2021 has been another challenging but rewarding year. We have continued operations through another pandemic year, and the region endured the additional challenge of Tropical Cyclone Seroja. Many communities across the region are still recovering from Seroja.
Despite, and in some cases because of, additional challenges posed by these events, collaboration across the region has stepped up another notch in 2021.
At NACC NRM, our Beyond Reasonable Drought partnership with grower groups continues to support farmers across the region to improve the environmental sustainability of their agricultural production and drought resilience. We also kicked off a new project with the Mid West Development Commission to support the Shires of Chapman Valley and Northampton and the City of Greater Geraldton to develop a Regional Drought Resilience Plan. This project is also funded by the Federal Government’s Future Drought Fund, with support from WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
We are also very excited that the Midwest Aboriginal Ranger Program, in partnership with Western Mulga, Kwelena Mambakort Aboriginal Corporation and the WA Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, will continue through to 2028 thanks to funding and support from the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), Indigenous Advancement Strategy.
At a property scale, we have been working with Birdlife Midwest, Birdlife Australia, and Australian Black Cockatoo Specialists Specialists to partner with Murchison House Station leaseholders and collect new data about breeding and movement patterns of Carnaby’s Cockatoos in the northern part of our region. This work is yielding some fascinating data and we’re looking forward to sharing more on that soon. Stay tuned.
All of these achievements come from a tremendous amount of hard work both across the passionate team of NACC NRM staff and partner organisations and some very dedicated volunteers. I would like to thank all of you who have supported NACC NRM throughout 2021.
Looking ahead to 2022, we have exciting new collaborations and projects in the planning phase to deliver outcomes against the new NARvis. If you have not had a look yet, please do and check back regularly on our ‘footprint map’ as we upload past NRM projects and achievements from across the region.
We are also beginning to plan for ‘beyond Regional Land Partnerships (RLP)’. We don’t know what might replace RLP yet, but we believe it is crucial to start planning early and your involvement in NARvis has given us a head start to identify how the Commonwealth Governments priorities may be delivered at the regional level. Please get in touch with us if you’d like to talk about partnership opportunities.
For those who keep a watchful eye on all things NRM, you will know that interest in carbon has exploded over the last 12-18 months, with natural capital accounting nipping closely at its heels. We are continuing to watch policy developments in this space at both the state and federal level, so that we can support farmers and small groups to participate in these new market opportunities as they emerge. Please get in touch if you have specific questions on these topics and we will do our best to help find the answers.
Finally, I would like to publicly acknowledge the NACC NRM team’s efforts. The team has continued to deliver above and beyond for the region in 2021, and I am incredibly grateful to work with you all. Thank you for living our values every day and for your continued hard work and dedication.
Now, it is time for a well-earned break. The NACC NRM office will be closed between 24 December and 4 January (inclusive). I wish you all a safe and merry end of year celebration.
A very Merry Christmas to you all & lets hope 2022 will bring us many joys & the support of all our funding partners