This update represents just a handful of NRM projects among hundreds across Australia, which are made possible through funding from the Australian Government, state governments and others.
Launch of sustainable fishing project in Torres Strait
Wapil 2- a project that aims to boost Torres Strait Islander participation in the local fishing industry and increase economic benefit to communities in the Torres Strait has launched.
The 3-year project, led by the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), aims to facilitate growth through enhanced fishing participation and infrastructure partnerships for seafood handling, improved supply chains and marketing.
TSRA Chairperson Napau Pedro Stephen AM said “What we are delivering here is the whole package to ensure we create a sustainable, economically viable and culturally sensitive fishing industry for our people to manage and prosper. It’s also an integrated system from the sea to the factory and on to domestic and overseas markets.”
Focus on Coffin Bay water quality improvement
The Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board has brought together a group of leading organisations to form the Coffin Bay Water Quality Improvement Working Group to safeguard groundwater, surface water and coastal environments in and around Coffin Bay. The $350,000 project will be delivered by June next year, and incorporates stormwater management planning; expanding monitoring and research; and fencing and revegetation works to improve the water quality of run-off.
"By working together, we aim to identify the key impacts affecting water quality in Coffin Bay. We are also looking to take immediate actions to reduce nutrient input into the Coffin Bay system.” says Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board General Manager Jonathan Clark.
For more information visit: Coffin Bay Water Quality Improvement Working Group
Farming Forecaster provides real-time results
NRM South in collaboration with NRM North, the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, Agriprove and producer groups, are supporting Tasmania’s drought-affected farmers with new strategies to increase farmer capacity and responsiveness for managing more resilient feed-bases in drought-prone areas of Tasmania through the Pasture Renovation and Farming Forecaster project.
The Farming Forecaster, developed by CSIRO in conjunction with NSW producers, collects real-time soil moisture, soil temperature and rainfall data. This information can empower farmers to react earlier to opportunities and support decision-making in tough years.
Clink the link to read more: Pasture Renovation and Farming Forecaster
Enhancing connections between nature, communities and the environment
Twenty sites amongst Canberra's network of nature reserves, forests and urban green spaces have been selected for restoration under the ACT Government Connecting Nature, Connecting People initiative. The program is designed to address the complex issues of habitat loss, fragmentation and climate change which pose a serious threat to native plant and animal conservation, Ngunnawal cultural practices and the wellbeing of the community.
“The Connecting Nature, Connecting People Initiative supports the movement of species to the broader landscape, enriching and building the resilience of urban biodiversity, and enhancing our community's connection to nature.” reports ACT NRM.
Click here to learn more about the Connecting Nature, Connecting People project.
Whole Farm planning kicking goals
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GB CMA) recently chatted with the Lang brothers about how whole farm planning has benefitted both their business and the environment on their large-scale dairy farm.
Whole Farm Planning is a holistic approach that considers the environmental, economic and social aspects of farming and helps identify and address potential risks and opportunities as well as the farm’s goals and vision for the future.
As Phil Land said: “Farmers are environmental managers too- we are part of the environment and make our living from it.”
Results out - 'Soil Your Undies' challenge
What could burying 7 pairs of cotton undies in a Busselton paddock for 11 weeks tell the environmental experts at South West NRM about soil health?
The experiment might sound a tad quirky but the idea was based on a citizen science trend developed by a Queensland university which has swept through farms across Australia over the past couple of years.
South West NRM Program Manager Sustainable Agriculture Peter Clifton said “The more activity, or cotton eaten by the microbes, the healthier the soil.”
“Keeping this microscopic soil community happy and healthy is an important focus for farmers who understand optimal soil health will ensure best possible outcomes for the size and quality of crops they can produce.”
Fences are up! Exclusion fencing program in Western NSW
Western Local Land Services is working with landholders to install a total of 376 kilometres of exclusion fencing, which will see 331,170 hectares of property enclosed to better protect landholders and the environment from the impacts of pest animals.
The works will allow participating landholders to protect their properties from unmanaged grazing pressure including feral pigs, wild dogs and kangaroos - benefitting primary production and biodiversity. The exclusion fencing projects will also be a valuable tool in the preparation for a potential emergency animal health outbreak such as foot-and-mouth or lumpy skin disease.