Australians are stepping up for nature, and finding hope, connection and purpose
The National Landcare Week 2026 Survey Report provides one of the largest national snapshots of community environmental volunteering and grassroots conservation in Australia.
Released to mark Landcare Week 2026, the report brings together the views of more than 1,200 Australians to better understand why people get involved in landcare, the benefits it delivers for communities and the environment, and the challenges facing the grassroots organisations leading this work.
The National Landcare Week 2026 Survey was conducted by Landcare Australia to better understand the experiences of people involved in landcare in Australia.
The survey explores:
- Why Australians get involved in landcare.
- The environmental, social and wellbeing benefits of participation.
- Volunteer recruitment and retention.
- Funding and capacity challenges.
- Biodiversity outcomes and threatened species protection.
- Partnerships with Traditional Owners and First Nations people.
- What landcare groups need next.
The findings build on the inaugural 2025 National Landcare Week Survey, creating an ongoing benchmark for understanding the contribution of community-led environmental action across Australia.
People may join for the cause, but they stay for the community
The report’s findings tell us that people may join for the cause, but they stay for the community. The findings reveal a strong community movement where local environmental action is not only restoring landscapes and protecting biodiversity, but also bringing people together, strengthening communities and giving Australians purpose through practical action.
Key findings
Landcare is strengthening wellbeing and community connection
46 per cent of survey respondents reported an improvement in their mental resilience.
Climate impacts are disrupting community conservation
Climate change is no longer a future issue for local conservation groups; it is already changing how community projects are planned and delivered.
Landcare is changing, but Australians still want to help
A much richer story than simply “volunteer shortages” it suggests the next evolution of landcare may need to make volunteering easier, more flexible and more accessible, particularly for younger Australians and working families.
Volunteer pressures impact group activities
Australians want to help. Local groups need greater support to sustain the volunteer workforce that makes landcare possible.
Volunteers are helping protect threatened species
Local volunteers are not only restoring habitat. They are generating long-term biodiversity knowledge and stewardship needed to protect Australia’s threatened species.
Traditional Owner partnerships are strengthening outcomes
Collaborative conservation can deliver stronger environmental and cultural outcomes when groups work respectfully with Traditional Owners and First Nations people.
What landcare groups need next
Challenges vary across Australia. In rural and regional areas, landcare groups are often dealing with ageing volunteer bases and the growing impact of droughts, floods and bushfires. In urban areas, the biggest challenge is finding volunteers with enough time to participate alongside work, family and other commitments.