A new national award has been launched to recognise the exceptional work of Australia’s first National Soils Advocate, Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd). This prestigious accolade recognises an individual’s work to champion, improve and/or educate others in soil health and is named in his honour.

The General Jeffery Soil Health Award will be presented to an individual farmer, land manager or extension specialist who is making an outstanding contribution improving, championing or educating others about soil health through the integrated management of soil, water, plants and animals, and who are advocating for improved soil management more broadly.

The Honourable Penny Wensley AC, Australia’s new National Soils Advocate said, “As Australia’s first National Soils Advocate, General Jeffery was a tireless champion of soil health and changed attitudes towards soil sustainability. His relentless advocacy of the importance of integrated management of soil, water, animals and plants, to the benefit of all Australians, has energised change across Australia and left an indelible legacy.”

Dr Shane Norrish CEO Landcare Australia said, “When Australians involved in Landcare and agriculture talk about soil health, they invariably think of Major General the Hon. Michael Jeffery—a man who has long and passionately advocated for improvements in the health of our agricultural landscape.“

This award will form part of the suite of distinguished awards within the biennial National Landcare Awards administered by Landcare Australia and be presented at the biennial National Landcare Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 5 August, 2021 held during the National Landcare Conference in Sydney. Nominations close March 31, 2021.

For more information please visit generaljefferyaward.com.au

Celebrating National Agriculture Day on November 20, Landcare Australia, in partnership with the National Landcare Network (NLN), have launched a national Landcare Farming campaign ‘My Landcare Legacy’ to engage primary producers to share their landcare stewardship story.

Landcare means different things to different people. At its very roots, Landcare is about people coming together and caring for the land to preserve our natural resources and biodiversity for generations to come. Over the next year the Landcare network is looking to explore farming stewardship stories and experiences, and are inviting other farmers and their industry to participate.

The ‘My Landcare Legacy’ campaign is the first step in building broader recognition of Landcarers who have been developing and supporting adoption of improved practices in Australian agriculture for over 30 years.

Landcare Farming Program Manager Mick Taylor says that “Landcarers have an opportunity to share what drives their passion for good farming practices and environmental stewardship in their business. By simply recording a video, Australian producers and land managers can share with the community why they are passionate about being good stewards of their land – and their vision for our farming future.”

Standout producers, networks and their Landcare projects will be identified during the campaign with Awards presented for best video, rising star award, best actor, longest distance a kit has travelled.

Banrock Station, the Australian eco-friendly wine brand from Accolade Wines, has partnered with Landcare Australia to plant 100,000 native trees and shrubs each year, starting from January 2021.  

Supporting biodiversity and animal habitats, clean air and water, while responding to the impacts of a changing climate and deforestation, the new initiative will see thousands of trees and shrubs planted in Australia every year from 2021.

A core pillar of the Banrock Station brand is its commitment to the environment, demonstrated through the Banrock Station Environmental Trust, whereby a portion of profits are reinvested to support conservation projects around the world.

Since the brand launched in 1995, Banrock Station has contributed over AUD $6m to more than 130 environmental projects in 13 countries, including restoring 1,000 hectares of internationally important wetlands at Banrock Station’s home in the Riverland, South Australia, in partnership with Landcare Australia.

Banrock Station and Landcare Australia also recently partnered to plant 80,500 trees on Banrock Station as part of the Australian Government’s 20Million Trees Program.

Nicola Paroissien, Head of Global Marketing Core Brands at Accolade Wines, said: “Sustainability is high on the agenda and we know that 4/5 global consumers feel strongly that companies should help improve the environment. With every bottle of Banrock Station enjoyed with friends and family, we reinvest a part of the profits to projects that support the environment. So, with every glass, consumers can take comfort that they are supporting a brand that supports the planet.

Our ongoing commitment to the environment stems from our dedication to restoring and protecting our wetlands and woodlands on Banrock Station, which led to their listing as a ‘Ramsar Wetland of International Importance’ in 2002. We’re proud to announce this new partnership with Landcare Australia so that we can continue to support the local environment for years to come and make a genuine contribution to global conservation.”

Dr Shane Norrish, CEO at Landcare Australia, said: “We have worked closely with Banrock Station for many years on projects in Australia, and this new partnership will help us to continue restoring our valuable natural assets and native habitat through planting hundreds of thousands of trees and shrubs for native animals and local communities. Investing in healthy landscapes is important for our environment as trees and shrubs cycle the oxygen we breathe, filter the water we drink, provide habitat for iconic and endangered wildlife, and sequester carbon, all while supporting the wellbeing of local communities too.”

The Landcare Australia partnership will be at the centre of Banrock Station’s ‘Every Drop Matters’ campaign which will be featured on-pack and supporting in-store POS as well as online.  

Last month, Accolade Wines Europe announced its core branded portfolio – including Hardys, Mudhouse, Jam Shed, Banrock Station, Echo Falls and Kumala – has been certified carbon neutral by The Carbon Trust.  Accolade’s ambition is to complete 100% portfolio neutrality by the end of 2020.

Landcare Australia is proud to announce a three-year partnership with iconic Australian brand Country Road who have committed $600,000 over three years to support the conservation of Australian farming landscapes.

This unique partnership will come to life through biodiversity restoration projects across Australian farmlands, with support from the Australian cotton industry.

The initial project will be implemented by the Kahl family in the Namoi Valley, NSW—a region significantly affected by biodiversity loss and in need of restoration. Prominent third generation cotton farmers, the Kahl family will participate in the program by revegetating a river system that flows through their property. Benefits of the project will include increased habitat and shelter for native animals, reduced erosion along the river bank, improved water quality and enhanced biodiversity.

