Congratulations to WA Landcare Network Secretary/Treasurer, our very our Helen Watkins who has been elected the new volunteer Chair of the National Landcare Network Member Council in late March.

Here’s the latest from Helen and the NLN Members Council.

 

What’s been happening at the National Landcare Network (NLN) Members Council (MC)

The NLN Member Council continues to provide a point of contact and networking for Landcare and the State & Territories Organisations (STO’s) across the country. We tend to feel that we need to be doing something special and spectacular all the time, but we should not lose sight of the fact that simply by existing and providing the forum it does the MC fulfils a very important function.

The Value Proposition for Community Landcare: A Literature Review has now been completed and is available here this is a valuable resource for all Landcare people.

The NLN Strategic plan is now nearing completion.

The merger between NLN and Landcare Australia (LA )is progressing slowly, to date each of the STO’s have signed a MoU with LA.

Several Infographics have been produced with a few more to come.

A Landcare Communities – Australia’s Future The Landcare Organisation’s Policy Statement 2019 was produced for the Federal Election which has been a very helpful document, now and into the future when talking to Government Departments and Politicians.

Sourcing information from each of the STO’s so that a clear national picture is developed about Landcare in Australia and the number of organisations and volunteers involved.

The MC have and are continuing to participate in the PM’s Drought initiative.

The MC has collated feedback on Grants and Hubs and provided to both Departments and following up through NLN.

Over the next few months the MC will put to the NLN Board several proposals to make best use of the documentation that has been produced, one of priorities the aligning national priorities with on-ground/grassroots initiatives. The Priorities under consideration at this stage are.

1. Farmer Stewardship scheme input project.
2. Alignment of National Programs with on-ground/ grassroots platforms.
3. Follow up to the 2019 NLN Landcare Election Policy Statement, especially the structure, focus and priorities of the NLP.
4. Cost Benefit analysis of projects funded under the NLP ‘Smart Farms’ and Environment programs, who benefits – the individual or the community?
5. Promotion of good / successful Landcare projects / works – promotion of the Landcare ethos, successes, value, community membership, volunteer involvement.
6. Follow up on the Landcare – Farmers project – address the link (gap) between Landcare and the RDC + State Department programs – technology development and transfer for Landcare Groups and coordinators.
7. Follow up on the link between Landcare and national environmental priorities (addressing international obligations) including climate change, carbon sequestration and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
8. Drought management – the role of Landcare in the $100m pa national drought program (PM’s statement).

Helen Watkins

Chairperson – National Landcare Network Members Council