Fifteen successful schools and groups will receive a Go Green Grant of up to $5,000 to support innovative projects that bring about education in environmental issues, focus on sustainability, promote recycling initiatives or help improve the school’s or local area’s natural environment.

Corporate Express understands that the next generation of Landcarers can make all the difference to the planet and has partnered with Landcare Australia to support the local schools and youth groups that educate this next generation about the importance of environmental conservation and protection.

“Environmental sustainability is a core component of our business, so we are delighted to have the opportunity to make a further positive impact in the community by supporting teachers and students with the Go Green Grants Program,” said Jay Mutschler, President of Corporate Express Australia and New Zealand.

Heather Campbell, Landcare Australia CEO, is looking forward to seeing more young people working on sustainability projects and learning about their roles in the future protection of our land and natural environment.

“Junior Landcare is all about creating learning opportunities in outdoor ‘living classrooms’ and encouraging young people to care for the environment. This Corporate Express Junior Landcare grants program is a great way to actively engage young Australians in a hands-on environmental project,” she said.

Further to the grants program, teachers will also have a chance to win a $5,000 shopping spree with Corporate Express by entering the Go Green Shopping Spree competition.

Applications for both the Go Green Grants program and Go Green Shopping Spree competition are open until Tuesday May 1st, 2012. Further information, grant criteria the application form is available here.

To find out more about the grant criteria and to download an application form, please click here.

For more information please call Landcare Australia on 02 9412 1040 or email grants@landcareaustralia.com.au

It is anticipated that land holders would enter into a project partnership with South West NRM to explore the question on their properties over the next few years. The project would examine many of the issues/questions raised by concerned land managers around the concept of strategic grazing management. As follows:

• Cost effective fencing
• Cost effective water
• Change in carrying capacity from managing grazing activity
• Return from controlling “total grazing pressure” (kangaroos, goats).
• Change in environmental health from adoption of “managed grazing system” For example, what happens to desirable native grass species, what happens to invasive woody weeds, what happens to groundcover, erosion etc. ?
• Return on Investment (ROI); what is the pay-back period?

It is expected that interested land managers would implement a “managed grazing” system on a portion of their property with some protected by total exclusion fencing and some not. The ability to compare results over time to with a more traditional grazing approach (set stocking?) would also be desirable. Willingness to interact to a high level with South West NRM staff and staff from other agencies would be expected as well as preparedness to showcase results to other graziers and the community generally.

South West NRM will provide assistance in establishing infrastructure; preparing management plans; mapping; monitoring; analysis; facilitation of meetings and workshops; and project reporting.

The land holder will provide a suitable portion of the property for rotational grazing paddocks; a suitable portion of the property for monitoring of ‘normal’ grazing practices; an area for conducting workshops and meetings; management of trial areas; and allow access to the trial site areas for South West NRM personnel and interested stakeholders when appropriate.

For further information contact:

 Gary Butler – phone 07 4656 8525; mobile 0427 220 137.

Benchmarking  your  business will assist to:

* Focus management on increasing profits

* Target costs to increase profitability

* Improve efficiency across your business and production system

* Improve business decision confidence

* Keep your financial position in perspective

* Build decision support networks

· Allows graziers the opportunity to share information and compare economics of different grazing enterprise options.

· Information sharing between landholders how to improve profit margins whilst  catering for the triple bottom line.

· Equip SWNRM with information to leverage funding opportunities for the region.

Contact your local South West NRM    District  Coordinator or

Charleville Head Office: 07 4656 8500

Bollon:                                Amy Steer  07 4656 8542 

Cunnamulla:                    Victoria Haig 07 4656 8540

Charleville/Wyandra:   Daniel Wingett 07 4656 8518

Augathella/Tambo:        Daniel Wingett 07 4656 8518

Mungallala/Morven: Julie Frousheger  07 4656 8520

Quilpie:                             Craig Alison 07 4656 8541                       

Thargomindah                 Toni Willmott 07 4656 8453

Minister Ludwig said this is the fourth round of the government’s Community Action Grants, which aim to help communities improve their local environment.
“Community Action Grants empower local community groups to make a positive contribution toward achieving Caring for our Country priorities, particularly around sustainable farm practices, coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats, and biodiversity and natural icons,” Minister Ludwig said. “For the past three years, Community Action Grants have helped local groups nationwide undertake projects that protect and improve their environment with real community benefits.” Mr Sidebottom, said applications this year are particularly encouraged from groups with projects that will build community skills and raise awareness as well as on-ground projects. “Community Action Grants fund a range of projects from tree planting and dune rehabilitation to hosting field days, developing natural resource management plans and demonstrations sites,” Mr Sidebottom said. “These projects collectively build a community’s capacity to make a real and measurable difference to conserve and protect their local environment.” To date, Community Action Grants have funded more than 1,250 projects to a value of $23.5 million and have been delivered by more than 920 community groups across Australia. For more information, and to apply for the Community Action Grants, visit the Caring for our Country website at www.nrm.gov.au or telephone 1800 552 008. Applications close at 5pm (AEDT) on 27 March 2012.

contact: Melissa Patch 0418 734 413 or Katana Smith 0459 813 574 (Ludwig) or Tim Colquhoun 0408 538 832 (Sidebottom)

Queensland Government Flood Recovery Scheme

Regional Riparian Area Fencing Project

As a result of state wide flooding in the summer of 2010-2011, the Queensland Government’s Flood Recovery Scheme has recently allocated funding to the

Paroo, Warrego & Nebine Catchments

This project aims to assist landholders with fencing riparian areas along these catchments to improve long term stability and environmental values.

South West NRM is seeking applications from landholders within the specified catchments to participate in this project.

For further information & an application package, please contact your local South West NRM District Coordinator or

Charleville Head Office: 07 4656 8500

Bollon :Amy Steer  0428220136  0746568542

Cunnamulla: Victoria Haig 0408811022  07 4656 8540

Charleville/Wyandra: Daniel Wingett 0429893994;  07 4656 8518

Mungallala/Morven: Julie Frousheger  0447797362 07 4656 8520

Cooladdi: Craig Alison 0429054600 07 4656 8541

Eulo: Toni Willmott 0428881693   07 4656 8543

Project Goals:

Application Specifications: