In September 2016, we were able to muster up the support to fund four amazing Intrepid Landcare Ambassadors to attend the National Landcare Conference.
Our first blog comes from Sophie Robertson, who was funded by Hunter Local Land Services, NSW to head south and join us at the conference. Not new to the Landcare scene having grown up on a farm heavily involved in Landcare, but new to leading in Landcare, Sophie has recently set up Hunter Intrepid Landcare with a cohort of other cool people keen to open more doors for young people to experience local adventure and action with Landcare.
Words By Sophie Robertson, Hunter Valley NSW
After attending the National Landcare Conference, some of the major issues that I saw for the Landcare movement are funding security, community engagement and succession. For the Australian environment climate change is of course a major issue, as well as the war on weeds and pests.
From a personal perspective, I see the opportunity to grow and continue to invigorate Hunter Intrepid Landcare. This is important so we can get more young people involved to address some of these issues by doing some really cool community work with local landcare groups, and having damn good fun at the same time!!
I thoroughly loved the Mornington Peninsular Field trip. I met some amazing people and saw some incredible places, namely Balcombe Creek Habit, Main Ridge Dairy and Green Olive Red Hill. They are wonderful family businesses and community initiatives that are so passionate about what they do and are doing a truly inspiring and amazing job!
Just kidding around on the field trip
It became very apparent to me that although we come together to care for the land, it is the people that are the most important aspect to foster as they drive the projects and initiatives.
I see loads of opportunity to incorporate exciting education from the incredible bunch of people already in Landcare, and then taking the next step forward in caring for this beautiful country and forging many new relationships and memories.
Creating memories at the awards ceremony with Costa Georgiadis, Sophie (me), Megan Rowlatt, Glenn Morris (Bob Hawke finalist), and Naomi Edwards (who won an award!)
In terms of getting more young people involved in Landcare, I think it’s important to support initiatives like Intrepid Landcare, as it brings young people into volunteering, looking after the land, learning about what Landcare is and igniting their passion to get more involved!
Big shout out to Nev Reis, from Hunter Local Land Services for making it possible for me to go to the conference. Thank you thank you thank you!!
Thank you to Megan and Naomi, who are just two of the coolest people full stop.
