Caring for our Country Program
Last Friday the Australian Government announced its new NRM
programme, Caring for our Country as the successor to the Natural
Heritage Trust Phase 2 (NHT2).
The new programme reinforces the importance of Regional
Bodies.
A total of $127.2m has been allocated to Regional Bodies in
2008-2009, and in the subsequent four years. This guaranteed
funding equates to approximately 60 percent of the average
annual allocation received from the Commonwealth under the NHT and
NAP.
In addition to secure base funding, the Government will provide
regional bodies with specific assistance to help regions adjust to
the new priorities and the opportunity to bid for additional money
from within the overall programme fund.
The programme will remove restrictions imposed on 'national',
'regional' and 'local' level funding and provide the opportunity
for non-government organisations, regional bodies, Local Government
and State, Territory and Australian Government agencies to access a
greater proportion of programme funds to help achieve national
priorities.
Programme delivery will focus more on national
priorities and have a more direct relationship with the Australian
Government. The programme will focus on achieving strategic
results, and invest in six national priority areas:
- a national reserve system
- biodiversity and natural icons
- coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats
- sustainable farm practices
- natural resource management in remote and northern
Australia
- community skills, knowledge and engagement.
BDTNRM will update our stakeholders about new developments
concerning the Caring for Our Country Program in future BITES.
Preliminary details can be found on: www.nrm.gov.au/index.html
BDTNRM Project Roundup released
This publication covering the period July-December 2007 is now
available. It provides a breakdown of projects by programme area
and also includes a featured project from each programme area.
Follow the link to the pdf from www.bdtnrm.org.au
Australian Landcare Council meeting
This meeting on 12-13 February incorporated a high-level forum
comprising participants from research and development corporations,
NRM regions, National Farmer’s Federation and others.
Discussion centered on mitigation, adaptation and emissions
trading, as well as consideration of the broad opportunities and
threats posed by the implementation of carbon trading and a
changing climate. Delegates also debated the role rural industries
should play in a carbon trading framework.
Among other issues, members discussed the future direction of
NRM programmes and the recently released ANAO paper on the regional
NRM delivery model, and emphasised the enormity of the problem of
invasive plant species and believes the levels of investment should
be commensurate with the scale of the issue.
For more information, visit www.auslandcarecouncil.org
Wetland Inventory and Assessment Course, April
16-17
The Queensland Wetlands Programme and Wetlands.edu will run this
course at ReefHQ on April 16-17.
The course covers: theoretical and practical aspects for design and
implementation; relevant current state and national policies
and guidelines; benchmarking and core
datasets; introduction to established methodologies; how
to interpret data and its application for wetland management;
and how to critically evaluate proposed
programs. Enrolments close 31 March. Cost is
$350 pp (GST inclusive).
For more information, visit www.wetlandsedu.org.au
AgForward Workshops
- 8
April
Barcaldine
Computer Mapping
Workshop
- 15
April
Bowen
AgForests Field
Day
- 15
April
Birdsville
Computer Mapping
Workshop
- 16
April
Charleville
GPS Essentials
- 16
April
Birdsville
GPS Essentials
GPS Essentials: This half day workshop
provides practical training in the use of GPS (Global Positioning
System) units for landholders. Participants will learn about
setting up a GPS correctly, understanding GPS accuracy, working
with waypoints and tracks, measuring areas & distances and
downloading and uploading information. AgForward provides use of
GPS units for those without their own, plus a GPS workbook and
Pocket Guide (an illustrated booklet of how to use the GPS).
Workshop cost is $50 per enterprise. Contact: Bree Robertson
on 07 3238 6039.
Computer Mapping Workshop: This one
day workshop covers fundamental computer mapping concepts and
principals. Participants are taught how to display available
information, generate their own data and present data clearly and
effectively using maps. AgForward provides digital data, including
satellite images, RE maps and property boundaries that can be used
in many mapping programs. Workshop cost is $100 per
enterprise. Contact: Bree Robertson on 07 3238 6039.
AgForests Field Day:To assist
producers in managing their property for native forest timber
production (forest practice) in conjunction with grazing,
horticulture and cropping (including cane), also provides training
and support to the timber industry. AgForests provides guides
and other information on forest management, forest products &
marketing, burning and model contracts for timber sales. Field day
cost is $50 per enterprise. Contact: Rohan Allen on 0408 769
918.
One
Life, One World, Our Future Conference
Registration is now open for the International Youth Coastal
Conference to be held in Townsville, 19-22nd October.
The conference focuses on a lasting commitment to youth and the
sustainable use of the marine and coastal environment and
resources. Student delegates prepare 40 minute workshops to present
to their peers at the conference on a marine or coastal topic,
relevant to their local area. This process involves students
working with expert mentors many months prior to the event, and
results in children who are motivated, have high self esteem and
respect for others. The Conference program also includes an
environmental activity day.
For more information, go to www.onelifeoneworldourfuture.com/index.php?pageid=301
Reef Photography Competition
The ICRI International Year of the Reef 2008 is a worldwide
campaign to raise awareness about the value and importance of coral
reefs and threats to their sustainability, and to motivate people
to take action to protect them.
In celebration of the IYOR, ReefCheck is launching a second
photography competition in partnership with Project AWARE. Get tips
on underwater photography, view last year’s winning images,
and find out more about this year’s competition at: www.reefcheckaustralia.org.
Reef IQ Pilot Programs
This is an opportunity for children to learn about coral reefs
and get involved in helping protect them. Reefcheck aims to conduct
4 pilot programs of 10 participants, as half day programs on
weekends in March and during the school holidays in April in the
Townsville area. If interested, please email Jo Roberts at education@reefcheckaustralia.org
Climate Smart Living Communities
The statewide launch of this program on March 4 in Home Hill,
saw the start of a shift towards energy conservation in regional
Queensland. Ergon Energy, in partnership with the Environmental
Protection Agency, is delivering this program to help regional
communities understand the impacts of climate change and provide
simple steps they can take to save energy and, ultimately, the
environment. For more information follow our link from climate
smart living on our Useful Links (government) webpage www.bdtnrm.org.au/links/government.html
Link to NRM Jobs Page
NRMjobs, is a weekly email bulletin which advertises jobs and
opportunities in the environment, water and natural resource
management field in Australia and New Zealand. For more information
follow our link from NRMjobs on our Useful Links (NRM) webpage
www.bdtnrm.org.au/links/nrmbodies.html.
For more information on the events above and more, go to
www.bdtnrm.org.au/events/
This edition as well as past Burdekin Bites can be found on our
website:
www.bdtnrm.org.au/news/burdekinbites/index.html
Burdekin Bites is produced by BDTNRM, compiled and edited
by Kim Pritchard and Deborah Cavanagh.
We welcome your comments, ideas and contributions for future
e-bulletins.
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