These awards recognise the outstanding efforts of individuals, schools, community groups, Traditional Owners, and landcare networks that are making a lasting difference to Victoria’s landscapes, waterways and communities. Their dedication demonstrates the power of local action, and the vital role landcare continues to play in building a ustainable and resilient future.

This special edition of the magazine includes insightful stories about the winners of the 2026 Victorian Landcare Awards, which showcase the innovation, commitment and collaboration that define Victoria’s landcare movement.

Among them is Australian Government Landcare Innovation Award winner, Dr Elia Pirtle, who works as a landcare facilitator with Project Platypus Landcare Network in the upper Wimmera catchment. Elia is helping shape the future of conservation using artificial intelligence, habitat mapping and citizen science to reconnect fragmented habitats across western Victoria, and to engage more people in landcare and environmental volunteering.

I am also inspired by the achievements of the Wodonga Urban Landcare Network, winner of the Landcare Network Award, which is leading landscape-scale restoration through strong partnerships and coordinated community action in north-east Victoria.

The work of Moogji Aboriginal Council and Far East Victoria Landcare, winners of the First Nations Landcare Collaboration Award, highlights the value of combining Traditional Owner ecological knowledge with contemporary land management practices to achieve positive environmental and cultural outcomes.

As Victoria celebrates 40 years of landcare, Joan Kirner Landcare Award winner Dorothy Reid, stands out for her decades of service. A founding member of the Birchip Landcare Group in 1988, she has helped strengthen communities, protect biodiversity and inspire generations of Landcare volunteers across the Mallee.

The NextGen Landcare Award winner Annette Cavanagh, from north-east Victoria, co-founded Upper Goulburn Intrepid Landcare. Annette is a leading advocate for youth participation in landcare, inspiring and supporting young environmental leaders across Australia.

The stories featured in this edition show us that landcare is about more than caring for the environment. It is about people coming together to strengthen communities, share knowledge, inspire future generations and create meaningful change.

Whether restoring coastlines, improving biodiversity, supporting sustainable agriculture or engaging young people in environmental stewardship, each award winner represents the very best of what can be achieved through collective action.

I congratulate all award winners and nominees, and thank the award judges and thousands of volunteers, landholders, educators, community leaders and environmental champions who contribute their time and expertise to landcare. Your efforts are helping to protect and enhance Victoria’s natural environment for generations to come.