On Friday May 3rd 2024, the Landcare Association of South Australia (LASA) hosted the 2023-24 SA Landcare Awards at the Port Augusta Cultural Centre – Yarta Purtli.

The Landcare Awards honour the remarkable accomplishments of individuals, groups and organisations, young and old, dedicated to protecting South Australian natural resources and building resilient landscapes for the future. The award winners and their projects are diverse, including climate innovation, community partnerships, sustainable agriculture, youth, and collaboration with First Nations.  

LASA Executive Officer, Dr Eleanor Pratt, expressed gratitude to the Landcare Award sponsors, dignitaries and special guests, while acknowledging the finalists and winners as Landcare champions in their community.

“We are so proud of the Landcare community in South Australia, and it has been wonderful to be able to show our appreciation for these hardworking volunteers that give up their spare time to care for our state’s beautiful landscapes. Congratulations to all of the winners, finalists and highly commended nominees, and thank you to the Landcare network, and our wonderful partners and sponsors, without which we wouldn’t be able to put on events like these Landcare Awards.” Dr Pratt said.

Winners of the State & Territory Landcare Award categories will represent South Australia at the 2024 National Landcare Awards to be held in late 2024 and receive a $1,000 cash prize from LASA.

Congratulations to the winners of each category:

First Nations Landcare Collaboration Award – Nipapanha Community Aboriginal Corporation

Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award – Ian Roberts

Australian Government Sustainable Agriculture Landcare Award – Buckleboo Station – Paroo Pastoral Company

Green Adelaide Urban Landcare Award – The Gums Landcare Group

Women in Landcare Award – Sarah Barrett

Woolworths Junior Landcare Award – St Michael’s Lutheran Primary School

Greyhound Coastcare Award – Kumarangk – Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group

NextGen Landcare Award – Biology Society of South Australia

Australian Government Climate Innovation Award – Kate and Adrian McCabe

Australian Government Community Partnerships Landcare Award – Biodiversity McLaren Vale

Over 60 guests were then treated to a tour of the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden on the Saturday morning, with tours run by Sophie Thomson, Peter Langdon and the Friends of Arid Lands Botanic Garden group. Everyone was blown away by the gardens and promised to come back again!

Thank you to our many sponsors, partners and supporters for helping bring the event together – Landcare Australia, Greyhound Australia, Woolworths, Australian Federal Government, SA Arid Lands Landscape Board, Green Adelaide, Port Augusta City Council and Quorn Landcare Group.