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• NRM Investment Programs

  

  Cape York - Keep It Clean

  Organisations across Cape York are working together to launch a campaign to educate people about the need to deal with their rubbish responsibly when travelling around the Cape. Funded by the Queensland Government and coordinated by Cape York NRM, the campaign will target both locals and tourists and urge them to plan ahead for responsible waste disposal before they even hit the road.   

  

  Regional Extension Coordination collaborative agreement

  Regional Extension Coordination

  

  Regional Land Partnerships

  The aim of Regional Land Partnerships is "to protect, conserve, and provide for the productive use of Australia's water, soil, plants and animals and the ecosystems in which they live and interact, in partnership with governments, industry and communities. Regional Land Partnerships is a major component of the second phase of the National Landcare Program. The investment for 2018-2023 will fund biodiversity projects focused on protecting rainforest, woodlands and coastal vine thickets as well as cassowaries and the golden shouldered parrot.

  

  AMRUN

  Purchase of 420kg Mixed Native Grass Seed. Establishment of Cape York community seeds, casual employment of Indigenous people collecting seed and payment by kg of collection. Tranining in collection and storage methods. Seed to be sold to RIO but also purchased by the Gully Remediation projects

  

  Building Resilient Landscapes - Project Development with Cape York Nature Refuge Landholders

  This project worked with Cape York Nature Refuge Landholders to provide support to develop and submit on-ground conservation project applications for funding under Northern Gulf Resource Management Groups project 'Building Resilient Landscapes- Maintaining and Enhancing Biodiversity Values in Northern Gulf and Cape York Nature Refuges'. These project applications included detailed project summaries, maps, budgets and monitoring approaches.

  

  Natural Resources Investment Program 2018-2022

  Queensland is investing more than $61 million between 2018 and 2022 to ensure the state’s natural land and water resources are sustainably managed. This includes dedicated funds for Great Barrier Reef catchments. The Natural Resources Investment Program funding acknowledges the important role that the natural resource management bodies and the community play in repairing and improving Queensland’s unique assets for future generations.
  

  

  Natural Resource Management Investment Program 2017-2018

  The State has allocated $80 million to the regional natural resource management investment program over five years from 2013 to 2018, including $30 million to protect the Great Barrier Reef. The majority of the funding is being provided to support strategic projects delivered through Queensland's regional natural resource management (NRM) bodies. These organisations provide an important link between governments and communities. They also work collaboratively with volunteer and grass-roots organisations (e.g. Landcare), rural industry groups and landholders.

• Newsletter Articles

  

  Pest Animal and weed management survey

  The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is conducting a survey on pest animal and weed management. They are seeking assistance from owners/managers of agricultural properties to provide vital information about pest animal and weed management in Australia. 

  You are invited to complete the survey by 15 July 2019.

  

  A decade of progress through the Queensland Government’s Paddock to Reef program

  Words Abbey Ernst and Robyn May | Photo Robyn May

  2019 marks a decade of successful operation for the Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program (Paddock to Reef program). 

  It is through the Paddock to Reef program that Cape York NRM has effectively continued its work with landholders in the Normanby catchment of the Great Barrier Reef.  

  

  Managing feral pigs, pond apple and gamba grass on Cape York

  Words Sandra Lloyd | Photo Cape York NRM

  Freshwater rivers and creeks in northern Australia have cultural, environmental and economic value. These values are under threat because of introduced species including Pond Apple, Gamba Grass and feral pigs.

  

  Coordinated, whole-of-region, feral pig response needed on Cape

  Cape York NRM and the Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance (WCTTAA) back the National Farmers Federation’s call for a national feral pig control program to be put in place

  

  Active gully remediation continues in the Normanby Basin

  Words Robyn May | Photo Michael Goddard

  The West Normanby distal gully site on Springvale Station is identified as the most important sediment source in the Normanby Basin. Targeted remediation works on active gullies are being implemented to reduce erosion and protect river and Great Barrier Reef habitats.

  

  Action planning workshops a success

  Over the past several months, community members in south-east Cape York have come together during five interactive workshops to develop the Cape York Reef Community Action Plan (CAP).

  The workshops included community events held in Wujal Wujal, Cooktown and Hope Vale, as well as a school workshop at Endeavour Christian College and a school holiday session with young Reef enthusiasts, and were well attended by a range of community members including Traditional Owner Groups, land managers, scientists, local council members and ranger groups.

