2023/2024 State and Territory Landcare Award

Nomination word count for each question is up to 500 words, except for the last overview question with only 25 words required. Two high-res images will be required to support the nomination and you will also need to have two referees to verify your project work.

We encourage nominations from individuals, groups or organisations involved in restoring, enhancing and protecting their local environment.

These include:

• Volunteers for landcare other environmental community groups
• Sustainable farmers, farming systems groups and primary producer groups
• Agricultural co-operatives, industry associations
• Traditional Owners, First Nations organisations and Indigenous land and sea Rangers
• Landcare networks, groups and co-ordinators
• Landholders and/or land managers
• Urban landcare groups including ‘Friends of’ and bushcare groups
• Coastcare, Rivercare, Dunecare groups and individuals
• Environmental community care groups
• Non-profit organisations
• Natural resource management agencies
• Local government
• Research agencies and academics
• Junior Landcare (early learning centres, day care centres, primary and secondary schools, Scouts and Girls Guides)
• Youth groups and individuals.

Please see the nomination criteria for each award category.

Landcare Australia supports the Landcare Award Coordinators in every state and territory to deliver the awards promotion campaign and events, they include Landcare peak bodies and government agencies.

All States & Territories – Opens Wednesday 18 October, 2023 | Closes Friday 1 March, 2024

All nominations close at 11:59pm.

About the Category:

The Australian Government Climate Innovation Award celebrates exceptional dedication and ingenuity in tackling the climate challenges confronting Australia.

Who can be Nominated:

Nominations are open to individuals, groups or organisations. This includes farmers, landholders, land managers, Landcare facilitators or coordinators, Traditional Owners or First Nations organisations, teachers, or a volunteer from or member of a Landcare group/network or any other environmental community care group.

Selection Criteria:

1. Provide a detailed description of the nominee, including their tenure of involvement in climate action initiatives. Explain the motivations behind their engagement in climate-related projects and the geographical scope of their contributions.
2. Detail the significant actions taken by the nominee in addressing climate challenges and why these actions warrant recognition. Highlight any noteworthy obstacles or challenges the nominee has encountered and the innovative strategies they’ve employed to overcome them.
3. Describe how the nominee has effectively implemented climate-focused initiatives within their local community or region, including inspiring and involving others to take climate action.
4. In 25 words (2-3 sentences), summarise your nomination, emphasising the key messages that make the nominee deserving of recognition for their outstanding achievements in addressing climate challenges.

About the Category:

The Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award acknowledges the significant contribution made by an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to landcare. There are many people who, through their actions, have had a positive impact on improving land management practices through practical on-ground activities, and/or by creating awareness of landcare in their local community.

Who can be Nominated:

Nominations are open to an individual who may be a farmer, landholder, land manager, Landcare facilitator or coordinator, Traditional Owner, Indigenous Ranger, teacher, or a volunteer from or member of a Landcare group/network or any other environmental care group.

Selection Criteria:

1. Describe who is being nominated. Please include how long they have been involved, why they got involved and the location of the project.
2. Describe what the individual has done and why they should be recognised as an outstanding Landcarer; include any key challenges the nominee has faced and the strategies used to overcome them.
3. Describe how the individual has implemented landcare activities in their local area or region; include how they have encouraged others in the community to be involved (e.g. by speaking about landcare to schools, training, workshops, media promotions, creating partnerships with groups, councils, Indigenous land managers, local businesses and natural resource management organisations, etc).
4. In 25 words (2-3 sentences), summarise your nomination, highlighting the key messages that best describe why this individual should be recognised for outstanding achievements to landcare.

About the Category:

The Australian Government Community Partnerships Landcare Award acknowledges groups, networks, or organisations that have demonstrated leadership and achievement in landcare-related activities as a result of working in partnership with others in their community.

Who can be Nominated:

Nominations for the Australian Government Community Partnerships Landcare Award are open to groups, networks, First Nations organisations, natural resource management organisations, research organisations, local government, farmers, landowners, land managers, schools, youth groups and environmental community groups.

Selection Criteria:

1. Describe the group, network, or organisation being nominated, including their involvement in landcare-related activities within their community. Highlight the motivations and duration of their participation in community-based landcare efforts.
2. Explain how the nominee has displayed leadership and achieved notable milestones in landcare-related activities within their community. Provide examples of their contributions that have had a positive impact on the community’s natural resource management and environmental stewardship.
3. Describe how the nominee has effectively engaged and collaborated with the community in landcare-related initiatives. Highlight their efforts to foster partnerships, networks, or alliances that have strengthened community involvement and collective action in landcare. Discuss the tangible impact of the nominee’s landcare-related activities on the community, emphasising environmental, social, or economic outcomes.
4. In 25 words (2-3 sentences), summarise your nomination, highlighting the key messages that best describe why this nominee should be recognised for outstanding achievements to landcare.

About the Category:

The Australian Government Sustainable Agriculture Landcare Award acknowledges an individual, group, network or organisation that has demonstrated excellence and leadership in implementing sustainable and integrated land management practices on a farm property, or properties that protect soils, water, vegetation and biodiversity. The award also recognises practices that deliver improved natural resource management and farm productivity outcomes.

Who can be Nominated:

Nominations are open to farmers, First Nations organisations, Landcare groups/networks, farming systems groups, primary producers and/or farming enterprises. 

Selection Criteria:

1. Describe the nominee, their duration of involvement, motivation for participation, and the project’s location.

Explain how the individual, group, network, or organisation has showcased excellence and leadership by implementing integrated land management practices on farm properties. Highlight the protection of soils, water, vegetation, and biodiversity.

• • Provide examples of improved productivity, commercial outcomes, and natural resource management stemming from these practices. Include activities like soil improvement, water quality enhancement, native vegetation preservation, weed and pest management, and integration of Indigenous land practices.
  • Describe how the nominee has surpassed conventional practices, demonstrating leadership in sustainable and integrated land management. Highlight efforts to encourage others in the community to adopt similar practices, such as field demonstration days, media appearances (e.g. radio interviews, blogs), and note any challenges faced and the strategies employed to overcome them.

2. In 25 words (2-3 sentences), summarise your nomination, emphasising the key messages that justify why the nominee, whether an individual, group, network, or organisation, deserves recognition for outstanding contributions to sustainable landcare, showcasing productivity gains and natural resource management advancements.

About the Category:

The First Nations Landcare Collaboration Award recognises a partnership between an Indigenous and a non-Indigenous community group or individuals who are working to integrate First Nations-led Cultural land, sea, and water management practices into mainstream landcare efforts, fostering a sustainable and inclusive approach to natural resource stewardship. The award recognises BOTH the Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants in the partnership.

Who can be Nominated:

Nominations for this award category must include BOTH the Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals and/or community groups who are working in partnership together.

Selection Criteria:

1. Describe the Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants in the partnership, highlighting their roles, motivations, and the duration of their collaboration. Explain the significance of their partnership in integrating First Nations-led Cultural land, sea, and water management practices into mainstream landcare efforts.
2. Detail how the partnership has effectively integrated First Nations-led Cultural land, sea, and water management practices into broader landcare initiatives. Provide examples of how these practices have contributed to sustainable natural resource stewardship and inclusion within the community.
3. Showcase how the partnership has demonstrated sustainability in its land, sea, and water management practices. Highlight initiatives that promote inclusivity within the community, emphasising how the partnership engages various stakeholders and facilitates broader participation.
4. Describe the impact of the partnership’s efforts, including tangible outcomes and benefits to the environment, community, and First Nations peoples. Include any recognition, awards, or endorsements received by the partnership for its outstanding contributions to integrating First Nations-led Cultural practices into mainstream landcare efforts.
5. In 25 words (2-3 sentences), please summarise your nomination, highlighting the key messages that best describe why this partnership should be recognised for outstanding achievements to landcare.

