Southern New England Landcare: Enabling and Supporting Stewardship for Over 30 Years

Abstract

<p>Southern New England Landcare Ltd is one of the most successful and long-lived rural landcare networks in Australia. A community-based organisation with over 700 members and friends, and servicing 2 million hectares in the New England region of northern New South Wales, its mission is 'to lead, connect and enable our communities to achieve their sustainability goals in a changing environment'. As a vital intermediary, it handles the administration and governance of stewardship projects, which allows volunteers, farmers and other landholders to get on with the job. Its success in building community capacity has enabled local land stewards to achieve long-lasting on-ground action and change. This case study is based on interviews with Southern New England Landcare staff in 2021, and materials supplied by the organisation. Seven key points for improving for Australia's investment in rural stewardship emerge.</p>