Gwen Egg established Southern Beaches Landcare/Coastcare to try to minimise the impact of encroaching residential development. A passionate and practical environmentalist, Gwen has been a Landcare force in Tasmania for more than 20 years. Thanks to Gwen, joint management plans are now in place for more than a dozen council reserves, 23 kilometres of coastal reserves and two small offshore islands, testament to her foresight and persistence. She was the group’s convenor for its first 15 years and now, as its secretary, is still a guiding force in its work which she encourages to be strategic, informed and collaborative. Her approach has led to strong partnerships with government, natural resource management bodies, community groups, schools and the public. A well-known fibre artist and teacher, she understands that the future of the environment lies with the young. Gwen uses her art to raise environmental awareness, sharing the Landcare ethic in local schools through artist residencies, workshops, festivals and exhibitions. Her achievements and commitment were recognised recently when she was awarded the 2012 Tasmanian Individual Landcarer Award.