Whitsunday Catchment Landcare (WCL) was formed in 1998 under the name Whitsunday Rivers Integrated Catchment Management Association (WRICMA). In 2006 the group underwent a name change through the Office of Fair Trading to incorporate Landcare Whitsunday, a group which had operated from 1996. The name WCL incorporates both the Landcare ethic and that of Integrated Catchment Management. In 1999 WRICMA published the WRICMA Strategy to guide natural resource management in the Whitsunday Catchment.
Changes introduced by State & Federal Governments in early 2000 lead to a commitment to regionalisation & introduction of the Natural Resources Management Groups throughout Australia. WCL was one of the founding stakeholders of the Mackay Whitsunday Natural Resource Management Group (MWNRMG) and assisted in the development of and public consultation process of the Mackay Whitsunday Natural Resource Management Plan, which incorporates the Catchment Management Strategy. By early 2010 the MWNRMG had evolved into Reef Catchments NRM- Mackay, Whitsunday & Isaac Region to become the main driver of regional NRM activities & a limited source of funding for local Landcare Groups.
Since the formation of Reef Catchments Regional NRM group, the role of WCL has continued to commit to a focus on the local Whitsunday area. WCL seeks external funding to undertake NRM projects that align with regional objectives and work in partnership with local government, community organisations, Landcare Groups & schools. It is incumbent on WCL to be responsive to its members and volunteers. WCL runs twice weekly volunteer activities at our Community Nursery and various revegetation projects throughout the region.
