Did you know that Landcare Tasmania (formerly known as Tasmania Landcare Incorporated/TLCA) was the first independent peak body for Landcare in Australia? Established in 1994, this is our story- from the beginning to now.
1994
Tasmanian Landcare Association becomes incorporated
The Tasmania Landcare Association becomes the first independent state peak body for Landcare in Australia.
1995
Tasmanian Landcare Primary Producer Award
Stewart Archer from Beechford wins Tasmanian Landcare Primary Producer Award.
1996
Red tree campaign began
The Red Tree Campaign was a significant first step in promoting the serious issue of tree decline in the Midlands.
Support for groups
Support for our groups begins with workshops across the state
Online Presence
The Tasmanian Landcare Association gets a website! www.tassie.net.au/TasLandcare
1997
Our First Conference
In 1997 we held our first Statewide Tasmanian Landcare Conference and Awards in Deloraine, with the theme 'Landcare: Not Just Trees'.
The Red Tree Symbol Returns
The Red Tree was burnt down, but the seed for movement was already sown and a new 'Tree' symbol replaced it.
1998
Landcare Toolkit developed
Providing valuable resources to groups on how to become incorporated, keep track of activities and achievements for reporting and good group governance. Still available on our website today.
1999
The Landcare Assistance Program Begins
The State Government provides funds to cover insurance and small costs for groups and continues to this day.
2000
LANDCARE TAKES OFF
Nationally, Landcare groups grow from 600 in 1991 to 4500 by 2000 (with 295 in Tasmania).
2001
Tasmanian Community Landcare Conference
The Tasmanian Community Landcare Conference 2001 was held in Launceston with the theme "Celebrating our Volunteers".
Australian Landcare Council visits Tasmania
Hosted by Upper Derwent Valley Landcare Group at the Landcare Centre in Hamilton.
2002
Landcare Field Days take off
Field days are key for knowledge-sharing between Landcarers, and for reinforcing community engagement. 2002 field days held in Wynyard with Minister Green, and Dunally featuring Bangor's award-winning conservation farming practices.
2003
Tasmanian Community Landcare Conference and Awards - "Do the old boots still fit?"
Held in the Far South and with the theme "Do the old boots still fit?". Field trips included Murrayfield: a tour of weetapoona Aboriginal Corporation lands, farming practices and significant cultural sites.
Tasmanian Landcare Fund (TLF) Established
Mr. John Roberts' first ongoing donation on 4 October motivated Landcare Tasmania to develop and create this public fund for individuals and organisations to gift donations for Landcare Activities. It is still running today and supported by the JM Roberts Trust.
2004
National Landcare Awards
Northwest farmers Andrew and Carolyn Nichols were winners in the Primary Producer category.
2005
Tree Decline Field Day
Held at southern Epping forest, looking at different land practices used to encourage understory and land regeneration.
Tasmanian Community Landcare Conference and Awards - "Natural Resource Management - Piecing Together the Puzzle"
Held in Barrington with the theme: "Natural Resource Management - Piecing Together the Puzzle". Field days include sustainable agricultural and dung beetles for soil health.
2006
Many hands make light work
We launched our 'Extra Hands Program'. which connected landowners to volunteers- a service that Landcare continues to provide to this day.
National Landcare Awards
Woodbridge Primary win National Junior Landcare Team Award
Series of Action Planning Workshops Launched
Still one of our member services, giving many groups direction and support. Encouraging Landcarers to plan their work and work their plan.
2007
Tasmanian Community Landcare Conference and Awards - "Getting to the heart of the matter"
Held in the historic township of Ross. Theme: "Getting to the heart of the matter". Field trips include the management of remnants on farmland. A time capsule was also sealed - to be opened in 2050!
2008
National Landcare Awards
National Landcare winners Mt Roland Rivercare and Southern Coastcare Assoc of Tas
Tasmanian Award winners for Environmental Excellence
Tasmanian Landcare Association wins awards:
- Education and Community categories for the Extra Hands: A Dating Agency for Sustainability/Volunteer Placement Program
- Ministers Awards for Environmental Excellence
2009
National Landcare Network (NLN) Formed
The NLN is the National Peak Body representing all of the State and Territory Landcare organisations at the national level.
Tasmanian Community Landcare Conference and Awards - "Landcare in a changing climate"
Held in Swansea. Theme: "Landcare in a changing climate"
2009-2012
Tasmanian Landcare Grants launched
Funded through the Australian Government's Caring for Our Country program of devolved grants, delivered by Landcare Tasmania: 43 projects were completed with a focus on threatened species, weed management, coastal environments and sustainable agriculture.
2010
Two Tassie National Landcare Award Winners
- Huon Valley Council, winners in the Local Government Partnership category for their commitment to many local care groups
- Little Swanport Catchment Management Plan Implementation Committee winners in the Community Group category
2011
Community Engagement Program
Funded through the Australian Govrenment's Caring for our Country program, bringing Landcare beyond our members to the wider community. Landcare Tasmania linked up local groups with the University of Tasmania's Community Friends & Networks Programme. These active teams visited farms and care group sites that needed support, while learning more about different Tasmanian landscapes.
Tasmanian Landcare Conference and Awards - "From the Ground Up"
Held in Stanley with field trips all over NW Tas.
2012
New Name, New Logo
In 2012, the TLCA changed its name and logo to the current one you know and love- Landcare Tasmania.
2012-2015
Landcare Biodiversity Grants (LBG) launched
Funded by the Australian Government's Biodiversity Fund devolved grants and delivered by Landcare Tasmania: 67 projects and 115 sites were funded over 3 years to projects with themes of Removing Threats, Protection and Enhancement of Native Vegetation and Planting or Assisted Regeneration.
2013
Tasmanian Community Landcare Conference - "Linking Landscapes and People"
Held in St Helens.
2014
Tasmanian Juniors win National Landcare Award
Landsdowne Crescent Primary School win National Junior Landcare Team award
2015
Weeds & Biocontrol Field Days
Biological control expert Richard Holloway spreading the word with Landcare Tasmania at field days in Sheffield and Bruny Island about biocontrols for Ragwort and Montpellier Broom.
2016
Changing to a Board and Members Council
The new structure at Landcare Tasmania to replace the Executive Commitee and General Committee began with governance training workshops for the staff and new Board and Members Council.
2017
Half a million dollars of project funding from the TLF!
In 2017, we celebrated having provided $500,000 in funding to on-ground Landcare projects across the state through the TLF, supported by the JM Roberts Charitable Trust.
Partnership with Kingborough Council
Landcare Tasmania signs a Memorandum of Understanding to better support groups in the Kingborough municipality: Recognising and building community Landcare in Kingborough.
Tasmanian Landcare Awards & Field Trips - "The Gathering"
Held in Relbia.
2017
Member Outreach BBQs (MOB) launched
Landcare Tasmania launches what is to become highly successful member outreach events across the state, which bring together members from regional groups to showcase their work, learn new skills, problem solve, network, and socialise. The first MOB's were in Snug, Clarence and East Coast and featured World Cafe facilitation sessions.
2018
Member Outreach BBQs
- NW MOB at Fernglade REserve - hosted by Friends of Fernglade, 14 groups attended
- Eastern Shore - hosted by Glebe Hill Bushland Reserve Landcare Group, Cambridge Primary and the Waterbug Company, 13 groups attended
- Meander Valley - hosted by Meander, Upper and Deoraine Landcare Groups, 17 groups attended
2022- We're currently working on our forth landscape-scale project: The South East Landscape Project.
Exciting things are happening! Stay tuned.
Group Map - Past to Present
The distribution of member groups from past to present.