LODDON Plains Landcare Network has notched up 15 years working to protect and enhance biodiversity in the region.
Facilitator Will Sanson told the network’s annual general meeting that fostering a strong community of passionate landholders, dedicated volunteers, and engaged groups continued.
“All working together to enhance biodiversity and protect natural assets across the Loddon Plains,” he said.
Mr Sanson said a standout achievement for the past year was planting of 21,000 tube stock plants.
“We have also expanded into fee-for-service work. Our well-equipped works crew completed two projects in Leaghur and Arnold West, focusing on weed control and revegetation,” he said.
“However, securing funding continues to be a challenge for charitable community organisations like LPLN. 
“With ongoing uncertainty around long-term government support and short-term funding cycles, we remain focused on finding landholders and businesses who are committed to contributing to the long-term survival of LPLN and environmental restoration across the Network’s landscape.”
Mr Sanson said the network continued to grow and maintain community partnerships and engagemen including Tarnagulla Primary School’s Victorian Junior Landcare program’s successful grant for a Maze Garden.
“:Our groups are what makes the Loddon Plains Landcare Network and are the essence of Landcare. Many of our groups have been re-engaging, while some unfortunately are struggling with ageing members and declining rural populations,” he said. 
Our network is vibrant and strong, and I am hopeful our groups will flourish into the future with your involvement. Many of our groups are doing great things involving revegetation, species conservation, regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, indigenous engagement and community connectivity.”
Re-elected president Colleen Condliffee thanked new treasurer Drew Chislett from Loddon Vale and secretary Katie Drummond Gillett from Inglewood for their contributions to the network.
“Our successful tree-planting program could not have been achieved without the generous support of our local landholders, who have devoted portions of their farmland to environmental improvement,” she said.
“We deeply appreciate all the landholders who joined the Landcare community this year, particularly those who have committed land for tree planting. Your involvement is driving significant progress in community engagement and development throughout the Loddon region.
“Together, we are making meaningful strides in environmental stewardship and community building, and I look forward to continuing this momentum in the year ahead.”