“Boots on ground”
Rebuilding functional landscapes
Community Participation - LEP23-024-03
The issue
Traditional agricultural methods and persistent drought conditions have significantly affected many catchments, leading to dehydration of the landscape and depletion of nutrients and organic matter. Erosion and insufficient ground cover have further impaired the landscape's capacity to retain water and nutrients, hindering efficient cycling and the ability to retain as much moisture as possible when it does fall.
The reduction in natural habitat has led to loss of biodiversity and a reduction in both fauna and flora species on-farm.
Landholders are seeking achievable, realistic, and economical ways to improve their landscapes function.
The solution
GWYMAC Landcare and Mulloon Institute have collaborated since 2020, and this current project represents the culmination of the Community of Practice Project, which originated from the Bootcamp held at the local property "Danthonia" in October 2023. Participants witnessed the construction of various landscape rehydration structures, such as Log Sil's, Brush Weir's, Rock and Clay structures, and a crossing point for machinery and vehicles.
The event provided CoP participants with valuable networking opportunities and enhanced their learning through interactions with peers, thereby expanding their local networks. Emphasis was also placed on the importance of maintaining adequate ground cover and increasing biodiversity across farm operations.
The impact
The "Boots on Ground" day proved highly successful, with participants benefiting greatly from the hands-on workshop experience and witnessing the construction of various landscape rehydration structures. Landholders from across New England and the North West Region, both familiar with Mulloon’s initiatives and newcomers, attended the event. Activities included constructing brush and coir log weirs, and manually placing locking rocks in certain structures, as well as planting at the structure sites. Attendees also gained insights into site assessment methodologies and learned to identify specific landscape features.
Key facts
- Landscape rehydration structures can be low-cost and effective
- Machinery is not always required to implement a rehydration project on your farm
- Creating Biodiversity is vital to increasing your natural capital
- Plants, Plants, Plants!