18/12/2006

When we think about global issues such as the greenhouse effect and species extinction it's difficult to imagine one person can make a difference.

Yet these problems are the cumulative result of everyday decisions and actions by individuals, businesses and communities - and influencing those actions is ultimately the key to creating solutions.

Natural Passions tells the extraordinary stories of ordinary people - people unheard of on the national or international stage - who have made a big difference to the world around them.

The book has been launched today at Land & Water Australia's Open Day in Canberra. (Eds: Wednesday 13 December)

"Over the past five years, Land & Water Australia has chosen and supported twenty-five Community Fellows, with the generous support of philanthropists, and their stories emerge vibrantly in Natural Passions," said Bobbie Brazil, Chairman of Land & Water Australia.

"They have created lasting legacies in their communities and their landscapes. They have worked over many years - decades in some cases - to fix up environmental problems or to develop new and better ways of living with the land.

"Some have worked alone, many have led their communities; all have inspired others.

"There are lessons for all of us here. Sprinkled throughout these stories are gems of hard won, grounded wisdom and insight that should be of interest to anyone wanting to improve their local environment," said Mrs Brazil.

The Community Fellowship initiative, which ran from 2001-2004, provided non-academic awards of between $5,000 and $15,000 to people from all walks of life who were contributing to natural resource and environmental management.

Natural Passions can be downloaded and hard copies can be ordered free of charge through Land & Water Australia's website at www.lwa.gov.au

Land & Water Australia is one of 15 Rural Research and Development Corporations and is responsible for managing investment in research into sustainable agriculture and natural resource management.






Media Enquiries: Kaaren Latham, 02 8204 3852, 0409 809 909, media@lwa.gov.au