There is an increasing focus balancing the use natural resources within our environment, managing these with conservation and sustainability. It is now widely recognised that long term environmental stewardship is the key for our future generations to enjoy and profit economically from the use of our natural resources. Some examples of this include:
Water Use and Conservation– With NSW experiencing droughts and water scarcity, local communities, councils, and farmers in regions like the Murray-Darling Basin collaborate to conserve water resources. This involves community-led monitoring of water quality, advocating for responsible water use, and protecting rivers and wetlands through initiatives like the Healthy Rivers Ambassadors program.
In urban areas, rainwater harvesting systems are commonly used to reduce reliance on municipal water. Farmers, schools, and households collect and store rainwater for irrigation, animal use, and gardening, reducing their environmental impact. In many local council areas, this is compulsory on all new buildings.
Sustainable Farming– Farmers are increasingly adopting regenerative farming techniques, which focus on restoring soil health, sequestering carbon, and improving biodiversity. This includes rotational grazing, cover cropping, and agroforestry. For example, farmers in the Riverina and Central Tablelands regions are known for integrating these practices to improve land productivity while conserving the natural environment.
Marine and Coastal Resource Management– Our marine environments are also more carefully managed. From establishing Marine Parks which act as sanctuaries for many unique species of aquatic plants and animals, to exclusion zones for fishing and bag limits in other areas, there are many strategies that have been implemented to ensure that these environments are preserved for future generations.
Volunteer groups and schools often participate in coastal cleanups and dune restoration programs. For example, organizations like Take 3 for the Sea encourage people to remove plastic waste from beaches, while coastal councils engage communities in projects to stabilize sand dunes with native vegetation, protecting against erosion.
