“Spring into Spring” is a well-worn catch phrase particularly from retailers wanting to excite their customers into a shopping spree. With NSW, Victoria and the ACT still in lockdown as I write, it is hard to feel too much excitement just now. Probably more like trepidation that the lockdown is going to continue or if your “glass is half full”, hopeful expectation that “freedom” is not far away. Let’s hope!
[Image: Top contour ponds and plantings at Duralla]
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IPCC Report on Climate Change |
In response to the recent IPCC Report, the Mulloon Institute says the country can achieve its emissions reduction target by focussing on what is literally right under its feet, our soil.
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2020 General Jeffery Soil Health Award Winner |
Congratulations to Emeritus Professor Lynette Abbott who has won the inaugural General Jeffery Soil Health Award, dedicated to Australia's first National Soils Advocate, Major General the Hon. Michael Jeffery, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd), who was our valued Patron for many years.
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Connections for Resilience |
Transformational change in landscapes takes time. Sharing knowledge is essential if Australian politicians are to effectively support farmers to be more resilient and adapt to climate change.
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Exciting changes at Mulloon |
We invite you to join us on the next stage of our journey as we launch our new logo and branding.
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Mulloon Rehydration Initiative |
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Rehydrating the Mulloon catchment |
On-ground works in the Mulloon Rehydration Initiative are momentarily paused while we apply for further ‘Controlled Activity Approvals’. To date more than 50 leaky weir structures have been installed over 15 km of Mulloon Creek. Planning is currently underway for leaky weirs to be constructed at 'Landtasia' in the upper end of the Mulloon catchment.
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Habitat restoration for threatened species |
We've planted well over 12,000 trees as part of the Mulloon Rehydration Initiative thanks to funding from the Australian Government's 20 Million Trees Program.
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Available post-graduate projects |
Post-graduate students (Honours, Masters, PhD) are invited to submit project ideas for study as part of the research in the Mulloon Rehydration Initiative across a range of areas:: Productivity, Hydrological, Ecological function, and Social capital.
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Mulloon Creek Natural Farms |
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Wet conditions at the farms over winter has led to some challenging conditions, but with the longer days and warmer temperatures of spring, egg production is set to rise to ensure a plentiful supply of eggs in stores.
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Lots of things are underway in Queensland, including the Landscape Rehydration demonstration site on Weetalaba Station near Collinsville and the Landsdowne Creek Community Rehydration Initiative near Townsville.
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Peter Hazell from the Mulloon Institute travelled to Batchelor, NT to deliver an ‘Erosion Control – Landscape Rehydration’ workshop during July, just before large parts of Australia were locked down due to Covid.
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The Mulloon Law Committee is continuing its work to try and the reduce government red tape preventing NSW landholders from rehydrating their properties.
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Learning on the ground
Nick Bassett reviews his time with us this winter, during his internship placement as part of his Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Agriculture) at the University of Sydney, where he is majoring in Plant Production, and Soil Science and Hydrology.
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Citizen scientists help national research projects
The Mulloon Institute is one of nine projects supported in the latest round of the Australian Government’s Citizen Science grant program, for its 'Modelling Landscape Rehydration for Catchments, Communities and Curriculum' program.
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Modelling landscape rehydration
Project empowering citizens to understand landscape rehydration through citizen science and co-creation wins Australian Government grant funding.
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The Scots College
Our collaboration continues with the development of new learning resources for the regenerative agriculture curriculum. Plus an update on the Bannockburn swale.
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The Mulloon team continues to grow, with Corinne Bryce joining us as Executive Assistant to CEO Carolyn Hall, Tam Connor taking on the role of Education Coordinator, Lance Mudgway heading our Western Australian branch and Angus Dunne and Juliet Forward joining our team of Landscape Planners. Welcome all!
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Soil Systems Masterclass, Salmon Gums WA, DPIRD - Climate Resilience Taskforce, 30 September 2021,
Aileron NT, Landcare NT, 12-13 October 2021
Mulloon Field Day, Mulloon NSW - postponed until 2022
* These are privately organised workshops, please contact the hosting organisation about attending. If your Landcare group, organisation or school is interested in a similar workshop or a tour of Mulloon Creek, please contact us via info@themullooninstitute.org
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NT Country Hour, ABC Radio featuring TMI's Peter Hazell from 50:42, 19 July 2021
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I hope that you find the many diverse articles on our activities in this edition of Resilience are of great interest. As always, I very much appreciate your ongoing philosophical and/or financial support, we can’t achieve our goals without you.
Cheers,
Gary Nairn AO
Mulloon Institute, Chairman
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