How can farming and conservation work together?

This question is posed by the Connecting Country 2012 education program, which starts on February 29.

The program explores the idea that efficient production and care for nature go hand in hand. It includes workshops, lectures, discussions and field trips, and will throw some interesting questions at participants: can farmers get paid to look after nature? How can conservation measures help long term farm efficiency? Does revegetation really make farmland more resilient? How does the farmer’s perspective on biodiversity differ from that of a conservationist?

Field of Kangaroo Grass near Guildford: One of the sessions of the CC education program explores the benefits of native grasses in farming systems.

Sessions include bread and butter practicalities like management of nesting boxes and ways to identify exactly what native vegetation there is on any given block of land.

The program runs from February 29 to May 8 and is open to members of the public. Evening sessions are free, and the workshop and field days are ridiculously cheap at $10 per person. Full details are on the Connecting Country website. For more information and to RSVP please contact bryan@connectingcountry.org.au or call the Connecting Country office on 5472 1594