About the Category:

The Women in Landcare Award acknowledges the substantial contributions of a woman in the field of landcare. The individual demonstrates a strong commitment to promoting sustainable and inclusive practices for natural resource stewardship.

Who can be Nominated:

An individual woman aged 18 or over who is an Australian resident.

Selection Criteria:

1. Describe the nominee being nominated, highlighting her involvement in landcare activities. Provide insights into the duration of her engagement and the motivations behind her commitment to landcare.
2. Explain how the nominee has showcased a strong commitment to sustainability in landcare practices. Highlight her efforts in implementing and promoting sustainable landcare initiatives that contribute to the responsible and efficient use of natural resources.
3. Describe how the nominee has actively engaged with her community and fostered inclusivity in landcare efforts. Highlight her initiatives that encourage diverse community participation and collaboration, ensuring that landcare benefits are accessible to all.
4. In 25 words (2-3 sentences), please summarise your nomination, highlighting the key messages that best describe why this Woman should be recognised for outstanding achievements to landcare.

About the Category:

The NextGen Landcare Award acknowledges an individual or a youth group* between the ages of 18 – 35 years who promote excellence in landcare through on-ground projects and/or awareness raising activities.

Who can be Nominated:

Nominations are open to an individual or youth group who can demonstrate their capacity to lead and encourage the wider community to engage and participate in managing the environment and natural resources in their local area.   

Selection Criteria:

1. Describe the individual or youth group that is being nominated. Please include how long they have been involved, why they got involved and the location of the project.
2. Describe how the individual or youth group has displayed leadership and excellence in landcare practices and how they have encouraged others (particularly their peers) in promoting or implementing activities that improve natural resource management outcomes (e.g. school visitation programs, training workshops, media promotions, creating partnerships with groups, involving councils, working with landholders, Indigenous Land managers, local businesses and natural resource management organisations, etc.)
3. Describe what the nominee has done to communicate environmental and natural resource management issues, or raised awareness about landcare to a wider audience (e.g. use of media and social media, events, speeches or presentations, posters, letters, etc.); include any key challenges the nominee has faced and the strategies used to overcome them.
4. In 25 words (2-3 sentences), please summarise your nomination, highlighting the key messages that best describe why this nominee should be recognised for outstanding achievements to landcare.

*The majority of the group’s membership must be between the 18-35-year age range.

About the Category:

The Coastcare Award acknowledges a community group or network that has contributed to the significant improvement of a coastal or marine environment. This may include estuaries, coastal and marine wetlands, river systems and salt marsh ecosystems. The Coastcare activities may include sand dune restoration, protection of threatened species, removing invasive species that are impacting on native flora, plastics and waste removal, education and volunteer engagement, and mitigating urban impact on marine environments like storm water pollution or the control of access to sensitive and vulnerable areas.

Who can be Nominated:

Nominations are open to a community group or network, including Coastcare and Landcare groups/networks, Dunecare, Rivercare, Bushcare, ‘Friends of’ groups, youth groups, First Nations organisations and other community groups responding to local coastal and marine environmental issues. 

Selection Criteria:

1. Describe who is being nominated. Please include how long they have been involved, why they got involved and the location of the project.
2. Describe what coastal or marine environmental issue the group/network is responding to and the cause and impact of the issue, describe any key challenges the nominee has faced and the strategies used to overcome them.
3. Describe how the project activities of the group/network have made an improvement to the coastal or marine management issue and the impact on the community; include examples of how the project activities have increased community awareness and engagement with coastal or marine environmental issues, include information about any partnerships formed (e.g. with local councils, businesses, schools, other community groups, academic institutions, etc).
4. In 25 words (2-3 sentences), please summarise your nomination, highlighting the key messages that best describe why this group/network should be recognised for outstanding achievements to Coastcare.

