At Gunning District Landcare's 2018 AGM, Janet Heffernan was recognised with an honorary life membership for her unflagging contribution to sustainable land management, Landcare, and the local community.
Janet joined Jerrawa Creek Landcare Group (JCLG) in late 2003 and remained an active member until it merged into GDL. Bob Spiller recounts Janet’s involvement with JCLG: “She came to the fore particularly in seeing something needing to be done and either bringing it to the attention of a committee member and, not infrequently, then making it happen”. Janet served as Secretary on the Upper Lachlan Landcare committee, and since the end of 2015, has been a prominent committee member of GDL.
Janet has been the driving force behind many activities undertaken by GDL, and is renowned for her hands-on and practical approach to conservation and sustainable land management.
Janet has a passion for looking after threatened species in the region. She has initiated the implementation of some of the key recommendations from GDL’s Southern Pygmy Perch Action Plan; including helping to organise fish monitoring, habitat mapping, the establishment of refuge dams, and training landholders in the art of planting and protecting aquatic plants. Janet is also actively helping to ensure the survival of Superb Parrots by planting scores of single paddock trees on ‘Moorlands’ and generously sharing her knowledge with other landholders.
Janet takes a keen interest in providing activities and resources for children and the broader community. She is strongly engaged in GDL’s School Holiday Program, has run an activity with the local Scouts, assisted with the Dalton School Bush Block and rehabilitation of Oolong Creek, and is always on the lookout for relevant books to contribute to the local library – which now has a rich collection of donated resources available to the public.
On top of all this, in various ways Janet has facilitated the planting of tens of thousands of trees and plants in local landscapes. She regularly attends events run by neighbouring Landcare groups, is a keen bird watcher and member of the Crookwell Native Flora and Fauna Club. It is difficult to imagine where she finds time to also create her beautiful patchwork quilts!
Janet has committed countless hours in working towards improving outcomes for biodiversity, land, water and people across the district. For all this work, Gunning District Landcare is sincerely grateful.