A new review was conducted by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. It identified ways to scale up grassroots improvements to soil, water, and biodiversity under the national Landcare Program at the regional and national level.
It was one of seven areas that stakeholders identified as needing improvement in the Review of the second stage of the Landcare ProgramThe report also recommended improved delivery mechanisms, better monitoring and evaluation systems, better engagement and mobilisation by stakeholders, more co-design model projects, better links with private industry and Philanthropy, and more integration of Indigenous knowledge and expertise.
The report recognized the importance of grassroots organisations and volunteers to run programs to improve Australia’s unique environment. However, it also revealed a complex system with no overarching framework to clearly communicate the objectives and outcomes of Landcares projects.
According to the report, a common framework for NLP can help NLP and other investments into environmental protection, sustainable farming, and natural resources management achieve greater impact.
Although the Landcare program can distribute funds to national priorities in a wide range of focus areas, it can be difficult for stakeholders to understand the program’s impact and communicate their national priorities to Landcare.
Phase two ProgramFunded projects that addressed the impact of feral animals or pests on threatened species and rehabilitation of the Ramsar Wetlands, created new Indigenous protected zones and planted more than 29.5 millions trees under the 20 Million Trees program.
We invite you to participate in The Planting Trees For The Queens Jubilee Program, which marks the Platinum Jubilee Of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2.
Learn how to apply here https://t.co/oWt6hNUful@RBGSydney pic.twitter.com/XxghIx9vKh— Sussan Ley (@sussanley) February 7, 2022
Environment minister Sussan Ley said the $1.1 billion program (delivered over five years from 2018-23 and derived from the Natural Heritage Trust) was a government commitment to practical environmental action. She stated that the goal was to encourage communities, Traditional Owners, and land managers to take a leadership role in protecting the environment.
Ley said that the program inspires people to do extraordinary acts for the environment.
I want to thank everyone who provided feedback, including volunteers, landcare groups, regional NRM bodies and farmers, as well as members of the public and members of the media, for their contributions to the review process.
An expert reference panel of scientists, natural resource managers practitioners, and representatives from farming groups overseen the review. The review was conducted over a one month period, September to October 2013, and the group consulted with stakeholders. The final report contains 449 points of engagement. It was compiled with the help of an independent consultant group. Thinkplace.
David Littleproud, the Agriculture Minister, stated that Monday’s review report by the government showed Landcare had achieved good results for the environment and helped to support sector jobs.
Littleproud stated that the next phase will require continued support for projects that encourage volunteers.
Both environmental and agricultural outcomes will remain a major focus.
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