Landcare began around a simple idea: farmers and landholders recognised that they could be more effective and have greater impact if they worked together to address their common land management issues. The formation of landcare groups (since 1986) has enabled landholders to come together to design and implement practical solutions to address these land management issues.

In 1986, the late Joan Kirner (then Minster for Conservation, Forest and Lands), and the late Heather Mitchell (then president of the Victorian Farmers Federation), were joint chairs of the Victorian Government’s landcare program during its design and implementation stages. Back in 1986 who would have predicted the success that landcare has achieved in its first 40 years, and the enduring impact of community-driven conservation across the state.

Today in Victoria, 75 percent of the state’s privately owned land is covered by the more than 600 Landcare groups. landcare groups are now found across Australia, and there are landcare groups or projects in more than 20 countries worldwide.

This issue of the Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management magazine celebrates and acknowledges four decades of community-led action to care for the places we live, work and value. Thank you to everyone who continues to care for and contribute to Victoria’s natural environment and great outdoors.

In this issue we explore stories from 40 years of landcare in Victoria – centred on the themes of people, places and practice, to highlight landcare’s achievements, partnerships, challenges, and the lessons learned. We also look back at landcare’s origins and celebrate the individuals and communities who have shaped landcare by caring for the land, water and biodiversity, and how landcarers care of the land continues to evolve. Over the decades landcare has responded to shifts in environmental pressures, and changing community attitudes and needs, and continues to play a vital role in modern farming communities. Landcare Victoria Inc’s Chair, Jane Carney, also takes a look forward to the future of landcare in Victoria.

The Victorian Government has supported landcare since its inception in 1986, and remains proud to support the landcare movement, and its environmental volunteers, groups and networks, who make it possible. The Victorian Government through sustained investment in community-led action, which includes funding for the 10 Regional Landcare Coordinator roles (since 2002), 80 landcare facilitators (since 2011), and the Victorian Landcare Grants (for more than 25 years), remains committed to ensuring landcare has the resources it needs to continue delivering positive outcomes for our environment, our communities, and future generations.

We proudly support landcare and environmental volunteers who work tirelessly to keep our unique natural environment healthy, allowing Victorians to continue enjoying the biodiversity, beauty, and offerings of our great outdoors.

In October 2026, we will celebrate 40 years of landcare in Victoria at the 2026 Victorian Landcare Awards ceremony in Melbourne. Nominations for the 2026 Landcare Victorian Landcare Awards are now open (until 31 July 2026). I invite you to submit nominations for the awards, which are an ideal opportunity to recognise the outstanding contributions of landcarers, coastcarers, groups, networks, farmers, and young people (across 13 award categories).

I look forward to celebrating the achievements of the nominees for the 2026 Victorian Landcare Awards, as part of the celebrations of 40 years of landcare in Victoria, later in 2026.

I hope you enjoy this issue of the magazine, and am grateful to everyone who contributed stories reflecting on the past 40 years of landcare in Victoria.

Enver Erdogan MP

Minister for Environment
Minister for Outdoor Recreation
Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation