Mr Warburton was revealed the winner of the prestigious award at a special ceremony at Government House n Perth on October 16.
He said he was ‘speechless’ when he was announced as the winner.
‘I was very surprised to be nominated, let alone be selected as a finalist, and totally speechless when I won,’ he said.
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READ NOWMr Warburton has been on the management committees of local Landcare and conservation groups for the past 15 years and is also chairman of the Toodyay Tidy Towns Committee, which promotes sustainability, recycling and various environmental projects and initiatives.
‘Landcare in the Avon Valley and the Wheatbelt has a long history of achievement, with many community groups and private landholders working hard to address the suite of environmental problems facing this unique region,’ Mr Warburton said.
‘Whether it be wildlife conservation, reducing salinity, sustainable agriculture or protecting waterways there is a lot going on, but so much more to do.’
Mr Warburton said a reduction of funding for Landcare projects in the Avon Valley was a growing concern.
‘The closure of the Northam office of the Department of Water was a big blow but the community is beginning to fill the void with groups such as CARE (Conserving the Avon River Environment),’ he said.
Mr Warburton will now represent WA at the national Landcare Awards in Brisbane next year.