Innovation for Sustainability Environmental Management & Profitable Farming Corey Watts Australian Innovative Farming Conference Melbourne, October 5 th – 7th

Australian Conservation Foundation Community-based NGO with a 40 year history Solutions-oriented approach: Science & Values Strong links with producer, policy & research communities Keen interest in the future of rural Australia

Agriculture in Australia: A Mixed Legacy High economic benefits but high ecological cost: –Heavy toll on native habitat & wildlife –Soil degradation –Salinisation –Loss of water quality & waterway health –Chemical contamination –Pests & weeds –Greenhouse pollution Increasing landholder engagement in environmental works, but landscape health still declining.

Landscape Health Across Australia Stress index includes: vegetation salinity pests and weeds threatened species and ecosystems

Dryland Salinity

River Health & Water Quality

Agriculture & Climate Change

Sustainable Farming & Healthy Rural Landscapes – Seven Steps 1.Protect remaining native habitat & wild rivers (do better with what we’ve got) 2.Reward pro-active conservation management by farmers 3.Retire & rehabilitate some land & water 4.Promote new commercial-environmental ventures (new farming & new land-uses) 5.Re-design farming to reduce ecological footprint 6.‘Green’ the supply chain 7.Link environmental progress with community development

ACF-Southcorp Biodiversity Project Policy & Guidelines SEMP Biodiversity Element Biodiversity Resource Kit SOUTHCORP BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK BENEFITS Company, Community & Environment

Riparian Scrub EVC - Scented Paperbark Vulnerable Status - 86% lost in bioregion 1.5 ha in 10 fragments Habitat score = 49% High conservation priority - net gain (extent & quality) - options for improvement Heathy Woodland EVC - Messmate/Stringybark Common Status - 24% lost 5.7 ha Habitat score = 71% Medium conservation priority - minimise loss

Integrating & Improving Biodiversity BIODIVERSITYPESTS PLANT & EQUIPMENT CHEMICALS GENERAL PLANNING CAPACITY & EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT NATIVE VEGETATION SOILSNUTRIENTS WATER & DRAINAGE Biodiversity BMPs: –integrate conservation with other activities –Give clear expectations & guidance –Provide stakeholders with assurance of performance

Fuelling Landscape Repair ACF and JVAP, with assistance from the Myer Foundation, commissioned URS Australia to: Review bioenergy economics; Review potential to address land degradation & reduce GHG emissions; Map pathway to a sustainable bioenergy industry; Outline policy drivers.

Mallee Farming - Broad Benefits Diversify farm income opportunities. Help prevent salinisation. Reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Reduce greenhouse pollution & capture carbon. Generate new technologies & export $$. Raise community self-reliance and confidence. Reduce risks of centralised power supply. Reduce financial & environmental costs of electricity distribution. Offer long-term job opportunities in regional Australia. Prevent loss biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Future of Farming: Looking After the Land – For All It’s Values