The term natural resources refers to a broad spectrum of ‘environmental assets’. These include air, water, land, plants, animals and micro-organisms. Individual assets are not isolated, however; they are linked together to form natural systems of varying scale such as rivers; lakes and wetlands; estuaries and coasts; forests; fields; geological systems and resources; and mountains.

Natural resource management reflects these linkages within and between natural systems. It integrates the management of social, economic and environmental values by involving the community and industry in planning and decision making.

Natural resource management is fundamentally about people. The success of natural resource management is ultimately determined by the level of community involvement and the adoption of ecologically sustainable practices across the community.