Partnerships are how Landcare gets its best work done, and the community of Tarwin Lower in Gippsland is just one outstanding example.
On Friday March 1, 2013, the Tarwin Landcare Group and Tarwin Football/Netball Club, and South Gippsland Landcare Network, came together to plant 500 trees at the Tarwin Recreation Reserve after being awarded the 2012 Inaugural Richmond Football Club and Landcare Grant.
Richmond and Landcare have developed an innovative partnership, started by the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority in 2010.
In 2012, the partnership grew to include the Department of Sustainability and Environment, and in 2013 the partnership enjoys the support of the Corangamite, Goulburn Broken and North East Catchment Management Authority regions.
The partnership is a truly state-wide initiative which promotes awareness of, and appreciation for, the work of Landcare.
Richmond’s Landcare partnership aims to increase participation in Landcare, and highlights the link between local Landcare groups and local football clubs as foundations of local communities, and the basis of key community natural resource management and development activities.
Richmond not only promotes awareness of Landcare through a Landcare branded AFL game, but actively encourages on-ground action through its Landcare Grant. The club has also nominated Nathan Foley to be its Landcare Ambassador.
WGCMA’s Regional Landcare Coordinator, Phil McGarry, said it was fantastic to have Foley, and team-mate Brad Helbig, drive down from Melbourne to get their hands dirty and get involved planting trees, and support on-ground action with the local Tarwin community and primary school kids.
“There was a great atmosphere at the planting day, and having AFL players there made it extra special; not just for the kids, but adults as well,” McGarry said.
“There is no doubt that this planting day will improve the natural environment at the Tarwin Recreation Reserve; but this partnership is about delivering a lot more than trees.
“It’s about raising the profile of Landcare, and highlighting the great work done in our communities.”
The hallmark of the Richmond/Landcare partnership in 2013 is the match-day sponsorship of the Tigers’ Round 6 AFL game against Geelong at the MCG on Saturday May 4, 2013. This will be the third Landcare branded AFL game since 2010.
After this year’s game, Richmond will announce the guidelines for the 2013 Landcare Grant worth $5,000. Landcare Groups from across the state are eligible to apply.
