Vital the UN adopts the Landcare approach – International Biodiversity Day

To mark International Biodiversity Day on today, May 22, the National Landcare Network and Landcare Australia have called on the UN to adopt the Landcare approach to protect and preserve threatened eco-systems around the globe.

According to a United Nations report earlier this month, scientists claim ‘1,000,000 species are now threated with extinction and the health of ecosystems on which we and all other species depend is deteriorating more rapidly than ever.’

The National Landcare Network and Landcare Australia agree it’s vital the UN adopt the Landcare approach to increase awareness of biodiversity issues.

‘Landcare embodies the theme of sustainable food production, landscape restoration and healthy living, from urban spaces to the back of Bourke,’ Peter Bridgewater, Chair of the National Landcare Network said.

He added: ‘In Australia we champion Landcare and all it’s done in the last 30 years. And if the UN had Landcare, it could embrace the obvious solutions to biodiversity threats that really work.’

Rachel Gatehouse, Acting Chair of Landcare Australia says that ‘over the past three decades, Landcare has successfully tackled the issue of biodiversity degradation and species extinction through its grass-roots community movement in Australia.’

She added: ‘And now is the time for the UN to adopt a similar program. It’s absolutely vital to the preservation of threated biodiversity across the planet.’