Towards a Nature-based Solution – CEO report
This year started off at a rapid pace with the planning of our Mulloon Rehydration Conference. We are excited to bring the results of the Mulloon Rehydration Initiative to life on the 1st and 2nd of May at Queanbeyan Bicentennial Hall and at Mulloon Creek. The changes in hydrology, the increased biodiversity, and the improved production of biomass despite the weather conditions are all part of the rich tapestry of scientific monitoring results that provide real-world evidence for landscape rehydration as a Nature-based Solution. As our prospectus states: The world is thirsting for solutions to the impact of climate change – nowhere more so than across the sphere of agriculture. Amongst the noise being generated by well-intentioned groups, there is a crucial requirement for tangible evidence highlighting actual measured progress and impact. This conference focuses on exactly that.
We have secured Phil Mulvey, CEO of Ryzo and co-author of Groundbreaking: Soil Security and Climate Change. as a keynote speaker along with Rob Stokes, the former NSW Minister for Planning and Stuart Naylor Catchment program coordinator from Water NSW. These speakers understand our work and the role it plays in restoring landscape function and so empowering communities to build climate-resilient landscapes. We will also have several panels with landholders from the Mulloon Rehydration Initiative (MRI) and from locations across Australia where our work is now demonstrated. A panel with those from the finance and natural capital sector focussed on bringing the financial resources to scale this approach will be one to watch out for.
Statistics from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology show we have experienced our third-hottest summer on record and third-wettest summer during an El Niño phase. It certainly has been a hot wet summer over east with Tropical Cyclone Kirrily crossing the coast in Townsville on the 25th of January. In Western Australia, heatwaves have presented a health risk. We have seen bushfires in Victoria and the Hunter in NSW. Our farms have not escaped the challenging conditions with clean up required after a major flood on Boxing Day that saw fences, farm infrastructure and livestock impacted. The challenges just keep coming for Jim Steele and our farm management team. Climate-resilient agriculture has never been more important for our country, and we welcome the new grants focussed on this from the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry.
The interest in our work continues to grow. We have had the opportunity to garner publicity for the Institute with our Chair Matt Egerton Warburton speaking on 2CC “Talking Canberra” on Sunday the 25th of February with Nichole Overall – former member for Eden-Monaro and Ian Meikle. We also had an article in the Australian on the 3rd of February, Changing the nations rivers for sustainable agriculture, after Rob Langtry, and I had a chat with journalist Helen Trinca on the 26th of January. I had the privilege of delivering a webinar with friend and colleague Richard Campbell Director at HydroTerra and master of their Friday webinar series to around 200 participants on the 16th of February. It was titled Leading the Way: The Mulloon Institute's Vision for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Restoration and can be viewed here.
With so much going on across the Mulloon group our strategic planning process that we initiated toward the end of 2023 is a critical tool in helping us focus on key areas where we can make a real difference. As we have expanded rapidly, we are taking this opportunity to refocus our efforts and resources in building a broad range of partnerships with organisations and groups that share our vision of the role rehydration can plan in accelerating the build-up of Natural Capital. As is the Federal Government, we will be working to educate the Australian public on just how important rehydration is to our future
During my holidays I headed off to Queensland and visited with our outgoing Chairman Gary Nairn AO while he was in hospital over the Christmas break. It is always inspiring to see Gary, and this was no exception. I had a second opportunity early in the new year to visit with Gary and Rose at their home in Mount Tamborine. I can confirm that Gary has not stopped advocating on our behalf despite challenges with his health.
Finally, I am thrilled to announce that Mulloon Institute has been chosen as a finalist in the 35th National Banksia Sustainability Awards in the Nature Positive Award! The winners will be announced at the Awards Presentation on April 4th, 2024 in Melbourne so stay tuned to our news page and social media for all the updates.