Landcare Victoria has announced the appointment of Andrew Maclean as its new CEO to guide an exciting period of growth for the organisation.

The role of the CEO will be to build stronger partnerships, attract new funding sources and shore up ongoing employment and support for Victorian Landcare Facilitators.

Mr Maclean said he wants Landcare to be recognised as having a key role in sustainable land management in Victoria. “Over the past 30 years, Landcare has earnt its place at the frontline of biodiversity protection, sustainable agriculture and recovery from bushfire and drought. Landcare’s unique strength is its deep roots in regional communities.”

“My role as CEO will be to unlock the knowledge and passion of grassroots volunteers by bringing new methods to the table that ensure Landcare remains relevant and strong.”

Mr Maclean said he joins Landcare Victoria at a pivotal time, given that groups and networks must reapply for state funding for Facilitators via a competitive process later this year. “Facilitators and project officers are the lifeblood of our Landcare groups. They underpin successful projects and we will support our members every step of the way to ensure they secure the funding they so desperately deserve.”

He has identified other priority areas for Landcare Victoria, including stronger ties with the agriculture sector and broadening Landcare’s reach beyond taxpayer-funded activities into market-based approaches.

Mr Maclean sees opportunities for Landcare to be better recognised for its contribution to sustainable agricultural production and he is particularly excited by the prospect of carbon farming and biodiversity stewardship funding.

He will commence in his new role on July 22 and joins Landcare Victoria from Southern Gulf NRM in Queensland.

Landcare Victoria Chair, Terry Hubbard said he was delighted to welcome Andrew as CEO and his appointment coincides with several other key initiatives that will strengthen Landcare in the state.

“Andrew brings over 20 years’ experience in the natural resource management field from Victoria and North Queensland. His previous roles within the Victorian Government and as CEO of Southern Gulf NRM mean that he is ideally positioned to guide Landcare Victoria in this exciting new phase.”

“Landcare Victoria is working with consultants RPS to complete a study that will determine the economic value, or return on investment, that every single dollar of Landcare spending provides, in addition to launching the Victorian Landcare Fund to attract new investors in sustainable land management.”

Funding for the CEO position was made possible via the support of two philanthropic trusts: Jim and Heather Phillipson (Rendere Trust) and Joanne and William Crothers (Upotipotpon Foundation).