Program overview

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.

Victorian Landcare Facilitator Program

The Victorian Landcare Facilitator Program 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 for Country

The Landcare for Country Pilot enables self-determination by supporting Traditional Owner and First Nations aspirations and priorities for Country and people. The pilot tests 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

Find out more about Landcare for Country

Other grants and training

Volunteers contribute enormously to improving our environment, our local communities and our economy, and there is always something on offer to help them learn and improve skills. Learn more about other grants and training available

Resources hub

Planning or running a nature, conservation or wildlife group, event or project? The resources hub for environmental volunteers and landcarers has useful information on:

• attracting and recruiting volunteers
• working with young people
• First peoples cultural knowledge
• health, safety and wellbeing
• money matters
• citizen science
• managing a group
• risk and insurance

Find resources to help manage your volunteer team.

Find a group

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 find a group or network near you, go to the Environmental volunteering opportunities map.

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 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.