This July, Landcare celebrates its 30-year national anniversary. Across Australia landcarers are celebrating what landcare means to them.
Media Release July 22, 2019
Celebrating 30 Years: In 2019, WA needs Landcare now more than ever
This month, Landcare celebrates its 30-year national anniversary.
On July 20 1989, the late former Prime Minister Bob Hawke delivered his speech to launch a national program of funding for the Landcare movement, an unprecedented union between farmers and conservationists to help protect the Australian landscape for future generations.
Three decades later, Landcare has grown into a national movement of over 6,000 groups and hundreds of thousands of volunteers, all playing a central role in sustainable agricultural practices and conservation activities, while also developing and enhancing community spirit.
But with the threat of climate change, biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and ongoing land degradation, it’s clear Australia needs Landcare now more than ever.
‘For 30 years Landcare has worked to make Australia a better place, and WA is proud to have been one of the founding states of the Australian Landcare movement,’ said Keith Bradby, chairperson of the WA Landcare Network
‘But in 2019, as we are still faced with immeasurable environmental challenges, WA and the rest of the country need Landcare more than ever. It’s vital that rural and urban communities continue to work together to protect natural resources and promote sustainable land management.
‘Landcare is a great community movement that offers every Australian the chance to make a real difference. Today, the WA Landcare Network estimates that over 650 active Landcare groups operate across the state, boasting thousands of dedicated, passionate volunteers working on a vast range of projects from regenerative agriculture and coastal management to riparian zone restoration and feral pest management.
‘One significant WA project – the Ranges Link, situated to the north of Albany – has seen the local community protect over 4,500 hectares of valuable bushland with over 400kms of fencing, restore wildlife habitat on another 650 hectares and protect many kilometres of waterways. Ranges Link perfectly represents the heart, resilience and dedication of the Landcare ethos.’
Implemented jointly by the Oyster Harbour Catchment Group and Friends of the Porongurup Range, the Ranges Link is reconnecting the ecological richness of the Stirling Range and Porongurup National Parks. The project is part of Gondwana Link, one of the largest and most ambitious environmental programs in Australian history. Designed to protect and restore resilience across one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, from the south-western corner of Australia to the edge of the Nullarbor Plain, the completed Gondwana Link will stretch for 1000 kilometres.
Keith Bradby and Ranges Link spokesperson Heather Adams are available for media opportunities
For more information on the, please contact: Debbie McInnes, DMCPRMEDIA
T: 02 9550 9207 M: 0412 818 071 E: debbie@dmcpr.com.au
Stephen Milton, Communications and PR, Landcare Australia
T: 02 8440 8811 M: 0423 584423 E: stephen.milton@landcareaustralia.com.au
**The 2019 WA State Natural Resource Management and Coastal Conference will be held at Edith Cowan University, Joondalup from 1 October – 4 October 2019**
For more info visit nrmandcoastalconference.org.au/
About Landcare:
Landcare is a grassroots movement of individuals and groups with a shared vision to restore and protect the environment in their local community through sustainable land management and conservation activities. Over the past 30 years, Landcare has evolved into a powerful movement of volunteers and facilitators who give their time, skill and expertise for the benefit of the environment and the communities that seek to protect it. Landcare plays a leading role in advocating a balance between sustainable land management practices and environmental conservation. From the coast to the country, and from cities to the outback, Landcare’s greatest asset is its people. With over 6,000 groups and 100,000+ volunteers, the landcare movement is diverse and encompasses sustainable farmers, landcare groups and networks, Indigenous landcare, Bushcare and ‘Friends of’ groups, Coastcare, Dunecare and Rivercare groups, Junior Landcare (including early learning childhood centres, schools, Scouts, Girl Guides and youth groups) and other community groups involved in restoring and protecting their local environment. What makes landcare unique to any other community movement is the partnerships created between business, researchers, natural resource management agencies, government and community. These partnerships build local community ownership of issues, unlock volunteer knowledge, capability and capacity to create better outcomes for the environment and those that seek to protect and enhance it.
About Landcare Australia:
Landcare Australia is the national not-for profit that works in partnership with multiple stakeholders to support the landcare community with funding and capacity building opportunities. Landcare Australia develops campaigns to raise awareness of landcare to increase participation and to attract corporate and philanthropic support. Custodian of the ‘caring hands’ logo, Landcare Australia is a multi-partisan organisation that manages the Landcare, Coastcare and Junior Landcare brands on behalf of the Landcare movement. Landcare Australia is also a service provider and delivers major projects including the Federal Government’s 20 Million Trees program. For 30 years, Landcare Australia has worked collaboratively with federal, state and local governments, corporate partners, sponsors, other environmental agencies, community groups and individuals to support the landcare community. The funding supports the landcare community to achieve a diverse range of positive outcomes. These include a sustainable approach to integrated land management, natural habitat restoration, enhancing biodiversity, building resilience in Australia’s food and farming systems, and creating social cohesion and wellbeing in communities.
The National Landcare Network, Landcare Australia, the Landcare State & Territory Organisation:
Over the last 30 years these organisations have worked together to represent and support the thousands of landcare groups, facilitators and volunteers across Australia who protect the environment in their local communities through sustainable land management and conservation activities.
