19 July 2022:

Three leading experts in soil health have today been announced as finalists for the 2022 General Jeffery Soil Health Award.

The prestigious Award recognises the work of people who care for soil health and who are educating or inspiring others to do likewise. It is open to any individual farmer, land manager, extension specialist or educator who is helping improve soil health in Australia.

The Award was established by the Office of the National Soils Advocate in 2020 to honour and perpetuate the memory of Australia’s first National Soils Advocate, Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd).

The General Jeffery Soil Health Award is presented biennially alongside the National Landcare Awards. The Award includes a trophy and a $20,000 cash prize for recipients to continue their work.

The 2022 Award will be presented at the Awards Gala Dinner during the National Landcare Conference in Sydney on Wednesday 24 August 2022.

Finalists for the 2022 General Jeffery Soil Health Award are:

Roger Groocock from South Australia: Roger is an innovative farmer who has dedicated more than 40 years to pioneering soil amelioration techniques that have improved the health and productivity of many tens of thousands of hectares of sandy soils across southern and western Australia. Considered to be an early adopter of technology and a leader in soil modification processes, Roger has worked tirelessly to design, test and measure the long-term effects of a range of soil amelioration techniques, including clay spreading, deep ripping, delving, inversion and spading. Committed to sharing knowledge, Roger has hosted numerous on-farm research trials and crop walks, and has built a community of practice that shares the latest knowledge and new ideas to ensure on-ground change.

Dr Oliver Knox from NSW: Oliver is a researcher in cotton farming and soil health who has developed and delivered numerous field workshops to the cotton production areas of Australia. In 2014 he reintroduced soil biology into the University of New England undergraduate syllabus, and since 2018, he has driven the Soil Your Undies soil health program in Australia – initially using it as an educational tool with farmers, but with COVID restrictions, the program was adapted to a postal and online citizen science challenge. Coverage of the program is thought to have brought the concept of soil health to an audience of over half a million Australians, and educated an estimated 12,000 school children in soil health.

Prof John McLean Bennett from Queensland: John is a dedicated soil health advocate and educator who, in becoming a soil scientist himself, recognised the lack of soil science capability development to serve Australian industry. John served in leadership roles at Soil Science Australia for nine years, and established the Training Board and conceived the Recognised Soil Practitioner as a means to provide professional development in soil management. Through leading the soil science teaching capability and capacity review for the Australian Soil Network, he also identified the need for specialist soil services to be developed. In 2021, John co-founded The Soil Company to work directly with farmers on the development of soil health management plans.

The General Jeffery Soil Health Award is initiated and sponsored by the Office of the National Soils Advocate and is administered by Landcare Australia.

For more information and to register for the National Landcare Conference or attend the National Landcare Awards gala dinner, visit https://nationallandcareconference.org.au/

To read more about the finalists and for more information on the General Jeffery Soil Health Award, visit http://generaljefferyaward.com.au/

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State and Territory finalists in the running for the ACM Landcare Community Group Award

 12 July 2022:

Community groups across the country are looking forward to coming together to recognise champions in their field, with finalists announced today for the 2022 Australian Community Media (ACM) Landcare Community Group Award.

The Award will be presented to one of eight finalists at the prestigious National Landcare Awards to be held in Sydney this August.
Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish said the Award is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding work of community groups and their members to protect, enhance or restore their local environment, stewarding a more resilient landscape for the future.

“The finalists show the breadth of activity and initiative taking place in communities across Australia,” said Dr Norrish. “Landcare’s greatest asset has always been its people – and the finalists nominated in this category are testimony to the real and substantial impact that community groups are having on the ground.”

Despite unparalleled challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns, community groups have continued to dedicate hundreds if not thousands of hours to their focus areas, with the finalists carrying out diverse activities ranging from tree planting and arranging environmental awareness days, to pest control and raising funds to allow for even more volunteers to contribute to caring for the land.

