“Towards an Analytical Framework for Assessing Regional NRM Investment Strategies” National biodiversity conservation objectives & regional investment Stewart Noble Vegetation Management Policy Environment Australia

Accreditation of regional plans Plans must be consistent with legislative requirements, agreed national outcomes, strategies and targets

Some agreed strategies and approaches Framework for the Extension of the NHT Intergovernmental Agreement for a National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality National Objectives and Targets for Biodiversity Conservation, National Framework for the Management and Monitoring of Australia’s Native Vegetation National Approach to Firewood Collection and Use National Weeds Strategy

Some National Biodiversity Objectives By 2005, incorporate the recovery of threatened species and ecological communities into regional plans By 2005, all regional plans include actions to reduce the threat to biodiversity from naturalised non-native species By 2005, incorporate into regional plans, the protection of threatened native grasslands and areas of high conservation significance which may be subject to grazing pressure By 2001, have mechanisms in place at the regional level that prevent clearance of ecological communities with an extent below 10 per cent of that present pre

Example management actions … Protecting existing remnant vegetation Improving the quality of native vegetation Controlling weeds of national significance Sustainable firewood collection Sustainable grazing Manage threatened species and communities Implementing recovery plans Reducing key threatening processes Revegetation Filling information gaps Building capacity

Effective investment Greatest public benefit per $ of public funding Prevention and protection Best available information Investment in interventions is complemented by investment in changes to management practices Build community capacity