History of Landcare in Victoria
Landcare started in Victoria in 1986. It was based on a simple idea; people organising to come together to discuss shared land management issues, and to design and implement practical solutions to take action to address these issues.
Since the first Landcare group formed at Winjallok near St Arnaud in central Victoria, hundreds of Landcare groups have formed across Victoria. Landcare soon became a national movement and in recent years has expanded internationally to more than 20 countries.
Landcare has achieved success in nurturing a more sustainable land management ethos and practice. From its roots in production agriculture, Landcare has branched out to include environmental stewardship of both public and private land. Groups can be found in the bush, along the coast, as well as in urban and peri-urban areas.
Over the decades since it began, Landcare has become part of the social fabric of Victoria. The public value of Landcare is significant. In addition to the environmental gains, there are major social and economic benefits for participants and their communities. Landcare is community based leadership in action.
Landcare for Country pilot program
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action's Victorian Landcare Program (VLP) launched the Landcare for Country Pilot in 2022.
The pilot enables self-determination by supporting Traditional Owner and First Nations aspirations and priorities for Country and people.
The pilot aims to test different ways to support First Nations capacity and capability to engage with Landcare to care for Country.
There are currently 3 pilot partnerships established:
- Tati Tati Kaiejin Ltd
- Barengi GadjinLand Council Aboriginal Corporation
- Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation
2022-23 Outcomes
- Total of $2.2 million funding over 4 years
- 2 full-time and 5 part -time positions created within participating Aboriginal organisations
- 14 Cultural Practice Workshops delivered to Landcare Networks. Projects include:
- Cultural mapping
- Traditional practice
- Traditional burning
- Mapping waterways
- 40,000 Riparian and water plants planed in partnership with the Wetland Revival Trust, to revegetate and create a natural filtrations system at Robinvale
To learn more about cultural sensitivity and safety when engaging Traditional Custodians in volunteer projects and activities visit: First People’s cultural knowledge.
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Regional Landcare coordinators
We value the work of Victoria's volunteer-based Landcare groups and networks, and recognise the important support provided to these organisations by professional Landcare staff.
Through the Victorian Landcare Program the department funds 10 regional Landcare coordinator positions which are based in Catchment Management Authorities, and a statewide Aboriginal Landcare facilitator position.
| Location | RLC | phone number | email address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corangamite CMA | Kylie McLaren | 0455 673 537 | kylie.mclaren@ccma.vic.gov.au |
| East Gippsland CMA | Krystel Handley | 0419 892 268 | khandley@egcma.com.au |
| Glenelg Hopkins CMA | Rob Gibson | 03 5571 2526 | r.gibson@ghcma.vic.gov.au |
| Goulburn Broken CMA | Kerstie Lee | 0437 310 840 | kerstiel@gbcma.vic.gov.au |
| Mallee CMA | Nelson Burand-Hicks | 0427 540 468 | nelson.burand-hicks@malleecma.com.au |
| Melbourne Water | Barry Kennedy | 0447 821 559 | barry.kennedy@melbournewater.com.au |
| North Central CMA | Belinda Pritchard | 0408 342 593 | belinda.pritchard@nccma.vic.gov.au |
| North East CMA | Richard Dalkin | 0409 683 467 | richard.dalkin@necma.vic.gov.au |
| West Gippsland CMA | Marnie Ellis | 0428 619 671 | marniee@wgcma.vic.gov.au |
| Wimmera CMA | Joel Boyd | 0429 949 196 | boydj@wcma.vic.gov.au |
Victorian Landcare facilitator program
The Victorian Landcare facilitator program (VLFP) funds part-time Landcare facilitators who are employed directly by a range of organisations including Landcare and environmental groups and networks.
The Landcare facilitator's role is to enable the effective participation of Landcare groups and networks, landholders and the wider community in natural resource management activities that protect, enhance and restore the natural environment, and improve agricultural productivity.
The Landcare facilitators also have a strong focus on building group and network capacity, rather than dependency, to enable groups and networks to become sustainable.
Find out more about the Victorian Landcare facilitator program.
Landcare groups and networks
There are Landcare groups and networks across Victoria, contributing their time and energy to help care for our natural resources. The groups and networks develop their own priorities, organise community activities, and source support and funding from a variety of sources.
Key activities include:
- undertaking on-ground projects
- building partnerships,
- community capacity building and engagement,
- sharing stories and skills, and
- celebrating success.
Over time, Landcare has become more connected. Landcare groups continue to operate at the local community level, but a large proportion are now part of Landcare networks, which operate at a broader landscape scale.
To locate or find the contacts for a Landcare group or network near you, go to the Victorian Landcare Gateway website. Here you will also find news from Landcare groups and networks, including upcoming volunteer activities and events.
Landcare on public land
About 40% of Victoria is public land such as national parks, forests and reserves that are managed by government agencies.
While Landcare has traditionally worked on private land, some groups and networks also work collaboratively with public land managers to undertake projects on public land.
Where land management issues overlap between public and private land, Landcare provides an opportunity for private and public land managers to work together to tackle these issues.
Page last updated: 30/01/25