Project example 4: Rural awareness property tours
A community education program initiated and coordinated by Binalong property owner Libby Elliot. The aim was to ensure continuing viability of the tours by putting them on a business footing and spreading the load among a larger group of properties.
For more information, phone Libby Elliot on (06) 227 4220.
Step 1. Analyse the issue or problem
Land in rural areas was being degraded as a result of problems such as erosion, salinity, drainage, weed infestation and mine rehabilitation.
Step 2. Identify stakeholders
Stakeholders were:
- landholders
- Department of Land and Water Conservation
- NSW Agriculture
- Greening Australia
- CSIRO
- Landcare groups: Harden_Murrumburrah, Boorowa, Gunning and Binalong
- Lachlan Catchment Management Committee.
Step 3. Know your target group
The target group comprised:
- landholders
- Landcare and special-interest groups
- interested public
- primary and secondary schools.
What was known about the target group:
- Farmers, and other people interested in or concerned about rural issues, wanted practical learning experiences.
Step 4. Determine objectives and outcomes
The goal was to increase Landcare and environmental management awareness across a wide spectrum of interest groups and individuals.
The objectives were to:
- improve understanding about rural environmental issues such as erosion control, river catchment planning, drainage management, salinity, mine restoration
- provide hands-on experience with problems that could occur within the target groups' own environments
- demonstrate practical examples of better rural management practices that are reducing these problems
- develop concern for the environment and an appreciation of the positive action being undertaken in agricultural resource management
- encourage a cooperative-sharing approach to better agricultural resource management.
The outcome was a self-funded program of promoting environmentally sound farming activities in the region.
Step 5. Design your methods
Methods involved:
- conducting tours of a network of 30 properties
- the landholder of each property giving a presentation or talk
- holding on-site demonstrations
- holding on-site discussions.
Step 6. Consider funding
RAPT is a self-funded business. The charge to tour participants depends on the size and requirements of the tour group. Funds generated from the program are used to reimburse participating farmers for their time, assist with RAPT management and coordination, and support further Landcare work.
Step 7. Make an action plan and implement it
The plan involved:
- landholders visiting a similar program in Victoria, leading to the concept of RAPT.
- liaising with stakeholder groups to investigate the feasibility of setting up the program
- surveying properties in the Yass, Binalong, Harden, Boorowa and Gunning areas to determine the level of landholder interest
- visiting properties and speaking with interested landholders to select the most suitable properties
- seeking advice on management practices from expert bodies such as CSIRO
forming an advisory committee - developing promotional material
- publicising RAPT through a range of rural and environmental organisations.
Step 8. Monitor and evaluate
The program was monitored and evaluated by surveying participants after each RAPT tour (a landholder committee provides support).