A chance to join your local Landscape Group
Applications are now open to join one of the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board’s district-based Landscape Groups and members of the community with an interest in landscape management are encouraged to apply.
There are seven Landscape Groups across the region, each providing an essential link between their local communities and the board. These groups are based in the Gawler Ranges, Kingoonya, Marla-Oodnadatta, Marree-Innamincka, North East Pastoral, North Flinders and Port Augusta – Quorn districts.
Vacancies currently exist in these groups and expressions of interest are called to fill these positions.
Chair of the SAAL Landscape Board, Ross Sawers said community members involved at a group level are a vital, practical link for the communities they represent.
“They provide a local perspective and ensure the priorities of the district they represent are heard at a board level," he said.
“The majority of our Landscape Group members live in the district and are involved in or passionate about the management of natural resources in their local area."
"Landscape Groups are skills-based, with members selected for their knowledge of areas such as conservation, Aboriginal heritage, primary production, mining, tourism, water resources management, pest animal and weed control and local governance” he said.
Groups are actively engaged with the delivery of local projects and have recently reviewed and updated their District Action Plans in line with the Board’s strategic priorities. These plans will guide the work of each group for the coming years.
“Each landscape group has a board member representative who participates in each meeting, further strengthening the link between local issues and board decision making. This is so important given the size of the region and the variation of local NRM issues between each unique district."
He said they play an important role in encouraging community partnerships and engagement with local people, evident at district-based field days and community events, through access to grant funding, training for land managers and involvement in environmental monitoring projects and education programs. A current example includes the roadshow where groups will be actively involved in the delivery of the Neville Bonney Native Plant workshops around the region in April and May.
To register your interest in becoming a Landscape Group member visit www.landscape.sa.gov.au/saal/about-us/our-board/landscape-groups or speak to your
local Community Landscape Officer.
