Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement (MERI), or ‘closing the loop’, is a term we are hearing and using more and more in our projects. In simple terms, once you’ve developed your plan and put it into action, MERI asks – “Is it working?”.

Tailored Communications are an integral part of Healthy Country Programs. Community leaders from the Narungga, Nukunu, and Ngadjuri Nations of South Australia as well as Natural Resources Northern and Yorke (NRNY) are committed to supporting the development of Healthy Country Plans (HCP) for these Nations.

The Peninsular Malaysia Terrestrial Conservation Program, WWF (World Wildlife Fund)-Malaysia, are fulfilling a critical stage of their journey to healthier landscapes by funding an independent evaluation for the first phase of their programme. This will focus on achievements to date, as well as recommendations for the next stage of activity.

Registrations are now closed for the 3-day Healthy Country Planning Training workshop from Friday 27th of April to Sunday 29th of April 2018, as we are fully subscribed. The workshop is being held in conjunction with the Conservation Coaches Network Rally 2018 in the Blue Mountains, NSW.

Conservation professionals from across the world made their way to the small town of Poatina, Tasmania to take part in the latest Healthy Country Planning and Open Standards Workshop. Watch attendees reactions to the value of this workshop to them, their countries and communities.

First Nation from Canada recently came together with staff from The Nature Conservancy, workshop facilitators, and Conservation Management in Stanley Park, Vancouver.  At the end of the week, teams were asked to write down what they had learnt about Healthy Country Planning.

The Marditja Banjima Rangers and Elders have based themselves at the Karijini Eco-Retreat in the Pilbara Region of WA to study local native plants for bush foods and medicinal uses. The Karijini on-country trip was planned by the Marditja Banjima Rangers to gain and share knowledge from their Elders about native plants, food and medicine.  Conservation Management Director, David Whitelaw is currently overseeing the Banjima Country Management team’s implementation of their Banjima Yurlubajagu Strategic Plan.

Traditional land management practices and the sharing of ecological knowledge will lead the way toward a positive future and better health of country and community. To achieve this, the Bunuba People of the Central West Kimberley and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (Parks and Wildlife) with support from the Kimberley Land Council and Conservation Management, worked together in 2016 towards both a Joint Management Agreement (JMA) and Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA). Conservation Management helped facilitate the process, working with all parties including Bush Heritage Australia and other regional NGOs to build a partnership platform around Bunuba’s Healthy Country Plan. Bunuba Dawangarri Aboriginal Corporation continues to work with all parties in the development of their healthy country plan, with Conservation Management currently providing communications and design support for the completion of the plan product.

Trust For Nature, Victoria’s dedicated private land conservation body, have finalised the ‘Westernport Priority Zone Plan.’ This plan, the second in a series of three, is an important part of the Trust for Nature’s strategic planning and on-ground conservation work on the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas and Westernport Bay. This ‘Bays and Islands’ landscape contains approximately 25 000 hectares of inadequately protected native vegetation, most of which is considered threatened and provides important habitat for vulnerable species. The plan was drafted with the help of Conservation Action Planning (CAP) workshops, based on the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation, and facilitated by Conservation Management.