Tackling Degraded Lands in the Bowen Broken and Bogies River Catchments

People in the Bowen, Broken, and Bogie River Catchments interested in the long-term sustainability of grazing properties are invited to a BDTNRM workshop with Marnie McCullough from DPI&F. These workshops involve producer demonstration sites, case studies, on-property workshops and Property Management Planning.

Workshops will be held:
Tuesday 13th November at Bowen River Hotel (Collinsville) Wednesday 14th November at Wanemya Stn (Eungella)

BDTNRM: Crossing the Urban-Rural Divide

A feature article by Terry Butts focuses on the recent BDTNRM Board meeting and is available on: www.bdtnrm.org.au

In his report to the Board, Chair Mark Stoneman highlighted the need for a collective will and understanding between urban and rural dwellers to work as a team to sustain our natural resources for future generations. He said the challenge BDTNRM faces is to increasingly involve our urban stakeholders in understanding the wider, as well as local, resource management issues. He also pointed out that the area BDTNRM covers is a tenth of Queensland, with majority of citizens located in the cities of Townsville and Thuringowa, yet the majority of issues are outside the cities.

Outlining a busy year, CEO Bob Frazer said his staff had conducted more than 150 work shops for over 1400 participants covering a wide range of topics including climate change, grazing land management salinity, biodiversity, water quality and coastal management. There had been rapid acceleration in delivery of on ground works with more than $3 million in projects provided and 60 projects and strategic partnerships formalised in the financial year.

Healthy Soils Workshop, Bowen, 15 November

BDTNRM is hosting a free workshop at DPI Conference room, Bowen. The workshop is part of the Land and Water Australia Healthy Soils for Sustainable Farms Project. Greg Paynter from Biological Farmers of Australia will discuss the importance of developing healthy soils for maintaining viable agricultural enterprises. The workshop will provide useful information for graziers, horticulturalists, and sugar cane producers. Lunch and morning tea will be provided. For more information and to register, contact Peter Arthofer on peter.arthofer@bdtnrm.org.au or Mob: 0407 317 463

Greenhouse Challenge

In attempt to become a more sustainable organisation, a Greenhouse Challenge Plus Program Working Group has been formed to reduce the ecological footprint of BDTNRM through reducing our CO2 emissions.

Paul Wuth, our very own climate change expert, is leading the group of enthusiastic volunteers. An inventory of current CO2 usage is the first step, to be followed by an original, effective Action Plan to allow everybody in the organisation to become more sustainable.

Already some possibilities of improving transport efficiency are being discussed…Do you turn off your computer when you leave the office? Even that little ‘on’ light is using energy when you’re not there...

BBIFMAC AGM

This will be held at Queens Hotel Ayr on 2 November, 9.00am for 9.30am start. Guest speakers include Jim Tait (Senior Environmental Scientist, econcern): ‘Why natural areas in places like the Burdekin are so important (benefits for biodiversity, water quality, public amenity and natural heritage)’and ‘Plans for the Baratta Creek Project and maintaining the value of that area’; and Judy Warner, (Facilitator Townsville-Burdekin Area, BDTNRM) who will outline her role. A light Luncheon will be provided.

Please RSVP to Linda Kirk on 4783 4344 or secretary@bbifmac.org.au