“We are thrilled to once again be supporting the ACM Landcare Community Group Award,” said ACM chief marketing officer Paul Tyrrell.
“At ACM, we are always looking for ways to acknowledge the people and groups that are actively making our communities better places to live. This award helps us to do just that, and at a time when sustainability and restoring our local environments has never been more important.”

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The full list of finalists includes:

ACT: Friends of Mount Majura

Friends of Mount Majura has contributed significantly to rehabilitating and protecting critically endangered ecological communities for the last 18 years. The group has done this through persistent, inclusive and innovative on-the-ground activities, political lobbying and education. Volunteers have improved several degraded areas in the Mount Majura Nature Reserve, including two sheep camps, a former horse paddock and dams. The group’s main activities involve large-scale tree and shrub plantings, woody and herbaceous weed control, erosion control measures, and direct seeding and soil improvement using woodchip mulch and coarse woody debris. The activities involved many volunteers, in consultation with ACT Parks & Conservation Service and local Landcare network Molonglo Conservation Group.

NSW: Upper Mooki Landcare Inc.

Upper Mooki Landcare Inc. (UMLC) seeks to be a proactive and innovative organisation, challenging boundaries and mainstream thinking by providing educational and networking opportunities for its communities. As part of its effort to ensure and promote the protection and conservation of the environment (soil, water, biodiversity on farms and state lands), Upper Mooki Landcare Inc. has implemented a targeted solution for overall catchment benefit that has shown great thought and innovation to a precise problem: to create a more drought resilient landscape. Through the ‘Rehydrating Upper Mooki Catchment’ project, UMLC have used a systemic approach, particularly focused around nine creeks (and ephemeral streams, aquifers and ponds or dams), to retain water in the landscape, combining on-ground works, changes to farming practices, capacity building, and mutual support. UMLC expect that by reducing the loss of water from their local landscape they will support biodiversity and create natural resilience to unreliable rainfall.

QLD: Springfield Lakes Nature Care Inc.

Since 2017, Springfield Lakes Nature Care in the Ipswich local government area has held activities that proactively remove litter from waterways, planted 4000 trees to reduce erosion and sediment run-off into the catchment, monitors macro-invertebrates to assess water health and generally contributes to a cleaner and greener suburb. The catchment consists of three lakes and three major creeks. Key projects included Clean Up Australia Day and Keep Qld Beautiful Week events to raise awareness of the marine debris issues; the importance of revegetation; conservation and protection of native flora and fauna. The group also partners with Wildlife Preservation Society Qld (WPSQ) as part of the Glider Corridor Network program and Platypus Watch; participates in National Tree Day events; and established a Bushcare group with local residents with the support of Ipswich City Council.

VIC: Newham & District Landcare Group

Passionate about the environment and working with their community, Newham and District Landcare Group (NDLG) has achieved significant environmental outcomes, with a focus on waterway health and protection and enhancement of remnant vegetation. Since forming in 2004, NDLG’s membership has grown to more than 100 households – over 35% of Newham’s population. The group’s main project has been the Cobaw Biolink, which encompasses pest plant and animal control, revegetation, and roadside activities to provide habitat connectivity for native species on both public and private land between Mount Macedon and Cobaw State Forest. The highly organised group has also effectively engaged new property owners, provided advice, collected, shared and published information, secured grants, run many educational and social events and supported environmental education. In particular, over $60,000 was raised for Newham Primary School to purchase materials, undertake school excursions, science classes and run a kitchen garden program.

TAS: Seymour Community Action Group Inc. 

Seymour Community Action Group Inc. (SCAGI) is a local community group that brings together community members of all ages from the Seymour area. The group’s projects involve restoration of endemic native vegetation, enhancement of habitat, improvements to recreational and aesthetic values, and the restoration of land values resulting in significant achievements. For example, after extensive efforts by SCAGI to tackle a gorse infestation and restore native flora, an extra 54 hectares of land has been incorporated into the Seymour Conservation Area. The work of SCAGI epitomises the aims of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030.

SA: Kanmantoo Callington Landcare Inc.

