Nt Landcare Group Wins Top Community Group Award
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.”
