The Wodonga Urban Landcare Network is bubbling along in the formation stage with local groups in various stages of applying for membership. This includes Baranduda Landcare, Leneva Landcare, Bonegilla Rail Trail, Clyde Cameron Reserve Group, Parklands Albury Wodonga, and Friends of Willow Park, Belvior Park, the Ridges Reserves, and Huon Creek.
The Interim Committee have progressed the governance structure to a point where WULN has adopted Rules, membership procedures and a fee structure. An AGM was held in August and some (but not all) Committee positions filled. The WULN Committee consists of one representative from each member group, and sets the direction for the Network through strategic planning and review. The Executive is elected from the membership and operationalizes the WULN Strategic Plan along with the WULN Facilitator. WULN has just applied for membership of the Farm Tree and Landcare Association, which will be our (and our member group’s) governing body. All of our member’s landcare related activities will be insured under the FTLA insurance package, and we will apply for funding under the FTLA’s incorporation.
A Strategic plan has been developed through public meetings held in May, June, and July, and the Executive have just completed an Operations plan for 2012/13. The main features of the plan are filling out the governance structure, co-ordinating social, inspirational and educational networking activities, developing and implementing key strategies including communications and promotions and capacity development for member groups, the development of protocols with the City of Wodonga, and coordinating several specific projects.
Current WULN projects include the development of a local sustainability education network, running a ‘Weed Blitz’ with local Scouts and schools, coordinating a series of workshops aimed at developing a comprehensive ‘who’s who’ resources package for local groups, and the ‘Bio-links Stage 2’ project focusing on on-ground works along House and Huon Creeks through Wodonga. Each project has a reference group which provides inspiration and guidance to the Facilitator in progressing the project. Any locals with a particular interest in one of our projectsare welcome to put their name forward!
The next WULN meeting will be held on Wednesday 21st November in Willow Park, and will include a ‘show and tell’ by members of the Friends of Willow Park.