Strength by working together

Working with others can make an issue seem much easier to tackle.

Strength by working together

Working with others can make an issue seem much easier to tackle.

Local Links - Stronger Communities -

LLCI003-007

The issue

Over the past three years, members of Watershed Landcare have continued to work as a collective to get things done. Group work is a key part of how Landcare operated within our region. This philosophy starts at the top with our management committee and flow right through to on-ground activities with our Communities of Practice.

Some challenges can feel really big, unwiedly and sometimes impossible to get the upper hand on. But by working together sharing ideas, experiences and enthusiasm, a problem can be broken down is to bite size chunks that are easier to tackle. Whether the problem is about vegetation, drought management, bees or even identifying our Landcare priorities, discussion and group input can create new ideas and ways to solve the problem.

The solution

Our Communities of Practice support like-minded individuals to come together and share their problem and be supported by others experiences. Our groups meet on a regular basis and look at topics such as grazing, beekeeping, soils and supporting women in agriculture.

Group workshops have helped us develop our strategic plan and ensure the members of our management committee have the skills and knowledge they need to oversee our organisation.Bringing in outside expertise helps fill gaps as well as shine a light on things we overlook.

During the tough periods, be it fires, droughts or other natural disasters, it is socialising and connecting with people that play a critical role in getting through the tough times.

The impact

Ensuring Landcarers have the skills they need to make decisions, means that we can see change. The development of a strategic plan for our organisation may have taken longer than we anticipated but we tapped in to the ideas, concerns and priorities of our members. The plan will enable us to support them into the future and focus on the right issues.

By working together, we as Landcarers in our community, can make an impact. Considering different views and opinions, opens our eyes to new possibilities. The role of the Landcare coordinator is to encourage, support and facilitate Landcarers to come together and make a difference.

Key facts

  • Group work is a key part of how Landcare operated within our region.
  • Communities of Practice support like-minded individuals come together and share their problem and be supported by others experiences.
  • The role of the Landcare coordinator is to encourage, support and facilitate Landcarers to come together and make a difference.