2026 Landcare and Bushcare Gathering
What the 2026 Landcare and Bushcare Gathering event was like and what was learned
Capacity building
The issue
Environmental groups across Greater Sydney are facing increasing pressures including climate change, volunteer retention challenges, funding limitations and the need to adapt to changing community expectations. Many organisations are working on similar issues but often in isolation, limiting opportunities for collaboration, shared learning and coordinated action. There is also a growing need to attract younger people into the environmental sector and strengthen pathways into Landcare and Bushcare participation and employment. The challenge was to create a space where organisations, volunteers, councils and community groups could come together to explore innovative approaches and identify practical ways to strengthen environmental outcomes across Greater Sydney.
The solution
Greater Sydney Landcare delivered the 2026 Landcare and Bushcare Gathering on 7 May 2026, bringing together more than 70 participants from councils, community groups, volunteers and environmental organisations. Through a series of facilitated workshop sessions, participants explored future trends, innovation opportunities and collaborative actions for Landcare and Bushcare. Interactive group discussions, brainstorming activities and networking opportunities encouraged participants to share knowledge, identify common priorities and develop ideas together. The event created an open and collaborative environment focused on innovation, partnerships, education, advocacy and community connection, while also strengthening relationships across Greater Sydney’s environmental sector.
The impact
The gathering strengthened connections between environmental organisations and created momentum around several high-priority opportunities for future collaboration. Key outcomes included increased focus on education and workforce pathways, volunteer engagement strategies, stronger partnerships across sectors and embedding Caring for Country principles into environmental programs. Participants shared practical ideas, built new relationships and identified opportunities for coordinated advocacy and resource sharing. The event reinforced the value of collaboration and demonstrated the strong appetite within Greater Sydney’s environmental sector to work together on long-term environmental challenges while continuing to support healthy landscapes, engaged communities and resilient volunteer networks.