Landcare Australia, in its ongoing partnership with Country Road, is expanding The Biodiversity Project, which has already received $1 million in funding to deliver biodiversity restoration projects across Australian family-owned cotton farms. The latest family to join the initiative is the Schwagers, whose 550-hectare dryland farming property along the Namoi River, will be the fifth site to benefitprogram and will support biodiversity outcomes for threatened species along 2.8 km of riparian and floodplain habitat on the Namoi River. The project will involve planting shrubs, understory, and canopy species to protect natural habitats and threatened species.

Owned by Kevin and Mary-Ellen Schwager, the property known as ‘Wentworth’ is a 550-hectare dryland (non-irrigated) farming operation. As with previous projects, this site has been identified as an area of interest for biodiversity enhancement for a range of threatened species in research findings from the report, ‘Management of Biodiversity in the Cotton Landscape: Iconic and Threatened Species’ developed by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) with support from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Smart Farming Partnerships Initiative.

Stacey Vogel, the Innovation Broker and Extension Lead with Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) confirmed the benefits that The Biodiversity Project bring not only to the environment but also to farmers.

“These projects are restoring regionally important threatened species habitats and improving native vegetation connectivity within the Namoi catchment. We know from our research that well managed areas of native vegetation on farm bring benefits not only for iconic and threatened species but also to the farm by providing natural pest control, improving soil health and storing and sequestering carbon.”

Since 2020, Landcare Australia and Country Road have worked together to support the restoration of Australian farmlands, with a focus on increasing biodiversity in cotton-growing regions. Since 2020, Country Road has provided over $1 million of funding to the program, raised through brand contributions and sales of its famous Verified Australian Cotton Heritage Sweat.

Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish said that this level of funding provides Landcare Australia with the means to deliver multiple biodiversity projects across local farming landscapes.

“Throughout our partnership with Country Road, Landcare Australia has worked with five Australian farming families to plant 18,300 seedlings along 14.4 km of riverbank in the Namoi Valley, rehabilitating a total of 102.6 hectares of native vegetation.

Together with Country Road, our work on The Biodiversity Project is achieving our shared vision to improve biodiversity and habitat connectivity, support threatened, vulnerable and iconic fauna species while also providing farming co-benefits.”

Kevin Schwager says being a part of The Biodiversity Project enables his family to play a part in making a meaningful, responsible impact on both the environment and community.

“Through The Biodiversity Project, we wish to demonstrate that we are responsible custodians of our land. We want to show that farming and the environment and young families can and do coexist.

“Our grandchildren are now the third generation on our farms. There is keen interest from our grandchildren about what we do on the farms. They love the crops, the machinery and the family barbecues by the river.

“Consumers are becoming more interested and discerning about where their food and clothes are coming from. As farmers, we wish to be outward looking and thinking, we need to respond to a changing marketplace. Being involved with The Biodiversity Project allows us to play a part in societal change.”

A mix of shrubs, understory and canopy species will be planted, specifically to:

• Increase habitat for browsing and wildlife movement along the riparian corridor.
• Increase the presence of pollinators, small birds and micro bats in the area.
• Increase native vegetation and canopy cover across the riparian and floodplain zone at Wentworth to help support ecosystems in the Namoi River catchment.

The Schwager project involves planting 4000 native seedlings on 43 hectares. These locally sourced natives, including River Red Gums, casuarina species and shrubs such as sweet bursaria, will increase habitat for wildlife along the riparian corridor.

Further information on each of the projects involved in The Biodiversity Project can be found below:

• Project 1: The Kahls
• Project 2: The Watsons
• Project 3: The Hamparsums
• Project 4: The Pursehouses 

• Apply for Grant Funding of $5,000 to $25,000 to Plant Trees
• Applications close September 30, 2024
• Open to landcare groups and networks, environmental community groups, landcare organisations, local governments, NRM organisations, Traditional Owners and First Nations organisations

Grant applications are open this month of September for landcare and other environmental community groups and organisations to apply for funding to help plant 75,000 native trees and shrubs in urban and peri-urban areas across Australia. In partnership with Bupa, Landcare Australia invites applications for grants ranging from $5,000 to a maximum of $25,000 (ex-GST) to support this initiative.

The Bupa Landcare Grants Program is open to a wide range of community groups and organisations to plant trees and shrubs that are endemic to the local area, including landcare groups and networks, environmental groups such as ‘Friends-of’, Coastcare, WildCare, Dunecare, Bushcare, and Intrepid Landcare, local governments, NRM organisations and non-profits operating nationally, Traditional Owners and First Nations organisations, as well as State and Territory Landcare Organisations.

The Bupa Landcare Grants Program aims to enhance both environmental and health outcomes by improving the connectivity of native vegetation and creating new green spaces in urban areas.

Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish commented on how the partnership and this new grant program marks a significant moment for the organisation and the landcare community, “This is Landcare Australia’s first health partnership of its scale with a national impact, and we’re excited to collaborate with Bupa on a program that truly values the connection between human health and environmental restoration. This funding will not only encourage people to get outdoors and engage with their local environment for their own wellbeing but also contribute significantly to the health of their local environment by improving biodiversity, native habitat and landscape restoration.”

Landcare Australia’s new grant program aims to celebrate Bupa’s 2024 Healthy Cities Challenge, which focuses on strengthening connections between the health of people and the planet.

Bupa APAC CEO Nick Stone said that by combining physical activity with environmental action, the Healthy Cities Challenge brings to life our belief that adopting healthy habits can positively impact people’s wellbeing and the cities they live in.

“Through this partnership, we are committed to contributing to the restoration of our invaluable and distinctive ecosystems all aimed at fostering a healthier planet for healthier people.”

For more information about the Bupa Landcare Project Funding click here

The $300,000 Landcare Australia Community Grants Program will offer grants from $5,000 to $20,000. The grants program is open to all landcare groups and other community-led environmental groups across Australia including Bushcare, ‘Friends of’, Coastcare and Dunecare groups. The grants will support what matters most to landcare groups – using local knowledge to restore, enhance and protect their natural environment, increase biodiversity and help improve community engagement in landcare activities.  

Landcare Australia is particularly interested in grassroots projects which galvanise community action to help increase the number of people rolling up their sleeves for conservation projects in their local patch.  

Eligible activities include educational workshops, field days, restoring wildlife habitat, creating shelterbelts, installing fences, protecting waterways, managing weeds and feral pests, working with Traditional Owners and First Nations organisations, purchasing plants and equipment, installing signage, amongst other landcare activities.  

Dr Shane Norrish, Landcare Australia CEO said “This new grant program was made possible by generous contributions from Landcare Australia’s supporters and donations. This Landcare Week, Landcare Australia is excited to support grassroots landcare groups with funding for wide ranging natural environment projects important to their local community.”  

Dr Norrish emphasised the importance of supporting local landcare groups “Landcare Australia plays a huge role in supporting the landcare movement and finding ways to help groups at a local level. Landcare connects people to their local community, and this grants program aims to help support groups to encourage volunteers to get involved so they can experience caring for the environment in their community in a group where everyone is welcome and their contribution counts.”    

The Landcare Australia Community Grants program coincides with a big milestone for Landcare Australia and landcare as a national movement. 35 years ago in Wentworth NSW, former Prime Minister Bob Hawke AC announced the ‘Decade of Landcare’ and established Landcare Australia. The national formation of the landcare movement brought farmers and conservationists together to resolve environmental issues. Landcare remains just as relevant today, as it was 35 years ago, continuing its mission to protect and enhance our natural environment and productive landscapes.

For more information about the Landcare Australia Community Grants program click here.

Over the last three years, Landcare Australia has managed a large-scale landscape restoration project with funding from the Australian Government in partnership with broadacre farmers, Fisheries NSW, Local Land Services, and OzFish to improve the natural assets of the Namoi River Catchment.

The Murray-Darling Basin covers up to 14% of Australia’s land mass and is home to over 120 native bird species and more than 50 fish species. The rivers of the Murray-Darling Basin serve as a vital water resource, but they have suffered due to previous land clearing, and extreme flooding events.

With the funding provided by the Australian Government’s Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program, Landcare Australia took significant steps to improve the habitat within the Namoi Catchment. Efforts include bank stabilisation works, installation of instream habitat structures, weed control in riparian zones, stock exclusion fencing, and assisted regeneration using 7,800 locally sourced native seedlings.

Local bush regenerators were engaged to assist in undertaking these works in collaboration with Tamworth Regional Landcare Association, which supported the improvement of 65 hectares of degraded floodplain, riparian, and wetland habitat within the Namoi River Catchment. Additionally, 200 individual timber pins were installed across the Wallamore Anabranch to slow flow during high rainfall events, capturing debris and sediments to protect the Anabranch from further active erosion and improve water quality.

These efforts are crucial for enhancing in-stream biodiversity by providing thermal refuge, shelter, and food sources for native aquatic species. They also provide habitat for threatened species such as Murray cod and silver perch. The Healthy Rivers project aims to provide passive and active recreational opportunities such as recreational fishing.

