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 land care 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
Joanna Wren (Executive Officer)
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.
You can contact Jo via email at [email protected], or call on 0408 584 006
Dr Chiara Danese (Project Officer)
Chiara joined the LCDC in 2017 to assist with GIS mapping, ecological restoration type projects and project reporting. Chiara has recently completed a PhD in Adaptation Planning and has more than 15 years experience in the field of natural resource management throughout Western Australia.
You can contact Chiara via email at [email protected] or call the office’s number 08 9758 4021.
Kate Tarrant (Communications & Engagement Manager)
Kate brings to the LCDC over 20 years of experience in marketing & communication. Kate moved to the catchment in 2015 for a tree change and, as a new landholder herself, is acutely aware of the importance of knowledge sharing & facilitating an information hub that assists landholders to make good decisions about managing their land.
You can contact Kate via email at [email protected], or call 0409 203 056.
Rebecca Archer (Office Administrator & Project Officer)
Rebecca joined the LCDC in 2023 to manage all the administrative requirements of running a land-care organisation. In to her brilliant skills in this role, Rebecca has a Bachelor of Environmental Science (First Class Honours) 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 – so has a wealth of experience and is a huge asset to our team.
You can contact Rebecca via email at [email protected], or call 0487 060 506.
Dean Campbell (Sustainable Agriculture Officer)
Dean Campbell has 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 at: [email protected] or call on 0499 072 348.
Jeff John (Project Officer)
Jeff has worked with the LCDC since 2019. He holds an honours degree in the 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, coordinating field officers and collecting and interpreting monitoring and control data.
You can contact Jeff via email at [email protected], or call on 0498 005 905
Jourdyn Wells (Communications and Project Officer)
Jourdyn joined the LCDC in 2024 to support our Communications and Projects team.
After graduating from Murdoch University with a double major in Animal Health and Animal Science, she worked with WA Livestock Research Committee as a Communications Officer. Jourdyn’s education, experience and enthusiasm has made her a valuable member of our team.
Jourdyn has an interest in animal nutrition, genetics & management, and currently helps organise our events, contributes to our social media content, and works alongside Dean on our Healthy Estuaries WA soil sampling program.
You can contact Jourdyn via email at [email protected], or call 0488 941 388.