Community stewardship

Community-led conservation and restoration have been a core element of environmental management in Australia for many decades. This has been facilitated by major investments by government over many decades in community development. This has included Federal funding for Landcare (1987), establishment of the Natural Heritage Trust (1997), Caring for Country Program (2008), and the Green Army (2014). This commitment continues today with ongoing funding, including small grants for Landcare, Bushcare and catchment and Coastcare groups across the region.

There are many benefits of communities leading local environmental stewardship activities, including social and cultural outcomes. Some of these benefits include:

• Activities reflect local knowledge, including insights into values and threats.
• Increased connection of residents to natural areas, and inspiration to conserve and rehabilitate areas.
• Fostering local community champions for environmental stewardship.
• Activities can foster community social connections and increase social capital.
• Local networks of environmental stewards have been sustained over many years or even decades.
• Environmental education for communities.

In South East Queensland, there is a very high level of community leadership and participation in conservation and rehabilitation initiatives.

Here's a snapshot of just some of the action over the past 5 years. These numbers will grow as more groups from across the region contribute their data.