Friends of Bass Strait Islands win 2022 Coastcare Award

25 AUGUST: Tasmanian landcare legends Friends of Bass Strait Islands (FOBSI) have been named the winners of the 2022 Coastcare Award at the National Landcare Awards Gala Dinner in Sydney last night.

FOBSI have contributed significantly to coastal repair and protection across the Flinders Island coastline and the Furneaux outer isles by cleaning up a substantial volume of marine debris in the area, along with undertaking extensive boxthorn and mirror bush removal to restore critical seabird habitat.

“It is an honour to receive the 2022 Coastcare Award in recognition of our work to repair our coastline and off-shore islands to protect and rehabilitate the habitat of breeding seabirds and fauna who call it home,” said Karen Ziegler, President of Friends of Bass Strait Islands.

“Our boxthorn removal project has been going on for two decades. Previously some of these areas were dominated by boxthorn to the point it was very unpleasant to move around, but you wouldn’t know it now because the regeneration of native plants has just been marvellous.”

“Our last trip to restore Roydon Island was significant because of the considerable increase in biodiversity. All the primary control of boxthorn has been completed and native vegetation is dominant across the 40-hectare island. The penguins nest in places we had never seen them before, cape barren geese and pacific gulls nest on the island in much greater numbers! It is really heart-warming and showed all of us how much of an impact our work has had in the area.”

“The work is achievable with persistence but now must be maintained by regular follow-up to remove weeds that will regenerate from soil stored seed and new weed introductions.”

Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish congratulated FOBSI on their win and stressed the importance of their work in protecting Tasmania’s critical coastal ecosystems in light of growing environmental pressures.

“The impacts of climate change make community stewardship of our marine and coastal environments increasingly important, and the work Friends of Bass Strait Islands is doing is second to none,” said Dr Norrish.

“The dedicated volunteers from Friends of Bass Strait Islands are an inspiration to coastcarers across the country. Not only do they demonstrate outstanding environmental stewardship, but they are devoted to supporting and upskilling their local community to help expand the impacts of their fantastic work.

“Congratulations to Friends of Bass Strait Islands on your incredible coastcare achievements, and I look forward to hearing more about your ongoing success.”

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Roper River Landcare Group honoured with the 2022 ACM Landcare Community Group Award

25 August 2022 | One of eight finalists, the Roper River Landcare Group (RRLG) was named the winner of the 2022 Australian Community Media (ACM) Landcare Community Group Award, presented at the prestigious National Landcare Awards held in Sydney last night.

A pastoral landcare group working to improve land and natural resource management across the Roper River Catchment in the Northern Territory, the group is made up primarily of land owners, land managers, and residents committed to monitoring, maintaining and improving the Roper River catchment and its natural values.

 

RRLG has been especially committed to controlling the neem tree, a highly invasive tree forming monocultures along the Roper River as well as the Katherine and Victoria Rivers. Despite a critical shortage of labour and resources, RRLG Secretary Doris Baylis said the group is currently tackling neem trees around the Mataranka township with the aim of declaring it ‘Neem Free 2023’. 

“This is a long-term project that aims to provide awareness and ongoing education to the general population. Word of mouth is a powerful tool and it is often a simple conversation that keeps the momentum going.  There has been a huge ripple effect with people from Katherine, Darwin and Kununurra becoming aware of their surroundings as well as becoming more educated as to what they can do to make a difference,” she added.

“Anyone is capable of identifying a problem, however it takes special people to get out there, get their hands dirty and be part of the solution. We are very lucky to have special people!”

Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish said RRLG’s neem management, including their NEEM Blitz events driven by their NEEM Team – is an excellent example of community group action to protect, enhance or restore the local environment.

“Landcare’s greatest asset has always been its people – and the members of the Roper River Landcare Group exemplify what can be achieved when a group of determined people come together for the good of the environment.”

According to ACM chief marketing officer Paul Tyrrell: “It is an honour to sponsor this award that puts a spotlight on those actively making a difference for their communities. We congratulate the Roper River Landcare Group and thank them for their efforts at a time when landcare has never been more important to restore and protect the deteriorating health of the environment.”

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Ivanhoe Central School in NSW wins 2022 Woolworths Junior Landcare Team Award

25 August 2022 | Excitement soared at the National Landcare Awards last night when the winner was announced for the 2022 Woolworths Junior Landcare Team Award, with Ivanhoe Central School in NSW taking home the top spot.

The small, remote school in far west NSW was one of seven finalists in the running for the award, which recognises a school, youth organisation or young community landcare team that is implementing landcare practices within the local community or school.

Through the school’s successful ‘Outback Adventure Farm’ project, which encompasses sustainable living and healthy food choices, students have been able to grow a connection to food, along with the responsibility of looking after their own garden.

