Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare turns 25!
Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare turns 25!
Landcare has a long history in our region and this weekend we celebrated the 25th anniversary of Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare.
Capacity to Deliver -
LP034-003
The issue
Landcare has a long history in our region and this weekend we celebrated the 25th anniversary of Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare. It began when seven Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare groups came together in January 1995 in the Guises Creek Fire Shed to form the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Coordinating Committee. Like all things in Landcare, the formation of what became the Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare Committee (UMLC) was driven by community action, with the aim of applying for a grant to employ a coordinator.
The solution
Since then eight Landcare Coordinators and four UMLC Presidents have worked to support the local Landcare groups, covering an area of 6,500km2 from Numeralla, through Bredbo to Queanbeyan. Over the years, groups have come and gone. In the last 25 years there have been 21 different Landcare groups in the area. Many, like Bredbo, Michelago, Numeralla, Queanbeyan and Royalla Landcare, have stood the test of time and they form the backbone of Landcare in the region.
The impact
Delving into the archives of UMLC has uncovered some other interesting facts on past activities. UMLC has managed 52 projects that have focused on erosion control, restoration and rehabilitation of waterways, created wildlife habitat, coordinated weed and pest control campaigns and provided a plethora of education activities. Together, the value of these projects totals $1.9 million, supported by at least another $2.9 million of in-kind contributions. This is an amazing effort from the volunteers in our community and testament to the passion we have for the sustainable management of our natural resources.
As we look towards the next 25 years we can see a number of new challenges. A rapidly changing climate and an increasing population are just some of the issues which will be facing our region. As it has in the past, Landcare will continue to adapt to and investigate solutions for these emerging issues and help local groups to tackle problems relevant to them. And perhaps we won’t wait another 25 years before celebrating our successes.
Key facts
- Celebratoin of 25 Years of Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare
- $1.9 million worth of projects delivered supported by another $2.9 milion of in kind contributions