The search is on for passionate soil advocates.
Nominations are open for the 2022 General Jefferey Soil Health Award, recognising the work of people who care for soil health and 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 the Honourable Michael Jeffery, who died in December 2020.
"Healthy soils are critical for human health and security and the health of our environment," said national soils advocated Penny Wensley.
"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 WA's Emerita 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," she 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 officer 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," he said.
Nominations close Sunday April, 17.
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Finalists will be announced in June with the Award winner announced at the 2022 National Landcare Awards Gala Dinner in Sydney on Wednesday, 24 August 2022. The winner will receive a trophy and a $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.
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