Story by Jessica Miranda, GSNRM Agriculture Officer
Australia’s largest Landcare conference drew 650 participants in September, offering inspiration, debate, and a glimpse into the future of conservation across the country.
I found the event to be incredibly well-organised and inspiring. The mix of presentations, panels, and discussions was so rich and engaging, and it left a lasting impression on me — and, I’m sure, on all the other delegates.
Youth engagement in conservation
A major focus of the conference was the role of young people in conservation. Discussions addressed how to transform climate anxiety into action, secure funding for youth leadership, and overcome challenges faced by early career conservationists.
First Nations leadership and Landcare
The conference also celebrated the leadership of First Nations Peoples in caring for the land.
High-profile leaders including Natalie Sommerville (President of Australian Women in Agriculture and Landcare Australia Board Director), Jocelyn King (CEO and founder of First Australians Capital and operator of Djanaba Farm on Worimi Country), and Samantha Murray (CEO of Indigenous Desert Alliance) shared their experiences with attendees.
A memorable moment came when Ms Murray recounted her organisation’s four-week internship program for Indigenous rangers, designed to give participants firsthand experience before committing to full-time positions in the desert.
Despite opening just eight positions, the program received 120 applications, highlighting both enthusiasm and the lack of funding to support broader initiatives.
Presentations and highlights
There were so many standout presentations across the conference’s 15 concurrent sessions. I particularly enjoyed those covering themes like Nature Repair & Climate Adaptation, Technology & Innovation for Landcare, Community-Driven Landcare, Restoring Biodiversity Across Landscapes, and Sustainable Agriculture & Soil Health.
One presentation that really impressed me was the Bass Coast Landcare Network’s Restoring Biodiversity Across Landscapes project: the CEO and four staff shared their land restoration activities along the Victorian coast, including full-time tree planting, grant writing, and engaging volunteers — even providing free lunches for everyone involved.
Another standout was the Small Blocks Big Dreams project by Karen O’Keefe and Andrea Montgomery from Corangamite CMA and Upper Barwon Landcare Network. Since 2022, they’ve supported 150 small landholders to adopt sustainable practices and restore their properties, through hands-on workshops and one-on-one visits where participants can learn and share experiences.
Conference closing and awards
The conference concluded with a gala dinner and Landcare awards ceremony, recognising standout projects across Climate Innovation, Sustainable Agriculture, Individual Landcare, and Community Partnerships.
Indigenous dance performances opened the evening, and attendees celebrated the efforts and achievements of volunteers and organisations alike.
Overall, the conference showcased the impact of connecting people, exchanging ideas, and putting innovative approaches into practice.