Nature of SA
Over the past 50 years we have experienced unprecedented changes in global environmental, social and economic systems - so much so that the period has been referred to as ‘The Great Acceleration’. Many scientists and commentators believe we have entered a new geological era – the Anthropocene – in which the world has shifted beyond historic experience and limits and where human activity is now a key system driver.
These changes will have uncertain consequences for nature and natural systems in South Australia. While we have limited control over globally-driven changes, we do have a choice about how we respond to what is happening in our own backyard. The extent of change urges us to rethink our relationship with nature and how we should prioritise our work moving forward, with the role of our pre-European perspectives of nature a case in point.
While challenging to many of us this critical dilemma opens up opportunities to think differently and with renewed purpose to ensure we create a positive future for South Australia’s landscapes and our communities.
The Nature of SA is a sector-wide partnership that has come together to support positive change in our approach to nature conservation. The collaboration is exploring the State’s future biodiversity goals and approach, and how we talk differently about: nature’s value, working together, and fostering our capacity to have the greatest impact.
These shifts were explored at a sector-wide forum in February and over the next 12 months the partners are looking to support examples of them in action and take the conversation broader to other sectors that influence or are influenced by natural resource management in this South Australia.
The Nature of SA is sponsored by Sandy Pitcher, CEO DEWNR, Craig Wilkins, CEO Conservation SA, and Sharon Starick and Professor Chris Daniels on behalf of the NRM Presiding Members. The strategy group is co-chaired by Vicki-Jo Russell and Vicki Linton on behalf of the Nature eNGO Alliance and DEWNR.
The address will examine the thinking and approach behind The Nature of SA, the shifts proposed, and the relevance to our daily work on the ground.
Vicki-Jo Russell
Vicki-Jo is passionate about nature and the people who work with it. She has been a driving force in biodiversity conservation in South Australia for over twenty-five years, initiating and influencing a range of significant programs, plans and policies over that time. She currently manages the revegetation services for Trees For Life in SA and co-chairs the alliance of South Australian government and eNGOs partners working to develop The Nature of SA project.