  

  Native grasses initiative for the Mitchell River catchment

  Words Robyn May | Photo Cape York NRM

  Cape York land managers’ efforts to reduce the loss of valuable top soil, and increase grazing productivity, are being supported by a suite of native grass identification tools.

  

  People on the land networking for positive practice change

  Producers on the Cape are developing peer relationships as they work together to cultivate advanced farming methods.

  Greater engagement amongst the producers on Cape York has been facilitated by Cape York NRM’s Regional Extension Officer, Oliver McConnachie, under the Queensland Government’s Enhanced Extension Coordination in Reef Catchments project.

  ‘The guiding principle of the project is that practice change is not to do with land—it’s to do with people. By focusing on the people, positive change in land management is being achieved,’ Oliver said.

  

  Landholders gain foothold on weed infestations

  Words and photo Robyn May

  Rubber vine has been treated in the Laura region by Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals (CYWAFA) Inc. with support from Cape York NRM.

  Cape York NRM Gully and Grazing Project Officer Michael Goddard said the project was all about restoring native ground cover and reducing erosion.

  ‘The Laura River Rubber Vine Control Project is reducing the amount of rubber vine growing along the waterways, allowing the return of native grasses and minimising soil loss during rain events,’ he explained.

  

  Welcome to the Cape York Healthy Country Newsletter

  This edition of the Cape York Healthy Country Newsletter highlights how the combination of solid planning and good on ground delivery combine to bring about great results.

• Newsletter Editions

  

  Issue 45

  

  Issue 43

• Podcast Episode

  

  MCYL 03 Mikayla Down & Wilfred Peter

  Mikayla Down and Wilfred Peter are Traditional Owners from Lama Lama Country, which hugs the northern coast of Princess Charlotte Bay on Cape York Peninsula.

  Mikayla and Wilfred work as rangers with Yintjingga Aboriginal Corporation's Lama Lama Rangers caring for and managing traditional land and sea country from Silver Plains in the north to Marina Plains in the south. 

  Listen as Mikayla and Wilfred discuss life as a ranger, growing up in Cape York, and the responsibilities they hold as young Traditional Owners caring for their Country.

  

  MCYL 07 Wendy Seabrook

  Dr Wendy Seabrook is an ecologist, an innovator and a strategic  thinker.  She has worked around the world and is originally from London. She's worked with the giant Aldabra tortoises in the Seychelles and cane toads in northern New South Wales and on the Atherton Tablelands. And, "like many people (she) just ended up in Cooktown".

  

  MCYL 08 Lewis Roberts (series final)

  Lewis Roberts is a highly regarded self-taught naturalist and botanical illustrator. He has an Order of Australia, and last year quietly received the Queensland Natural History award. Scientists from all over the world visit Lewis and his brother Charlie at Shiptons Flat – a property which has been in their family for well over one hundred years. Lewis has had several species named after him, yet is incredibly modest. His kind and gentle nature, and in depth knowledge of his environment, shines through in this interview - on the banks of Parrot Creek at Shiptons Flat.

  

  MCYL S2 Sue Shephard

  Sue Shephard moved to Cape York in 1970 to work at Musgrave Station for the Shephard family.  She met the youngest Shephard son, Tom, got married, and together they raised four children on Artemis Station.

  Artemis is a 125 thousand hectare cattle property between Laura and Coen on Cape York Peninsula. Sue tells some amazing stories of raising kids and cattle, caring for country, and researching the endangered golden shouldered parrot.

  

  MCYL S2 Waratah Nicholls

  Waratah Nicholls arrived in Far North Queensland in the early 80's for a Bungle in the Jungle at Bloomfield and fell in love. Her piece of paradise is in Mungumby Valley - a stones throw from the famous Lions Den Hotel. 

  Waratah is an artist, teacher and community worker. Through her work, her passion and her kindness, Waratah has left her mark in art galleries, communities and hearts across Cape York Peninsula. She's currently coordinating the 'Gateway to the Cape' - a concept to develop a visitor stop in Lakeland, promoting environmental awareness for travellers.

  

  MCYL S2 Jessie Price-Decle

  Jessie Price is a young mum, an environmental scientist, and the Grazing Engagement Officer with South Cape York Catchments - a community-based natural resource management organisation based in Cooktown.

  Jessie began her Cape York working life as a trainee with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, a spectacular introduction to the region she loves living in and working for.

  Jessie is passionate about conservation on Cape York, and understands first-hand the challenges of having a career and raising a family in one of Australia's remote regions.

