Who We Are
The Lower Blackwood Land Conservation District Committee (LCDC) is a statutory committee that has been appointed by the Department of Agriculture and Food’s Commissioner of Soil and Land Conservation and was established in 1991. It is a not-for-profit, community managed, constituted, and independent landcare organisation with a membership representative of landholders with an interest in sustainable agriculture, catchment management, the broader environment and river health in the Lower Blackwood catchment.
Message from the Chair
The Lower Blackwood Region is one that is so incredibly unique and diverse in so many ways. From my home, a dairy farm in the undulating hills of Rosa Glen, to the Scott Coastal Plain with unique wetland environments, to southern section of the Leeuwin coastal ridge from Augusta to Redgate beach, this lower south west corner has a variety of landscapes which are home to a number of unique species of plant and animals.
Tourists from all over the world visit this corner of the state in large numbers to enjoy the local produce and natural environments, and it holds a special part in the heart of many Western Australians. Here in this beautiful part of the world we have an important Agriculture industry, with grazing for beef and dairy, sheep and wool, horticulture and viticulture contributing to the local economy. Lower Blackwood Landcare plays a vital role in not only the protection and conservation of our wonderful region but also in the promotion of sustainable agriculture practices and research to ensure that our agriculture industry continues to develop and grow.
Tim Crimp
Chair – Lower Blackwood Land Conservation District Committee (2018)
Our Landcare Officers
Rebecca Archer
Acting Executive Officer
Rebecca joined the LCDC in 2023 to manage all the administrative requirements of running a land-care organisation. In addition to her brilliant skills in this role, Rebecca has a Bachelor of Environmental Science (First Class Hons.) from Murdoch University and over 15 years of rehabilitation and revegetation work under her belt from projects across the Pilbara and Goldfields. She has also coordinated large environmental projects and botanical surveys.
You can contact Rebecca via email:
rebecca.archer@lowerblackwood.com.au
or call 0487 060 506
Karen Tearney
Communications & Engagement Officer
You can contact Karen via email:
karen.tearney@lowerblackwood.com.au
Dean Campbell
Sustainable Agriculture Officer
Dean Campbell jumped on board in 2021 as our new Sustainable Agriculture Officer. Dean is heading up our soil sampling program, pasture trials and supporting our Regen Ag in Practice work. Dean’s family are long time locals and farmers of the Nillup/Warner Glen area. He has been involved with the Lower Blackwood LCDC for many years, implementing revegetation projects and soil sampling programs on his farm. Knowledge gained from these and his personal experiences on improving farming practices has him enthusiastically looking forward to helping others.
You can contact Dean via email:
dean.campbell@lowerblackwood.com.au or call on 0499 072 348
Jeff John
Feral Pest Management Project Officer
Jeff has worked with the LCDC since 2019. He holds a Bachelor with Honours in Environmental Sciences and has a real passion for sustainability and food security.
Jeff grew up on a family cattle farm in South West WA and has a keen interest in ensuring a sustainable future for agriculture. Jeff is currently working on our Feral Pig Project and Feral Cat Project, coordinating field officers and collecting and interpreting monitoring and control data.
You can contact Jeff via email:
jeff.john@lowerblackwood.com.au
Jourdyn Wells
Project Officer
Jourdyn joined the LCDC in early 2024, with a double major in Animal Health and Animal Science. She interned with WA Livestock Research Committee. Jourdyn’s education, experience, and enthusiasm have made her a valuable member of our team.
Jourdyn has an interest in livestock genetics & management, and currently works on our Dung Beetle Research Project, Dairy Resilience Project, and Sustainable Agriculture Projects with Dean.
You can contact Jourdyn via email:
jourdyn.wells@lowerblackwood.com.au or call on 0488 941 388
Declan McGill
Project Officer
You can contact Declan via email:
declan.mcgill@lowerblackwood.com.au or call on 0433 037 126
Kate Tarrant
Communications & Engagement Officer
Over the past decade Kate has immersed herself in regenerative farming. In bringing this passion & knowledge to her role at the LCDC, Kate has been responsible for designing and delivering a range of hands-on, farmer-focused projects for the LCDC.
Kate has been a key lead in the creation of the LCDC’s popular Talkin’ After Hours platform—an online community and podcast series that brings timely, useful insights directly to the local farming community.
Joanna Wren
Executive Officer
Jo Wren is Currently on Maternity Leave.
Jo Wren joined the Lower Blackwood LCDC team in March 2018 and has been working in sustainable agriculture for over 10 years running her production horticulture business and being very active at an industry level. Jo has been involved with the Lower Blackwood LCDC for many years and is excited and committed to bringing projects and research into the catchment to assist and support our landowners and protect and enhance our beautiful, unique environment.