What is natural resource management?

Natural resource management (NRM) is recognised around the world as working with people for the integrated management of the natural resources that make up our landscapes – land, water, soil, plants and animals. It is all connected.

We rely on our environment to provide essential services such as food, water, clean air, and health and wellbeing; and for regulating climate, absorbing waste, and preventing disease.

Australia is the only country to have a national regional NRM model, for over 20 years. We are proud of the knowledge, skills, networks, relationships, strategic plans and committed people that help us sustain our natural resources.

Australia has 54 regional natural resource management (NRM) organisations that cover Australia’s land, estuarine and coastal areas. These organisations work across the whole continent with communities, land managers and farmers, governments and other partners to regenerate and sustain Australia’s biodiversity and productive landscapes, providing an essential service for all Australians.

Regional NRM organisations work from the paddock to the regional scale, and beyond, to address issues that require a landscape perspective. Our approach enables investment and activity to better address long term strategic issues of local, national and global importance. 

Three critical elements underpin the ongoing success of

Australia’s regional NRM organisations: Planning, Partnering, Delivering.

Effectively managing these resources requires a landscape or catchment approach that coordinates a range of land, water and biodiversity programs – in conjunction with local communities, State/Territory Governments and the Australian Government.  Australia’s environment provides cultural and spiritual sustenance and is the foundation of our national identity, lifestyle and economy. We rely on our environment for essential services such as food, water and clean air – alongside other crucial ecosystem services such as climate regulation, absorbing and transforming wastes, preventing disease and providing the genetic resources that are the basis for many medicines.

Australia derives a significant proportion of the nation’s economic wealth from its environmental assets, including through agriculture, mining and tourism.