Peter Garrett AM has been appointed chair of the Landcare Australia board, a national environment organisation, with Doug Humann AM stepping down after a 9-year tenure.
Garrett is well known as an environmentalist, musician and former national Environment Minister. He has been a long-time campaigner on a range of local and global issues, advocating for stronger laws to protect biodiversity, addressing the climate emergency, and supporting land conservation initiatives, Indigenous rights and reconciliation.
With a strong record of supporting community-led land stewardship through policy, funding and advocacy, Garrett plans to use his force for good to support the work of the landcare movement.
Serving as President of the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), Garrett’s tenure coincided with the historic alliance between conservationists and farmers that created Landcare. He worked closely with ACF’s Phillip Toyne and the National Farmers’ Federation’s Rick Farley in lobbying the Hawke government to establish the National Landcare Programme and the national independent not for profit Landcare Australia.
Over the last 35 years, Landcare has evolved to now include volunteers in rural, regional and urban areas, and is made up of landcare groups, bushcare and ‘Friends of’ groups and other community-led environmental groups, First Nations Peoples, farmers, landholders, researchers, and the next generation of landcare leaders.
Peter Garrett AM said:
“Australia’s Landcare has been an outstanding world first conservation program, bringing together community, farmers and First Nations people to produce healthy and productive landcapes. I relish the opportunity to take this role and help build on the great work underway right across the country.”
Quote attributable to new Landcare Australia chair Peter Garrett AM:
“Australia’s Landcare has been an outstanding world first conservation program, bringing together community, farmers and First Nations people to produce healthy and productive landcapes. I relish the opportunity to take this role and help build on the great work underway right across the country.”
Quote attributable to former Landcare Australia chair Doug Humann AM:
“It has been a privilege to serve as chair of Landcare Australia, guided by the legacy of Phillip Toyne and Rick Farley and the national Landcare movement they helped to build, and, importantly, the women behind the origins of Landcare in Victoria, Heather Mitchell and Joan Kirner.
“Board and management activity at Landcare Australia in the last decade reflect the collaborative Landcare spirit, and I thank fellow directors and Dr Shane Norrish and his team.
“Together, we have strengthened governance, broadened and deepened relationships across the landcare community, and positioned Landcare Australia for growth to enable the work of the vigorous landcare community across Australia.
“Landcare Australia is well placed for its exciting next chapter under new leadership with Peter Garrett. I couldn’t be happier with his appointment.”
Quote attributable to Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish:
“We are delighted to welcome Peter Garrett as the new chair of Landcare Australia. Peter brings a strong belief in community led action and the power of people working together to care for our environment. His passion for conservation, protection of threatened species and advancement of Indigenous rights will bring a new momentum as we continue to grow the national landcare movement.
“On behalf of Landcare Australia, I sincerely thank Doug Humann for his outstanding leadership and commitment as chair, where he has played a pivotal role in transforming Landcare Australia over the last decade.”