Victorian Landcare Magazine - Spring, Issue 92
Thousands of Bass Coast residents have learned about sustainable land management, biodiversity and environmental stewardship through programs designed or delivered by Lisa Wangman.
As Education, Training and Communications Manager with Bass Coast Landcare Network, Lisa helps people of all ages connect with landcare, from preschool children discovering nature for the first time to farmers exploring more sustainable ways to manage their land.
One of her most significant achievements has been expanding Bass Coast Landcare Network’s Environmental Detectives program into a suite of school-based activities that has reached more than 50 schools, delivered over 900 activities and engaged more than 20,000 students.
By identifying knowledge gaps and developing targeted courses, workshops and practical learning experiences, she has helped build environmental awareness across the wider community.
Lisa’s ability to bring people together through learning has been evident throughout her landcare career. Since joining Bass Coast Landcare Network in 2006, Lisa has worked across the network’s 11 member groups, supporting volunteers, securing funding and developing projects that encourage community participation and environmental action.
“Lisa Wangman deserves recognition for 22 years of inspiring, practical landcare leadership, strengthening groups, delivering projects, educating communities and building lasting environmental action,” Bass Coast Landcare Network Executive General Manager David Bateman said.
Lisa proposes to use the Heather Mitchell Memorial Fellowship to undertake a professional study tour of environmental, sustainability and agricultural education centres.
Bringing farmers, advisors and landcare groups together around regenerative agriculture has become a defining feature of Kristy Stewart’s contribution in the Upper Barwon region.
As Project Manager with Upper Barwon Landcare Network, she has led the development of a landscape scale resilient farming program that supports farmers to improve biodiversity, soil health and farm resilience while maintaining productive agricultural businesses.
Kristy has built strong partnerships with neighbouring landcare networks, industry organisations and agricultural service providers, creating opportunities for peer learning and long-term practice change.
Through workshops, field days, discussion groups and collaborative projects, she has helped connect farmers with new ideas and practical approaches that can be applied on-farm, while strengthening relationships between producers and the broader landcare movement.
Above: Kristy Stewart has led the development of a program that supports farmers to improve biodiversity, soil health and farm resilience.