Highlights from the 2025 ACT Environmental Volunteers Conference

On August 8th and 9th, Landcare ACT partnered with the ACT Government to host the second ACT Environmental Volunteers Conference, building on the momentum from our successful inaugural event in 2023. We designed this gathering with one clear mission: Regeneration – in every sense. To connect our passionate volunteer community, share inspiring stories, and exchange the knowledge that drives environmental action across our region.

Day 1: Witnessing Conservation in Action

We kicked off with immersive field trips that took participants on a journey across seven remarkable sites throughout Canberra: Umbagong Landcare, Mulligans Flat, Tuggeranong Creek, Emu Creek and Belconnen Wetlands, Bluetts Block, Holder Landcare, and Kuringa Woodlands. Each location showcased the incredible environmental work happening right in our backyard.

The day left participants buzzing with inspiration. As Susan Colwell shared in her feedback: “We looked at the area at Umbagong park that the team there has restored and was very impressed.” This sentiment echoed throughout our group as volunteers witnessed the tangible impact of collective environmental action going on all the time across Canberra.

Day 2: Learning, Leading, and Looking Forward

Day two transformed the energy from the field into actionable insights at the Ann Harding Conference Centre. We assembled an impressive lineup of speakers who brought both policy perspective and practical wisdom to our environmental volunteers.

Suzanne Orr MLA, Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water, opened our conference, Bren Burkevics, ACT Conservator of Flora and Fauna and Executive Group Manager of the Environment Division, shared insights from the frontlines of conservation policy and practice within the City and Environment Directorate.

Pip Kiernan, Chair of Clean Up Australia Day, energised the room with her stories of grassroots environmental action, while our own CEO Michael Robinson connected the day’s themes to Landcare ACT’s vision for community-driven conservation.

The conference came alive during eight dynamic breakout sessions, where participants dove deep into specialised topics from soil to storytelling. We shared challenges, and collaborated on solutions. These smaller groups fostered the meaningful connections that transform individual passion into collective impact. The power of these connections became clear through participant feedback: “I had plans to more formally volunteer start of next year, but now because of networking, I will be signing up this year to get started earlier. I met a lot of rangers and other wonderful people.”

As the conference concluded, participants left feeling not just inspired, but truly connected to a broader community of environmental champions.

This gathering reinforced what we’ve always known: when passionate people come together to share knowledge and support each other’s work, extraordinary things happen. The ACT Environmental Volunteers Conference has become more than an event—it’s a catalyst for the environmental action our region needs.

We’re already looking forward to continuing this tradition, knowing that each gathering strengthens the network of volunteers who are actively shaping a more sustainable future for the ACT.

Collective poem.

This collective voice poem was created at the conference as orchestrated by our very own Sally Holliday. Attendees were invited to reflect on their relationship with nature in the past, present and future. Their words were brought together into this shared reflection. Enjoy.

Active wish | Living Prayer

When I was young
I was a child deeply connected with the outdoors
I wanted to be outside in nature
All the time
I was curious to explore everywhere

I felt a sense of freedom
Having adventures 
Walking
Camping 
Swimming
Anything in or on the water

The beach was my happy place
Exploring rock pools for hours
Barefooted and wild 
I loved feeling the warm earth under my feet 
In the heat of the day 

We spent lots of time out in the bush by rivers 
Creeks Full of crack willows
Dark and dangerous! 
But also, my home away from home… 

Watching tadpoles swimming 
Catching yabbies, and reptiles, and bugs
I was fascinated by all kinds of creepy crawlies 
I thought of them as little beings with feelings 

I remember picnics and ball games in the park 

Monkeying about in the big trees in my backyard gave me such joy
Climbing to feel my way 
Seated in the crow’s nest
Feeling the branches swaying in the wind

I remember following my father over the Moors looking for birds 
I felt awe at seeing an owl in the wild for the first time
Mum was always rescuing animals 

I loved identifying new plant and animal species 
When I was 5, I had a lightbulb moment seeing a white cheeked honeyeater through binoculars
When I was 8, I saw a red and blue dragonfly in Ginninderra Creek
And it awoke something in me

As a teacher I would take students camping in the Grampians
They loved seeing, hearing, feeling, and smelling the mountain landscapes

I led a different lifestyle back then
Slower, simpler, peaceful
More connected to my local community 
I took time to watch flowers bloom each spring 
I also took nature for granted
I had no idea about the diversity of wildlife all around me

Not everyone has grown feeling connected to nature. 
For me, Nature was remote and cold, associated with far away things. 

