Eurobodalla’s Landcare groups have come up roses for the region by contributing more than 10,000 volunteer hours to local environmental projects in the past year.
The fantastic milestone is a first for the shire’s 27 Landcare groups, which are involved in projects from South Durras to Tilba.
Council’s Local Landcare Co-ordinator Emma Patyus said Eurobodalla was fortunate to have more than 300 Landcare volunteers whose 10,000 volunteer hours in 2016-17 was “through the roof”.
“This amazing achievement cannot be underestimated – it’s worth a lot to both our community and our environment,” Ms Patyus said.
Ms Patyus said that in dollar terms, the volunteers’ work was worth more than $270,000 to Eurobodalla. Along with the more than $800,000 in Landcare grants that Council administers from the state and federal governments and philanthropic investors, local Landcare is important to the local economy.
“We may be a bunch of keen volunteers, but we’re also a viable business that brings economic stimulus to our local region as well as providing the means for social and environmental change,” Ms Patyus said.
“With such huge volunteer contributions we have continually been able to leverage considerable funds to help manage, enhance and protect our natural areas. The icing on the cake is that these funds go back into our local community by employing local contractors and service providers for Landcare projects – like botanists, ecologists, bush regenerators, caterers, artists, trainers, machinery drivers and more.
“When you add the in-kind contributions to these grant funds, Eurobodalla’s Landcare projects have a value of over $1.2 million to the region.”
Ms Patyus said Landcare was a great way to meet people, improve health and fitness, get involved in the community and help make a real difference.
“Council and the community values the work of Landcare volunteers and we extend a welcome to any new faces that are willing to lend a hand.” For more information ring Emma Patyus on 4474 7300.
