Celebrate, Regenerate, Tackling Dry Times

Boorowa Community Landcare Group (BCLG), which celebrates its 30th birthday this year, is excited to announce a project that aims to support a diverse rural community to build resilience to manage and regenerate landscapes in the face of challenging environmental and economic conditions.

With support from the Foundation of Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), BCLG is now able to deliver a range of activities to Boorowa regional landholders and residents to support projects that tackle dry times. Social wellbeing is so important during the current drought period, so there will be a range of events providing the opportunity to celebrate successes, share experiences and inspire each other. Local events such as Australia Day Awards, International Women’s Day and the Boorowa Show bring people together and BCLG’s presence can potentially assist individuals manage the drought and social isolation.

At this year’s Boorowa Show, the Landcare display was closely aligned with Local Land Services (LLS), where Landcare Committee members and LLS biosecurity staff used the opportunity to promote upcoming activities including the community fox baiting program. Landcare is well supported by the LLS natural resource team and there were some great children’s activities to teach the younger generation about threatened species. Coffee and cake, native trees and a display highlighting some of BCLG’s achievements attracted approximately 150 people into the tent during the course of the day.

In March, BCLG was proud to be a part of Boorowa’s 13th International Woman’s Day event, attended by approximately 180 women from near and far. This year’s theme was ‘Old Habits Die Hard’. There were inspiring stories from country women who had overcome drug and alcohol addictions and strategies for improving physical and mental wellbeing. A great networking opportunity, this event gives women a safe environment to start conversations, often sharing personal stories and developing friendships, which is so important to rural communities during times of drought and personal hardship.

BCLG members greeted guests at the door and the informative display promoted ways to improve the environment. BCLG were able to offer everyone a complimentary tree, propagated by growers in the Landcare network.

BCLG is especially excited about an upcoming workshop in Boorowa on Friday 16th August 2019, focusing on regenerative agriculture as a drought resilience strategy. The forum will be advertised in BCLG newsletters and on the Facebook page. Follow for more details as they arise. The workshop will look at the various ways producers react to drought, the factors that drive decision making and how the results of these decisions affect wellbeing. Effective, timely decision-making can enable producers to gain more control of the situation, improve outcomes and build resilience. Speakers will include farm business consultants, social scientists, Department of Primary Industries, Local Land Services and local landholders. The day will be supported by stall holders representing support networks in rural business, mental health and natural resource management agencies.

Particularly in dry times, it is important to keep the important Landcare network going and BCLG is grateful to FRRR for their support to build resilience within the community.

Contact Boorowa Community Landcare Coordinator Linda Cavanagh for further information on 0459 681 018 or landcare@boorowa.net

• Topics:

• Landcare