Capacity building in the Desert Uplands had
three components that together contributed significantly to
increased capacity of landholders in the region and strategically
addressed natural resources issues.
The three components of the project were:
1. The continuation of the Desert Steps
Ahead program, where the project officer visited landholders
and presented a structured presentation of land and water
management issues in the region and the tools and
resources available to address the issues.
2. Property Management Planning. This
included; educational field days and showcases of land and
water management achievement, as well as GPS &
GIS training.
3. Incentive funding for landholders to carry
out on-ground works in identified strategic areas to implement
improved management practices and activities for improving
biodiversity values.
The priority areas for action included:
- areas of high
erosion potential, including areas identified or predicted to have
gully or hillslope erosion;
- weed infestations
in significant areas;
- identified
‘at-risk ecosystems’.
On-ground activities included:
- strategic fencing
to reduce grazing pressure in areas of high erosion potential,
other sensitive areas such as wetlands & billabongs and
frontage areas;
- provision of
alternative watering point to spread or elevate grazing pressure;
and
- weed control in
high value areas.
