Environmentalists, land mangers and ecologists from across NSW met at the Rahamim Ecological Learning Community in Bathurst on the weekend to discuss strategies for reversing the declining health of the state’s rivers and rural landscapes.
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Nature Conservation Council of NSW chief executive officer Pepe Clarke said the Regional Environment Conference focused on solutions and highlighted the role of grassroots organisations in protecting the environment.
The conference was hosted by the Central West Environment Council.
“People in rural and regional areas know better than most that NSW’s rivers and rural landscapes are under intense pressure, and that biodiversity and river health has been steadily declining,” Mr Clarke said.
“The state of the environment concerns everybody in NSW, but it is of particular interest to country people because they understand very intimately that healthy communities and viable rural economies depend absolutely on healthy ecosystems.
“This may explain why there are so many local groups across rural and regional NSW with so many committed volunteers that are working so hard to find ways to better care for country.”
The key environmental issues discussed at the conference were the management of rivers, wetlands and water; native vegetation and catchment management; promoting renewable energy; mining and coal seam gas development; and the management of crown lands.
Presenters included RiverSmart Australia founder Dr Bill Phillips, who spoke about stakeholder empowerment.
Central West Catchment Management Authority ecological consultant Dr Anne Kerle discussed catchment management and resilient landscapes.
Inland Rivers Network president Bev Smiles gave a presentation on protecting and restoring freshwater biodiversity.
