Forty years ago, in 1986, the late Joan Kirner, then Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, and former Victorian Farmers Federation president Heather Mitchell, Landcare officially launched Landcare.
‘Landcare’ as we know it, was first practiced in Winjallok near St Arnaud (proudly in our area), where a group of farmers got together to work on environmental issues. This laid the foundation of Landcare that has grown across Victoria, Australia and internationally bringing farmers, conservationists, volunteers and partners such as Traditional Custodians, local governments, conservation groups, together to actively care for the natural environment.
Over the past four decades, in Victoria alone Landcare has grown to 625 active groups and networks with 70,000 volunteers each year, all dedicated to improving landscapes and communities across the State. Landcare’s grassroots approach has seen significant positive environmental changes such as reduced erosion, increased soil health, tree plantings, improved wildlife habitat and built community knowledge.
People are Landcare’s greatest asset and at the heart of everything we do.
Look out for 40 Year Anniversary events on the BNGLN and Landcare Victoria websites.
Photo from National Landcare Network