The National Landcare Network is proud to become an official Actor in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, joining hundreds of other organisations, charities, and agencies who are committed to accelerating ecosystem restoration efforts.

In June 2021, fourteen prominent Australasian environmental restoration organisations announced the formation of a consortium to collaboratively support the recommendations of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The consortium agreement, the ‘Darwin Agreement’, was initiated at the SERA2021 Darwin conference, where eight major restoration organisations presented talks on what the UN Decade means for their ongoing work in restoration in Australia.

Now, this new recognition reaffirms our commitment to taking action on the escalating environmental challenges and acknowledges the incredible potential the National Landcare Network has to work in partnership with others to restore Australia’s unique ecosystems.

Harnessing the Power of Restoration:

The United Nations has declared the next ten years as the "Decade of Ecosystem Restoration" - a critical period during which concerted efforts are required to restore our planet's ailing ecosystems. By receiving the distinction as a UN actor, our National Network becomes a recognised force driving environmental change at a global level. This designation positions us as a catalyst for mobilising communities, governments, and organisations to take action in restoring biodiversity, conserving forests, revitalising agricultural lands, and rejuvenating degraded ecosystems.

By becoming an Actor, we are committing to supporting and facilitating ecosystem restoration activities. As an Actor, we have agreed to adhere to the UN Decade Restoration Principles.Just as the deadline for achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is 2030, so too is the end of the UN Decade, by which time we collectively need to have made significant strides forward in ecosystem restoration. Ecosystem restoration projects will also support several of the SDGs, improving lives all around the world as well as protecting important habitats and species. 

We implore everyone to join hands with us, as the success of the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration lies in collective action. Each one of us has a role to play, be it through individual initiatives or collective efforts. Planting trees, practicing sustainable agriculture, supporting wildlife conservation, and reducing our carbon footprint are just a few examples of the positive actions we can take. By working together, we can reverse the damage caused to our fragile ecosystems and pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future.

As a UN actor, the National Network will forge strategic partnerships with governments, NGOs, corporations, and local communities working actively with the Restoration Decade Alliance. By collaborating with like-minded organisations, we can leverage resources, knowledge, and expertise to implement large-scale restoration projects. These initiatives will not only help in preserving biodiversity but also address climate change, enhance food security, and promote sustainable livelihoods. By nurturing these partnerships, we will amplify our impact and create lasting change for the benefit of generations to come.

_{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.}