Victorian Landcare Magazine - Winter 2021, Issue 81
In early 2020, the Board of Landcare Victoria Incorporated (LVI) began a major program of reform. Strategic directions and priorities were reviewed with the aim of improving leadership, and the services LVI provides to members. This work was supported by generous donations from the Rendere Trust (Phillipson family), and the Upotipotpon Foundation (Crothers family).
I was appointed in the new role of Chief Executive Officer in July 2020, followed by Claire Hetzel as Landcare Development Coordinator, and Amanda Grace as Office Coordinator.
Above: The new team at LVI – Chief Executive Officer Andrew Maclean, Office Coordinator Amanda Grace and Landcare Development Coordinator Claire Hetzel.
The board has adopted a new strategic plan for LVI with three key goals: a strong voice for Victorian Landcare; a thriving and resilient landcare community; and, a healthy organisation.
The Landcare community knows how important the Victorian Landcare Facilitator Program is for the past and future success of Landcare. An economic analysis completed by LVI in 2020 demonstrated that government support for Landcare facilitators generates a return on investment of at least 7:1. LVI will continue to work with DELWP to ensure the program is as effective and equitable as possible.
Recent activities have included a submission to the Parliamentary Enquiry into Ecosystem Decline where we stressed that reversing the long-term trend of ecosystem decline depends heavily on Landcare.
LVI plans to take a stronger role in securing resources for Landcare. For example, through our national partnerships, we hope to secure substantial new funding for bushfire recovery.
One of our urgent priorities is improving LVI’s communication capacity and performance. A new website and more active use of social media will be part of this.
The Board and staff are grateful for the support and encouragement of the Landcare community as we make steady progress towards stronger support for our members.
For more information email andrew.maclean@lvi.org.au