Landcare Landscape – 2011 Volunteering Survey Report

In July and August 2011 a nationwide survey was conducted by Landcare Australia Ltd in order to capture the needs and challenges faced by volunteer Landcare groups (‘Landcare’ including Coastcare, Bushcare, ‘Friends of’, Rivercare and Dunecare groups). The survey was conducted to coincide with Landcare Week, which runs from September 5th to 11th and aimed to help raise awareness of the Landcare movement and the vital role it plays in repairing and protecting Australia’s biodiversity and the uptake of sustainable production practices.

The ‘Landcare Landscape’ survey shows a passionate and dedicated movement of people who are concerned for the future of our natural resources and the need for support to assist them to continue with their valuable environmental and community work. The surveyed results showed that Landcare groups generally have between 11 and 50 members which most commonly undertake planting and weed management activities a few days per month with the majority stating that the main reason as to why they donate their time to landcare is due to concern for local environmental issues. The average age of landcare volunteers is over 50 yet there is also a healthy representation of members under 18 years of age and a steady and active recruitment of new members happening. It was stated that the major perceieved barrier towards volunteering is the lack of time for many people and in order for groups to maintain active volunteers the most required needs are funding and new volunteers, respectively. Most landcare volunteer work is undertaken primarily on public land and 83% of respondents believe that the main aim of their groups’ activities is to protect the local environment for future generations.

Click here to download a pdf copy of the survey report.

Contents of report:

    Landcare Groups
  1. Location of Landcare volunteer survey participant groups
  2. Group member numbers and participation
  3. The average age of landcare volunteers
  4. How long have the groups existed
  5. How often do groups meet/ work
  6. Where do groups undertake most of their work
  7. Overall aim of Groups work
  8. Most common activities undertaken by volunteer groups
  9. Greatest needs of groups
  10. i) Recruitment of volunteers
    ii) Barriers towards greater volunteer numbers
  11. Funding avenues currently sought by groups
  12. Connections with industry
  13. National support services
  14. National Landcare Directory (NLD)

    15. Landcare People

  15. Volunteer Demographics
    i) Average Age
    ii) Gender
    iii) Occupation
  16. Length of volunteering
  17. What drives Landcare members to volunteer
  18. Concerns raised about the future of Australia’s natural resources
  19. Direct Quotes, Comments & Feedback

Winners of the draw for $500

Everyone who fully completed the survey was entered into a draw to receive one of 20 grants worth $500 for their group.

The winners of the draw are:

  • Carwoola Landcare Group
  • Captains Flat and District Landcare Group
  • Callala Bushcare Group
  • Malanda and Upper Johnstone Landcare Inc.
  • Tabourie Lake Bushcare
  • Braidwood Urban Landcare Group
  • Stirling Natural Environment Coastcare Inc.
  • Rodwell Creek Wistow Landcare Group Inc. (inc Red Creek Catchment Group)
  • Yea River Landcare Group
  • Circular Head Landcare Group
  • Yacka Moorundie Range Landcare Group
  • Chittering Landcare
  • Frog Decline Reversal Project, Inc.
  • Bend of Islands Conservation Association (BICA Landcare)
  • Gudgenby Bush Regeneration Group
  • Upper Clarence Combined Landcare Inc. (UCCL)
  • Clifton Creek Community Landcare
  • Land for Wildlife Central Australia
  • Bairnsdale urban Landcare Group
  • Barkly Landcare & Conservation Association

Landcare Australia would like to thank all of those who took the time to participate in the valuable survey.