August 31, 2017
Swan Alcoa Landcare Program wins esteemed environmental award
The Swan Alcoa Landcare Program (SALP) partnership between Alcoa of Australia (Alcoa), the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and Perth NRM was recognised as the best Australian Government Partnership for Landcare at the 2017 Western Australia Landcare Awards held on Thursday night.
Now in its 19th year, SALP was celebrated as an outstanding example of industry, government and community working together to improve local environments along Perth’s iconic river system.
Since SALP’s inception in 1998, urban community groups have been provided with a simple process to access funding for a wide range of landcare activities throughout the Swan and Canning catchments.
During this time, Alcoa and DBCA have provided more than $7 million to fund some 1,300 on-ground projects, with volunteers contributing nearly 176,000 hours of their time to plant almost 2.4 million seedlings which have revegetated more than 1,900 hectares of land.
SALP projects range from invasive weed control, feral bee removal and dieback management to improving water quality in waterways and restoring areas of natural bush land.
Alcoa of Australia Chairman and Managing Director Michael Parker said Alcoa was extremely proud to have worked alongside the government, Perth NRM and community groups for two decades to protect local biodiversity and deliver long-term community benefits.
“The Swan Alcoa Landcare Program partnership aligns with Alcoa’s core values of caring for people and protecting the environment, and its success is testament to the passion, vision and endless hours of hard work from local community groups and volunteers,” he said.
Perth NRM have administered the program since its inception and have played a pivotal role in working with community groups to apply for environmental grants of up to $20,000 annually as well as develop and implement projects.
“Next time you enjoy a stroll around your local lake, river or bushland or stop to admire the native plants and wildlife — know it’s more than likely SALP volunteers have played a hand in some way over the past 19 years,” Mr Parker said.
The annual WA Landcare Awards honour the valuable contributions of community groups, schools, organisations, local government and individuals throughout WA successfully managing environmental programs. Six awards were granted this year, further information is available here.
For further SALP information visit www.perthnrm.com/projects/swan-alcoa-landcare-program
ENDS
Media contacts:
- Mika Sangalli, mika.sangalli@alcoa.com.au, 0409 125 623
- Jane McGuire, jane.mcguire@alcoa.com.au, 0410 694 676
About Alcoa
Alcoa (NYSE: AA) is a global industry leader in bauxite, alumina and aluminum products, with a strong portfolio of value-added cast and rolled products and substantial energy assets. Alcoa is built on a foundation of strong values and operating excellence dating back nearly 130 years to the world-changing discovery that made aluminum an affordable and vital part of modern life. Since inventing the aluminum industry, and throughout our history, our talented Alcoans have followed on with breakthrough innovations and best practices that have led to efficiency, safety, sustainability and stronger communities wherever we operate. Visit us online on www.alcoa.com, follow @Alcoa on Twitter and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Alcoa.