Copyright 2026. The 2027 National Landcare Conference and 2027 National Landcare Awards are funded by the Australian Government through the Natural Heritage Trust. Landcare Australia administers both events on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
Dr Maxine Cooper has spent more than 25 years shaping conservation outcomes across the ACT and beyond, earning recognition as one of the region’s most influential landcare leaders. From guiding endangered species protection and post-fire recovery efforts to securing $55.6 million for river health and sustainable catchment management, her impact spans policy, science and community action. A passionate advocate for farmers, Traditional Custodians and local land carers, Dr Cooper has built partnerships that strengthen biodiversity, restore landscapes and protect threatened species. Her leadership has helped embed conservation and community stewardship at the heart of environmental decision-making.