Heather Adams

Heather Adams is a dedicated landcarer, farmer, and committed community member who farms between the Porongurup and Stirling Ranges, north of Albany. For more than three decades, she has been at the forefront of a wide range of landcare initiatives, working tirelessly to protect the region's natural landscapes and build more sustainable farming systems.

As long-standing Chair of the Oyster Harbour Catchment Group, Heather has played a pivotal role in their long-term projects, which has seen much of the Kalgan river fenced, with an array of active revegetation restoring and expanding the riparian vegetation along with a range of initiatives which reduce harmful run-off from farmlands. This work has protected much of the river and its tributaries while also resulting in the globally significant return of good water quality and the original seagrass cover to Oyster Harbour. Heather has had a key role in the coordination of the community-led Ranges Link initiative, working with Friends of Porongurup Range to restore and manage bushland links across the Kalgan Valley and between the two ranges. A particular focus for Heather is ‘getting that bushland fenced’ and she has been pivotal in securing funding for and rolling out over 450kms of protective fencing. 

In addition, Heather has had a key role in mentoring a range of landcare coordinators who have worked for the group and have gone onto to even bigger roles.

Heather and her husband, Mark, manage a mixed farming enterprise on 6,910 hectares of Menang Country at Woogenellup. Their farm has a strong focus on sustainable cropping practices and large areas are under agro-forestry tree belts. Their commitment to community led stewardship is also evident in their involvement with WA Farmers Federation and their role in the development of Stirling’s to Coast Farmers, an organisation supporting agricultural research and outcomes relevant to the local area

Beyond her farming and leadership roles, Heather has been instrumental in much wider range of community initiatives, including various roles with the Mt Barker Community College and administration of the Mt Barker Bulls Football Club. Heather holds a Plantagenet Shire Citizen of the Year Award and her efforts have also been recognised in various case studies and publications which showcase her dedication to environmental conservation and community engagement. Under her leadership the Oyster Harbour Catchment Group won the National Landcare Community Group Award in 2008.

Heather's unwavering commitment to landcare and sustainable agriculture continues to inspire and lead the way for future generations in Western Australia.