11-06-2003

Would you like to tell a story about your natural resource management experiences but haven't had the opportunity?

Do you have a story to tell about looking after the land? Perhaps experimenting with new farming practices, working with the local community to manage a river catchment, or maybe you learned valuable lessons fighting a particular issue or campaign.

Through the Community Fellowship Program, Land & Water Australia supports Australians who have stories to tell about living with and sustainably managing the environment.

The program is now in its third year and has been made possible because of on-going support from a private philanthropist.

The Community Fellowships provide funding of between $5,000 and $15,000 to provide inspirational people with the opportunity to share their practical natural resource management skills. These non-academic awards enable Fellows to share their experiences through writing, travel, presentations and other forms of communication.

Taken collectively, the Fellowships have built a considerable resource base which documents some of the best producer-led natural resource management efforts in the country. Past recipients have produced websites, booklets, presentations, manuals and art exhibitions that engage, enrich and enlighten.

Land & Water Australia Chair Bobbie Brazil said the Corporation was proud to be able to continue offering these Fellowships.

'As an organisation we have found the Fellowships to be extremely effective at communicating the concepts and practices behind sustainable land and water management to the people that can benefit the most from this information,' she said.

Our Community Fellows give us the benefit of real insight from hands-on experience. But the benefits of these fellowships flow both ways, as the winners relish the opportunity to write or talk about what they've learnt.

'Community Fellowships provide a unique platform for the people who normally are so busy, they usually don't have the opportunity to share their valuable lessons.'

For information about the Community Fellowships contact Land & Water Australia (telphone 02 6263 6000 or email Land&WaterAustralia@lwa.gov.au ) or visit us at http://www.lwa.gov.au .

Applications close Friday 1st August, 2003 and should be sent to The Community Fellowship Fund, Land & Water Australia, GPO Box 2182, Canberra ACT 2601.



ENDS

Land & Water Australia Chair Bobbie Brazil and past recipients of Land & Water Australia Community Fellowships are available for interview. See the following page for a list of Community Fellows by State, or visit our website.

To arrange an interview please contact our Media Officer 02 6263 6000