LANDCARE
Group of people walking in an open field under clear blue sky, some wearing hats, with trees in the background.
Logo for RGA Landcare featuring the word 'RGA' in large green letters with a stylized leaf icon to the right.

The RGA is a proud Landcare NSW host organisation.

VISION // The RGA Landcare promotes the integration of environmental thinking into everyday farm management and decision-making, longer-term farm strategic planning, and the management of all non-farm aspects of the industry.

MISSION // RGA Landcare utilises available resources to deliver sustainable financial, agronomic and natural resource management information covering the whole farming system to regional farmers.

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Small fish swimming in water tank.
A bird with a long beak emerging from the grass, with a blurred background of green grass blades.

History of the RGA’s partnership with Landcare 

The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia has been partnering with Landcare for over 20 years. In the early years, this was a partnership linking the Environmental Champions Program with Landcare. In 2008-10, the RGA hosted a federally funded Landcare Facilitator in the Leeton office. Since 2010, Landcare in the MIA and CICL has been delivered through Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc. Similarly, Landcare in the Western Murray Valley has been delivered by the Western Murray Land Improvement Group.

To fill a gap in Landcare delivery in the greater Deniliquin area, in 2016, the RGA began hosting a Local Landcare Coordinator (LLC) in the Deniliquin office through the Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative. This program was funded by the NSW State Government and jointly delivered by Local Land Services and Landcare NSW. The RGA has continued to host a part-time LLC through subsequent iterations of the program (the 2019-23 NSW Landcare Program, and now the 2023-27 NSW Landcare Enabling Program).

In 2024, the RGA was successful in its bid for additional funding under the program to increase the role to full-time, allowing the team to expand our delivery area to include the greater Finley/Berrigan area.

Our Landcare Philosophy

The definition of Landcare is often misunderstood. Many hear the term “Landcare” and think it is only about planting a few trees.

At the RGA, we define Landcare as management practices that enhance the land and connected water. Landcare activities can include wetland management (including rice fields), soil health, vegetation, and the creation of natural and productive habitats.

Many Landcare projects support farm productivity improvement while providing improved environmental outcomes.

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Meet the Team

Local Landcare Coordinators Hosted by the RGA:

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A woman with gray hair, wearing a striped pink and white shirt, standing outdoors in front of green shrubbery, smiling at the camera.

What do we do, and how can we help you?

RGA Landcare collaborates with producer groups, landholders, government agencies, local Landcare groups, community groups and other Landcare networks in a range of capacities, including:

  • Assisting with funding applications

  • Project scoping and management

  • Volunteer group management

  • Administration support, e.g. assisting groups with setting up appropriate governance processes and structures

  • Connecting people and organisations

  • Distributing information

  • Assisting setup new Landcare groups

  • On-ground work, e.g. planting, running events

Get in touch with us to find out more.

Two sandhill cranes walking on a dirt path in a grassy field.

Contact RGA Landcare

Janet Manzin

Deniliquin

0438 719 628

jmanzin@rga.org.au

Monday - Thursday

Andrea Mitchell

Berrigan

0474 725 719

anmitchell@rga.org.au

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.

NSW government logo, a pink and red stylized flower, next to a green icon of two hands forming a heart shape, and text about a Landcare initiative in New South Wales supported by the NSW government.

Other Landcare networks in rice growing areas