Wednesday, 21 March 2012 10:18

Conference reverses brain drain

Written by 

THE CROSS-Tasman drift of clever Kiwis was briefly reversed earlier this month with 18 of those involved in Landcare activities in Australia attending the Landcare Trust conference in Hamilton.

Of course, the Aussies could claim that they did it first: Landcare in Australia began in Brisbane in 1986, and there are now over 4000 Landcare and 2000 Coastcare groups across the country. They even have Australian Landcare International.

Formed in 2008, it now operates in 16 countries, "working with communities on individual problems, supporting the introduction of a Landcare approach within local communities, and connecting Australian groups with new projects in other countries," says ACI chief, Rob Youl.

But we must be getting it right here, even though we got started 10 years later, because the conference visitors were mighty interested in our successful projects and by the close asking how we could learn from each other.

Rob McGowan, Nga Whenua Rahui, says they even wanted ideas and training on working harmoniously with indigenous people, because they think we do it better.

The New Zealand Trust is based in Hamilton and facilitates work to protect natural landscapes, clean waterways, cope with predators, and help indigenous fauna and flora thrive, by getting communities and local landowners, government organisations and funding agencies to work together.

The Trust's board incorporates senior members from many organisations with an interest in land management.

More like this

Featured

Wilmar hands over US$725m ‘court security’ in Indo graft case

Reuters reports that giant food company Wilmar Group has announced it had handed over 11.8 trillion rupiah (US$725 million) to Indonesia's Attorney General's Office as a "security deposit" in relation to a case in court about alleged misconduct in obtaining palm oil export permits.

National

Machinery & Products

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this…

JD's precision essentials

Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Don't hold back!

OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…

Sorry, not sorry

OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter