Great Eastern Ranges Initiative
A continental-scale lifeline connecting people with nature
A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust describing funded activities from 2007 to 2011
The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS -
Staff and project partners involved in the Current and former staff of the Great Great Eastern Ranges Initiative wish to Eastern Ranges team Ian Pulsford, Gary acknowledge the outstanding support and Howling, Rosemary Crane, Amy Roberts, involvement of the many individuals and Martin Darcy, Tom Barrett, Liz Tilley, Ruth organisations who have shared a passion for Grindrod, Rainer Rehwinkel, Stuart Cohen, conserving Australia‘s richest and most Susie Jackson, Anne Stensletten, Kim intact ecosystems. Duncan, Peter Janacek, Karou Alfonso, Bob Cranshaw NSW Environmental Trust Members of the Trust’s Great Eastern Ranges sub- Colleagues and collaborators Dr Graeme committee – Tom Grosskopf (Chair), Dr Worboys, Prof Brendan Mackey, Dr Simon Graeme Worboys (IUCN-WCPA), Lorraine Ferrier, Dr Veronica Doerr, Dr Erik Doerr, Cairnes (NCC), Judy Henderson (Northern Prof Chris Dickman, James Watson, Prof Rivers CMA), Prof Chris Dickman (University Rob Whelan, Dr David Keith, Dr Peter Smith, of Sydney), Kevin Evans (NPANSW), Roz Dr Klaus Koop, Dr James Watson, Dr Hall (OEH), Councillor Jan Barham (Byron Michael Lockwood, David Godden, Denis Shire Council), Bronwyn Petrie (NSW Byrne, Dr Mark Morrison, Dr Daniel Ramp, Farmers Association), Peter Dixon (NSW Dr John Gollan, Gary Davey, Andrew Environmental Trust) and Kathryn Jones McIntyre, Lyn Baker, Beth Boughton, Keith (State Forests NSW). Thanks go also to Williams, Lynn Webber, Dave Brown, David former sub-committee members: Prof Rob Curtis, Steve Brown, Stuart McMahon, Whelan (University of Wollongong), Norman Michael Saxon, Hilton Naden, Claude Laing (DAA), Mike Bullen (State Forests McDermott, Damon Oliver, Nick Gellie, NSW), (NPANSW), Bernard Carlon (NSW Lorraine Oliver, Penny Spoelder, Deuwer Environmental Trust): Roger Lembit, Ashley Reinders, Maya Beretta, Penny Figgis Love and Andrew Cox (NPANSW). Sub- (IUCN), John Dengate and many others. committee Secretariat: Amoi Salakis and Marina Slavez (NSW Environmental Trust). Interstate agency working group – Dr Charlie Zammit (DSEWPaC); Anita Haenfler, Lead Partner Working Group Current: (DERM Queensland); Phil Peggler and Ian David Butcher (CEO Greening Australia Walker (Parks Victoria); Nina Cullen (DSE NSW); Paul Toni (CEO Nature Conservation Victoria); Sharon Lane (Environment ACT). Trust of NSW); Sue Lennox (CEO OzGREEN); Kevin Evans (Executive Officer Innumerable staff, volunteers and National Parks Association of NSW); Tom supporters from partner organisations Grosskopf and Lynn Webber (Office of including agencies, CMAs, local Environment & Heritage, DPC). Former: government, industry (agriculture, coal, Philippa Walsh (former CEO Greening power, thoroughbred, tourism), Aboriginal Australia NSW); Rob Dunn (former CEO groups, conservation groups, Landcare, Nature Conservation Trust of NSW); Stuart scientists and landholders in each of the five Cowell (Bush Heritage Australia). regional partnership areas. Secretariat: Gary Howling (Office of Environment & Heritage, DPC). Special thanks are extended to the Hon Bob Debus, MP, Lisa Corbyn (CEO Office of Regional Partnership Facilitators Lauren Environment and Heritage, DPC), Simon Van Dyke (Kosciuszko to Coast), Georgia Smith (former DCEO Office of Environment Beyer (Border Ranges); Gabriel Anderson and Heritage, DPC), Sally Barnes (DCEO (Hunter Valley); Tim Beshara (Southern Office of Environment and Heritage, DPC) Highlands Link); Sam Niedra and Alison and Tony Fleming (former Director General, Skinner (Slopes to Summit). National Parks and Wildlife Service).
2 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... 2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... 4
BACKGROUND...... 6
APPROACH TO DELIVERY IN NSW ...... 8
OUTPUTS & MILESTONES...... 14 Lasting Outcomes...... 16 Connectivity Conservation (Goal 1) ...... 17 Communicating With People (Goal 2)...... 20 People Working Together (Goal 3)...... 23 Effective Administration (Goal 4)...... 27 Applying Knowledge (Goal 5)...... 29
GENERAL FINDINGS, CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES ...... 33
CONCLUSIONS...... 35
3 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY -
The Great Eastern Ranges (GER) Initiative aims to maintain and enhance the connectivity of wildlife habitats in eastern Australia. The GER Initiative covers an area extending for more than 3,600 kilometres from central Victoria, through the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, to far north Queensland. The region comprises the most biologically diverse landscapes on the continent, and includes the most extensive network of protected areas and natural habitats in eastern Australia.
Scope of Investment Major Achievements
The first four years of the GER Initiative From July 2007 to September 2011, the involved foundational activities – developing, NSW Environmental Trust invested $6.7 testing, refining and consolidating effective million to establish the GER Initiative through approaches. Successes have been a broad program of community and ‘partner’ demonstrated through: engagement. Particular emphasis was given to: 1. Over 150 voluntary agreements established with landholders, to improve • Implementing connectivity conservation the protection and management of – Delivering of a range of conservation 16,195 hectares of habitat in the most incentives and voluntary management important places. agreements as part of a ‘whole of landscape’ approach to improving the 2. Projects successfully completed with connectivity of habitats in priority partners, delivering $3.555 million in landscapes. funds to grantees.
• Communicating with the community – 3. $15.861 million leveraged from partners Developing the messages and contributions, with in-kind contributions communications ‘infrastructure’ needed of 4:1 for Trust investment ($12.318 to engage, motivate and influence million) and new cash contributions of partners, stakeholders and the wider 1:1 ($3.553 million). community. 4. New partnerships and widespread • People working together - Development involvement from a diverse range of of partnership networks in five priority local, regional, State and national regions: the Border Ranges, Hunter organisations – over 120 organisations Valley, Southern Highlands, south coast are now recognised as ‘partners’ in the (Kosciuszko to Coast), and southwest GER Initiative. slopes (Slopes to Summit). 5. An extraordinarily high level of goodwill, • Effective administration – Implementing with the GER Initiative received transparent and efficient administration positively by all communities and processes, to support efforts to build potential partner organisations long term financial sustainability. approached.
• Applying knowledge and skills – Working 6. Influencing NSW policy (eg draft NSW with scientists and regional partners to Biodiversity Strategy 2010) and the use the best available research, data emerging National Wildlife Corridors and analysis techniques to develop Plan, providing one of the leading agreed goals for action. examples of collaborative large scale initiatives in Australia.
4 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
7. Demonstrated capacity to reach a broad 1. Growing the Initiative – Work with audience and deliver on-ground community-based organisations and outcomes, with a network of partners inter-governmental partners to extend supported by skilled and motivated coverage of the GER Initiative within Regional Partnership Facilitators NSW, and realise the national vision for a connectivity corridor from central 8. Successful transition for the GER Victoria to far north Queensland. Initiative as a Government led program within NSW, to a community-based, 2. Increasing emphasis on targeted NGO-led initiative with a growing threat management – Link with existing presence in Victoria, the ACT and programs to manage weeds, feral Queensland. animals, fire and other threats to areas and landscapes with high conservation value or significance to the community.
Legacy for Biodiversity 3. Building on community values and support – Leverage new and emerging Conservation in NSW partnerships, with a growing number and diversity of organisations, to engage The progress of the GER Initiative in its first landholders and recognise voluntary four years has been a considerable contributions. achievement, made all the more impressive by having been achieved over such a short 4. Aligning with Government priorities – period of time. Investment by the NSW Work with Government agencies to Environmental Trust provided an essential deliver outcomes for priority programs: foundation, without which the GER Initiative o NSW Biodiversity Strategy – would have achieved a fraction of the targeted investment in priority areas outcomes so far. o NSW Green Corridors Program –
supporting bush regeneration and This success highlights the potential for partnership approaches to delivering wider application of the model for effective corridor outcomes through voluntary conservation elsewhere across the GER, contributions; and and Australia more widely. o National priorities - delivering
outcomes under the Caring for our
Country program, Carbon Priorities for the Future Biodiversity Fund and National Wildlife Corridors Plan. An ongoing challenge will be the need to maintain the momentum achieved so far. 5. Diversifying the range of financial Emphasis for future investment is contributions - Leverage partnerships recommended for: with new potential contributors to expand cash and in-kind contributions made beyond Government.
