October 22 2021:

Over the last 12 months a unique partnership between Landcare Australia, Country Road and the cotton industry has resulted in 34 hectares of biodiversity improvements, including the planting of native species in the NSW Namoi Valley.

Funded by a corporate contribution and the sale of Verified Australian Cotton Heritage Sweats, Country Road has committed $600,000 over three years, with funds so far invested in two iconic projects near Narrabri and Boggabri, managed by Landcare Australia.

“It’s brilliant to see the impact this partnership has had in just one year. Country Road is so proud to support the great work being undertaken by local cotton farmers to leave a positive biodiversity legacy” Elle Roseby, Managing Director, Country Road

The project has seen weeks of restoration work including planting thousands of native trees and grasses on properties “Glencoe” and “Merriendi” on the Namoi River, both owned by local farming families.

“Landcare Australia is very proud of the achievements of this partnership to date. The project will assist to increase biodiversity, restore local ecosystems, protect soil health, provide natural habitats for threatened species, improve water quality and contribute to the sustainable management and productivity of the landscape.” Dr Shane Norrish, CEO Landcare Australia said.

The work draws on a 2019 Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) project that mapped biodiversity in Australian cotton landscapes, identified threatened and endangered species and recommended ways to protect them.

According to Cotton Australia, biodiversity is an important sustainability focus for the Australian cotton industry that needs to be addressed at both farm and landscape scales.

“This project is not only providing significant funds for implementing projects, it is showcasing the benefits of improving biodiversity to other cotton farmers in the region and beyond,” Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said.

“We know our farms provide critical habitat for Australia’s native plants and animals, and when managed well these areas also provide natural pest control, improve soil health and store and sequester carbon,” he said.

The first project kicked off at the Kahl’s family farm near Narrabri NSW, where part of the Namoi River is being revegetated and stock excluded to increase habitat and shelter for native animals, reduce erosion and improve water quality.

The second project is with the Watson family at “Merriendi” near Boggabri where 3.7 kilometres of trees and grasses are being planted to improve ecology along the Namoi River on a newly acquired property.

Plans are underway for projects three, four and five which will all be located in priority biodiversity zones. The Australian cotton industry is providing additional support through the CRDC and Australian Government’s National Landcare Program Smart Farming Partnership Initiative’s- Cotton Landcare Tech Innovations 2021 project.

“This includes a five-hectare research trial by the University of New England to investigate which revegetation methods have the greatest survival rates on floodplain soils, drone plantings and a native plant propagation training workshop that’s been held with Kamilaroi traditional owners,” CRDC natural resource R&D Manager, Ms Stacey Vogel said.

Cotton industry research shows that while there have been some great steps forward, more needs to be done to protect and improve biodiversity on cotton farms and adjacent landscapes.

“We hope this partnership with Landcare Australia and Country Road will help focus industry efforts, accelerate our biodiversity work and provide a lasting legacy for our farmers, their communities and the natural environment,” she said.

The Stats So Far

• Hectares repaired via weed control and planting native species: 34
• Number of tree planting days: 20
• Kilometres of river frontage improved: 5 km
• Country Road have raised $200,000
• Habitat enhanced for threatened species like the Koala, Large-eared Pied Bat and Barking Owl

October 22 2021:

The United Nations Association of Australia New South Wales (UNAA NSW) is delighted to announce that Landcare Australia has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 United Nations (UN) Day Honour.

The UNAA is the pre-eminent not-for-profit institution in Australia to promote the goals, and values of the United Nations. Established in 1946, its aim is to inform, inspire, and engage Australians regarding the critical work of the UN and to create a safer, fairer, more sustainable world. Around the world, UN Day is marked each year on 24 October to celebrate the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945.

UN Day Honour

As part of UNAA (NSW)’s UN Day celebrations, the prestigious UN Day Honour was created to recognise individuals or organisations in Australia that have made a significant contribution to the aims and objectives of the UN, for example in promoting peace, respect for human rights, equal opportunities, social justice and environmental sustainability.

Previous recipients include Ms Sam Mostyn AO (2020), Reconciliation Australia (2019), the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG (2018) and the Australian Red Cross (2017).

2021 launch of the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

2021 marks the start of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. It is a call to halt the degradation of ecosystems around the world and drive their protection and revival for the benefit of people and nature. The Decade will run to 2030, which is also the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals and the timeline identified by scientists for preventing catastrophic climate change.

In recognition of this important decade and UNAA’s current focus on raising awareness about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, special consideration was given to nominees with a strong track record of achievement in the areas of ecosystem restoration and protection of biodiversity.

Landcare Australia nomination and contribution

From a select shortlist of nominees, Landcare Australia was endorsed by the UNAA NSW Executive Committee as the 2021 UN Honour recipient. This award is in recognition of Landcare Australia’s strong track record supporting community led, on-ground projects to restore, enhance and protect Australia’s unique natural environment. Their bold vision of  ‘all Australians actively caring for the land and water that sustains us’ leads their purpose to empower individuals to build resilient ecosystems and communities.