Kanmantoo Callington Landcare Inc (KCLG) was founded in 1994. Although membership has changed since then, the group has continued to work on restoring the biodiversity and habitat of the Kanmantoo and Callington district. For a small group with about 30 active volunteers, their achievements are substantial. This nomination is not about one project. Rather it is about a tireless and dedicated group who have initiated and maintained restoration projects across the area for nearly 30 years.

WA: Katanning Landcare

Katanning Landcare is an innovative and passionate Landcare leader who has found local solutions to everything from wind-erosion, salinity and wetland degradation to funding uncertainty. Over three decades, Katanning Landcare has provided landcare leadership including wetland restoration, threatened species recovery, weeds and pests, revegetation, waste reduction and carbon farming that equates to 4.2 million natives planted, 1955 km of environmental fencing erected, over 1000 ha of perennial pastures and also delivered numerous engagement activities to the district of Katanning. The Group has delivered over 220 publicly funded projects valued at $12.5 million and won multiple State and National awards for their work. They also run the Katanning Landcare Centre and recently purchased a revegetation nursery that continues to supply 800,000 native seedlings a year to the Katanning region.

NT: Roper River Landcare Group

The Roper River Landcare Group (RRLG) consists primarily of landowners, land managers, and residents committed to monitoring, maintaining and improving the Roper River catchment and its natural values in the Mataranka Region. Throughout the group’s history, it has identified many natural resource management threats to the region surrounding Mataranka. Most recently, the threat of Neem. Neem infestations directly threaten the natural biodiversity of the region, the valuable cattle industry and the tourism industry that supports Mataranka in the dry season. RRLGs’ neem management has wide reaching benefits, which include the protection of the main conservation assets for Mataranka including its springs and waterholes, the Roper River, and associated riverine environment.

About the Award: The ACM Landcare Community Group Award acknowledges an outstanding community group that is improving sustainable land use and/or is undertaking on-ground action to protect, enhance or restore the natural values of an area on behalf of the wider community. The winner will be announced at the 2022 National Landcare Awards to be held in Sydney on Wednesday 24 August. Now in its 30th year, the National Landcare Awards is an opportunity to celebrate and honour Landcare champions from urban and rural communities excelling in sustainable agricultural practices, environmental protection, conservation of land and waterways, coastlines and biodiversity.

Finalists announced for the prestigious 2022 National Coastcare Award

8 July 2022:

Competition for the prestigious 2022 National Coastcare Award is heating up with the full list of finalists being announced today.

With a diverse range of projects ranging from the protection of endangered flora and fauna along Victoria’s Bass Coast by Friends of Bass Strait Islands to the removal of 2,500kg of marine debris from some of the most isolated beaches in Australia by Arnhem Coast Clean Up, leaders in landcare-led protection of Australia’s coastal and marine ecosystems will come together for the winner’s announcement at the 2022 National Landcare Awards on 24 August.

Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish stressed the importance of the 2022 National Coastcare Award in highlighting the innovative work being done to protect critical coastal and marine ecosystems in light of growing environmental pressures.

“Climate change is impacting on our coastlines through issues including sea-level rise, ocean acidification, and storm tide events, making community stewardship of our natural and cultural marine and coastal environments increasingly important,” said Dr Norrish.

“This year’s finalists showcase the fantastic range of ways landcarers and Coastcarers from across Australia are taking action to protect our coastlines. I hope their sensational work will inspire more communities to get involved with Coastcare activities to safeguard the unique flora and fauna that call our coastlines home.

NSW finalist, Budgewoi Beach Dunecare’s Phil Heaton, said that he was thrilled the group’s work was being recognised, and hoped it would inspire communities across Australia to take action to protect their local coastlines.

“We’re incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the past 27 years and it is fantastic that our work is being acknowledged on a national level,” said Mr Heaton.

“Through activities including installing stabilising fences, access ways and raised walkways, weed removal, and planting native trees and shrubs, we have been able to overturn decades of degradation and restore ecologically endangered communities here in Budgewoi.

“I want other communities to know they can do it too. There is increasing recognition of the value of our coastal ecosystems here in Australia, and a growing appetite for participation in landcare that we need to take advantage of,” said Mr Heaton.

