Eastern Riverina Landcare Group

Objective 1 – Facilitate on-ground projects

Our actions to achieve this objective are to:

• Identify local natural resource issues that are constraining sustainable land use, identify and promote solutions and management;
• Work with other groups with similar aims and objectives to co-ordinate cross-catchment projects; and
• Promote awareness of the sustainable use of natural resources in our area.

The outcomes we wish to achieve are:

• Sustainable land use;
• Improved biodiversity and resilience in the face of climate change; and
• Identification and remediation of environmental issues, so the environment becomes an asset for the community.

Objective 2 – Operate in an organised and strategic manner

Our actions to achieve this objective are to:

• Review the Strategic Plan at least once per year;
• Maintain a committee structure and membership that is appropriate to the needs of the community and ERLG;
• Operate the committee in a manner consistent with the principles of an incorporated entity and in line with our vision;
• Develop a framework for managing future ERLG projects; and
• Develop an action plan in consultation with the Local Landcare Coordinator.

The outcomes we wish to achieve are:

• A transparent, ethical, effective and accountable operation;
• A long term focus consistent with our vision;
• To complete our projects on time and within budget; and
• To monitor our results and promote of our achievements.

Objective 3 – Encourage wide community involvement in Landcare

Our actions to achieve this objective are:

• Promote the benefits of Landcare;
• Use appropriate media avenues to advertise, inform and market Landcare issues and activities;
• Work with educational institutions to encourage participation of students in Landcare activities; and
• Invite other community groups, organisations and individuals to be involved in the work of ERLG.

The outcomes we wish to achieve are:

• Increased number of people involved in Landcare and implementing sustainable land use;
• Promotion of a modern image of Landcare, educating the community that Landcare is the broad concept of sustainable land use;
• Involvement of people from outside the current Landcare group; and
• Collaboration with educational organisations.

Objective 4 – Encourage and support our future Landcare leaders

Our actions to achieve this objective are:

• Identify potential leaders and educators to encourage their involvement in Landcare projects;
• Identify and facilitate training in leadership skills and knowledge appropriate to Landcare activities; and
• Allocate and share tasks amongst potential leaders.

The outcomes we wish to achieve are:

• Development of a succession plan for the future;
• Development of a network of people participating in leadership and educational roles at all levels within the ERLG; and
• Support of potential ERLG leaders and educators to develop their knowledge and skills.

Objective 5 – Build strategic partnerships with other organisations with similar and compatible visions

Our actions to achieve this objective are to:

• Identify and collaborate with our strategic partners

The outcomes we wish to achieve are:

• Facilitation of access to information, funding and other resources;
• Development of an effective, active working relationship with our strategic partners; and
• Improved coordination of cross-catchment projects.

Despite the many challenges of 2020-1 we are proud to have achieved the following in the last few years:

* Farm Plastic Wrap Recycling (project extended to June 2021)

* Revegetation Field Day at Henty / Pleasant Hills

* Regular seasonal engagement with BirdLife Australia’s ‘Birds on Farms’ surveys

* Annual monitoring of endangered squirrel gliders in nestboxes at a local nature reserve

* Annual involvement with the Landcare shed display at the Henty Machinery Field Days

* Removal of over 7km barbed wire fencing on local farms and replacement with plain wire for endangered squirrel gliders

* Revegetation Case Study

* Installation of seating and signage at Five Ways Reserve (with funding assistance from a NSW Government grant)

* Printing and distribution of Mental Health beer coasters to licensed premises within the eastern Riverina.

* Three of our members succeeded in obtaining Local  Land Services funding for revegetation corridors on their farms.

For further information on any of these achievements, enjoy browsing through the three case studies below, or feel welcome to contact the Secretary.

One of our current activities is collecting and recycling farm plastic waste in Lockhart Shire. Silage wrap and polypropylene twine can be recycled and made into useful products rather than lying around the farm as litter, or worse, being burnt.

On-Farm Plastic Waste Collection Program

Eastern Riverina Landcare Group is offering a FREE on-farm plastics recycling program at each of Lockhart Shire’s Waste Disposal Centres during normal opening hours.

What items ARE accepted?
* Silage Film, Bunker Plastic, Grain Bags
* Now accepting Twine (must be bagged separately)

What is NOT accepted?
* Tarpaulins, Bulka Bags, Silage Mesh
* Poly pipe

How does it work? It’s simple!
1. Pick up your FREE bags* from the following collection points – Lockhart Waste Disposal Centre, Delta Ag (Lockhart, Henty & Yerong Creek) or through Eastern Riverina Landcare Group on secretary@erlg.org.au
2. Sort your plastics (make sure they are free from contaminants such as soil, rocks, metal and small furry animals).
3. Bag your plastics and secure with a cable tie
4. Take to your nearest waste disposal centre and place into the designated skip

*NOTE: Un-bagged waste will not be accepted.

For more information contact John Holstein at secretary(at)erlg(dot)org(dot)au . Just replace the words in brackets with the relevant symbols and there are no spaces.

This project is brought to you by Eastern Riverina Landcare Group with assistance from Lockhart Shire Council and funding from the Australian Government Communities Environment Program

Chair – David Leah

Vice-Chair – John Holstein

Secretary – Sandra Doughty

Treasurer – Sandra Doughty

Feel welcome to contact us via: secretary (at) erlg (dot) org (dot) au

So we know you’re a real person (Hi!),  simply replace the words in brackets with the relevant symbols and there are no spaces.

Meetings are held bi-monthly, usually on Monday evenings, with the location circulating across the region. All community members are welcome to attend our meetings. If you are interested in coming along, please contact the secretary to confirm the details of the next meeting.