The areas surrounding the Coolamon township are increasingly being converted from native vegetation and agricultural land to large residential blocks and small farms, known collectively as peri-urban properties. Landholders in these areas typically do not obtain a living from their property, so are not an integrated part of the wider farming community – nor the…
Sustainable farming has been identified as a key theme for Murrumbidgee Landcare. An opportunity arose to sponsor an event that was being developed by the Irrigation Research & Extension Committee in partnership with Deakin University, both of whom share offices with the Irrigation Area’s Local Landcare Coordinator at Murrumbidgee Irrigation outside Griffith.
Being a remote region, the ability to access information and products to benefit farmers in Hay was limited unless farmers traveled long distances to speak in person with industry experts and view items that would assist them in being safer, more sustainable and profitable. The innovation aspect of agriculture is also rapidly developing, so useful…
The Hay Plains Landcare Group is in the rebuilding stage, and had conducted limited activities and projects in recent months to entice the local community to support them and become members. The group membership has in the past mainly appealed to the rural and farming community surrounding the region with limited urban membership. Current members…
Hay Public School had been using an interactive garden established in 2008 with plants from multiple cultures – but didn’t have Australian native foods represented in their mix. Students were learning about vegetables, herbs, fruits and berries as well as learning skills in food preparation and cooking but not about native herbs, spices, fruits, vegetables,…
Farmer’s in the region have been dealing with a drought period which has seen one of the driest years. With the dramatic lack of rain and increasing feed prices farmers were becoming more stressed and looking after themselves less. A health, nutritin and wellness workshop for the local community of Hay has helped assist in…
Many Landcare groups enjoy undertaking projects which help restore and enhance their local environment, but the significant work involved requires strong, continued participation by members to sustain enthusiasm. A partnership between nine local organisations has delivered benefits for the groups, the community and the local environment.
At a local Landcare meeting, landholders raised concerns about the rapid spread of invasive woody weeds in the Tarcutta Valley. Woody weeds, in particular blackberry, are causing significant degradation to remnant native vegetation, farmland, hillsides and watercourses across the Tarcutta Valley. The problem has spread beyond the capacity of the individual landholder or land manager…
Coleambally Central School was interested in creating a visible link between their school and the Tirkandi Inaburra Cultural Development Centre. Coleambally Central School has maintained a teaching presence at the Tirkandi Inaburra site since its first intake of 16 Aboriginal boys in January of 2006, and wanted to strengthen the bond between the two organisations.Prior…
Wetlands and environmental water are very important in times of drought, particularly in a Ramsar wetland that is home to many endangered and vulnerable species of birds in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, such as the endangered Australasian Bittern, and the vulnerable Australian Painted Snipe. In a climate where irrigators, communities and the environment all compete…