Desert Channels is the natural resource management organisation for the largest catchment area in the state – the Queensland section of the Lake Eyre Basin.
We partner with landholders, graziers, Traditional Owners and local government to ensure the long-term sustainability and condition of natural resources in our vast region. Our Desert Channels team are specialised in revitalising springs, property planning, regreening the outback, weed and invasives control, and managing our region’s rich soils, grasslands, floodplains and sprawling red-dirt deserts.
Arid country, with landscapes brought to life in an unpredictable wet season cycle. Rainfall is very variable. Has short, dry winters and dry, hot summers, or dry monsoonal conditions in the north.
This arid region is rich in biodiversity, with more than 841 native fauna, including 110 mammals, 252 reptiles and 374 birds. A critical breeding bastion for many of Australia’s waterbirds; nearly half of Australia’s bird species are found in the Desert Channels region.
Notably, the Desert Channels is home to a rare fish, the Edgbaston goby – found nowhere else in the world – and several of Australia’s remaining populations of ancient waddi trees. The region is also the final Queensland stronghold of the once abundant bilby.
Has six bioregions: primarily, Mitchell Grass Downs, Channel Country and Desert Uplands. Small bioregions include the Brigalow Belt, Mulga Lands and Mt Isa Inlier.
The Lake Eyre Basin is known for its variable flow regimes, and variable rainfall patterns. It is drained by three major catchments, which eventually flow into Lake Eyre: the Diamantina, Georgina and Cooper Creek (including the Thomson and Barcoo Rivers).
Upper catchments have fast flowing streams with higher rainfall. In the south, streams slow down and spread out, splitting and braiding across vast floodplains.
The Great Artesian Basin underlies most of the region, feeding several major springs.
The Desert Channels region spans across 50.9 million hectares, with 88% of land under agricultural production, especially beef. Overgrazing has damaged swathes of the region, particularly in Mitchell Grass Downs.
Invasive weeds, especially prickly acacia, rubber vine and parkinsonia, pose a significant threat to biodiversity and the quality of pastures, and risk soil erosion in the region.
Birria, Boonthamurra, Bularnu, Indijlandji, Iningai, Kalkadoon, Karuwali, Koa, Kuungkari, Maiawali, Mithaka, Pitta Pitta, Wangkamana, Warluwarra, Wakayu, Wangkangurru, Wangumara, Wanjka–yutjurru, Yalwarra, Yanda, Yandruwandra, Yarluyandi, Yirandali, and Yulluna
We also work with parts of:
Desert Channels contributing to natural resource management outcomes
Join us as we invest in our vast Queensland region. Through programs and partnerships, we can ensure the long-term sustainability of our natural resources now and into the future.
Desert Channels’ contributions to NRM shared knowledge across Australia
Desert Channels’ contributions to our national NRM snapshots
