Sussan Ley says research shows Landcare is 'magic' for wellbeing

The report, Building resilience in local communities: The wellbeing benefits of participating in Landcare, surveyed more than 1000 Landcare volunteers and coordinators, finding 46 per cent of participants reported clear improvements in their mental wellbeing.

Marcus Richardson has been part of Holbrook Landcare for about 15 years and said he'd found it a positive experience.

"It's having that longer term impact and connection with the land, like it's leaving a legacy," he said.

"It's improving environmental outcomes, so it feels good to be doing those things."

He said he thought Landcare could play a role in preventing ill-mental health and suicide, particularly among the high-risk group of older men in rural areas.

"There's connections with other people which I think are important for mental health," he said.

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Federal Minister for the Environment and member for Farrer, Sussan Ley, launched the report yesterday at a gathering on Mr Richardson's farm.

She said she was reviewing funding under the regional land partnerships program in light of the report's findings, but had no funding announcements at this stage.

"I want to see Landcare do more and I've told them that nationally and locally," she said.

"They are the magic glue with communities, farms, the environment and the next generation and I'm very keen to see Landcare step up."

The research showed Landcare improved the health of volunteers enough to save them $403 in healthcare costs per year.

Across Australia, there are about 140,000 people involved with Landcare, so the collective savings could be up to $57 million.

Executive officer of Holbrook Landcare Alison Southwell said the report showed something Landcare groups already knew.

"We know that by bringing people together to undertake land care, we not only improve the environment, but the lives of the people doing it," she said.

"We know that we can bring people that live by themselves together into a group where they can share common interests and maintain connection within the community.

"We know that this is particularly valuable in times of hardship, like the drought that we've just come through.

"It will help us to justify the types of programs we take on in the future and perhaps gather funding."

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