The 6th Australian Stream Management Conference is just a few weeks away and I encourage you to get your registrations in for what promises to be a great knowledge sharing and networking event.
Don’t forget that the ARRC is running an interactive seminar on using narrative and story on the 7th of February - we will have film-maker Richard Snashall and social network specialist Graham Durant-Law joining Nerida and myself to share the ways narrative can be used in NRM.
I am also giving a keynote presentation on the Wednesday the 8th of Feb focusing on the impact ‘Managing for Extremes’ can have on people and communities, and what that means for the work and approaches we take as NRM practitioners. We will also have a display stand and I am organising to get a number of Land & Water Australia publications to distribute so bring along a bag! Hope to see you at the conference.
Siwan
A few weeks ago I had the privilege of facilitating a workshop examining the role of Water Trusts in Australia. The ARRC co-convened the workshop with the Water Trust Alliance*. Water trusts have existed for at least 10 years in Australia, and form part of the institutional landscape for environmental water management. They are similar in purpose to long established models of land trusts, and exist to manage water for, and on behalf of, their members or stakeholders. A well established model in the United States, they provide a mechanism for engaging with the communities in which they operate, whilst providing a rigorous framework for responsibly and accountably managing water assets.
The workshop brought together people from non-government, government, and research organisations with an interest in exploring the role that water trusts can play in the future management of environmental water assets and focused on the following four areas:
1. Describe the water trust models that currently operate in Australia;
2. Identify the advantages and shortcomings of existing water trust models;
3. Understand the challenges, opportunities and capacities of water trusts; and
4. Discuss key features of future regional water trust models that connect government, community and business.
It was a great day with lots of lively conversation and a positive ‘vibe’ which was terrific to be a part of. Mark Siebentritt (Healthy Rivers Australia), Deb Nias (Murray-Darling Wetlands Limited) and colleagues are now going to prepare a paper summarising the issues and opportunities identified in the workshop, so please stay in touch with the ARRC to hear what comes next in the Water Trust story.
If you would like to learn more about the Water Trust Alliance follow this link and scroll down the page the link takes you to, to find more information about this group.
Siwan
* Water Trust Alliance members are Australian Conservation Foundation, Murray-Darling Association, Murray Darling Wetlands Limited, Nature Foundation of SA, Healthy Rivers Australia, and the Environmental Water Trust established by Nature Conservation Council NSW.
The workshop was sponsored by Commonwealth Environmental Water, Murray-Darling Basin Authority and Murray-Darling Wetlands Limited
Being an Australian Riverprize judge is something I really enjoy. I love reading through the applications from worthy projects across Australia, and it fills me with hope and pride that so many people feel passionately about their rivers and local communities.
The 2012 Theiss International Riverprize and Australian Riverprize are now open and encouraging groups to submit their applications. The application process has changed so that it is split into two stages. Stage one is the initial application whereby the forms are downloaded from the IRF website and submitted electronically by 16 March 2012. A short list will then be selected and applicants will be notified in early April as to whether they have reached stage two of the application process. The short-listed applicants will then be sent to stage two Riverprize application to complete and submit by 15 June 2012.
This new application process allows for a fast and efficient method to determine whether a project meets the criteria and will be competitive in the Riverprize program. Written feedback on any unsuccessful stage one applications will be provided upon request.
The winners will be announced at the 2012 Riverprize Gala Dinner, held during the 15th International Riversymposium, on 8-11 October in Melbourne, Australia. More information about the 2012 Riverprize can be found by following this link. If you would like to hear about the finalists and winners for 2011 I encourage you to watch the videos, they are excellent!
National Riverprize Sunshine Coast Regional Council Winner Video
Theiss International Riverprize Charles River Finalists Video
Siwan
Habitat makes fish happen during Native Fish Awareness Week
Habitat makes fish happen! is the theme for this year’s Native Fish week running from the 5-12 of November 2011 across the Murray- Darling Basin.
Focusing on recreational fishing; the week aims to raise awareness of the importance of habitat in rehabilitating the Murray-Darling basin’s rivers and native fish. Recreational fishers are invited to get involved in a series of events including fish research forums, fishing competitions and community activities.
Native Fish Awareness Week will also see the release of Talking Fish, a new collection of stories, and images about what “fishing used to be like” across the Murray-Darling Basin.
There is a growing recognition that the health of rivers and waterways of the Murray-Darling Basin are at risk and native fish have declined. Restoring fish populations can be complex and the best results come from an integrated approach. Actions such as, improving habitat, managing pest fish, and restoring native vegetation can all be achieved by recreational fishers.
Habitat makes fish happen! To find out more about Native Fish Awareness Week and how to take part visit www.nativefishweek.com.au
On Friday the 4th of November I had the great pleasure of attending the graduation ceremony for this year’s Peter Cullen Trust Fellows. It was a very enjoyable evening, with the Fellows providing a lively, entertaining and thought-provoking presentation about the issues surrounding the development of Australia’s coal seam gas industry. I was delighted to be part of such a wonderful group of motivated, enthusiastic and clever people, all of whom are passionate about a sustainable future not only for Australia, but also for our planet.
Many congratulations to all this years graduates!
To learn more about the Peter Cullen Trust visit the website….. maybe 2012 is the year that you apply to be a part of this terrific program.
Siwan
The 6th Australian Stream Management Conference is just a few weeks away and I encourage you to get your registrations in for what promises to be a great knowledge sharing and networking event.
Events, Resources | Siwan Lovett | 
15 January 2012 4:40 pm | 
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