Natural Heritage - Number 20
The Journal of the Natural Heritage Trust
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia
Department of the Environment and Heritage, Winter 2004
ISSN 1440-7256
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About this document
This edition of the Natural Heritage Journal throws the spotlight on volunteers, the life force of the Australian Government's $3 billion Natural Heritage Trust and $1.4 billion National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality.
The job of conserving our land and water, and animals and plants is far too great for Governments alone. Working together with Australian communities, we can conserve and restore Australia's natural environment.
All Australians are now being urged to take part in the greatest environmental rescue plan in the country's history, through the Australian Government's Together Lets Give Our Land A Hand initiative.
The Together Let's Give Our Land A Hand information campaign, launched in June, outlines how Australians can be involved in our biggest environmental rescue whether they are standing at the kitchen sink, want to join a volunteer group or change the way they manage their farms.
As a volunteer you get to work as part of a team, share your skills or expertise, and experience environment conservation in action.
Volunteers stem from all walks of life, from primary school students and young families to retirees and farmers.
They are the selfless support that drives Australia's Landcare, Bushcare, Rivercare and Coastcare groups.
More than 420,000 Australians have been involved in more than 12,000 hands-on environmental repair projects funded under the Natural Heritage Trust.
Landcare is community-driven, with more than 4,500 autonomous groups operating nationwide.
No matter what you do, where you live or work, what age you are or what background you are from – you have a place in either Landcare, Bushcare, Rivercare and Coastcare. Volunteers, students, technical advisers, business, local councils and all land owners, users and managers are welcome.
The Coastcare program is also community-driven, funded by the Australian Government, with groups in every state.
More than 60,000 volunteers have worked to improve coastal protection through projects such as sand dune restoration.
Another volunteer stronghold is the Threatened Species Network Community Grants program, where more than 5,700 people have given almost 17,500 days of their time to assist in the past five years.
Empowering and working with local communities to address environmental problems is a key feature of the Trust and National Action Plan.
But we need more Australians, in the country and in our cities, to become involved in our biggest environmental rescue.
Giving Our Land a Hand is a practical guide to how all Australians can play a role in protecting Australia's natural resources.
For further details, free-call 1800 552 008 and ask for a copy of Giving Our Land A Hand or search for it on the web at www.lendahand.gov.au. This practical guide is for anyone interested in playing a role, however small or large, in the national effort to protect our environment.
Already the Trust and National Action Plan have helped local communities deliver cleaner beaches, reduce erosion, create healthier land and waterways, reduce air pollution, create more progressive agricultural land and protect our threatened species.
These outstanding achievements would not have been possible without the efforts of our tireless volunteers.
Senator Ian Campbell
Australian Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Warren Truss
Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
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