Following a long and damaging bushfire season, many regional communities are dealing with a prolonged period of drought. We are continuing to listen to farmers and communities doing it tough and have backed that up with a $144 million support package and dedicated Drought Response Taskforce.

Of course, business as usual has continued as well. We have been busy with efforts to support the tireless work of volunteer groups in making a difference in our parks, waterways and reserves. In recent months we have announced grant funding for hundreds of incredible projects co-ordinated through Landcare, Junior Landcare, Landcare for Country and Coastcare.

In August we celebrated National Landcare Week, an important time to reflect on past successes while building momentum for projects and initiatives still to come. The hectares of restored coastlines and parks, and kilometres of revegetated waterways only happen with the hard work of volunteers and certainly Landcare Week was a great opportunity to celebrate that work and dedication.

Our recent State Budget will continue to support volunteers through the Victorian Government Landcare program, funding 10 statewide Regional Landcare Co-ordinators and 80 part-time Landcare facilitators. These efforts empower locals to take action for their environment and ensure all Victorians can continue to enjoy the best of our great outdoors for generations to come.

This magazine issue is full of stories about grassroots energy and inspiring wins for sustainability across Victoria. It is a testament to how local action and collaboration can ripple out into real change – from goats munching weeds to kids building frog homes.

Moondarra Blueberries showcases sustainability with renewable energy, compostable packaging and goats for weeding. A two-year trial at Waratah Bay highlights the benefits of multispecies pastures, outperforming conventional mixes in yield and cost, and we hear about restoring Gariwerd after the fires with the help of Landmate crews: minimum-security prisoners who help remove weeds and restore fire-affected land.

Several milestone celebrations are acknowledged, including 20 years of the Cactus Warriors, 30 years of Goulburn Murray Landcare Network and Goulburn Valley Tree Group turning 40!

Speaking of milestones, next year Landcare in Victoria will celebrate 40 years. This incredible journey began on 25 November 1986, right here in Victoria with the formation of the Winjallok Landcare Group near St Arnaud. Landcare is now a global movement, with Landcare groups and projects in more than 20 countries, including the United States, Iceland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Kenya, South Africa, the Philippines, New Zealand, Nigeria and Sri Lanka.

In celebrating 40 years of Landcare in Victoria, we invite readers to submit stories for the next issue that highlight Landcare’s achievements, partnerships and lessons learned, demonstrating the enduring impact of community-driven conservation across the state.

Hopefully you can make it to the 2025 National Landcare Conference at the Gold Coast from 21–24 September, with an exciting program aligned to the theme ‘Landcare: Nature, Agriculture, Land and People Positive’. Don’t forget to visit the Victorian Government exhibitor stall where we will showcase investment and achievements in community collaboration to protect and enhance the environment. I also encourage change makers to register for the NextGen Landcare Summit at the conference, sponsored by the Victorian Government, which is an opportunity for 18 to 35 year olds to connect, inspire and be part of the next generation of environmental leaders.

Thank you to everyone involved in these projects for promoting sustainable land management, enhancing our environmental health and for sharing your stories. We proudly support volunteers who tirelessly work to keep our unique environment healthy, allowing Victorians to continue enjoying the beauty and offerings of our great outdoors.

Steve Dimopoulos MP

Member for Oakleigh

Minister for Environment

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events

Minister for Outdoor Recreation