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.”

Media Contact: [email protected], 0401 991 792

Thursday 5 May, 2022:

Landcare Australia together with First Nations educator, Wiradjuri man Adam Shipp, have developed 10 new First Nations learning activities for the Junior Landcare program. Published ahead of Reconciliation Week on May 27- 3 June, the new learning activities will assist educators in the classroom when teaching First Nations perspectives.

The 10 new curriculum-linked First Nations perspective learning activities are supported by a series of educational videos that include the topics areas of Local seasons exploring First Nations weather, Creating an Indigenous plant use garden, and Whose Country, exploring First Nations peoples languages map.

Adam Shipp spoke about the development of the new learning activities for Landcare Australia’s Junior Landcare program and why the resources are important for educators and children to learn more about how they can have a connection to Country.

“As a proud first nations Wiradjuri man, I am honoured to be a-part of the Junior Landcare Australia journey, showcasing our knowledge and perspectives across the Junior Landcare online resource activities. It is extremely important for land and environment-based organisations to begin to recognise and work with First Nations groups across Australia, as we provide important knowledge systems and traditional practices that have been caring for these beautiful lands since time immemorial. By teaching the younger generations some of these insights into our culture and ways of caring for Country, we will build better understanding and partnerships moving forward in the environmental sector and communities.”

Adam continued, “The knowledge that comes from our Elders and ancestors that have come before us, are extremely important to capture and keep alive. Our lands will be much healthier in doing so. I am extremely proud to see these online resources developed which capture our cultural values and stories for the next generations.”

Junior Landcare Ambassador Costa Georgiadis will help launch the new learning activities with a free online webinar on May 17 at 4pm AEST. This professional development webinar will assist educators and Landcare facilitators to confidently, respectfully and comprehensively address First Nations perspectives in their teaching. Costa will be joined by Adam Shipp, and educator and landcare facilitator Sam Harrison. Educators will receive a Professional Development Certificate.

Explore the Junior Landcare Learning Centre and register for the free Landcare webinar with Costa.

Bob Hawke’s annual legacy release to fund mangrove protection in Queensland

May 4, 2022:

Hawke’s Brewing Co. has released its third vintage of Legend IPA, in honour of Bob Hawke, with $1 from every can sold being provided to Landcare Australia, the environmental not-for-profit established by the Hawke Government in 1989, to support mangrove conservation and enhancement in Queensland.

This will be the first batch of Legend IPA brewed at Hawke’s recently-opened facility in Marrickville and also the first time the limited release has been made available in cans, having only been previously released in keg format.

“Every year, we have a unique opportunity to honour Bob’s legacy with a limited release called Legend IPA,” says Hawke’s co-founder, Nathan Lennon.

“This year, we’re reinforcing our ‘Every Sip Gives Back’ promise to Landcare Australia, with $1 from every can sold being provided to fund equipment for the Communities Enhancing Tidal Wetlands project in Queensland, a state that Bob loved and fiercely defended on the environmental front, from saving the Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest from the logging industry, to expanding the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.”

This year’s sales of Hawke’s Legend IPA will assist the Cairns & Far North Environment Centre in funding equipment and resources to upskill volunteers, Indigenous Ranger groups and Landcare groups, as well as increase the capacity of the citizen-science group to obtain data on tidal wetland values and threats.

“Mangroves play an incredibly important role in protecting the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park by serving as a coastal break for natural disasters, reducing nutrient runoff from urban and agricultural sectors, and providing critical habitat for migratory birds and fish of cultural and economic importance,” says Alex Sinchak, Projects & Events Coordinator, Cairns and Far North Environment Centre.

“Thanks to the support of Hawke’s Brewing and Landcare Australia, we will develop and resource community-led, on-the-ground action to address natural and human pressures, such as litter removal from mangroves and increase habitat value with social, cultural, and economic benefits to the Wet Tropics.”

