The Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage Minister Brian Wightman today congratulated Landcare Tasmania on the launch of their new website and Facebook page.

Mr Wightman said the website would help members of the community find their local Landcare group, volunteer for working bees, become a casual volunteer, donate or join Landcare Tasmania online.

"It's great to see Landcare Tasmania working to increase awareness of environmental management issues by engaging with the community online," he said.

"Through the website and Facebook page, members will be able to keep their profiles up to date, promote their group and activities, share information about projects and access resources to assist them with their landcare activities."

Mr Wightman said he hoped the website and Facebook pay, launched ahead of National Landcare Week next week, would encourage more members of the community to learn about Landcare and get involved.

"Landcare has grown to be one of the most important community-based networks for environmental management in Australia working on public and private land along coastlines, on farms, in cities and towns and in catchments," he said. 

"In Tasmania we have over 2 000 Landcare members in 300 groups working on projects to improve native habitat for flora and fauna, coastlines, water and air quality, soils and in advancing sustainable approaches to agriculture.

"In fact, the Landcare model has been such a success that it has been adopted in around 15 other countries."

Mr Wightman paid tribute to Landcare's ability to generate enormous public good through volunteerism.

"Every dollar invested by government into Landcare is estimated to generate $4 to $6 of on-ground action through local grass roots activity - and that's an excellent return on investment," he said.

"I'm pleased we're able to support this important organisation through grant funding to provide local groups with insurance and equipment.

"The State Government also supports Landcare Tasmania with core funding to help it deliver its programs and services, and to seek new sustainable funding sources in partnership with the three NRM regional bodies.

"This new website has been funded through a grant from the Woodend Foundation, with support from the Tasmanian Community Fund for online resources.

"It's an important part of Landcare Tasmania's commitment to strengthen, support and grow community landcare in Tasmania."

National Landcare Week runs from 3rd to 9th September 2012.

For more information, go to www.landcaretas.org.au