Knowledge Development
Lachlan CMA is constantly tracking scientific research and industry trends, and keeping our clients and other stakeholders informed of the practical implications of these changes as they emerge. This stream of information flows in two directions as we take vital findings from the progress of on-farm projects back to government, research, and industry bodies. Constant generation and monitoring of knowledge also allows us to continually adapt and improve our programs.
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Science Coordination and Facilitation
We keep a register of NRM science activities in the catchment, facilitating forums, and coordinating on-ground projects. Lachlan CMA acts as an advocate to ensure that scientific research ventures meet the needs of our clients and other partners. -
Participatory Research
Lachlan CMA connects landholders and industry groups with the right researchers. We guide these partnerships to ensure that the goals of both parties are achieved through mutual participation in the development and testing of new knowledge. This ensures that research addresses the exact requirements of individual, site-specific projects, leaving no gaps that may impair the usefulness, or impede the progress of the work being done. -
Monitoring & Evaluation - Catchment
We design and implement monitoring and evaluation systems to demonstrate progress and outcomes to investors. Lachlan CMA collates available information for access by all stakeholders. We also facilitate access between researchers and end-users, provide data management, storage and analysis, and publish the catchment’s annual report card. -
Monitoring & Evaluation - Community
Lachlan CMA provides training, support, and resources to assist our clients and the community at large in monitoring the health of their natural resource assets to assist in measuring the impact of changes they are implementing. There are two ways in which DIY Community Monitoring is done: one is on an individual level, the other on a group level.
An example of the individual level is Landholder Monitoring in which a landholder monitors their own property and progress against their own goals. Lachlan CMA can collate this information for comparison with other landholders or the catchment norm.
A group level example is community-based water quality monitoring programs as found in the Upper Lachlan Catchment. These groups work closely with the Lachlan Catchment Management Authority to monitor salinity, and the information from the samplers is collated and assessed by Lachlan CMA staff. Monitoring and evaluation is helping landholders to gain a better understanding of what works best in their backyard for their particular problems and is assisting them in changing and adapting their practice where necessary.
Our Knowledge Development service is the foundation of Lachlan CMA’s activities. Our philosophy and work practice could be described as ‘knowledge in action’, which also translates to the idea of working smarter - not harder.