Land management
Sustainable land management is important in the SA Arid Lands Region. Managing the environment in a way that is sustainable ensures productivity now and into the future.
A range of issues affect the productivity and sustainability of natural resources that underpin the region's pastoral enterprises.
There are a number of ways we can assist land managers and producer groups through providing advice, specialised technical support, information sharing and assistance.
All services are to assist land managers continuously improve their sustainability and profitability including soil conservation and grazing management, improving enterprise profitability and risk management, developing new technologies and diversification, all of which support long-term viability across the region.
Building Pastoral Sustainability
The Building Pastoral Sustainability by identifying, enhancing and conserving natural resources (BPS) project’s focus is to support environmental stewardship and economic resilience by supporting pastoralists to protect and enhance natural capital.
This will be achieved by adoption of sustainable practices that improve ground cover, soils, and landscapes. Pastoralists will be supported to understand their landscapes and be provided opportunities to reduce emissions, and plan, implement and monitor practices such as rotational grazing, soil erosion mitigation, and carbon accounting.
Soil demonstration sites showcased in our previous projects will be revisited to build a better profile and understanding of soil carbon in the region.
Another focus is to build knowledge and capacity of pastoralists in the SA Arid Lands of sustainable practices via peer-to-peer learning, and hosting events that provide pastoralists with the opportunity to consult with experts on relevant topics. Topics could include carbon emission reduction, soils, animal husbandry and natural resource management practices.
Planning On-Property Projects
Four properties have been selected for planning on-ground works as part of the Planning On-Property Projects first round participants.
Owners and managers from Partacoona, Wallerberdina, Angorichina and Webbco will join an online meeting with rangeland management experts, be visited on-property by Contour Environment and Agricultural Consulting in November and receive a copy of activity plan and mapping to support property management and implementation of on-ground works later this year.
Applications will open in May for this year's intake.
Smart Grazing, Stronger Lands
This is a project to assist pastoralists and land managers throughout Australia's Southern Rangelands to adopt proven climate-smart decision support tools and technologies to improve grazing management and ecosystem health.
Covering 1.5 million square kilometres of Australia’s Southern Rangelands, the project builds the capacity of Regional NRM organisations, grower groups, and community organisations and will facilitate pastoralist and land manager adoption of proven rangelands gazing and land management tools and technologies.
Find out more here >> Smart Grazing, Stronger Lands – Building Grazing & Land Management Capacity Across Australia’s Southern Rangelands - SA Drought Hub
National Soils Monitoring Project
Led by the CSIRO, the National Soils Monitoring Project will sample and monitor about 3000 sites across Australia, with a strong focus on major agricultural zones.
Activities will include sampling, analysis and archiving of collected soil specimens. Landscape boards have been engaged to sample South Australian sites, with SAAL staff assisting with 23 sites located in the region.
Find out more >> National Soil Monitoring Program - CSIRO