As a leading national not-for-profit organisation in the environmental sector for more than 30 years, Landcare Australia has supported thousands of landcare groups and other environmental volunteer groups in local communities across Australia to protect the environment through sustainable land management and conservation activities:

• Community engagement and cooperation

Landcare Australia has successfully supported a strong and diverse people-based movement encompassing Traditional Owners, landholders, farmers and volunteers who are actively engaged in local community-led environmental initiatives. Through its emphasis on cooperation in caring for the land, Landcare Australia supports over 5000 groups and 140,000 volunteers.

• SDG Partnerships

As demonstrated by its work with organisations like KPMG, Woolworths and Country Road, Landcare Australia embodies the values of Goal 17, Partnerships for the Goals, contributing directly towards the achievement of SDGs 6, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 by coordinating community involvement in erosion control, revegetation, weed control, and management of coastal and wetlands ecosystems across numerous projects.

• Bushfire recovery and resilience

Landcare Australia has played a key enabling role in relief and recovery efforts in bushfire and drought-impacted regions. Through the collaborative WIRES Landcare Australia Wildlife Relief and Recovery Grants program, $1.185 million was awarded to 64 environmental groups for activities including rainforest revegetation, installation of nest boxes for native species, feeding programs for endangered wildlife, management of invasive weeds, erosion control, and protection of waterways and aquatic habitat. Funded projects will build drought resilience and over 96,000 plants were planted to revegetate and create habitat for wildlife.

UNAA NSW considers that Landcare Australia’s efforts over 30 years in caring for country have made a significant and enduring contribution towards protecting ecosystems and regenerating nature in Australia, in line with global goals. By conferring the 2021 UN Honour upon Landcare Australia, UNAA acknowledges the contribution the organisation has made towards realising the UN’s 2050 Vision of a world living in harmony with nature.

Note

Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, Landcare Australia will be presented with the Honour at a formal in-person event to be held in 2022 at NSW Parliament House. More details to follow.

AUGUST 5 2021: Over 2,000 people from across the country came together online to watch the 2021 National Landcare Awards. Costa Georgiadis, popular ABC TV presenter and Landcare champion, hosted the event celebrating 75 state and territory nominees for their Landcare excellence.

At the ceremony, part of the two-day online National Landcare Conference, winners from 11 national diverse environment categories were announced including: the Australian Government Landcare Farming and Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award, Coastcare Award, KPMG Indigenous Land Management Award, Woolworths Junior Landcare Team Award, Austcover Youth Leadership Award and the ACM Landcare Community Award.

The 2021 National Landcare Awards and 2021 National Landcare Conference program has been delivered with support from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program to support the landcare community connect, share insights and access the educational resource help capacity for individuals, groups and organisation involved in landcare.

KPMG Indigenous Land Management Award went to Wunambaal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation, for their work on Wunambaal Gaambera country that covers 2.5 million hectares of key cultural and ecological land in the Kimberley region.

Floating Landcare in NSW landed the Australian Government Partnerships for Landcare Award for its program to restore weedy hotspots within national parks and on other public lands along the Hawkesbury estuary, Pittwater and waterways of the Central Coast in New South Wales.

Presented by Minister for Drought, Agriculture and Emergency Management, The Hon. David Littleproud MP, the prestigious Bob Hawke Landcare Award was bestowed with a $50,000 prize to Victorian Andrew Stewart, a Corangamite grazier for environmental and sustainable agricultural advancements on Yan Yan Gurt West Farm. His work on this 230-hectare grazing and agroforestry property, includes the establishment of 50,000 trees and shrubs, increasing woody vegetation across the farm from 3 per cent to 18 per cent.

Meanwhile, a leading University of Western Australia academic won the inaugural General Jeffery Soil Health Award. Emeritus Professor Lynette Abbott, an expert in the field of soil science and soil biology scooped this award, dedicated to Australia’s first National Soils Advocate, the late Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd).

While commending the National Landcare Award winners on their outstanding accomplishments, Minister Littleproud applauded the resilience of the Landcare community during this incredibly challenging period for the Landcare community, who continue to exhibit extraordinary stoicism in the face of adversity. And while celebrating the solidarity and camaraderie of the Landcare spirit, he praised the adaptability of everyone involved in landcare to come together online to celebrate the National Landcare Awards, giving communities across the country the opportunity to be part of something very special during Landcare Week.

