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Nominations for the 2022 General Jeffery Soil Health Award open on World Soil Day on December 5.
Now in its second year, the award recognises the work of people who care for soil health and who are educating or inspiring others to do so.
Individual farmers, land managers, extension specialists or educators may be nominated for activities including undertaking and promoting good management practice, raising awareness about the importance of maintaining and improving soil health, and/or educating others about soils.
The award honours and perpetuates the memory of Australia's first National Soils Advocate, the late Major General Michael Jeffery, who died in December 2020.
"Healthy soils are critical for human health and security and the health of our environment," national soils advocate Penny Wensley said.
"This award was created to honour the soil health champions in our community. It recognises the outstanding achievement and individuals whose work is making a significant difference in the way we think about and manage Australia's soils."
Ms Wensley had high praise for Western Australia's Emeritus Professor Lynette Abbott, who was the recipient of the inaugural General Jeffery Soil Health Award in 2021.
"Professor Abbott is a pioneering researcher and science communicator who established the innovative 'Know Your Soil Biology' workshops for farmers," Ms Wensley said.
"Across a 40-year career she has shared her extensive knowledge with students and farmers and has international standing as a first class researcher and educator."
Landcare Australia chief executive Shane Norrish said soil health improvement was increasingly recognised as an important component of Landcare.
"If you are, or someone you know is, doing great work in this area we encourage you to nominate for this prestigious national award," said Dr Norrish said.
Nominations close on April 17, 2022.
Finalists will be announced in June with the award winner announced at the 2022 National Landcare Awards Gala Dinner in Sydney on August 24, 2022.
The award winner will receive a trophy and a substantial $20,000 cash prize to continue their work.
The General Jeffrey Soil Health Award was established in 2020 by the Office of the National Soils Advocate within the Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The award is administered by Landcare Australia.
- ACM is a media partner with Landcare Australia.
- For more information visit landcareaustralia.org.au/soilhealthaward