The Managing Wetlands Workshop held in Canberra late last year provided information and tools for wetland practitioners based on best practice scientific research. It was an excellent event and I found it an extremely useful forum for knowledge exchange and networking. The proceedings of the workshop are now available, with powerpoint presentations and a booklet summarising key findings presented at the workshop easy to access on line – just follow this link.
Siwan
Support and funding for the reinvigoration of the NRM Navigator, NRM Evidence Bases and River Rap Publication
Oh to have a large amount of funding to enable us to reinvigorate great knowledge sharing products like the NRM Navigator, NRM e-Base (both developed through the former Knowledge for Regional NRM Program) and a new River Rap (based on the old National Riparian Lands R&D Program RipRap) publication. We would welcome any ideas on how we can secure funding for these products as we are finding that most funding ‘buckets’ tend not to cover maintaining and building relationships and networks, or supporting ongoing resources for science and research knowledge sharing infrastructure.
If we could get these products back out and doing what they do best – sharing knowledge, fostering relationships and building networks, the ARRC could have a secure future. If you have any input, ideas on how we can make this happen please get in touch with us. You might also like to think about sponsoring the first edition of River Rap which could feature work you and your organisations are doing.
Siwan and Nerida
The Living Murray story is a recent chapter in the history of managing the Murray River. It is an attempt to restore the health of the Murray River by returning water to the environment and building water management structures to deliver water to the Murray’s wetlands, floodplains and forests.
The Living Murray story also highlights the people behind the program and contains quotes from some of the many people who have worked to make the vision of the program a reality.
This book will be of interest to those who continue to use, visit, or be inspired by this great river. It is freely available as a hardcopy and you can order it by following this ‘Living Murray Story’ link.
Water: Science and Solutions for Australia provides the latest information about the status of Australia’s water resources and their future prospects, the many values we hold for water, and the potential for using water more effectively to meet the growing demands of cities, farmers, industries, and the environment. The book has been edited by Dr Ian Prosser and I was fortunate enough to help out with the development of the publication when the team were planning how to approach this topic.
The publication draws upon the scientific literature to provide a broader audience with a clear picture of the water challenges and prospects facing Australia. Written by scientists and practitioners it seeks to provide a bridge from the peer-reviewed scientific literature to a broader audience of society, while providing the depth of science that this complex issue demands and deserves.
The book has been written so that it is accessible to all and can be used to underpin decisions that need to be made in business, in government, and in general to respond to the challenges of water resource management.
You can download the book from the CSIRO Publishing website as:
Hard copies of Water: Science and Solutions for Australia are also available on our CSIRO PUBLISHING website. Includes ISBN and full bibliographic information.
Many congratulations to the CSIRO team that put this publication together, in particular, Ian Prosser, Mary Mulcahy and Bill Young.
Siwan
In 2009, the National Water Commission (NWC) funded the establishment of a Community of Practice for Environmental Water Managers, and supported the group’s activities for the first two years. After this, the Community’s future relied on members interest in retaining the group, and it becoming self-sustaining. In a recent member survey, over 85% of respondents saw value and benefit in remaining a member of the Community. The Australian Water Association and NWC responded to this support by collaborating to form the Environmental Water Management Specialist Network.
You are invited to join this Network and:
- Be part of a professionally recognised group working in environmental water management
- Have opportunities to network and build contacts with like minded water professionals
- Learn from others and share experiences
- Receive and contribute to regular e-newsletter and access an interactive website
- Propose professional development activities relevant to your practice
- Participate in upcoming events such as: Riversymposium Workshop: Does Science really matter in Environmental Water Management?
The network will be one of 16 AWA national networks that provide the opportunity for water professionals to come together to discuss best practice and latest developments, build relationships and access professional development.
In an exclusive offer until 30 September, 2011 Members of the Community of Practice can join the Environmental Water Management Specialist Network for only $40 (inc gst). This fee is for the first year and is tax deductible. Join up by following this link and once registered select the “Environmental Water Managers” Member Type/Level. For more information visit website for the community of practice . As a member of the Steering Committee for the Community of Practice I encourage you to sign up and be part of this great initiative.
Siwan
Information and knowledge management, Resources | Siwan Lovett | 
15 January 2012 4:40 pm | 
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