Landcare Network Readiness Project Forum 1

Landcare Coordinators/Facilitators from all around Victoria met in Castlemaine on Tuesday the 28th April, to explore the concept of forming a Landcare network. The forum was organised and facilitated by Ross Colliver from the Landcare & Community Engagement Unit of DSE. Around 35 people turned out from a wide range of groups - some departmental, some community.

Key themes to emerge from the forum included :

• The benefits of forming a network
• Challenges to forming a network
• How to engage stakeholders in forming a network
• Different regions have different styles of network
• There is 'no one model fits all' approach for networks
• Communication & relationships are the keys to successfull networks
• With current funding scarcity, only well organised networks will survive.

From the days dialogue, it seems that the picture of a succfull network, is one that :

• Has a clear structure & function
• Has a steering committee or board with clear roles
• Has good communication with individual Landcare groups
• Respects individual Landcare group autonomy, while looking at the big picture
• Has multiple funding sources
• Has a well thought out strategic plan, that has considered the views of the network and Landcare groups
• Has a proactive coordinator and good communication between staff and the board.

The event was a great opportunity to network with other people in a similar situation.

The forum will meet again in July and August.