Quotes attributable to Dr Shane Norrish, Landcare Australia CEO

“Landcare Australia’s involvement in the Healthy Rivers project again demonstrates Landcare Australia’s ability to manage large scale landscape restoration projects. We are grateful for the funding from the Australian Government so that we can create effective partnerships that deliver on-ground landcare work with an aim to restore and protect our land and water assets. Managed by Landcare Australia, the Healthy Rivers project is a great example of how we work with a wide range of great partners to deliver projects at scale, including the great work of broadacre farmers, North West Local Land Services, Tamworth Regional Landcare Association and Fisheries NSW including NSW Fisheries Manager Milly Hobson.”

Quotes attributable to Kevin Edmonds, Former President at Gunnedah Jockey Club:

“Due to flooding over the past years, the track at the Gunnedah Jockey Club, along with the buildings, facilities, and stables, went underwater three times, resulting in severe bank erosion of the crown land adjoining the river. The bank retreated several metres because of the flooding. Now, trees have been planted, and the bank has been reestablished, transforming the area.”

Quotes attributable to Angela Baker, Senior Land Services Officer at North West Local Land Services:

“Along the Namoi River, the banks were in a terrible state, with no remnant riparian vegetation, and they were migrating further back with each flow event. We’ve stopped a significant erosion problem and now have a stabilised bank where vegetation can be reestablished, benefiting both aquatic and terrestrial species like the endangered koala.”

Quotes attributable to Harry Davey, Project Officer at OzFish:

“Local recreational fishers with OzFish began work on Goonoo Goonoo Creek in 2015, this work adds to what has already been started upstream and now has almost 10 years of restoration progress. It’s a long-term process. In the restored areas we have seen the return of fish, such as the endangered silver perch and catfish. I look forward to seeing the progress downstream here, in 10 years. OzFish is proud of the recreational fisher stewards around Tamworth caring for their local Namoi River, we need to care for these waterways to support the species populations and for better fishing into the future.”

Landcare Australia, in partnership with Steadfast, has announced $55,000 in funding to support the Bangerang Aboriginal Corporation’s Itjumatj Woka ‘Healthy Country Project’ in partnership with landcare groups in Wangaratta, Victoria.

The funding will support two cultural burn workshops, and COVRAM app training for rangers and landcare members to learn more about native vegetation condition assessment and monitoring. The project will help build capacity of the Bangerang Aboriginal Corporation to create employment opportunities for First Nations people in caring for Country.

The project is also an opportunity for Bangerang Aboriginal Corporation to collaborate with the Warby Range Landcare Group and other regional landcare groups. The Warby Range Landcare Group has had a longstanding 30-year relationship with Bangerang Traditional Owners and together they have created significant cross-cultural and environmental benefits for the community. The funding will support Bangerang Aboriginal Corporation to continue their collaborate with the Warby Range Landcare Group and involve Ovens Landcare Network and Gecko CLaN. The project aims to fulfill Bangerang’s aspiration to empower its people to take a lead role in caring for Country.

Bangerang Elder Uncle Kevin Atkinson expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership.

“This project is all about sharing knowledge, sharing Culture and walking side by side to care for Country. It’s a great opportunity to practice our Traditional ways of land management combined with new technology like the COVRAM app for native vegetation assessment and monitoring. We are looking forward to working alongside the local landcare groups and our partners at Landcare Australia and Steadfast to see the benefits of this project for Country and people. In Bangerang language we say itjumatj woka, itjumatj yenbena – healthy Country, healthy people.”

Robert B. Kelly AM, Steadfast Group’s Founder, Managing Director & CEO, says:

“As climate risks continue to pose issues for the insurance industry and the people we serve, Landcare Australia’s work to protect land and waterways is increasingly important. We are committed to empowering on-the-ground initiatives that strengthen and future-proof the wellbeing of our communities.

“Groups such as the Bangerang Aboriginal Corporation have strong and long-standing ties to communities and local landcare groups, and and are doing incredible work to protect the land. It’s a privilege to support this work.”

Dr Shane Norrish, CEO Landcare Australia welcomed the opportunity to support local landcare groups and the Bangerang Aboriginal Corporation with their work on Country.

“We are very excited about our new partnership with Steadfast and how together we can support the Itjumatj Woka Healthy Country Project.

“The project isn’t just about land management, it’s about reconciliation and strengthening community. By working together, the landcare community and Traditional Owners can promote landscape health and social cohesion. I hope this project will inspire other landcare groups and First Nations organisations across the country to collaborate on projects to improve landscape restoration and support First Nations people to care for Country.

The total funding granted, excluding GST, is $55,000 from June 2024 to June 2025. This partnership between Landcare Australia and Steadfast had key criteria to support a collaborative project with a landcare group and a First Nations organisation. The project demonstrates a commitment to First Nations people and youth, focusing on collaboration, reconciliation, opportunities for First Nations people to care for Country, and shared outcomes with the broader community.