2. Landcare: a community-based approach to sustainable development Bruce Lloyd Chairman Australian Landcare Council

3. 3 Overview - Australia the driest populated continent - ~75% rangelands - “The Outback” ancient landscapes, harsh climate, low nutrient soils flora and fauna adapted to these conditions over millennia in 2001, supporting 20 million people enjoying a high standard of living with serious land and water degradation

4. Overview - Agriculture widespread land clearing since settlement broadacre grazing and cropping industries increased production - introduced crops and pastures - irrigation horticulture / dairy agriculture 24% of total export plus value-added processed food / beverages exports - 10% 60% of private land farmed / grazed 70% of water diverted for agricultural use

5. 5 Irrigated cropping

6. 6 Overview - Biophysical great biodiversity - particularly birds ecosystem - still time to save many ecosystems as distinct from single species saline geology contradiction - dry continent, but land threatened by rising saline water tables caused by replacing deep-rooted native perennial trees and grasses with annual crops and pastures salinity 5.7m ha - could grow to 17m ha by 2050

7. 7 Dryland Salinity

8. 8 Overview - Government Federal system of government for 100 years State Governments - constitutional responsibility for land, water and environmental management technical advice for farming and grazing industries States emphasised engineering and regulatory solutions to land and water problems State Governments reduced these services in 1970’s and 1980’s

9. 9 Background to Landcare ‘community landcare’ movement emerged in the 1980s - a response to reduction of State interest and concern at local level some State Governments responded positively 1989 - joint conservation and farmers’ proposal to Federal Government National Landcare Program began 1989 The 1990’s became the Decade of Landcare

10. 10 Key National Organisations Federal Government established: –Australian Landcare Council - policy advice to Ministers - majority community landcare –Landcare Australia Limited - corporate sponsorship, marketing and publicity –National Landcare Facilitator - linkage between landcare groups and Government States have similar structure

11. 11 Landcare in Australia: boost for community landcare - catalyst for change in awareness and action 4,500 voluntary groups rural and urban working on environmental problems restoring and enhancing natural resources community groups working in partnership with government

12. 12 Features of Landcare supported by –Federal and State governments –bipartisan - major political parties –farmers and conservationists –NGO’s, corporate sector and the community based on formal partnerships role for schools State and regional support structures government agencies - Agriculture and Environment

13. 13 Farmers’ support 38% are members of landcare groups 60% learned about causes of land degradation from landcare 70% learned how to treat or avoid degradation from landcare 64% learned benefits of good management of natural resources landcare members higher uptake of sustainable practices

14. 14 Natural Heritage Trust Federal Government dramatically increased and broadened program 6 year commitment 1997-2002 - $1.5 b over 6 years in 20 programs a further commitment 2002-2007 - $1 b over 5 years previously separate programs - now more integrated program formal partnership between Federal Government and each State Government additional National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality 2001 $1.4b over 7 years

15. 15 Field day

16. 16 Process - Projects some groups apply for project assistance about one third successful selected by panels dominated by community landcare States and landcare groups - each match Federal dollars financial accountability accountability for physical outcomes - more difficult

17. 17 Additional landcare features to sustain volunteers - communications and recognition and awards system coordinator and facilitator positions - critical role integrated larger catchment management /regional framework social benefits in rural areas with declining population recently networks of landcare groups to match catchment scale

18. 18 Landcare planting

19. 19 Related Programs 1 Property Management Planning - training for farmers in financial and environment management for farms tax incentives to encourage on-farm conservation practices and philanthropy Indigenous Lands Corporation - purchase of properties for Indigenous communities special team of Indigenous Land Management Facilitators capacity building / training programs

20. 20 Related Programs 2 implementing / developing Environment Management Systems (EMS) climate change - Greenhouse Challenge to encourage agricultural sector to reduce emissions positively and voluntarily National Land and Water Resources Audit - first comprehensive study of the nations soils and water - benchmark for future “Watch” programs, involving community and schools - Waterwatch and Saltwatch

21. 21 International Interest the landcare model has attracted international recognition New Zealand, South Africa, Philippines many other countries visiting and looking International Landcare Clearinghouse –newsletter, website, links Australian agencies starting to use landcare approach in international aid potential to ‘export’ the landcare ethic but implementation will vary

22. 22 Problems long-term problem / short term programs underpinning science still evolving maintaining farmer & volunteer commitment role and scale of support positions genuine partnership - top down will reduce community support financial viability problems for many farmers - restricts improved on-farm practices

23. 23 Lessons from the Decade of Landcare growth in public awareness (82% of Australians are aware of and support landcare) information exchange and mutual learning empowering local communities to identify problems, opportunities and undertake activities changed attitudes and practice of farmers still-evolving recognition of importance of biodiversity need for more private sector investment importance of communications with and between governments and groups