• Projects

  

  Prospectus for Western Cape York Water Management Plan

  This project develops a detailed prospectus for Western Cape York Water Quality Improvement Plan (WCYWQIP). The prospectus is to engage with funding bodies and partners to support the WCYWQIP project and will demonstrate the benefits of supporting Cape York NRM to achieve this Plan.

  

  Catchments to Coral - Great Barrier Reef Coastal Ecosystems and species protection on Cape York

  Catchments to Coral—Great Barrier Reef Coastal Ecosystems and species protection on Cape York is a program funded through the Australian Government’s Reef Trust that aims to improve the health and resilience of coastal habitats within the Great Barrier Reef catchments of eastern Cape York.

  

  Combatting Litter and Illegal Dumping Partnership with UMI Arts

  This project is being delivered by a collaborative partnership between Cape York Natural Resource Management and UMI Arts with the goal of instilling awareness of the effects and creating a personal sense of responsbility within the community of littering and illegal dumping.

  Targeting and educating perpetrators of littering and dumping, community members, visitors and the general public across Cape York about the impact these issues have on their envorinment.

  

  Scaling up Normanby basin gully and stream bank remediation in priority areas

  Primarily at sites situated around the Laura and Normanby Rivers of the Normanby catchment, the program involves land management improvement and the active remediation of gullies. Funded by the Australian Government's Reef Trust over five years (2017 to 2022), Cape York NRM is working with land managers, contractors, and engineers to design and deliver best practice gully remediation projects in the Normanby catchment.

  

  Healthy Farming Futures: Innovation in Action

  The Healthy Farming Futures (HFF) project focuses on grazing properties in western draining catchments of Cape York Peninsula. Since 2018 it has provided property planning, training, workshops, on-ground works and technical advice to land managers so they can refine management practices to improve soil condition, biodiversity and vegetation and, ultimately, be able to rise to the challenges of a changing climate and market demands.

  

  EM mapping and soil education program to improve soil mapping suitability

  This project was developed for the colection of Electromagnetic mapping, elevation data on 300 hectares of land in the Cape York Region that had been designated for high intensity agriculural use.

  

  Kickstarting action carbon, culture, ecology and economies in Cape York

  Kickstarting action carbon, culture, ecology, and economies in Cape York was a pilot project funded by the Queensland Government's Land Restoration Fund. The project, based in the Normanby River catchment, investigated opportunities for a carbon farming project that included co-benefits.

  

  Land Condition Assessment and Framework

  This project assists with establishing a baseline for the assessment of land condition and to monitor the integrated management of weeds, pest animals and fire to manage natural resources and maintain ecosystem resilience.

  

  Improving native vegetation and soil condition of grazing lands within the Joint Management Area

  Project purpose

  This project aims to improve waterway/wetland health and reduce soil loss to downstream freshwater and marine environments by improving land managers skills and knowledge in native vegetation and soil erosion management.

  Project description

  

  Development of a Carbon Prioritisation Spatial Framework

  This project facilitates and develops a carbon prioritisation spatial framework for Cape York now and into the future. The project uses existing models, such as those being used by April Reside and Bob Pressey of James Cook University, and adapts and populates them with data for Cape York. The data might include fire, soils, vegetation, wetlands, culture, management regimes and land use. The project aim is to model different outcomes for Cape York based on different, mostly policy, scenarios. A number of maps reveal different opportunities based on different settings.

  

  Traditional Owners and community working together to address threats to biodiversity

  This project meets three of the CFOC Environmental stream targets. Works focus on controlling 6 x weed species with 3 Traditional owner groups within 3 key environmental areas:

  • Trevethan Creek wildlife corridor site adjacent to the Northern Wet Tropics World Heritage Area
  • Aligator Creek an endangered coastal wetland environment also including weeds of Waymbuurr country in Cooktown
  • Rainforest isolates adjacent to Mt Web National Park at Starke.

  

  Normanby Basin Gully Remediation Demonstration Site

  This project works to repair gully erosion in the Normanby basin and train Traditional Owners in the skills needed to carry out such work. Training includes gaining certificates in earthworks machinery and erosion science. Combined, this knowledge equips participants to carry out their own natural resource management projects from conception to completion. The training also increases job prospects and builds the capacity of these ranger groups and corporations to repair their local roads, fix erosion on their land and deal with the clean up after disasters, such as cyclones and flooding.