What is Landcare in Australia?
Landcare is a national community movement in which volunteers, farmers and local groups work together to care for land, water and wildlife. It began in Victoria in 1986 and went national in 1989.
The idea grew from concern about soil erosion, salinity and declining farmland. In 1986, Victoria's Minister for Conservation, Joan Kirner, and the Victorian Farmers Federation's Heather Mitchell launched the first Landcare program.
In 1989, the National Farmers' Federation and the Australian Conservation Foundation, led by Rick Farley and Phillip Toyne, proposed a national program. The federal government backed it, and the 1990s were declared the Decade of Landcare.
What Landcare groups do
Thousands of local groups plant trees, fence off creeks, control weeds and pests, and restore habitat for native animals. Related movements include Coastcare, Bushcare, Rivercare and Junior Landcare for schools.
Farmers use Landcare to share ideas on sustainable land management. Many groups receive funding from government and business.
Landcare Australia supports the network and runs national awards. The movement has spread to other countries.
Did You Know?
Landcare is often described as one of Australia's most successful community conservation movements.