As we bid farewell to an eventful year, the National Landcare Network is thrilled to share the highlights of our journey in 2023. Read on for a shortlist of our favourite achievements, or explore our 2022/2023 Annual Report for a more comprehensive overview CLICK HERE. 

1. Joining the UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration: This year, the National Landcare Network took a giant stride by becoming a part of the UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration partner network. This move amplifies our commitment to the global #GenerationRestoration movement, aligning our efforts with the call to 'prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide.

2. Publishing the Prospectus 'Now Is The Time To Invest In Landcare': During April the National Landcare Network published our prospectus, highlighting the impact and success of Community Landcare across Australia and showcasing the Network’s dedication to inclusive, collaborative projects and solutions.

3. Establishing new partnerships with the Australian Citizen Science Association (ACSA), Great Eastern Ranges and Global Landcare: During 2023, the National Landcare Network cemented new partnerships with theAustralian Citizen Science Association,Great Eastern Ranges, and Global Landcare, expanding our reach and impact, fostering community-led science, enhancing connectivity conservation, and driving local Landcare actions to contribute to global biodiversity outcomes. 

4. Registering with Reconciliation Australia for a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP): Demonstrating our commitment to reconciliation, during June the National Landcare Network has registered with Reconciliation Australia to embark on the process of creating a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

5. Hosting 'For Our Elders' Yarn during NAIDOC Week 2023: In celebration of NAIDOC Week 2023, the National Landcare Network facilitated an online 'For Our Elders' yarn, bringing together insightful discussions and thought-provoking stories from First Nations Elders across the Network.

_{Clockwise from Top Left: NLN Board; Nantawarrina Indigenous Ranger Sunethra Coulthard and her Ranger Colleagues with NLN Company Secretary Gerry Butler at the 25th Anniversary of Nantawarrina; Parliamentary Friends of Biosecurity event; NLN CEO Jim Adams with The Hon. Murray Watt MLC, Minister for Agriculture at Parliamentary Soils Day event; Members Councillor Lara Tilbrook with Thomas Clubb from Gambir Yidinji Fire Practitioners at National Custodians of Country Gathering; NLN Partnerships Manager Dr Kristin den Exter with Landcare NT EO Emily Raso at SER 2023; NLN CEO Jim Adams, Landcare ACT CEO Karissa Preuss, and Landcare ACT Chair Dr Maxine Cooper with The Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP, Minster for Environment, Alicia Payne MP and Andrew Leigh MP; Landcare NSW Parliamentary Friends of Landcare event.}

6. Restoration Decade Alliance Co-Design Workshop Series 'Towards A National Restoration Plan': This year, the National Landcare Network played a pivotal role in delivering the Restoration Decade Alliance Co-Design Workshop Series. Co-designed and facilitated by our Partnerships Manager, Dr. Kristin den Exter, these workshops brought together pre-eminent speakers from diverse sectors, including terrestrial, aquatic, First Nations, federal government, and community-focused areas of ecosystem restoration.

7. Collaborating with ABC Foundation for Indigenous-led Environmental Planting Projects: During July the National Landcare Network joined forces with the ABC Foundation to support Indigenous-led environmental planting projects across Australia.

8. Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Nantawarrina Indigenous Protected Area (IPA): In collaboration with the Landcare Association of South Australia, the National Landcare Network joined the Nipapanha community in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Nantawarrina Indigenous Protected Area (IPA).

9. Joining the Climate Ready Australia 2030 Alliance of Peaks: To support cross-industry climate action and collaboration, the National Landcare Network joined the Climate Ready Australia 2030 Alliance of Peaks and actively participated in the Climate Ready Australia National Summit in Brisbane.

10. Participating in the SER 2023 Conference in Darwin: National Landcare Network Partnerships Manager, Dr. Kristin den Exter, joined Landcare NT’s Emily Raso for the SER 2023 conference in Together, they engaged in conversations about the transformative impact of Community Landcare's grassroots ecological restoration, creating change both locally and globally.

Most recently the National Landcare Network also submitted grant applications for both a National Landcare Facilitator and for the Supporting National Landcare Organisations Program (SNLOP). The collaborative effort involved active participation from the National Landcare Network team, State and Territory Landcare Organisations, Members Council, and Board, and the applications reflect our collective dedication to advancing sustainable land management practices and community-led conservation initiatives across Australia.   

As we eagerly await the outcomes of both grants (anticipated for early next year) and reflect on these achievements, we extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to our success – our Board, Members Council, the State and Territory Landcare Organisations, their staff, members and volunteers. Your passion, dedication, and support have been instrumental in making a positive impact on ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation throughout the year and we look forward to the continued collaboration and success that lies ahead in our collective efforts for a sustainable and resilient future. 

_{The National Landcare Network is the peak representative body for community Landcare groups across Australia. We give a voice to Community Landcare across the country, with over 2000 active State and Territory Landcare Organisation members representing 6000+ individual Landcare groups and over 160,000 landcarers across Australia.}