Landcare NT and Member Groups present at the SERA 2021 Conference in Darwin
Landcare was very well represented at the Society of Ecological Restoration Australasia (SERA) Conference held in Darwin last week (10-13 May 2021). Landcare NT and three member groups delivered excellent presentations highlighting the achievements and challenges of the individual groups. The presentations were very well received and really made an impact, with much conversation following the sessions.
Madonna Wuttke’s presentation focused on the role of Landcare NT, how it works to support its member groups and advocates for community Landcare in the NT. It also highlighted the challenges Landcare NT faces in reduced operating budgets and support structure compared to the early 1990’s. As a member of the National Landcare Network, Landcare NT strives to increase support for community Landcare.
Natalie Turner from the Centralian Land Management Association (CLMA) delivered a presentation remotely which detailed the focus of the group and the great work they have been doing to utilise the Ecosystem Management Understanding (EMU) method. Natalie explained that EMU is a process that aids land managers to recognise and read landscapes, condition and change. Several properties have been through the EMU process with the CLMA. The CLMA continues to support EMU through on-ground works, mapping, monitoring and takes landholders through the initial mapping process.
Two other presentations delivered by Pauline Cass from the Friends of Fogg Dam and Deborah Hall from the Friends of Casuarina Coastal Reserve highlighted the importance of the work undertaken by Landcare groups much closer to urban areas. Said perfectly by the President of the Australasian Association of Bush Regenerators Tein McDonald, ‘The work of (urban) Landcare groups is too often considered recreational, the examples of these groups today show the complex ecological works Landcarers do’.
The presentations will be made available through our website shortly.
Photo: L-R: Deborah Hall from the Friends of Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Natalie Turner (on screen) from the Centralian Land Management Association, Madonna Wuttke Executive Officer from Landcare NT and Pauline Cass from the Friends of Fogg Dam.