On Monday 11 January, Landcare Tasmania's Deputy CEO Peter Stronach met with the Federal Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley, along with representatives from Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife and the Tasmanian Land Conservancy. 

Photo: Hon Sussan Ley MP (left) and Peter Stronach (right) 

Representatives met at Evercreech Forest Reserve near Fingal to discuss the management of threatened vegetation communities, in particular the potential listing of wet white gum forest under the EPBC Act. 

The group also discussed other Landcare activities and issues that are being addressed by our 280 groups across the state. 

For example, the Communities Environment Program (CEP) has been a successful grant program strongly supported by the Minister and delivered through the Department of the Environment.  Landcare Tasmania members secured 54% of the $666,000 of CEP funds approved in late 2019.  Projects within the CEP ranged from feral cat management to protection and restoration of habitat for threatened species. 

The Minister visited a number of Landcare-related sites across the state in her visit to Tasmania.  It was a great opportunity to meet with the Minister and discuss threatened vegetation management and the range of important Landcare activities undertaken by our groups.