Event Type
Landcare Region
BCT Region
- Oaklands, NSW
- What does natural capital mean for you, the environment and farm production? Hear insights from our expert guest presenters.
- Find out how emissions and soil health connect to the bigger picture in agriculture.
- Identifying and protecting natural assets.
- View an on-farm revegetation site and hear from a local landholder about his own experiences managing and monitoring natural assets on their farm.
- Dr Cassandra Schefe (Cool Soil Initiative, Principal Scientist)
- Nigel Jones (NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust)
- Emily Wilson (Local Land Services, Natural Capital Advisor)
Event Topics
Event Outcomes
Growth in learning measure (Scale 1 - 100)
Attendees: 11 (4 landholders, 4 presenters, 2 paid staff, 1 volunteer staff) (note: 20 people registered)
Exploring Natural Capital: Thursday, 10th October
The "Exploring Natural Capital" event took place at the ‘Innesvale’ shearing shed on the family property of Kate and Craig Smith in Oaklands. The Smiths have undertaken significant revegetation efforts on their 41,000-hectare mixed farming property, with around 300 hectares currently under revegetation. This initiative, begun by Craig’s father in the early 1980s, demonstrates the family’s commitment to creating habitat, enhancing farm aesthetics, promoting beneficial insect populations, and ultimately improving profitability.
The event covered several key topics, including:
· What natural capital means for the environment and farm production
· The connections between emissions, soil health, and the broader agricultural picture
· A first-hand look at on-farm revegetation, with insights from a local landholder about managing natural assets
Emily Wilson, Natural Capital Advisor at LLS, provided an informative session on the concept of natural capital. She explained how natural assets on farms, and the services they provide, are valued and why farmers play a critical role as they manage 55% of Australia’s land mass.
Dr. Cassandra Schefe introduced the Cool Soils Initiative, showcasing how farmers can adopt practices to improve soil health, increase yields, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on their farms. Nigel Jones provided details about BCT programs and opportunities available for farmers.
The feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees appreciated the informal atmosphere, which encouraged participation and interaction. The catering was well received, and many landholders expressed interest in taking the next steps toward sustainable land management.
These next steps would focus on teaching participants how to assess and measure their natural assets.
Attendee Feedback
Here are the positive aspects of the "Exploring Natural Capital" event :
- Starting to identify natural capital assets
- Hearing insights from landholders and presenters
- Engaging in informal walk-and-talk sessions
- Participating in interactive small group discussions
- Opportunities to connect with other farmers
- Learning and sharing information from landholders
- Enjoying an informal yet informative atmosphere
- Appreciating the casual format that was still educational
- Enjoying delicious food provided at the event
- Discussing relevant topics based on landholder experiences
What attendees expressed a desire to learn next from the "Exploring Natural Capital" event,
- **Planning for Natural Capital Management**
Start setting plans for effective management of natural capital.
- **Data Measurement and Capture**
Learn to use the Cool Farm tool for measuring and capturing relevant data, including understanding the workload involved.
- **In-Depth Farm Visits**
Participate in more in-depth visits focused on natural capital and Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) initiatives.
- **Co-existence of Carbon and BCT Projects**
Gain insights into how carbon projects and BCT initiatives can coexist on properties.
- **Information from Cool Soil and BCT**
Seek more information and resources from the Cool Soil and BCT programs.
- **Assessment of Natural Capital**
Learn methods to assess and measure the existing natural capital on their properties.
Suggestions for improvement included:
- Send out personalized mailed invitations to landholders within 5-10 km of the host property.
- Enhance engagement efforts to ensure better attendance from participants.
- Aim to reach a wider audience, acknowledging that while marketing efforts were effective, it was frustrating that some landholders did not attend.