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The full list of finalists includes:

NSW: Budgewoi Beach Dunecare (Phil Heaton)

Commencing coastal rehabilitation works along Budgewoi Beach in 1995, Budgewoi Beach Dunecare has been instrumental in successfully implementing innovative restoration techniques along 2km of the Budgewoi coastline, improving biodiversity and overturning decades of dune degradation. They have also partnered with primary, secondary and teritary education institutions, fostering a passion for coastcare in the local community and inspiring future generations. See profile

VIC: Cape Patterson Residents and Ratepayers Association (CPRRA) and Harmers Haven Residents and Ratepayers Group: Friends of Harmers Haven (HHRRG— FoHH)

CPRRA and Friends of Harmers Haven have been working together to protect pockets of rare and endangered flora that provide habitat for vulnerable fauna including the Southern Brown Bandicoot, Orange-bellied Parrot, Hooded Plovers and Lewin’s Rail. Their highly successful projects include species monitoring, weed control, feral animal control and targeted revegetation. See profile

TAS: Friends of Bass Strait Islands (FoBSI)

Wildcare group FoBSI, have been managing feral plant species including infestations of boxthorn and mirror bush on the off-shore islands in the Furneaux Islands and strategic coastal areas of Flinders Island. By undertaking meticulous weed control on over 250 hectares, they are contributing to securing penguin safety in the area. See profile

SA: Victor Harbor Coastcare

Formed in 1999, Victor Harbor Coastcare operates along Victor Harbor’s coastline, from the Bluff Reserve to Hayborough dunes. They have worked tirelessly to control target weeds and improve biodiversity, improving boardwalks and fencing, holding annual Clean Up Australia Day working bees, developing directional and interpretive signage, monthly monitoring of sand movement and raising awareness about coastal issues in the community. See profile

WA: Busselton Jetty Inc

Formed in 1978 by a small group of passionate community members determined to save the Busselton Jetty from demolition and secure its heritage, the members of Busselton Jetty Inc are now leaders in conservation, protecting the land and marine environments surrounding the Jetty and Geographe Bay through marine conservation and education. See profile

NT: Arnhem Coast Clean Up

Arnhem Coast Clean Up is a community group formed by non-Indigenous residents living in Nhulunbuy, to assist the Dhimurru Rangers with the removal of marine debris from approximately 80km of coastline. Initiated as a community clean-up, the group now holds six events per year with people travelling from across Australia to attend and support the removal of 2,500kg of marine debris from some of the most isolated beaches in Australia. See profile

QLD: Capricorn Coast Landcare

Based in Yeppoon, Capricorn Coast Landcare was established in 1987 by Alby Woller and a group of friends. Since Alby passed away in 2017, Capricorn Coast Landcare has maintained the Envirotrail in the grounds of Yeppoon State School and extended the Fig Tree Creek regeneration program. Last year the group also embarked on a Coastcare project on the dunes at Farnborough Beach. See profile

State and Territory finalists in the running for the National KPMG Indigenous Land Management Award

5 July 2022:

Excitement for the 2022 National KPMG Indigenous Land Management Award is building, with the complete list of finalists for the prestigious award announced today.

Ranging from the Undalup Wadandi Rangers Program in Western Australia creating capacity for Wadandi Peoples to apply best-practice Caring for Country traditional practices, to youth leaders from Rosny Mob in Tasmania taking part on on-Country camps to create and grow cultural connection to Country and people, trailblazers in cultural land management from across Australia will come together for the winner’s announcement at the 2022 National Landcare Awards on Wednesday, August 24.

Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish applauded the fantastic work of the finalists, saying that it highlighted the vast range of environmental and sustainability projects being undertaken by First Nations individuals and groups.

“First Nations peoples were the first landcarers and are the custodians of a knowledge system that has developed over 40,000 years. Their leadership and expertise are critical for improving land management to provide both ecological and agricultural benefits,” said Dr Norrish.

