- Published:
- Thursday 26 March 2015
Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, Lisa Neville, today committed $3.2 million to ensure the funding of Victoria’s 68 Landcare facilitator positions for another four years and opened the nominations for the 2015 Victorian Landcare Awards.
Facilitators build community capacity, assist communities to deliver local action, facilitate effective participation in Landcare activities and enable groups to become self-supporting.
Through the support of facilitators, more than 2,500 on-ground projects have been undertaken, almost two million native plants planted and more than 400,000 hectares have been revegetated, protected or enhanced.
The Andrews Labor Government will evaluate the Landcare Support Program over the next twelve months, in particular the Facilitator Initiative, to find opportunities to strengthen the role and scope of these positions and develop the best possible long term arrangements for Landcare.
Nominations for the 2015 Victorian Landcare Awards are also now open. The Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of volunteers and Landcarers across the State and the importance of the environment to our communities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, Lisa Neville
“A healthy environment provides the best quality of life for our communities. Landcare facilitators support local groups, projects and initiatives across the state to preserve the environment.”
“Local volunteers know what needs to be done to get the best outcome for their region. We are supporting facilitators to empower locals to act for their environment.”
“We will work to improve and extend the coverage of this program, making sure that facilitators can continue to grow their role in our communities.”
“The 2015 Victorian Landcare Awards are an opportunity to recognise the work volunteers and Landcarers do to protect the environment in our local communities.”