It is well supported by research that Landcare groups are vehicles for positive landscape-scale change. However, after years with little or no support and access to funding, Landcare groups have experienced a progressive decline in membership numbers, with the Tarcutta Landcare group at risk of folding and the Eastern Riverina and Junee Area networks forced into dormancy.
The ‘health’ of Landcare in 2006, as reported on in the Redefining Landcare report, was far from robust. The report identified “internal problems,” including lack of strategic planning, lack of focus, declining membership, poor succession planning, poor communication infrastructure and natural resource management fatigue (in the context of ongoing drought). These issues remain today.
To reinvigorate active and resilient Landcare groups that can be responsive to the shared issues of its members, Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc. facilitated targeted strategic planning sessions with the Tarcutta Valley Landcare Group, Eastern Riverina Landcare Group and Junee Area Landcare Network.