Students have also been 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 students’ 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.

“Our Outback Adventure Farm is about sustainability, literacy, numeracy and supporting our wider community with high quality organic produce,” said Greg Edwards, Principal of Ivanhoe Central School. “It’s affirming to be recognised for all the hard work that has gone into our farm.”

Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish applauded the project as a terrific example of how to win the hearts and minds of students.

“From teaching students about pest reduction and planting to the introduction of the native yabbies with their aquaponics system, Ivanhoe Central School exemplifies 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,” he said.

According to Loretta Arrastia, Community Programs Manager – Woolworths Supermarkets, sponsor of the award: “We couldn’t be prouder to support this new generation of environmental champions who are finding creative ways to make a sustainable impact in their schools and communities. Congratulations Ivanhoe Central School – we look forward to seeing your project continue to grow and inspire others to start their own!”

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Australian Association of Bush Regenerators wins Australian Government Partnerships for Landcare Award 

25 August 2022 | The Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR) was announced winner of the Australian Government Partnerships for Landcare Award held at the prestigious National Landcare Awards in Sydney last night.

One of eight finalists in the running for the award, the AABR was recognised for its outstanding efforts around its First Aid for Burned Bushland (FABB) initiative. Supported by a range of sponsors, the AABR developed resources, including a series of engaging videos and webinars, to provide guidance for assisting in the recovery of bushland post fire. The resources address a range of topics from assessing priorities for post-fire bush regeneration to techniques commonly used by bush regenerators for controlling weeds after fire.

“Many ecosystems across Australia were severely impacted from the 2019-20 bushfires due to the effects of a drying climate. While extensive areas of vegetation are recovering well, others remain in trouble,” explained Peter Dixon, President of the AABR, which promotes the study and practice of ecological restoration, and fosters and encourages effective management of natural areas based on sound ecological principles.

“Being nominated for this award has reaffirmed our contention that Landcare groups play a critical role in managing Australia’s ecosystems and can undertake very technical and complex projects,” he added.

“Our secret to success in forging partnerships can be put down in great part to engaging with people and groups in a way that recognises their knowledge and intelligence, trying to understand their needs while we communicate ours, and recognising that in a partnership, everyone is important,’ said Peter.

Minister for Agriculture Senator Murray Watt applauded the efforts and initiative of the AABR.

“The Australian Association of Bush Regenerators have highlighted the range of ways we can support one another when it comes to taking timely and meaningful action to restore and care for our local environments,” Minister Watt said.

“With the impact of a changing climate, extending knowledge around ecological restoration and engaging others to ensure our bushland recovers well, and is resilient in the face of future threats, have never been so important. By working together, we can ensure our natural assets are effectively managed and protected for generations to come.”

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25 August 2022 | Leading soil health champion, educator and researcher, Dr Oliver Knox, has been announced as the recipient of the 2022 General Jeffery Soil Health Award for his outstanding efforts to embed learning and understanding of soil health – from the field to the classroom.

 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.

Dr Knox is an Associate Professor in Soil Systems Biology in the School of Rural and Environmental Sciences at the University of New England (UNE), where he reintroduced soil biology into the undergraduate syllabus in 2014.

As the CottonInfo technical lead in soil health since 2016, he has developed and delivered field workshops to land managers in the cotton production areas of Australia. He has also written numerous industry articles on soil health and land management, which have included how to access soil resources in NSW and Queensland.

Dr Knox has been instrumental in driving the Soil Your Undies soil health program in Australia. Adapting the idea from an educational campaign for farmers in Canada, Dr Knox brought the program to Australia and modified it to a postal and online citizen science challenge.

In the past two years, it has been undertaken in around 500 classrooms, educating an estimated 12,000 school children in soil health. Dr Knox intends to use the General Jeffery Soil Health Award to build on the success of the Soil Your Undies campaign.

Australia’s National Soils Advocate, the Honourable Penny Wensley AC, announced the recipient of the 2022 Award at the National Landcare Awards held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney last night (24 August).

“As Australia’s National Soils Advocate, I am very pleased to acknowledge Dr Knox’s work and through this $20,000 Award, support his continued education and engagement with the future guardians of Australia’s soil.

“General Jeffery attached particular importance to educating young people about soil and the multiple services healthy soils provide to the community, so he would be very pleased with this decision.

“With the recently-released 2021 State of the Environment report highlighting how the health of Australia’s soils continues to decline, the work of soil researchers, educators and champions like Dr Knox, has become even more important,” Penny Wensley said.

The General Jeffery Soil Health Award was established by the Office of the National Soils Advocate and is administered by Landcare Australia.

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