Torbay Catchment, Photo courtesy Louise Duxbury
The theme of this year’s ANPC conference is: planning conservation to achieve restoration. I attended an ANPC conference last year in the Grampians (Vic), and was very impressed with the commitment, insight and expertise of all those who attended. I recommend anyone with an interest in native plants take the opportunity to get along to what is sure to be a great conference. The post-conference field trip to the international biodiversity ‘hot spot’ of the south-west of WA is sure to be fantastic! For more information click here.
Siwan
A new Knowledge and Information Framework outlining how regional natural resource management (NRM) knowledge and information needs across Queensland can be better managed has been released by the Regional Groups Collective (RGC), which represents the state-wide interests of the 14 regional NRM bodies in Queensland. To download the framework click here or visit the Collective Projects page of the RGC website.
The collaborative online wiki www.collections.org.au has also been established to document NRM projects and facilitate knowledge and information sharing for NRM groups.
Last week I attended Dave Snowden’s Making Sense of Complexity workshop and, over the next few weeks, I am going to share with you a few of the ‘gems’ I learnt through the experience.
The first of these is about the need to differentiate between people who cook using a recipe book, and chefs, who are able to use whatever ingredients are available at any time, to make a meal. Following a recipe book provides the user with the security of knowing they will get a defined outcome, but it does not allow for creativity, spontaneity and an ability to respond in the moment. A chef creates something in the present, mixing, tasting and modifying as they go along.
In natural resources management I believe we tend to follow recipe books in an attempt to make sure we tick all the right boxes to achieve a set ‘target’. While there is nothing wrong with this, I think it is important to use the recipe book as a guide only, the means to an end, but not the end in itself. Allow yourself the freedom to adapt, reflect and experiment along the way, as this unleashes our creativity and enables us to get even greater personal and professional rewards along the way. For more on complexity theory, click here.
Siwan
Last week I attended a workshop the Australian Government organised for natural resources management agencies, government and non-government, to share their insights into how to attract the corporate dollar. There were some excellent presentations from a range of small and large organisations about how they have built relationships and developed corporate partnerships. My take home messages from the event were that chasing the corporate dollar requries skill, a clarity of purpose and a commitment to tailoring your product to meet their needs. A summary of the conference outcomes can be found on our ‘New Information and Knowledge’ page.
Siwan
I read Billabong Boy in two nights, not wanting to put it down as it was a pleasure to read. Arron is honest about the opportunities and the challenges he has confronted in trying to keep a business going that focuses on ‘kids teaching kids’, in a natural resources management sector that is not ‘flush with cash’. Like the ARRC, Arron’s work is about supporting people, and I am inspired to read about what he has achieved. Arron has recieved a number of well-deserved rewards, but for me, what came through in the book was how much he valued the conversations with kids, and how much he acknowledges the importance of having friends and family to help him realise his dreams. I recommend this book as an inspiring read, and one that will lift your spirits and remind you about why you work in river restoration. You can read more about Billabong Boy in the Stories part of our website.
You can order Billabong Boy directly from the New Holland website.
Siwan
Events | Siwan Lovett | 
20 August 2010 10:27 am | 
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