A GUIDE TO LANDCARE IN TASMANIA

What is Landcare?
What is a Landcare group?
How did Landcare start?
Landcare Issues in Tasmania
Landcare for Everyone
Contacts for Landcare in Tasmania

What is Landcare?

• Landcare is about local communities and government agencies working together in a creative partnership to tackle and prevent land and water problems.
• Landcare encourages individuals and groups to take hands-on action to repair past mistakes and prevent future degradation.
• Landcare aims to assist landholders, community groups and industry to learn and engage in sustainable land and water management practices for the benefit of present and future generations.

What is a Landcare Group?

One way to look after your local land and water is to form a Landcare group. A Landcare group is created when individuals band together to do something positive within their local environment. Landcare groups are voluntary. Each group sets its own goals, working with government departments only when they choose to - no one is looking over their shoulder.

Landcare Officers are available to help develop action plans, gain technical advice and seek financial or resource assistance.

Over 300 Landcare groups have formed in Tasmania and 50% of these are from rural areas. Across Australia there are over 4500 groups, with 40% of farms having a Landcare Group member.

The success of Landcare is due to its on-ground actions: Landcarers don't just talk about problems they take action!

How Did Landcare Start?

In the late 1980’s a group of farmers decided to move away from traditional farming methods and try ways more suited to the Australian environment. They wanted to continue to be productive while protecting their local environment for the future.

Recognising the enormous scale of land degradation in Australia and inspired the efforts of the farmers, in 1989 the Australian Conservation Foundation and the National Farmers Federation developed a joint submission for the government. They believed that to tackle problems, community involvement and funding were needed.

The Commonwealth responded by declaring the 1990's as the "Decade of Landcare," supported by $600 million dollars in funding. Today there are over 6,500 Landcare, Bushcare and Coastcare community groups throughout Australia being supported by all levels of government.

Landcare Issues in Tasmania

Landcarers are currently addressing a range of issues in Tasmania, including:

• Weed Control & River Restoration
• Soil Erosion, Tree Decline & Drought
• Recycling Shelterbelts & Fencing
• Biodiversity Native & Feral Animals
• Water Quality & Whole Farm Planning
• Education & Endangered Species
• Coastcare Rural - Urban Links
• Salinity Catchment Management
• Grazing Pasture Decline

Landcare for Everyone

Individuals and Landcare

You don't have to be part of a group to be a Landcarer — Everyone can make a difference.

Whether it’s a backyard project, a change on your farm or at your workplace – everything counts. You can recycle, compost, plant trees, remove weeds, take a Whole Farm Planning course, conserve water or talk to your neighbours about Landcare.

Landcare and Schools

Students and teachers from schools all around Tasmania are getting involved and making a difference in Landcare. They are engaging in projects such as growing seedlings, soil analysis, tree planting, composting, water monitoring, Waterwatch, energy efficiency, wildlife protection and more.

Local Government and Landcare

Local councils are giving their full support to Landcare and public land. Councils are partnering with individuals and community groups on issues such as weed control, roadside vegetation, removal of willows from rivers, protection of scenic skylines, water pollution, seed collection, tree planting and community clean-ups.

Peter Cundall Supports Landcare

"Tasmania is a special place, endowed with magnificent wild lands and fertile farmlands. The serious land and water problems that Tasmania faces will take the efforts of everyone so as to ensure that this spectacular state remains clean, green and prosperous. It is heartening to see all the good work being done by Landcare groups in Tasmania. I am proud to be able to lend my support to this positive community movement."

Contacts For Landcare in Tasmania

If you are concerned about the land and water in your area, please contact the Tasmanian Landcare Association or click on Our Groups to find a group near you.