I grew up on a degraded Murray river 
With Poor water quality, erosion, dairy not done well  

I’m a country girl
Who’s always loved the smell of the bush after rain
and the colours of the grasses rippling in the light

Sometimes I wished I had been born aboriginal
So that I could just stay in the bush
And follow the last golden rays of the sun
Instead, I settled for not coming home until the street lights came on…

I wish I could be young all over again 
So I could have time do what I feel need to

Today
I still feel connected to nature 
I still love being in the great outdoors 
I’m still curious 
I’m still living on country 
I don’t stop living…
I am here now and might still be tomorrow 
Happy Days!

I make a point of enjoying my local surroundings
It’s possible to savour nature whilst we work together to save nature
I enjoy hiking at a pace where my busy life slows down a bit
I enjoy slowing down and sitting quietly in a favourite place
Breaking free of distractions
Paying attention to all my senses and observing quietly 
I make time to sit alone and quiet in the forest
To observe and record bird activity 
I connect with nature through landscape and bird photography 
I like Planting things that are native and edible – better yet, both!

I take summer drives to the country 
The place where paddock trees go to die
I tend to their woes, find ways to heal the land
I watch the landscape suffer in drought
or from too much rain  
I endeavour to undo past damage 
I endeavour to consume less 
Minimise my impact
Pick up rubbish 
Leave no trace 

I take time to learn about plants and animals 
I love learning more and more 
Both what is taught to me by others 
But also what I learn from nature itself 
I’m learning and leading at the same time 

I am intentionally reconnecting with nature and giving back 
I convene a Landcare group on Mt Painter 
I enjoy weeding and planting with friends of Mt Ainslie Grasslands 
I love seeing the tawny frogmouths at our Landcare site at Croke Place in Evatt
I’m planting at Mawson ponds 
I’m watching a tree that I planted GROW

I’m recently retired and new to environmental volunteering 
Glad to be doing something I want to do 

I feel really privileged to be working in a space where people are taking action
To restore this beautiful land we call home 

There’s no denying we need to acknowledge what has happened in the past 
Storytelling means keeping stories alive whilst weaving a new narrative for the future
I’m not afraid to have tough, uncomfortable conversations
Educate my friends and family on the importance of wildlife and conservation 

At the same time…
I’m exhausted and overwhelmed 
Caring this much also leads me to burnt out 
Sometimes I feel filled with gloom 
I worry all the time 
I have great trepidation about the natural world and indeed life itself – hanging in the balance… 

Looking ahead to the future
I never want to stop learning 
To get even closer to nature 

I want to spread the word
Promote a world where all people think about protecting our natural assets
And work together for a healthier and more connected environment through conservation efforts 

But we can’t care for nature 
If we don’t care for each other 
There can be no wars
We need to practice care and kindness 
To be harmonious

Healthy people 
Healthy planet
Our daily choices can lead to both 
It’s time we
Tread lightly 
Respectfully 
We should be
More aware 
More engaged 
Careful
Responsible

Speaking of responsible, I want companies will take responsibility for the waste they generate 
I’m looking at you big Pharma! 

Why keep planting exotics? 
What conifer future is that? 
(see what I did there…?)

I’d like to see environment and climate change talked about more in schools 
Make these issues a bigger part of the curriculum 

In all the noise…
We need to appreciate improvements instead of lamenting the problems all the time 
Yes, there is lots to do
But lots has also been done
And we need to celebrate this!
I remind myself that I do what I can
And remind others they are doing things too
Let’s tell and draw stories that hold people, culture, and place together 

I look forward to exploring wonderful places within the ACT 
I live for the day I spy a regent honeyeater in my suburban park 
I’m looking forward to our Landcare group increasing its younger cohort 
I’m willing to assist and guide the next generation on their own environmental journey 

I will teach my grandchildren about the importance and beauty of creation 
I look forward to watching my grandkids and great grandchildren playing outside and finding joy there as I did 
I hope my son grows up caring for the environment
I hope there’ll be something left for my son

I can’t stand by and be a spectator 
I’m getting involved in caring for country 
I’m making a practical difference through active volunteering
Showing up 
Getting stuck in 
Battling the weeds and planting trees
Restoring landscapes 
Planning 
Monitoring 
Engaging in conversations 
It’s better than just waiting around to die…

I hope I’ll never be far from natures embrace 
When my time comes, I’ll rest happily in my bed in the earth 
Dreaming of bird song and butterflies that fill the air 
Clear skies 
Clean oceans 
Strong bushland
And happy people 

Til then, I’ll be watching and hoping 
For more love and less loss 
With an active wish and a living prayer