In
December 2007 Community Solutions, with Jane Elix Consulting, completed
facilitation of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment component of the
Hotspots Fire Management Project. Hotspots is assisting NSW landholders
and public land managers in managing fire both for the protection of
life and property and to ensure healthy, productive landscapes in which
biodiversity is protected and maintained.
Funded by
the New South Wales Environmental Trust and auspiced through Nature
Conservation Council NSW the Hotspots project is the first of its kind
in the State. Community Solutions’ role was to work with the Hotspots
central team to engage communities within the Hawkesbury-Nepean
Catchment. The aim was to work with a diverse range of people
interested in fire - from landholders and rangers to fire fighters,
ecologists, government agencies and others across the Hawkesbury Nepean
Catchment. Community Solutions recruited for and facilitated a series
of practical workshops in Beecroft, High Range near Mittagong, Megalong
Valley in the Blue Mountains and in St Albans.
These
workshops explored opportunities for meeting the goals of different land
uses such as farm production, local government Bush Care management and
biodiversity conservation on public and private lands.
This
project showcased and utilised the experience Community Solutions offers
in community engagement on issues of natural resource management. The
project was delivered by the Nature Conservation Council of NSW and
regional partners including the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, New
South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change, the Catchment
Management Authorities, NSW Farmers Association and the SE Queensland
Fire and Biodiversity Consortium. For more information go to the
Hotspots website:
www.hotspotsfireproject.org.au
Judy continues to work with the Hotspots team to assist
in developing an ongoing program.
