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.

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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