Landcare Awards to celebrate volunteers’ hard work

PEOPLE in the Geelong region are being encouraged to nominate for the 2021 Victorian Landcare Awards, which recognises individuals and groups across the state for their outstanding contributions to environmental volunteering and preserving the unique Australian landscape.

Faced with the devastation of bushfires, the impact of the drought and floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Landcarers across Victoria have rallied in the wake of unparalleled challenges.

Landcarers have been locally active rebuilding communities with on-ground projects including habitat restoration for threatened species, bushland regeneration, wellbeing and mental health activities, as well as engaging volunteers who want to contribute.

The 2021 Victorian Landcare Awards are an opportunity to celebrate and honour Landcare champions from urban and rural communities excelling in sustainable agricultural practices, environmental protection, conservation of land and waterways, coastlines and biodiversity.

The Victorian Government encourages nominations from groups, networks and individuals involved in protecting and improving their local environment.

Seven Victorian-only award categories are now open for nominations:

• Joan Kirner Landcare Award
• Landcare Network Award
• Environmental Volunteering Award
• Urban Landcare Award
• Dr Sidney Plowman Travel and Study Award
• VFF/LVI Heather Mitchell Memorial Fellowship
• Environmental Youth Action Scholarship.

Eight national award categories are also open:

• Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award
• Australian Government Partnerships for Landcare Award
• Australian Government Landcare Farming Award
• Coastcare Award
• Landcare Community Group Award
• Woolworths Junior Landcare Team Award
• KPMG Indigenous Land Management Award
• Young Landcare Leadership Award.

People can nominate for both categories.

Victorian winners from the national categories will go forward to the 2022 National Landcare Awards, held during the 2022 National Landcare Conference.

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said the 2021 Victorian Landcare Awards were a chance to celebrate the achievements of those leading the wider community to engage and participate in managing the environment and natural resources in their local area, while faced with unprecedented challenges.

The 2021 Victorian Landcare Awards ceremony will be held this September and will include the Victorian Environmental Friends Network’s Best Friends Awards, to commemorate its 30th anniversary.

Nominations close on June 30. For more information, head to the Landcare Victoria website.