What is Caring for our Country?
The Australian Government is investing $2 billion to achieve a real and measurable difference to Australia’s environment. Caring for our Country funds projects across the country to achieve national targets - projects that improve biodiversity and sustainable farm practices.
This funding supports regional natural resource management groups, local, state and territory governments, Indigenous groups, industry bodies, land managers, farmers, Landcare groups and communities.
Our goal
Caring for our Country aims to achieve an environment that is healthy, better protected, well-managed, resilient and provides essential ecosystem services in a changing climate.
Our priorities
In its first five years, from July 2008 to June 2013, Caring for our Country is investing funds to improve strategic outcomes across six national priority areas:
- the National Reserve System
- biodiversity and natural icons
- coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats
- sustainable farm practices
- natural resource management in northern and remote Australia
- community skills, knowledge and engagement.
Outcomes
To ensure Caring for our Country funding gets the best results, the Australian Government has defined specific outcomes that Caring for our Country will achieve for each of the six national priorities in its first five years of operation.
The outcomes are detailed in Caring for our Country Outcomes 2008–2013.
Business planning and targets
Caring for our Country business plans are released towards the end of each year, and outline 1 to 4 year targets to ensure we stay on track to achieve our outcomes. These business plans invite proposals that help achieve the objectives set out in the outcomes statement.
Projects funded by Caring for our Country frequently contribute to more than one priority area. For example, work to improve the biodiversity of Australia’s landscapes, and to improve sustainable practices, will in many cases be mutually supporting. Caring for our Country investments will also complement other Australian Government programs such as Water for the Future and Australia’s Farming Future.
The Caring for our Country monitoring, evaluation, reporting and performance improvement strategy provides details on measuring progress towards achieving the outcomes. Progress is reported through an annual report card. The report card lets the Australian Government and community know how future Caring for our Country investments should be delivered and focused.
Previous programs
Caring for our Country integrates the Australian Government's previous natural resource management initiatives, including the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Landcare Program, the Environmental Stewardship Program and the Working on Country Indigenous land and sea ranger programs.
Caring for our Country establishes national priorities and outcomes to refocus investment on protection of our environment and sustainable management of our natural resources.
Key documents
Ministers' websites
Contacting us
Postal address
Australian Government Land and Coasts Team
Communications Team
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone number
1800 552 008 (toll-free)
Fax number
+61 (0)2 6272 4526 (Attention: Communications Team)
Helpful resources
Key
Links to another web site
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