Maximising Drought Resilience with Natural Capital Opportunities

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Decision Support Tool 

Murray Inland Delta primary producers have another advantage when it comes to improving drought preparations with our natural capital and drought resilience decision support tool designed by the region’s farmers.
 
Western Murray Land Improvement Group (WMLIG), with support from the Southern Innovation Hub, convened farmers from across the delta plus experts in environmental markets, banking, drought resilience and farm sustainability to co-design a handy tool to help land stewards get on the front foot when it comes to maximising their natural capital advantages. 
 
TOOL: Download the Natural Capital and Drought Resilience Decision Support Tool below

Download the presentations from our co-design workshops below April 11 and May 8 and watch video of workshop 8th May 2024

The tool guides farmers on initial natural capital accounting assessments which can assist with quantifying and planning land management areas designated for natural capital projects. This approach can lead to more informed decision-making and improved resilience to climate variability.
 
A tailored drought resilience and natural capital index helps with initial planning when weighing up natural capital assets with options on how to improve them. 

The farmer-designed tool includes a decision matrix to aid in understanding which environmental goods and services provision may be worth investigating. Participating in programs that reward farmers can provide additional income streams and help recovery after drought but the markets are emerging and information is scattered.
 
The co-design group found that community support and network building were a key element of drought resilience and aggregated natural capital projects across a landscape were and could increasingly play a part in improving drought resilience.
 
The project was based on several findings that forming networks and engaging in peer-to-peer learning can help farmers share best practices and new tools for managing drought and other climate risks. Collaborative approaches leads to wider adoption of effective drought-ready production and natural capital management strategies.
 
The tool was also designed to help farmers leverage future support programs and grants for drought and climate change preparedness. If financial assistance for on-ground works - fencing, water point efficiency, establishing containment areas, crucial for managing stock and maintaining farm productivity during droughts - are made available, farmers can see ahead of time where this may have multiple benefits for natural capital projects. 

For more information, please contact Jacqueline McArthur at
Jacqueline.McArthur@wmlig.org

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