Fish in Wetlands Decision Support Tool – Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre and National Water Commission Collaboration

The Fish in Wetlands Decision Support Tool (FWDST) has been developed to enable managers to make informed decisions regarding timing, duration and depth of inundation and method of water delivery to maximise benefits to native fish communities in river-floodplain ecosystems.  Researchers from MDFRC hope that predictions of fish responses will help inform both the prioritisation of wetland watering actions and decisions about the timing, magnitude and delivery of water to wetlands.

Funded by the National Water Commission, the FWDST consists of four species-specific Bayesian network models (Common Carp, Golden Perch, Carp Gudgeon and Australian Smelt) and these can now be downloaded from the MDFRC website

 
In addition to these models, a video has been produced which provides an insight into the project’s background, objectives and outcomes with a particular focus on the establishment of a demonstration wetland – Coonancoocabil Lagoon.   Watch video here.

Leanne Wheaton, Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre (from Basin Links newsletter)

Healthy Waterways Alliance Awards and upcoming Conference

Entries are now open for the inaugural Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Healthy Waterways Alliance Awards 2012. The awards celebrate innovative waterway health initiatives in the Mackay Whitsunday region. There are four award categories open to business and industry, community groups and schools, individuals, government and non-government organisations.  The Awards will be presented at the Healthy Waterways Alliance conference June 12-14.  More information.

Sally Gray, Reef Catchments

Four years on – what we can learn about the power of story from Kevin Rudd’s Apology Speech (something he did do well…..)

by Sarina Loo, Dept of Sustainability & Environment

Seeing Siwan’s keynote presentation at the Australian Stream Management conference reminded me of how powerful it is to use personal stories in speeches. A really good example of using a personal story to connect with an audience is Kevin Rudd’s apology speech.

It’s been four years since he gave the speech, which was greeted by a standing ovation, and no speech since has generated such a positive reaction in parliament. This article describes what made the speech such a success and how to use the formula to be a better leader.  Read the article.

Thank you so much Sarina, the article is great and provides compelling reasons about why we should use story to effectively communicate with each other.  I loved this part of the article which said:

  It created a connection and it made us care. Logic alone does not, and cannot do what that story did.

You might also want to mark the website this came from as a ‘favourite’ -  it is called one thousand and one: organisational storytelling.  Kevin might want to revisit this speech given the last few weeks he has had in politics!

Siwan

What you are saying about Simon Sinek – Start with Why?

A few reactions to the Simon Sinek video I shared with you in the last blog:

Siwan – thanks for sharing Simon Sinek’s TED talk.  Apart from the fact that someone finally explained to me why most of the earth’s population loves Apple products (I’m possibly in the category of those people who would still be using a rotary phone if they were available) Simon’s talk made me reasses why I do what I do – essentially it still the same reason as the one that drove me to become an Environmental Scientist in the first place, but I realised that with the passing of time and the gaining of new experiences (lots of them harsh and hardening), it is important for me to stop every once in awhile to reassess - taking this time has refreshed and invigorated my spirit !  Whilst pondering Simon’s talk I became conscious again of the fact that every single person I communicate with on a daily basis has a reason for doing what they do – and it is not necessarily the same as mine.  This fact poses a significant challenge because if we don’t share WHY we do what we do, we cannot learn how to build sustaining relationships.  This is probably part of the reason it’s difficult to find collaborative funding to rehabilitate the streams of South East Queensland, or continue research into catchment processes and the effectiveness of management interventions – just a couple of things that I’m passionate about.  I’m hoping though that adopting Simon’s techniques might assist myself and my collegues in our quest – it’s worth a shot!

Joanne Burton, Dept of Environment and Natural Resources, Qld

Hi Siwan,  Simon Sinek’s TED talk is one of my favourites too! I recently came across this recent post  from Amber Rae which provides some useful suggestions/prompters on how to translate the ‘Golden Circle’ from the organisational to the personal level.

Clare Webb

The Human Impact of Managing for Extremes – Presentation now on You Tube

The ARRC now has its own You Tube channel and I have loaded up the presentation I gave at the Australian Stream Management Conference a few weeks ago.  Due to the limitation of ten minute videos the presentation is in four parts, with each part ending a bit abruptly as I am yet to become technically proficient in the art of smooth segues between videos!  I hope you enjoy revisiting some of the things I said, and please pass the links on to anyone you think might be interested.    ARRC You Tube Channel

Siwan