Great benefits from connecting with Mother Earth

Landcare SJ Executive Officer, Francis Smit used the R U OK? planting day and morning tea as an example to describe  ‘Landcare for community mental health,’ in his recent presentation at the 2022 National Landcare Conference, at Sydney’s Darling Harbour in August.  Francis outlined how participation in Landcare activities including collaboration, learning, sharing, contributing and reflecting on achievements – as well as more tactile benefits from connection with Mother Earth, provided community mental health benefits including increased community capacity and resilience, cohesion and connection.

The message of keynote speakers was dire.  Already at average global warming of 1.5 degrees, the  trajectory to 2, 3 or more degrees centigrade average warming will be catastrophic.  Discussion on the recently released State of the Environment Report, reflected on the findings that Australia’s environment is in decline.  Presentations were somewhat more positive in the themed stream sessions, where landcare practitioners showcased successes, initiatives and achievements.

While community, sustainable agribusiness and volunteering remain the basis of landcare delivery, the conference highlighted change in the sector.  The incorporation of First Nations traditional science, knowledge and labour in land management is increasingly the norm, and indigenous programs are set for greater funding and support. The Danjoo Koorliny initiative in WA will help accelerate the process of cultural land management in Western Australia. A second change seems to be that the new wave of landcarers are youth – 18-35s – being harnessed through the principles of the Intrepid Landcare model, and effectively boosting community landcare organisations when effectively engaged.  Not a change, but Australian Government support for the National Soil Advocate, and further protections for endangered species are positive signs to address the overall declining state of the environment.
The Conference provided a great opportunity to maintain and develop networks and to keep in touch with contemporary Landcare issues across Australia, and around the globe (to a lesser extent).  It has generated additional motivation to progress succession planning, youth engagement and indigenous participation, as well as initiating new project and community engagement ideas at Landcare SJ.  Francis was accompanied at the conference by local landcare Champion, Athol Wigg.