About the Category:

The Woolworths Junior Landcare Award acknowledges an individual, school, youth organisation or young community landcare team that contributes to raising awareness, sharing knowledge and promoting participation of landcare amongst young people. The award recognises Junior Landcare individuals or teams who implement landcare practices within the local community or school.

Who can be Nominated:

Nominations are open to young people aged 18 or under, eligible groups include primary schools, secondary schools, Scouts, Girl Guides, youth organisations or young community landcare teams.

Selection Criteria:

1. Describe the individual, school or youth group you are nominating. Please include information about the individual, school, group, details of the program, how many students are involved, why they took the initiative to be involved.
2. Describe what natural resource management issue the individual, school or youth group is responding to with their Junior Landcare project activities; include any key challenges the nominee has faced and the strategies used to overcome them.
3. Describe how the individual, school or youth group’s activities have led to an improved understanding among their team members and the community about landcare, the environment and natural resource management issues; include examples of how the project activities the team has implemented have inspired their school, group or community to extend their learning and skills development into practical on-ground activity; include if the nominee created environmental resources or events to help increase participation in Junior Landcare in the community.
4. In 25 words (2-3 sentences), summarise your nomination, highlighting the key messages that best describe why this nominee should be recognised for outstanding achievements to landcare.

Applicants must respond to all the criteria for their nominated award category, with a maximum of 500 words allowed for each criteria point. The last question requires only 25 words.

All entries MUST include:

• All details requested for both the applicant/nominee and the nominator (if different).
• A nomination summary that can be used for the Landcare Awards marketing and promotional use, along with any photographs supplied.
• Information that demonstrates how the applicant/nominee meets ALL criteria in the nominated national Landcare Award category.
• Contact details for two referees that the judging panel may contact when your application is being assessed.
• At least two good quality photographs to illustrate your nomination should be attached and adhere to the following guidelines:
  • Photographs must be digital, high resolution files in JPEG or Tiff format and a minimum of 1MB in size.
  • To be safe, set your camera on the highest possible resolution setting.
  • Take photographs in landscape orientation (sideways, not up and down) and don’t leave the date stamp on your camera.
  • Photographs with people are preferable. The Landcare Awards are about recognising the dedication and commitment of the people involved – we want to see you!
  • Photographs may be used by the organisers at any time in promotional activities relating to the Landcare Awards or landcare, and all permissions relating to their use must be confirmed by the nominee prior to submission.

Supporting Attachments
Applicants are urged to only include supporting documentation if explicitly requested in the criteria of your nominated category or absolutely essential to demonstrate how you have addressed the criteria.

Any supporting documentation that is included must be attached using the online entry portal, and can only be in .doc, .docx, .xls, .ppt or PDF format for documents, and JPEG or TIFF documents for images.

Please do not post hard copies of supporting documents. Please note, entries that do not include each of the items listed above may not be accepted.

The 2023/2024 State & Territory Landcare Awards is administered by Landcare Australia through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

