Key environmental organisations pledge to work together
Leading environmental non-profit organisations, Greening Australia and Landcare Australia have recently signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on projects and programs that can be delivered more effectively in partnership between both organisations.
Both will apply their extensive expertise and experience to determine appropriate opportunities to work collaboratively, which could potentially include opportunities under the Carbon Farming Initiative and the Land Sector Package of the Clean Energy Future Plan, among others.
Greening Australia and Landcare Australia will develop joint submissions and support material to demonstrate their skills and the benefits of partnering with both organisations to deliver key government programs and strong environmental outcomes. Any work will be undertaken with full respect of the skills and IP of both bodies.
Heather Campbell, CEO of Landcare Australia welcomed the agreement, as an exciting step towards working with another key player in the environmental non-profit space.
“At Landcare Australia, we recognise Greening Australia’s impressive 30 year track record of focusing on community-led sustainable productive farming, environmental management and biodiversity, and welcome this opportunity to work together in a way that is sure to be of benefit to sustainable land management in Australia,” she commented.
Greening Australia CEO, Brendan Foran, also believes that the organisations coming together can make a bigger difference with regard to relevant government programs, than working separately.
“With Federal Government programs such as the Carbon Farming Initiative being introduced, it just makes sense for Greening Australia to partner with Landcare Australia. Between the two organizations we have 50 years of combined experience supporting the Landcare movement. By working together, landholders will have the benefit of both of our dedicated teams working towards the common goal of helping them adapt to a rapidly changing natural resource management sector,” he said.
Greening Australia employs 250 staff across every State and Territory in Australia, and has previously delivered many programs in partnership with the Australia Government, including Bushcare Support, a flagship program of the Natural Heritage Trust. The organisation also runs national training programs including LEAP and Green Corps.
Landcare Australia is contracted by the Australian Government to run the State and National Landcare Awards, Landcare Week and other national awareness-raising campaigns. It also manages a number of corporate partnerships which provide funding and resources across the Landcare and Coastcare movements.
Both organisations welcome the appointment of the new Land Sector Advisory Board and look forward to working together to maximise efficiencies and ensure the greatest possible outcomes for landholders and the environment are delivered.
To read more about both organisations, please visit www.greeningaustralia.org.au and www.landcareonline.com.au
For more information, please contact:
Melissa Whitelaw at Landcare Australia on (02) 9884 7680 or email melissa.whitelaw@landcareaustralia.com.au
Lynne King at Greening Australia on 0416 003 218 or email lking@greeningaustralia.org.au
About Landcare Australia
Landcare Australia Limited is a non-political, uniquely Australian partnership between the community, government and business to protect and repair Australia’s magnificent, yet stressed, natural resources.
Landcare Australia is the official not-for-profit organisation directly responsible for the promotion and marketing of the inspiring landcare volunteer network as well as corporate engagement with the movement. A primary focus is to raise awareness of Landcare through promotional activities and national campaigns including Landcare Week and the Landcare Awards.
The Landcare movement is made up of approximately 4,000 Landcare and 2,000 Coastcare volunteer groups that work on environmental projects in their local communities. The groups that fall under the Landcare umbrella are varied in nature and don’t necessarily include Landcare in their names, including Productive farming groups, ‘Friends of’, Bushcare, Coastcare, Rivercare, and Dunecare. Landcare also include farmers embracing sustainable farm management and any community group that partakes in volunteer environmental activities.
Over the last 20 years Landcare Australia has developed a niche for brokering partnerships that balance the needs and concerns of corporate, government and community stakeholders to assist local environmental and agricultural repair projects. Millions of dollars worth of funding and in-kind support are distributed to the landcare community and farmers each year. Landcare Australia’s agenda is to expand promotional and financial support of the landcare movement to continue evolving its primary role in community natural resource management.
Click here to visit the Landcare Australia website for more information: www.landcareonline.com.au
Greening Australia Background
For nearly 30 years, Greening Australia has been quietly working with business, government, farmers, landowners, community groups, land management agencies, schools and individuals, to tackle critical issues like salinity, declining water quality, soil degradation, climate change, carbon neutralising and biodiversity loss head on.
Greening Australia is helping to successfully combat loss of habitat through an innovative blend of practical experience, science, community engagement and commitment. Greening Australia’s activities are consolidated into three main areas – Sustainable Landscape Management, Environmental Education & training and National Programs. GAV manages projects that protect remnant bush through fencing, seed collection and seedbanking, and reinstate growth in areas that have been used for agriculture or logging. By conducting extensive research projects and using the results to aid in education and training, Greening Australia is rolling out the green carpet and making the planet a better place to live.
