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.

Date of Conference: 23 – 25 August, 2022

27 June 2022: Landcare Australia has announced the 2022 National Landcare Conference is going bigger and better than ever. Responding to an unprecedented demand for tickets last year, the 2022 conference will feature the latest from experts on environmental and climate action, cultural land management, sustainable farming, emerging environmental markets, and much more.

Hosted by Landcare champion and ABC TV presenter Costa Georgiadis and attracting delegates from around the world, the National Landcare Conference is the largest knowledge sharing convention for the Landcare movement. Along with plenary and workshop sessions, this year’s conference also includes a variety of field trips in the Greater Sydney region to showcase the diversity of landcare and the fantastic conservation outcomes achieved by local landcarers.

“With the growing pressures of climate change impacting communities, landholders and critical habitats across Australia, this year’s conference theme Power of Landcare|Shaping our Future could not be more important,” said Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish.

“Landcarers are on the front lines of taking climate action here in Australia and across the world. The National Landcare Conference brings together their local expertise with that of global leaders in a diverse range of fields including sustainable farming, cultural land management, and innovation and technology, providing a forum to share knowledge and increase the impact of their projects.”

“We’re excited to have a fantastic lineup of speakers and to celebrate bringing the landcare community back together for our first face-to-face conference in four years. I hope landcarers across Australia can join us in Sydney and use this conference as a catalyst for continuing their incredible work in their local communities and beyond,” said Dr Norrish.

Professor Mark Howden, Director of the Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions at The Australian National University, will serve as the keynote speaker. He said the Conference comes at a critical time as a growing body of evidence suggests climate change continues unabated.

“Climate change is affecting everyone, with vulnerable people and ecosystems feeling the pressure the most. Landcare is crucial for both reducing net greenhouse gas emissions and for developing effective adaptation responses that maintain our health, our industries and our environment,” said Professor Howden.

“Recent extremes including bushfires, floods and droughts show us we need to take rapid action to ensure our adaptation measures keep up with climate change. The National Landcare Conference provides an opportunity to encourage action, engage young people, and provide solutions to the challenges posed by a changing climate.”

The 2022 conference will be held at the International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour Sydney. Landcare Australia anticipates over 500 delegates to attend the event in person, with thousands more expected to participate as virtual delegates online. Early bird conference registration are now on sale until July 10.

To keep up to date with speaker announcements and news about the conference.

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20.06.2022

Excitement is growing among Junior Landcare teams across the country, with State and Territory finalists in the running for the 2022 Woolworths Junior Landcare Team Award.

The Award – which acknowledges a school, youth organisation or young community landcare team that contributes to raising awareness, sharing knowledge and promoting participation of landcare amongst young people – will be presented at the 2022 National Landcare Awards to be held in Sydney on Wednesday 24 August as part of the National Landcare Conference.

Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish said he was blown away by both the calibre and commitment of each of the teams, who exemplify the mission of the Junior Landcare program to empower children to play an active role in ensuring the safe future of their environment and local communities.

“Junior Landcare recognises the vital role that young Australians play in caring for the land, their environment and other natural resources,” said Dr Norrish. “The finalists who have been shortlisted highlight the various ways that young Australians are rolling up their sleeves and developing skills, sharing knowledge, and fostering connections with place and community.”

In 2020/2021 alone, over 130,000 children participated in Junior Landcare projects, gaining awareness of environmental issues and engaging in hands-on projects centred around the themes of biodiversity, food production, waste management, and Indigenous perspectives.

“The Award provides a wonderful forum to honour the hard work and dedication that the Junior Landcare teams bring to their projects,” said Loretta Arrastia, Community Programs Manager, Woolworths Supermarkets.

“We are proud to sponsor this category and couldn’t be more inspired by this new generation of environmental champions who are coming together to make a sustainable impact in their schools and wider community.”

The full list of finalists includes:

ACT: North Ainslie Public School and P&C

North Ainslie Primary School prioritises sustainability, connection, and caring for nature as a community. The school has an active Parents and Citizens (P&C) association that has spearheaded several projects that focus on creating green spaces and regenerating the school grounds. The school also runs an educational program called PACH – Personal and Community Health – which focuses on sustainability, gardening knowledge and skills. Classroom teachers teach units of inquiry that focus on being environmentally-conscious citizens. The student-led Green Team runs a garden club and other initiatives at the school too.

