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Jim Blackney
Jim Blackney
Hours of work: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Contact: facilitatormolc@gmail.com
Phone: 0459 622 260
Jim's roots are in South Gippsland, where he grew up on a beef farm and his family operated a fertilizer business. With 35 years of experience in Natural Resource and Land Management, he has held positions such as Ranger with the National Parks Service, Land for Wildlife Extension Officer, Project Officer for the Care of Remnants Incentive Scheme, and North East Regional Manager for Trust for Nature. His career has been marked by a strong focus on project and program management to enhance biodiversity, land management, and the rehabilitation of remnant vegetation on both private and public lands.
Since 2022, Jim has served as the MOLC Landcare Facilitator. His extensive background in conservation has made him dedicated to supporting landcare groups, fostering community collaboration, and promoting sustainable land management practices.
Jim's enthusiasm for conservation and hands-on involvement have been pivotal to the success of MOLC's initiatives.
The facilitator serves as a link between the Landcare groups, bringing together ideas and initiatives for joint projects and workshops that provide environmental and social benefits for members and their communities. The role includes the following responsibilities:
● Supporting community capacity building in environmental, biodiversity, and land management practices, while addressing climate and social concerns through workshops, field days, and community activities.
● Promoting collaboration across groups in the preparation of grant applications for ongoing environmental and community well-being projects.
● Assisting groups in developing, reviewing, and/or implementing strategic plans.
● Raising awareness of the importance of sustaining and improving past projects to protect biodiversity in the future.
● Fostering a culture of self-motivation by connecting like-minded individuals across groups.
● Strengthening funding applications through collaborative projects with local and state government agencies.
● Working together to increase engagement within other Landcare networks, particularly the Ovens Landcare Network.
The facilitator role helps with the stewardship of local environments, boosting community pride and a sense of ownership. MOLC will continue to collaborate with NECMA, aligning with their strategy and leveraging opportunities from their partnership.
The facilitator’s activities will contribute to the goals of the Protecting Victoria’s Environment - Biodiversity 2037 plan by increasing community engagement and knowledge to help connect and protect the natural environment.
The MOLC will also utilize the Victorians Volunteering for Nature - Environmental Volunteering Plan as a framework to maintain a strong volunteer base across the groups. The facilitator role is crucial in promoting flexibility and capability, while attracting young and diverse community members.
MOLC has created a stable foundation for its groups to grow and thrive. The facilitator’s broad understanding of all the groups allows them to leverage strengths, address weaknesses, and develop strategies to overcome challenges such as low community interest or volunteer burnout. Ultimately, MOLC's legacy is a unified Landcare community that is motivated, committed to sustainability, and equipped to face the future.
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