“This year’s finalists showcase the diversity of work being done by Indigenous land and sea managers across Australia. The success of their projects demonstrates the ongoing importance of building relationships, sharing knowledge and collaborating to address Australia’s greatest ecological pressures.

A proud supporter of Indigenous-led landcare initiatives, KPMG Australia National Chairman Alison Kitchen said the award provided a much-needed platform to celebrate Indigenous landcare excellence.

“This award ensures First Nations leaders in landcare continue to get the national recognition they deserve,” said Alison Kitchen.

“Celebrating First Nations champions through the National KPMG Indigenous Land Management Award produces a positive ripple effect by enhancing a broader understanding the importance of caring for Country, and promoting positive role models for a future generation of landcarers.

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The full list of finalists includes:

ACT: Karen Denny

A Ngunnawal woman and a member of the Buru Ngunnawal Aboriginal Corporation, Karen is committed to protecting and conserving the cultural heritage of the Ngunnawal people. Karen mentors the ACT Landcare community to protect and care for women’s cultural places by advising on natural resource management activities, leading women’s walks on Country and running children’s educational activities. See profile

NSW: Nari Nari Tribal Council

The Nari Nari Tribal Council are ensuring the ongoing protection of ecologically vital wetlands and significant Aboriginal heritage sites at Gayini, the traditional home of the Nari Nari people. Since May 2018, Gayini has been the focus of an ambitious and collaborative wetlands restoration program, with more than 2,000 cultural sites, including burial sites, middens and campsites, recorded. See profile

VIC: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation Narrap Unit

The Narrap Unit has had a significant impact on Natural Resource Management (NRM) within Wurundjeri country by bringing indigenous land management practices back into use (including the reintroduction of cultural burns to the landscape). The current team of 20 full-time employees- including a women-only crew, is expected to grow to 40 in the next year. See profile

TAS: Rosny College Indigenous Students (Rosny Mob)

Rosny mob is made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at Rosny College, and alumni. The group participates in annual on-country camps and experiences which focus on, cultural learning, understanding the importance of country, and how they can create and grow cultural connection to country and people. See profile

SA: Mark Koolmatrie

Mark is an enthusiastic Ngarrindjeri story-teller and educator who is engaging Aboriginal people and landholders in a process of re-learning about Aboriginal values and land management practices in the management of aquatic ecosystems in the Ngarrindjeri nation. He is now supporting a small group of Aboriginal youth to re-learn lost knowledge and start applying that to land restoration in the Ngarrindjeri nation. See profile

WA: Undalup Wadandi Rangers Program

The Undalup Wadandi Rangers Program employs local Aboriginal Peoples while creating capacity for Wadandi Peoples to apply best-practice Caring for Country traditional practices. The program has recently seen seven rangers complete their Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management. See profile

NT: Yeperenye Nature Park Traditional Owner Group

Yeperenye Nature Park Traditional Owner Group led the development and construction of a new 8km walking and mountain biking trail between Anthwerrke (Emily Gap) and Atherrke (Jessie Gap) in the East MacDonnell Ranges. Using rent money received from the park to fund the entire project, construction employed 33 Traditional Owners and now showcases the cultural and environmental values of the area. See profile

QLD: Laura Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers

Guided by community Elders, the Laura Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers have undertaken on-ground works to protect country and culture in the Quinkan Country National Heritage area since 2010. Their work includes developing conservation management plans to better understand how the estimated 10,000 rock art sites surrounding the Laura township connect within the landscape. See profile

State and Territory finalists shortlisted for the Steadfast Young Landcare Leadership Award

1 July 2022:

Anticipation for the 2022 Steadfast Young Landcare Leadership Award is mounting, with the complete list of finalists for the award announced today.

The Award, which acknowledges an individual or youth group aged 15 to 35 that has displayed leadership and excellence in landcare practices, will be presented at the National Landcare Awards taking place in Sydney in August.

“We are thrilled to have Steadfast sponsor the Young Landcare Leadership Award as it is a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate young people who are leading and encouraging the wider community, particularly their peers, to engage and participate in managing the environment and natural resources in their local area,” said Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish.

