Rob Dulhunty, Chair of Landcare NSW, said the week film, Transforming our Landscape Together, celebrates the valuable partnership between Landcare NSW and the VFFF.
Transforming our Landscape Together from Filigree Films on Vimeo.
“Our funding from the VFFF ends in December so this is the ideal time to reflect on what we’ve achieved through their philanthropy and to look forward, growing from our firm foundation,” Mr Dulhunty said.
“With the VFFF’s support, we were able to develop a strategic plan and employ the necessary resources to reach all major political parties prior to the 2015 State Government election and obtain bipartisan support for our Sustaining Landcare initiative,” he said.
Jenny Wheatley, CEO of the VFFF, said the inaugural grant for the Foundation’s Agriculture theme went to Landcare NSW, after extensive research and consultation.
“We believed in this organisation and backed it with core capacity-building funding for 18 months, with the goal of setting them up for longer term success,” Ms Wheatley said.
Long term, we want to make Landcare NSW less reliant on government funding and ensure a more sustainable future.
“They have utilised our funding very impressively, which is an endorsement of our decision to support them.”
The re-elected Baird Government cemented its commitment to Landcare NSW by developing and funding a new policy–the $15 million, four-year NSW Local Landcare Coordinators Initiative. In the next few weeks 66 part-time Local Landcare Coordinator positions will be announced.
These coordinators will work with local Landcare groups and networks to deliver strategically-aligned programs, as well as provide support and guidance to their local communities.
“The funding will unlock the full potential of the thousands of Landcare volunteers so they can continue with the job of restoring and protecting natural resources and strengthening local communities,” Mr Dulhunty said.
“Long term, we want to make Landcare NSW less reliant on government funding and ensure a more sustainable future. That is why we were so pleased that part of the new Government funding will go towards establishing a sustainable funding source.
“This will enable philanthropists, governments and partners from all sectors to assist in our transition towards financial stability and continuity. This way, the volunteer effort can be supported well into the future.”