Beyond the Group Model - Independent Land Managers Shape Western NSW
The current membership model recognises and supports the efforts of groups. Yet across Western NSW, landholders manage vast landscapes independently. Land care is embedded in their everyday operations. To achieve improved long term environmental outcomes, we must recognise, value and support these everyday efforts that occur outside the traditional group model. All land care needs to be counted.
Capacity building - LEP23-021-35
The issue
Our Landcare Coordinators are not struggling to keep people engaged in Landcare - they are struggling to keep them engaged in groups.
Prior to a recent Western Landcare NSW steering committee meeting, coordinators sought updates from member groups about recent activities. The response was familiar; “We haven’t been doing much together. We’re all too busy!” Deeper conversation reveals, these land managers are making decisions every single day influencing environmental sustainability and biodiversity. While also independently completing land care projects across massive landscapes - almost always entirely self‑funded. These actions are woven into daily operations. Land managers often don’t recognise how valuable they are and government recognition or support for these independent efforts is limited.
The solution
To address this, Western Landcare Coordinators worked with member groups to compile and document their independent land care activities for the steering committee reports. This process highlighted the enormous opportunity that lies in working more closely with independent land managers. Documenting their work, concerns and priorities ensures Western Landcare is well positioned to represent them effectively.
Looking ahead, Western Landcare’s model must evolve to better support individual land managers who care for millions of hectares across Western NSW. Independent land managers’ contributions and expertise must be valued. They need to be supported to do even more. Western Landcare’s role in representing these land managers - sharing their achievements and voicing their concerns to government and agencies - is essential.
The impact
Western Landcare NSW’s individual memberships will increase, as will our opportunity to support these members. The work of Western NSW’s independent land managers will be more visible, better understood, and valued. Western Landcare NSW can more accurately represent their achievements, concerns and needs. We can effectively advocate to government for future funding that supports independent land care works and strengthens skills, knowledge, and capacity. Supporting independent land managers is critical to achieving improved long‑term environmental outcomes across the millions of hectares they care for in Western NSW.
Key facts
- A great deal of land care in Western NSW happens outside formal groups.
- Coordinators report strong engagement in land care, but declining engagement in groups.
- Documenting land managers independent activities revealed a major gap in visibility and support.
- Evolving our model to better support individual members strengthens advocacy and outcomes.
- Improved funding and support will result in healthier landscapes and stronger biodiversity in Western NSW.