Glenelg Hopkins

The CMA links communities who want to make a difference to their environment with government agencies to assist residents with funding and providing resources for projects.

Australia-wide there are more than 4000 volunteer Landcare groups who work to protect and repair bushland, urban areas, rivers, coastlines and assist sustainable agriculture.                                

Together, in every  part of our diverse region, the CMA and communities can make a difference by linking together to care for our land and native animals so that they are there for everyone to enjoy now and in the future.

Landcare - a strong and proud history

Landcare is a joint effort between the community, government and business to protect and repair our environment.

Landcare is a local volunteer movement that has grown since it began in Victoria in 1986. It involves thousands of Victorians and more than 700 groups working together to shape the future of our land, biodiversity and waterways.

Landcare was initially first formed near St Arnaud in 1986. Landcare was formed as a result of community interest which was supported by the government. The Minister for Conservation, Joan Kirner, saw the value in community-based organisations. The Minister recognised the potential of having a unified system between landholders undertaking invaluable work that was financially supported by government.

 'Landcare was a government-initiated program, it was based on the notion of a government-community partnership'. (Youl. R, 2006)

Landcare was formed on the understanding that community groups would be driven through organised management and cooperation to reach a defined objective. Landcare was based on the principle that it would allow community to recongnise the needs of their local areas and to undertake projects to improve the health of the land.

Being a part of Landcare is a way to help our environment, wildlife, farmers and community. Landcare volunteers range from retirees to families, surfers to farmers and corporates to students. United by a shared desire to create positive change in their local community and environment, these individuals recognise that collectively their efforts have greater impact.

Landcare and other groups and organisations undertake works throughout most of the year; whether it's spraying and removing weeds to planting trees and fencing.

There are a number of ways you can become involved in Landcare through a variety of activities including:

• Planting vegetation
• Direct seeding
• Manual removal of weeds
• Spraying (hand spraying and large scale spraying)
• Fencing
• Running a workshop
• Joining a committee
• Act as Project Coordinator for activities
• Be involved in your group's administration:
  • Book keeping
  • Writing newsletters or articles

For more information about the Glenelg Hopkins CMA, visit the website.

Reference: Youl. R, 2006,  'Landcare in Victoria'.