1. Acceptance of an entry into the 2023/2024 State & Territory Landcare Awards is at the sole discretion of Landcare Australia Limited and the State/Territory Landcare Award organising body (the organisers) to the extent that they can refuse to accept or reject any entry without providing a reason.
2. The organisers accept no responsibility for nominations not received by the final date. The closing date for entries is 11:59pm (AEST) on Friday 1 March, 2024.
3. Entries must be submitted via the online Landcare Awards entry portal. If you are having any technical difficulties with the portal, please contact [email protected]. If you are unable to access the portal and need to submit your nomination another way, please contact your State/Territory Landcare Award Coordinator. All entries must include at least two images, at least 1MB in size, and high-resolution (300dpi) JPG or TIFF files.
4. Nominees can enter only once in each category.
5. Winners and finalists from previous Landcare Awards campaigns are eligible to re-enter, however they must declare the category and if they were announced a winner or finalist for the judging panel review.
6. The winner for each State & Territory Landcare Award category is determined by the Landcare Award Delivery Partner in each region.
7. The decision of the judges will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
8. The nominee or applicant acknowledges and agrees that the organisers do not accept any responsibility for errors or omissions when content is reproduced for presentations or promotional activity, or if the nominee or applicant’s supplements and nomination is lost or damaged or any other circumstance.
9. The Landcare Awards are contingent upon the nominee or applicant permitting the organisers or their agents to publish sufficient information about the entry so that the general public can understand it. This information may be used for media and promotional purposes for the Landcare Awards and landcare.
10. Entries may be submitted by a representative of a company/organisation or individual who, working alone or in a team, are primarily responsible for the project.
11. Joint entries that represent the work of several groups or organisations are accepted where approval of accreditation is required by either party, this will remain the sole responsibility of the nominee or applicant. The organisers bear no responsibility for obtaining accreditations regarding the origination of any entries. Only one winner will be announced (and one prize if applicable) to the entrant that has made the submission.
12. Employees or immediate family members of the organisers are eligible to enter provided their nomination is for their volunteer work undertaken outside their paid role. Former employees may enter but must not submit entries based on their work at Landcare Australia or the Landcare Award delivery partner contracted to deliver the 2023/2024 State & Territory Landcare Awards.
13. Entries must be in English.
14. The provision of all relevant information for the judges is the responsibility of the nominee or applicant however judges may seek further information or clarification if necessary.
15. The judges reserve the right not to award finalists or winners within categories or to move entries within categories.
16. Each entry is submitted with an expectation of winning the Landcare Award category. The organisers may use the content provided for media and promotional activity or presentations to describe the entry.
17. No guarantee of confidentiality can be provided, however if there is information associated with an entry that the nominee or applicant wishes to remain confidential, the nominee or applicant should first contact the organisers.
18. Winners of the national categories at the 2023/2024 State & Territory Landcare Awards subsequently become finalists of the 2024 National Landcare Awards.
19. The organisers reserve the right to use at any time the information from the entries – including photographs – in any marketing or public relations promotion for the sole purpose of promoting Landcare. All rights are reserved.
20. The organisers will use information disclosed in submissions and entries for evaluating the entry.
21. Please note that all materials provided to the awards organisers may be destroyed following the judging process. The exception may be for the category finalists and winners; these materials may be retained by the organisers. The Landcare Award entrant grants the organisers permission to show the entries at the Landcare Awards events and at such other places or times as deemed appropriate at the sole discretion of the organisers. No entry or materials will be returned to the entrant; this includes use of supplied images.

This resource has been kindly provided by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Victorian Landcare program.

Overview
The key to a well-written Landcare awards nomination is providing specific examples that illustrate how an individual, group, network, organisation or team’s achievements meet or exceed each of the selection criteria for the award category. Often, the challenge is sticking to the imposed word count when addressing each of the criteria. Try to be as clear, concise and as compelling as possible.

Before you start
Underline/highlight the key words in selection criteria that you will use within your response to ensure you stick to your main point.

For example: Demonstrate how the individual has implemented Landcare activities and has helped others to implement Landcare activities in their area.

Write down as many words as you can. They don’t need to be in sentences; just single words that come to mind when you reflect on the words that you’ve highlighted for each selection criteria. Then think about the meaning and tone of those words you’ve written and choose the ones that feel right to shape your response.

Collect your evidence
Much of your evidence to demonstrate what you have achieved will already exist in some form or other, including:

• data collected
• reporting on grants
• previous awards nominations
• text from websites or web pages, fact sheets, presentations, speeches, newsletters and articles

Getting started
You are asked to provide a summary of your nomination. Start with a clear and explicit statement about why the nominee deserves recognition. Include enough information for the assessor to become familiar with the nominee’s specific challenges faced, actions taken, and results or goals met. List the most important information in the first few sentences and then elaborate as necessary.