5 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
- BACKGROUND -
The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative is a national effort which aims to maintain and improve connectivity of the mountainous ecosystems of eastern Australia. The Great Dividing Range and Great Escarpment extend for more than 3,600 kilometres from central Victoria, through the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, to far north Queensland. The region comprises the most biologically diverse landscapes on the continent, and includes the most extensive network of protected areas and natural habitats in eastern Australia.
Introduction Purpose of this Report
The GER Initiative is one of a growing This report describes the investment of $6.7 number of internationally recognised million by the NSW Environmental Trust connectivity conservation programs from 2007 to 2011. During this period, the developed in response to the ongoing Office of Environment and Heritage 1 worked decline and mass extinction of species due with an extraordinarily diverse range of to past and current land-use. Since public, non-government and community commencing activities in July 2007, the GER partners to establish the GER Initiative. Initiative has been highly effective in laying the foundations for one of the largest The GER Initiative has been both broad and conservation programs in Australia. complex, involving a diverse range of activities, from delivery of on-ground In the face of an increasingly variable conservation mechanisms to community climate, the GER Initiative is working to awareness raising and capacity building, and strengthen the resilience of natural social research. Detailed accounts of ecosystems and the native plant and animal activities are documented in progress and species they support. Improved resilience is annual reports developed each year from achieved by drawing together the efforts of 2007 to 2011. This report provides a higher various community, industry, government level overview, describing the approach to and non-government organisations and implementation, major achievements and individuals already working in eastern key lessons learned for the future. Australia to concentrate their efforts in the highest priority places. Where possible, the report qualitatively describes ‘attracted‘ and ‘additional’ benefits. Maintaining the ecosystems and the They include benefits from projects that connectivity of the GER is essential for existed before the Initiative commenced, as sustaining the health and well-being of well as unexpected additional outcomes that eastern Australia’s rapidly growing happened because of the project. It reveals population and economy. The targeted those who were inspired to invest or approach taken by the GER Initiative will participate who would not have otherwise help protect water supplies for over three- been involved. It also reviews the lessons quarters of the population of eastern learned and suggests opportunities for Australia, and help sustain the rich improvement in the GER Initiative and other assemblage of plants and animals, and the programs in the future. area’s significant nature-based tourism assets.
1 Note - The Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet was formerly referred to as the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water. To avoid confusion, the organisation is referred to by its current title in this report
6 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
distinguishable from the surrounding Report Structure landscape.
The report is structured in accordance with The GER Initiative covers an area that is reporting requirements by the NSW arguably the terrestrial equivalent of the Environmental Trust: Great Barrier Reef: a linked series of • Main report – an outline of the program, biodiversity hotspots interconnected by a methods, deliverables and evaluation of wide diversity of native vegetation. effectiveness of investment. • Appendices – additional detail, including Within NSW, the ranges comprise examples demonstrated delivery relative to original of most land tenures. Public protected areas business plan commitments. (national parks, nature reserves, etc) occupy • Materials produced – an accompanying 39% of the area, with other public lands CD has been prepared containing an (State forests, military reserves, travelling electronic copy of major products, stock reserves, etc) covering a further 20%. reports and materials developed by the The remainder of the ranges comprise of GER Initiative. private lands. • Financial report – a separate statement of expenditure, including certified record Connectivity of protected areas is greatest in approved by OEH chief financial the southern sections of NSW, the Australian controller. Capital Territory and Victoria. However, parts of the corridor have been cleared and fragmented and are subject to ongoing significant land-use pressures The Great Eastern Figure 1 - The Great Eastern Ranges in Ranges of Australia eastern Australia The great eastern ranges comprise the mountainous watershed that separates the east coast of Australia from inland eastern Australia (see Figure 1).
The ranges extend for more than 3,600 kilometres from central Victoria, through the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, to far north Queensland. Along its route, they trace the landscapes of the Great Dividing Range and Great Escarpment. The region comprises the most biologically diverse landscapes on the continent, and includes the most extensive network of protected areas and natural habitats in eastern Australia.
The ranges form the watershed and headwaters for the major rivers in eastern Australia, directing runoff either towards the coast or inland. It ranges widely in elevation, and includes Australia’s highest mountain (Mt Kosciuszko – 2228 metres) in southern NSW. Here, the ranges receive over 3000 millimetres of rainfall annually. In some areas, there are rugged mountains and in other areas the terrain is barely
7 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
- APPROACH TO DELIVERY IN NSW -
A major strength of the GER Initiative has been its ability to motivate the involvement and commitment of a diverse range of partners. To achieve this, the original 2007-10 Business Plan (Appendix 7) established a simple vision and mission statement, supported by goals which provided a logical basis for implementation.
The Vision Goals in NSW
“Our vision is for the ecosystems of The structure and activities adopted from Australia’s great eastern ranges to be 2007-2011 were guided by a primary goal to healthy and connected from the Australian achieve a network of interconnected habitats Alps to the Atherton Tablelands (and through connectivity conservation, in turn, beyond), which will contribute to the long- supported and further realised by four term economic, social, cultural and spiritual complementary and enabling goals (see wellbeing of the community, and of native Figure 2). plants and animals.” (DECC, 2007)
Figure 2 – Goals adopted for the GER Initiative 2007 to 2011
Goal 1 - Connectivity Conservation “A connected NSW conservation corridor contributing to health ecosystems and healthy people”
Goal 2 - Communicating With People “An aware, supportive and active NSW community”
Goal 3 - People Working Together “People working effectively together for healthy NSW environments”
Goal 4 - Effective Administration “An effectively administered NSW GER Initiative that achieves financial sustainability”
Goal 5 - Applying Knowledge “Applying the knowledge and skills of people wisely for the benefit of conservation in NSW”
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transparency in program-level investment The Role of Partnerships decisions to people in other regions. in Priority Regions An initial desk-top analysis of connectivity priorities considered four variables: Experiences in the GER Initiative and elsewhere demonstrate the importance of 1. Biological values - regional local involvement and coordination. From distinctiveness and species diversity 2007 to 2011, the GER Initiative actively supported delivery of a wide range of 2. Connectivity need - apparent projects in partnership with regional discontinuity in connectedness of habitat organisations. Facilitators were employed in and protected areas each of the five regional partnership areas.
Their priorities during the first four years 3. Conservation and social opportunity - have been: active organisations present with the
• capacity and interest in delivering Agree common values and objectives as collaborative programs the basis for collaborative local action, and develop plans to prioritise and 4. Program contribution - opportunity schedule actions; presented to develop and test approaches that contribute to • Develop locally appropriate governance implementing an effective GER Initiative structures and frameworks to enable the involvement of a diverse range of The desktop assessment identified five contributors and supporters from all regions (Figure 3) as the basis for intended sectors; effort: • Border Ranges; • Use existing networks and innovative • Hunter Valley; media to communicate the importance of • Southern Highlands; local landscapes and the conservation • South coast (Kosciuszko to Coast) ; values they comprise as part of the • Southwest slopes (Slopes to ranges; and Summit).
• Implement collaborative actions that link
and add value to the activities of
organisations and individuals at local, regional and ‘whole of GER’ scales.
