Erin Rowe – Young Landcare Leader Award

Project Profile

Issues

Erin Rowe is making a big difference to both the environment and young people’s lives in her role as a Green Corps Team Leader. Through community projects and activities, Erin continues to promote awareness of the importance of caring for the environment.

Project Detail

Glossodia local, 27 year old Erin Rowe has been nominated for a National Landcare Award for her work with Green Corps and the inspiration and encouragement she has given to many of the participants.

Erin has managed three Green Corps teams, overseeing teams of 10 young people and organising a diverse and achievable 26-week Landcare program. Skills learned include methods of weed removal, chemical application methods, weed identification, weed removal methods, native plant identification and erosion control.

Erin has earned the respect of each team member and helped to turn the lives around of several participants who have disabilities and difficulty finding work. Over each six-month period, the teams have achieved on-ground outcomes exceeding expectations and they have assisted several local Landcare groups to expand their works.

Under Erin’s supervision, the Windsor Green Corps team organised a weekend tree planting event for World Environment Day. Around 40 local community members participated and were taught how to plant by the Green Corps team members. This was a significant outcome for Erin and her team and provided them with a great sense of achievement.

As a mark of her success, Greening Australia chose Erin’s Green Corps team as a showcase for a delegation from a Japanese University who are considering a similar model in Japan.

Another initiative that contributes to Erin’s nomination is the creation of the Hawkesbury Young Landcare Group with her former Green Corps participants and other young people in the area. The aim of Hawkesbury Young Landcare is to engage the young people in the area in environmental works to create positive outcomes for their community. Erin has applied for funding to acquire tools and has gained support from the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority, The Hawkesbury Rainforest Network, The Willow Warriors and Greening Australia to create this Landcare Group.

Hawkesbury Young Landcare has partnered with The Willow Warriors to undertake a Monitoring our Hawkesbury Restoration project that has recently received a $20,000 grant. This grant involves the group paddling down the river to monitor and control weeds. Hawkesbury Young Landcare have also been supporting the activities of the Hawkesbury Rainforest Network including participating in tree planting days. Recently Hawkesbury Young Landcare travelled to Jenolan Caves to volunteer with the Lithgow- Oberon Landcare Association to treat sycamore trees.

Erin has provided inspiration, encouragement and leadership to the local Green Corps teams she has managed and together they have achieved great results. The local Hawkesbury region has benefited from her enthusiasm, knowledge and dedication to caring for the precious environment.

Erin Rowe is one of 88 finalists in the National Landcare Awards to be announced in Canberra on 24 June 2010. Commencing in 1991, the Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals and groups that make a valuable contribution to the land and coast where they live and work.

Photography

Hawkesbury Young Landcare