We would like to introduce our newest staff member, Sarah Maclagan. Sarah has been on our Executive Committee for the past two years and has recently taken up a position on our staff team, working two days a week on project development and growth. Sarah’s role at CHRL is specifically to look for new projects and funding opportunities to help grow our organisation.
Sarah has more than 20 years’ experience working in nature conservation and community engagement, including at the grassroots level (with Landcare in VIC), in government (VIC and NSW) and in academia (QLD and VIC). Throughout this time, she has coordinated projects across a diverse range of ecosystems, from endangered volcanic grasslands and high conservation forests, through to urban creek corridors and productive farmlands.
Her passions revolve around biodiversity protection, strengthening ecological connectivity across the landscape, and fostering environmental custodianship by providing opportunities for people to connect with nature.
When asked what interests her most about the new role, Sarah responded “I’m excited to create more opportunities for young people to get involved, such as Junior Landcare and Intrepid Landcare. I am also keen to get more support for private landholders to work on their own properties. This in turn would strengthen landscape connectivity, which is another passion of mine. And of course I’d love to strengthen our connections with local Indigenous groups.”
Sarah and her partner Paul moved to Gumbaynggirr country 4 years ago, lured by the sub-tropical climate and incredible natural beauty of the area. They are now delighted to be custodians for 22 ha of bush and wetlands at Sandy Beach, where Sarah also runs a nature-based after-school program for children.
If you have any bright ideas you would like to discuss – particularly if they involve thinking outside the box and engaging new audiences in Landcare – please contact Sarah via the CHRL office, or email [email protected]. Sarah’s workdays are Mondays and Wednesdays.
We are excited to welcome Sarah as a staff member and look forward to the contributions she will make to the organisation.
