New 5-step guides aim to boost landscape health across the Hills and Fleurieu

Land managers in the Hills and Fleurieu region now have access to a suite of new five-step guides designed to improve the health and productivity of local landscapes - supporting on-farm natural assets and the long-term viability of agricultural businesses.

Through its Stewardship Program, Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu has developed a suite of free resources that provide practical, step-by-step guidance for landholders. The resources address common local challenges, including weed control, improving watercourse and soil health, and protecting and revegetating native vegetation

Caroline Dorr, Team Leader, Regional Engagement, said the guides were developed to support land managers across the region, regardless of property size or starting point.

“We’re providing land managers with simple, proven strategies for managing natural resources on a property and protecting future economic sustainability,” she said.

The new guides have been designed to support all land managers, from those with smaller lifestyle blocks to large-scale primary producers.  The guides recognise that every land manager plays a role in the region’s environmental and agricultural health. On farms, poor land management can also lead to long-term productivity losses, increased costs, and regulatory risks. Making smart management decisions for soil health, weed control, and biodiversity, can improve farm resilience. Land managers can become proactive in reducing input costs and buffering against climate extremes.

“These are exactly the kinds of outcomes the guides aim to support ensuring our landscapes remain healthy, productive, and profitable for generations to come,” said Ms Dorr.  

The guides include a clearly structured five-step process and a downloadable action plan template. Landholders, farmers, and community groups can use these free resources to create a plan tailored to their own property. Users can focus on the topics of greatest interest or combine all five for a comprehensive property management plan.

“Every property is different, but the challenges faced are most often shared,” said Ms Dorr.

 “The culmination of a wealth of knowledge from our community, partners and staff combined, the guides are designed to help landholders care for their land and leave positive legacy for future generations."

Guides now available include:

• Five Steps to Thriving Native Vegetation: Tips for natural regeneration, managing grazing pressure, and reducing weed impact.
• Five Steps to Thriving Revegetation: Support for designing and maintaining successful revegetation projects for biodiversity, shelter, or erosion control.
• Five Steps to Effective Weed Control: Practical guidance for long-term weed suppression, from identifying infestations to follow-up.
• Five Steps to a Thriving Watercourse: Strategies to maintain water quality and riverbank stability, including stock management and revegetation.
• Coming Soon – Five Steps to Healthy Soil: A guide to managing the foundation of productive, resilient land.

For more information or to download the guides: https://www.landscape.sa.gov.au/hf/landscapes-hills-and-fleurieu-stewardship-program/stewardship-guides