Friday 31 July 2026: Landcare Australia says the 2026 National Landcare Week Survey reveals Australians are embracing local environmental action, with 83% of respondents regularly helping to care for their local environment. The survey also shows people are finding purpose, connection and practical ways to care for nature through Landcare, while grassroots organisations say they need more volunteers, greater funding certainty and practical support to keep delivering benefits for communities, local environments and biodiversity.
Released to mark Landcare Week 2026, the National Landcare Week Survey of more than 1,200 Australians provides one of the largest national snapshots of community environmental volunteering and grassroots conservation in Australia.
The findings reveal a growing movement where local environmental action is restoring landscapes and protecting biodiversity while also strengthening communities. More than 93% of respondents said they had made friends or new social connections through Landcare, 88% said they felt more connected to their local community and 64% reported improved physical and mental wellbeing.
At the same time, the survey highlights growing pressures facing grassroots conservation. Nearly six in ten respondents (59%) say it is becoming harder to recruit volunteers, while 66% believe reliable funding or small grants would make the biggest difference to the work their groups can achieve.
Across Australia, Landcare groups continue to restore wildlife habitat, support threatened species recovery, tackle invasive species, monitor biodiversity through citizen science and work alongside Traditional Owners to care for Country, despite increasing challenges from extreme weather and growing community demand.
Landcare Australia Chair Peter Garrett AM said the findings show Australians are ready to be part of the solution.
“This survey tells us Australians choose to volunteer because they care about nature and they value being part of their community. As the climate crisis bites so the challenges facing our landscapes are growing too, which is why local landcare groups need more people and ongoing support to keep this momentum going. When you support landcare, you’re investing in healthier landscapes, stronger communities and thousands of Australians, including the next generation, who want to be part of the solution.”
Landcare Australia Ambassador and ABC Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis said the survey reflected what he sees every time he visits Landcare projects around the country – agreeing with the report’s findings that people may join for the cause, but they stay for the community.
“One of the beautiful things about Landcare is that people often arrive because they want to help nature, but before long they’re part of a community. That’s the magic of Landcare – looking after nature is something we can all do together.”
Landcare Week 2026 celebrates the thousands of volunteers, farmers, Traditional Owners, schools, businesses and community groups working together to protect and restore the places they love.
The full findings are available in the 2026 National Landcare Week Survey Report here.