Basis for Selecting Priority Regions All areas are not equal in terms of their potential to contribute to maintaining the connectivity of the GER. With around 60% of the area occupying lands other than protected areas, there are multiple options for action. A targeted approach to working in priority areas was adopted to ensure resources were not too thinly spread. Having a clear rationale for why certain regions were targeted was essential for confirming the scope and direction for activities to partners in priority regions, and demonstrating
9 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
Figure 3 – Priority Partnership Regions and the GER Initiative in New South Wales
10 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
Australia NSW, OzGREEN, Nature Management Framework Conservation Trust of NSW, National Parks Association of NSW) working with The operational structure adopted by the OEH. The governance arrangements for GER Initiative was based on the model the Group were covered in a described by Knight et al (2006) 2, and 3 Memorandum of Understanding. The refined by Worboys et al (2010) based on Group is supported by a Director/CEO examples of continental-scale connectivity position. conservation initiatives worldwide. • Ongoing OEH support – As recipient of Implementation was at both a local and the original NSW Environmental Trust ‘NSW’ scales, so as to support and empower funding, the OEH has continued to partners and stakeholders to maintain provide direct support to the NGO ownership and be the drivers and deliverers partners during 2010-11 through of the Initiative’s goals. As described later consolidating delivery of information (see ‘People Working Together’) this model products (research, mapping and was particularly effective in harnessing local communications materials), loan of knowledge, providing the best available and computer hardware and assistance with most scientifically-defensible information, planning, reporting and alignment of providing innovative institutional OEH regional programs. arrangements, and assisting people to engage with the vision.
Thematic working groups Program Governance Working groups were established to guide decision-making, assist with application of Arrangements for funding delivery best practice and support increased Implementation drew on the collective collaboration between experts. knowledge and skills of a large number of • organisations and individuals for guidance: Interstate Working Group - The Environment Protection and Heritage • NSW Environmental Trust subcommittee Council of Australia and New Zealand - Advice on expenditure from the NSW enthusiastically supported the concept of Environmental Trust was provided by a the GER Initiative and in 2007 subcommittee established in 2007. The established an interstate working group subcommittee comprised members from to advise on implementation along its full key stakeholder organisations, with length. Terms of Reference ratified at the outset. • Science and Technical Reference Group • NSW program team - From 2007 to – commenced in 2008, this group 2010, the GER Initiative was delivered provided specialist knowledge on on a day-to-day basis by a small project ecological issues, systematic team within the NSW Office of conservation planning, and consultation Environment and Heritage, DPC (OEH). on economic and social issues.. In July 2010, management of the • Initiative transferred to a Lead Partners Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Reference Group, comprised of four non- Group – Operating from 2007 to 2009, government organizations (Greening this group provided specialist input on matters of importance to indigenous Australians. This role was taken over by 2 Knight AT, Cowling RM and Campbell BM (2006) An the LandAlive Sub-committee of the operational model for implementing conservation action. NSW Environmental Trust from 2009 Conservation Biology 20(2): 408-419 until its conclusion in June 2011. 3 Worboys GL, Francis WL and Lockwood M. Editors.(2010) Connectivity conservation management: a global guide. Earthscan, London.
11 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
• Communications Working Group – Operating from 2008 to 2009, this group provided oversight to the development and implementation of a planned major community awareness campaign.
• Lead Partners Visioning Group – The Lead Partners Visioning Group was formed to guide the future direction of efforts to communicate and transition the GER Initiative to a community led
enterprise. Over time, the group evolved to comprise the Lead Partners Working Group’, which at the time of reporting Projects were designed to deliver the five provides oversight to the GER Initiative goals of the Initiative. The emphasis on under arrangements outlined in the Lead investment generally shifted in each of the Partners’ MOU. regional partnership areas form greater emphasis on community consultation in the • Regional Partnership Steering early stages of the program, through delivery Committees – The strategic direction, of onground works and activities, to activities and ongoing evolution of each emphasis on future financial sustainability of the five regional partnerships is led by towards the latter part of the program (see a core group of committed organisations Figure 4). This approach ensured an representing a range of interests. effective transition from start-up to ongoing delivery.
Program Deliverables A detailed record of key outputs deliverables and milestones (reports, communications products, etc) is provided in Appendix 4.
Program Investment Model
More than $3.555 million in program funds were directed to a wide range of activities as described in the original business plan approved by the NSW Environmental Trust (DECC, 2007). These funds were delivered through partnership grants agreed with partner organisations. Grants followed a standard format provided by the Trust, and provided an opportunity to record partners intended cash and inkind contributions.
12 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
Figure 4 – Summary of investments and outcomes
2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Outcomes
Voluntary landholder agreements* Protection and management of 16,195ha of native habitat
Devolved grants scheme (Pilot) Demonstrated role of regional partnerships in funding delivery
Aboriginal property management plans Improved capacity, with traditional knowledge recorded and collated
Community wildlife survey Raised awareness of habitat values of NCT covenanted properties
Youth engagement Tested the use of community bird survey and youth involvement programs
Field days, forums and workshops Increased awareness of natural and cultural heritage values
Brand development and testing Clarity in presentation of the GER Initiative
Website creation and maintenance Enhanced capacity to develop and implement plans
Brochures and other materials Improved understanding of the GER Initiative
Conservation planning Long term cross-sector partnerships established and growing
Partnership facilitation & support More than 120 organisation participating
Aboriginal community capacity building Improved capacity to participate in partnerships
Review of income sources Progress made on securing a funding from new sources
Business development Alignment of goals, activities and investments of partners
Inventory of natural and human values Values of the GER presented in accessible form
Social research Improved understanding of social drivers for involvement
Spatial analysis of priorities Best science, information and data available to GER partners
Mapping baseline conditions Improved capacity to predict and monitor change
Border Ranges Hunter Valley Southern Highlands Kosciuszko to Coast Slopes to Summit Whole of GER
13 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
- OUTPUTS & MILESTONES -
The intention to establish the GER Initiative over four years necessitated a rapid evolution from partnership formation to self-sufficiency. Emphasis changed each year (Figure 5) to ensure lessons learned from pilot activities in 2007-08 were strengthened and translated for use elsewhere.
During 2008-09, Regional Partnership Implementing a Regional Facilitators proved essential to ensuring capacity to develop and establish networks Partnership Model of active and interested groups locally. The central GER team provided guidance and Each regional partnership progressed along advice on conservation priorities, suggested similar pathways, but emerged from very a pathway for exploration of opportunities for different backgrounds. For example, the partnership development, mentored existence of a network of already development of projects and helped build the collaborating partners in Kosciuszko to skills needed to ensure long term capacity Coast (K2C) and Border Ranges, and the for local leadership. high level of receptivity to the GER concept in Slopes to Summit (S2S) allowed for rapid Focus in 2009-10 shifted to a dual emphasis early progress. Efforts in the Hunter Valley on supporting regional skills and delivery required a more active effort. The region was capacity and building a portfolio of recognised as a significant opportunity, but information and governance capacity at the no efforts had previously been made to bring whole of GER level. Leading NGO partners together partners there to explore were involved in discussions about how the opportunities for collaboration. Initiative might adapt and persist beyond the
period of the original NSW Environmental The K2C and S2S pilot partnerships proved Trust funding. The role of Facilitators, the particularly successful. A series of need to expand beyond a NSW-focused workshops were subsequently held in the delivery effort, and a more sophisticated Hunter Valley, Border Ranges and Southern funding model were recognised as essential. Highlands leading to the establishment of active community partnerships in those By this stage, conservation priorities had landscapes towards the end of 2007-08. been agreed in all regions and partnerships External consultants worked closely with the had developed to take on a more active role OEH Principal Conservation Analyst to in guiding investment of grants. identify likely participants, and plan intensive consultation in preparing the groundwork for The agreement of Lead Partners to deliver a regional partnership to be formed. the GER Initiative under a Lead Partners’
MOU was a key milestone. The Lead
Partners agreed to take on collaborative responsibility for providing leadership, aligning existing programs, skills and capacity to deliver essential activities and coordination capacity, and actively lobby for future funding. Funding from the original NSW Environmental Trust allocation was extended into 2010-11. This proved vital for supporting the transition under the Lead Partners’ MOU.
14 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
Figure 5 – Activities and achievements comprising the establishment phase of the GER Initiative
Year Focus Activities and Achievements 2007-08 Developing o Governance framework and central coordination team established o Two pilot regional partnerships and conservation covenant programs established; o Consultation (national and within priority regions) commenced 2008-09 Testing and o Data and information collation refining o Conservation planning and project development procedures developed and implemented o Partnerships established in three additional regions o Implementing a marketing, branding and awareness program to enhance sustainability and engage the NSW community; o Investing in the scientific basis for decision making (biological, social and economic priorities) and future governance arrangements o Piloting the integrated delivery of conservation mechanisms on private land 2009-10 Consolidation o Conservation analysis and prioritisation refined at whole of GER and regional scales o Capacity building of regional partnerships and facilitators o Consultation on future governance arrangements 2010-11 Transition o Responsibility for management transferred to Lead Partners o Central coordination function repositioned o Funding and major projects sought for ongoing regional and GER projects o Consultation on expansion in Victoria and Queensland
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- EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS - Lasting Outcomes
The GER Initiative has been enormously influential in establishing the foundations needed to achieve the long term vision, and helping to frame understanding of connectivity conservation both nationally and globally. The activities, achievements and experiences of the first four years are documented in the following sections. However, three areas in particular are highlighted as major achievements with lasting benefit.