For more information on the partnership visit: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/our-partners/corporate-partners/hawkes-brewing

About Hawke’s Brewing Co:

Hawke’s Brewing Co. is a 100% Australia-owned and operated company, engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling beer products. The company was founded by Nathan Lennon and David Gibson in April 2017, with former Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, the name, face and ambassador of the brand. The company has a foundation partnership with Landcare Australia, with contributions from its beer sales helping to raise awareness and provide financial support for Landcare projects throughout the country. Mr. Hawke held no financial interest in Hawke’s Brewing Co., instead opting to have his benefit provided to support the company’s partnership with Landcare Australia.

7 April, 2022:

A decade on from the inception of the Bob Hawke Landcare Award, landcare-led sustainable agriculture has never been more important in addressing the increasing pressures of environmental degradation and climate change.

With a new award winner set to be announced in August, previous recipients are speaking out about the importance of leadership and innovation in Australian agriculture, and calling on the Australian community to get involved in local landcare initiatives.

2014 winner Colin Seis (NSW)– internationally renowned pioneer of ‘pasture cropping’, said that Australian agriculture had the chance to lead the way in the global future of sustainable farming.

“Farmers were the first to see the impacts of climate change- on our soil, our stock and our crops. Our drive to overcome increasing challenges and take action to not only preserve but improve our land has made us innovators in sustainable agriculture and landcare. We’re showing the world how it’s done.

“We created pasture cropping in 1993, and it’s seen enormous success in making farmland more resilient to drought, wind and water erosion. Since then, there have been many more fantastic innovations in Australian farming, but there’s always more to do- not just here in Australia but on a global scale.

2016 winner Steve Burgess (QLD)– an esteemed conservationist and farmer, said that while strong national leadership is needed to address the environmental crisis, fostering the landcare ethos within all Australian communities is just as impactful.

“The Landcare ethos needs to be ingrained as a core social value across generations into the future. It should become socially unacceptable to bugger up a piece of country, particularly waterways – knowing what we now know about this place.

“If there is even just one special place that you value, look after it, even if it seems small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things. With enough people committing to care for their patch and working with others and doing what they can, we will leave our country in a better state for the future.

2018 winner Charlie Arnott (NSW)– a trailblazing biodynamic farmer and grazier, and host of The Regenerative Journey podcast said that Australian farmers were leading the international conversation on farming resilience.

“Despite the variable climate, Australia is an agricultural powerhouse. Our farmers know the importance of landcare in protecting our farms so they remain productive, no matter the challenge.

“The drive to take action on climate change and transition to regenerative agriculture has made farmers across the world hungry for stories, experiences and evidence of the benefits of using regenerative practices. As experts in sustainable and resilient agriculture, Australian farmers are ready to tell those stories and share that knowledge.

2020 winner Andrew Stewart (VIC)– who, along with his family, transformed his Victorian property into a diverse, carbon positive sustainable farm, said attention now needs to be given to inspiring the next generations of sustainable farmers to ensure strong leadership in landcare.

“Landcare farming plays a critical role in addressing the big issues affecting all Australians: climate change, biodiversity loss, and human health. We have a big opportunity to encourage youth into the agricultural industry through the lens of landcare.

“One of our biggest responsibilities is to inspire future leaders to continue to innovate in the industry. We need to support their appetite for landcare led solutions to secure Australia’s sustainable farming future.

Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish praised the ongoing advocacy of the previous winners, saying that the future of landcare leadership in Australia had “never looked brighter”.

“Landcarers are a very diverse group and include farmers, families, innovators, entrepreneurs and everyone in between. Their commitment to tackling environmental challenges through sustainable agriculture is unquestionably one of the greatest Australian success stories.

“Over the past 10 years we have seen the winners of the Bob Hawke Landcare Award do extraordinary work in sustainable agriculture to drive the landcare movement forward. I know this year’s nominees will have built on the success of previous winners to achieve even more.

Photos available HERE

Media Contact: [email protected], 0401 991 792