MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall today congratulated members and staff of the Glen Innes Natural Resource Advisory Committee (GLENRAC) on winning the NSW 2015 Landcare Community Group Award.
Mr Marshall said it was fantastic to see GLENRAC recognised for its positive contribution to the environment and communities of the Northern Tablelands for the last 25 years.
“GLENRAC has been in operation since 1989 and is one of the longest running Landcare networks in NSW. In recent years, it has gone from strength to strength largely due to the vision of past and current committee members, the GLENRAC membership and their committed staff,” Mr Marshall said.
“Their projects have focused on land degradation, particularly revegetation projects to restore native tree and shrubs species.
“A large number of their projects have involved improving the skills and knowledge of our land managers and have centred on sustainable agriculture topics pertaining to soils, water pasture plants and grazing animals.”
Mr Marshall said in the period 2008 to 2015 GLENRAC has received $2 million in funding to support their projects.
“In the past 12 months they have had a strong focus on the people aspect of natural resource management, running activities to support drought affected farming businesses both manage and cope with the ongoing drought conditions,” he said.
“GLENRAC’s ability to respond to the needs of our community during difficult times has resulted in positive feedback, increased memberships and increased reach across our region with people from other nearby towns and interstate.
“The committee consists of representative from all land manager in our local community including rural land managers, National Parks & Wildlife Service, Glen Innes Severn Council, NSW DPI and the Glen Innes Local Aboriginal Lands council.
“It goes without saying that to have such a diverse range of stakeholders on the committee ensures a high level of representation and consultation across the community.
“I congratulate everyone involved with GLENRAC and wish them luck in the next stage of the Landcare Awards process, being chosen to represent NSW and the Northern Tablelands in the 2016 Land Care Awards.”
The presentation ceremony for the awards will be held in Orange during the NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference on 2 September.