Each year a number of science forums in Queensland bring together information on the Paddock to Reef Integrated Modelling, Monitoring and Reporting Program (Paddock to Reef program); Reef 2050 Catchment Water Quality Strategy (Reef 2050 CWQS) activities; the Reef Water Quality Science program; regionally relevant partnerships (e.g. regional report card partnerships) and research projects (community groups, NRM organisations, industry, research and governments). Information is shared on how to improve land management practices, catchment condition and water quality in catchments, waterways (freshwater and estuarine), wetlands and other ecosystem within Great Barrier Reef catchments.
The day was kindly opened by Bec Domaille, CEO Taribelang Aboriginal Corporation, who provided the audience with a Welcome to Country, and later closed the event sharing the important work Taribelang Aboriginal Corporation Rangers have played in helping restore the banks of the Burnett River.
BMRG's John Craig led a thought provoking story telling session with natural capital specialist Kym Whiteoak and John Watson - a partner with M-Nut, on how on-farm investment and building natural capital can work together in the same space to produce exciting outcomes.
BMRG CEO Tom Espinoza presented on maximising co-benefits and the importance of the work being implemented by BMRG with riverine restoration, bringing together indigenous organisations, government, industry, communities and landholders, improving landscape function, natural capital and enhancing habitat for fauna with a focus on threatened species.
Zeke Davidson presented a compelling, evidence-based walkthrough of the Burnett S2 site, taking the audience from baseline erosion conditions through to intervention and post-flood performance. His presentation demonstrated how targeted bank stabilisation works, supported by modelling, can deliver a stable reach outcome, reducing sediment loss and contributing to improved water quality at a catchment scale.