Landcare Australia is kicking off the annual celebration of Landcare Week on August 5-11, 2024 by unveiling an exciting new Landcare Australia Community Grants program directing funds right into the heart of grassroots landcare across Australia.   

The $300,000 Landcare Australia Community Grants Program will offer grants from $5,000 to $20,000. The grants program is open to all landcare groups and other community-led environmental groups across Australia including Bushcare, ‘Friends of’, Coastcare and Dunecare groups. The grants will support what matters most to Landcare groups – using local knowledge to restore, enhance and protect their natural environment, increase biodiversity and help improve community engagement in Landcare activities. 

Landcare Australia is particularly interested in grassroots projects that galvanise community action to help increase the number of people rolling up their sleeves for conservation projects in their local patch. 

Eligible activities include educational workshops, field days, restoring wildlife habitat, creating shelterbelts, installing fences, protecting waterways, managing weeds and feral pests, working with Traditional Owners and First Nations organisations, purchasing plants and equipment, installing signage, amongst other Landcare activities. 

Dr Shane Norrish, Landcare Australia CEO said “This new grant program was made possible by generous contributions from Landcare Australia’s supporters and donations. This Landcare Week, Landcare Australia is excited to support grassroots landcare groups with funding for wide-ranging natural environment projects important to their local community.” 

Dr Norrish emphasised the importance of supporting local landcare groups “Landcare Australia plays a huge role in supporting the landcare movement and finding ways to help groups at a local level. Landcare connects people to their local community, and this grants program aims to help support groups to encourage volunteers to get involved so they can experience caring for the environment in their community in a group where everyone is welcome and their contribution counts.”   

The Landcare Australia Community Grants program coincides with a big milestone for Landcare Australia and Landcare as a national movement. 35 years ago in Wentworth NSW, former Prime Minister Bob Hawke AC announced the ‘Decade of Landcare’ and established Landcare Australia. The national formation of the Landcare movement brought farmers and conservationists together to resolve environmental issues. Landcare remains just as relevant today, as it was 35 years ago, continuing its mission to protect and enhance our natural environment and productive landscapes. 

 Landcare Australia is a finalist for this year’s Third Sector Awards. Tickets are selling our fast, click here to secure yours now!