Improved Grazing Management for Salinity and Erosion Control

Watershed Landcare Inc received $278,000 from the National Landcare Program for this project which intends to raise awareness of the benefits for salinity and erosion control of combining deep rooted perennial pastures, with intensive grazing management and strategic tree planting and regeneration of remnants. Currently Watershed employs a project officer one day a week to manage this project.14 Properties are participating in the project.

The project will:

• Establish 128 kms of fencing to allow improved management of grazing and perennial pastures
• Establish alternative watering points in 63 locations to remove pressure from riparian zones and allow for regeneration and intensive grazing management.
• Ascertain the impacts of intensive grazing management on the water system. Each grazing management site will be tested for saline and sediment loads upstream and down stream (including appropriate farm dams) on a regular basis. This data will be entered into the Waterwatch Database coordinated through the Catchment management Authority.
• Plant 14 ha of trees Educate landholders on the:Science behind intensive grazing management including the concepts of: rest, rotation, water cycles, mineral cycles, root depth, drought proofing and holistic management.Technical aspects of salinity and turbidity monitoring The importance of biodiversity
• Promote and educate on sustainable grazing through: Farm walks on participating properties throughout the year to assess progress; Watershed newsletters to members; Monthly newspaper columns; Media articles in local news; School excursions; Outline progress and findings on the Watershed Web Site.

Other Current Projects include:

• MWRC Sponsored Vegetable Garden Program (2010 school to be announced)
• 08/09 Central West CMA – State Salinity Enhancement; Saltland Rehabilitation Project ($132 000)