The GER Initiative: Social Capital • Developed partnerships with active The NSW Environmental Trust’s investment regional delivery partners; in the GER Initiative has primed the conditions needed to harness community • Delivered a proven model for aligning involvement and make real progress by existing programs based on a shared establishing: vision; and
• Goodwill from partners and the • Transferred leadership of regional community; partnerships and the wider GER Initiative
• from Government to the community. Widespread acceptance and a positive reception from landholders and land managers; Triggering a National • Demonstrated success in targeting conservation instruments towards priority Response areas; The GER Initiative greatly influenced the • An effective model for integrated delivery national agenda for connectivity of a suite of available conservation conservation, demonstrating the basis for a instruments; and model for linking landscapes on a national scale. It succeeded in this by achieving: • Success in encouraging alignment of partners programs with GER outcomes • Widespread scientific acceptance of the and ability to leverage co-investment. GER as an national priority for attention;
• Adoption of the Mackey Report (Mackey et al, 2010) as the basis for considering A Program for the Future connectivity conservation in the Australian context; The GER Initiative established the first successful Government-private sector • Agenda setting contributions to the partnership for delivery of cross-regional, Kingscliffe Conference (2009) and whole of landscape conservation in NSW. Linking Landscapes Coalition workshop The needs of such an approach are diverse at Aitken Hill (2010), leading to the and complex, and required the development National Wildlife Corridors Plan; and of systems, approaches and processes so that partners could have confidence that • Stimulating a number of large scale or their efforts would have positive impact. continental scale initiatives on other parts of the continent.
16 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
Connectivity Conservation (Goal 1)
Connectivity conservation is a socially inclusive approach to addressing conservation on a large- landscape scale. Past expectations that we might adequately conserve nature in protected areas has been replaced by recognition that even the largest protected areas act as ‘islands’ of habitat surrounded by lands managed for agriculture, industry or human settlement. A broader perspective is needed which accommodates the whole landscape.
o Property purchase, for inclusion in the Approach network of Bush Heritage Australia reserves, or by Nature Conservation Connectivity conservation works encourages Trust of NSW (NCT) under their landholders, industry groups, traditional revolving fund programs. owners, Governments, non-government organisations and others to collaborate in o In-perpetuity Trust agreements (NCT) delivering their respective skills and and conservation agreements (OEH) programs. The combined effort serves to targeted high conservation-value create ‘corridors of effort’ in priority areas, remnants and habitat linkages. which in turn combine to influence connectivity on a wider scale. o Medium-term (15–25 year) property vegetation plans delivered by Catchment The GER Initiative has promoted a holistic Management Authorities supported approach that uses science to identify habitat management, restoration of where, why and how ‘gaps’ in native habitat strategic local connections, and can be restored to provide functional links. It improved condition through fencing, integrates many features including local stock management, and assisted natural wildlife corridors, habitat stepping stones regeneration. and may even include introduced vegetation with similar characteristics to native o Short-term (1-5 year) restoration vegetation. incentives were offered to landholders to manage conservation threats and protect At its heart, the GER Initiative seeks to habitat, including weed management, increase the connectedness of habitat by fencing and stock management, and encouraging management to maintain an habitat improvement in the priority area's condition. Partners deliver a range of locations. conservation instruments which reflect the spectrum of activities from education and Strong preference was given to direct awareness raising, to improved investment in mechanisms with the greatest management and medium to long-term security, so that NSW Environmental Trust protection. funds available for on-ground activities were largely directed to in-perpetuity agreements. Priority areas for investment were identified through conservation action plans in each region, (except the Border Ranges, where partners rely on the Border Ranges Rainforest Biodiversity Management Plan). Conservation mechanisms and incentives for landholders covered the spectrum of potential assistance. They included:
17 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
taken to increase interest and involvement. Outcomes & Impact Awareness raising and entry-level instruments are often essential to encourage In all landscapes, the GER Initiative landholder interest, and set participants on a demonstrated the effect achieved by having path towards increased commitment over multiple instruments delivered in concert to time. For example, in the Southern demonstrate improved outcomes in terms of: Highlands Link and Upper Hunter Link, OEH o A mosaic of connected habitats Conservation Partners Program worked with managed under complementary the relevant CMA, GER Facilitator, and instruments; and others to deliver workshops outlining o A longer term approach to increasing conservation support options and encourage landholder participation. ‘grassroots’ involvement in entry level programs. A mosaic of connected habitats managed under complementary Improved conservation through instruments available mechanisms A cross-tenure approach to delivery of The result was a greater awareness of, and conservation instruments was implemented interest in uptake of, available mechanisms. to ensure efforts and multiple instruments The result was increased protection and link to create corridors of effort across the improved management of 16,195 hectares of landscape. Examples include the case study native habitat in the most important locations presented for Slopes to Summit (see Case through conservation agreements, wildlife Study 9, Appendix 1). refuge agreements and Property Vegetation Plans, each complementing additions to the public and private protected areas network A long term approach to increasing (see Figure 6). landholder participation
In landscapes with initially low levels of landholder uptake of conservation instruments, a longer term approach was
Figure 6: Number and area of voluntary agreements funded the GER from 2007–11 Type Number Area (ha) Area Type Number (hectares) Property purchase (Bush Heritage Australia, Nature 6 4,989 Conservation Trust) In-perpetuity (conservation agreements, NCT 86 9,526 agreements) Long-term (15-year property vegetation plan (PVP), 34 1,220 wildlife refuge) Other (whole-of-paddock restoration, Landcare 30 460 agreements)
TOTAL 156 16,195
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Changed investment behaviour cross-tenure, whole of landscape projects. The inclusive model adopted led to a change in behaviour of many partner organisations • Landholder efforts - Voluntary activities involved. In the Hunter Valley, for example, it undertaken by landholders and brought together a diverse range of managers who retain and protect habitat opposing players who had not previously on their property without recourse to met to discuss achieving shared goals for public incentives. the valley’s future landscape. Agreement on conservation enabled partners to target their efforts into areas where a common interest 3. Account for ‘matrix’ and integrated was shared with others. Targeted effort, investments adopted in preference to previous ‘scattered’ investments, was essential to provide places All lands with native vegetation (even in poor where collaboration could occur. condition) have potential to contribute and be acknowledged. Metrics and activity reporting systems should be developed to help people voluntary record their efforts and Opportunities for Future celebrate involvement.
Improvement 1. Account more explicitly for partners’ 4. Expand role in bush regeneration aligned efforts Delivery of a pilot devolved grants scheme in Explore options for tools to allow partner the Border Ranges and roadside organisations to voluntarily record and report revegetation projects in S2S demonstrated activities and on-ground works in the GER, the importance of supporting local bush to allow for more explicit acknowledgement regeneration efforts. The GER Initiative is of the wealth of investment and activity being well placed to expand its role in bush made. The Atlas of Living Australia provides regeneration and revegetation in priority opportunities to explore this need. areas, and deliver peri-urban programs in western Sydney and other major centres. Greater emphasis on regeneration and 2. Build stronger links with activities that revegetation would expand the options manage threats to core values of the GER available for participation and support delivery of a fuller range of management The considerable investment by many in interventions, and provide future links with society in widespread activities and carbon market opportunities. establishing protected areas in NSW present a significant opportunity. Future efforts should explore opportunities to involve: 5. Deliver a spectrum of voluntary conservation instruments
• The existing protected areas network – Integrated delivery of a range of voluntary accounting for the contribution of public conservation instruments has proved and private protected areas, and effective, and the growing number of local opportunities for strategic acquisitions to community groups continues to expand the adopt and align with GER priorities. capacity and skills of GER partnerships.