Support your statements with specific examples that address the award criteria and elaborate on why the nominee’s accomplishments are worthy of the award.

These examples should include outcomes, results, and/or activities above and beyond the nominee’s job description and expectations.
Include qualities that make this person, group or network outstanding, and that are clearly relevant to the award criteria. E.g., collaborative, initiative, contribution, team-building, and leadership.

Consider including the following evidence to answer the ‘who, what, when, where, why, how’ in your supporting statements:
Examples include:

• WHAT did the nominee do (e.g. projects, activities)?
  • Projects and/or activities above and beyond the nominee’s job description
  • Any challenges or issues encountered and overcome
• HOW did they do it?
  • Initiative and/or leadership
  • Teamwork
  • Creativity and/or innovation
  • Behaviours and/or attitudes (include, but should not dominate write-up)
• WHAT were the results and/or impact?
  • What did the nominee’s efforts accomplish? Include data on achievements. For example, secured grants for 100,000 plants for xxx biolink, 100 hectares of private land was revegetated, 100 people involved in project etc.
  • Are there specific benefits that Landcare or the community has derived from those efforts?
  • If the project is still being developed or has not yet produced results, consider identifying major milestones completed and the impact to date, as well as the overall expected outcome.
    Remember, the summary will be used for promotional use; including: case studies, awards and conference program books, media articles, or social media. This is your opportunity to make your nominee shine!

Support your statements with evidence
Avoid sweeping generalities; (i.e. “He’s a hard worker,” or “She goes above and beyond her job duties”. Make every sentence count! Successful nominations have enough details to make the case for the nominee’s achievement.

Weak vs Strong Example
Weak: “She always celebrates diversity.”
Strong: “She was responsible for initiating the Landcare group’s first multicultural Landcare fair. This is now an annual event that has increased participation of migrants and refugees in the local community by 30 per cent. She raises awareness by translating flyers to promote the event into several languages; assists stall-holders with translating their signage and flyers; and invites bi-lingual speakers to present on topics that demonstrate ways to increase biodiversity and promote the sustainable management of land in the region.”

Spell out acronyms
The first time you use an acronym, spell it out: Far East Victoria Landcare (FEVL).

Stick to the word count
The maximum character count for each criteria point is 2,000 characters, or approximately 300 words. Ensure you make every word count!

Use simple, powerful verbs instead of abstract nouns, and delete words that don’t add clarity.
Use “inform” instead of “provide information”.
Use “apply” instead of “make an application”.

No waffle: ‘in terms of’, ‘it’s important to note that’
No clichés: ‘unpack’, ‘moving forward’
No empty terms: ‘appropriate’, ‘not appropriate’

Put yourself in the judges’ position
Remember, the judges are reading multiple Landcare award nominations! Don’t assume that judges know anything about you, your group/network, or project, and what it has achieved.

Present your nomination in a way that sets it apart from others. Be clear. Be concise. Be compelling.

Good Luck!

Should you have any questions about the 2023/2024 State and Territory Landcare Awards, please email the contact person for the State or Territory in which the landcare work was performed.

2023/2024 State & Territory Landcare Awards Delivery Partners:

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY:

Landcare Australia
[email protected]
(02) 9412 1040

NEW SOUTH WALES:

Lakshmi Kerr
[email protected]
0459 990 719

Mel Tyas
[email protected]
0479 136 344

NORTHERN TERRITORY:

Landcare Australia
[email protected]
(02) 9412 1040

QUEENSLAND:

Andrea Mason
Queensland Water & Land Carers
[email protected]
0427 338 482

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

Natalia Diaz
Landcare Association SA
[email protected]
0408 967 216

Elly Pratt
[email protected]
0477 017 325

TASMANIA:

Landcare Australia
[email protected]
(02) 9412 1040

VICTORIA:

Jessica Marshall
[email protected]
0438 200 918

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

Landcare Australia
[email protected]
(02) 9412 1040