New report reveals the impact & growth of Tasmania's Community Care Groups
Community-led environmental action is thriving across Tasmania, with a new report providing one of the clearest pictures yet of the people and groups caring for the state's landscapes and waterways.
Friends of Five Bob Farm - Landcare member group.
Landcare Tasmania's State of Community Care Landcare Groups 2026 report brings together insights from 261 Community Care Groups, revealing a volunteer network that continues to grow while delivering meaningful environmental and community outcomes.
The report shows Tasmania welcomed 24 new Community Care Groups in 2025, with a further seven groups already established during the first half of 2026. Together, these groups represent thousands of volunteers taking practical action to restore native habitat, improve waterways, protect biodiversity, manage weeds and pests, support sustainable agriculture and build resilience to climate change.
The report also reveals the remarkable breadth of work being undertaken by community groups across the state. Weed management, native revegetation and habitat restoration remain the most common activities, while many groups are also improving waterways, restoring coastal environments, protecting threatened species, monitoring wildlife and engaging local communities through education and citizen science.
Beyond environmental outcomes, the data paints a picture of a movement driven by people and place. Volunteers consistently identified improving the local environment, giving back to their community and connecting with like-minded people as the key reasons they become involved. The report also highlights the important social value of Community Care Groups, with many fostering new skills, stronger community connections and opportunities for people of all ages to contribute to local environmental stewardship.
The findings also provide a timely reminder that while Tasmania's Community Care Group network is growing, many groups face familiar challenges. Recruiting new volunteers, particularly younger people, succession planning for leadership roles, securing ongoing funding and navigating increasing environmental pressures remain common concerns across the network. These insights provide valuable evidence for governments, councils and funding organisations about where investment can have the greatest impact in supporting grassroots conservation.
Importantly, the report demonstrates the scale of community-led environmental action occurring across Tasmania. With more than 260 active Community Care Groups and new groups continuing to form each year, the network represents one of the state's largest volunteer movements dedicated to caring for nature. Every working bee, planting day, field survey and restoration project contributes to healthier ecosystems, stronger local communities and landscapes that are better equipped to respond to future environmental challenges.
The State of Community Care Landcare Groups in Tasmania 2026 provides more than a snapshot of today's Community Care Group network—it establishes an important benchmark for understanding how the movement is evolving and where future opportunities lie. As Tasmania continues to face the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and increasing pressure on natural landscapes, the report reinforces the vital role local volunteers will continue to play in building resilient communities and healthy environments.
Read the full report to explore the findings and discover how community-led action is making a difference across Tasmania.
