Victorian Landcare Program – Draft Strategic Plan

Posted on 12 June, 2012 by Connecting Country

The Victorian Government is in the process of deciding how best it will support Landcare in the future. As such they’ve developed a draft strategic plan for the Victorian Landcare Project and would like community feedback on the plan. The excerpt below is from the Victorian Landcare Gateway website:

The Victorian Landcare Program (VLP) is the title of the program of support provided to Landcare by the Victorian Government and managed by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). Given the current action plan for Landcare is due to finish this year, it’s a good time to develop a new direction for the Government’s program of support for Landcare into the future. Once finalised, the VLP will be refreshed to align with the new Strategic Plan.

If you would like view the draft plan and/or contribute your thoughts, click here. Submissions will be accepted until 30 June 2012.

New Landcare Facilitator for Mount Alexander

Posted on 27 February, 2012 by Connecting Country

Connecting Country has received a $204,600 share of the Victorian Government’s
$12 million Victorian Local Landcare Facilitator Initiative grant to provide local Landcare support up to June 2015.  And, following a rigorous interview process, Connecting Country is happy to announce that Max Schlachter has commenced as the Landcare Facilitator for the Mount Alexander region. Max comes to the position with a background in environmental science and forest ecosystem science.  Over many weeks in 2011 and 2012, Max also volunteered with Connecting Country to produce the recently launched local action plan for Forest Creek.

There are more than 30 Landcare and ‘Friends’ groups active in the Mount Alexander Shire and immediate surrounds. They undertake projects across the landscape which improve degraded farmland, create habitat for native animals and plants, improve soil and river health, and educating the community about their local environment.

Max Schlachter

Max’s role will be to assist Landcare and Friends groups in the Shire to achieve their goals. This may include helping to gain funding from government and non-government sources, produce strategic local area plans and action plans and also to link groups with each other and with useful information. For some groups, this may be a great opportunity to re-invigorate their efforts with the extra bit of assistance available.  For others, it might be an opportunity to expand their network and enhance their existing projects.

If you would like to know more about what Landcare does, or to find out what is happening in your area, contact Max by email at max@connectingcountry.org.au or by phone on 5472 1594 or visit the Connecting Country website (http://connectingcountry.org.au/landcare/).