Knowledge for Regional NRM Phase 2 implemented three packages of products and services:

• Package 1 – Better practice in knowledge management
• Package 2 – NRM Navigator
• Package 3 – Supporting knowledge brokering in the NRM sector

I was the team leader for “Package 1 – Better practice in knowledge management” which developed three successful products for the NRM sector:

• Information and Knowledge Resource Kit (IKRK)
• Information and Knowledge Strategy process
• Knowledge Leaders training program

The report Knowledge for Regional Natural Resource Management – Achievements and options presents the significant achievements of Phase 2 of the Knowledge for Regional NRM Program. The report also introduces options for maintaining and evolving the important products and services of the program into the future, and for maintaining momentum for the continued improvement of information and knowledge management in the NRM sector. I collated the report material and wrote the report.

Phase 2 of the Knowledge for Regional NRM Program won a Platinum Award in the actKM Forum 2008 Knowledge Management Awards. ‘Platinum’ is the highest award category and awards at this level are rarely made.

	Information and Knowledge Resource Kit (IKRK)
	Knowledge for Regional Natural Resource Management – Achievements and options (PDF 8.17 MB)
	actKM Forum Platinum Knowledge Management Award for Knowledge for Regional NRM Program (PDF 0.3 MB)

Project Green Nest was acclaimed for its innovative strategies and the way in which it engaged the community, receiving a Commendation Award in the ‘Environment – Natural Resource Management: Partnerships for Biodiversity Conservation’ category in the 2002 National Awards for Local Government, and the Landcare Australia Local Government Award in the 2003 Queensland Landcare Awards. Crows Nest Shire has since been amalgamated into the new Toowoomba Regional Council.

The leading work of Rick Galbraith and Nigel Kimball underpinned the success of Project Green Nest. Rick Galbraith had a long association with Crows Nest Shire, including many years working as an environmental officer for Council. He was instrumental in the development of the conservation strategies implemented through Project Green Nest, as discussed in the Remnant Vegetation Corridor Management Strategy. Nigel Kimball worked on Project Green Nest while studying at The University of Queensland, and explored the critical role of human values and attitudes in NRM through the preparation of Striking That Happy Medium, Community Attitudes to Natural Resource Management in Crows Nest Shire, Qld. Nigel has since established Yarramine Environmental, a professional services provider assisting clients from the agribusiness, landcare and non-government, small business, domestic, corporate and government sectors to achieve their goals and overcome their problems in the environmental and natural resource management fields.

The Remnant Vegetation Corridor Management Strategy was informed by the Gatton Shire Biodiversity Strategy and Striking That Happy Medium, Community Attitudes to Natural Resource Management in Crows Nest Shire, Qld was informed by the Gatton Shire Biodiversity Strategy and the Sustainable Management of the Helidon Hills Project.

	Natural Resource Management Strategy for Crow’s Nest Shire (PDF 0.3 MB)
	Crow’s Nest Shire Council Pest Management Plan (PDF 1.6 MB)
	Crows Nest Remnant Vegetation Corridor Management Strategy (PDF 1.0 MB)
	Striking That Happy Medium – Community Attitudes to NRM (PDF 2.0 MB)
	Commendation Award for Crows Nest Shire Project Green Nest (PDF 0.1 MB)
	Media article – “Trail helps preserve Highfields bushland”, Toowoomba Chronicle (PDF 0.2 MB)
	Media article – “Councils combine to improve water quality”, Toowoomba Chronicle (PDF 0.2 MB)
	Media article – “Trainees clean up Crows Nest park water course”, Toowoomba Chronicle (PDF 0.2 MB)
	Media article – “Signs to help protect Crows Nest’s wildlife”, Toowoomba Chronicle (PDF 0.2 MB)
	Media article – “Pretty plant is a robber in disguise”, Toowoomba Chronicle (PDF 0.2 MB)

The preferred management approach was to develop a cooperative and coordinated strategy involving all affected stakeholders including landholders, industries, Local, State and Commonwealth Governments, and other interest groups. This management approach represents a different challenge for governments. The implementation of strategies identified in the project are largely the responsibility of the community, especially landholders and community groups. It was recognised that achieving these outcomes requires a different approach to traditional land use planning. The challenge was to develop a methodology that found common ground between a wider community desire for environmental and cultural heritage preservation on the one hand and the aspirations of the local community, particularly landholders, on the other. The ‘win-win’ approach adopted included involving landholders and the community from day one and researching and developing innovative win-win solutions to complex and competing issues.

	Helidon Hills Management Plan (PDF 0.5 MB)
	Media article at commencement of project – “Tension at Helidon meeting”, Toowoomba Chronicle (PDF 0.3 MB)
	Media article at completion of project – “Helidon Hills project co-ordinator unties cord”, Gatton Star (PDF 0.2 MB)