Sharing Water Knowledge Forum – Workshop Overviews – Event cancelled
The Sharing Water Knowledge Forum aims to provide participants with the opportunity to workshop new ideas, approaches and techniques with the researches and practitioners who have developed them. There are eight workshops to choose from, with participants able to rank five with us doing our very best to get the top four. Participants that register early will get their choices first.
An overview of each of the workshops is provided below:
Workshop A: Climate Change, Water Impacts & Adaptation
This workshop will present the most up to date information on the likely impacts of climate change on aquatic systems, catchment processes, river flows and water availability, industries and communities. Researchers from CSIRO Water for a Healthy Country will discuss their latest findings, and will be complemented by the results of projects funded through the Murray-Darling Basin Authority on the impacts of climate change on people, livelihoods and communities. The session will take a broad national perspective on climate change, with the Murray-Darling Basin being used as a case study to focus in on adaptation challenges. (Lead: CSIRO, MDBA)
Workshop B: Water Planning & Markets
Water planning has become vital for jurisdictions as we aim to provide sufficient allocations for environmental, economic and social needs. This session will feature key findings from the significant investment made in this area by the National Water Commission. Research has been undertaken across Australia to assist jurisdictions in understanding the current practices in water allocation planning; to synthesise information on planning practice, and to provide learning opportunities and tools that enable water managers to improve water planning practices. These findings and products will be shared in the workshop, as well as current information on the use and effectiveness of water markets as a tool for allocating water between different users. The concepts of water shepherding will also be examined, and the implications of this for water planning practice. (Lead: NWC, MDBA)
Workshop C: Indigenous knowledge and cultural flows
Over the past few years considerable effort has been made to better engage with Indigenous communities and individuals so that their knowledge and experience can be incorporated into water planning and can enhance water management outcomes for all stakeholders. This session will explore work undertaken through the Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge initiative, as well as projects in southern Australia, to share research into the different forms of Indigenous knowledge and practice about aquatic systems and their sustainable management. The concept of ‘cultural flows’ will be discussed, and ideas shared about how to optimise our combined ‘knowledge’ for water management outcomes. (Lead: NWC, MDBA)
Workshop D:Science communication and storytelling
Our lives are full of stories and as human beings we are story telling organisms. We use stories to share experiences and to make sense of the world in which we live. Using storytelling to share knowledge is increasingly being recognised by organisations of all types – private sector, government, non-government – as a powerful way of influencing people and effecting change. This workshop will provide insights into using storytelling and narrative in natural resources management to optimise communication outcomes. It will also draw on the experience of the presenters in science communication to share strategies and approaches that can be implemented at many different organisational levels. Communication styles, understanding your audience and tailoring your message for your audience will also be discussed. (Lead ARRC – Dr Siwan Lovett, Ms Nerida Hart)
Workshop E: Groundwater & Surfacewater interactions
Changes in groundwater quantity and quality can impact on the many ecosystems in Australia that rely on groundwater to survive. This workshop will present the latest findings on groundwater dependent ecosystems, and groundwater – surface water interactions, an area of inquiry that has only recently been focused upon. Different types of groundwater dependent ecosystems will be discussed, and the types of interaction between ground and surface water will be examined in different parts of Australia. Assessments and inventories of groundwater dependent ecosystems will also be shared, with information provided about how to access these resources. (Lead CSIRO, NWC, E-Water CRC)
Workshop F: Managing environmental water
How do we know we are providing the ‘right flow’ at the ‘right time’ to get the ‘right’ environmental results. Environmental water management is an emerging discipline and profession in Australia, and this session will provide the most up to date information on research findings into what information, tools and experience can be used to optimise environmental outcomes. The session will also look at the practicalities of delivering environmental water and how to evaluate whether we are producing results. The support available to people working in this area will be highlighted through the involvement of the Environmental Water Managers Community of Practice. (Lead MDBA, CSIRO, NWC)
Workshop G: Catchment scale processes
Catchment managers of all forms, are increasingly required to use informed and scientifically rigorous decision making processes for river and catchment restoration activities. Decision making is required at a range of geographic scales from whole of catchment to specific sites. As the demand for funding and resources for such restoration activities is inevitably in excess of what is available, prioritisation of investment and best value issues become critical needs. This session will share the most recent tools and techniques available to prioritise restoration efforts. It will look at different scenarios for change in land and water use, and examine the pluses and minuses of short and long term courses of action. (Lead E-Water CRC, CSIRO)
Workshop H: Innovation and creativity
What makes people ‘innovative’, and how do we create organisations that enable innovative ideas and approaches to flourish? This workshop will explore the many myths that exist about innovation and creativity, for example, those that say only those people who are in the nominated ‘innovative team’ can be creative (rubbish!), through to those that argue a strict review process to select only the ‘best’ ideas is the way to stay ahead in the innovation game. Techniques and ideas will be shared about how to create a culture of innovation in your organisation, and how to foster and nurture creativity in your personal and professional life. (Lead ARRC – Dr Siwan Lovett, Ms Nerida Hart)
24 January 2011 1:15 pm
