Landcare stars: Mingenew Irwin Group and Moore Catchment Council up for awards

Two of the region’s star land stewardship groups – Mingenew Irwin Group and Moore Catchment Council – have both been named as finalists in the 2015 Western Australia Landcare Awards.

Judging has concluded and the results have been announced. But for NACC staff and members, it didn’t come by surprise to hear that two of our most vibrant community groups – the Mingenew Irwin Group and the Moore Catchment Council – have been named the finalists in this year’s awards.

Now in its 25th year, the WA Landcare Awards are being presented by the WA NRM Office in association with Landcare Australia – to recognise and honour the invaluable works undertaken by hundreds of volunteers and community groups all around the state to protect our precious natural environment.

The winners of this year’s awards will be announced at a gala dinner at the WA State NRM Conference – on Tuesday, 22 September 2015, at the Mandurah Convention and Exhibition Centre.

In earning its finalist position, the Mingenew Irwin Group highlighted several innovative projects which the group have conducted in the NAR – including their outstanding project on “Shrubs for Emissions Reduction and Carbon Storage”.

This project demonstrated innovation, community engagement, increased productivity, and sustainability of farming enterprises. MIG will contest the Southampton Homestead for the Australian Government Innovation in Sustainable Farm Practices award.

“The Moore Catchment Council (MCC) is honoured to be a finalist in the WA Landcare Awards in the Fairfax Media Landcare Community Group category,” said MCC Executive Officer Helen Watkins.

“It’s really the strength of the organisation that matters most. We have drawn our strength on the works that we do at the grass-roots level – to maintain and repair the Moore’s natural environment, to encourage sustainable farming and land management practices, and to build community capacity in conserving the Moore River catchment against current and impending threats. This is evidenced on successful completion of 41 projects to the value of $4.5 million over the past 20 years, with 9 more projects in progress.”

“It is fantastic to see that two of our region’s community groups have progressed to finalist stage in this year’s State Landcare awards,” said NACC Regional Landcare Facilitator Stanley Yokwe.

“They represent all that is best about our local Landcare activity and the volunteers who are making a positive contribution to our natural environment and their communities
NACC congratulates all the finalists of the 2015 WA Landcare Awards, especially the Mingenew Irwin Group and Moore Catchment Council, and wish them luck in being chosen to represent WA in the 2016 National Landcare Awards.”