Local Action, Lasting Impact: Land Covenantors Victoria Unites for Conservation

March 10, 2025

Cecilia Riebl & Peter Mulherin

In the face of unprecedented biodiversity, climate, and geopolitical challenges worldwide, grassroots networks are increasingly critical to conservation outcomes. In Australia, the independent not-for-profit member organization Land Covenantors Victoria (LCV) demonstrates this by empowering private landowners to take meaningful, local conservation action.

“We are living in a time of great challenge, with biodiversity loss, global warming, political instability, and the relentless advance of extractive industries compounding these threats,” said LCV President Peter Mulherin. “It’s easy to feel overwhelmed … However, local action provides a path forward. Taking action within our own communities restores a sense of control and optimism. It is work that stands in contrast to greenwashing and political posturing.”

Members of Land Covenantors Victoria gather outside for a field trip to a former farm restored to its natural wetland state. — Over 50 landholders attended LCV’s first “Field Day,” held at the Wirra-lo, in Murrabit, Victoria. The former farmland has been restored to wetland. Today, it is booming with wildlife. Credit: Peter Mulherin.

Paving the way as a first-of-its-kind organization

Launched in 2021 with the support of Rendere Trust, EcoLands Collective, and Trust for Nature, the LCV quickly gained momentum and established itself as a model for locally driven conservation. It is the first formal network to unite Victoria’s more than 1,900 landholders who have adopted conservation covenants and other on-title agreements on their land.

The group volunteers their time to build networks, share knowledge, and advocate for reforms to strengthen private land conservation. One of LCV’s key successes early on came in 2023. The group provided critical advocacy to reform land-tax laws for conservation covenants to enable an automatic land-tax exemption to any landholder with a Trust for Nature covenant.

Modeling peer-learning

The LCV leverages a peer-based learning model. It brings together people and organizations with varying levels of experience and areas of expertise to share ideas and success stories and to develop new tools and best practices. Peer-based learning can happen on many scales, across different timeframes, and can be driven by a range of priorities. However, human connection is at the heart of all approaches, serving to deepen trust and relationships to catalyze on-the-ground action.

“One of the most rewarding aspects [of this work] is being part of a local network of landholders, feeling connected to a community of like-minded individuals making tangible changes to benefit local biodiversity and future generations,” said Mulherin.

Tracking impact

Measuring the LCV’s outcomes is not as straightforward as counting funds raised or material outputs. But these social aspects—learning, sharing knowledge, and passing it on to future generations—are the foundation of healthy communities. “Traditional Owners have been doing this on the same land for tens of thousands of years. We have much to learn,” said Mulherin. “As trust in traditional institutions declines, community-driven efforts are more critical than ever.”

Engaging across communities

LCV is busy across the state. It hosts field days in northern Victoria, Landcare events in western Australia, and community gatherings on local farms. These events bring together volunteers, families, and networks to share knowledge and experiences. At one event in Gippsland, Victoria, Landcare, Trust for Nature, philanthropists, farmers, and local politicians gathered in a town hall to hear stories and case studies of conservation initiatives led mostly by not-for-profit volunteers and local landholders.

A group of conservationists sit in chairs, gathered in front of a panel of speakers. — *Springsure Hill Landcare Event 2024 brought together local landholders and primary producers, Landcare Victoria, Trust for Nature, and LCV. Credit: Peter Mulherin*.

Mulherin acknowledged the challenges these organizations take on to care for nature on behalf of society. He said, “their work provides immense social and environmental benefits, with no financial reward but enduring value for their communities.”

By fostering collaboration and raising awareness about conservation covenants, LCV is making significant strides toward its vision. That is, a future where private land conservation is the norm, not the exception. “We need to make this vision widely understood across the state,” said Mulherin. He added that their work must also influence and support similar movements in other regions across Australia, “It is urgent, logical, and immensely rewarding.”

Have news? Share updates from your organization or country by emailing ilcn@lincolninst.edu.