Austcover Young Landcare Leader Award
The Austcover Young Landcare Leader Award recognises an individual between the ages of 15-35 who demonstrates leadership and a commitment to improving land management practices through practical action or creating community awareness.
Miranda Gardner, ACT
Miranda is passionate about preserving the natural environment.
Since moving to Australia in 2010 she has advocated tirelessly for Landcare at a local, regional and national level, professionally and as a volunteer.
A natural leader, Miranda has been instrumental in nurturing positive relationships between the Landcare community and the government.
This has been demonstrated in her positions with the Southern ACT Catchment Group, National Landcare Network, and the ACT Natural Resource Management Council.
Sophie Robertson, NSW
Sophie is a team leader with Hunter Intrepid Landcare – a group of passionate young people dedicated to connecting 15 to 35-year-olds with an interest in Landcare and adventure.
Sophie naturally filled the role of team leader due to her innate leadership qualities and experience Landcaring in rural Victoria.
Since the group’s inception in 2016, she has led through two very successful years; developing an engaging and varied program of conservation-based activities throughout the Hunter region.
Jacob Betros, NT
With extensive experience in Landcare, Jacob is using his knowledge to implement sustainable agriculture techniques and programs across the Northern Territory as the Territory Natural Resource Management’s regional Landcare facilitator.
He believes natural resource management today is about the people who work on the land and their ability to be resilient and agile.
With a holistic and inclusive approach to Landcare-associated initiatives and sustainable agriculture practices, Jacob is a valued resource for land managers in the area.
Ashley Volz, QLD
Ten years ago, Ashley took up the position as chair of South Myall Catchment Landcare Group.
During this time, he has played a major role in the planning and implementation of new and improved sustainable farming practices for the catchment.
Using his own property as a demonstration plot, Ashley has encouraged other local landholders to adopt his methodology which implements low soil disturbance and low-cost methods to utilise stubble from crops with high-density grazing.
Grace Bassett, SA
Despite her young age, Grace has achieved more than most in her desire to encourage youth to get involved with environmental issues.
For many years, she has been involved with environmental groundwork; leading a variety of revegetation projects around her school and local area and spending countless hours looking after sites.
Passionate about sharing her love for the environment with others, Grace has passed on the knowledge she has gained to friends, neighbours, and locals, giving them a new passion for local native plants.
Adam Holmstrom, TAS
As convener of the Glebe Hill Bushland Reserve Landcare Group, Adam is always willing to roll up his sleeves and get the job done.
Over the last two years, Adam has helped form the group and build new alliances with other groups and schools in the local area.
His endless energy and dedication to his work has resulted in Glebe Hill Bushland Reserve becoming a hub of activity with the installation of interpretation trail signage, school field days and community planting days.
Kathleen Brack, VIC
Kathleen is regional Landcare program officer for the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and is changing the way the Landcare story is being told in the region.
Keen to attract more young people to Landcare, Kathleen ran an Intrepid Landcare Retreat at Wilsons Promontory for 20 people aged 18 to 35.
The participants learnt about Landcare, talked, hiked and worked with the local friends group.
Graduates from the retreat have gone on to form the Gippsland Intrepid Landcare Group.
