Victorian Landcare Magazine - Winter 2022, Issue 84
Over the past couple of years, it was wonderful to see the Landcare and environmental volunteer community turn to technology to find innovative ways of connecting to and communicating with others to continue their important work.
The stories in this issue highlight how Landcare and environmental volunteer groups and networks have used online tools to publicise, plan, communicate and report on their projects.
The East Gippsland CMA developed a series of virtual topsoil field days to meet the continuing need of its community for increased knowledge and discussion about best practices to improve soil health. The farmer-presenters were supported in taking participants on a virtual tour of their properties using videos, maps, photographs and live online discussion.
You can also read about how the Strath Creek Landcare Group created a podcast featuring the diverse voices of its members. Making a documentary when face-to-face interviews were restricted and outdoor gatherings were regulated due to COVID-19 posed many challenges, but the podcast created an important account of the Landcare group and its small rural community.
Another great article is about how BirdLife Australia volunteers spent more than 10,000 hours listening to audio of wetlands, participating in a research project to confirm the presence or absence of Australasian Bitterns at different wetlands.
The stories in this issue help demonstrate the resilience, adaptability and innovation of Victoria’s Landcare and environmental volunteer groups and networks. The online tools they use both engage their local communities and help us understand and improve our natural environment.
In the meantime, the Victorian Government is doing its part to care for our natural environment and biodiversity.
In the 2022-23 State Budget we have committed nearly $190 million that will go towards protecting the environment, upgrading and establishing new parks, looking after our coastlines and coastal parks, protecting the state’s forests and supporting workers, helping Victorians enjoy the great outdoors and preserving our precious biodiversity. This brings our investment to support our precious biodiversity to over $560 million since coming to government in 2014.
The Victorian Government is also continuing to support Landcare groups and environmental volunteers and has opened the 2022 Victorian Landcare Grants and the 2022 Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants.
This funding will assist our hard-working volunteers, community groups and youth to continue caring for our local natural environment.
The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio
Minister for Energy
Minister for Environment and Climate Action
Minister for Solar Homes
The Victorian Government has provided $3.35 million funding for the 2022 Victorian Landcare Gants for Landcare and environmental volunteer groups/networks to undertake on-ground works, education, and capacity building projects that protect, enhance, and restore our land and natural environment.
Project Grants: up to $20,000 for on-ground works, education, and capacity building projects
Support Grants: up to $500 to help with group administration and running costs
Eligibility: Victorian Landcare and environmental volunteer groups/networks, Friends of groups, Conservation Management Networks, Coastcare groups, and Aboriginal groups and organisations working on Country.
Applications close: Tuesday 26 July 2022 at 5pm
More information: https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/grants/victorian-landcare-grants
The Victorian Government has provided $450,000 funding for the 2022 Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants.
Project funding: grants of up to $5,000 are available for projects for young Victorians to participate in biodiversity focused hands-on projects or environmental learning activities.
Eligibility: schools, childcare centres, kindergartens, Scouts, Girl Guides, youth groups, and Junior Landcare groups in Victoria can apply for the grants.
Applications close: Tuesday 9 August 2022 at 3pm
For more information:
go to https://juniorlandcare.org.au/grant/2022-victorian-junior-landcare-and-biodiversity-grants