New to Landcare
Is this your first time thinking about Landcare?
Find out about Landcare right here, right now.
“Landcare is for everyone.”
What is Landcare?
- A grassroots movement, supported by all three levels of government and the private sector.
- People working together in a catchment to combat soil erosion, pests & diseases, loss of habitat for local flora & fauna.
- Communities coming together to care for our environment.
- People working together to return the bushland, creeks, wetlands or beach to the wondrous place they remember from their childhood.
- Community building. It creates friendships, nurtures your soul and keeps you fit, it helps develop your sense of place, provides opportunities for you to make a difference and its fun.
Community Landcare: 30 years old
In 1989 Bob Hawke, the then Prime Minister of Australia, declared the 1990s to be the Decade of Landcare to address land degradation across Australia.
30 years later, after great successes and many challenges, the Landcare movement continues to engage, educate and enable local people to find and implement local solutions to local problems.
Who are community land carers?
As the name suggests, “Community Landcare” is all about local communities coming together to address local natural resource management issues.
Community Landcarers come from all walks of life. All ages can participate; from preschoolers to senior citizens!
Some Landcarers are:
- Organisers
Nurturers
Teachers
Tea Makers - Weeders & Planters
Digging Machines
Leaders
Listeners
“All are welcome on a Landcare site.”
Who supports Landcare?
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Landcarers
Through local groups, and district, regional, state, and national networks. Landcare groups will happily share their local knowledge and experience with new members. In addition to their local Landcare contributions, some Landcarers also volunteer their time and efforts to represent the Landcare movement to potential funding supporters, promote Landcare to the wider community and champion us when others have competing needs and/or wants.
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Governments
All three levels of government have a role to play in supporting Community Landcare.
The Australian government through the National Landcare Program.
The NSW government through the NSW Landcare Support Program.
Local government through a range of structures that support the engagement of local communities in caring for their natural environment.
“Our goal is to make Landcare Core Business of Government.”
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We do!
The Hunter Region Landcare Network has developed support structures to support Landcarers in our region. We are a representative group from across the region with considerable experience in all things Landcare.
We have secured funding from Hunter Local Land Services to facilitate workshops and field-days, hosted by the local Landcare group, to engage, educate and enable Landcarers.
We partner with other government agencies to facilitate partnerships between government and the community for the benefit of the environment.
“We are a conduit to and from state
and national Landcare networks
and government.”
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Paid Staff
The Hunter Region Landcare Network is the host organisation for three part-time projects in our region, Lower, Mid and Upper Hunter. Meet our team.
Who funds Landcare?
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Do you need money?
A minimum requirement is a group of like-minded people looking for, and implementing solutions for the issues at hand. Volunteers can undertake many of the activities Landcarers might do. -
Funding Opportunities
Local councils, local suppliers of goods and services, and your Regional & District Networks may be able to help with funding through grants or donations. -
Applying for funding? We can help!
Designing a project that others might want to fund is the first step. Your project might help them achieve their goals.
We have secured funding from Hunter Local Land Services to facilitate workshops and field-days, hosted by the local Landcare group, to engage, educate and enable Landcarers.
We partner with other government agencies to facilitate partnerships between government and the community for the benefit of the environment.
Planning your project
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Develop a “shelf project“
Clearly set out your goals, the issues you want to address, and the steps you propose to address them. -
Identify what’s needed
The resources required, metres of fencing, number of tubestock, mulch and plant protection, etc. and/or contractor time required. You will also need to estimate the in-kind contributions of your group, this is usually estimated at $30/ph. -
Acknowledge Contributions
Be sure to include contributions discounts and freebies from suppliers, council. -
Find Funding
Look for funding programs that share your goals
Landcare Members
Already involved in Landcare?
Here’s what we have on offer.
“We are Landcare.”
Apply for grants

Environmental Trust Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation
(Closing 3pm, 14 December 2020) up to $115,000 per project To assist community and government organisations to contribute to the ongoing sustainable management and stewardship of significant environmental assets and services in NSW. Applications will be expected to...

National Landcare Program: Smart Farms Small Grants Round 4
The Australian Government is inviting applications for projects to deliver services under the National Landcare Program – Smart Farms Small Grants Round 4.

Natural Resource Management Drought Resilience Program Grants
Natural Resource Management Drought Resilience Program Funding: $10 million Summary: The program will provide grants of between $20,000 and $200,000 to organisations, farmer groups and individuals to build drought resilience on agricultural landscapes. A competitive...
Access Resources

Weed of the Month: Coolatai grass Hyparrhenia hirta
Regional Priority Weed Objective - ASSET PROTECTION An invasive drought, fire and herbicide tolerant tussock forming perennial grass. It is found in all Australian states and territories. The main infestations on the East coast were south-eastern Queensland, north...

Bird species feature: Regent Honeyeater
It's been a big year for the Regent Honeyeater, and the captive bred birds released in the Hunter region this year are doing well and settling into a life in the wild, a significant step in protecting this critically endangered species. It's the work of our landcarers...

Plant of the Month: Choccie Lily
Mmmm Chocolate (Lilies!) One of the most anticipated Spring arrivals in woodland and forest areas in this area is the blooming of the Chocolate Lilies (Dichopogon fimbriatus) not only for the attractive purple flowers but also for the chocolate scent they have. While...