Supporting Watershed Landcare to be COVID Safe
A new normal has lead to different challenges and a new outlook on how our Landcare network can operate
Capacity to Deliver - LP016-001
The issue
The outbreak of a global pandemic left all of us shell shocked and in lock-down. Governments placed restrictions on what and where we could go and with how many people in order to keep the community safe from COVID-19. For many, it became a time of home schooling, a lot less activity and cancellation of overseas holidays, but as time passed and restrictions eased, it created new challenges for our Landcare volunteers and the management committees. With the state of play changing almost daily, it was difficult to see our way through to how we might operate inline with our Landcare values of community and working together, face to face.
The solution
As restrictions started to ease in late May 2020, the Management Committee, decided to explore options of how we could strengthen our network whilst maintaining physical distancing. The focus was to reassure our members that their safety was our priority and providing them the opportunity to reconnect through activities such as farm walks and community of practice gatherings.
Together, the Coordinator and the Committee drafted an action plan and checklist - well before these were created by the NSW Government. The emphasis was on limiting risk, being well-prepared and having clear procedures and records. Utilising web tools such as Zoom and Trybooking, we could dip our toes in the water.
The impact
Our Management Committee members had mastered Zoom for our meetings, members were able to connect with each other over virtual cuppas, but we felt we needed something more. With outdoor gathering restrictions easing and rainfall that surpassed 2019, it was the right time for a farm walk. A dry run with our committee turned a planned 2hr event into 4hrs, as it was so great to catch up. This enabled us to test out our procedures and tweak where needed. A week later, a member farm walk was held, with connections reinforced and the satisfaction of being in the landscape, the achievements of the day.
Learnings
- Technology is only as good as the person who can use it the least. Its important to bring people's skill levels to the same point to enable everyone to connect.
- Being in rural and regional Australia, we can now connect with so many more opportunities that weren't previously available. Sometimes we need to be filters to our members, other times its connecting them to new opportunities!
Key facts
- A proactive approach to being COVID SAFE and planning made it much easier implement
- Use of online tools for accountability and improved communication with participants
- Looking outside the box as to how we can maintain social connection in a time of physical distancing