For landholders
We are in an era of increased energy costs, reduced water for irrigation, climate change, carbon trading, new technology and expanding private investment in conservation. Maintaining traditional land management practices during these changes can be challenging. For many landholders, more land use options are needed to remain viable.
This is an overview of options for sustainable land management; a guide to further information about techniques and alternative practices. It includes information from non-government organisations, state and Commonwealth government agencies and from private business. As this is a fast growing topic please return here for updates. We also welcome your feedback and suggestions.
Natural management practices
New environmental and market forces are providing incentives to consider alternative farm practices. Some of these alternatives have been around for some time but the circumstances and technology that affect their viability are changing. Alternatives include:
- adapting to climate change
- organic farming
- pasture and soil management
- alternative crops
- economic and environmental planning
Farming for conservation
Increasing value is attributed to the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity. This is leading to changes in landuse that would not have been considered viable or desirable in the past. These include:
- stewardship
- biodiversity banking including offsets for development
- land acquisition for biodiversity
- conservation covenants
Farming trees for carbon
Trees take up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow, storing carbon in leaves, stems, bark and roots. If you are able to grow forests, you may be able to take advantage of emerging markets for carbon:
R Lethbridge, Meandarra, Qld.
Photo Andrew Tatnell
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