‘Natural capital’ is the latest innovative thinking about our environment and how it relates to the economy, and the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) wants to give local farmers and businesses an opportunity to benefit from it.

Natural capital is like other forms of capital such as financial, human, or social. It helps put a value on the natural assets that give us our health, livelihoods, and future.

Natural capital can be rocks and soil, waterways, plants and animals, even the air we breathe. They give us the water we drink and the land for food production, they help us survive, and help regulate climate or defend us from floods and droughts.

“Natural capital and its significance in emerging markets is a hot topic at the moment, and our region is well positioned to take advantage of that,” North Central CMA Business Development Manager Matthew Dawson said.

“There are opportunities for local farmers, businesses, and land managers to maximise on their natural capital, but there are also risks they need to be aware of.

“That’s why we’re holding a Natural Capital Forum at Bendigo in June, to help locals find out more.”

The forum will be held at Bendigo’s Capital Theatre on June 13, from 9am to 5pm.

Topics and speakers include:

• ESG Insights: From Global Trends to On-Farm Practices - Katie McRobert, General Manager / Acting CEO, Australian Farm Institute
• Farm-scale Natural Capital Accounting - Jim Radford, Associate Professor, Department of Environment and Genetics, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University.
• Enhancing farm profitability, resilience and sustainability - Angela Hawdon, Strategic Engagements Manager, Farming for the Future
• Understanding On-Farm Emissions - Alison Kelly, Farm Emissions Specialist | Agriculture Victoria
• Farmers Insights - Hear from farmers who have engaged with natural capital and carbon markets.

“The forum will help people understand what natural capital is, what it means for farm businesses, and weight up the opportunities and the risks,” Mr Dawson said.

For bookings and more information, go to our Events page. Tickets are $25 and are limited.