Continued growth in emphasis on voluntary • Management of feral species, native instruments would expand the options pests, weeds and fire – in addition to available for participation and ensure managing principal threats to delivery of a full range of management biodiversity, connectivity and human interventions. values, provides an opportunity to
engage with landholders and encourage
19 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
Communicating With People (Goal 2)
Involvement of a broad cross-section of society is essential to achieve connectivity conservation in a practical way. Cross-tenure approaches rely on the involvement of land managers − from farmers, to power generators and infrastructure managers, to public land administration agencies. These in turn require an aware and supportive community, with understanding across a broad cross-section of the media, academia and policy makers. From the outset, the GER Initiative recognised good communication as essential to ensuring the awareness, understanding and support of a wide and diverse audience.
networks. The creative content of the Approach communication strategy remained unchanged, but was modified to suit the The communications strategy was strongly changed delivery modes. influenced by four significant developments and opportunities not originally anticipated: • Renaming as the ‘Great Eastern Ranges Innovative industry partnerships - Initiative’; tourism • A shift away from broad advertising as the basis for raising awareness; Tourism was introduced as a new direction • Exploration of innovative partnerships in the 2008–09 business plan. The industry with the tourism sector; and was recognised as a source of potential • Increased emphasis on web-based tools support with potential to raise awareness to engage, and support collaboration with a broad audience. between, partners.
‘Re-branding’ the Initiative Traditional communications A major decision during the first 12 months • Media and popular publications - saw the adoption of “Great Eastern Ranges” Significant interest was stimulated by as the preferred name for the Initiative. This coverage in publications, such as the decision was based on market research and Sydney Morning Herald (July 2010) and focus group testing, which indicated that popular magazines including; Cosmos “Great Eastern Ranges” had greater (Australian Science magazine; resonance than did the original title, “Alps to August/September 2009); Australian th Atherton”. Traveller (April/May 2010); and the 100 edition of Australian Geographic (October 2010). Strategic Approach to Marketing & Promotions • Field days - Community field days, planting events and information sessions Preliminary work was undertaken towards were used to provide a cost effective implement an awareness campaign based way to attract and communicate on advertising. The campaign was intended consistently with a large number of to establish a brand and promote community people. These include: the ‘iconic status’ of the ranges. Late • K2C Launch and Farming and approval of the budget and a change in Biodiversity Fair (in Bredbo May government policy on advertising resulted in 2008 and October 2010); a significant change in the direction of the • NSW Landcare conference (Port proposed marketing/TV campaign. Delivery Macquarie, August 2009); of the GER messages instead shifted to the • Big Scrub Rainforest Day use of web-based tools and increased (Bangalow, annually in September reliance on partners’ communication 2009, 2010 and 2011);
20 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
• Inaugural National Linking Landscapes Summit (Kingscliff, Outcomes & Impact October 2009); • Healthy People Healthy Parks Appropriate frameworks for Congress (Melbourne, April 2010); communications • Slopes to Summit Wattle Planting Day and Launch (Woomargama, The shift in the communications strategy May 2010). proved advantageous. A key lesson from attempts to implement a major • Public presentations - Over 100++ oral communications campaign highlighted the presentations to meetings, scientific and critical importance of ensuring that there is community symposia, conferences and first clarity in expression of what is being workshops have been conducted. communicated, and ensuring that the program being promoted is fully operational and able to respond to the high level of • Web-based communications - An community interest generated. interactive website was launched in
December 2009. The site is increasingly A revised communications strategy was used as a vehicle to stimulate partners’ adopted to ensure good long-term interactions and showcase successes. foundations for communications. It The website can be viewed at: emphasised the importance of well www.greateasternranges.org.au . developed internal communications as a pre-
curser to a high public profile, for a project of • Photographic competition - Awareness this scale and scope. of the ranges as a destination was raised
in a photographic competition campaign in Australian Traveller magazine during Collaboration in communications 2009. The competition generated widespread interest, and yielded a large The large number and broad range of number of images which showcased the interests involved demonstrates the power natural and community values people and capacity to engage more widely with the associate with the ranges. community than would be feasible for a small team. Successes and changed • National Parks Visitor Exhibition - The directions demonstrated the importance of GER Touring Exhibition was displayed partnership-based programs conducting for varying periods at Tumut, Jindabyne, communications on two levels to ensure: Fitzroy Falls, Scone, Byron Bay and • the support and resourcing needed by Minnamurra Falls, attracting significant regional facilitators to conduct media attention. OEH staff co-ordinated communications at a local level; and the program and arranged events and • communications for the Initiative as a media in conjunction with the Regional whole, within Government and to the Facilitators. A video developed for the wider community. exhibition has also been used widely as an awareness-raising tool for presentations and meetings. The Addressing community desire for exhibition has returned to Tumut where it action on ‘global’ issues will remain until future program can be The enthusiasm of the response from arranged. community groups, councils, industry and
conservation groups exceeds the resources
currently available. The key factors driving this support unique are seemingly unique within the eastern Australian context, and include: • community concern about the impacts of climate change on biodiversity;
21 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
• community readiness to accept ‘big GER team to limit the amount of attention picture’ strategies; paid to clearly communicating achievements. • the simple and understandable message A number of observers have queried the that underpins the GER vision; and Initiatives contribution to conservation. It is • the GER Initiative’s cohesive logical essential that the successes and approach that aims to maximise the wise achievements made to date and how this use of limited available resources to differs from and adds value to others’ efforts mitigate the impacts of climate change are celebrated. Clear messages need to be on our biologically diverse ecosystems. maintained on how the Initiative adds value to more ‘traditional’ approaches.
Materials and personal stories to motivate involvement 3. Establish realistic goals and appropriate frameworks for communications A variety of downloadable resource materials including fact sheets, video stories, The original intended emphasis on news and partnership activities were advertising had merits, but demonstrated the published on the website. Story-based importance of first establishing a brand and material from involved landholders and other program success. As the Initiative expands, GER activities was also developed, both in it should maintain a strategy in which video and written form. It was used for the coordination, realistic goals setting and website and to pitch content for editorial agreed branding conventions are used to coverage. first ensure excellence in internal communications, and then present a unified public face.
Opportunities for Future 4. Empower a network of partners to Improvement harness inspired enthusiasm
The GER Initiative has extraordinary ability Community engagement requires a strong to enthuse and mobilise a diverse cross- education component and should seek to section of interests. The greatest engage a wide section of local communities in the long term. Messaging must be communications opportunity and challenge will be to convey a simple and united face audience appropriate and consistent both and vision to the public, despite the program within partnership networks and across the being (in reality) complex. wider program. A wide range of products and media should be engaged as appropriate to educate and engage the wider 1. Maintain clarity on the vision and audience. approach
The GER Initiative was challenged throughout by mixed perceptions and 5. Expand the role and involvement of interpretations of its purpose, and potential tourism where this contributes to a managed to achieve parallel or divergent objectives. partnership development agenda The need to maintain clarity and consistency Tourism remains an important but largely on messaging about the vision, goals and key strategies will continue as the Initiative untapped, potential contributor. Particular expands into new regions. opportunities exist in landscapes such as the Border Ranges (to link with the National Landscapes Initiative), Hunter Valley (wine 2. Communicate achievements and the industry), Southern Highlands and Blue value proposition Mountains (proximity to Sydney) and the
Alps and south coast (ski industry and Delays in the communications strategy proximity to Canberra). combined with intensive workloads for the
22 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
People Working Together (Goal 3)
The GER Initiative is grounded in thinking on whole-of-landscape conservation, and a recognition that all land tenures contribute to a wider landscape outcome. Field margins and roadsides adjacent to production paddocks, travelling stock routes, land owned by industry and utility providers all have a greater or lesser potential to complement protected areas as part of a network of connected habitats.