 The 2021 National Landcare Award Winners:

Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award: Basil Schur from Western Australia
Australian Government Landcare Farming Award: Amarula Dorpers from NSW
Australian Government Innovation in Agriculture Award: Redbank Farm from Tasmania
Australian Government Partnerships for Landcare Award: Floating Landcare from NSW
Woolworths Junior Landcare Team Award: Newham Primary School from Victoria
Austcover Young Landcare Leadership Award: Dhani Gilbert from the ACT
ACM Landcare Community Group Award: Red Hill Bush Regenerators from the ACT
Coastcare Award: Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation from the Northern Territory
KPMG Indigenous Land Management Award: Wunambaal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation from Western Australia
Bob Hawke Landcare Award Winner: Andrew Stewart from Victoria
General Jeffery Soil Health Award Winner: Professor Lynnette Abbott from Western Australia.

Read more information about the 2021 National Landcare Award winners.

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia announces Corangamite landholder’s 50,000 tree and shrub eco plan wins Bob Hawke Landcare Award

AUGUST 6 2021: A Corangamite landholder living on the fringes of the Otway Ranges has landed the Australian Government sponsored Bob Hawke Landcare Award for his ambitious regeneration activities on his family farm.

The Hon. David Littleproud announced the winner at last night’s 2021 National Landcare Awards. Andrew Stewart scooped the title for environmental and sustainable agricultural advancements on Yan Yan Gurt West Farm. His work on this 230-hectare grazing and agroforestry property, includes the establishment of 50,000 trees and shrubs, increasing woody vegetation across the farm from 3 per cent to 18 per cent.

The Bob Hawke Landcare Award recipient is awarded a prize package, sponsored by the Australian Government of $50,000 for further development of their knowledge and skills in sustainable land management to enable an even stronger contribution to Landcare.

Celebrating the win, Minister Littleproud commended Andrew Stewart’s sustainable agricultural approach and innovative on-farm techniques which have resulted in a significant increase in biodiversity and habitat restoration without impacting on output. The Minister hailed Andrew Stewart as an example of exemplary, adaptable practices and an extremely worthy recipient of the coveted title.

Thirty years ago, the family developed a whole farm plan and mission statement for Yan Yan Gurt West Farm to address environmental issues such as gully erosion, salinity, waterlogging, ecological decline and livestock and pasture exposure.

The property has been fenced to land classes and trees and shrubs have been planted along land class boundaries. Other areas fenced and revegetated with multi-purpose plantations include, creeks, drainage lines, remnant vegetation, salt affected areas and waterlogged sites.

These plantings have been connected to form a web of trees meandering across the farming landscape providing, soil, pasture and livestock protection, nutrient cycling, waterway protection, wild life corridors, improved aesthetics and wellbeing for people who live, work and visit the farm. There is now a 23km interface of trees and shrubs to pasture and 113 bird species recorded.

Modelling suggests carbon neutrality will be achieved when revegetation increases from the current 18 per cent to 20 per cent of the property. While multi-purpose trees and shrubs have formed a robust biological infrastructure, which underpins the productivity, profitability and sustainability of the farm.

Andrew and his family have been key drivers of the Yan Yan Gurt Creek Catchment community revegetation program with 98 per cent of the 18km creek completed and forming a wildlife corridor connecting many farms.

The Bob Hawke Landcare Award is supported by the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. The campaign received 120 nominations for the award demonstrating the strong interest from farmers, landowners and landcare groups.

See more information about the Bob Hawke Landcare Award and Andrew Stewart, and watch video.

6 August 2021: Leading academic and science communicator in the field of soil science and soil biology, Emeritus Professor Lynette Abbott, was today named as the first recipient of the General Jeffery Soil Health Award.

The well-known academic from the University of Western Australia celebrated at one of several COVID-safe functions, streamed as part of the 2021 National Landcare Awards held online last night.

Named in honour of Australia’s first National Soils Advocate, the late Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd), the Award recognises an individual’s work to champion, improve and or educate others in soil health.

Professor Abbott is a pioneering researcher on soil fungi in agriculture and disturbed natural environments, and is acknowledged as a world leader in this field. Her research has addressed fungal interactions with plants and implications for fertilizer management and soil amendments.

She has shared her extensive knowledge with students, and by establishing the innovative ‘Know your Soil Biology’ workshops for farmers, she is providing hands-on activities demonstrating the benefits of soil biota for soil health.

Professor Abbott is also currently consolidating soil health knowledge through a project in the Australian Government Smart Farms program.

Watch video

Announcing the award from the ACT COVID-safe function, Australia’s National Soils Advocate since August 2020, the Honourable Penny Wensley AC, said “Emeritus Professor Abbott has long been a champion and leading voice in the field of soil health.  She is a most deserving recipient of this new award.”

“Many have benefited from her research and knowledge over her 40 year career. It is a great pleasure for me, as Australia’s National Soils Advocate, to be able to acknowledge her contribution and to support her continued work through this $20,000 Award.

“Australia’s first National Soils Advocate, General Jeffery was a tireless champion of soil health. I am sure all who knew and worked with him will be delighted to see his legacy honoured and maintained in this way.”

The General Jeffery Soil Health Award was established and is supported by the Office of the National Soils Advocate within the Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and is administered by Landcare Australia.