Decade of Landcare Plan - National Overview

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Decade of Landcare Plan - National Overview

Australia's Transition to Sustainable Resource Management

This revised publication, the National Overview of the Decade of Landcare Plan, has been endorsed by the Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand. The Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council were consulted to develop the publication.

1. The Decade of Landcare - the Challenge

The Decade of Landcare initiative arose from a joint National Farmers' Federation-Australian Conservation Foundation proposal to the Commonwealth for action on land degradation. The proposal emphasised the importance of a self-help approach, relying heavily on local community groups, within a framework which recognised the responsibilities of Commonwealth, State and local governments. The Decade of Landcare was formally launched in the 1989 Statement on the Environment.

The challenge identified for the first stage of the Decade of Landcare was to increase the adoption of sustainable land management practices by land managers. It is now recognised that we must look to ways of increasing the adoption of sustainable practices by integrating the management of land, water and biological resources.

2. What has been achieved already?

The mid-term evaluation of the National Overview found that there had been progress against all of its goals.

3. Where to from here?

While much has been achieved in the first half of the Decade of Landcare, particularly in raising awareness, the task ahead is still substantial.

4. Working towards sustainable land use

The national goals of the Plan and the strategies to achieve them.

5. Evaluating the Plan

Individual natural resource managers, local communities and State/Territory and Commonwealth governments have allocated considerable resources to landcare activities and it is important that the impact of their efforts is assessed.

6. Roles

Individuals, Communities, Non-government organisations, Local governments, State and Territory governments and the Commonwealth Government - Everybody has a role to play in achieving the landcare vision. Landcare continues to be an individual and community based initiative.

7. Australian Government contact officer

For further information or if you experience any trouble accessing the file in the above downloadable formats, a copy can be obtained from:

Landcare Contact Officer
Natural Resource Management
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858
CANBERRA ACT 2601 

Phone: 02 6272 4350
Fax: 02 6271 3856
Email:
National Landcare Program