completion after two years of work by18 Approach organisations from NSW and Queensland. The GER Initiative provided further impetus The GER Initiative accommodated for activities that would consolidate the consideration of varied land tenures and network through implementation and funding uses, and implemented collaborative efforts opportunities. at three scales: • national – support for collaborative efforts by organisations and Transition to non-government governments working across state and leadership regional boundaries • regional – partnerships developed with a On 26 May 2010, a Lead Partners’ range of stakeholders working towards a Memorandum of Understanding was signed common outcome in a particular region by the heads of four conservation NGOs • focus areas – working in partnership with (Greening Australia NSW, Nature one or more organisations on a specific Conservation Trust of NSW, National Parks project to deliver a specific outcome. Association of NSW, OzGREEN) and OEH. The MOU outlines a commitment to work together to deliver the GER Initiative into the Conservation planning as a basis for future, transitioning from primary reliance on collaboration funds from the NSW Environmental Trust to being supported by a wider consortium of Conservation planning provided an important contributors. The MOU heralded a shift in early focus for each regional partnership, project leadership from OEH to a collective and acted as a catalyst for new thinking on of key conservation NGOs, with OEH as one approaches to understanding priorities for partner. collaborative projects. The Lead Partners’ MOU was revised and Each of the regional partnerships, (apart recommitted to in September 2011 to enable from the Border Ranges), were helped to new partnerships and expansion in other undertake a conservation action planning states. process, based on methods developed by The Nature Conservancy. The process involved scoping regional conservation Other whole of GER collaborations attributes and values, agreement on assets • that would form the basis for planning, Inter-governmental MOU – Members of assessment of status and threats, and the GER Inter-governmental Working Group have developed a draft MOU development of strategies and scheduled actions to address priorities. which was canvassed with the other States in late 2010. At the time of Each partnership arose from varied reporting, the NSW Government has circumstances, ranging from pre-existing reconfirmed its commitment to collaborate with the ACT, Queensland networks to partnerships stimulated by the GER. In the Border Ranges, a ‘Rainforest and Victorian Governments on Biodiversity Management Plan’ was nearing supporting the Initiative. Completion of the MOU provides an important
23 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
opportunity to establish the GER Initiative as a national program in Outcomes & Impact practice, as well as in vision. Throughout the project, the partnership • Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) - The ALA approach adopted by the GER Initiative has provides a powerful tool to improve stimulated collaborative activity far beyond accessibility for the extensive range of what would have been undertaken without the GER mapping and data and expand the catalytic influence of the GER Initiative. the profile of the Initiative. Importantly This required substantial commitment of time the project will showcase the Initiative at and resources to build strong relationships a continental scale, while still allowing and common understandings with the key the Regional Partnerships to develop partners. However, the response of partners their own projects. The project has and outcomes demonstrate the involved the collaboration of the extraordinarily high rate of return achievable Regional Facilitators, partners and OEH by this model. staff. Assessment of additionality: value- • National Wildlife Corridors Plan - The GER Initiative has been involved in the adding the Trust’s investment process to develop the National Wildlife The larger number and broader range of Corridor Plan to be approved by Minister interests involved provides considerable Burke in December 2011. Early power and capacity to engage widely with investment in the prioritisation of focus the community than would be feasible for areas and science by the GER Initiative, one organisation alone. combined with the growing partnership with the Atlas of Living Australia, have Significant new investment was attracted to raised great interest from the Advisory value-add funding from the NSW Group. The GER Initiative is well placed Environmental Trust: $3.555 million was to take advantage of this shift in focus by invested through grants to regional, State the Australian Government. and national implementation partners. This funding in turn leveraged an estimated $12.318 million of in-kind contribution to the GER Initiative. An additional $3.553 million in new cash contributions were made to projects (Figure 7).
Figure 7: Cash and in-kind co-contributions leveraged by NSW Environmental Trust grant and project allocations for the GER Initiative
Leveraged co-investment from partners NSW Environmental Year Trust Grants In-kind New Cash Total annual co- Contributions Contributions contributions
2007-08 216,000 2,654,000 104,000 2,748,000
2008–09 1,243,170 2,653,300 1,571,400 4,224,700
2009–10 1,289,033 4,784,900 1,159,000 5,943,900
2010–11 807,500 2,226,000 719,000 2,945,000
TOTAL 3,555,703 12,318,200 3,553,400 15,861,600
24 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
Cross-sector involvement information and enquiries about the partnership. Over 120 partner organisations are now • Identify new potential partners and working together to plan and implement a funding opportunities. range of voluntary conservation activities • Develop, implement, evaluate and with private and other public landholders and review local conservation priorities and managers in the five priority landscape plans. areas.
The GER Initiative has proved effective in Experiences shared beyond the GER reaching beyond the traditional ‘conservation’ and ‘natural resource As a recognised leader in connectivity management’ sectors to encourage conservation, the GER Initiative has been involvement from other interests, including able to share experiences with members of heavy industry (mining, electricity the other major corridor project in Australia generation), horticulture and agriculture, (Gondwana Link, Habitat 141 and tourism (including ecotourism and hoteliers’ Tasmanian Midlandscapes.) The Initiative is networks), research and academic, included as a case study in several Government (local, State and national), and publications on connectivity conservation, both local and peak national conservation contributes to leadership of the National groups. Aboriginal communities are Linking Landscapes Coalition, and has been increasingly involved, with representation on showcased in several major international partnership working groups, and ongoing conferences. activities in several regions.
Growing maturity of partnership Opportunities for Future networks Improvement The successful establishment and evolution of the five GER regional partnerships is Arguably, the greatest achievement has been to establish the social capital needed described earlier (‘Implementing a Regional to realize the potential from investment in Partnership Model’, pg. 13) The GER team has observed growing commitment from conservation instruments, communications, science and coordination. community, agencies and CMAs. This includes collaborative planning, information 1. Expand upon the leverage of the social sharing, data collection and conservation capital created to date analysis. OEH programs are being reviewed to identify those intersecting with the GER Existing project activities, willingness to Initiative. This will be the first step in participate in collaborative activities and understanding how existing government conservation programs contribute to acceptance of the wider premis of a connectivity conservation initiative opens up delivering connectivity conservation. many opportunities to expand the reach of the Initiative. Confirmation of the need for regional partnership facilitation 2. Expand on the proven model and Throughout the funded period, Facilitators communicate lessons learned to emerging were found to be essential to providing the partnership areas conditions needed to ensure effective delivery of the Initiative: The model demonstrated so far proves the • Provide impetus, capacity and critical importance of: enthusiasm to maintain local action. • Regional Facilitators – to provide the • Develop and maintain local contacts and capacity to enthuse and coordinate local networks, and provide a central point for efforts;
25 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
• Seed funding – to provide a pool of opportunities, engaging directly with suitable funds for collaborative decisions and to strategic opportunities, and provide a context provide a core of activities that partners for other groups to connect with the GER can align their efforts with; and Initiative as part of its organic growth. • A higher level coordination capacity to provide the ‘glue’ to hold the Initiative together by maintaining the vision, and 4. Strengthen alignment of core Government link local efforts with the wider programs endeavour. OEH has also continued to promote the Investment in these aspects of core capacity Initiative through policy instruments and is the minimum needed as the basis for mechanisms, including the Draft NSW success in future efforts to establish and Biodiversity Strategy 2010-15 and Priorities grow collaborative projects. for Biodiversity Adaptation to Climate Change. Considerable potential exists for a broad range of OEH core programs to be 3. Combine emerging partnership modified to more closely support and opportunities with a strategic plan for strengthen the GER Initiative, in turn expansion and growth leveraging the support and community engagement skills of the NGO and business There is a need to rationalise and manage sectors. future expansion and growth by improving understanding of priorities relative to
26 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
Effective Administration (Goal 4)
The investment by the NSW Environmental Trust and partner organisations required OEH to establish transparent and accountable procedures for making decisions about the allocation of funds to projects, tracking and reporting progress and reporting outcomes to the Trust and wider community.
any variances relative to the original Approach approved budget.
A range of best practice project management and reporting systems were Program governance arrangements established by OEH from the outset. These have been monitored and improved upon, The project governance requirements based on advice from the NSW established by the NSW Environmental Trust Environmental Trust and its GER Sub- involved significant emphasis on records- committee, the OEH executive, and more keeping and reporting. The Sub-committee recently the Lead Partners Working Group. noted in its final meeting that few non- All have been provided with regular progress government organisations had the same reports. capacity to perform the necessary governance role for such a large and In 2008−09, the NSW Environmental Trust complex program. Agency involvement to decided to reduce the overall budget for the support this aspect of large initiatives would GER Initiative by $300,000 to $6.7 million likely prove important in the future. overall. The Trust also decided to hold over $665,000 or $807,500?? to 2010−11 to allow the Initiative to continue into its fourth year. This decision resulted in a small number of Outcomes & Impact changes to the delivery of previously planned projects. Several projects, including Basis for future income sources an intended performance evaluation project, established did not proceed as originally planned. An important objective of the GER Initiative
has been to attract sufficient resources to Efficient use of available funds sustain an ongoing program beyond June 2011. The establishment phase included Over four years, budgets have been several strategies, including: implemented annually, meeting approved business plans. The funds have been • Effective networks - Development and managed effectively within approved budget consolidation of networks of motivated parameters, with variances of less than four and engaged partner organisations to per cent in 2007−08 and less than one per attract ongoing support of funding cent in 2008−09 and 2009–10. Savings bodies; made in 2009-10 enabled an additional year of operations, while the altered program • Community ownership - A community structure and investment priorities adopted visioning process involved partners in by the Lead Partners in 2010-11 contributed developing a long term vision and agree to the GER Initiative remaining funded to 30 a governance framework for the Initiative September 2011. to persist beyond 2011;
An approved financial statement has been • Tourism strategy - Development of a provided to accompany this report, and draft tourism engagement strategy to includes a breakdown of expenditure and consider and realize the potential role of the tourism sector in promoting the GER
27 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
Initiative and its objectives, and to 3. Work with existing and prospective provide a basis for the tourism industry partners to identify potential locations for to engage with the GER Initiative in a collaborative pilot projects mutually (including financially) beneficial way. Develop proposals to establish pilot projects in the most likely viable locations. The full value proposition lies in the national endeavour. Opportunities for Future Improvement
1. Periodically review opportunities previously highlighted by partner organizations to leverage new funding.
Key tasks involved in this exercise should include:
1. synthesise recommendations on likely sources of program income;
2. describe suggested models for trialling the application of these opportunities in the GER program context, and
3. identify gaps in investigations and target opportunities for further investigation of income sources specific to the GER Initiative.