Research findings from ‘Management of Biodiversity in the Cotton Landscape: Iconic and Threatened Species’, a report developed by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation with support from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program Smart Farming Partnership Initiative Round 1, have been used to identify regions and projects that best support environmental outcomes.

Landcare Australia will receive funding for the project as a result of Country Road contributing a minimum of $600,000 to the partnership over three years, via a corporate contribution and funds raised through the sale of its famous Verified Australian Cotton Heritage Sweats. The funding will provide Landcare Australia with the means to conduct multiple biodiversity projects in the region and invite more Australian farmers to participate in the program.

By purchasing a Country Road Verified Australian Cotton Heritage Sweat, customers can actively support farmers in regenerating Australian landscapes.

Country Road Managing Director, Elle Roseby, says “As an iconic Australian brand, Country Road has a role to play in protecting what matters and using our platform to benefit Australia’s natural landscapes. By partnering with such a renowned environmental organisation, we hope to support the incredible efforts of Australian farmers, whose life’s work depends on having an intimate understanding of changing environmental needs.

Landcare Australia shares Country Road’s deep appreciation for what makes our backyard so special. Their vision of ‘All Australians caring for the land and water that sustain us’ is one that resonates, more so than ever, with both Country Road the brand and our wider community.” said Elle.

Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish, says “Landcare Australia is very proud to launch this partnership with Country Road to develop projects focused on biodiversity conservation with cotton farmers. The projects will help to restore local ecosystems and contribute to the sustainable management and productivity of the landscape.”

“The partnership with Country Road is a powerful example of how Landcare Australia brings together organisations to work on projects that will have a meaningful impact for farmers, the environment and the local community. We are very pleased to be working with Country Road and the Australian cotton industry on biodiversity projects that will protect habitat for a range of native plants and animals, including threatened species.”

The Australian cotton industry has played a supporting role in this partnership by providing the findings of its research to inform priority areas for biodiversity restoration in cotton farming landscapes, identifying farmers to participate in the program and working with them to develop on-ground projects that deliver benefits to the natural environment.

“Protecting and improving biodiversity in cotton landscapes is a key focus for the industry. This partnership will accelerate these efforts, showcase the benefits of improving biodiversity to other cotton farmers and provide a lasting legacy for our farms, communities and the natural environment,” Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said.

The Landcare Australia partnership follows a number of recent milestones for Country Road, including scientifically verified Australian fibres, achieving 5 Star Green Star rated stores through the Green Building Council and the launch of Our World—an online platform dedicated to sharing the brand’s sustainability journey with the wider community.

For more information, visit The Biodiversity Project.

A Bushfire Recovery program led by Landcare Australia, delivered in partnership with OzFish Unlimited and Native Fish Australia (Victoria), will support initiatives to restore habitat for ten national priority threatened aquatic species in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales.  

The Landcare Australia Aquatic Wildlife Habitat Bushfire Program is funded by the Australian Government and will deliver support for on-ground activities with local community groups, OzFish chapters, the endangered native fish hatchery run by Native Fish Australia (Victoria) and landowners across 17 bushfire affected areas.

The funding will provide on-ground bushfire recovery actions for ten threatened aquatic animals, including six fish species, three species of Spiny Crayfish and the Manning River Helmeted Turtle.

Landcare Australia CEO Dr. Shane Norrish recognised the Australian Government’s support for aquatic wildlife bushfire recovery, and how the program will bring together local community groups, OzFish Chapters and landowners with important on-ground bushfire restoration activities.

Dr Norrish said: “Since the Black Summer Bushfires, Landcare Australia has provided funding to 86 community Landcare and environment group projects, made possible by our corporate partners and donors, to help with the restoration of wildlife habitats in bushfire impacted areas.

“Now, with the support of the Australia Government, we can focus on aquatic wildlife and their habitats with projects that will support a fish recovery program, erosion control, weed management, revegetation and citizen science monitoring.”

OzFish Unlimited and Native Fish Australia (Victoria), have commenced working with local OzFish Chapters, landowners and managers after recreational anglers felt the impact of the early 2020 fires, not only on their local communities, but on the waterways they love.

OzFish Unlimited CEO, Craig Copeland said: ‘Recreational anglers in fire impacted areas were reporting the devastation to OzFish. We were receiving daily reports of water quality resembling sludge, complete losses of riverbank vegetation, dying fish, some in areas with threatened species.

‘In response to the fires, OzFishers around Australia have taken up the mammoth task of focusing on their local waterway recovery. This initiative will see our army of recreational fishing volunteers roll up their sleeves to reverse the severe impact the fires have had on their local waterways,’ said Mr Copeland.

Native Fish Australia (Victoria) is eager to support fish recovery with their restocking efforts of endangered fish to benefit restoration of local aquatic biodiversity. In collaboration with Landcare Australia, NFA will collect mature Macquarie Perch to be used in a breeding program for the species.  These broodfish will be taken to the NFA (Vic) Endangered native fish hatchery located at La Trobe University, to produce Macquarie Perch fry. The fry produced will be grown in the hatchery until they reach a suitable size, and then released into the Buffalo River in north east Victoria once the habitat has sufficiently recovered. Macquarie Perch from the Yarra River population will be used in the breeding program due to their genetic robustness and suitability to be stocked across their previous natural range.

President of Native Fish Australia, Tim Curmi said: “Habitat restoration and targeted native fish reintroductions are key to the survival of native species in these bushfire impacted regions and it’s really encouraging for people to know they have access to support to get their projects off the ground which benefit, not only the natural environment, but the whole community.”

The Landcare Australia Aquatic Wildlife Habitat Bushfire Program is funded by the Australian Government’s Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery program.