Landcare Week 2025 Survey Findings
4th August, 2025
A new national survey “Tell Us What Matters” by Landcare Australia, the National Landcare Network and the State and Territory Landcare Organisations tells a compelling story of the increased connection to community through active engagement with landcare activities. Overwhelmingly, the data shows a significant number of Australians reporting new friendships and feeling a sense of belonging within their community.
The Landcare Week national survey[1] has captured a convincing snapshot of the benefits of environmental and community volunteering, even for those who volunteer one day or a couple of hours a week.
The most common benefit reported by landcare volunteers was feeling more connected to nature in their local area (87%). Close behind, 79% said they have built stronger social connections within their community through volunteering.
In 2025, Landcare Week is hosted from August 4 to 10 and this year the campaign coincides with Loneliness Awareness Week Aus in Australia. The survey outcome is a positive reminder that landcare is far greater than people caring for land, waterways and coasts with environmental conservation and sustainable agricultural practices. Landcare, through its various activities, is creating social connections in thousands of communities across Australia. Bringing people together to volunteer their time, share their knowledge and expertise to care for Australia’s soil, plants, animals and ecosystems.
Survey participants shared examples of social benefits from volunteering in their local community including, “I’ve got to know my neighbours through our common interest in caring for our local park,” and “landcare enables me to mix with people from a wide variety of age groups who I would not otherwise have met”. Overwhelmingly, 80% of respondents say they have made friends or new social connections through volunteering with a landcare or other community-led environmental group.
Karen Walsh, Landcare Australia’s Acting Chief Executive Officer says “landcarers across the nation have shared with us how they feel better physically and mentally because of their engagement with landcare activities. Whether it be from volunteering in a group or having moved to a new community and seeking to build those connections, landcare is breaking down barriers, increasing community connection and showing broader health benefits that cannot be ignored. Our research[2] shows that time spent in nature lowers stress, anxiety, and fear, and promotes positive emotions.
During Landcare Week, we are celebrating landcare’s wonderful ability to foster community spirit – from providing opportunities to connect with the environment and appreciate our unique Australian nature, to rewarding volunteer experiences by meeting like-minded people in their community who want to restore and protect their local environment. At a time where society has never been more disconnected, the argument to support landcare and be part of the numerous landcare activities has never been more compelling” says Ms Walsh.
This year’s Landcare Week campaign theme is Landcare is for everyone (L.I.F.E) where we will acknowledge the thousands of people, groups and organisations involved in landcare to restore, enhance and protect their local environment and agricultural lands. The campaign helps to raise awareness of ‘landcare’ and to inspire people, whoever you are, to volunteer with their local landcare group or other community-led environmental group.
To learn more about the survey findings click here:
