News of September & October 2018

Dear friends,

 

September and October tend to test our management.

After months with little or no rain, nature tends to be in a dehydrated state of slumber. We hope for rain, but must not count on it. Fire is a scary thought and we monitor the NAFI page on a daily basis, hoping to get sufficient warning of any fires headed our way. Last year we were lucky, this year we were not. A lightning strike on the eve of the 17 October caused us heartache. This is how nature tells us where to lift our act.

 

This selection of photos was taken via the lens of Roman’s camera:

We thank Central Station for featuring Kachana with some of our stories! 


We remain convinced that: Water-Security = Genuine Biosecurity.

Much time in recent months was invested in creating awareness of the merits of large herbivores (even wild donkeys) in landscapes such as ours.

A Kimberley group that is supposedly responsible for our “biosecurity”, officially remains intent on replacing herbivores with fire in our unmanaged watersheds.

Yet, it now seems that our Wild Donkey Project might be granted time to run for a little longer…

THANK YOU: Dani, Arian and Roger for your help at such short notice, and of course also all you other wonderful people out there who are working behind the scenes!

I am beginning to believe that misguided government policy has perhaps become the greatest biosecurity threat in Northern WA rangelands. There is evidence that in certain situations this may already be the case. In the face of potentially escalating climate-extremes, rather than singling out species for either commercial or pest value, should we not rather be focusing on making our landscapes healthy, resilient and productive? 

In Southern parts of Australia Peter Andrews promotes a similar discussion: 

Soaking up Australia's drought

Hope Springs - Australian Story

 

May November be a good month for you all.

 

 

Greetings from Kachana!


Some extra listening and watching...

Upon the request of our current Minister for agriculture in WA, Louise Edmonds and Chris were requested to present. Here the link to the full recording, (introductions, presentations, questions and discussion), Perth 16th October 2018: 

 

Minute 20:00 to minute 31:30:

Watch Louise Edmonds of Intuit Earth make a case for monetising the environmental services that regenerative agriculture could provide.

 

 Minute 04:00 to minute 18:00:                    

Chris Henggeler promotes the idea of a primary focus on eco-system function, health and resilience. 

 

The question is asked about wild donkeys on Kachana: Chris responds



For some years now, we have been advocating the key role that pastoral custodianship of the landscape could play in securing Australia’s economy. As one generation approaches its use-by-date, it is great to watch a new generation of proactive young industry-leaders taking the ball and running with it!

 

Listen to Moira Lanzarin (about 700 km to our East) talking about regenerating the Never Never on Rescope Radio