NSW: Ivanhoe Central School

Ivanhoe Central School is a small remote school situated in far Western NSW. The school’s ‘Outback Adventure Farm’ project encompasses sustainable living, healthy food choices, diet and nutrition. Students are encouraged to be involved in all aspects of the farm from basic planting and picking at kindergarten level to more advanced mathematical equations, solutions, nutrition and building associated with running any farm enterprise. Since launching in 2020, The Outback Adventure Farm has expanded due to the student’s continued desire to learn more, understand and participate, with growing a farm from bare ground enabling the students and wider community to see what can be achieved when working as a team.

VIC: Tempy Primary School

Tempy Primary School, located in the township of Tempy, 420km north of Melbourne, is a small school of 20 students. Concerned by sighting endangered malleefowl feeding on the edges of the highway near their homes, students took the initiative to learn more about malleefowl and alert their local community about the importance of their conservation. Determined to become ambassadors for the endangered Malleefowl, the students have since increased their knowledge about strategies to minimise threats to the Malleefowl; campaigned for control of foxes and feral cats in Malleefowl habitat and revegetating to minimise cleared and fragmented habitats. The project work continues with monitoring of active malleefowl nests in local parks and reserves and on private property; and lobbying for more pest animal control and better signage on roadsides.

TAS: Wynyard High School

The Green Team is a volunteer group of students at Wynyard High School situated in the rural Northwest Coast of Tasmania. The group was formed in 2019 to raise awareness and educate students, staff, parents and the local community about climate change and their natural environment, as well as to find ways to make Wynyard High “greener” and more renewable. The Green Team meets once a week during term time and organises activities ranging from increasing waste management education and recycling capacity to tracking the school greenhouse gas emission and hosting a school-wide Climate Awareness Day. The school has also initiated an ‘Our Environment’ class for year 9 -10 students which links with local environmental initiatives, community groups and organisation to learn more about the local environment and undertake on-ground environmental work.

SA: Guardian Childcare and Education St. Clair

The children at Guardian Childcare and Education St. Clair are heavily involved in the Bringing Back the Butterflies program and have developed a native butterfly garden to provide a safe haven for butterflies to return to a safe area. Through the project, the children have cared for hundreds of monarch caterpillars in their garden. Designed and maintained by 200 children, the garden has become a space where children can learn more about plants, butterflies and what they need to survive.

WA: Forest Crescent Primary School

Committed to impacting the environment positively, year 4 and 6 students at Forest Crescent Primary School have been involved in several tree planting projects, building on the tree planting work done by students at the school before them at coastal, rural and metropolitan sites. As one of the school’s large-scale sustainability programs, the tree planting projects aimed to promote healthier soils, reduce the effect of salinity, restore the land to its original ecosystem, reduce greenhouse gases and provide natural carbon sinks. They also provide an opportunity to give back to the community and become advocates for environmental projects that help sustain the future and promotes good mental health.

NT: Manyallaluk School

Manyallaluk School is located approximately an hour and a half from Katherine at the top of the Katherine Gorge or Nitmiluk. The school established a STEM or learning on country program involving students from pre-school to year 6 to engage students in rich literacy and numeracy learning connected to their country and culture. An integral part of the STEM program has been the school’s quest to discover the elusive and endangered pokipain (echidna) because even full-time rangers confess they are tricky to locate. After years of toiling, the students successfully located this secretive mammal using spy cameras. Their quest to find the pokipain also taps into the work they are doing to investigate how the natural environment has been impacted by large numbers of feral animals.

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. To find out more about the 2022 National Landcare Awards and Conference, to book your ticket or to register for free as a virtual delegate, visit www.nationallandcareconference.org.au.

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03.06.22

WildSeek Project: Community Wildlife Intelligence Hubs launched

The first step toward building a national conservation AI network is underway, with the WildSeek Project: Community Wildlife Intelligence Hubs being launched by Landcare Australia, WIRES and Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

The partnership will bring together their collective expertise, knowledge, and network reach, to co-create and support a network of Community Hubs for the conservation and rescue response of native species. While the Project’s initial focus is on identifying koalas, it has the potential to expand the program to include multiple species including kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats.

Partners will provide over $1.5 million in funding over three years to support the project, with a significant contribution by WIRES. QUT will serve as the National Conservation AI Analytics hub where infra-red drone footage collected around the country will be analysed using an algorithm created at QUT to identify wildlife populations.

Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish, said: “The Black Summer bushfires highlighted just how little is known about the presence and abundance of wildlife across vast tracts of the Australian landscape, despite decades of effort by researchers, authorities, volunteers, and other land managers. The WildSeek Project will take the first steps to address that.

“By bringing together the expertise of landcarers, volunteers and professionals across three states, we will lay the foundation for a national conservation AI network that will benefit communities and native animals alike.”

The Project will establish five Community Hubs for data collection and rescue response across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

Coordinated by Landcare Australia, each Hub will be equipped with innovative technology, capacity, support systems and training to generate and share accurate data on wildlife populations and individuals. This will enable a more effective response in emergency situations by significantly improving knowledge of wildlife density and distribution across each region.

WIRES CEO, Leanne Taylor, said: “The lack of baseline data on wildlife we had during the Black Summer Bushfires meant that during the emergency critical habitat could not be identified and prioritised for protection, and in the immediate aftermath, wildlife search and rescue was undertaken with limited real time data to coordinate rescue efforts.

“With these coordinated hubs and by using innovative technology, we will be able to generate and share accurate information on wildlife populations and individuals, enabling more effective response in emergency situations that will save countless animal lives.”

As part of the Project, a select number of local landcare group members and citizen scientist volunteers are being trained and licenced to use drones in order to capture data on local native animals. Following licencing, QUT Drone Team experts will be running a 3-day support and strategy workshop to provide survey standards, data management and wildlife ethics training, as well as working through a range of on-ground scenarios.

Quantitative ecologist and Associate Professor at QUT, Grant Hamilton, said: “We have been using AI to find koalas and other species for a few years now, but threatened species in Australia are spread over vast areas, and this network will allow us to scale our efforts to find, count and manage them.

“If we understand where wildlife are and how many there are, it means we can make decisions about the best way to protect them during crises such as the Black Summer Bushfires, how to identify refuges and critical habitat and importantly, how to plan for a future in which we can expect to see more bushfires.”

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12^th May 2022:

The Farm Dam Restoration project, a community program restoring degraded farm dams aiming to improve drought resilience, natural wildlife and water quality, has been launched by Landcare Australia and the Coca-Cola Australia Foundation (CCAF).

CCAF will provide a grant of $600,000 over three years to support Landcare Australia, a leading non-profit organisation, to regenerate farm dams across South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. Landcare Australia will work with local communities to install infrastructure, including fencing and stock access points to revegetate degraded dams with native flora.

Many farm dams across Australia are in poor condition, with many polluted and devoid of native vegetation. A recent study by the Australian National University has shown that when carefully managed, enhanced farm dams can help restore biodiversity by providing critical wetland habitats for native wildlife.

Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish, said: “Thanks to the generous support of the Coca-Cola Australia Foundation, we can continue to bring communities together to address critical habitat loss.

“The Farm Dam Restoration project will take action to transform degraded farm dams by installing fencing, hardened access points and revegetating in and around each site. This will improve water quality, drought resilience and result in a biodiverse habitat that research shows can support a variety of animals, including platypus’, water birds and frogs.”

For Phase One of the project, three South Australian sites have been identified, providing an initial showcase of how degraded farm dams can be transformed into thriving ecological communities whilst also improving on-farm productivity.

South Australian grazier Jack Booth will be joining Phase One of the Farm Dam Restoration project and said the restoration of farm dams was essential for improving farming resilience and the long-term sustainability of Australian farming.

“Any Australian farmer will tell you that our success relies heavily on water security. We work in a variable environment, from drought to floods, we’ve seen it all, and we need to be taking all steps possible to ensure our land is productive and resilient.

“I’m excited to join the Farm Dam Restoration project, not only to help set the standard for sustainable farming in Australia, but to inspire farmers like myself to reap the benefits of investing in the rehabilitation of their own farm dams,” said Mr Booth.

Through the partnership with Landcare Australia, CCAF is continuing its work with partners and technologies to protect rivers, oceans, and local ecosystems to ensure they thrive.

Malcolm Hudson, Chair of the Coca-Cola Australia Foundation, said they are honoured to partner with Landcare, which aligns with CCAF’s aim to address the UN’s Sustainable Development around ‘Clean Water and Sanitation’.

“The Farm Dam Restoration project will demonstrate best practice dam rehabilitation for today and beyond, improving Australia’s water sources and eco-systems, and I’m looking forward to seeing Australian farmers’ benefit.”

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