The Pentland Hills Landcare Group has been recognised for its commitment to the health and sustainability of the land as one of this year’s finalists in the 2014 national Landcare awards.
The group is one of 69 finalists in the running for the Landcare People’s Choice division of this year’s awards.
And as the state winner in 2013, the group joins seven other state and territory finalists in the 2014 Qantas Landcare Innovative Community Group Award.
Pentland Hills spokesman Anthony Dufty said the group was delighted to be a finalist. “It was such an honour to have won the Victoria Landcare group award and as a finalist for the national Landcare awards, we are very aware that we’re representing our local farming community,” Mr Dufty said.
“Everything the Pentland Hills Landcare Group has achieved is due to support from our local community.
“While there are many great Landcare groups around Australia that deserve to win, let’s try and put Bacchus Marsh on the map by winning the People’s Choice Award.”
The group, working with landholders, the local catchment management association, the Department of Environment and Primary Industries and Melbourne Water, has taken the lead in a large-scale biolink project set to link Lerderderg and Werribee Gorge state parks.
So far, 22 kilometres of the biolink have been completed, with the last 11 kilometres due to be completed next year.
The Bacchus Marsh community is being encouraged to get behind the group by voting at www.landcareonline.com.au.
Voting is open until 6pm on Wednesday, September 17. Winners will be announced the next day at a 2014 national Landcare awards dinner in Melbourne.
