NLN staff, board members and Landcare peak bodies from across Australia gathered in Sydney in February 2025 to talk about our collective work, current issues in Landcare and ways that we can continue to work together as a resilient, responsive and vibrant community.
Allan Parker, a behavioural scientist and organisational change expert, skilfully facilitated the two-day process helping navigate the complex space of each State and Territory’s unique needs and define a clear path forward for the NLN during a time of transition.
The NLN and STLO representatives and staff worked with Allan in an atmosphere of camaraderie and shared vision and dedication to our most precious resource – our natural environment. The session highlighted the vibrant culture of inclusivity, support, and care for the land that characterizes Landcare across the country.
Building strong foundations for collaboration
Meeting face to face offered a valuable opportunity to deepen connections within the widely dispersed leadership network, and to share impact stories, challenges, and insights. Many shared their view that coming together in person strengthened and showed the power and potential of cohesive relationships for building a stronger Landcare community for continued collaboration, and knowledge and resource exchange.
Presentations and slides shared by each peak body’s CEO highlighted the amazing impact and innovation happening across diverse landscapes and communities in Landcare. Stories, achievements and challenges painted a collective picture of where the Landcare movement has brought us over the last three to four decades, and the commonality of current issues such as volunteer burnout, decreased volunteer engagement, under-resourcing, under-staffing, and a need for greater governance support and succession planning. The peak groups committed to continued respectful collaborations, and renewed ways of working, to help us grow the vision and practice of ‘Future Landcare’.
First Nations initiatives in Landcare
Uncle John Chester, First Nations and South Australian board representative for NLN and long-time Landcare and Caring for Country advocate, highlighted the progress made in a movement that places collaboration as a key strength for achieving shared goals. John spoke of the symbolic meaning and significance of the hands in the NLN logo which represent the integral role that two cultures play in preserving our natural resources.
Bibi Barba, First Nations Facilitator and the newest addition to the NLN team gave a bright and moving presentation which highlighted the untapped potential of the Landcare movement in helping to close the gap for First Nations communities through innovative projects and meaningful partnerships. She spoke about the Budding Pathways pilot project, to be delivered in collaboration with First Nations grassroots organisations, bringing horticultural skills and cultural bush plant knowledge into the juvenile justice system, supporting youth well-being and connection to Country.
Shaun Branden, NLN First Nations Engagement Coordinator, discussed emerging opportunities for the NLN to collaborate with stakeholders to enhance engagement with First Nations people and communities. Shaun emphasized the growing momentum and numerous opportunities in Indigenous Land Management across Australia. He is currently working towards achieving the objectives of a Statement of Collaboration with the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, aiming to showcase best practices in integrating traditional cultural knowledge with western land management through Landcare collaborations on divested properties.
2030 Program
Louise Turner delivered a presentation on the key activities and deliverables for the 2030 Program, the Australian Government’s investment in sustainable agriculture, natural resource management and environmental protection. NLN will prioritise collaboration with State and Territory Landcare Organisations and work with Landcare Australia on various projects to amplify the Australian Landcare Movement’s impact and support shared goals.
National Landcare Facilitator Program
Melanie Tyas, highlighted that the Landcare Facilitator Program is now at a stage where we can forge ahead with our deliverables. With all positions filled, except for the male First Nations Facilitator, NLN can fully engage in ‘future proofing’ Landcare across the country. NLN has been funded by the Australian Government to embark on our shared ambitions and objectives, through our core projects. The NLN has made a strong start with the National Volunteer Initiative, Advocacy and Partnerships, the Project Bank and the Budding Pathways Two-Way Initiative all now underway. Our projects have been co-designed overseen and developed by highly experienced facilitators; We are on target to meet and exceed our deliverables.
NLN National Volunteering Initiative (NVI)
Jen Quealy and Kim Boswell, National Landcare Volunteer Facilitators for the National Volunteering Initiative, shared strategies to achieve a 20% growth in people, projects, impacts and resources across Landcare organisations. The NVI responds to Volunteer Australia’s National Strategy for Volunteering 2023 – 2033, focusing on supporting volunteering nationwide. Funded by the Australian Government through the NLFP, the initiative is guided by the needs and direction of the NLN and STLOs. The development of the NVI Working Group aims to align and share expertise and knowledge and continue to grow Landcare as a key community-led network across Australia.
Research highlights systemic changes needed to attract and retain volunteers. Accessible technologies, like mobile phones and tech platforms, offer new opportunities post-COVID-19. Kim and Jen suggested new initiatives, including a Landcare HelpDesk, large regional engagement projects, and honouring current members while appealing to new volunteers, members and supporters.
Next steps
Encouraging innovation and adaptation to emerging challenges, with our people, projects, and practices are key strategies to revitalise and grow Landcare into the future. These are exciting times for the National Landcare Network, with the launch of the National Facilitator Program and the recruitment of the new National Landcare Facilitator, Melanie Tyas, who is building a strong multi-disciplinary team of passionate leaders and working closely with STLOs to grow Landcare impacts, through actively supporting Landcare members, volunteers, groups and networks.
Steve Bunnell, Chairperson of the NLN Management Committee, joined the session on the second day, commenting “I was impressed and truly inspired by the calibre of individuals in the room. The incredible work being done across the country not only strengthens our communities but also secures a sustainable future for Landcare and our future generations.”
Keeping the momentum of these new initiatives, working relationships and processes going, the Facilitator Program will update State and Territory Landcare Organisations on its progress and gather feedback in April. In August, Allan Parker will collaborate with the group to solidify achievements and strengthen the future of the NLN.