2. Obtain expert advice on establishing pilot projects (including appropriate governance frameworks) that satisfy the potential for income
This will involve seeking advice on governance and sustainable investment frameworks from experts with experience in similar conservation initiatives, such as the Yellowstone to Yukon Initiative in North America, and in particular how current strategies employed by the GER Initiative to promote awareness, support and ownership of the program by partners (e.g. the ‘community visioning process’) might be utilized to best effect.
28 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
Applying Knowledge (Goal 5)
The original Business Plan placed strong emphasis on the need to gather, collate and synthesise data and knowledge to guide implementation. Success was achieved through development of a Science and Information Delivery Plan with guidance provided by the GER Science and Technical Working Group.
• Mapping regional biodiversity assets – A Approach broad range of maps and information products were developed to support The wealth of data, published and grey planning and help with future literature exists to describe the natural and communications (see Appendix 2). cultural heritage values of the eastern ranges. Four projects commissioned in • Analysis of conservation opportunities 2007-08 addressed the need to synthesise and constraints – Mapping layers were and improve the accessibility of essential analysed to explore conservation information, and translate the relationship opportunities based on distribution of between natural, cultural and ongoing socio- assets, patterns of land tenure (reserves, economic values into design of the GER stock routes, roadside, private efforts, Initiative. The program resulted in the etc) and threats (mining, infrastructure several important reports: developments, etc).
• Natural Heritage Values (Hyder, 2008) – • Analysis of connectivity values and The vegetation and habitats which form regional priorities – New techniques in the ‘fabric’ of the GER, and along with were developed to model core habitat the unique or iconic features that and potential connectivity values, and highlight the significance of this part of correlate these as drivers of bird the State. migration (see Case Study, Appendix 1).
• Cultural Heritage Values (Umwelt, 2008) – Traditional use and management of Priorities for connectivity at the eastern ranges by indigenous continental scales people, the role of the ranges in the European settlement and development Principles for continental scale connectivity of the Australian identity since the conservation - A landmark report by Mackey eighteenth century. et al (2010), provided the first evaluation of connectivity conservation as an approach in • Socio-economic values (Morrison, 2008) Australia. Aspects of its principles have been – Key determinants of landholders incorporated into the national Caring for Our involvement in managing the vegetation Country Program, and the Australian and and habitats of the ranges through NSW Biodiversity Strategies. More recently, voluntary and incentivised conservation the Australian Government has adopted the instruments. report in development of the National Wildlife Corridors Plan.
Knowledge applied through Continental scale ecological processes and conservation planning conservation priorities - A ‘compendium’ project comprising five discrete components Conservation planning gave a strong early was commissioned, supplemented by funds focus for collaboration and stimulated from the CSIRO Climate Adaptation several other processes: Program, to develop techniques to prioritise management of continental scale ecological processes.
29 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
• Characteristics and delivery of incentives Outcomes & Impact programs to maximise landholder uptake across socio-economic segments. The GER Initiative has positively impacted the collective understanding of conservation The results of the research have had priorities in eastern NSW by providing: immediate influence by guiding Hawkesbury- Nepean CMA on how best to promote 1. Increased knowledge and understanding available incentives and will be used by of the biological attributes of the GER them to guide operational planning and and of their significance in the context of delivery of a Caring for our Country funded broader continental ecosystems; project.
2. Greater awareness and understanding of biological, human and existence values Baseline mapping of activity to of the great eastern ranges, threats to these values, and opportunities and assist future monitoring priorities for action to address these. A major data collation and spatial analysis project in 2009-10 helped to provide an 3. Increased recognition of the scientific understanding of how public and private credibility and validity of connectivity efforts align and contribute to achieving a conservation in the eastern ranges and conservation corridor along the GER (see the importance of continued investment Appendix 2). For the first time, data from a to understand and address conservation variety of disparate government agencies, priorities. CMAs and non-government partner organisations was collated to depict the 4. Increased adoption of advice from spread of effort over public and private scientists and researchers by public and lands. private land managers, and mainstreaming of GER-focussed The exercise highlighted a number of conservation priorities in partners’ limitations in current project tracking strategic planning and program databases, with data recording found to be implementation. both patchy and inconsistent. The need for a simple but cost-effective tool to allow NGO and public land management activities to be New approaches to social research recorded and their details collated for used to frame messaging monitoring purposes, was strongly highlighted. From 2008-2010, the GER Initiative invested significantly in understanding the major community drivers involved in landholder Leadership on the science of uptake of instruments and involvement in connectivity conservation programs at deliver on-ground connectivity conservation outcomes. Social research by The scientific agenda adopted has allowed Charles Sturt University and the University of the GER Initiative to establish a reputation Tasmania in the Southern Highlands Link for leadership on science of connectivity partnership explored: conservation through: • Consolidation of existing knowledge to • Socio-economic segmentation of the establish foundational principles for local community, and how this influences connectivity conservation in the likelihood of participating in conservation Australian context, as outlined by mechanisms; Mackey et al (2010); • Key messages and media relevant to • Collation of data and published increasing effectiveness in encouraging information to define the biological uptake of available mechanisms; and values, processes and threats to biodiversity operating at continental scales;
30 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
• Development of a framework to enable 3. Quantify the value proposition high level visioning to be translated into practical decision support at key The GER Initiative has enormous community operational scales (State, regional, local, appeal. However, its benefits extend beyond project); the ‘feel good’ that stems from collaboration. • Refinement of techniques to analyse and Long term support will increasingly demand priorities connectivity priorities at demonstration of the tangible benefits regional and local landscape scales; provided, including: • New thinking and analytical techniques - Economic contribution made through to describe and analyse ecological maintenance of ecosystem services processes at continental scales as the (carbon sequestration, catchment basis for developing high level program protection, benefits of biodiverse priorities. landscapes) and provision of employment and economic products (tourism, sustainable forest yield, etc) - Social and institutional benefits provided Opportunities for Future through recreation, visual amenity, existence values’, increased cost Improvement effectiveness of collaborative programs; and
1. Review and refine natural and cultural heritage values reports 4. Promote wider use of GER data, analyses and techniques The content of the draft reports should be made more widely available to a broader Potential exists to leverage the growing audience through major partners. reputation of the GER Initiative as a focus for scientific excellence and leadership on connectivity conservation. Techniques and 2. Demonstrate success and support analyses made available to others would adaptation strengthen opportunities for their implementation. Demonstrating the quantifiable improvements in species persistence was not possible during the timeframes of the 5. Priorities for connectivity conservation NSW Environmental Trust funding. However, research increased availability of remote sensed data, evolving techniques in spatial analysis and The Science and Information Reference potential to link with data sourced from a Group in August 2010 considered key network of citizen scientists all provide messages from the four 'whole of GER opportunities to overcome limitations in this spatial analysis' projects undertaken in aspect of the Initiative. 2009-10, and implications of the work for how the Initiative might operate in future. During the latter half of 2008-09, significant The workshop concluded: progress was made on developing a • The consideration of continental context Performance Evaluation and MER Plan to and 'large scale' ecological processes is establish a framework and program for well- essential to provide understanding of targeted and cost-efficient monitoring. The context for regional connectivity plan should be revisited, to explore options conservation projects for cost effective monitoring of actions and • Further analysis is needed to consider success in the future, in the light of essential processes and threats to experiences in baseline activities reporting, resilience along the ranges beyond data available from long term monitoring, NSW, including: and emerging tools from the collaboration o distribution and implications of with Atlas of Living Australia. weeds and feral pests,
31 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
o changing fire regimes, 6. Review the structure and operations of the o shifting rainfall patterns, and Science and Technical Reference Group to o species and ecosystem response to increase its efficiency altered bioclimatic conditions. Significant opportunities exist to link with Such information will become increasingly research projects as part of a wider effort to important at the whole of GER level to address the broader GER research agenda, support growing efforts in Victoria, the ACT but will require more nimble coordination and Queensland. than the current annual forum/workshop model permits.
