Beef producers looking to learn about cost-effective erosion control methods can register for the Landscape Restoration Workshop being hosted by the Smith family, Dreghorn Station, Charters Towers on Friday, May 27.
Land restoration specialist, Craig Sponholtz will discuss a number of management options to restore land, using natural processes that will reduce the impacts of agriculture on the Great Barrier Reef lagoon during the event.
NQ Dry Tropics’ Jared Sunderland said graziers who attend will increase their working knowledge of passive water harvesting, erosion control and stream restoration practices.
“They will also learn the critical skills needed to recognize the root-causes of watershed problems and identify how to make improvements,” Mr Sunderland said.
“Mr Sponholtz is returning to North Queensland to build on the success of last years practical, hands-on workshop at Swans Lagoon,” he said.
He uses natural processes to self-repair vulnerable watershed. His techniques emphasise working with nature to establish the foundational knowledge needed to use water effectively.
“Producers will gain exposure to cutting-edge watershed restoration methods including natural channel design, induced meandering, and agro-ecological restoration, and learn how to read the landscape, assess, design, plan and implement projects that utilize runoff as a resource,” Mr Sponholtz said.
“I’m continuously learning new techniques to incorporate into my work and teaching, and I’ve gained extensive hands-on experience in designing and constructing passive water harvesting, erosion control and stream restoration projects,” he said.
“All projects have a limited amount of resources available; funding, time and management influence over neighboring lands can be limiting factors.
“Where do we focus our limited energy and resources in vast and degraded landscapes? Where can we do the most good?”
At last year’s Swans Lagoon workshop, participants completed a major gully regeneration project over three days.
They used remediation techniques including: rock mulch run-downs to slow water down and allow groundcover to establish; and zuni bowls to protect the ‘pour-over’ zone and prevent the head-cut from moving further upstream.
To build on the remediation work undertaken, the aim is to manage future grazing so the landscape will become stable, productive and develop a functioning water cycle.
For more information email jared.sunderland@nqdrytropics.com.au