National Landcare Week is a celebration of the tireless efforts and commitment of passionate, dedicated and inspiring volunteers who help protect and rehabilitate the natural environments of this great land we call home.

The celebratory week occurs the first week of September each year and will be celebrated from September 2 -8 this year.

In the Hastings Region there are twelve local Landcare groups dedicated to improving our local environment.

The groups are always welcoming new members so why not give it a try today.

Each of the Landcare groups get together every week to enhance our local bushland, waterways and coastline.

The groups aim to enhance our local biodiversity, build environmental awareness, improve the look of our bushland, provide habitat for wildlife and create clean waterways.

Wauchope Landcare volunteer Steve Healy said it is great to help in the community.

"I look forward to the Thursday working bees. I like getting my hands dirty while giving back to the community," Mr Healy said.

Volunteers make a difference by planting native trees, removing weeds and cleaning up rubbish.

Landcare volunteering also creates strong community connections between the wider public and those in the yellow and green shirts.

Volunteers come from all walks of life, are different ages and have varying backgrounds but they all get together with the common goal of improving our local environment.

Lake Cathie volunteer Marika Privett said volunteering with Landcare was wonderful for her mental health.

"Landcare is good for the mind, body and soul," Ms Privett said.

"Since joining I have learned so much about the local flora, fauna and met many great people.

"We also connect with and help local schools, the Council and other Landcare groups in the area."

Landcare gives community members to a connection to 'place', knowledge of their local environment, vital community connections, improves physical health and general wellbeing.

There are also many Landcarer's dedicating time, money and effort on their own rural properties to increasing biodiversity and improve farming practice.

Landholders make a big difference by excluding stock from rivers and dams, planting trees for shelterbelts, weed control, widening wildlife corridors, addressing erosion and installing wildlife nesting boxes.

"It is about leaving the land in better condition than we received it," farmer and Hastings Landcare president Leonie Gale said.

"In Landcare everyone does their bit to give way for a better tomorrow."

Landcare is personally rewarding, a learning experience, fun to do and makes a dramatic impact to our local bushland.

The combined effort of our local landcare groups is making an enormous difference to our local environment!

Landcare Week is the perfect time to acknowledge and celebrate the great work Landcare volunteers do.

If you are feeling inspired you may even want give Landcare a go too.

Contact Hastings Landcare on 65864465 or office@hastingslandcare.org.au to find out more.