Sharing a love of the environment

LEIGH and District Landcare Group volunteers are putting the callout for other nature-lovers to join their ranks.

It’s one of six groups within the Geelong Landcare Network, with operations in the townships of Shelford, Inverleigh, Teesdale, Bannockburn, and Wingeel.

President Susan Wishart said it’s hoped an intake in membership will enable them to boost their reach and activity.

“We’d love to see some new blood in because Landcare is really about connecting people to the community through a shared love of the environment,” she said.

“We’re a smaller group and we only hold about four to six events each year, so we’re hoping some new members might inspire some new projects for us.

“We’re driven by the needs of the group. We’d just like to see some people taking an interest.”

First established in 1989, the branch currently has about 30 members. Although the group’s events such as National Tree Day plantings attract many new faces, they haven’t led to membership growth.

Having been group leader for five years, Ms Wishart said the issue of recruitment is not exclusive to Leigh and District Landcare.

“Everyone has work and lives and people are time-poor these days. It’s a sign of the times, really, but we just want some new members so we can work together for a common goal,” she said.

“Getting our members to actually come to our meetings and contribute is really hard so that would really take some of the pressure off the two of us.”

To express interest in joining the Leigh and District Landcare Group, contact [email protected] or secretary Sharon MacDonald at [email protected].