcare NSW’s Communications and Stakeholder Relationships Officer, Samantha Stratton will be working with Regional and Local Landcare Coordinators to organise Landcare NSW CEO, Adrian Zammit to visit your regions throughout 2021.
Should you have events occurring throughout the year you would like Adrian to attend please contact Samantha to begin the process (sstratton@landcarensw.org.au)
Every day we hear how COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out across Australia to put a lid on this pandemic and allow us all to resume our lives as they were before. Every day we also hear about excessive carbon emissions and the resulting climate change and how this will change our lives. Unfortunately, we do not have a vaccine for climate change. Instead, decarbonisation of our economy will require productive partnerships between governments, corporates and communities. I believe that Landcare is the partner of choice for government and corporates in our collective fight against climate change.
Landcare NSW and its member groups recognise the significant challenges of climate change and its impacts on farming systems, environmental conservation, and communities. Through peer-to-peer learning across fence lines, more formalised community workshops, and by implementing projects in urban, rural, and regional NSW, Landcare groups are pioneering ideas that drive practice change towards more sustainable farming and increased biodiversity protection.
At a state level, Landcare NSW is actively engaging with its partners in Government and the corporate sector to help facilitate the changes needed. By working with the members of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Landcare or through our formal partnership arrangements with Local Land Services, the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust, the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Saving our Species, corporates and other NGOs, Landcare NSW ensures that sustainable farming, conservation, and resilient communities are at the heart of government and corporate policies and projects. Only this week we celebrated the launch of the Federal Parliamentary Friends of Landcare in Canberra, a positive step forward as we position Landcare as a key stakeholder in our sustainable future. I believe that these mutually beneficial partnerships are fundamental to the future success of Landcare NSW and its member community as they highlight Landcare as the ideal delivery partner for regional, state and nation-wide projects, programs and other initiatives, for which success is underpinned by community engagement.
The COVID-19 crisis has reminded us that our well-being is dependent on the well-being of our planet. Time is running out. We must work together to take bold actions to protect, restore and sustainably manage our environment while safeguarding our economic well-being before it is too late. Landcare, working hand-in-hand with Government and corporates, is perfectly placed to play a significant role in sustainable farming, conservation and healthy communities.
Representatives from Landcare NSW and its network attended the official launch of the National Parliamentary Friends of Landcare at Parliament House in Canberra yesterday when they joined Members of Parliament, national and state landcare organisations and volunteers from across the country to celebrate the occasion.
The creation of the group strengthens the national bipartisan support for Landcare, ensuring the collective voices of grassroots Landcarers will be heard at a national level in the Australian parliament says Landcare NSW Chair and a Director on the National Landcare Network, Stephanie Cameron.
“It is fantastic to see the formation of this group and the political support for Landcare at all levels of government. Our NSW Landcare community has faced a challenging year but has shown their strength and resilience and we are pleased to connect federal Parliamentarians with our community.
“We look forward to supporting the group and growing ties between parliamentarians and our Landcarers to help build understanding through all levels of our community.”
The group was formed by Co-chairs, New South Wales Senator Perin Davey and Victorian Senator Raff Ciccone.
The National Landcare Network and Landcare Australia thanked Senator Davey and Senator Ciccone, and their parliamentary colleagues for championing the work of Landcare, saying it is an important acknowledgement of the beneficial impact Landcare has on the environment, and the role Landcare plays in communities around Australia.
Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit said the formation of the Parliamentary Friends of Landcare is a significant step forward in highlighting the important and inspiring work that the Landcare movement does for our environment across Australia.
“Enabling members of parliament to directly connect to the work of Landcare on the ground and understand the critical role Landcare plays in restoring health to our landscapes is crucial in working towards a long-term sustainable future,” said Dr Zammit.
The establishment of this Friends group signals to the community the wide parliamentary support and recognition for Landcare and the invaluable role Landcarers play in caring for our country and building resilient, productive landscapes.
The Hon. David Littleproud, Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management; the Hon. Julie Collins MP, Shadow Minister for Agriculture; the Hon. Sussan Ley, Minister for the Environment, and Ms. Terri Butler MP, Shadow Minister for the Environment all spoke of their support for the Landcare movement, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019.
Parliamentary Friends of Landcare enables members of parliament to directly connect to the work of Landcare on the ground, strengthening the Landcare movement for the future.
For media enquiries:
Samantha Stratton sstratton@landcarensw.org.au | 0487 767 955
Jodie Lovell jlovell@landcarensw.org.au
New report outlines economic, social and environmental benefits of large-scale investment in conservation and land management jobs.
Regional communities in NSW hard hit by COVID-19, would benefit from large-scale investment in practical conservation and land management work according to a new report released today.
According to ‘The Working With Nature’ report, a $500 million investment will deliver thousands of full-time jobs and $1.2 billion in long-term economic benefits.
Landcare NSW is one of more than 100 conservation, farming and land management organisations that have come together to support a plan that would provide a pathway from welfare to work for thousands of people, restoring Australia’s landscapes and supporting regional economic recovery.
Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit said the report outlines the diverse economic, social and environmental benefits associated with government investment in conservation and land management. Case studies point to opportunities for further investment in hard-hit regional communities.
“Support for practical conservation and land management activities like tree planting, weed management, soil erosion control, bushfire recovery, restoration of bushland, rivers and creeks, feral animal control and restoration of coastal and marine habitats would ensure that we sustainably manage our environmental recovery while simultaneously safeguarding our economic wellbeing,” said Dr Zammit.
“Government investment in conservation and land management work provides an opportunity to provide timely and targeted support to vulnerable people in hard hit regions, including youth and unskilled workers.”
Opportunities for investment in some of the hard-hit regions of New South Wales include projects on the North Coast restoring the Richmond and Manning rivers and weed control and bushfire recovery and building capacity of community organisations in the Hunter. These projects would provide employment for 250 full-time workers.
Projects in the South Coast and Snowy Mountains regions would tackle weeds in priority landscapes, assist in reducing the long-term impacts of bushfires and strengthening community networks. This would result in employment for 382 full-time workers.
