REGIONAL LANDCARE

North Coast Regional Landcare Network: a Regional Voice

In 2009 the 13 Landcare networks across the northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority region joined together to create the North Coast Regional Landcare Network. The Network is an incorporated body which aims to

* present a regional Landcare voice and perspective in communication with the NRCMA and other government and non-government agencies

* provide support for member networks

* communicate information and ideas amongst members

* facilitate regional scale landcare projects

In 2010 NCRLN secured funding from the Australian Government to employ and manage a Regional Landcare Facilitator (RLF) whose role is to work with the regional community to increase the uptake of sustainable farming practices and provision of ecosystem services.  RLF Jodie Gager is based on the Tweed Coast and can be contacted through email at rlf_NCRLandcare@hotmail.com.

The executive of NCRLN is Neville Sloss (Richmond Landcare Inc) Brian Dodd (Clarence Landcare) Vice  Chair, Colin Matthews (Bellinger Landcare) Vice Chair, Daintry Gerrand (Hastings Landcare) Secretary, Craig Stehn (Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare)Treasurer

Regional Landcarers Shine at National  Landcare Awards           RLAGroup pic1

The biennial awards ceremony, held recently in Parkes, in conjunction with the NSW Landcare and Catchment Management Forum, celebrated individual and community volunteer projects that have made significant contributions to the environment in local communities around New South Wales.

All of the nominees and winners should be incredibly proud of the impact they have made in protecting the natural resources in their local communities. Volunteers play a vital role in restoring and maintaining our environment at a local level, and the Landcare Awards are a terrific opportunity to acknowledge their efforts and celebrate their achievements.

The high calibre of nominees and impressive achievements of the winners demonstrates the dedication and enthusiasm of the Landcare community, and the essential role it plays in the management of Australia’s natural resources.

The winners in each category represent the diverse work that the Landcare movement is involved in, with activities ranging from sustainable farming practices to rehabilitation of coastal sites.

All the winners of the NSW categories will go through as nominees for their respective categories at the 2012 National Landcare Awards to be held in Sydney next year. Winners of the 2011 NSW Landcare Awards are:

Australian Government Coastcare Award: South West Rocks Dunecare (North Coast)
Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award: Chris Scott (North Coast)
Toshiba Community Group Award: Balala Brushgrove Landcare Group
Rural Press Primary Producer Award: Danny Flanery
Australian Government Innovation in Sustainable Farm Practices Award: Russell Ford
Local Government Landcare Partnerships Award: Byron and Tweed Shire Councils (Tweed Byron Bush Futures) (North Coast)
Australian Government Facilitator-Coordinator Award: Robert (Bob) Jarman(North Coast)
Be Natural Young Landcare Leader Award: Megan Rowlatt
Urban Landcare Award: Georges River Combined Councils’ Committee
Westpac Education Award: Corowa South Public School
Australian Government Natural Resource Management Region Award: Central West CMA
People’s Choice Award (NSW State only category): Save Manly Dam Catchment Committee – Return of the Mermaids
Leighton Holdings Indigenous Award: Billa Bunyips

As well as great represention of the North Coast in the winners listing, we also did well in the “places”… The NRCMA came second in the Natural Resource Management Region Award category, Greg and Sally  Chappell, beef farmers from Glen Innes came second in the Primary Producers category, Westport High came third in the Schools category and Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation from Red Rock came second in the Indigenous Landcare Awards. Congratulations to all