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10 June 2009
Landcare leaders praise Australian Government support for facilitators
Landcare leaders across Queensland today praised the Australian Government’s decision to extend the national network of landcare facilitators.
Chair Landcare Queensland, Geoff Penton said the network was crucial to the ongoing development of regional sustainability programs across the country.
“We know that to change behaviour on the land, we actually need people there, talking to farmers, helping them make decisions, helping them interpret data.”
“We cannot run natural resource management programs without this crucial network of on-ground staff,” Penton said.
The announcement by Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Bourke has come at a time of great change for landcare groups as they struggle with changes to the funding of onground projects at the same time that issues like climate change and regional employment become even more crucial.
Penton, who was one of Queensland’s first landcare facilitators in the 1980’s said that landcare has built a reputation as a tool for bridging the gap between conservation and production.
“Landcare was actually started by a unique partnership between the National Farmers Federation and the Australian Conservation Foundation,” Penton said.
“Now, more than 20 years later, there are more than 3000 landcare groups across the country, being run by volunteers who are passionate about looking after their land.”
“Landcare groups are working on things like soil conservation, adapting to climate change; using satellite imagery to better manage properties, educating a new generation of farmers, helping women learn about natural resources, supporting Indigenous land management projects and much, much more.”
“We simply cannot do this work without the ongoing support of the Australian Government and we welcome this latest announcement to continue the network of Landcare Coordinators in regional locations,” Penton said.
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2 June 2009
Junior landcare program comes to life
Landcare Queensland and ENERGEX announced a new program this week which will see both organisations working to deliver important environmental messages to a new generation of Landcarers. The South East Queensland Junior Landcare project will see nearly 900 students across the region involved in revegetation in their local catchment.
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Over each year of the three year partnership, ten schools in South East Queensland will partner with their local Landcare group to spend a day in a living classroom participating in on-ground projects and learning about the value of the natural environment.
Geoff Penton, Chair Landcare Queensland says the program will allow young people an opportunity to participate in real environmental projects being carried out by voluntary landcare groups.
“This Junior Landcare initiative will allow young people to play an active role in our region’s sustainable future,” said Penton. “With thanks to ENERGEX we have a real opportunity to invest in our future landcarers by involving them in activities and decisions about the environment in which they live.”
Mr Penton said that working with ENERGEX and other corporate partners has allowed Landcare Queensland to develop programs and support mechanisms for the landcare network that are beneficial to the partners of both organisations, and the sustainable outcomes they are trying to achieve.
“This year Landcare Queensland has helped secure over $300,000 worth of corporate support for the landcare network in Queensland. This demonstrates the business communities growing commitment to supporting sustainability initiatives which, has become critical to the survival of the self-driven network,” he said.
“Landcare is about addressing local issues with local solutions; ENERGEX’s support of the Junior Landcare program goes to the heart of this ethos by introducing the next generation of landcarers to their local environment and allowing them to get their hands dirty.”
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CHRRUP
CHRRUP is a community owned organisation with a focus on improving natural resource management practices and building a sustainable region through activities that are concentrated in the Nogoa, Comet, Belyando and Sutton River catchments. Located in Emerald, and directed by a board of 13, CHRRUP works closely with major NRM stakeholders in the Central Highlands who have an interest in sustainable agricultural practices.
CHRRUP was established in July 1997 as a three year resource use planning project, which was strongly supported by the local community. In 2001, CHRRUP became an Incorporated Cooperative.
CHRRUP has made a significant contribution to the Central Highlands community, agriculture and environment. In the three years between 2004 and 2007, CHRRUP, with the support of regional bodies, Fitzroy Basin Association and Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM, invested a total of $2 736 632 in the Comet, Nogoa and Belyando-Suttor River Catchments. Landholders contributed $5 309 083 to invest a total of $8 045 715 in the management of natural resources in the region.
Funding is provided through the Federal Government Caring for our Country budget allocation, however, CHRRUP is actively involved in seeking partnership arrangements with outside entities to attract funding and deliver effective programs to landholders. Recent examples include funding from Rio Tinto to run a succession planning forum, and an NRM Expo for high school students in partnership with BMA Gregory Crinum Mine.
Looking forward, CHRRUP will continue with federally funded NRM activities through the Fitzroy Basin Association, including Grains Best Management Practice and Priority Neighbourhood Catchment programs. |
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