“From cultivating community groups and creating networks that support and mobilise young farmers, to establishing sustainable garden projects and designing mobile chook sheds that increase soil fertility, the finalists are shining examples of youth leadership at its best.”

According to Robert Kelly, Managing Director & CEO, Steadfast Group: “We have partnered with Landcare Australia to support their efforts to improve biodiversity and build greater resilience in Australia’s food and farming systems.”

“The Landcare Awards provide a wonderful platform to showcase youth who are excelling in their efforts to shape a better world. We are inspired by the finalist’s vision, dedication and drive, which we hope will educate and inspire others to make better choices to ensure the sustainability of our environment and protect our future.”

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The full list of finalists includes:

ACT: Fred McGrath Weber

Fred is an influential leader in the ACT, bridging the gap between conservation, community, place-making and entrepreneurship. An active member of the Landcare ACT Members Council and President of the Rural Landholders Association (RLA), Fred lives and works on his family farm, Majura Valley Free Range Eggs, where he designs and builds innovative mobile egg laying sheds as part of his commitment to reducing waste and driving sustainable innovation in Australian egg production.

NSW: Young Farmers Connect

Young Farmers Connect (YFC) is a national volunteer-led, not for profit organisation committed to cultivating networks, resources and community for new, young and aspiring farmers across Australia. Through their network they provide educational platforms and community connections that encourage their young agrarians and next generation to farm for the future. As an active stakeholder driving the regenerative agriculture movement in NSW and Australia, YFC support the use and adoption of regenerative, holistic and sustainable agricultural practices. 

VIC: Tess Grieves

As the Regional Landcare Coordinator for North Central, Tess has supported over 160 Landcare groups and networks for five years. Tess’s ability to foster partnerships and secure funding initiatives has provided multiple benefits for Victoria’s environmental volunteers. She has been instrumental in the creation of new Networks and the first Intrepid Landcare Group in the Mount Alexander region. Tess also leads the annual ‘Chicks in the Sticks’ rural women’s events, and works tirelessly to bring visibility to women in NRM and increase Aboriginal Cultural Awareness amongst local Landcare staff and volunteers.

TAS: Yanti Winoto-Lewin

Yanti is a 24-year-old ecologist from Tasmania. She started the group Friends of Franklin (FoFF) forest in June 2020 while in her final year of a plant science/geography degree at the University of Tasmania. She cares deeply about connecting communities to natural places, fostering respect for our environment and protecting Tasmania’s unique ecosystems. Her activities have brought a sense of pride for community members who have a new natural place to visit close to home. Many now visit regularly.

SA: Sharif Noorzai

Sharif is an 18-year-old student from Salisbury East High School and a member of the SA Youth Environment Council (YEC), as well as a mentor and support for other students in his school’s student leadership group, and the SA Youth Parliament. In 2018, Sharif began a garden project at his school to reinvigorate a patch of garden overrun by weeds. The garden project has been running ever since and continues to grow, thanks to a sustainability group Sharif formed with other students to maintain and promote the garden.

WA: Jayson Sekhon

Jayson Sekhon, Community Landcare Officer with Western Australia’s South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare (SERCUL), works with schools, corporate and community groups to deliver environmental rehabilitation community projects in reserves across the City of Melville, City of Canning and crown land. In 2020 Jason was responsible for the City of Melville’s ‘Blue Gum Lake Rehabilitation Project’ where he was tasked to carefully select and plant over 40,000 native riparian sedge seedlings on the Blue Gum Lakebed. His coordination of numerous community groups and capacity to demonstrate best planting techniques have yielded greater survivability of seedlings with the area hosting more wildlife than before.

QLD: Owen Connor Harris

Inspired by a visit to Australia Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital, Owen has managed to raise over $23,000 for the wildlife hospital. He has also raised funds for Quoin Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre and Cooberie Park Wildlife Sanctuary. Committed to changing perceptions about children and showing that kids can be dedicated, take initiative and achieve more than adults normally give them credit for, he started a not-for-profit, kids-led, hands-on environmental group, The Cap Coast Eco Warriors.