Landcare-Led Landscape Resilience

Tools and data for restoration decisions

For 30 years, Landcare has driven grassroots change in natural resource management and landscape restoration, building local knowledge and pioneering an ethical shift toward sustainable communities.

The now-completed Landcare-Led Landscape Resilience project marks a new era, equipping farmers and Landcare groups with tools and data for restoration and best-practice natural resource management amid changing climates and unpredictable weather. Delivered in partnership with Holbrook Landcare Network, here are some of the key outcomes.

Across Murray-Riverina regions, the 32 demonstration sites showcase scalable revegetation techniques tailored for areas with scarce native vegetation (~16% remaining), directly supporting Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc’s northern efforts and Holbrook Landcare Network’s leadership in the Landcare-Led Landscape Resilience project.

Modern best-practice revegetation powers these sites, rigorously testing resilient methods like varied site preparation, planting densities, species mixes, and groundcover integration to combat climate challenges such as drought, while generating public case studies through baseline data collection for replicable insights.

Dean Freeman is a Wiradjuri man and senior officer at Riverina Local Land Services, where he leads cultural burning programs across New South Wales. He works closely with local communities to restore traditional land management practices, particularly cultural burning, to enhance biodiversity, support native plant growth, and reduce wildfire risks. Dean is recognised for his passion in sharing Indigenous knowledge and connecting people to Country, fostering both ecological and cultural resilience in the Riverina and surrounding regions.

Fiona Hamilton is the founder and owner of Rowdy Crowd, a family-run small business based in regional New South Wales. Alongside her husband and family, she manages an intergenerational mixed cropping farm where she is known for her innovative and environmentally conscious approach to land management. Fiona has implemented diverse projects to build resilience on her property, including naturalistic biodiversity plantings, modern grazing techniques, and the creation of wildlife corridors and water quality improvements. Her efforts reflect a deep commitment to both sustainable agriculture and the long-term health of the land.

Adrian Lindner is a third-generation farmer at Lindoris near Coolamon who is dedicated to restoring the natural landscape on his family property. Through large-scale tree planting, natural regeneration, and waterway restoration, Adrian has improved biodiversity and habitat while adopting sustainable grazing practices. He shares his experience with the broader farming community and is committed to ensuring the land remains resilient and productive for future generations.