32 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
- GENERAL FINDINGS, CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES -
Connectivity conservation is still a relatively new approach to conservation planning and management and it is still in its infancy in Australia. It seeks to integrate efforts across all land tenures, bringing together the contributions of all public and private sectors. In Australia and globally, conservation planners and managers are still learning how to implement this new approach most effectively.
broad range of skills the full potential for General Findings the Initiative is being compromised.
• The success of partnership formation • Timely on-ground successes are vital for highlights the potential for wider sustaining community interest and application of this model for building involvement. In some locations, such as effective conservation projects in the the Hunter Valley, there had previously GER. Continuation of this investment is been insufficient action on the ground. essential to ensure that a series of high This was due to the limited time profile collaborative programmes are in available for the massive task of place along the length of the GER, to conservation data assemblage, analysis, ensure that the Initiative provides an prioritisation and consultation required to attractive programme supported by all reach agreement on areas to be targeted industry, Government and community for on-ground conservation activities and sectors, and is sustained beyond the life investment. The GER Initiative has been of the current NSW Environmental Trust able to reverse this problem and funding. planning has been completed to allow prioritisation in the area to make required • Success depends substantially on the progress. quality and skills of the Regional Facilitators. An organising approach involving Facilitators must also have sufficient funding or collective action to General Challenges enable communities to see tangible action on the ground in the short term. • The increased number of non- government partners can place • There is no one organisation model that increasing demands on the GER works in all environments. The people Initiative to provide strategic programme who are involved are the key. In each oversight and leadership in key aspects, regional partnership area, the local such as consolidating and expanding communities and the people who work partnerships with industry groups. with them are best able to advise what will work in their region. • Significant risks remain that available funds will fall short of bridging the gap to • The Initiative needs specialist skills in a secure the long term future of the very broad range of areas, like any Initiative and to ensure we can continue NGO. Skills in management, to: conservation analysis, business • Maintain the drive shown by our development, fund raising, regional partners communications, project and event • Expand our partnerships and meet management, finance and governance the increasing calls for expansion are all vital. Due to the lack of funding, in NSW, Queensland and Victoria this has not been an option. Without this
33 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
• Build new partnerships and need to consider this as the next step in sponsorship opportunities with its evolution. industry • Develop data analysis, project reporting and monitoring tools • Realise the many research funding General Opportunities opportunities that are increasingly • open to us The potential to expand the Initiative into • Leverage increasing media new parts of NSW, Victoria, the ACT and opportunities, as the general Queensland exists with increasing awareness of connectivity interest from other organisations and conservation grows corridor projects across all States.
• • A MOU between the four environment The alignment of the partners’ programs Ministers of Victoria, NSW, ACT and can maintain the delivery of conservation Queensland remains unsigned. This will outcomes, while mitigating the risk of impact the efficient management, loss of funding for new projects.
sharing of information and promotion of • the Initiative, especially with expansion The Atlas of Living Australia project into the other States. provides multiple benefits for the Initiative across all existing and future • Social capital will rapidly evaporate Regional Partnerships and will enhance without further sustained investment. the potential for further funding.
Finding sustainable sources of funding to • maintain momentum is the most The National Wildlife Corridors Plan pressing and challenging issue for the provides the potential for significant Lead Partners Working Group. Failure to funding for connectivity conservation by support any new programs that have the Australian Government through the been successful in gaining community Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund, commitment, such as the GER Initiative, Caring for our Country and Stewardship creates a liability for future efforts. The Programs. The NSW Government community wants the programs they are election commitment to deliver a network involved in to be supported over time. of ‘green corridors’ similarly suggested potential for continued support and • As the Initiative expands with more partnership of NGOs, local community partners and activities, it is increasingly networks and landholders to work in difficult to collect and collate data and partnership with Government to deliver outcomes at the whole of GER level. effective local projects.
This inevitably means that we are • potentially ‘under-selling’ our The Draft NSW Biodiversity Strategy achievements. 2010-15 highlighted the importance of the Initiative and the Coalition Party’s • As the Initiative is not a legal entity, it Environment Policy also expressed the cannot enter into contracts in its own party’s strong support in the lead up to right. Potential investors are then the NSW Government Election. This required to contract with a partner mainstreaming of connectivity organisation, who has to enter into sub- conservation in NSW is likely to improve contracts with other partners. This is the potential for funding. time-consuming and is likely to be seen as a risk for investors. This is the main reason that Gondwana Link moved to an incorporated entity. The Initiative will
34 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
- CONCLUSIONS -
The GER Initiative has been highly effective in laying the foundations for one of the largest conservation programs in Australia. The success of the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative has depended substantially on the quality and skills of Regional Facilitators to harness the energies and resources of the partner organisations. Equally important has been a central management, science and communications team that takes a ‘whole of GER’ perspective, with a focus on future funding, support for the Facilitators, expanding the body of research and building public awareness.
The increasing maturity of the five diverse range of players, many of whom partnerships is proven in the expansion of have not previously met, to deliver shared the organisations wanting to become connectivity conservation goals. The involved. The Slopes to Summit partnership increasing maturity of the existing five has transitioned from a largely science- partnerships has been proven by the community membership to active increase in the organisations wanting to involvement of Landcare networks. The become involved. These have included partnership is now expanding into peri-urban agencies and public land managers, projects. Similarly, the Hunter Valley community organisations, researchers, Working Group has grown in the last 12 landholders, industries and Aboriginal months to involve a national volunteer groups. organisation, local government, heavy industry and a university, expanding the The progress of the Great Eastern Ranges range of skills and perspectives actively Initiative in its first four years was proved a involved in leading efforts in that region. considerable achievement, made all the more impressive by its having been The Initiative’s growing public visibility has achieved over such a short period of time. stimulated a ground-swell of interest from Investment by the NSW Environmental Trust outside the initial focus areas in NSW. This provided an essential foundation, without has come from existing networks at a local which the GER Initiative would not have and regional level, individual community achieved more than a fraction of the groups and state-wide and national outcomes so far. This foundation allowed the conservation organisations. All have been Initiative to not only be established, but inspired to align their own activities with evolve and transition into a community- those of the Initiative. This interest has been driven endeavour during 2010-11. spontaneous and demonstrates the Initiative’s success in building credibility and The ongoing challenge will continue to be respect among a wide range of interest the need to generate sufficient funding on an groups. ongoing basis to maintain the momentum into the future. The inclusive approach adopted for the GER Initiative continues to bring together a
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35 The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative A Report to the NSW Environmental Trust, 2007-2011
Photo credits
Front cover: (clockwise from top left) Members of the Border Ranges GER Alliance (S Cohen); Filming ‘Two Men on the Divide’, Upper Hunter, 2011 (G Anderson); Southern Highlands Link partners exploring the Canyonleigh district (OEH); S2S members partnership explaining connectivity conservation, S2S Open Day (S Hartvigsen); Fitzroy Falls, Morton National Park (J Winters) Pg 4: (left to right) Georgia Beyer, Border Ranges GER Facilitator (OEH); Main Range, Kosciuszko National Park (OEH); Bow Wow Gorge Conservation Agreement, Hunter Valley (L Ransom) Pg 9: Bunhybee Grasslands NCT Covenant Agreement, K2C (OEH) Pg 12: (left to right) Eastern Water Dragon (OEH); Macleah’s Monarch Butterfly (OEH) Pg 14: Bredbo Gentian (R Rehwinkel) Pg 15: Members of the Southern Highlands Link partnership and GER staff ‘planning in the field’ (I Pulsford) Pg 26: Hiking in Mount Royal National Park (OEH) Pg 28: Powerful Owl (OEH); Bracket fungi (OEH)
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