caring for our country
Achievements Report
INTRODUCTION
2008 –2013
© Commonwealth of Australia 2013
This work is protected by copyright law. Apart from any use permitted by the Copyright Act 1968 (including research or study) no part may be reproduced, reused or redistributed for any commercial purpose without prior written permission.
The Australian Government acting through the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has exercised due care and skill in the preparation and compilation of the information set out in this publication. Notwithstanding, the Australian Government, its employee and advisers disclaim all liability, including liability for negligence, for any loss, damage, injury, expense or cost incurred by any person as a result of accessing, using or relying upon any of the information in this publication to the maximum extent permitted by the law.
Data included in the Caring for our Country 2008-2013 Achievements Report is correct as at April 2013.
This report may contain images, names of or references to deceased Aboriginal people.
Citation
Caring for our Country 2008-2013 Achievements Report: Synthesis. Independent summary to Caring for our Country, 2013.
Acknowledgements and contributions:
Jenny Boshier, independent author of the Synthesis chapter. Professor David Lindenmayer, Natural Resource Management expert. Roger Wickes, Natural Resource Management expert.The Achievements Report was developed in consultation with a wide range of Caring for our Country stakeholders including Australian Government staff, Catchment Management Authorities, NRM organisations, community groups and project proponents. These stakeholders provided unique insights into how the program has supported environmental activities from a community and regional perspective.
Cover photo credits:
Western Australia Rangelands, Karijini National Park. Source C Zwick, DSEWPaC
Tasmanian Devil joey. Source: S. Graham.
Coastwest, community seagrass monitoring project, Roebuck Bay, Broome, Western Australia.
Source: Environs Kimberley.
Returning crop stubble to the soil, near Yarrawalla, Victoria. Source: C. Burke, DSEWPaC
Sturt’s desert pea, Ningaloo, Western Australia.
Source: T Howard, DSEWPaC.
Kids Practicing Tracks. Source: R. Brittingham.
Introduction
Background to Caring for our Country 2008–2013
Australia’s environment contains important natural resources which also support vital ecosystem services such as clean air and water, biodiversity, healthy soils, and food and fibre production. In 2008, the Australian Government developed a strategic focus to achieving environmental outcomes through the Caring for our Country initiative. The initiative built on the foundations of the National Heritage Trust program and integrated a number of other Natural Resource Management programs such as Landcare, the Environmental Stewardship Program, National Wildlife Corridors, and Working on Country.
The objective of Caring for our Country was to achieve an environment that is healthier, better protected, well managed and resilient and that also provides essential ecosystem services in a changing climate. Over $2 billion was committed to the initiative over five years. The first phase of the program commenced in July 2008 and will end in June 2013, while the second phase will be implemented between 2013 and 2018. Over 3500 grants were funded by the Caring for our Country program between July 2008 and June 2013. Figure 1 demonstrates how projects, targets and outcomes contributed to the overall goals of Caring for our Country.
Data and information
The Caring for our Country Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement (MERI) Strategy established a framework for measuring progress towards achieving program outcomes and demonstrating accountability for public expenditure. Progress was assessed based on aggregated project level data which was reported through annual report cards to inform the Australian Government and community about how the Caring for our Country investments were progressing over time. All funded projects were required to have a component of monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement, including reporting on progress every six months, annually, and at the completion of projects. MERI supports the collection of data and information to demonstrate achievements and allow ongoing improvements to be made at the project and program level.
The Australian Government also invested in strategic research projects across thematic areas to evaluate achievement of outcomes and to improve program delivery. These research projects are stored in an integrated digital archive to ensure that the information is publicly accessible over an extended period of time: NRM knowledge online. The reports are referenced throughout this document where relevant. The digital archive also stores information from previous natural resource management initiatives such as the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and the Natural Heritage Trust.
Purpose of the report
The purpose of this report is to capture the range of natural resource management (NRM) achievements against the five-year outcomes of Caring for our Country. In addition to assessing the outcome achievements, the report seeks to identify and highlight the diverse range of other associated and unexpected benefits supported by the initiative, including environmental, social and economic impacts. The report identifies significant lessons learned and the legacy of investments which may help inform future NRM efforts.
Importantly, the report also provides a platform for sharing experiences across a broad and diverse range of NRM activities within Australia, which involve many different individuals, organisations, partnerships and approaches.
The development of the Achievements Report included consultation with a wide range of Caring for our Country stakeholders including Australian Government staff, catchment management authorities, NRM organisations, community groups and project proponents. These stakeholders provided unique insights into how the program has supported environmental activities from a community and regional perspective.
Structure of the report
The report comprises a synthesis chapter, six national priority chapters and an appendix which provides information on the history of Caring for our Country and the structure of the program.
Each national priority area is represented by an icon. In the Synthesis chapter these icons are inserted in relevant places to assist the reader with which chapter they can refer to for further information.
The reader can access the additional information through the online national priority area chapter at www.nrm.gov.au.
Synthesis chapter has been developed by an independent author and highlights key characteristic and achievements of the program with contributions from two NRM experts.
The national priority area chapters are based on quantitative as well as qualitative data and information, including case studies.
Australia’s National Reserve System demonstrates the achievements in protecting environmental values within Australia’s bioregions by expanding the protected areas network of the National Reserve System, including Indigenous Protected Areas.
Biodiversity and natural icons provides an overview of the protection of Australia’s biodiversity and natural icons, including World Heritage Areas, by tackling weed and pest animals and improving habitat of nationally threatened species and communities.
Coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats outlines some of the key actions taken to protect and rehabilitate coastal and aquatic ecosystems by increasing community participation; improving water quality; and protecting Ramsar wetlands, high ecological value aquatic ecosystems and the Great Barrier Reef.
Sustainable farm practices illustrates the successful engagement of farmers, land managers and communities to support the adoption of sustainable land management practices to deliver key ecosystem services and improve Natural Resource Management.
Northern and remote Australia provides highlights from activities which addressed the unique environmental, social and economic challenges in northern and remote regions of Australia.
Community skills, knowledge and engagement outlines the many achievements in increasing the capacity, skills, knowledge and participation of Indigenous people, volunteers and community groups in managing natural resources and environmental assets.
Appendix: Caring for our Country – the past and the future provides background on the initiative, including funding streams and the second phase of Caring for our Country.