Extension officers train to stay current in a changing world
LDC project partners and landholders work really hard to trial and adopt land management practices to improve water quality flowing to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR).
In February, NQ Dry Tropics hosted a two-day Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program (Paddock to Reef (P2R) program) training day in Townsville.
It focused on sugar and grazing commodities, to help clarify P2R reporting requirements for future water quality projects, and was attended by field officers, including the LDC team, delivery partners, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
As the NRM group for the Burdekin, NQ Dry Tropics gets to work with innovative farmers every day, doing their bit to build resilience into their business operations and improving water quality.
Many projects report to the P2R program, which is why it’s important to us to hold regular training events for key stakeholders.
Led by the Department of Environment and Science, the P2R program brings together more than 20 organisations and hundreds of people, including Australian and Queensland government agencies, industry bodies, regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) bodies, research organisations and landholders.
The long-term monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement program is based on the best available scientific evidence. It integrates monitoring and modelling from the farm paddock to the GBR.
It evaluates management practice adoption and effectiveness, catchment condition, pollutant run-off and marine condition.
The program tracks progress towards the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan. Results help measure the success of actions and guide investment priorities and future measures by identifying cost-effective approaches to improving water quality.
Milena Gongora (Great Barrier Reef Foundation), and Georg Wandrag (NQ Dry Tropics) at the grazing training day.
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries staff members (from left) Alice Bambling, Peta Stockwell and Alex Thomson with (back row) Josh Nicholls (left) and Rodger Walker from NQ Dry Tropics.
Ben Hanrahan Greening Australia, (left) with Rob Hunt NQ Dry Tropics, and Martha Kusetic Greening Australia.
Adam Northey from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (right) with NQ Dry Tropics’ staffers Joe O’Reagain, and Linda Anderson.
Chris Poole NQ Dry Tropics, (left) with Paul Humphreys Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Bernie Claussen NQ Dry Tropics (left), and Billie Gordon, Department of Enrvironment and Science.