Landcarers from around the state will converge on the far north coast community of Tweed Heads in 2022 for the NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference ‘Rethink, Renew, Recharge’.
The conference was to be held next year, but unfortunately had to be postponed due to COVID-19 impacts. It will now take place on 15-17 March 2022 at the Twin Towns Conference and Function Centre in Tweed Heads.
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said it would be fantastic to see the conference back after a three-year hiatus.
“The NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference presents an opportunity to bring together critical stakeholders across the land management space so that we can explore the trends, insights and strategies being used across our State,” Mr Marshall said.
“This means our land can be more diverse, productive and sustainable and we can empower landholders across the state to improve their local environment.
“Landcare, in conjunction with other stakeholders such as Local Land Services, are working on innovative and interesting projects – several of which I have been lucky enough to see firsthand, such as the rehydration projects west of White Cliffs.
“Any edge we can give those who care for our land, whether farmers, not-for-profits or Government, is critical as cycles become less predictable, and I can’t wait to see what concepts and ideas come out of the 2022 Conference to achieve this.”
Chairperson of Landcare NSW, Stephanie Cameron said it was exciting to announce the go-ahead for the conference on the beautiful north coast.
“It will be particularly special for Landcarers to come together to learn and collaborating after tough times of drought, bushfires and COVID-19,” she said.
‘Rethink, Renew, Recharge’ is hosted by Local Land Services and Landcare NSW with the support of the North Coast Regional Landcare Network.
The conference will bring together a range of environmentally-associated organisations representing industry, not-for-profits, governments, research bodies and businesses as well as grass-roots volunteers.
State Chair of Local Land Services Richard Bull said the conference is about recognising that every day, countless people across NSW are doing their bit to grow and protect healthy environments.
“It is about celebrating everyone’s efforts, from the farmer planting a corridor of trees on his or her property to the urban-based Landcare group cleaning up a local creek,” Mr Bull said.
The three-day event will feature expert speakers and testimonies of Landcarers from around the state who will challenge delegates to rethink how they can best care for land and waterways.
There will be chances for those at the conference to renew their efforts by tapping into the latest research and learning new skills such as new skills in areas such as coast care and regenerative agriculture.
A choice of field trips will be on offer, giving participants the opportunity to recharge the batteries through visiting successful project sites and local places of great natural beauty. The conference will also include the NSW Landcare awards.
The venue at Tweed Heads has been chosen because it is large enough to allow social distancing measures to be implemented if required.
More than 320 delegates and guests attended the most recent NSW Landcare and Local Land Services conference in Broken Hill last year.
“It will be great to see networks and partnerships that were forged in the outback in 2019 strengthened in the very different environment of the north coast in 2022,” said Chris Roberts from North Coast Regional Landcare Network.
The last time the conference was held on the north coast was at Port Macquarie in 2007.
Conference tickets will go on sale in 2021. Interested delegates and exhibitors can find updates at the conference and by following ‘‘ on Facebook.
