Welcome to the February edition of The Dirty Hands!
The year is already in full swing, and Landcarers across Tasmania are getting stuck into another season of action.
This edition of Dirty Hands is packed with stories on new partnerships, our inspiring team days, funding updates, and upcoming events that are bringing our Landcare community together across Tasmania.
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Photo: Recipients of the 2025 auDA Community Grant Program.
Funding awarded for our Digital Library & training series
We are thrilled to receive $50,000 through the 2025 .au Domain Administration's (auDA) Community Grant Program for our Landcare Knowledge Exchange: Digital Library & Training Series.
Landcare Tasmania is one of 15 organisations across Australia to receive funding through the program to support community projects that promote digital inclusion.
The Digital Library and training series will develop a secure, searchable digital library to safeguard environmental knowledge and train Landcare Tasmania members in its use. This will ensure future generations can learn from past efforts while building digital skills in regional communities.
Stay tuned for more updates as this project takes off!
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Waste education program expands through new partnership
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Photo: Southern Waste Solutions CEO Nick Gifford with Landcare Tasmania CEO Peter Stronach at the Lutana Resource Recovery Centre.
Landcare Tasmania has teamed up with Southern Waste Solutions to deliver an expanded waste education program to primary schools statewide. This three-year partnership builds on a successful 2024 pilot, giving students hands-on learning about waste, recycling, and the impact of rubbish on our environment and native wildlife.
The program combines in-school Waste & Wildlife workshops with Let’s Explore Waste excursions to the Copping Waste Precinct and the Lutana Resource Recovery Centre. By seeing where waste goes after it leaves the kerbside, students gain a powerful understanding of how their choices at home can make a difference.
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Photo: The Let's Explore Waste program takes students to a working landfill and discover waste solutions.
Landcare Tasmania CEO Peter Stronach said, “This program empowers young Tasmanians to adopt sustainable habits while learning about wildlife conservation, helping to build a zero-waste future.”
Over three years, the program will deliver nine excursions and 18 workshops, starting in Term 1 2026.
Interested? Register your school here.
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Waste & Wildlife inspires more students
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Students from two Tasmanian schools are turning learning into action through the Waste & Wildlife program.
At St James Catholic College, Grade 5 students explored how caring for Country can start with everyday choices. During a recent workshop, they discovered practical ways to reduce waste and protect local wildlife, sharing thoughtful and creative ideas about how communities can tackle the impacts of rubbish.
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Meanwhile, students at Andrews Creek Primary School investigated the link between everyday waste and the wellbeing of native animals.
The day was filled with curiosity and discovery, as students were surprised to learn how long common items remain in the environment - and how small changes in daily habits can make a meaningful difference.
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Bringing our team together
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Our team recently came together for two inspiring days of connection, learning and strategic thinking - taking time to reflect on our work and strengthen how we support Landcare across Tasmania.
We were fortunate to spend time in Milford Forest, where property owner Robyn Lewis guided us on a walk through the landscape.
We also heard from Phil, convenor of Tranmere-Clarence Plains Land & Coastcare, who shared the story and impact of his local Landcare group.
On day two, we welcomed Dibas Panta, from our Members Council and also a NRM Officer with Sorell Council, along with James and Nicole from the South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation (SETAC), as we focused on building skills within our team and strengthening partnerships.
It was an informative and energising few days, and a great opportunity to connect with local Landcare groups and the people driving on-ground action across our communities
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Are you a covenant holder or a private landholder managing high conservation value land in Tasmania?
Following strong support from a November 2025 survey, Conservation Landholders Tasmania (CLT) is now back up and running.
CLT and Landcare Tasmania invite landholders to complete a follow-on survey to help identify barriers, knowledge gaps and support needs when protecting, enhancing and maintaining covenants and high conservation value land.
The results will help shape three statewide workshops in 2026–27, designed to build skills and support members, with priority places for CLT and Landcare members.
Stay tuned to Landcare Tasmania’s events page and socials for updates.
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Priority weeds workshop
Join us for a weeds workshop on Saturday, 14 March in Ulverstone - featuring weed expert Alex Meiss from Island Regen, focused on identifying and managing priority weeds in North West and Western Tasmania.
At the workshop, learn about identification of priority weed species in the region, best-practice weed control and management approaches, how community knowledge will inform the new Cradle Coast Regional Weed Strategy, and more!
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Welcome Michael!
Michael is our new operations manager and he brings extensive operational and organisational leadership experience to Landcare Tasmania.
With a strong background in leadership, he is passionate about building practical systems and strong partnerships that empower communities to care for the places they value most.
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New project planning template for members
This template is designed to support Landcare Tasmania members to develop clear and well-structured project plans. These plans can be used to support grant applications, partnership discussions and on-ground project delivery.
You do not need prior experience with project planning to use this template. The questions and tables are designed to help you think through your project step-by-step, using plain language.
Sign up to become a member.
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Behind the scenes with the Saltbush Line
We enjoyed getting out and about with a film crew working on the Captain Darwin project. The focus was the Saltbush Line crew at Okines Beach, Lewisham, filming them at work in the dunes - planting, weeding and putting up educational signs.
The Saltbush Line is a community-driven project (part of Southern Beaches Landcare Coastcare) aimed at restoring the sand dunes at Okines Beach by planting native saltbush.
Stay tuned for more info on the documentary which will be aired next year!
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National coastal weed survey
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You are invited to take part in a national survey that aims to
improve how coastal weeds are managed — both locally and across
Australia. For the purpose of this research, coastal means within 5km
of the shoreline.
Take the survey today.
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Webinar: Better rabbit management in Tasmania
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Rabbits remain one of the most damaging invasive pests in Tasmania, impacting biodiversity, agriculture, and community efforts to restore the land.
This webinar, taking place on Wednesday, 11 March, brings together guest speakers including Landcare Tasmania outreach coordinator Jen Milne, and practical case studies to share strategies, tools, and lessons for effective rabbit management.
RSVP here.
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Day of Wonder - fundraiser for Landcare Tasmania
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Head to the Day of Wonder on Easter Saturday and support Landcare Tasmania.
The Day of Wonder is a community day built on a much-loved local tradition - with live music, food and activities on offer. Have a chat with the West Tamar Landcare group who will be there on the day.
Small Wonder Cellar Door & Winery is donating $5 from every ticket to Landcare Tasmania.
Find out more.
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Harvesting Connections is a free, one-day circular living event exploring waste-free food and gardening.
Taking place on Saturday, 14 March 2026 at Kickstart Arts, St John’s Precinct, New Town, the event will feature practical demonstrations, hands-on workshops, discussions and activities focused on home and community food production, regenerative gardening and plastic-free practices.
To get involved as an exhibitor, facilitator or contributor, contact Alison: [email protected]
Learn more: Harvesting Connections website
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Join your local Landcare group!
Want to get involved? Check out our directory of groups and upcoming working bees/events happening all over the state!
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Interested in joining us?
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Landcare Tasmania acknowledges that the island of Lutruwita/Tasmania is Aboriginal Land, sovereignty was not, and never will be, ceded. Aboriginal people have cared for the lands, waterways, skies and communities of Lutruwita/Trouwerner since the beginning of time.
We pay respects to the palawa / pakana of Lutruwita/ Trouwerner and strive to fulfil our simple but collective vision – That all Tasmanian communities are empowered and enabled to care for the land and waterways of Lutruwita/Trouwerner.
Landcare Tasmania is committed to continuously listening, learning and building stronger relationships with Aboriginal communities.
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