The EMPI research project is investigating, developing and trialling engagement and extension initiatives to support landholders in understanding and navigating environmental market opportunities.
Funded by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), the project will run until mid-2026, with findings from the project to be used to inform future engagement, outreach, and extension approaches to support potential participants in their decision-making on environmental market opportunities, including the Nature Repair Market.
Stage 1 of the work focussed on setting up the project, including establishing a project advisory committee, project planning, and the delivery of a series of videos showcasing projects and successes of regional NRM organisations, including in carbon farming and environmental finance initiatives. The videos are available on the NRM Regions Australia website: https://nrmregionsaustralia.com.au/knowledge-bank/regional-nrm-in-action/.
Project Lead Mat Hardy said "With the increasing activity in environmental markets this is such an important project. We're really excited for the opportunity to build upon all the great outreach and extension work done by regional NRMs and others, and through the project trials extend this knowledge to inform future engagement efforts. We've been fortunate to secure some really knowledgeable experts for the advisory committee, and DCCEEW as a really supportive and enthusiastic partner."
NRM staff are experts in planning and delivering landholder extension programs that enable peer learning, support knowledge development, and improve confidence in land management decision-making, and their knowledge and insights will be key to informing the project, and delivering useful, fit for purpose extension tools and materials. The project also provides opportunities for regional NRM organisations to deliver outreach and extension trials for environmental markets to inform future policy development.
Stage two of the project will focus on consolidating and extending existing knowledge, research and findings on past and current extension and outreach programs. This work will inform the development and delivery of the on-ground trials of extension and outreach for biodiversity markets by regional NRM organisations and other delivery groups (Stage 3). Stage 4 of the project involves finalising communications, engagement and outreach materials on environmental markets, and reporting on key learnings and recommendations from the work.
Project Lead - Mat Hardy
Contact: [email protected]